(Posted 20th March 2025)
CCA MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
Absa Group names Standard Bank South Africa head Kenny Fihla as new CEO
Reuters
South Africa’s Absa Group (ABGJ.J) on Monday named former Standard Bank South Africa chief (SBKJ.J) Kenny Fihla as its new CEO, effective June 17. Fihla joined Standard Bank Group in 2006 and has held numerous senior roles, including that of Chief Executive Officer of its corporate investment banking (CIB) unit, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Standard Bank Group and CEO Standard Bank South Africa… Read More>>
Flutterwave Gets Ghana Approval to Offer Inward Remittances
MSN
Flutterwave, an African payments technology company, said yesterday it has received approval from Ghana’s Central Bank to provide inward remittance services. This development, according to the business, reinforces Flutterwave’s aim to simplify payments across Africa. In announcing the development, Flutterwave stated that Ghana’s financial sector is fast growing, with high mobile phone penetration and a vibrant mobile money ecosystem… Read More>>
U.S.-AFRICA RELATIONS
Adelabu champions US-Africa energy collaboration at Washington summit
MSN
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has emphasised the critical importance of strengthening collaboration between the United States and Africa to tackle energy poverty, drive sustainable development, and foster economic growth. Delivering a keynote address at the 10th Powering Africa Summit (PAS25), held in Washington DC, USA, on 6th and 7th March 2025, Adelabu highlighted the significant progress achieved through initiatives such as Power Africa. He noted its pivotal role in expanding electricity access, mobilising investments, and supporting policy reforms across Nigeria and the African continent… Read More>>
How do African Products Support US Consumers? African Suppliers, US Buyers, and New Markets
Wilson Center
Focused on understanding how African products impact US consumers and how African markets create opportunities for US businesses, Oge and Witney sit down with Gavin van der Burgh and Stephanie Agee. Gavin and Stephanie are international trade leaders working to expand opportunities for US businesses and consumers, but in two very different roles… Read More>>
ENERGY
U.S. Africa Energy Relationship Shifts from Aid to Investment
Voice of America
The 10th Powering Africa Summit in Washington DC marked a pivotal moment in defining the strategic energy relationship between the United States and Africa, addressing the critical question: How will the new American administration shape its energy partnership with the continent? In his address, Mr. Joshua Volz, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Europe, Eurasia, Africa and Middle East -Office of International Affairs in the U.S Department of Energy emphasized the need for people-centered profitable partnerships between American investors and African countries – moving away from handouts to hands up approach… Read More>>
Global healthcare at a crossroads: African scientists seek local solutions
Africa News
The global healthcare landscape is facing significant changes following a decision by former U.S. President Donald Trump to reshape America’s humanitarian efforts worldwide. One of the most impactful moves was the U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), which has raised concerns about the future of international collaboration in combating infectious diseases. Amid these challenges, African scientists and health experts have convened in Uganda to develop homegrown solutions to the continent’s healthcare challenges… Read More>>
South Africa plans to spend more on health and defense after the US cuts aid
AP News
Lawmakers in South Africa laid out plans to shore up the budgets for health and defense but also put up value added tax by 0.5%, a move that will raise the cost of living as consumers pay more for goods, including food, and services. An additional 28.9 billion rand ($1.5 billion) was earmarked for health spending in the 2025 budget, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said, as the country scrambles to make up for cuts to aid from the U.S. under the Trump administration… Read More>>
INFRASTRUCTURE
Private equity investment in African infrastructure fell in 2023
Semafor
Private equity investment in African infrastructure projects dropped to $1.4 billion in 2024 from $2.3 billion in 2023, a new report found. The continent faces critical gaps in infrastructure — from power to digital connectivity — with an annual $100 billion financing hole for such projects, according to data from the Global Private Capital Association. But while this shortfall is holding back African businesses and consumers, “these structural shortcomings also create openings for private capital investors” to bypass legacy models and direct their money into more innovative technologies, GPCA said… Read More>>
Reaping the benefits of the AfCFTA: Strengthening transport services and infrastructure for growth
The Brookings Institution
A tech entrepreneur in Lagos, a coffee farmer in Ethiopia, and a fashion designer in Accra all represent the diverse business landscape across Africa. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) aims to facilitate seamless trade among them by reducing tariffs, simplifying customs procedures, and eliminating non-tariff barriers… Read More>>
AGRIBUSINESS
Ministers call for increased financing to boost African smallholder productivity
AfDB
Agriculture ministers have reaffirmed the importance of scaling up financing for smallholder farmers to enhance agricultural productivity through targeted subsidies, irrigation projects, and other financing mechanisms. The ministers spoke during a panel discussion on “Showcasing Current Results of Public Investment, De-risking Private Investment, and Creating Enabling Environments for Scaling Finance” at the Scaling Finance for Smallholder Farmers in Africa Conference… Read More>>
Private sector unveils agribusiness investment fund
Punch Newspapers
The private sector has introduced a Large-Scale Agribusiness Financing Programme aimed at transforming Nigeria’s agricultural sector and strengthening food security. This is according to a press statement on Monday by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Finance, Mohammed Manga. According to the statement, the initiative, which was unveiled in Abuja, seeks to drive food sovereignty by attracting large-scale investments into industrial agriculture… Read More>>
ICT
GITEX Africa 2025 expands, showcasing global tech innovations
KBC
Over 45,000 people from over 130 countries are set to descend in Marrakech Morocco for Africa’s largest technology and startup event, GITEX Africa Morocco in mid-April 2025. The event will serve as a platform for showcasing breakthrough innovations across AI, fintech, cybersecurity, health tech, smart cities, and digital transformation. It brings together industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers to foster high-impact collaborations and accelerate the continent’s integration into the global digital… Read More>>
AU recognises female innovators using technology to transform the education sector in Africa
African Union
The AU Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA) recognises information, communication and technology (ICT) as a major tool for empowering graduates and ensuring they contribute to social economic development by ensuring they not only have universal access but also ensuring they enhance the quality of provision and delivery, of services. ICT opens up possibilities for innovation, entrepreneurship and employability; flexibility in pedagogies; beating the limitation of time and space for varied learner needs; and enhancing confidence and dignity of graduates at all levels… Read More>>
FINANCE
Kenya’s President Ruto awards African Development Bank’s Adesina highest national honour
AfDB
Kenya’s President H.E. William Samoei Ruto has conferred the country’s highest honour, Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart CGH, on the President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr Akinwumi Adesina. Dr Adesina becomes the 20th recipient of the honour that was established in 1967 and first awarded to Kenya’s founding father and former President, H.E. Jomo Kenyatta. Others include globally renowned leaders such as former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, South Africa’s Nelson Mandela, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, Uganda’s… Read More>>
