(Posted 07th November 2024)
CCA MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
Ethiopian Airlines Set to Receive Africa’s First Airbus A350-1000
Airspace-Africa
Ethiopian Airlines is set to make history with the delivery of Africa’s first Airbus A350-1000, a step that signifies both the airline’s growth trajectory and its commitment to operating one of the most modern fleets on the continent. This aircraft will join Ethiopian’s growing fleet of Airbus A350-900s and Boeing 787 Dreamliners, both known for fuel efficiency and long-haul capabilities. The A350-1000 variant, a larger and more powerful version of the A350 family, can accommodate up to 395 passengers across business and economy classes, with a more extensive business section than Ethiopian’s existing widebody configurations…Read More>>
Pfizer’s expansion in Greece
Ekathimerini
With approximately 550 people in its workforce, and the goal of reaching 650 by 2025, the Pfizer Center for Digital Innovation (CDI) in Thessaloniki runs over 250 global projects, leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning to quantum technology, with the aim of even contributing to the acceleration of new drug discovery. At the same time, Pfizer is launching further investments in Thessaloniki to expand its facilities by 3,000 square meters by 2026….Read More>>
GE HealthCare Expands AI Integration in Radiology
The Healthcare Technology Report
GE HealthCare has announced the integration of AI-enabled application orchestration into its True PACS and Centricity PACS platforms in collaboration with Blackford. This advancement aims to assist radiologists in managing their increasing workloads, thereby enabling quicker diagnoses and treatments. The AI platform will offer healthcare providers access to a range of third-party AI applications that cover multiple clinical use cases, from mammography to lung scans. Ludovic d’Apréa, CEO of Solutions for Enterprise Imaging at GE HealthCare, emphasized the importance of AI in improving workflow efficiency, especially as clinician burnout rises due to excessive administrative tasks and patient loads….Read More>>
U.S.-AFRICA RELATIONS
Assistant Secretary Phee’s Travel to Dakar Biennale
U.S Department of State
Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee will travel from November 2-8 to Dakar, Senegal, to participate in the Dakar Biennale, one of the largest arts festivals in Africa. Assistant Secretary Phee will be joined by the Director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, Kevin Young, who is also a member of the President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement. The United States is a Guest of Honor at the 2024 Dakar Biennale and will host a national pavilion featuring works by seven U.S. artists reflecting the theme “The Work of the Wake.”….Read More>>
Congratulations on Historic Botswana Elections
U.S Department of State
The United States congratulates the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) and President-elect Duma Boko on their historic victory in Botswana’s 2024 elections.Botswana’s free elections reflect the voice of the people of Botswana in shaping their future. The United States reaffirms our support for Botswana’s long-standing commitment to democracy and our shared partnership rooted in common values…Read More>>
ENERGY
Minister Nankabirwa Advocates for Equitable Energy Transition
Nile Post
Uganda’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Ruth Nankabirwa, has emphasized the need to prevent the widening of the energy poverty gap in developing countries amidst the rising demand for energy to power artificial intelligence (AI).She made this call at the ADIPEC 2024 ministerial roundtable on energy transition and the role of emerging economies….Read More>>
Equatorial Guinea Can Be Central Africa’s Energy Hub – Memba
News Central
Pablo Memba, an Equatorial Guinean energy consultant, believes the country has the potential to become the energy hub for the Central African sub-region.Speaking on the sidelines of the African Energy Week in Capetown, South Africa, Memba noted that the country has the only Liquified Natural Gas in the region and can provide electricity to its neighbours.“We can provide electricity solutions by providing power and gas to our neighbouring countries.” He said….Read More>>
Africa’s energy future: Affordable, reliable and global
Esi-Africa
“Together, we can create an Africa that is not just resource-rich but energy-secure, an Africa where every season has access to affordable, reliable and an Africa that contributes actively to the global economy.”So said the Afreximbank Chairman and CEO Benedict Oramah at an energy conference in Cape Town yesterday (6 November).Oramah reaffirmed the continent’s export-import bank’s commitment to a sustainable and inclusive energy future for Africa…Read More>>
African Development Bank-backed research highlights potential of health tech to boost Africa’s health systems
African Development Bank
A new study co-funded by the African Development Bank finds that applying technology to healthcare delivery, management, and research could provide more Africans with universal health coverage and significantly advance Africa’s progress towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.The report, titled Policy Blueprint to Fast-Track Healthtech Innovations in Public Health in Africa, examined the potential of health technology innovations – called healthtech to benefit patients, health systems and communities across the continent. Commissioned by HealthTech Hub Africa and produced by VillageReach, the study was funded by UBS Optimus Foundation and the African Development Bank Group’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lab with financing from the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs…Read More>>
INFRASTRUCTURE
R64 billion infrastructure pipeline set to transform South African development
DFA
The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, working with Infrastructure South Africa, has established an infrastructure pipeline valued at R64 billion.Opening the first meeting of the Minister and MECs (MINMEC) of Public Works and Infrastructure across all nine provinces for the seventh administration in Cape Town on Tuesday, Minister Dean Macpherson outlined projects spanning critical sectors such as energy, water, logistics and housing, all set to be included in this pipeline in the years ahead.“These projects have been carefully selected because we believe they will deliver maximum impact both by creating jobs for our people and by providing essential services to our communities in dire need…Read More>>
AGRIBUSINESS
Bio Foods Champions Sustainability With Innovative Initiatives
Capital News
Bio Foods, a leading company in the agricultural sector, is making significant strides in sustainability, establishing itself as a benchmark for environmentally responsible practices in Kenya.The company’s commitment to a sustainable future is showcased in its latest Sustainability Report, highlighting a range of initiatives aimed at reducing environmental impact while enhancing community well-being….Read More>>
Egypt’s $14b Export Potential Fuels Agritech Growth Push
Daba Finance
Egypt’s agritech sector is gaining momentum as Entlaq’s inaugural report reveals a path toward $14 billion in agricultural exports by 2030. The report details a strategic vision to leverage technology for growth, tackling critical challenges like water scarcity and informal labor while driving agricultural productivity and food security…Read More>>
ICT
Driving Greater Access To Digital Skills
Capital Business
In an increasingly digital world, the importance of equipping Africa’s youth with digital skills simply
cannot be overstated. It’s a much-quoted statistic that as the world’s youngest continent, Africa will make up one-fifth of the total workforce and one-third of the total youth workforce in the world by 2030. Africa can seize the moment and harness its youth to become a global hub for tech skills, but the digital skills gap looms large. Developing the skills needed to compete in the global digital economy is critical. We must focus
our skilling efforts on three key areas to fulfil the vision of Africa as a tech hub – building digital…Read More>>
Cyber-security key to achieving SDGs
The B&FT Online
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo has underscored the vital role of cybersecurity as a foundational mechanism for attainment of various Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs).The President emphasised that in an era where digital transformation is integral to national progress, the need to get cybersecurity fundamentals right cannot be over-emphasised, hence to need for continues collaborative efforts to consolidate the gains Ghana has made in its recognition as a Tier-one cybersecurity country in the recent International Telecommunication Union, Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) report, 2024…Read More>>
FINANCE
Kenya’s trade to fellow African markets increase by 26%
Business Insider Africa
A recent report revealed that intra continental trade between Kenya and fellow African states increased by 26% in the first seven months of 2024 compared to the same period the year prior.This growth was driven by strengthened bilateral agreements, and increased shipments, as per the economic report from the Central Bank released on Monday.The report showed that exports increased from 1.53 billion dollars during the same time in 2023 to Sh248.7 billion (about 1.93 billion US dollars) during the same period…Read More>>
