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.

AIM Congress 2025

UAE’s Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence has announced the 3rd edition of the “World Governments as Incubators for Tolerance” Conference at AIM Congress 2025. The forum will deliberate on effective frameworks and mechanisms for embedding a culture of tolerance as a foundational element in constructing stable and sustainable societies. Delegates to engage on how to foster mutual understanding and respect in tackling global challenges, including inequality and social unrest, often stemming from cultural disparities and ideological divides.​ In its ongoing commitment to fostering global values of tolerance and coexistence, the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence is set to organize the…

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South Sudan civil war

UN says South Sudan is experiencing mass displacement of communities, rising tensions and attacks on civilians. On March 4th, White Army – a youth militia – overran an army barracks of South Sudan in Nasir, within Upper Nile province. Since then, over 60,000 people have fled the area fearing retaliatory attacks. Armed groups are reportedly mobilizing children to wage war. An escalating wave of mass displacement of people, rising tensions coupled with indiscriminate attacks on civilians is fast pushing South Sudan on the brink of a civil war. In a briefing on Monday, Nicholas Haysom, Special Representative of the UN…

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Kakuzi PLC Red Sea Crisis

Kenyan avocado exporter Kakuzi PLC suffered $1M net loss in 2024 due to the Red Sea shipping crisis, a stronger Kenyan shilling and climate-related production cuts. While avocado exports to Europe plummeted by 72% due to shipping delays and lower yields, the company’s diversified operations—macadamia, forestry, and livestock—posted profits. Kakuzi is pivoting to new markets (like North America), investing in agri-tech (AI and drones), and maintaining shareholder confidence with a $0.062 dividend. The ripple effects of Middle East conflict reached deep into Kenya’s agricultural heartland in 2024, as listed agribusiness firm Kakuzi PLC reported a $1 million (KES131 million) net…

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Ebrahim Rasool US-South Africa Relations

South Africa’s ambassador Ebrahim Rasool turned a humiliating diplomatic snub into a defiant triumph, greeted by roaring crowds in Cape Town. Why did the U.S. declare him persona non grata? The explosive clash over Israel, Iran, and accusations of ‘race-baiting’ that shattered U.S.-South Africa relations. Rasool’s dramatic return exposes the deepening rift between a defiant South Africa and a confrontational Trump administration. Ebrahim Rasool, South Africa’s former ambassador to the U.S., returned home to Cape Town on Sunday to a hero’s welcome after being expelled by the Donald Trump administration in a dramatic diplomatic row. The scene at Cape Town…

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AIM Congress 2025

At AIM Congress 2025, PAL-V will be showcasing the PAL-V Liberty, the world’s first FlyDrive vehicle. This vehicle combines the convenience of traditional driving with the freedom of flying, presenting a practical vision for the future of mobility. “We are bringing the future of mobility to reality—creating seamless, efficient, and flexible transportation,” said Robert Dingemanse, Founder and CEO of PAL-V. AIM Congress 2025, in its 14th edition, will highlight the latest global innovations in the mobility sector under the Future Cities Portfolio, bringing together industry leaders, investors, and policymakers to explore the future of advanced transportation. Among this year’s most…

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AIM Congress 2025

Julphar will be the “Lead Partner” for the Global Manufacturing Portfolio supported by the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE). The 14th AIM Congress 2025 edition aims to unify global efforts, enhance strategic cooperation, and highlight the role of investment in driving innovation. UAE is strategically establishing itself as a global hub for trade, manufacturing, and healthcare innovations. AIM Congress has officially announced its partnership with Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries (Julphar) as the “Lead Partner” for the Global Manufacturing Portfolio supported by the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) at the 14th Edition of AIM Congress 2025 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. AIM Congress,…

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second-hand clothing business in Uganda

For Uganda, upcycling waste textiles could create green jobs, with novice tailors earning US$4.6 per day and professionals making up to US$17.9 per day. However, to fully realize this opportunity, policy support, and investment in recycling infrastructure is vital. Equally, stakeholder collaboration will be crucial for transitioning Uganda towards a circular textile economy. In the heart of Kampala, Owino Market thrives as Uganda’s largest second-hand clothing hub, welcoming thousands of traders and customers daily. While this trade powers the local economy, it also generates significant textile waste, contributing up to 48 tonnes of waste daily. With most discarded textiles ending…

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AIM Congress 2025

AIM Congress will conduct meetings delving into pressing economic issues, investment opportunities, and sustainable growth. Delegates to learn from dedicated investment forums for India, Japan, China, and Russia. Japan Investment Forum poised to celebrate the country’s leadership in advanced technology and sustainability. AIM Congress 2025 is set to welcome decision-makers, investors, and industry leaders from around the world from April 7 to 9 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center. The global investment platform will host forums and conferences that delve into pressing economic issues, explore investment opportunities, and encourage collaboration to promote sustainable growth. The diverse lineup of events…

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KCB Group CEO

The Board has proposed a final dividend of $0.012 per share, bringing the total payout for the year to $0.023 per share—amounting to $74 million. Lender’s balance sheet closed the year at $15.13 billion (KSh1.96 trillion), powered by a strong deposit growth and stable loan portfolio. Operating costs grew by 11.8% to $717 million (KSh92.9 billion), driven by staff costs, and tech investments. KCB Group profit after tax for the full year 2024 grew by 64.8 per cent to $477 million (KSh61.8 billion), attributable to strong expansion across all its businesses subsidiaries in the East African market. This performance was…

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AIM Congress 2025

Global leaders, government officials, policymakers, top investors, business executives set to meet in Abu Dhabi April 7 to 9 for AIM Congress 2025. Key forums will be: Ministerial Roundtable on Investment, Ministerial Roundtable on Investment in Tourism, Heads of Stock Exchange Markets’ Roundtable, Heads of Central Banks’ Roundtable, and Chambers’ Talks. Congress will also host the “Global Women’s Leadership Roundtable: Global Women’s Leadership in the Modern World”.  The 14th edition of AIM Congress, set to take place from April 7 to 9, 2025, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, will feature high-level roundtable discussions tackling the most pressing global…

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