Author: Opinion

• Africa is already setting the pace, through innovation born out of necessity, creativity rooted in culture, and progress driven by community, writes Yi He, Co-Founder of Binance. 
• Innovation in Africa is tested daily against the pressures of currency instability, unreliable power, and low-trust systems.
• These are the conditions where bold ideas are stress-tested, and where blockchain technology has found meaningful, everyday applications. 

Each year, Africa Day serves as a celebration of the continent’s culture, history, and progress. But in 2025, Africa is doing more than celebrating — it’s leading.

For too long, Africa has been positioned as a “frontier market,” a place waiting to catch up. That narrative is outdated. Africa is not waiting to be included. It is already setting the pace, through innovation born out of necessity, creativity rooted in culture, and progress driven by community.

At Binance, we’ve witnessed firsthand how innovation looks different in Africa. …

• African countries need to tap the power of the grid and every resource available to them in order to achieve what the West takes for granted every day.
• The big question, of course, is how do we get there? Who bears what burdens, and how?
• Africa deserves the chance to improve the quality of life for its people, and it has the resources to solve its own problems if given the chance.

As the hottest year ever recorded draws to a close, climate change is passing from theory to reality and gaining ever-increasing urgency in statehouses around the world. The goal of achieving net zero CO2 emissions worldwide by 2050 is widely agreed upon by climate experts as necessary to avoid irreversible changes in Earth’s weather patterns that could cause centuries of harm for everyone. The big question, of course, is how do we get there? Who bears what …

• Now is the time for Namibia’s leadership to show it respects the billions of dollars companies spend on oil and gas production.
• One of the most practical ways for Namibia to do that is to update its petroleum contracts: They need language that protects oil and gas companies’ investments.
• Namibia’s contracts should include what’s known as a fiscal stability clause, which would clearly state that if Namibia were to make legislative or regulatory changes—such as new tax requirements—the energy companies signing the contract would be protected from negative economic impacts.

The world is watching Namibia. To be more specific, the energy world is watching. This was evident at the recently concluded Namibian Internation Energy Conference. Ever since oil and gas majors, Rhino Resources, Galp Energia, Shell and TotalEnergies announced massive hydrocarbon discoveries in Namibia’s offshore Orange Basin, interest in additional exploration in the Southern African country has been intense.

And …

• Alignment with Trump’s energy-first ethos would mean that Africa could unlock significant funding for wide-ranging fossil fuel projects, and not just the offshore oil and gas ventures that dominate the headlines.
• The continent should capitalize on all opportunities in onshore projects, wildcat wells (exploratory drilling in unproven areas), and the proliferation of numerous small operators.
• These avenues lead the way to diversity in Africa’s energy portfolio, job creation, and massively strengthened energy security.

Donald Trump’s return to the White House in 2025 represents a pivotal moment for Africa’s fossil fuel industry. His administration’s swift reapproval of a US$4.7 billion loan from the U.S. Export-Import Bank (Exim) for TotalEnergies’ liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in Mozambique — initially greenlit in 2020 during his first term but sent into deep-freeze for the full duration of the Biden years — sets the tone for what could be a transformative era for Africa’s energy …

• Africa will eventually rely primarily on renewable energy, as much of the rest of the world strives to — but on its own timetable.
• To achieve a carbon neutral future, African nations must have the underlying infrastructure and industry to make the dominance of renewables possible.
• But as things currently stand, most African states lack said infrastructure and industry.

There’s a promising future for African renewables as the continent strives to balance its current reliance on fossil fuels. That’s the prediction of the African Energy Chamber’s 2025 Outlook Report on the State of African Energy.

As I have said before, Africa will eventually rely primarily on renewable energy, as much of the rest of the world strives to — but on its own timetable, not that of Western countries who have benefited for centuries from the exploitation of fossil fuels.

To achieve a carbon neutral future, African nations must have …

• Beyond physical infrastructure, Africa’s integration requires modern software upgrades: the systems, policies, and institutional frameworks that power trade across borders.
• By positioning economic transformation at the heart of our integration agenda, Africa can advance up the value chain to generate wealth.
• By effectively mobilizing our own resources first, driving economic transformation, and building both the required software and hardware, we can successfully integrate Africa.

Ask any traveler about their experience moving across parts of Africa, and you will likely hear about familiar challenges: high costs, indirect routes, and unpredictable schedules that can make even the simplest journeys more complicated and costly. These travel hurdles highlight the immense opportunity to further strengthen Africa’s integration and unlock seamless connectivity across the continent.

The potential is undeniable. According to the World Bank, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) stands to be the world’s largest free trade zone, encompassing 1.4 billion people and …

• Since 1960, more than $2.6 trillion has been pumped into Africa in the form of aid.
• From 1970 and 1998, when aid was at its peak, poverty actually rose alarmingly—from 11% to 66%—due in large part to this massive influx of foreign aid that counteracted its intended good.
• Aid decreased long-term economic growth by fuelling systemic corruption, in which powerful aid recipients funnelled foreign funds into a personal stash instead of public investment.

After President Trump announced a 90-day overseas spending freeze, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said “every dollar” must be “justified” by evidence that it makes the US safer, stronger and more prosperous. I acknowledge that stance may sound ungrateful. At first blush, many might counter that starving people have no agenda. Destitute parents still need to feed their children. Turning a blind eye to their plight is inhumane.

Let me explain why the African Energy Chamber (AEC) …

• Existing programs like the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) are under review, with a shift toward enforcing stricter reciprocity.
• USAID, traditionally a key player in U.S. humanitarian and development efforts, is being dismantled and merged into the State Department.
• Stricter visa policies and a reduction in refugee resettlement quotas directly impact African nations.

With the new Trump administration taking shape, its foreign policy direction for Africa is becoming increasingly evident. Guided by the “America First” principle, this strategy prioritizes American interests through pragmatic diplomacy, targeted partnerships, and a focus on security and economic priorities.

Below is a detailed exploration of the policy directions and their implications for U.S.-Africa relations, updated to reflect the latest developments.

Pragmatic Diplomacy and Economic Engagement

The “America First” strategy emphasizes partnerships that yield mutual benefits for American investments and strategic interests. African nations with significant economic or geopolitical advantages are likely to attract …

• Through partnerships, innovative incentives, and public-focused investments, the Sahel can close the energy gap and bridge the rural-urban divide.
• Based on the region’s potential, UNDP is implementing the UN Integrated Strategy for the Sahel (UNISS), aiming to provide clean, affordable energy to over 150 million people by 2025.
• The Sahel has one of the highest potential for solar energy production globally, at 13.9 billion kWh/year compared to the global consumption of 20 billion kWh/year.

Imagine a Sahel region where every household, school, and hospital has access to clean, affordable energy—where renewable power not only serves homes but also drives economic transformation. Given the region’s rich solar, wind, and hydro resources, this vision is achievable.

With one of the highest potential for solar energy production globally, at 13.9 billion kWh/year compared to the global consumption of 20 billion kWh/year, the Sahel’s renewable energy capacity remains underutilised. Currently, over 55 …

• In developing countries, fintechs are particularly responsible for social impact as there are often wider gaps to fill.
• Fintechs have the power to do good, but for a company to label itself ‘for good,’ this must be a key business priority.
• However, when it comes to dealing with investors and board members, fintech leaders must balance their social impact ambitions with profitability, useability and affordability.

Positive social impact is often only associated with governments or NGOs, organisations which are doing good without the motivation of profit or brand. However, fintechs are oftentimes uniquely positioned to solve social issues through providing access to services, improved user experience and education.

Using various fintech products, consumers can gain a better understanding of their financial situation. Products like savings pots, investment platforms and as well access to loans can all lead to financial freedom for those without it.

In developing countries, fintechs are particularly …