Author: The Exchange

If new Congo-Rwanda agreement holds, U.S. companies see a rare window of opportunity to invest in high-risk, high-reward environments. Infrastructure investments in roads, rail, and energy grids to support mineral extraction will also boost U.S. influence in Central Africa, a region where China rules. This treaty may offer the U.S. higher leverage in shaping future mineral licensing —potentially marginalizing China firms or forcing more competitive tendering that favors. The newly signed peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, brokered by the United States and sealed beneath a portrait of Colin Powell at the State Department, marks…

At the ongoing Specialty Coffee Association’s World of Coffee 2025 in Geneva, ITC is showcasing its commitment to transforming coffee trade across Latin America, Africa, and Asia. ITC seeks to advance value addition, technical know-how, regional trade, and youth- and women-led enterprise in the coffee industry. The association is also championing circular economies and inclusive entrepreneurship. As the aroma of the world’s finest brews fills the air in Geneva, the International Trade Centre (ITC) is serving more than just coffee—it’s pouring decades of innovation, empowerment, and inclusive growth into the global spotlight. At the Specialty Coffee Association’s World of Coffee…

Rwanda is rolling out Kigali Urban Cable Car Project, a 5.5 km mobility initiative valued at $100 million. Venture is poised to ease the city’s traffic congestion, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and connect underserved communities to jobs and essential services. Construction is expected to begin in late 2026, with commissioning scheduled for 2028. The African Development Bank has approved a grant of $500,000 to undertake a feasibility study into the first phase of a cable car transport network in Kigali, that will be sub-Saharan Africa’s first aerial urban transit system. The funds, to be sourced from the Bank Group’s Urban…

“It is time to replace the logic of aid with the logic of investment and trade,” says Angolan President João Lourenço. “We should review the high tariffs on African countries. What is needed is more trade between Africa and the U.S., not less,” said AfDB President Akinwumi Adesina. Bank President adds: “As we build transport corridors, let us also build strategic partnership corridors.” African leaders have called for an urgent review of U.S. tariffs on African exports, urging a shift towards transformative partnerships and investment in Africa’s economic potential. Addressing more than 2,000 government and business leaders, and other delegates…

Across 54 African markets, Coca-Cola contributed $10.4 billion in economic activity across its value chain in 2024. The beverage giant’s value chain supported over 1 million jobs in retail, agriculture, manufacturing, transport and services in Africa. Soft drinks maker purchased $4.3 billion from suppliers in Africa in 2024, representing 83% of the system’s total procurement on the continent. A new market report shows that beverage multinational Coca-Cola contributed $10.4 billion in its economic value chain across Africa in 2024. The report, which was unveiled at the 2025 U.S.-Africa Business Summit in Luanda, Angola, shows taht Coca-Cola is also increasingly positioning…

Closure of the strait of Hormuz would be severe for Africa, whose economies heavily rely on imported refined petroleum products, mostly shipped from or through the Gulf. Oil prices increased on Monday to their highest since January as the U.S. weekend move to join Israel in attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities stoked supply concerns. Iranian parliament approved a motion to close the Strait of Hormuz at the weekend. As global tensions escalate following U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to bomb three Iranian nuclear sites—described by Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi as an act with “everlasting consequences”—the ripple effects could be…

Policymakers aim to direct Islamic finance away from passive monetary markets and toward productive enterprise, especially MSMEs in Africa. Islamic financial institutions urged to allocate at least 20% of their loan portfolios—an estimated US$1 trillion—toward MSME In Africa, lack of affordable financing is a persistent bottleneck stifling job creation, innovation, and productivity. A new era of growth is beckoning for players in Micro, Small, and Medium Entreprises in Africa following the roll out of a fresh alliance by four organizations—Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI),…

US investors are now eyeing new frontiers—ranging from gas monetization and mineral development to solar and green hydrogen investments in Angola. Luanda has unveiled over $60 billion in oil and gas investment prospects through its National Oil, Gas and Biofuels Agency. These investments span exploration, development, gas processing, refining and midstream infrastructure. Angola is charting a bold new course in its energy diplomacy—one that could redefine its economic trajectory and deepen its global alliances. Recently, Angola’s Minister of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas, Diamantino Azevedo, and U.S. Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright, reaffirmed their nations’ shared vision for a dynamic,…

Nigeria, Ethiopia, Uganda, Ghana, Tanzania, Egypt, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and 20 others across Africa under close check by Trump for possible visa ban. Globally, a total of 36 nations have 60 days to address the issues raised, or risk being added to an already divisive list of restricted countries. “Africa is being told that it doesn’t measure up to American security expectations, even when many of the concerns stem from systemic issues beyond a single country’s control,” says political analyst Andrew Mwenda. A more wide-reaching wave of travel ban looms across Africa. At the moment, U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration is…

Africa remains largely overlooked in HIV sequencing research, despite bearing the greatest burden. African nations must build their own research capacity, rather than relying solely on Western institutions and donors. It is time for Africa to reclaim agency over its health future. Global HIV research is biased towards the West: 54% of studies focus on just 12% of the virus. Ignoring HIV diversity could trigger the next pandemic, scientists warn. The global fight against HIV-1 has often been framed as a success story of science, funding and international collaboration. But as the virus evolves, so too must our strategy. A…