(Posted 28th March 2024)
CCA MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
African Development Bank and Mozambique strengthen partnerships to boost regional infrastructure development and trade
African Development Bank Group
The African Development Bank and Mozambique reinforced their partnership during a visit by Mr. Solomon Quaynor, the Bank’s Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialization.This visit, held from March 12th to 15th, 2024, underscores the Bank’s commitment to supporting Mozambique’s economic growth trajectory, particularly following the third review of the country’s Extended Credit Facility with the International Monetary Fund and the Bank’s recent Economic Acceleration Package and Budget Support Mission…Read More>>
Amazon spends $2.75 billion on AI startup Anthropic in its largest venture investment yet
CNBC
Amazon is making its largest outside investment in its three-decade history as it looks to gain an edge in the artificial intelligence race. The tech giant said it will spend another $2.75 billion backing Anthropic, a San Francisco-based startup that’s widely viewed as a front-runner in generative artificial intelligence. Its foundation model and chatbot Claude competes with OpenAI and ChatGPT…Read More>>
U.S.-AFRICA RELATIONS
PEPFAR Launches Nursing Leadership Initiative Across Seven African Countries
U.S Department of State
On March 25, Ambassador Dr. John Nkengasong – U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and Senior Bureau Official for Global Health Security and Diplomacy, overseeing the Department’s Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy – will launch the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Nursing Leadership Initiative to sustain gains and accelerate progress toward ending HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Under the initiative, PEPFAR is providing $8 million in 2024 to support nurses at the forefront of the HIV/AIDS response in Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Eswatini, Malawi, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zambia…Read More>>
Bill that calls for full review of US relations with SA crosses first hurdle in US Congress
Daily Maverick
The “U.S.- South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act” is expected also to pass a more formal roll call vote in the committee on Wednesday and then to move to the full House of Representatives.The bill would also require the Administration to report to Congress “explicitly stating whether South Africa has engaged in activities that undermine United States national security or foreign policy interests.”…..Read More>>
USTDA Director Travels to Atlanta, Promotes Infrastructure Opportunities in Africa
U.S Trade and Development
U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) Director Enoh T. Ebong will travel to Atlanta from March 25-27 to highlight opportunities for Georgia companies to export to USTDA-funded infrastructure projects in sub-Saharan Africa. The Director will join the Atlanta Phambili roadshow of South African government and business leaders that U.S. Ambassador to South Africa, Reuben E. Brigety II, will lead…Read More>>
ENERGY
U.S.$96 Million Solar Farm to Boost Electricity Here
All Africa
The Government of Liberia, with funding from the World Bank, West Regional, is expected to construct Liberia’s first solar farm and expand the Mount Coffee Hydropower Plant in Louisiana, Montserrado County, from 88 Megawatts to 126 Megawatts.Speaking in an exclusive interview with the NEW DAWN over the weekend after an assessment tour of the Mount Coffee Hydropower, the Corporate Communication Director of the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), Philip Firley, said a total of US$96 million has been projected for both projects…Read More>>
HEALTH
Data is life: Achieving Nigeria’s Digital-in-Health Approach
Nigeria Health Watch
Data and technology play a crucial role in the healthcare sector. The advent of technological innovations, including artificial intelligence, telemedicine, and mobile health applications, amongst others signals a future of health care, where healthcare is fundamentally driven by technology and data-linked. This evolution promises a healthcare landscape that is not only more efficient but also more personalized and accessible….Read More>>
INFRASTRUCTURE
Air Botswana expands fleet, ropes in international sales agent
Business Weekly
Air Botswana, the national airline, is set to procure four new aircraft as part of its strategy to bolster its presence in the domestic and regional niche market. Additionally, Air Botswana has selected APG Network as its General Sales Agent (GSA) for markets beyond the country’s borders.At present, the carrier operates two new-generation ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft and one Embraer E-170 jet for its domestic and regional routes. The four new aircrafts are expected to be delivered later this year….Read More>>
Govt Committed to Completion of All Coastal Protection Projects – Minister-Designate for Works and Housing
All Africa
The Minister-designate for Works and Housing, Mr Kojo Oppong Nrumah, has reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring the successful completion of all coastal protection projects along the country’s coast.Despite the concerning trend of rising sea tides affecting the development of coastal communities, Mr Nkrumah assured that the government remained dedicated to addressing the issue…Read More>>
World Bank commits US$300m for dam construction
The New Dawn Liberia
The Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) says the Government of Liberia has acquired a commitment of US$300m from the World Bank to construct a dam in Bong County.During a recent high-power delegation’s visit to Bong County, LEC Corporate Communication Manager Mr. Philip Farley said that the people are excited and have welcomed the dam construction in their area….Read More>>
ICT
Digital Platform Integrates Farmers In Agriculture Value Chain
Kenya News
Stakeholders in the Kenya Rural Transformation Centers Digital Platform (KRTCDP) project have for the last one year been collecting critical views from farmers on three key value chains of dairy, Irish potatoes and maize.The project funded by African Development Bank (AfDB)project was launched a year ago and is being spearheaded by the Cooperative University of Kenya (CUK) to empower and integrate smallholder farmers and related stakeholders in the agriculture value chain into a digital platform…Read More>>
Harare City Council moves to adopt digital systems to improve efficiency
New Zimbabwe
Harare City Council (HCC) has unveiled plans to adopt the Local Authority Digital System (LADS) in a bid to improve administrative processes and the ease of doing business.Speaking to HCC interview panelists recently, the acting chamber secretary Warren Chiwawa said the LADS will soon be adopted…Read More>>
African Union and Tiktok Team Up for #safertogether Campaign
All Africa
The African Union (AU) and TikTok, the leading platform for short-form mobile videos, are excited to announce the #SaferTogether Campaign. This initiative empowers African youth with the knowledge and tools to navigate the digital world safely. Launched at the recent TikTok Safer Internet Summit in Ghana, the campaign targets not just young people, but also parents and educators.Ms. Prudence Nonkululeko Ngwenya, Director of the Women, Gender, and Youth Directorate, lauded the partnership as a vital step towards empowering Africa’s youth and safeguarding their digital futures. “The #SaferTogether campaign is in line with the AU’s ongoing efforts to promote and advocate for not only safe…Read More>>
FINANCE
African Development Bank approves $50 million loan to support climate change resilience, improve livelihoods and boost food security in Nigeria’s Yobe State
African Development Bank
The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group approved a $50 million loan for the Yobe State Environmental and Climate Change Action Project (ECCAP) to enhance climate change resilience, boost food security, and improve livelihoods for over 3.5 million people in northeast Nigeria….Read More>>
