(Posted 18th May 2023)
CCA IN THE NEWS
U.S.-Africa Business Summit to be held July 11-14 in Gabarone, Botswana
CNBC Africa
During a visit to Gaborone, Botswana, Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) President and CEO Florizelle “Florie” Liser was honored to meet with H.E. Mokgweetsi Masisi, President of the Republic of Botswana, who reiterated his Government’s commitment to successfully co-hosting the 15th U.S.-Africa Business Summit (USABS) in Botswana later this year…. Read More
CCA MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
How AXXESS’ John Olajide Built a Bootstrapped Unicorn in Dallas
Dallas Innovates
Axxess founder John Olajide built his Dallas-based healthcare tech company from a fledgling startup in 2007 to a global company with 1,000 employees and unicorn status today. But the journey getting there wasn’t a straightforward path…. Read More
IFC to provide €64 m for Coca-Cola’s climate programme
Afrik 21
The €64 million financing pledged to Equatorial Coca-Cola Bottling Company (ECCBC) by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) consists of €52 million in equity and loan financing. The other part of the financing, €12 million, will be provided by the Canada-IFC Blended Climate Finance Programme (BCFP) with €8.5 million and the Alafaq Aljadida Programme for Private Sector Development in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) with €3.5 million…. Read More
Gilead Appoints Cindy Perettie Executive Vice President of Kite
Gilead
Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) today announced that Cindy Perettie will join the company as Executive Vice President of Kite, a Gilead Company, overseeing the cell therapy business, and will become a member of Gilead’s senior leadership team, effective May 30… Read More
J&J Covid-19 vaccine no longer available in the US
CNN
The Covid-19 vaccine from Johnson & Johnson is no longer available in the United States, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All remaining doses expired last week, and the CDC directed providers to dispose of any that they had left over…. Read More
Flutterwave and Maser: The unicorns reshaping African economy, by Caesar Keluro
Premium Times
In the last six years, Africa has seen the birth of several unicorns. These unicorns hold the Midas touch to transforming Africa’s economy. The two unicorns are Flutterwave, a digital payment firm, that continues to transform the way Africans transact on the continent and worldwide; and recently, Maser, a startup democratizing access to smart TVs and healthcare wearables across African homes…, Read More
U.S.-AFRICA RELATIONS
Secretary Blinken’s Call with South African Minister Pandor
U.S Department of State
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor today. Secretary Blinken underscored the importance of the U.S.- South Africa strategic partnership and reiterated cooperation on shared priorities, including health, trade, and energy….. Read More
Rep. Omar Launches U.S.-Africa Policy Working Group with 20 Members of Congress
Ilhan Omar
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) launched the U.S.-Africa Policy Working Group Wednesday, featuring 20 Members of Congress committed to building partnership with the continent of Africa.... Read More
Tinubu discusses Nigeria-US Relations with Sec. Blinken
Premium Times
Ahead of the 29 May inauguration, Nigeria’s President-elect Bola Tinubu discussed strengthening US-Nigeria relations in a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday.... Read More
Under Secretary Marisa Lago Opening Remarks at the Inaugural U.S.-Egypt Joint Economic Commission
Premium Times
“Good morning and thank you, Your Excellency, for graciously hosting us, and for the warm welcome to Egypt. I’m delighted to be back in Cairo for the first-ever U.S.– Egypt Joint Economic Commission.…” Read More
Biden-Harris Administration Marks Progress On One Year Anniversary of the Global Health Worker Initiative
White House
One year ago, the White House launched the Global Health Worker Initiative (GHWI), recognizing that a health workforce that is supported, equipped and protected to provide essential public health functions is integral to reclaiming lost ground from the COVID-19 pandemic and preparing for future health threats. This initiative aims to meet an urgent need: the World Health Organization expects a global shortfall of 10 million health workers by 2030, mostly in low- and middle-income countries.... Read More
ENERGY
The African Development Bank invests in energy efficiency a central pillar for energy transition
African Development Bank Group
“Energy efficiency is no longer an option, it is a priority because we are in a climate emergency,” says Jalel Chabchoub, chief investment officer in the African Development Bank’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Department. Today, we no longer talk about climate change or global warming, but rather about “climate shock,” Chabchoub continues. He encourages countries to “act at the source”, in other words, to address the demand side…. Read More
South Africa can keep coal fired plants running longer, climate committee says
Reuters
South Africa’s climate policy body on Monday suggested the government could delay retiring its ageing coal-fired power plants to address electricity shortages and said a power crisis had put the country on track to meet its climate goals anyway…. Read More
Critical Minerals in Africa: The Key to a Sustainable Energy Future
Tech in Africa
Critical minerals are needed for renewable energy technologies like solar panels, wind turbines, green hydrogen, electric vehicles (EVs), and battery storage. Africa’s mineral wealth could help the region and set the stage for the global energy transition. Aluminum is used in most low-carbon technologies. It makes up more than 85% of most solar photovoltaic parts, and about 98% of its main production comes from bauxite…. Read More
Kenya to host Africa wind energy forum in June
Pumps Africa
Kenya is set to host the Africa Energy Forum next month. The event aims to bring together renewable energy players, banks, regulators, and other stakeholders from around the world to promote the generation of wind power as a crucial component of clean energy in Africa… Read More
Nigeria Wealth Fund to Boost Solar, Health Infra With $1 Billion Spend
Bloomberg
The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority will invest as much as $1 billion over the next three years, focusing on building solar and health care infrastructure, to help boost growth in Africa’s most-populous country…. Read More
HEALTH
WHO congratulates Benin and Mali for eliminating trachoma as a public health problem
World Health Organization
WHO has validated Benin and Mali as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, making them the fifth and sixth countries in WHO’s African Region to achieve this significant milestone. Countries that previously received WHO validation for trachoma elimination are Ghana (June 2018), Gambia (April 2021), Togo (May 2022) and Malawi (September 2022)…. Read More
The signing of a New Agreement to Drive Vaccine Impact in Africa
African Union
The African Union Commission (AUC) and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to increase access and accelerate the uptake of life-saving vaccines across African Union member states towards supporting immunisation, providing technical and learning assistance and health systems strengthening…. Read More
African start-ups that will revolutionise health
The Africa Report
The Egyptian pharmaceutical market is the fastest growing in Africa and accounts for 20% of the sector’s sales on the continent. However, the supply chain for pharmacies remains weak. This is what prompted Ahmed Kadous to create Pharmacy Marts in 2021…. Read More
Mass vaccination drive begins in Malawi after deadly storm
Reuters
Malawi on Monday kicked off a mass vaccination drive to inoculate more than 9 million children against several life-threatening diseases, as it seeks to prevent a health crisis after deadly Cyclone Freddy…. Read More
INFRASTRUCTURE
Improving Connectivity and Urban Infrastructure Project
Republic of Cabo Verde
The general procurement notice for the World Bank funded project Improving Connectivity and Urban Infrastructure listing services that will be procured under the project… Read More
Elaboration of the Pre-feasibility study for public-private partnership for the concession of the highway Praia-Tarrafal, Santiago Island Cabo Verde
Republic of Cabo Verde
Request for Expressions of Interest for the elaboration of a pre-feasibility study for a public private partnership for the concession of the highway Praia-Tarrafal on the island of Santiago…. Read More
Nigeria, others urged to invest in infrastructure to accelerate AfCFTA implementation
The Guardian
Nigeria and Africa must promote supportive policies and infrastructure development to attract green investments and boost trade through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the Acting Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa, Antonio Pedro, has said…. Read More
Africa Finance Corporation expands footprint in Benin, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Somalia
Zawya
Africa Finance Corporation (www.AfricaFC.org), the continent’s leading infrastructure solutions provider, continues to expand and diversify its membership and shareholder base, recently welcoming Benin, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Somalia…. Read More
Africa road infrastructure: Madagascar nominated for 2023 Babacar Ndiaye Trophy
Daily Post
The members of the Selection Committee of The Africa Road Builders –Trophée Babacar NDIAYE have nominated Madagascar as this year’s winner of the Super Prize Great Builder – Babacar NDIAYE Trophy…. Read More
Finally, Rich Countries Recognize Africa’s Right to Use Gas
Zawya
In 2010, Mozambique discovered massive offshore natural gas reserves that promised to transform the country’s economy. Mozambique’s current GDP is around $15 billion; the government expects sales from liquefied natural gas (LNG) to bring in $95 billion in revenue over the next 25 years. Mozambique may be rich in resources, but it is also one of Africa’s poorest countries—and cannot, by itself, provide the investment required to build the infrastructure to extract, distribute, and export the gas…. Read More
ICT
Using information and communication technology to improve mental health in Africa
Brookings
Mental health is a crucial part of human capital development and yet, there remains sparse research on this important aspect of health and economic development— more so in Africa, a region which faces the joint challenge of high disease burden and a severely underfunded health sector.… Read More
In the fact of power cuts, South Africa’s IT engineers keep the country running
Biz Community
South Africa faced around 100 days of power outages by the end of April. Despite this, businesses have persevered, and daily life has largely remained unchanged. This is why I believe the South African IT engineer deserves recognition as TIME magazine’s Person of the Year, if given the chance…. Read More
ICT Appoints Thomas Napora as Vice President and GM For EMEA
Security Informed
ICT, a manufacturer of intelligent access control and security solutions, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Thomas Napora as Vice President and General Manager for the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) region…. Read More
African Central Banks Proceed Cautiously With Digital Currencies After Enaira’s Slow Uptake
Culture Custodian
As more African countries look to pilot regulated digital currencies, central banks are embarking on ‘comprehensive tests’ before full-scale rollouts. Mauritius and Tunisia -the only two African countries currently in the development stages of Central Bank-backed e-money are among over 20 countries globally expected to take significant steps towards piloting a Central Bank Digital Currencies(CBDC) this year…. Read More
M-Pesa breaks into Ethiopian where digital currencies have been declared illegal
Coin Geek
Popular African mobile money service M-Pesa will soon be available in Ethiopia after Kenyan telco Safaricom obtained a license from the country’s central bank…. Read More
