Corporate Council on Africa’s latest news

 

(Posted 25th July 2024)

 

CCA MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Ethiopian Airlines receives international award for actions carried out during the Covid-19 period
Aerofalp
 The work carried out by Ethiopian Airlines teams during the COVID-19 pandemic was recognized by the Global Recognition and Appreciation Award at the First Post-COVID International Conference, held in Toronto, Canada, valuing actions carried out by the airline such as transporting medical supplies, healthcare teams and people who were away from their families. Ethiopian Airlines played a crucial role in reconfiguring approximately 25 passenger aircraft to transport cargo. The aircraft operated on more than 470 repatriation flights, reuniting more than 63 thousand citizens with their families… Read More>>

 

U.S.-AFRICA RELATIONS

Secretary Blinken to Deliver Remarks at the Opening of the AGOA Private Sector Forum 
U.S. Department of State
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will speak at the opening of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Private Sector Forum on Wednesday, July 24, at 9:00 a.m. EDT held at the United States Institute of Peace. The Private Sector Forum convenes African and American businesses to discuss greater trade and investment collaboration, particularly opportunities enabled by AGOA. This element of the AGOA Forum is co-hosted with the United States Institute of Peace, the Corporate Council on Africa, and the U.S. Department of Commerce…. Read more>>

Under Secretary Bass’ Travel to Chad and Tanzania  
U.S. Department of State
Acting Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs John Bass will travel to Chad and Tanzania from July 20 to July 25.In Chad, Under Secretary Bass will consult with senior Chadian leaders on common priorities, including reinforcing bilateral cooperation, providing humanitarian support for refugees, responding to the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, and coordinating on regional security…. Read More>>

GNU gives SA a honeymoon period for keeping its Agoa status, say analysts
Daily Maverick 
The formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU) has secured South Africa a “honeymoon period” for retaining its privileged access to US markets under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa). This is the view of US politicians and South African trade analysts on the eve of the annual Agoa Forum which runs from Wednesday, 24 July to Friday, 26 July in Washington…. Read More>>

 

ENERGY

Africa’s Renewable Energy Market Poses US$193-Billion Opportunity By 2031
Africa.com 
The size of Africa’s investment opportunity in renewable energy represents a potential US$193-billion by 2031. However, realising this potential will require access to innovative funding models and a robust secondary finance market to recycle and widen the available capital pool. This is according to new research from global consultancy firm Wood Mackenzie, commissioned by Revego Fund Managers and MOBILIST…. Read More>>

Coal and Energy Day: The future of coal in Southern Africa
Mining Review Africa
Leading experts, Nikisi Lesufi, Senior Executive for Environment, Health, and Legacies at the Minerals Council of South Africa; Parshant Goyal, CEO of Jindal Africa; Tseliso Maqubela, Deputy Director-General of Mineral and Petroleum Regulation at the DMRE; and Ontiretse Matthews Senosi, CEO of Overlooked Group, provided key insights on environmental, health, and legacies issues…. Read More>>

South Africa’s Energy Revolution: Ramaphosa Unveils Plans For Renewable Investment
Solar Quarter 
In a momentous address at the Cape Town City Hall, President Cyril Ramaphosa officially opened Parliament, highlighting a period of significant challenges and ambitious plans for South Africa’s future. The event was attended by a host of dignitaries, including former presidents, key judicial figures, and members of the diplomatic corps…. Read More>>

US $1M wind farm project launched in South Africa
Pumps Africa
The project will be set up in Mpumalanga and is part of a larger plan to construct 900MW of wind energy projects over three years. The initial phase, the 155MW Ummbila Emoyeni facility, is under construction and expected to be completed by mid-2026.The wind farm is being funded by Seriti shareholders Standard Bank and Rand Merchant Bank (RMB)…. Read More>>

 

HEALTH

New Initiative Explores Innovative Financing Solutions for Co-Management of Ecosystems and Public Health in Africa
Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
A groundbreaking new pan-African Ecosystems, Finance and Health initiative (EFH), being developed through a collaboration between scientists, finance experts and local stakeholders, will address the critical question of how improvements in the environment and health are financed in 21st-century African landscapes. Co-organized by James Hassell, an epidemiologist with the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s (NZCBI) Global Health Program and Yale School of Public Health, EFH convened leading African and international experts from science, finance, government and NGO backgrounds for a workshop that explored novel financing mechanisms to preemptively manage the health consequences of climate change and biodiversity loss…. Read More>>

Resilient And Empowered African Community Health (REACH): Adut Brings Health And hope To Her community
Africa.com
Over the past months, the South Sudan Red Cross has trained more than 70 dedicated individuals as community health workers in Wau State, nestled within the rugged landscapes of Western Bahr el Ghazal region. As part of the Resilient and Empowered African Community Health (REACH) initiative, these local heroes have become a lifeline for their communities, offering essential health services right at their doorsteps. Equipped not only with medical knowledge but also with empathy and dedication, they are bridging the gap in healthcare access that has long plagued the region…. Read More>> 

 

INFRASTRUCTURE

Nigeria Embraces Blockchain: National Infrastructure Initiative Gains Momentum
Coin Trust 
The Nigerian Federal Government’s initiative to develop an indigenous blockchain infrastructure has garnered substantial support from the National Blockchain Policy Implementation Steering Committee. Two weeks prior, the government revealed its plans to establish a homegrown blockchain, emphasizing the importance of data security and privacy in this endeavor…. Read More>>

We have Made Significant Progress in Enhancing Sports Infrastructure – Finance Minister?
GNA 
Accra, July 23, GNA – Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, the Minister of Finance, says they have made significant progress in improving sports infrastructure in the country. This he said would provide athletes with the best platform for success.??He made the statement at the presentation of the Mid-Year Budget Review for the 2024 Fiscal Year to Parliament on Tuesday, July 23.??According to the Finance Minister, the enhancement of these sporting infrastructures would help develop our sporting talent and ensure that athletes are best resourced…. Read More>>

Egypt: Telco Secures $600 Million For Infrastructure Upgrade
Broadcast Media
Telecom Egypt has embarked on a substantial $600 million venture with Hungary’s 4iG Group to improve North Africa’s digital landscape. Upon completion, this 10-year initiative promises to blanket six million households with lightning-fast fibre networks. In their memorandum of understanding, Egypt’s leading telecom operator and the Hungarian telecoms powerhouse have committed to a joint venture. This venture will focus on Fiber-To-The-Home (FTTH) and Fiber-To-The-Site (FTTS) infrastructures, set to operate wholesale throughout Egypt…. Read More>>

 

AGRIBUSINESS

Zambia: Winter Maize Production Can Boost Zambia’s Food Security
All Africa
Winter maize production plays a vital role in boosting the country’s food security and helping Zambia move towards achieving the 10 million tonnes per annum target. Over the years, Zambia has depended so much on rain-fed maize production which has resulted into the country having low yields in an event of low rainfall.This year, the country has been hit by a drought which has led to maize production dropping to 1.5 million from the more than three tonnes it records every year. Currently, the government has put in place plans to import maize as a way of boosting food security…. Read More>>

 

ICT

VC Investments in Tech See Big Growth in South Africa
TechCentral 
The technology sector is leading the charge when it comes to investment in South Africa’s start-up ecosystem, despite the rough macroeconomic environment. This is according to the South African Venture Capital Association (Savca), which published the results of its 2023 Venture Capital Survey on Monday. According to the survey, South African start-ups benefitted from R3.3-billion in VC funding last year, with a further R2.1-billion raised from…. Read More>>

IDS Next Named the Most Innovative Hotel Technology Company of the Year 2024 at Hotel Managers Conference Africa
Hospitality Net 
The recently concluded Hotel Managers Conference & Awards brought together Africa’s hospitality leaders for a two-day event focusing on skill development events, networking and job opportunities. This year, the theme was “Innovative Strategies: Nurturing Resilience & Excellence in Guest Experience in African Hospitality,” emphasising the crucial need for elevating industry standards across the continent. The event aimed to explore innovative strategies and leverage technology to overcome the region’s hospitality challenges and elevate hotel business operations in Nigeria and Africa to match international benchmarks…. Read More>>

 

FINANCE

Air Liquide Completes the Divestiture of Some Activities in Africa
Business Wire
With approximately 1,600 employees in the region and 700 million euros invested in the last three years, Air Liquide remains a major industrial and medical gases player in Africa, where it continues to pursue development opportunities, particularly in the fields of energy transition, hydrogen and healthcare.Air Liquide is a world leader in gases, technologies and services for industry and healthcare. Present in 72 countries with 67,800 employees, the Group serves more than 4 million customers and patients. Oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen are essential small molecules for life, matter and energy. They embody Air Liquide’s scientific territory and have been at the core of the Group’s activities since its creation in 1902….Read More>>

With New Funds, Finance Models and Entrants Into African Market, Industry Professionals Poise for Disruption — and Hope to Profit
Variety 
The landscape for film finance in Africa might be rapidly evolving, but for the producers, financiers and assorted industry professionals on hand at the Durban FilmMart this week, a host of lingering questions remain about how to unlock the largely untapped potential of the continent’s screen industries, From providing equitable access to the growing number of funding mechanisms set up to support African content production to ensuring those schemes are able to adapt to the challenges of the local market, many producers expressed both their hope and frustration with a global finance model that doesn’t always seem well-suited to the practical realities of filmmaking on the continent…. Read More>>

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