(Posted 18th July 2024)
CCA MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
International Law Firm Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle Joins Invest in African Energy Reception in London
Social News XYZ
Advancing efforts to direct energy investments to Africa, Susan D. Maples, Partner at New York-based firm Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle, will moderate the upcoming Invest in African Energy reception in London. Specializing in high-stakes, complex international arbitrations and corporate transactions, Maples’ experience spans multibillion-dollar disputes and negotiations in over 30 countries across energy, oil and gas, and mineral resource sectors… Read More>>
MasterCard Foundation EdTech Conference: Role of AI and ML in African Education sector
CNBC Africa
The MasterCard Foundation EdTech Conference 2024 looks at how technology can help build resilience with digital skills for teacher practice. This panel session breaks down how artificial intelligence and machine learning remain relevant in the African Education system… Read More>>
Flutterwave, Dangote Group join Milken Institute’s Africa Leaders Business Council
NairaMetrics
Fintech giant, Flutterwave and Dangote Group have been named as members of the Milken Institute’s Africa Leaders Business Council. The newly formed council comprises influential thought leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, and experts from various sectors, including business, technology, finance, sustainability, and innovation. According to a statement from the institute, the council aims to deepen the Institute’s network and engagement across Africa… Read More>>
U.S.-AFRICA RELATIONS
Deputy Secretary Campbell’s Travel to Ghana, Gabon, Senegal, and the United Kingdom
U.S. Department of State
Deputy Secretary of State Kurt M. Campbell will travel to Ghana, Gabon, Senegal, and the United Kingdom from July 14 to July 19. In Ghana, Deputy Secretary Campbell is scheduled to meet with President Nana Akufo-Addo to underscore the importance of the U.S.-Ghana partnership to advance democracy and security in West Africa and to reinforce two-way trade and investment ties to bolster mutual prosperity. Deputy Secretary Campbell will also meet with youth leaders to discuss U.S. investment in digital technology solutions… Read more>>
The President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement Delegation Travels to Nigeria
U.S. Department of State
The President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement in the United States (PAC-ADE) will host its second meeting of the year from July 14-17, 2024, in Nigeria. This is the first PAC-ADE trip to the African continent. Members of the Advisory Council will convene in Lagos and Abuja, where they will meet with government, civil society, and private-sector partners to discuss diaspora-led investments in education, entrepreneurship, health, technology, youth and women empowerment, and the creative industries… Read More>>
Dallas is quietly becoming the U.S. center for African trade
Dallas News
Think about this. Two-way trade between the U.S. and Africa is now measured in the billions of dollars annually, and it is growing with major private sector deals and investment flowing between the U.S. and countries on the African continent. Dallas is a natural fit to be at the center of this opportunity. It has excellent educational institutions, and it is a welcoming and affordable city. Thanks to that, it has become a top destination for African immigrants who come here with the American dream… Read More>>
ENERGY
Africa: The continent’s sparkling clean energy future
Global Compliance News
Access to a clean energy supply is critical for the African continent and is paramount to its sustainable economic development. To achieve this, African countries need access to funding and grants and increased investment in renewable energy projects. The continent must develop domestic and regional energy grids, expand its renewable energy power plants and facilities, and invest in decarbonisation initiatives and battery storage projects, for example. Across the continent, countries are gearing up for the energy transition by updating and modernizing policy and legislative frameworks that consider the need for a renewable, decarbonized, decentralized energy supply that addresses climate change and Paris Agreement commitments… Read More>>
Botswana to launch first utility-scale battery energy storage system with World Bank support
Energy Storage News
The World Bank Group has approved plans to develop Botswana’s first utility-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) with 50MW output and 200MWh storage capacity. The World Bank will support the 4-hour duration BESS via a loan of US$88 million. It will also receive a US$30 million loan and a US$4 million grant from the Green Climate Fund’s Sustainable Renewables Risk Mitigation Initiative Facility… Read More>>
Mines in Tanzania, Angola, Malawi, and South Africa to boost rare earth supply
Africa Business Insider
While Africa is incredibly rich in resources, including oil, gold, and rare earth minerals, the continent has not yet reached its full economic potential, according to the International Monetary Fund. Benchmark Mineral Intelligence says eight mines in countries like Tanzania, Angola, Malawi, and South Africa are expected to begin production by 2029, contributing 9% to the global supply… Read More>>
Africa’s Biggest Solar Energy Projects
Wind Energy and Electric Vehicle Magazine
Africa receives more bright sunlight than any other continent, highlighting its massive potential for solar energy solutions to bridge energy gaps. Countries already harness this abundant resource to drive sustainable development, reduce fossil fuel reliance, and boost economic growth. Here are the top ten largest operational solar energy projects across the continent… Read More>>
Revolutionizing Africa’s Energy Future: The SPLAT-CMP Model and The Continental Master Plan Report
SolarQuarter
The SPLAT-CMP model, an advanced framework developed by IRENA in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), represents a significant leap in continental power system planning for Africa. This model underpins the Africa Continental Master Plan (CMP) for electricity generation and transmission, a flagship project adopted by the African Union as part of its Agenda 2063. The CMP aims to create a unified African power grid by 2040, enhancing energy access, reliability, and sustainability across the continent… Read More>>
Africa’s energy ambitions stifled by investment shortfall
BNE Intellinews
Africa’s pursuit of economic and social development hinges on access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy. Despite vast energy resources, the continent remains energy poor, with around 600mn Africans lacking electricity and over 1bn relying on traditional stoves for cooking. This energy deficiency exacerbates health issues, hinders educational progress and stifles economic growth, particularly affecting women and children, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said in a recent report. Africa, accounting for 20% of the world’s population, attracts less than 3% of global energy spending… Read More>>
South Africa Expects to Raise $2.4B from Energy Transition Pact This Year
RigZone
South Africa’s National Treasury said it expects as much as $2.4 billion to flow into the country this year from a climate finance pact with some of the world’s richest nations. South Africa has secured pledges of $9.3 billion under the so-called Just Energy Transition Partnership — an agreement with Germany, France, the European Union, UK, US, Netherlands and Denmark – in the form of grants, loans and guarantees… Read More>>
HEALTH
Black Health Connect: Working to Improve Health Care, Foster Partnerships in Africa
The Washington Informer
Through panels, workshops and celebrations, the second annual Black Health Connect conference, held July 11-14 in Washington, D.C., offered a safe space to discuss health care challenges within the African diaspora, and worked to create solutions to fix these problems. Improving health care equity and creating a networking system that allows the African diaspora to communicate is one of the organization’s main goals, according to Dr. Rashad M. Abdallah, a clinical pharmacist and director of Black Health Connect Africa… Read More>>
Road traffic deaths rise in the African region, but down globally, WHO report
The World Health Organization
Brazzaville/Nairobi – Road traffic death rates in the past decade have increased significantly in the African region, with almost 250 000 lives lost on the continent’s roads in 2021 alone. Conversely, global rates fell by 5% during the same period, a new World Health Organization (WHO) report shows.
Between 2010 and 2021, the region recorded a 17% increase in road-related fatalities, according to the WHO Status report on road safety 2023 for the African region – the latest update. The region accounts for nearly one-fifth of all road deaths globally, despite being home to only 15% of the world’s population, and 3% of its vehicles… Read More>>
Nigeria: More healthcare facilities to be powered by solar energy
ESI Africa
The European Union (EU) has launched the Nigeria Solar for Health Program (NISHP) to provide a 24/7 power supply to 45 healthcare facilities across five of the country’s states. The NIHSP will run from 2024 to 2027. It aims to improve the country’s healthcare system by providing solar power to public health facilities in participating states. The News Agency of Nigeria reported that Sunday Owolabi, director of renewable energy and rural access at the ministry, inaugurated the NISHP steering committee in Abuja on behalf of Minister of Power Chief Adebayo Adelabu… Read More>>
INFRASTRUCTURE
Africa: Education, Health and Infrastructure Facing Demographic Challenges
AllAfrica
Following the latest 2023 census, the total resident population of Senegal is estimated at 18,126,390 people. What are the challenges and impacts of this new figure on the country’s demographic development?
The 2023 census, which estimates the total resident population of Senegal at 18,126,390 people, presents several significant challenges and impacts on the country’s demographic development. For example: First, there is greater pressure on infrastructure and public services, particularly a growing demand for housing, schools, healthcare facilities, and roads. The government’s ability to meet these needs will be crucial to ensure harmonious development… Read More>>
UniCloud Africa and Benue Digital Infrastructure to build data center in Makurdi, Nigeria
Data Center Dynamics
Cloud computing firm UniCloud Africa and state-run Benue Digital Infrastructure Company (BDIC) will build a data center in Benue, Nigeria. Set to be located in the state capital of Makurdi, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will see UniCloud Africa provide the necessary cloud infrastructure for the site. Pan-African data center operator Africa Data Centres will build a complimentary disaster recovery site in Abuja, Nigeria… Read More>>
Public Works Minister determined to accelerate South African infrastructure development
Engineering News
National Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson announced on Tuesday that he is establishing an Infrastructure Advisory Committee, in his office, to help drive forward infrastructure development in the country, which was urgently needed. He was delivering the keynote address at the Infrastructure Africa 2024 Conference, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. The roles of the new committee will be to help “reimagine” the country’s infrastructure, develop new funding models that would attract private sector investment in projects, and help unblock and accelerate infrastructure development across all three levels of government (national, provincial and local)… Read More>>
AGRIBUSINESS
South Sudan: African Development Bank Group approves $46 million grant funding
AFDB Group
The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group has approved a $46.2 million grant to support the first phase of the Climate Resilient Agri-Food System Transformation Program in South Sudan. This initiative aims to boost agricultural productivity, improve food security and enhance the country’s resilience… Read More>>
Nigeria’s food importation policy could destroy country’s agriculture, warns Akinwumi Adesina
AFDB Group
The President of the African Development Bank Group Dr. Akinwumi Adesina has said the decision by Nigeria’s government to allow massive food importation risks destroying the country’s agriculture. This follows the announcement by Nigeria’s Minister for Agriculture Abubakar Kyari on July 10 that the Federal Government would suspend duties, tariffs, and taxes on the importation of maize, husked brown rice, wheat, and cowpeas through the country’s land and sea borders, for 150 days… Read More>>
Transforming agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa: a new dawn for millet production
CIMMYT CGIAR
As the world grapples with climate change, resilient crops such as millets play an increasingly important role. Their ability to thrive in low soil fertility and limited moisture levels makes them ideal for Africa’s changing climate. However, despite their potential, it remains largely untapped… Read More>>
Promise of opportunity for South African agriculture
Fruitnet
The first budget speech from South Africa’s new minister of agriculture John Steenhuisen sets a positive tone.
Settling the South African citrus dispute with the European Union and maintaining South Africa’s part in the US AGOA Act are amongst the priorities for South Africa’s new minister of agriculture, John Steenhuisen… Read More>>
ICT
Why Your Voice on the ICT Authority Bill Matters
CIO Africa
Experts say ICT Authority Bill, 2024 threatens the gains made in the growing and dynamic ICT sector, including job creation for millions of youths The Kenyan government has called for public comments on the controversial ICT Authority Bill, 2024, which aims to regulate the ICT industry by licensing and registering ICT companies and professionals. According to the government, the ICT Authority Bill, 2024 “plays a role in delivering the Digital Transformation Agenda to accelerate the country’s economic growth and enhance service delivery to citizens… Read More>>
Altron prepares launch of ICT education trust
Hypertext
Altron believes that the Transaction provides a unique opportunity to be a catalyst for South Africa’s societal advancement and industry innovation. With these core values in mind, the Transaction will be used to enhance the current employee value proposition by providing funding to qualifying employees’ relatives and other stakeholders within the Altron ecosystem, giving them access to information and communication technology (“ICT”) related education opportunities to address the increasing?scarcity of ICT skills in South Africa… Read More>>
SA payments infrastructure startup Stitch launches 3 key integrations
Disrupt Africa
South African payments infrastructure company Stitch will now enable enterprise clients to accept online payments via all three major smartphone wallet providers – Apple Pay, Samsung Wallet and Google Pay – through a single integration. Founded in February 2021, Stitch is a payments infrastructure company that helps businesses scale faster, and operate more efficiently. The Stitch payments API and tools reduce the effort required for businesses across sectors to connect to the financial system and deliver delightful experiences for their users… Read More>>
FINANCE
Kenya: What are the consequences of the withdrawal of the finance bill?
Africa News
The cancellation of Kenya’s Finance Bill 2024, following widespread anti-tax protests, has forced the government to reassess the budget and explore alternative revenue sources to prevent economic instability. This decision offers businesses a reprieve from the additional taxes they would have faced if the bill had been enacted. Kenyan economist Aly-Khan Satchu provides further insights on the implications of this development…Read More>>
Africa proposes WTO chief for 2nd term
The Financial Express
GENEVA (Reuters): The African Group has asked World Trade Organization (WTO) chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to run for a second term as the head of the global trade watchdog, a document showed on Friday.?Okonjo-Iweala, a former Nigerian finance minister, made history by becoming the first female and African chief of the 30-year-old trade body in 2021. Her term formally ends in August 2025 and she has not yet commented publicly on her plans… Read More>>
