U.S.-AFRICA RELATIONS
State Department Partners with Africa Fintech Summit
U.S Department of State
Officials from the Department of State will highlight the U.S. commitment to supporting Africa’s digital transformation at the Africa Fintech Summit on April 12 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C The Department is a partner of the biannual event, which this year will focus on fintech regulatory best practices and funding and innovation trends, among other topics…
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NFL heads to Kenya as ‘NFL Africa’ program expands
NFL
The National Football League’s “NFL Africa” program is set to expand to Kenya as the league continues to invest in growing the game at all levels across the continent.The expansion will see the NFL host a talent identification camp and NFL Flag football showcase in Nairobi, Kenya this April (10-15), underlining a long-term, multi-market commitment to developing more ways to serve a growing fan base in Africa… Read more>>
AGRIBUSINESS
United Nations Agency Investigating Humanitarian Food Theft in Ethiopia
Republic World
The United Nations food relief agency is investigating the theft of food aid from lifesaving humanitarian operations in Ethiopia, according to a letter obtained by The Associated Press… Read more>>
ENERGY
Africa’s energy sector will need to transform radically- these are the five biggest challenges
The Conversation
The future of Africa’s energy sector is getting increasing attention from policymakers and the private sector. As demand for energy rises, current energy systems must grow rapidly to meet it. This must be done in reliable, resilient and affordable ways – while “staying the course” of climate compatibility and ensuring access for all… Read more>>
Natural Gas is Key to Addressing South Africa’s Energy Needs Today and Tomorrow (By NJ Ayuk)
African Energy Chamber
Energy woes are synonymous with South Africa right now. Having a conversation with Gugu Mfuphi on her Kaya FM show, reminded me on the necessity of an energy mix and natural gas and making markets work for South Africa… Read more>>
Growing African Countries’ Energy Systems in Sustainable Ways is Promising
Africa.com
The future of Africa’s energy sector is getting increasing attention from policymakers and the private sector. As demand for energy rises, current energy systems must grow rapidly to meet it. Most of the international and media attention for Africa’s energy systems has focused on simply pointing out the size of the challenge – captured in statistics such as “570 million people in Africa live without electricity…” Read more>>
HEALTH
Accelerating action on Africa’s health agenda: Here’s everything you need to know
World Economic Forum
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a public health agency of the African Union, is leading the charge to improve African health outcomes through its vision of a New Public Health Order for the continent… Read more>>
Kenyans embrace Afro-Latin dances amid promise of health benefits
Xinhuanet
A spin here, a right footstep, a turn, and a dip are some of the movements on display during an Afro-Latin dance show in a socializing hall domiciled in Eldoret town, located in northwestern Kenya… Read more>>
Digital device access could promote health for youth in sub-Saharan Africa
Medicalxpress
Access to mobile technology is extremely common in the United States, so much so that it is hard to imagine daily life without it. More than 86% of Americans report using their smartphone as their primary source of obtaining information. Low- and middle-income countries that do not have easy access to digital media face deficits in receiving information, including knowledge related to health… Read more>>
CDC warns doctors to watch for Marburg virus amid breaks in two African nations
CNN Health
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a health advisory Thursday about the Marburg virus outbreak in Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania. Marburg is a rare but highly fatal viral fever that causes uncontrolled bleeding, similar to Ebola… Read more>>
INFRASTRUCTURE
Africa’s Hyped Game of Ports Creates Pathways for Plunder
Globely News
Ports have long been integral to Africa’s connectivity with the rest of the world. Yet over the last 15 years, a new stage in maritime infrastructure planning and development has begun. Between 2004 and 2019, over US$50 billion was spent on this infrastructure – roughly 13 times more than was spent between 1990 and 2004… Read more>>
Mojaloop Foundation to Host Digital Public Goods Workshop at the Africa Fintech Summit
Business Wire
The Mojaloop Foundation today announced it is an official sponsor of the Africa Fintech Summit (AFTS), held April 12, at the Walter E Washington Convention Center, in Washington, D.C. In addition, the Mojaloop Foundation will host a Digital Public Goods workshop, and the Foundation’s Executive Director, Paula Hunter, will take part in a panel focused on payments innovation… Read more>>
Africa needs to bridge infrastructural gaps, provide political stability to drive growth- Aidoo
Business Day
Joseph Aidoo Jr, executive director at Devtraco Group in Ghana has implored African governments to improve infrastructure, promote political stability, and enhance the business environment to drive growth and realise the continent’s full potential…Read more>>
Cost-reflective tariffs crucial for energy infrastructure investments in Africa
Power Engineering International
Vuyo Ntoi, Co-Managing Director of the African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM), describes the status of the African investment landscape and what international investors need to keep in mind when they consider investing in the African energy transition… Read more>>
ICT
Kumulus technology: creating water from thin air
African Development Bank Group
One morning, while on a trip with friends in the Tunisian desert, Iheb Triki witnessed a rare sight. When he woke up, he noticed that their tents were covered with dew…. Read more>>
Equator secures $40M in commitments for fund targeting climate tech startups in Africa
Techcrunch
Africa contributes less than 3% of the world’s energy-related carbon dioxide emissions but the continent will be one of the most impacted by the adverse effects of climate change. Some explanations for Africa’s vulnerability include poor diffusion of technologies and information relevant to supporting adaptation, usually provided by clean or climate tech companies… Read more>>
Student-Run Conference Changes Narrative on Africa’s Financial Future
Bentley University
Africa’s potential as a growth market for business remains both underestimated and misunderstood — as does the potential for business to play a transformative role in solving the continent’s biggest challenges, according to The Brookings Institution. To help move beyond the discussion of Africa’s challenges and focus on creating actionable solutions to solve them, Bentley’s African Student Association (ASA) held the inaugural African Business Conference on April 1: “Profit with a Purpose: Building a New Africa…” Read more>>
