(Posted 22nd August 2024)
CCA IN THE NEWS
What’s Next for AGOA?
Africa.com
In this edition of Straight Talk Africa Vincent Makori discusses the future and the effectiveness of African Growth and Opportunity Act, also known as AGOA, that provides duty free access to the United States market. AGOA was established in 2000 and now it needs to be reauthorized. He is joined by Florizelle Liser president and CEO of the Corporate Council on Africa. In 2003 Ms. Liser served as Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Africa and oversaw implementation of AGOA….Read More>>
U.S.-AFRICA RELATIONS
How Africa can manage outcome of US election
Vanguard
Whatever the outcome of the US presidential election which will hold on the November 5, it will present to Africa with both a challenge and opportunity. Already Mr. Donald Trump, former US president, is the formal nominee of his Republican party and Mrs. Kamala Harris, current Vice-President, has inherited the Democratic party nomination of former candidate Joe Biden and is now presidential candidate of the party. The obvious prospective outcome of the November presidential poll that is certain is that one of the two will be elected the President of the United States, barring any unforeseen development. Vice President Harris, is on the momentous threshold of history, if she manages to pull off a victory that will see her become the first female US President in the over 200 years of the country’s history….Read More>>
Nine Tanzanian firms to get Sh22.4 billion in US grants
The Citizen
Dar es Salaam. The United States Government, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), has said it will issue an investment of Sh22.4 billion ($8.3 million) to several Tanzanian firms to boost trade, improve food security, and strengthen Tanzania’s competitiveness in the export arena through the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) USAID Tanzania Mission Director Craig Hart said the nine local firms will receive grants under the USAID Africa Trade and Investment Project…..Read More>>
ENERGY
Standard Bank mobilizes US$3bn for renewable energy initiatives in Africa
B&FTOnline
Standard Bank has mobilized sustainable finance of over US$3 billion this year to advance green and renewable energy initiatives across Africa, thereby driving sustainable growth and energy independence throughout the continent. This was disclosed by Sydney Nii Ayitey Tetteh – Executive Vice President, Energy & Infrastructure, Client Coverage, Corporate and Investment Banking at Stanbic Bank Ghana, at the 13th Ghana Economic Forum held at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra. Speaking on a panel discussion on the topic, ‘Sustainable Energy Financing and Distribution: Key to Driving Economic Activities and Growth,’ the Stanbic Bank Executive noted the critical role of sustainable energy financing in driving economic growth……Read More>>
HEALTH
$35M USAID Health Assistance for Mpox Outbreak in Central and Eastern Africa Announced
Devdiscourse News
The additional assistance will enable USAID to intensify its collaboration with affected countries and regional and global health partners to mitigate the impact of the outbreak. The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has announced up to an additional $35 million in emergency health assistance to bolster efforts against the ongoing clade I mpox outbreak in Central and Eastern Africa. This new funding, pending Congressional Notification, raises the total U.S. government support for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and other affected countries in the region to over $55 million…..Read More>>
What is mpox and why has it been declared a global health emergency?
The Guardian
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the latest mpox outbreak in Africa a “public health emergency of international concern”, the category used in the past for Ebola outbreaks, Covid-19 and a 2022 mpox surge in Europe. Many countries in Africa are experiencing more cases of mpox, as the deadly virus crosses national borders, with fears it could cause a significant global outbreak. Here is what we know so far…..Read More>>
INFRASTRUCTURE
Southern Africa port and rail project gathers momentum
International Railway Journal
New integrated port in Mozambique and upgraded railways to Botswana and Zimbabwe planned. Plans for a new deep-sea port at Techobanine, south of the Mozambique capital Maputo, a rail connection to the port and associated upgrading of connecting 1067mm-gauge lines to Botswana and Zimbabwe totaling 1700km are starting to make progress…..Read More>>
AGRIBUSINESS
U.S Department of Agriculture partners with Iowa State University and launches a Workshop on Seed Systems Development in East and West Africa
U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia
The U. S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), in partnership with the Iowa State University’s Seed Science Center (SSC) is hosting a pivotal seminar-workshop on “Seed Systems Development in East and West Africa.” Scheduled from August 19-22, 2024, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, this seminar-workshop aims to advance food and nutrition security through the development of efficient, dynamic, and sustainable integrated seed systems….Read More>>
The rangers turning the DRC’s ‘triangle of death’ back into a thriving wildlife reserve
The Guardian
Ranger Sylvain Musimi had just risen from his morning coffee around the campfire when the rebels opened fire. It was a chilly early morning in mid-January, during rainy season in Upemba national park. Sixteen suspected members of the Bakata Katanga militia, faces daubed in white war paint, surprised the party of four rangers only 5.5 miles (9km) from Upemba’s base camp. Musimi, 50, was shot four times in the thigh, but managed to flee into the bush. A younger colleague, who was nearer the campfire, was shot dead. “I could have chosen another job,” says Musimi, standing inside a derelict villa in Lusinga, which rebels destroyed in 2004, when insecurity was much worse. “But I wanted to become an ecoguard for the good of my country, and so my children could see animals in the park one day.”…Read More>>
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Opens Applications for Agribusiness Trade Mission to Casablanca
Africa.com
U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis M. Taylor will lead an agribusiness trade mission to Casablanca, Morocco, Dec. 2-5, 2024. Current and potential U.S. exporters interested in participating should apply for consideration by Aug. 28….Read More>>
ICT
How UN Women’s coding program is unlocking opportunities for African girls
Devex
The African Girls Can Code initiative was established to help girls across Africa to become computer programmers, creators, and designers.While access to digital technologies has become synonymous with opportunities in today’s interconnected world, many women and girls in low- and middle-income countries across Africa face significant barriers that prevent them from easily accessing and effectively utilizing digital technologies….Read More>>
US Agency to Join $225 Million Investment in African Fiber Firm
Bloomberg
A US development agency will be one of the main investors as African fiber company Liquid Telecommunication Holdings Ltd. seeks to raise $225 million in equity by the end of the year, according to Chief Executive Officer Hardy Pemhiwa. The International Development Finance Corporation will be one of the biggest participants in a $90 million tranche in the next few weeks, while Liquid plans a second round later in the year, Pemhiwa told Bloomberg News in an email. Geopolitical competition between the US and China is heating up in Africa, with its growing population and vast mineral resources, and development institutions such as the DFC are a key way to engage economically on the continent…..Read More>>
Respected ICT Professionals And Senior Government Leaders To Speak At TICON Africa
Africa.com
Speakers at the upcoming Technology Information Confederation Africa (TICON Africa) Conference 2024 include respected names in the ICT industry as well as senior officials from member countries. TICON Africa will be held at the Kenyan coastal city of Mombasa between 25 and 27 September alongside the Marketing Society of Kenya’s symposium. The two events will bring together a tangible showcase of how ICT can help drive marketing strategies through the best use of data, business intelligence, and machine learning…..Read More>>
FINANCE
Payments provider gets new private equity owner
African Law & Business
A West African payments company has been sold to an Africa-focused private equity group, in a deal involving international and African law firms. Côte d’Ivoire-headquartered payments company OMOA Group has been sold by Adenia to fellow African private equity firm SPE Capital, in a deal completed earlier this month. OMOA provides and maintains ATMs, as well as payments software and card systems, and has spread to 11 countries across Central and West Africa, with 150 employees, since being founded in 1999…..Read More>>
