(Posted 11th July 2024)
CCA MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
Ethiopian Airlines expands MRO capabilities
Airport Technology
Ehiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest airline group and MRO operator, has expanded the capabilities of its maintenance facilities with the inauguration of a CFM Leap-1B engine test cell in Addis Ababa. The new test cell at the company’s MRO Services facility in the Ethiopian capital enables the company to offer full testing capability of the engine, which is used on all Boeing 737 MAX aircraft…. Read More>>
U.S.-AFRICA RELATIONS
Implementation of U.S. Commitments (Updated July 3, 2024)
U.S. Department of State
Since the close of the U.S. Africa Leaders Summit (ALS) in December 2022, the U.S. government continues to work with our African partners, its institutions, and the people to deliver on commitments announced at the Summit. Further to the White House mandate to oversee commitments made during the Summit, the Bureau of African Affairs established the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit Implementation Unit in July 2023. Ambassador (ret.) Johnnie Carson was announced by President Biden as Special Presidential Representative for U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit Implementation. Prior to his mandate ending in November 2023, Ambassador (ret.) Carson advised the Administration on an effective structure for future ALS engagement and helped establish the new President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement (PAC-ADE) in the United States on October 30, 2023… Read more>>
Statement of Concern Related to Certain Critical Minerals Supply Chain from Rwanda and Easter Democratic of the Congo Contributing to the Ongoing Conflict
U.S. Department of State
The United States government is deeply concerned by the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the resulting humanitarian crisis. In particular, the United States remains concerned about the role that the illicit trade and exploitation of certain minerals, including artisanally and semi-industrially mined gold and tantalum, from the African Great Lakes Region continues to play in financing conflict. As demonstrated by the United Nations Group of Experts (GoE) and United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), statistical data, and civil society reporting, it is evident that some traders – at times with support from various armed groups and security services – transport and export significant quantities of Congolese-origin minerals out of the country…. Read More>>
ENERGY
South African Energy minister vows change with “aggressive” renewables rollout
Reuters
South Africa’s new energy minister vowed on Monday to accelerate the shift to renewable energy from coal, breaking with a predecessor who opposed swift decarbonision and pledged to keeping burning coal for a long time. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, who now runs the newly-created Energy and Electricity Ministry, was addressing journalists as Africa’s most industrial nation celebrated more than 100 days with no power cuts – a record over years of crippling blackouts…. Read More>>
Nigeria beats three countries to host Africa Energy Bank
Yahoo! Finance
Nigeria will host the newly established Africa Energy Bank (AEB), prevailing over three other competing countries to become the multilateral lender’s home. According to a statement from the Ministry of State Petroleum Resources, the final decision, made at a special Council of Ministers of the African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO) meeting, places Nigeria – Africa’s leading oil producer – at the forefront of Africa’s energy landscape…. Read More>>
HEALTH
The first vaccine for malaria received major regulatory approval in 2015
The New York Times
Nurses in countries from Sierra Leone to Cameroon are packing a new vaccine into the coolers they tote to villages for immunization clinics: a shot to protect against malaria, one of the deadliest diseases for children. Babies and toddlers in eight countries in the region recently started to get the vaccine as part of their routine childhood shots. Seven other African countries are eagerly awaiting its arrival…. Read More>>
South Africa’s healthcare system: eight steps that would get it on the right track
The Conversation
South Africa’s healthcare system suffers from widespread problems in its governance. A number of indicators point to this dysfunction. These include the large number of managers in acting positions, frequent changes in senior leadership, worse health outcomes than similarly resourced countries, and overall deterioration of morale and trust in the public health system…. Read More>>
INFRASTRUCTURE
AUC strengthens meteorological centers with improved infrastructure
African Union Commission
The African Union Commission- Directorate of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (ARBE) conducted a mission to Lugano, Switzerland, as part of the Intra-ACP Climate Service and Related Applications (ClimSA) programme to assess the progress of the climate infrastructure team. Led by Dr. Jolly Wasambo, AUC-ClimSA Programme Coordinator, the mission that took place 20-24 May 2024 consisted of experts from National Meteorological Services from the African and Indian Ocean regions, together with Regional Climate Centers (RCCs) which are African Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development (ACMAD), AGRHYMET, Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC), Climate Application and Prediction Centre for Central Africa (CAPC-AC), SADC Climate Services Centre (SADC-CSC), and two training centers (EAMAC and IMTR) representing the beneficiaries of the PUMA and ClimSA stations…. Read More>>
Tough Times and Tough Measures
Financial Times US
Nigerian President Tinubu says his reforms are necessary to achieve market discipline for the distorted and struggling economy, but millions could be pushed into poverty in the process….. Read More>>
AGRIBUSINESS
Olam Agri Awards scholarships to 87 indigient Nigerian students
Nigerian Tribune
OLAM Agri in Nigeria, an agribusiness transforming food, feed and fibre, has further solidified its reputation as a leading investor in human capital development. On July 3, the business, which operates 4,451 hectares of rice farm and 215,000 metric tonnes (MT) of rice milling facility in Rukubi, awarded scholarships to 87 indigent students during an event at its rice farm in Rukubi, Nasarawa State…. Read More>>
Bono regional minister applauds women in agribusiness
Ghana News Agency
Sunyani July 10, GNA – Madam Justina Owusu-Banahene, the Bono Regional Minister has commended women in agriculture for their remarkable contributions to the country’s food sufficiency, economic prosperity, and community development…. Read More>>
ICT
ICT sector comes out tops in latest Southern Africa venture capital industry survey
Zawya
A low-growth economy, high unemployment and the mounting pressures posed by the ongoing energy crisis have continued to weigh heavily on start-ups in Southern African over the past year. Early-stage investors likewise reported that these challenges have had a material impact on the local venture capital industry, with an overall decrease in the value of deals during the 2022 period. The local information and communication technology (ICT) sector, spearheading efforts to digitize the South African economy, has retained its position of attracting investor interest and confidence, despite the subdued investment climate…. Read More>>
Zambia to launch AI strategy in iconic October
cajnews Africa
MTN Group’s commitment to shared value in Africa extends beyond providing essential connectivity. In 2023, the tFelix Mutati, the Minister of Science and Technology, revealed the strategy will be unveiled on October 24, six decades to the day of the southern African nation’s attainment of self-rule from Britain…. Read More>>
FINANCE
African Development Bank Supports Access Bank DR Congo with $7M Trade Finance Guarantee
TechAfrica News
Multilateral development finance institution the African Development Bank announced a $7 million trade finance guarantee facility to Access Bank DR Congo to support Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) and local businesses in February 2024. The financing aims to address the funding shortages that impede the growth of SMEs and their full participation in key economic sectors, including agriculture and mining….Read More>>
US$20mn loan boosts African remittances
African Review of Business and Technology
British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance institution (DFI) and impact investor, has announced a $20 million senior secured loan to TerraPay, a global cross-border payments processor that focuses on remittance transfers into Africa. This investment aims to lower costs, increase speed, and enhance the reliability and accessibility of remittance transfers into the continent, thereby improving financial inclusion…. Read More>>
