(Posted 01st May 2025)
CCA MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
Ethiopian Airlines in advanced talks with Embraer for potential aircraft acquisition
Capital
Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest and fastest-growing carrier, is in advanced discussions with Brazil’s Embraer for the potential acquisition of new regional jets, signaling a significant expansion of its fleet and a possible new chapter in its aircraft procurement strategy. If finalized, this would mark the first time the airline operates Embraer-manufactured aircraft, complementing its existing Airbus and Boeing fleets.The talks, which have intensified in recent months, reflect Ethiopian Airlines’ ambition to further strengthen its domestic and regional connectivity….Read more>>
ExxonMobil upping gas exploration ante in Egypt’s Mediterranean blocks
Off-Shore Energy
The Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS) has signed a preliminary memorandum of understanding (MoU) with ExxonMobil Egypt Upstream Limited, a subsidiary of the U.S.-headquartered energy giant ExxonMobil, to boost gas exploration off Egypt’s Mediterranean coast. According to the Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, the MoU sets the foundation for applying a new system in the Cairo and Masry offshore concession areas in the Mediterranean Sea. ExxonMobil secured exploration rights to the two blocks located in the outer Nile Delta in 2023….Read more>>
U.S.-AFRICA RELATIONS
US?Africa Week Ahead: EXIM Bank meets; deep sea mining; State Dept revamp
The Africa Report
US support for energy projects in Africa is on the agenda at the credit agency’s annual gathering.This week, attention shifts to the Export-Import Bank of the US (EXIM) for the latest insights on the Donald Trump administration’s plans for US engagement with the world.America’s export credit agency holds its annual conference at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC on Tuesday, 29 April and Wednesday, 30 April, on the theme of ‘Winning Globally in America’s Golden Age’. The focus will be on energy projects, particularly in Africa: the event’s top sponsors are Miami-based UGT Renewables and its sister company Sun Africa, which are developing the largest solar power project in sub-Saharan Africa in Angola….Read more>>
Global Philanthropies Launches Fund To Accelerate Maternal-Newborn Survival In Africa
Science Nigeria
A coalition of leading global philanthropies has launched the Beginnings Fund, a transformative initiative designed to accelerate maternal and newborn survival across Africa.The fund’s launch, hosted at Kanad Hospital in Abu Dhabi, brought together ministers of health from Malawi, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Zanzibar to mark the beginning of a bold partnership between philanthropists and African governments….Read more>>
Angola’s President Pledges $5 Million to Africa CDC to Strengthen Continental Health Security
Africa CDC
In a landmark move for Africa’s health future, H.E. João Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola and Chairperson of the African Union, announced a voluntary contribution of USD 5 million to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). The announcement follows a high-level meeting with Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, on 21 April 2025 in Luanda.Dr. Kaseya hailed the pledge as a bold and historic commitment, stating, “President Lourenço’s leadership reflects Africa’s collective determination to finance our health future with African-led solutions.”…Read more>>
ENERGY
Electricity Regulator Approves Revised Transmission Grid Code for Enhanced Power System
Africa Energy Portal
The Electricity Control Board (ECB)’s Chief Executive Officer, Robert Kahimise, announced on Tuesday several key resolutions made by the Board during its meeting held on 27 March.A significant outcome of the meeting was the approval of the revised Transmission Grid Code (TGC). This crucial document establishes the rules and procedures governing the use of Namibia’s power systems. The ECB emphasized that the updated TGC is designed to ensure that the power system can be planned and operated in a manner that prioritizes safety, reliability, efficiency, and economic viability…Read more>>
Nigeria eyes new options to maximize gas resources amid Africa’s LNG surge / Rystad Energy
Ajot
Africa is set to play a pivotal role in the global gas industry in the coming years as the world’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) production capacity soars from 486 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) last year to 755 Mtpa in 2030, according to Rystad Energy’s latest projections. This explosive growth will be fueled by rising gas demand in regions with limited local production or access to pipeline supplies. Africa hosts about 20% of the 477 Mtpa total —around 93 Mtpa— of global LNG capacity in the pipeline, comprising under-construction projects, confirmed final investment decision (FID) or pre-FID….Read more>>
INFRASTRUCTURE
Kano govt approves over N51bn for capital projects
Tribune
The Kano State Executive Council has approved ?51.5 billion for critical infrastructure and public service delivery projects across the state as part of the administration’s strategic push to enhance socio-economic development.According to a statement signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the announcement followed the 27th Executive Council meeting held at Government House, Kano….Read more>>
Bridging Africa’s infrastructure gap
African Business
Standard Chartered is a leader in infrastructure financing, having structured and financed vital infrastructure, power, utilities and energy transition projects for over two decades. With deep relationships with sponsors and governments and a track record across sectors including energy, transport and social infrastructure, the bank was recently recognised as the leading Infrastructure Bank in Africa and the Middle East by Project Finance International….Read more>>
Powering Progress in South Africa and The AfDB Infrastructure Imperative
CNBC Africa
South Africa has entered a new era—politically recalibrated, economically pressured, yet fundamentally poised. The 2024 general election, resulting in the country’s first national coalition Government of National Unity (GNU) under President Cyril Ramaphosa, was not just a political outcome—it was a societal reset. South Africans demanded a new social contract: delivery over rhetoric, partnership over posturing, credibility over complexity. In his campaign and subsequent inaugural commitments, President Ramaphosa emphasized infrastructure renewal, energy security, youth employment, and national coherence as pillars of renewal. The task now is not to define direction—but to deliver at scale….Read more>>
AGRIBUSINESS
FG Approves Establishment of Textile Development Board, $90bn Agribusiness, Livestock’s Development Plan
All Africa
The National Economic Council (NEC) has approved the proposal for the establishment of a Cotton, Textile and Garment Development Board (CTGDB) to regulate activities in the sector.The NEC also approved new strategies for agribusiness expansion and livestock transformation projected to generate up to $90 billion in economic value by 2035.The meeting, which was chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, and was attended by governors of the 36 states of the federation, also approved the establishment of the Green Imperative Project (GIP) national office in Abuja and regional offices across the six geopolitical zones to address the crises fuelled by the current system of animal husbandry in the country…Read more>>
Agriculture Ministry Launches Cold Storage Facility and Model Piggery Farm to Empower Farmers and Strengthen Food Security in Nimba
Ministry of Agriculture
As part of its efforts to drive rural economic transformation and strengthen food security, the Ministry of Agriculture, through its Rural Economic Transformation Project (RETRAP), has officially inaugurated two major agricultural facilities in Nimba County: a modern cold storage facility in Whenlenle and a Model Piggery Farm and Livestock Farmers Field School at the Nimba University campus in Sanniquellie.
The two projects, funded through World Bank loans totaling nearly US$500,000, aim to boost agricultural productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, promote climate-smart farming practices, and expand market access for farmers across the region….Read more>>
ICT
Zambia adopts Ethiopia model in digital ID rollout
IT Web Africa
Zambia aims to follow Ethiopia’s lead as it implements its own national digital identity system.The Southern African country commended Ethiopia’s self-built system.This is according to Percy Chinyama, Smart Zambia’s National Coordinator, who spoke at the Africa Innovation Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Tuesday.He stated that the Zambian government was transitioning away from proprietary systems in favour of locally developed solutions.Ethiopia debuted its digital identity system, the Fayda National Digital ID, in February….Read more>>
Egypt Positioned as a Digital Innovation Hub at AmCham Conference
Tech In Africa
Egypt is strengthening its position as a global hub for digital business services and technology innovation. At the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt’s Investment Conference, held on April 29, Ahmed El-Zaher, CEO of the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), participated in a high-level panel discussion titled “A Hub for Digital Innovation: Untapped Opportunities.”…Read more>>
FINANCE
AfDB offers $1bn loan to gov’t
Mmegi
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has offered government a $1 billion (P13.7bn) loan facility, with about $304 million available this year, aimed at enhancing fiscal performance and boosting private sector participation.The loan offer, under the Governance and Economic Resilience Programme, also offers technical assistance to address implementation challenges in Botswana’s public investment programme. The AfDB delegation also outlined short- and medium-term initiatives to support the country’s economic growth targets…..Read more>>
