(Posted 13th February 2025)
CCA MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
TDB Group and Anzana electric group announce financial close of first-of-its-kind USD 35 million long-term project finance facility for the Songa Energy 10.65 MW run-of-river hydropower projects in Burundi
Trade and Development Bank
TDB Group and Anzana Electric Group (“Anzana”) announce the financial close and first utilization of a portfolio project debt package for two run-of-river hydropower projects in Burundi developed by Songa Energy. This USD 35 million 10.65MW long-term debt financing facility represents a first-of-its-kind transaction for Burundi, a market where only about 10% of the population have access to electricity. With less than 100 MW of operational generation capacity, the country’s capacity will be boosted by over 10% through this project alone. Anzana is the sole equity investor in the projects, which were developed under the Public-Private Partnership framework in Burundi….Read More>>
Sutter Health and GE HealthCare Announce Strategic Partnership for Advanced Imaging
The HealthCare Technology Report
Sutter Health, a not-for-profit healthcare company, and GE HealthCare have entered a seven-year strategic partnership, called a Care Alliance, to enhance access to advanced imaging services across California. GE HealthCare offers integrated solutions, services, and data analytics to increase hospital efficiency, clinician effectiveness, therapeutic precision, and patient health and happiness. This collaboration aims to deliver innovative AI-powered imaging technology, improving diagnostic efficiency, early detection, and patient outcomes….Read More>>
Ethiopian Airlines to launch a passenger service to Hyderabad
Time AeroSpace
The new flight will commence operations with three mid-day departures from Addis Ababa to Hyderabad.Mesfin Tasew, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, said: “We are delighted to commence a new passenger service to Hyderabad. Since our first flight to Mumbai, India, in 1971, we have expanded our footprint throughout the country, offering convenient passenger and cargo transportation services. This new service will not only enhance travel options for our esteemed passengers but also strengthen trade and tourism ties between the two countries and beyond….Read More>>
U.S.-AFRICA RELATIONS
South Sudan looks to launch national instant payments system
Global Government Fintech
The Bank of South Sudan (BoSS) is looking to launch a national instant payments system.The project is being undertaken in collaboration with the AfricaNenda Foundation – an organisation funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to help achieve ‘universal African financial access by 2030’ – and is a ‘pivotal milestone in the modernisation of South Sudan’s financial and payment infrastructure, advancing the bank’s commitment to providing enhanced financial services for all citizens,’ BoSS said in its announcement….Read More>>
ENERGY
Kenya Power Invests KSh.1 Billion To Boost Power Supply In Western Kenya
Energy News Africa
Kenya Power has announced an investment of nearly KSh.1 billion to expand electricity infrastructure in Western Kenya.This move aims to enhance electricity connectivity and reliability for domestic and industrial consumers across 11 counties, including Kisumu, Homabay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Siaya, Vihiga, Busia, Kericho, Bomet, and Kakamega….Read More>>
Africa Energy Bank to launch in first quarter, targets $120 billion asset base
Reuters
The Africa Energy Bank, which will fund oil and gas projects and support the continent’s energy transition goals, will launch in the first quarter of 2025 and target an asset base of $120 billion, Nigeria’s junior oil minister said on Tuesday.
The fossil fuel-focused bank, a partnership between trade finance institution Afrexim Bank and the African Petroleum Producers Organization, was due to start operations by mid-2024, an Afreximbank official said last year…..Read More>>
President Boakai Inaugurates Liberia’s First National Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities
Front Page Africa Online
President Joseph Boakai recently officiated the groundbreaking ceremony for Liberia’s first national resource center dedicated to persons with disabilities in Brewerville, Kpeko Town. This event represents a significant step in the government’s ongoing commitment to inclusivity and advancing the rights of the disabled community….Read More>>
Tanzania’s Success to Reduce Maternal Mortality Ushers in a Model for Africa
Africa CDC
Tanzania has reduced maternal mortality by 80% in a seven-year period, from 556 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2016 to 104 per 100,000 in 2022. The success is attributable to increased political commitment, an increased number of Emergency Obstetric and Newborn care (EmONC) facilities, a growing health workforce, a strengthened obstetric referral network, capacity building, mentorship, and the conduct of Maternal and Perinatal Death Reviews and Surveillance at all levels. It is a trend Tanzania intends to maintain while serving as a reference point for other African countries on how to achieve similar success…Read More>>
FG approves $1.7bn Hope projects to improve healthcare for Nigerians
Vanguard
The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the sum of $1.7 billion for Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity – Governance (HOPE – GOVERNANCE) project alongside the inter-related Primary Health Care Provision Strengthening (HOPE -PHC) project.This was made known during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held recently.While the HOPE-PHC project aims to improve utilisation of quality essential healthcare services and health system resilience in the country, governance reforms entrenched in HOPE-GOVERNANCE will support improvements in healthcare financing; enhance transparency and accountability; and increase recruitment, deployment and performance management of primary healthcare workers by Federal, State and Local governments…Read More>>
Africa’s Progress Towards Sustainable Local Manufacturing Health Products
Africa CDC
Africa has made significant progress towards local vaccine and other health products manufacturing—securing funding for manufacturers, improving regulatory instruments and mobilising support to establish local markets—all key to advance health security and self-reliance on the continent.The 2nd Vaccine and Other Health Products Manufacturing Forum in Cairo, convened by the Africa CDC, Gavi, the Regionalized Vaccine Manufacturing Collaborative, hosted by Egypt’s Unified Procurement Authority (UPA) on 4-6 February, heard…Read More>>
INFRASTRUCTURE
Corridor Development Project Unveiling Ethiopia’s Exquisiteness
All Africa
The corridor development project, which aims to transform the infrastructure and overall features of cities, was introduced last year by starting the first phase of the corridor development project in Addis Ababa City.Following the successful completion of the first phase in Addis Ababa, the metropolis expanded the project by launching the second phase, implementing it in more than 56 urban centers across the country. Similarly, the project started implementing in rural neighborhoods with the goal of making residential areas more suitable and comfortable for residents….Read More>>
AGRIBUSINESS
Boost for agriculture, water projects in four African countries
Esi- Africa
Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Djibouti and Madagascar have received funding to assist in bolstering agriculture and clean water initiatives as part of a climate resilience drive. The African Development Bank (AfDB) confirmed that it has approved more than $31 million in funding under its African Climate Action Window (CAW) for the four countries. This funding is aimed at driving innovative climate adaptation projects to assist in protecting vulnerable communities and improving sustainability across key sectors….Read More>>
ICT
LTA Acquires New Equipment for Liberia Internet Exchange Point
Liberian Observer
In a major step toward improving the country’s digital infrastructure, the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) has acquired a new set of equipment through the Cable Consortium of Liberia (CCL) to enhance operations at the Liberia Internet Exchange Point (IXP). The initiative, fully funded by the LTA, is aimed at boosting the efficiency, capacity, and reliability of internet services in Liberia…..Read More>>
Nigeria set to unlock e-commerce for every business
Brand Exposure
The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, in collaboration with key stakeholders, has convened the Stakeholder Forum on Accelerating E-commerce through Digital and Physical Infrastructure Integration. The event aimed to explore innovative strategies for strengthening Nigeria’s e-commerce sector through enhanced logistics and digital infrastructure.In his welcome address, Minister Dr. Bosun Tijani emphasized the critical role of e-commerce in driving economic growth and regional trade integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA….Read More>>
Bridging the divide: General Assembly President on UN reforms and Africa’s digital future
UN News
In an interview with UN News, Philémon Yang, President of the General Assembly expressed particular concern for the challenges faced by African countries, and the need to bridge the development divide between the Global South and the developed world.The interview took place shortly after a Security Council meeting on combating terrorism in Africa, at which Amina Mohammed, the UN Deputy Secretary-General, described the continent – which accounts for 59 per cent of all terrorism-related deaths worldwide – as “the epicentre of global terrorism.”….Read More>>
FINANCE
Local debt solutions at the forefront as African Development Bank launches pan-African debt management forum
African Development Bank Group
The African Development Bank has launched a Debt Management Forum for Africa (DeMFA), a platform to manage Africa’s debt challenges against the backdrop of rising debt, increasing debt costs, and a decline in credit ratings across the continent.The launch event, held in Abuja, Nigeria, on December 16 and 17, 2024 included a policy dialogue with the theme “Making Debt Work for Africa: Policies, Practices and Options.” The dialogue brought together representatives of African Ministries of Finance, Central Banks, debt management offices, academics, and other experts and stakeholders to exchange views on debt challenges and identify policy and strategic actions to make debt work for Africa….Read More>>
