Author: The Exchange

Senator Cruz’s participation at African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies is expected to firm up U.S.-Africa energy ties. Known for his push for energy independence and market-driven growth, Senator Cruz’s message is expected to center on expanding private-sector investment. Texas lawmaker also set to support U.S. energy companies operating in Africa, and bolster energy infrastructure that syncs with both African development goals and emerging U.S. strategic interests. The push by the U.S. to secure significant control in critical energy resources in Africa is projected to intensify later this year as Ted Cruz, a ranking member of U.S. Senate…

Diageo is exploring the sale of its 65% stake in East African Breweries Ltd (EABL), valued at up to $2 billion, as part of its strategy to exit African beer markets and focus on high-margin spirits. The potential sale, involving major brands Tusker and Guinness, could reshape East Africa’s beverage industry, attracting interest from global players like Heineken and AB InBev. EABL’s strong financial performance and regional presence make it a pivotal asset, but implication on jobs, competition, and local economies loom. Diageo, the British beverage giant, is poised to reshape East Africa’s beer industry with a strategic review of…

EcoSecurities and the Energy Quest Foundation have partnered to accelerate electric mobility in sub-Saharan Africa, starting with Ghana. The collaboration focuses on climate advisory services, capacity building, and mobilizing investment to develop high-impact e-mobility projects, aiming to reduce the transport sector’s 346 million tonnes of annual CO₂ emissions. Initiative seeks to drive inclusive economic growth and decarbonize Africa’s rapidly urbanizing transport systems. EcoSecurities, a global enterprise in climate solutions, has joined forces with the Energy Quest Foundation, a social impact organization championing clean energy and sustainable transport. Their partnership is tailored to leverage carbon markets and climate finance to accelerate…

Afreximbank has signed a $1.35 billion loan financing for Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) as part of a larger $4 billion syndicated credit plan. Syndication of one of the largest loans in recent African financial markets that aims refinance construction of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Complex. Dangote Refinery is the biggest single-train refinery in the world with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day. The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has signed a $1.35 billion loan financing for Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) as part of a larger $4 billion syndicated credit plan secured by one of Africa’s largest industrial conglomerate.…

Trade integration across EAC in jeopardy after Kenya accuses Tanzania of watering down the core objective of “regional economic integration”. This follows Dodoma’s move to prohibit non-Tanzanians from operating businesses across 15 segments, a directive that is poised to hit Kenyans hard. Nairobi says Dodoma’s Business Licensing Order will “hurt both our economies.” The pace of trade integration between Kenya and Tanzania is hurtling to a rough patch following the latter’s latest directive prohibiting non-citizens from running certain businesses in the country, a move that the former terms counterproductive and fashioned to undermine regional integration. According to Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary…

The Global Encounters Festival 2025, held in Dubai from July 20 to 27, brought together more than 4,000 young participants from over 50 countries, including a strong presence from East Africa. Hosted at the Dubai World Trade Centre and supported by the Government of the United Arab Emirates, the event drew more than 25,000 attendees in person and reached millions through global broadcast. It combined sport, the arts, service, and leadership development, while also reinforcing the value of community engagement in international cooperation. The event was a structured initiative anchored by the Ismaili community’s decades-long investment in building global relationships…

M-PESA and PayPal’s deal marks a pivotal moment for Kenya’s digital ecosystem comprising over 35 million mobile money users and two million businesses using Safaricom’s mobile money platform. Initiative will enable seamless account linking and fund transfers between M-PESA wallets and PayPal’s global network, opening gateway to over 200 international markets. M-PESA users—from small-scale traders to gig economy workers—can now tap into global opportunities, fostering a new era of economic participation. Across Kenya’s booming digital economy, one element stands out: the relevance of cash transfer platform M-PESA. From taxi payments to settling dinner bills, Safaricom’s M-PESA, which has now grown…

Sierra Leone proposes establishing national communities of practice, implementing institutional reforms, and enhancing transparency in resource-backed lending. Experts agree that RBLs, often used to leverage natural resources for loans, should be a last resort, employed only with maximum transparency and tied to investments that bolster repayment capacity. Sierra Leone is taking decisive action to stem the $90 billion hemorrhage Africa suffers annually from illicit financial flows, partnering with the African Development Bank (AfDB) to fortify natural resource governance. In a forum that convened over 70 stakeholders from government, civil society, the private sector, and international organizations, Sierra Leone is charting…

By fostering e-commerce expertise, the International Trade Centre (ITC) is paving the way for West African agribusinesses to thrive beyond borders. ITC’s initiative offers tips on digital marketing, online payments, shipping logistics, and customer service, fostering a collaborative spirit across borders. For many players, poor online visibility, limited e-commerce access, and inadequate digital skills stifle growth and restrict trade opportunities within ECOWAS. In the fertile fields of Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire, small agribusinesses dream of reaching regional markets, but limited digital skills and sparse access to online platforms keep them tethered to local sales. To unlock their potential, the International…

Airbus says centre signals a robust future for aviation growth, fostering connectivity, job creation, and technological advancement across the continent. Initiative addresses the growing complexity of next-generation aircraft like the A320 and A350. Airbus aims to cut downtime and enhance fleet reliability for nearly 40 African airlines operating over 260 Airbus aircraft. Players in the African aviation industry have a reason to smile following a move by aircraft maker Airbus to open a state-of-the-art Customer Support Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, cementing nearly five decades of presence to the continent’s aerospace business. In a market update, Airbus said this center…