Author: The Exchange

- We provide economic news and analysis on the investment arena in Africa, with a particular interest in doing business. Our key areas of focus include banking, capital markets, energy, mining, manufacturing and industrial development.

US elections Kamala Harris Donald Trump
  • 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 47th 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 …

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Development fund African Development Fund
  • 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 …

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affordable housing shelter afrique
  • 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 …

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african art
  • 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 …

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Dubai Woodshow
  • 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.…

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Sustainability Week Africa
  • 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, …

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Ampersand
  • 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 …

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Vantage Capital Camusat
  • Vantage Capital invested $71 million in Camusat to fund the expansion of its telecom infrastructure division, AktivCo, and refinance debt.
  • Camusat aims to drive sustainable telecom growth by partnering with major mobile network operators in Africa, focusing on decarbonization and low-carbon infrastructure.
  • The partnership supports Camusat’s strategic expansion in emerging markets, while Vantage Capital’s investment emphasizes environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals.

Fund manager Vantage Capital has finalized a $71.5 million (€66 million) mezzanine investment in Camusat Holding S.A.S, a key player in the telecommunications infrastructure industry in Africa and across the world.

This investment is set to fuel the expansion of AktivCo, Camusat’s Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) division, and refinance existing debt. The deal, which is part of a larger $87.7 million (€81 million) financing package, was conducted in consortium with Eurazeo, a European-based investment firm.

Powering Africa’s telecommunications infrastructure

Camusat has established itself as a key partner for mobile network …

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global manufacturing future cities
  • Manufacturing is evolving: Industry 5.0 blends AI and robotics to create smarter, more sustainable factories.
  • Smart Cities are rising: Tech-powered urban hubs are redefining how we live, work, and connect in greener, smarter spaces.
  • The digital economy is thriving: Seamless digital integration is driving global growth, breaking boundaries, and creating new opportunities.

As the world pivots towards a new era defined by technological advancements, three key sectors are at the forefront of transforming global industries—global manufacturing, smart cities, and the digital economy. These fields are evolving rapidly, shaping the future of economies, urban landscapes, and societies.

The 14th Edition of the AIM Congress aims to delve deep into these innovations, exploring how these three interconnected areas are driving the future of investment, industry, and societal development globally.

Revolutionizing global manufacturing: From 4.0 to 5.0

Global manufacturing is undergoing an unprecedented transformation. Once driven by mass production and assembly lines, the …

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telemedicine Murang'a County
  • The introduction of telemedicine in Murang’a County, Kenya, is bringing healthcare services closer to the people.
  • A pilot program has been initiated in the county to decentralize healthcare, reduce the crowds in major hospitals, and ensure that Murang’a residents receive quality medical care.
  • One of the best benefits is the ability for patients to talk to doctors without having to travel.

Access to healthcare is a great challenge for many residents in Murang’a County, Kenya. With most healthcare services centralized in major hospitals, people in remote areas are often forced to travel long distances, with great time and financial costs, to receive medical care. The introduction of telemedicine offers a revolutionary solution to these challenges, bringing healthcare services closer to the people.

A six-month pilot program, under the leadership of His Excellency President Ruto, and governor Kang’ata, has been initiated to decentralize healthcare, reduce the crowds in major hospitals, and …

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