(Posted 26th May 2022)
U.S.-AFRICA RELATIONS
Biden eyes September UN session for US – Africa summit
The Africa Report
US President Joe Biden is tentatively looking to host African leaders in Washington in mid-September as time rapidly runs out for him to hold his promised follow-up to the 2014 Leaders Summit this year… Read more>>
Pentagon Taps Next Commander of U.S. Forces in Africa
New York Times
Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III has recommended that the White House promote Lt. Gen. Michael E. Langley of the Marine Corps to be the next head of the military’s Africa Command, two U.S. officials said, in what would be a pathbreaking assignment… Read more>>
AGRIBUSINESS
African Development Bank Releases $1.5 Billion to Tackle Food Crisis
The East African
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has released $1.5 billion to tackle a looming food crisis on the continent. The funds will be channelled to about 20 million farmers across the continent in the form of purchases for certified seed, fertiliser and better farming technology. The target is to enable farmers to produce at least 38 million tonnes of food this season, according to a decision reached by the Bank’s Board of Governors on Friday… Read more>>
USAID Releases $25M to Support A Nutritional Program in Tanzania
AP News
The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has injected 25 million US dollars to support ‘Mboga na Matunda’ program that seeks to improve nutritional status among thousands of Tanzanians… Read more>>
ENERGY
Liberia Electricity Corporation Pledges Rapid and Positive Change to Liberia’s Energy Sector
ESI Africa
Following an extensive day of meetings chaired by the President of Liberia, the Chairman of the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) has assured the country of rapid progress in the energy sector. The one-day meeting was a consequence of President George Weah’s concern about the woeful outage of power in Liberia… Read more>>
IFC to Finance Large Hydropower Project in Mozambique
ESI Africa
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) will finance a 1,500MW hydropower project and associated transmission facilities in Mozambique. The IFC will partner with the Mozambican Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy (MIREME) through the Mphanda Nkuwe Hydroelectric Project Implementation Office to increase access to clean energy in Mozambique and other Southern African countries… Read more>>
HEALTH
Buhari Signs Health Insurance Bill into Law
Premium Times Nigeria
The new bill repeals the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Act which has been in existence since 2004… Read more>>
Kenya: Govt Rolls Out Telemedicine Programme Across the Country
All Africa
Kenya is set to roll out a grant telemedicine program across the country to improve access to healthcare, particularly in remote and marginalized regions. Already, the government through the Communication Authority has set aside Shs600 million to fund the laying out of the foundation for telemedicine in 20 health facilities… Read more>>
INFRASTRUCTURE
African entrepreneurs Call for more Investment in Local Energy Startups
Devex
African entrepreneurs have called for greater venture capital investment in local sustainable energy startups — and called out funders for their lack of faith in local companies… Read more>>
The Role of Infrastructure Development in Kenya’s Growing Economy
The Star
Infrastructure development is recognised globally as a critical pathway to economic take-off. This is because it promotes intra-country linkages and strengthens regional or international production and distribution networks. Kenya boasts one of the best infrastructure networks in Africa’s South of Sahara. In Nairobi, East Africa’s business and financial hub, the skyline is changing… Read more>>
ICT
Ogun (Nigeria) Begins Laying of 5,000km Fibre Optic Cable to Boost Internet Connectivity
Rif Note
The Ogun State Government, has begun laying of 5000 kilometre fibre optic cable that will link the 20 local government areas of the state. The laying of the cable, was part of the three main areas in which the state was deploying resources for of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure… Read more>>
SITA Sees Africa’s Airport Operations Digitization as Key to Securing Economic Recovery
Air Insight
African airports can affordably overcome “critical airport worker and capacity shortfalls” by rapidly adopting “trusted, secure cloud-based solutions,” says air transport industry IT and communications systems provider SITA… Read more>>
TOURISM
Unity Across the Continent will Unlock Africa’s Tourism Potential
Breaking Travel News
The African travel and tourism industry has the potential to attract considerable investment if the continent works together as one destination, develops a more environmentally sustainable approach and enhances air connectivity. That was the overriding message of Tourism Ministers from across Africa during the International Tourism and Investment Corporation (ITIC) WTM African Tourism Investment Summit in Cape Town, South Africa mid-April.
Ministers of Tourism of Botswana, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Eswatini and South Africa called upon African countries to unite as a single brand and promote tourism through a common marketing campaign. This campaign could be kickstarted at the African Carnival in Botswana which will be held in September… Read more>>
