(Posted 07th August 2025)
CCA MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
Flutterwave CEO: Cross-Border Payments, Key Infrastructure for Africa’s Economic Growth
IT News Africa
Flutterwave Founder and CEO Olugbenga “GB” Agboola has emphasized that seamless and interoperable cross-border payments are central to unlocking Africa’s next phases of economic growth.Flutterwave provides multinational giants like Uber, notable payment service providers (PSPs), and African enterprises like Bamboo and Wakanow with a unified API that facilitates cross-border payments across the continent and beyond. This makes Flutterwave a leading force, addressing Africa’s critical payment challenge: the lack of interoperability between national payment infrastructures…Read more>>
Ethiopian Airlines Posts $7.6 Billion Revenue and Record Passenger Numbers
ATTA
Ethiopian Airlines Group has reported a revenue of $7.6 billion for the 2024/2025 fiscal year, reinforcing its position as Africa’s largest airline by revenue and reach. The carrier transported 19 million passengers during the year – up from 17 million the previous year – with 15.2 million flying internationally and 3.9 million on domestic routes, according to Group CEO Mesfin Tasew at a press briefing in Addis Ababa on 5 August…Read more>>
U.S.-AFRICA RELATIONS
Gridworks’ Chimuara-Nacala Transmission Line Gets $5M U.S. Funding Boost
Energy News Africa
The United States Government through its International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has provided a US$5 million grant to support Gridworks’ ongoing development of Phase II and III of the 460km Chimuara-Nacala transmission line, which is connecting central and northern regions of Mozambique.The project will increase the reliability of the grid, boost industrial development, and allow the uptake of more power generation in the southern African nation.Gridworks, which is owned by British International Investment, the UK Government’s Development Finance Institution, is developing the project in partnership with Electricidade de Moçambique (“EDM”), Mozambique’s national electricity utility…Read more>>
President Mahama Urges African Leaders to Build Resilient, Self-Sustaining Health Systems
All Africa
President John Dramani Mahama has called on African leaders to take bold steps in building resilient and self-sustaining health systems across the continent.He made the call at the opening of the Africa Health Sovereignty Summit held on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, in Accra.Addressing the gathering, President Mahama said the time had come for Africa to stop relying heavily on foreign aid to solve its health challenges.He stressed that African countries must become the authors of their own health future by investing in local solutions and strengthening national health systems….Read more>>
Africa charts new health agenda at Accra summit
Real News Magazine
In a powerful display of African resolve and global solidarity, leaders and health champions convened in Accra for the Africa Health Sovereignty Summit to reshape global health governance and leadership.The summit, held under the ambitious Accra Initiative on Tuesday in Accra, Ghana, attracted high-level participants from across Africa and the global health community.It issued a rallying call to reimagine healthcare, co-create resilient systems, and, above all, assert African health sovereignty.Ghana’s Minister of Health, Mr Kwabena Akandoh, opened the summit with a compelling call to action.“This summit is not about polishing old declarations.“It is about reimagining a future where Africa owns its health, where our well-being depends not on goodwill from afar, but on wisdom, solidarity, and investment from within,” he said.Akandoh emphasised that health sovereignty meant having the power to make binding decisions, deploy domestic resources, and lead health systems capable of protecting African lives and promoting dignity…Read more>>
INFRASTRUCTURE
Meeting Africa’s $170b infrastructure investment need: Luanda meeting continues conversation
Ghana Business News
Africa has infrastructure investment needs between $130-$170 billion per year. But so far, only about $80 billion of that bill is met.However, if the full amount required is met, there will be investments in infrastructure development that would bridge the gaps to bolster economic growth, create jobs and stir regional integration.Investments in roads, rail, air transport, dams, ports and associated development are key factors for spurring economic growth due to interconnectivity and trade.The Luanda Financing Summit on Africa’s Infrastructure Development to be held in the Angolan capital October 28 to 31, 2025 anchors on the African Union’s Agenda 2063 (Aspiration 2), which calls for world-class infrastructure that connects the entire…Read more>>
De risking infrastructure projects across African markets through innovative sustainable documentary trade solutions
African Business
Africa finds itself at a crucial juncture in its path toward development. The continent is facing an unprecedented urgency for robust and resilient infrastructure, driven by a rapidly growing population, urbanisation, and expanding economies.Infrastructure development serves as an essential foundation for economic growth, fostering regional integration and driving social progress through its various components, including roads, railways, ports, dams, and power grids. Streamlined transportation networks significantly lower the expenses associated with goods, while dependable and cost-effective energy sources fuel both industries…Read more>>
ENERGY
Youth in Oil & Gas Summit Founder Calls for Pragmatic Leadership to Empower Youth in Namibia
Energy Chamber
Justina Erastus, Founder of the Youth in Oil and Gas Summit in Namibia, called on the country’s leaders to empower the youth across the industry by providing access to job experiences and skills training. Highlighting the need to provide youth with the chance to gain experience, she drew insight into the instrumental role youth play in the evolving oil and gas sector – not only as participants, but as the visionary leaders of tomorrow.Delivering opening remarks during the second edition of the Youth in Oil and Gas Summit in Namibia this July, Erastus explained that youth often face challenges gaining experience across the oil and gas sector, particularly in emerging markets such as Namibia. As such, the country’s leaders have a vital role to play in ensuring accessibility….Read more>>
Why investing in Southern Africa’s critical minerals is key for the global energy transition
World Economic Forum
The demand for critical minerals, essential for wind turbines, batteries and solar panels, has surged as the energy transition gains momentum.According to the International Energy Agency’s Global Critical Minerals Outlook 2025, demand for lithium is set to grow fivefold by 2040, cobalt demand will double and copper demand will rise by 30%. The Southern Africa region – comprising Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe – holds approximately 30% of the world’s critical minerals reserves. Given its mineral endowment, the region has the potential to play an even more significant role in the supply chain of critical minerals…Read more>>
AGRIBUSINESS
Bold roots, brave futures: Entrepreneurs redefining agribusiness in South Africa
African Farming
The inaugural Gauteng Agro-processing Convention and Expo was hosted by Gauteng’s MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Vuyiswa Ramokgopa, and took place at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand on 3 and 4 July 2025. The theme of the event was “From Soil to Shelf: Realities of Plant-Based Products, Milling, Sauces, Industrial Crops & Beekeeping”.Dr Matsaunyane’s session spotlighted four dynamic entrepreneurs who are all navigating very different sectors but are all rooted in one truth: farming is no longer just about land. It’s about vision, value chains and velocity.The panel featured Lulu Letlape, founder of BongiBees, which is turning honey into a powerful economic driver; Tshepiso Manyoha, founder of Chuck Chilli, a creator of fresh, preservative-free vegetable sauces; Xolani Ndzaba, founder of Sila Milling, which is scaling South Africa’s grain value chain; and Zaid Mohadin, CEO of Vitacann Pharmaceuticals, which is pushing boundaries in the cannabis space….Read more>>
A framework for EO-based National Agricultural Monitoring (EO-NAM) for the African Context
Nature
Crop performance data is crucial for understanding production drivers and informing monitoring priorities and management strategies.In regions prone to droughts and floods, monitoring environmental conditions during the growing season can guide interventions to mitigate crop failure and food insecurity.This information helps prioritize interventions and develop targeted programs.Earth Observation (EO) represents a systematic approach to collecting data about Earth’s systems through remote sensing technologies, primarily via satellites and aircraft. EO data has revolutionized agricultural monitoring by providing near-real-time insights into crop conditions and establishing essential agricultural variables, including cropland extent, crop type classification…Read more>>
ICT
MTN Uganda Equips Arua School With ICT Lab and Free Internet
Tech News Africa
MTN Uganda has opened a new inclusive ICT Lab at Mvara Secondary School in Arua City. The lab, which is designed to serve over 100 learners with special needs, is equipped with 10 computers, a JAWS screen reader, Bluetooth speakers, and a year of free internet access.During the commissioning, Philip Odoi, MTN’s Regional Commercial Head for Northern Uganda, emphasized that the lab is more than just technology; it is an opportunity for every learner to succeed, regardless of their ability. Annet Dilea, the Education Officer for Special Needs, described the lab as a “gift of dignity and equal opportunity,” while Asiku Geoffrey, the City Education Officer, stated that it serves as a reminder to every child that they have a place in the digital world….Read More>>
AI is not Africa’s savior: Avoiding techno solution in digital development
Brookings
The inaugural Global AI Summit on Africa was a significant milestone in centering African perspectives in international AI conversations, but it also reflected broader issues in technology by suggesting AI represents a panacea for many of the continent’s challenges…Read more>>
FINANCE
NBA Africa invites entrepreneurs to apply for funding
IT Web
NBA Africa, the local affiliate of the NBA basketball brand in the US, announced yesterday the second edition of Triple-Double: NBA Africa Start-up Accelerator, which aims to promote the continent’s technology ecosystem and the next generation of entrepreneurs.The NBA Africa Startup Accelerator will strengthen Africa’s technology ecosystem by providing mentorship and investment to the next generation of African tech entrepreneurs.The organisation announced the initiative would once again be administered by ALX Ventures, a technological incubator that equips the continent’s innovators in technology with the knowledge and tools they need to develop and scale their enterprises…Read more>>
