(Posted 12th October 2023)
CCA MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
Launch | Flutterwave to Integrate Payments Settlements USDC Stablecoin on Hedera Blockchain
Bitke
Flutterwave recently announced the rebranding of its cross-border remittance solution from $end to Send App to facilitate easier, faster, and more affordable money transfers from people in the diaspora to Africa. The updated solution now allows users in the US and Canada to send money to Africa and access new recipient countries, namely Egypt and Senegal, bringing its coverage to over 34 countries since its launch in 2021… Read More>>
Amazon. Web Services to open development centre in Kenya
Reuters
Amazon Web Services (AWS), the company’s cloud-computing division, said on Wednesday it would open a development centre in Kenya’s capital Nairobi, creating jobs in software development, cloud support, and software engineering… Read More>>
U.S.-AFRICA RELATIONS
The U.S. Government Hosts Institutional Investor Roadshow To Explore Investment Opportunities in Nigeria
U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria
The United States government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission in Nigeria and U.S. government Prosper Africa and Power Africa initiatives, are hosting an investor roadshow from October 9-13 to expose U.S. investors to investment opportunities and the investment ecosystem in Nigeria… Read More>>
SETAF-AF and North Dakota NG highlight National Guard SPPs in Africa
U.S. Army
The U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa(SETAF-AF) will co-host a Warriors Corner presentation titled ‘State Partnership Program: Twenty Years of Making a Difference in Africa’ during the Association of the United States Army’s Annual Meeting and Exposition Oct. 9-11 in Washington, D.C… Read More>>
Why Biden appointed Nigerian Americans, others to Advisory Council
Premium Times Nigeria
On 26 September, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a press release on President Biden appointing diverse leaders to a 2-year term each, to strengthen US-Africa Relations. The President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement aims to bolster African-US relations through advice on trade, education and community ties, the Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for African Affairs at the White House’s National Security Council, Judd Devermont, told Premium Times… Read More>>
ENERGY
New Oil and Gas Discoveries Propel South Africa’s Energy Renaissance
Oil Price
South Africa has no plans to curb its oil and gas operations in favour of a green transition just yet, as the government announces big plans to boost oil and gas exploration activities in the coming years. This is part of its aim to improve its energy security and reduce the country’s reliance on foreign imports. As such, the government recently approved new drilling activities by France’s TotalEnergies, aiming to make significant new discoveries to support longer-term oil and gas production… Read More>>
South African mining employs many and may only have decades left, report warns
ABC News
South Africa’s overall mining profits slipped by more than $5 billion in the last financial year, while the country that was once the world’s largest gold producer might have less than 30 years of a viable gold industry left without renewed investment, according to a new report by big four auditing firm PwC… Read More>>
HEALTH
Gates Foundation spends $40M to boost mRNA vaccine production in Africa and beyond
Fierce Pharma
Following similar initiatives to bolster mRNA vaccine production and access in Africa, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is providing new funding to a clutch of drugmakers…. Read More>>
Mental Health a human right, but only 1 psychiatrist per 1,000,000 people in sub-Saharan Africa – UNICEF/WHO
Unicef
On this World Mental Health Day, UNICEF and WHO reaffirm their joint commitment to support member states and all our partners across the region to ensure that “Mental Health is a Universal Human Right”; the theme for this year’s commemoration… Read More>>
INFRASTRUCTURE
Marrakech prepares for IMF and World Bank meeting a month after deadly quake
Reuters
Moroccans living just an hour from where the global financial elite will gather for IMF and World Bank meetings next week are homeless and destitute after last month’s deadly earthquake, camping amid the rubble of their devastated villages… Read More>>
AGRIBUSINESS
Insights Into the African Crop Protection Market
AgriBusiness Global
Egypt, with a history spanning over 5,000 years, has undergone significant changes and challenges, writes AgbioInvestor’s Derek Oliphant in a recent issue of AgriBusiness Global DIRECT. In the late 19th century, Britain took control of the country, but Egypt gained independence in 1922. One major development in the country’s history was the construction of the Aswan High Dam in 1971, which created Lake Nasser and had a profound impact on agriculture…. Read More>>
OCP Announces 2 Agreements to Boost Democratic Republic of Congo’s Agriculture
Business Insider Africa
OCP Group and its subsidiary OCP Africa have signed two agreements, with the Democratic Republic of Congo’s commodity trading and mining company Gecamines and the country’s Ministry of Agriculture respectively… Read More>>
ICT
Gates Foundation Allocates $30 Million Towards Advancing AI In Africa
Forbes
The investment is the foundation’s latest effort to bring the benefits of AI to low- and middle-income countries. On Tuesday, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced a $30 million investment in a new AI platform in Africa that it says will aid scientists in developing solutions for healthcare and social issues across the continent… Read More>>
TLcom to host 5th Africa Tech Female Founder Summit in November
Disrupt Africa
Africa-focused venture capital firm TLcom Capital will host its fifth annual Africa Tech Female Founder Summit on November 14 in Lagos, Nigeria… Read More>>
FINANCE
DFC Makes More Than $9.1 Billion in Financial Commitments for Fiscal Year 2023
U.S. International Development Finance Corporation
With more than $9.1 billion committed to new projects in Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23), the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has increased its commitments markedly year-over-year since its establishment in 2019. On the heels of a strong fourth quarter, the 132 new transactions in FY23 advance developmental impact and strategic priorities around the world. The commitments align with DFC’s five priority sectors: energy, infrastructure, health, agribusiness, and small business support. DFC’s commitments reflect the pressing need to address many of the world’s greatest challenges through the mobilization of private sector capital… Read More>>
It’s time to fix the problem of Africa’s 500% debt premium
African Arguments
As finance ministers, officials and NGOs fly to Marrakech for the Annual Meetings of the World Bank and IMF on 9-15 October, they should think carefully about what they can deliver to meet two criteria: ambition that meets the scale of the challenges we face; and decisions that are achievable given the current political capital available. This may sound like an impossible conundrum but African leaders have already laid out a blueprint… Read More>>
