Author: The Exchange

• Despite its $6.2Trn natural wealth, Africa remains “green rich but cash poor.”
• Projections show that had carbon sequestration alone been accounted for, Africa’s nominal GDP in 2022 could have increased by $66.1Bn.
• In Europe, carbon prices can reach as high as $200 per tonne, yet the same credits are traded for as little as $3 to $10 per tonne in Africa.

At the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, African leaders are pushing for a fair valuation of the continent’s natural riches—spanning vast forests, carbon sequestration capabilities, and ecosystem services.

They call on authorities to factor them into calculating Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This bold move aims to redefine wealth on a global scale by integrating the immense value of Africa’s natural assets into economic frameworks.

In a pivotal communique, African heads of state have cited the invaluable contributions of their ecosystems to global public …

• DeFi market is experiencing a surge in Total Value Locked (TVL), and hit nearly $97 billion in Q1 this year.
• Built on blockchain, DeFi bypasses traditional financial systems, allowing peer-to-peer transactions via “smart contracts.”
• At the AIM Congress 2025 in Abu Dhabi—DeFi will be a key topic for global policymakers, regulators, and investors keen on the “Future of Finance”.

The rapid growth of Decentralized Finance (DeFi) is signaling a shift in the global finance ecosystem. Expected to grow at an annual rate of 46 per cent from 2023 to 2030, the DeFi market is experiencing a surge in Total Value Locked (TVL), which has already reached nearly $97 billion in the first quarter of 2024.

It’s worth noting that on Monday, the world’s largest cryptocurrency topped $87,000 for the first time. As of around 3:45p.m. ET, bitcoin‘s price stood at $87,083, per CoinDesk, up over 28 per cent …

• As COP29 starts in Baku, Azerbaijan, African nations are set to drive the climate agenda, focusing on climate finance and redefining economic metrics to recognize the continent’s green assets.
• Africa’s ‘green wealth’ push seeks to quantify Africa’s contributions to global environmental health, valuing its vast carbon sinks, natural resources, and ecosystems.
• This initiative, led by the AfDB in an alliance with the Republic of Congo and Kenya, could reshape Africa’s economic standing.

The annual United Nations climate conference, COP29, opens with a strong emphasis on climate finance, especially for developing nations that bear a disproportionate burden of climate change impacts.

At the forefront, African nations are pushing for increased funding and support, which is essential to advancing their National Adaptation Plans and Nationally Determined Contributions as outlined in the Paris Agreement.

This year, Africa, represented by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and a coalition of governments, is …

• Across the Atlantic, Africans also have a vested interest in the outcome of the US election.
• The latest polls show that the current vice president and Democratic nominee, Kamala Harris, has a slight, one-point lead, with Republican and former president Donald Trump a close second.
• The election outcome will have a number of implications for African economies, given that the US is one of the main trading partners.

On Tuesday, November 5, Americans will vote to elect the 47^th president of the United States of America. The latest polls show that the current vice president and Democratic nominee, Kamala Harris, has a slight, one-point lead, with Republican and former president Donald Trump a close second. This is a neck-and-neck race with no outcome, and the world waits to see who will lead the last global superpower from 2025 to 2029.

Across the Atlantic, Africans also have a vested …

• Sudan has stepped forward, increasing its pledge to $3 million in the African Development Fund.
• Sudan’s pledge aligns it with other African nations, which have each committed to raise at least $1 million to the fund by 2025.
• With backing from The Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Ghana, Africa’s commitment to funding its key projects is strengthening.

African nations are coming together to secure a $25 billion replenishment for the African Development Fund (ADF), an ambitious target that signals a continent-wide push toward self-driven financing for projects.

In the latest update, Sudan has stepped forward, increasing its pledge to $3 million in this collective movement. With backing from countries including The Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Ghana, Africa’s commitment to funding its development projects is strengthening.

As governments, led by the African Development Bank (AfDB), advocate for this replenishment, they set a critical precedent for financial autonomy in achieving Africa’s …

• Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB) and the Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières (BRVM) will tap Green, Sustainability-linked, and Social (GSSS) bonds to finance housing.
• Green bonds will fund eco-friendly housing projects while social bonds will finance projects that prioritize affordability and accessibility.
• At the same time, sustainability-linked bonds will support both objectives, ensuring a comprehensive strategy for tackling the current housing crisis.

Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB) has taken a new step toward addressing affordable housing needs in Africa through a partnership with the Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières (BRVM), the regional stock exchange for the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU).

In a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the Pan-African institution focused on affordable housing, signed the deal on the sidelines of the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings in Washington, D.C., aiming to mobilize capital for affordable housing projects across the continent, particularly in WAEMU’s eight member countries.

With Africa’s …

• To maintain any sort of forward trajectory – to ensure our art remains highly valued locally and internationally – it is of vital importance that we, as the private sector, continue to support the collectors and the artists who are helping to grow interest in the sector.

A diversified portfolio is one of the key metrics of investment success. The greater this diversity, the more likely it will outperform the market, and the savviest investors are often looking for new opportunities: the rising stars among new asset classes.

Investment in art is certainly not a new concept, but what makes it unique is that it often has low correlation with other major asset classes, meaning lower overall price volatility. It’s the sure bet, sometimes with incredible escalating value, especially for those opting to invest in blue-chip artists renowned artists whose work demands high prices in the art market.

However, not …

• A networking program in Dubai draws industry leaders for partnership opportunities and insights into eco-friendly trends.
• Industry experts explore the latest global trends, from eco-friendly wood manufacturing techniques to sustainable interior design solutions.
• Investors seek to establish business deals that open doors for expansion into new markets.

The Dubai WoodShow, one of the premier events in the global wood and woodworking machinery industry, recently hosted a networking program at Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai, setting the stage for innovative collaborations and cutting-edge advancements.

The event drew over 50 companies from diverse sectors, such as woodworking machinery, furniture tools, and accessories, and aimed to foster connections, share insights, and explore strategies that address the evolving needs of the wood industry.

Dawood Al Shezawi, President of Dubai WoodShow, remarked that the event supports Dubai’s growing reputation as a global business hub by enabling industry stakeholders to exchange ideas and forge strategic partnerships.…

• Scheduled for 24th to 25th October in South Africa, the Sustainability Week Africa forum will explore the challenges and solutions being deployed across industries to tackle climate change.
• Keynote speakers will share innovative ideas on how businesses can support the continent in adopting sustainable practices faster in the face of climate change.
• The first edition of Sustainability Week Africa comes at a time when governments and businesses across Africa are grappling with the negative impacts of extreme weather events.

This week, policymakers will be closely following the proceedings at the Economist Impact’s Sustainability Week Africa, where keynote speakers will be sharing innovative ideas on how businesses can support the continent in adopting sustainable practices faster in the face of climate change.

The forum, which is scheduled for 24th to 25th October in South Africa, aims at amplifying challenges and the latest solutions being deployed across industries including agriculture, housing, …

• The firm’s new Nairobi factory has tripled production capacity, fueling the county’s transition to electric motorcycles.
• Ampersand already has over 1150 e-bikes on the roads of Nairobi
• The latest expansion underscores the company’s commitment to cutting carbon emissions and driving clean economic prosperity across Africa.

Ampersand, one of Africa’s electric vehicle (EV) energy tech companies, is ramping up its presence in Kenya with the opening of a new, larger plant in the capital, Nairobi. This expansion is poised to triple the company’s production capacity in the country, a strategic move aimed at meeting the surging demand for electric motorcycles (e-motos).

With over 1,100 Ampersand e-motos already zipping through Kenyan roads, the need for more is clear—and Ampersand is prepared to deliver.

A strategic expansion for sustainability

Ampersand’s new Nairobi factory is a significant upgrade from its previous operations. Spanning 21,000 square meters, it is more than three …