U.S.-AFRICA RELATIONS
Day 2: U.S.-Africa Business Forum
U.S. Department of State
The fresh effort is aimed to “demonstrate the United States’ enduring commitment to Africa and emphasize the significance of building new relations between both sides. The White House reported the summit “will build on our shared values to better foster new economic engagement; reinforce the U.S.-Africa commitment to democracy and human rights; mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and of future pandemics; work collaboratively to strengthen regional and global health; promote food security; advance peace and security; respond to the climate crisis; and amplify diaspora ties.”…
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US, Africa Firms Seal $15 Billion of Deals at Washington Summit
Bloomberg
American and African firms reached more than $15 billion in new commitments and deals at a summit hosted by President Joe Biden as the US moves to increase its commercial ties with the continent through investments rather than aid… Read more>>
President Biden and Vice President Harris at the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit
U.S. Department of State
President Biden invited leaders from across the African continent to Washington, DC on December 13-15, 2022 for the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit. Here’s an overview of the President and Vice President’s activities during the summit… Read more>>
US Commits $55 Bn to Africa Over Next Three Years: W. House
Barrons
The White House said Monday ahead of the US-Africa Leaders summit that it was pledging $55 billion in economic, health and security support for Africa over the next three years… Read more>>
AGRIBUSINESS
Africa: Are colonial food systems to blame for leaving people vulnerable?
The Africa Report
Over the past 60 years, global decision-makers, big philanthropy, business interests and large swaths of the scientific community have focused on increased food production, trade, and energy-intensive farming methods as the best way to address global and African hunger….
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Kenyan farmers support lifting of ban on GMOs
Nation
Kenyan farmers that have planted Genetically Modified crops for two years now have said that their yields and proceeds have improved, and they have asked Kenyans to embrace GM maize….Read more>>
Kenya: Food security initiative dealt blow as Ruto looks to boost tobacco exports
The African Report
A bilateral trade talk between South Korea and Kenya to increase the East African country’s tobacco exports in the coming months has raised doubts over Kenya’s Tobacco-Free Farming project and the authorities’ efforts to achieve food security….Read more>>
ENERGY
IMF approves Rwanda as first African beneficiary of new climate fund
The Africa Report
On 12 December, the IMF approved Rwanda as the first African country to benefit from a new instrument to help poor countries tackle long-term structural challenges such as climate change…
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‘Means of survival’: Tanzania’s booming charcoal trade drives unchecked deforestation
The Guardian
As rising gas prices drive demand for the polluting fuel, illegal loggers depend on the trade to live – even as the forest disappears around them… Read more>>
HEALTH
South Africa’s Aspen gets $30 mln grant to make vaccines
Reuters
Aspen Pharmacare has wrapped up pacts to secure funding of $30 million from the Gates Foundation and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations to help make affordable vaccines for Africa, the company said on Monday….
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INFRASTRUCTURE
IMF Agrees $3 Billion Bailout for Ghana to Stablize Economy, Manage Debt
Bloomberg
Ghana secured a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund for a $3 billion bailout, a key step in the West African nation’s plans to restructure its unsustainable debt…
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ICT
Visa to Invest $1 Billion in Africa After Opening New Offices
Bloomberg
Visa Inc. will invest $1 billion in its business across Africa as the technology giant seeks to push adoption of digital payments across the continent….
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Meta wants to bring the metaverse to Africans through their cell phones
Quartz
Meta sees a huge metaverse business potential in Africa – $40 billion added to the continent’s GDP by 2031. This ambitious goal has one major caveat, “only if the metaverse were to be adopted and grow in a similar way as mobile technology.”… Read more>>
TOURISM
Nigeria scraps COVID-19 tests for international travellers
Reuters
Nigeria on Monday removed COVID-19 testing requirements for international travelers and it was no longer mandatory to wear masks on flights and inside airport buildings, the airlines regulators said…
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