Corporate Council on Africa’s latest news updates

Trump Looks Willing to Write Off an Entire Continent 
Politico 

Many presidents have promised to fundamentally change the U.S. relationship with Africa, focusing more on trade and less on aid. President Donald Trump might actually make that shift happen… Read More>>

South Africa appoints US envoy to try to mend ties
Reuters
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday announced former deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas as his special envoy to the United States, in an effort to try to rebuild a relationship that has soured badly under President Donald Trump… Read More>> 

Aurora Africa Report – Trump’s Tariff Shockwave Hits Africa
Aura Africa
In early April, the Trump administration announced sweeping new baseline and ‘reciprocal’ tariffs targeting imports from at least 60 countries—including a host of African nations. § Facing stock market volatility and domestic backlash, the administration subsequently delayed implementation of some tariffs by 90 days—excluding those on China. During this reprieve, a baseline 10% tariff remains in effect for most countries… Read More>> 

HEALTH

Angola Commits USD 5 Million to Africa CDC, Championing Africa-Led Health Financing Strategy
Africa CDC

In a strong act of continental solidarity, His Excellency João Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola and Chairperson of the African Union, announced a landmark voluntary contribution of USD 5 million to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), reaffirming Angola’s leadership and enduring commitment to strengthening regional health security and sustainable health financing… Read More>>

Health Ministers launch landmark polio vaccination campaign to protect 83 million children in Lake Chad Basin
WHO
In a renewed effort to eradicate circulating polio variant type 2 in the Lake Chad Basin, Ministers of Health from Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Niger and Nigeria launched today a synchronized regional vaccination campaign aimed at protecting 83 million under 5 children. The initiative is a crucial milestone in the fight against variant poliovirus type 2, which continues to pose a threat to millions of children across the region… Read More>>

INFRASTRUCTURE

South Africa’s Stitch Raises $55 Million to Expand Enterprise Payments Infrastructure
Pymnts 
South Africa-based payments infrastructure company stitch raised $55 million in a Series B funding round to expand its offerings for enterprise merchants. The company will use the new funding to deepen its in-person payments offering, bolster its online payments suite and move into the acquiring space, Stitch said in a press release emailed to PYMNTS… Read More>>

Investment will continue despite US aid cuts: infrastructure boss
African Business  
The decision by the US and other Western nations to curtail development aid represents a major setback for Africa. Numerous projects that heavily rely on foreign assistance in critical sectors such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure have been halted in the wake of these funding cuts, rendering thousands jobless and impeding the delivery of much-needed development… Read More>> 

AGRIBUSINESS

South Africa: How Women in Agribusiness Are Breaking Market Access Barriers and Claiming Their Space
AllAfrica 
In South Africa, women play a critical role in agricultural production, significantly contributing to food security, rural development, and community resilience. Despite this, they remain largely excluded from agribusiness opportunities and formal markets due to structural inequalities, limited market information, and deep-rooted gender biases… Read More>>

Empowering the Youth in the Au Island States for Sustainable Agrifood Systems: A Call to Action at the Africa Agribusiness Youth Strategy Dialogue for Island States
African Union 
The African Union Commission (AUC) and AGRA made a call for youth empowerment and transforming agribusiness to ensure sustainable opportunities for African Unions Island States. Organised by the African Union Commission and AGRA, the Africa Agribusiness Youth Strategy (AAYS) Dialogue for Island States aims at creating a pivotal platform to engage, inspire and equip young entrepreneurs and innovators in agrifood systems in the Island States… Read More>>

ICT

Algeria Hosts Africa’s Premier Tech Gathering as ICT Africa Summit 2025 Kicks Off in Algiers
Dzair Tube  
Algiers has officially taken center stage as Africa’s undisputed digital capital, launching the highly anticipated ICT Africa Summit 2025 today at the Palais des Expositions (SAFEX) in Pins Maritimes. This three-day continental event—running through April 23—is set to revolutionize the technological landscape of Africa, uniting over 100 cutting-edge companies and visionary startups from 12 countries under one roof… Read More>> 

Kenya champions legal, policy reforms to revitalize Africa’s postal sector
Kbc 
The government has underscored the critical need for legal and policy changes across Africa to foster a conducive environment for the growth and sustainability of the postal sector. Speaking at the official opening of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) Postal Leaders Regulatory Forum for Africa on Tuesday in Nairobi, the Principal Secretary for Broadcasting and Telecommunications, Stephen Isaboke, emphasized that adapting regulatory frameworks is essential for the sector to thrive in the rapidly evolving digital and competitive market… Read More>> 

FINANCE

Empowering Africa’s cities: The case for fiscal autonomy and financial expertise
Biz Community 
Yet, despite the promises of decentralisation, African municipalities remain under-resourced, underpowered, and underprepared. It is time to radically rethink the fiscal architecture of our cities – and to invest in the municipal finance expertise that will allow them not merely to survive, but to thrive… Read More>> 

Maroc Telecom teams up with Visa to boost digital payments & financial inclusion in Morocco & Africa
The North Africa Post
Maroc Telecom company has partnered with Visa Corporation to enhance digital payments and financial inclusion in Morocco and across the African subsidiaries of the major telecommunications company in the North African Kingdom… Read More>> 

Fund managers double private capital in Africa to $4bln
Zawya 
Fund managers focused on raising private capital for African companies more than doubled their funds to $4 billion in 2024, the third highest value in 10 years. Most of the funds (42 percent) came from development finance institutions (DFIs), demonstrating the continent’s growing appeal to investors despite its macroeconomic headwinds… Read More>>