Corporate Council on Africa’s latest news updates

 

(Posted 27th February 2025)

 

CCA MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Airbus signs Flight Hour Services contract for Ethiopian Airlines’ A350 fleet
Airbus Aircraft
Airbus has signed a 7-year Flight Hour Services (FHS) contract with Ethiopian Airlines for the comprehensive maintenance of its fleet of 24 Airbus A350 aircraft, including both the A350-900 and A350-1000 models. This agreement will provide Ethiopian Airlines with dedicated on-site stock in Addis-Abeba, access to Airbus material pools worldwide, as well as repair and engineering support for a wide range of critical rotable parts….Read More>>

TDB Group obtains green climate fund (GCF) accredition
Trade and Development Bank
TDB Group is pleased to announce that it has obtained the Green Climate Fund (GCF) accreditation as an African regional direct access entity which will enable the Group to partner with the GCF in the implementation of climate action projects in all its Member States.TDB Group was accredited in the large size category, which qualifies it to execute projects exceeding USD 250 million, as well as those valued below this amount. Likewise, the type of accreditation received will also enable the Bank to implement GCF-funded projects across all levels of Environmental & Social Safeguards (ESS), ranging from the lowest to the highest ESS risk categories…..Read More>>

Ethiopia Signs Memorandum of Understanding with ATIDI to Support PPP Renewable Energy Projects
ATIDI
The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, represented by the Ministry of Finance and Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the African Trade Insurance Agency (ATIDI), a leading pan-African multilateral trade and investment insurer. This milestone agreement is designed to accelerate Ethiopia’s transition to clean energy by attracting foreign investment into renewable energy projects through ATIDI’s Regional Liquidity Support Facility (RLSF)…..Read More>>

 

 

U.S.-AFRICA RELATIONS 
Microsoft Invests $1M In AI Skilling For Nigerians
CIO Africa
Microsoft has announced a $1 million investment to provide Artificial Intelligence (AI) training for one million Nigerians. The initiative is part of the company’s support for Nigeria’s National AI Strategy and aims to create a future-ready workforce that can drive innovation and economic growth.The investment comes at a time when AI is rapidly transforming industries worldwide. Microsoft’s goal is to equip Nigerians with essential AI skills to enhance productivity and unlock new opportunities….Read More>>

ENERGY
Gambia: Barrow Inaugurates First High Voltage Energy Infrastructure Project in Salaji
Africa Energy Portal
President Adama Barrow yesterday presided over the inauguration of the country’s first high voltage flagship energy infrastructure project at a colourful ceremony held at Salaji.The event formed part of activities marking The Gambia’s Diamond Jubilee anniversary.The project, undertaken by the National Water and Electricity Company under the Gambia Electricity Restoration and Modernization Project (GERMP), marks a significant milestone in the country’s journey towards a more improved and modernised energy sector. It is being funded through the support of the World Bank Group, the European Union and the European Investment Bank….Read More>>

Mission 300: A Watershed Moment for Africa’s green energy transition?
Green Central Banking
A recent conference on developing green energy in Africa could mark a significant step in the continent’s journey towards financing universal electricity access. The Mission 300 project aims to provide 300 million people with electricity by 2030 and drive sustainable economic transformation across the continent. According to World Bank president Ajay Banga who attended the summit, the initiative will provide a “foundation for future development”.Held in Dar es Salaam in January 2025, the event was hosted by the government of Tanzania in collaboration with the African Union (AU), African Development Bank (AfDB), and World Bank Group, and brought together heads of state, development banks and private sector leaders…Read More>>

HEALTH
Regional Networks to Strengthen Africa’s Vaccine and Health Products Manufacturing Workforce
AfricaCDC
In a move to accelerate Africa’s capacity to produce its own vaccines and other health products, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has established Regional Capability and Capacity Networks (RCCNs) to drive skills development, workforce training and R&D.Africa has set an ambitious goal of manufacturing a significant portion of its vaccine locally by 2040. This drive has gained momentum through key decisions made by the African Union Heads of State and Government, including broadening the Partnerships for African Vaccine Manufacturing (PAVM) mandate to include the manufacturing of medicines, diagnostics, and other health products, as well as establishing a Pooled Procurement Mechanism (PPM) for medical products from African manufacturers….Read More>>

INFRASTRUCTURE
CESA Infrastructure Indaba 2025 To Address Nation’s Developmental Priorities
Infrastructure News
Consulting Engineers South Africa(CESA) has announced its annual Infrastructure Indaba, where industry stakeholders will gather to address national development priorities under the theme “Engineering the Future We Want: Mobilising for Sustainable Development.”Set for 18-19 March 2025, at the Indaba Hotel, Fourways, in Johannesburg, the conference aims to address fundamental needs of infrastructure development in the country while supporting economic growth…Read More>>

Globacom expands network infrastructure to boost connectivity across Nigeria
Telecom Review Africa
The current phase of network upgrade, launched last year, involves the nationwide rollout of new sites and the modernization of existing infrastructure to deliver higher speeds and enhanced data experiences for a growing number of Nigerians.In response to the recent increase in telecom tariffs, Globacom stated that it is committed to building world-class telecommunications infrastructure and offering its customers the most competitive rates for voice and data services.The company added that the network upgrade entails the entire scope of Telecoms infrastructure enhancements, from the core network to access network, transmission and IP network, fiber network, metro access, and backbone infrastructure, as well as passive equipment expansion like power and environment….Read More>>

AGRIBUSINESS
Value of Uganda’s coffee exports surge 83% in January on the year
CNBC Africa
The value of Uganda’s coffee exports surged 83.4% in January, compared to the same month a year ago, boosted by high global prices of the commodity, the agriculture ministry said.Uganda is Africa’s largest exporter of coffee, followed by Ethiopia.The east African country shipped 550,341 60-kilogram bags of coffee worth $156.5 million, 83.4% higher than the value of volumes shipped in the same month last year, the ministry of agriculture, animal industry and fisheries (MAAIF) said in a report seen by Reuters on Monday….Read More>>
 

ICT
Nigeria unveils space technology initiative to empower youths
IT Web
The Nigerian Communications Satellite Ltd (NigComSat), a government-owned company that manages the country’s communication satellites, has begun a regional training program to provide young people with satellite knowledge.The initiative, which is titled “Building Grassroots Innovation in Satellite Technology,” will begin with a five-day Space-Tech Hackathon in Yola on February 24–28.Aisha Bantam, head of the corporate affairs department at NIGCOMSAT, confirmed this in an Abuja statement…Read More>>

Egypt Ranks 3rd in Africa for Tech Investments in 2024
Tech In Africa
Egypt has been recognized as one of Africa’s top technology investment destinations for 2024, according to MENA, a partner of TV BRICS, which referenced global rankings.As reported by the Information and Decision Support Centre (IDSC) of the Egyptian Cabinet, the country secured third place among Africa’s leading tech investors, underscoring its growing influence in the continent’s digital economy….Read More>>

FINANCE
Nigeria’s economy grows at fastest in three years in fourth quarter
Reuters
Nigeria’s economy gained pace in the fourth quarter (NGGDPQ=ECI), opens new tab of 2024, growing at its fastest in three years driven mainly by its services sector, data showed on Tuesday.
Gross domestic product grew 3.84% in annual terms, more than the 3.46% reported in the third quarter of 2024, the 3.19% seen in the second quarter and 2.98% in the first.
Fourth-quarter growth was led by the services sector which grew 5.37% year-on year, the National Bureau of Statistics said….Read More>>

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