Author: The Exchange

• President Felix Tshisekedi is inviting the U.S. to directly purchase critical minerals from Kinshasa, instead of buying “looted” and “smuggled” minerals from Rwanda.
• Rwanda is under immense pressure from the UN, the U.S., the EU, the UK to cease and withdraw their support for M23 rebels.
• In a 2022 update, UNEP notes that DRC has around 3.5 million metric tonnes of cobalt, making it home to one of the largest reserves of this vital resource.

The escalating conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has taken a new twist with President Felix Tshisekedi inviting the U.S. to directly purchase critical minerals from Kinshasa instead of buying “looted” and “smuggled” minerals through Rwanda.

In a statement on Sunday, Tina Salama, who is the spokesperson of President Tshisekedi, called out Rwanda, noting that the neighboring country has for long been involved in looting and smuggling of vital mineral resources from the …

• Over 6.7 million people out of which 40 per cent are children, have been displaced across conflict-affected provinces in DRC.
• UN warns children are facing summary executions, sexual violence and abduction and recruitment by the warring factions.
• 45 children, who were cared for in a day transit centre in Goma to have been killed, UN reports.

An increasing number of children in the war ton Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are facing summary executions, sexual violence amid increasing abduction and recruitment by the factions involved in the escalating conflict.

In an update Thursday by the UN Child Rights Committee, children in violence saddled zones of North and South Kivu to the East of the vast country are coming face to face with grave catastrophe.

The UN agency warned that increasingly, armed groups are targeting displaced children and those left helpless in the streets that have been run over by militias.…

• The 8-member bloc will showcase its diverse attractions under the brand “Visit East Africa: Feel the Vibe” during the March 4-6 trade fair in Berlin, Germany.
• EAC aims to attract international tourists and investors by highlighting the region’s rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and unique attractions.
• The EAC stand at ITB will also provide an opportunity to member countries to showcase their offerings and further penetrate the international market.

Stakeholders in East Africa’s tourism industry have joined forces to make the East African Community (EAC) the word’s next travel and hospitality hotspot during the March 4th-6th, 2025, International Tourism Bourse (ITB) in Berlin, Germany.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the EAC said it will, for the first time, participate in the global expo as a single entity in the world’s largest tourism trade fair.

According to the EAC Secretary General Veronica Nduva, the bloc will showcase its diverse attractions …

• The April 7th to 9th exhibition promises unparalleled platform for financing opportunities, expansion, and networking with leaders in several fields of investment.
• The show is also set to fostering job creation, and strengthen collaboration among participants.
• AIM Congress 2025 continues to serve as a premier platform for fostering global investment opportunities.

Leaders, captains of industry and exhibitors from over 170 countries have confirmed their participation in the AIM Congress 2025 International Exhibition. The showcase is set to take place as part of the congress’s fourteenth edition at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from April 7th to 9th.

Organized under the theme “Mapping the Future of Global Investment: The New Wave of a Globalized Investment Landscape – Towards a New Balanced World Structure”, AIM Congress 2025 seeks to help redefine investment trends and offer businesses a fresh drive to realize economic growth.

AIM Congress 2025 presents a unique opportunity …

• Sudan is accusing Kenyan government of violating the principles of good neighbourliness by hosting US-sanctioned Rapid Support Forces (RSF) meeting.
• Nairobi now stands accused of endorsing continued perpetration of genocide, massacre civilians on an ethnic basis, attack on IDP camps, and acts of rape by RSF.
• Khartoum is also accusing authorities in Kenya of encouraging the division of African countries.

The simmering tensions between Kenya and Sudan have taken a dramatic twist after Nairobi allowed a key event for the political group aligned with sanctioned Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to proceed on Tuesday. US-sanctioned RSF has been fighting the Sudanese army for the control of the country for over a year now.

On Tuesday, authorities in Nairobi gave the greenlight for a key meeting by RSF leadership to proceed at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre. This event was a precursor towards the establishment of a new political group drawing together …

• LipCo Foods is leveraging heavily on food security, knowledge sharing, and offering a diverse multi-food portfolio to drive expansion.
• The Poland-based firm says its success is driven by 17 production facilities and a team of over 4,000 professionals.
• Our goal is to ensure that the countries we engage with benefit significantly from our cooperation, says Mr. Bill Derrenger, CEO of LipCo Foods International.

Poland-based LipCo Foods is seeking global partnerships as part of its new plan to expand into new markets including the Middle East and Africa. To realise its ambitions, LipCo Foods is leveraging heavily on food security, knowledge sharing, and offering a diverse multi-food portfolio that reaches millions of tables worldwide to drive its expansion.

In an update during this year’s Gulfood expo in Dubai, LipCo Foods CEO Mr. César Lipka, cited the company’s philosophy of fostering long-term international partnerships based on common values as a key driver …

• On Saturday, Djibouti’s Mahamoud Youssouf emerged victorious in AUC chairmanship elections, securing 33 votes in the seventh round.
• However, Kenya’s Ruto claims that the continent lost a valuable opportunity by not electing Raila Odinga.
• For Djibouti, Africa deserved better than Raila.

The rivalry between Kenya and Djibouti that was marked by campaigns leading up to the election of the African Union Commission Chairman (AUC) post appears far from over. In the latest twist, authorities in Djibouti have hit back at President William Ruto who on Sunday expressed disappointment over the failure of leaders of Africa to vote Kenya’s candidate Raila Odinga.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Amb . Moussa Mohamed Omar of Djibouti stated, “In response to President Ruto on Citizen TV Kenya: claiming Africa “lost an opportunity” is dishonest. 33 heads of state chose Mahmoud, the right choice for Africa’s challenges, refusing to let the AU …

• On 16 November last year, Kizza Besigye and Haji Obeid Lutale were abducted from Nairobi.
• They resurfaced on 20 November when they were arraigned in General Court Martial in Kampala, Uganda and charged with offences relating to security and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
• Kizza Besigye, 68, is currently on a hunger strike in a military detention centre where he is reported to be in ill health.

Amnsety International has thrown its weight behind increasing calls for authorities in Uganda to release opposition chief Kizza Besigye who is currently on a hunger strike in a military detention centre.

In a statement on Friday, Amnesty International noted that the former presidential candidate who ran against President Yoweri Museveni is grappling with deteriorating health.

Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Tigere Chagutah, said: “Ugandan authorities must immediately respect the Supreme Court order, uphold the rule of law …

• The funding round was led by QED Investors, with participation from Norrsken22, alongside follow-on investment from Ventures Platform, P1 Ventures, and Seedstars.
• This equity-based capital injection brings Nigeria-based Raenest’s total venture funding to $14.3 million.
• Raenest seeks to expand into the U.S. and Egypt markets this year while also using the funding to attract and retain top talent.

Raenest has secured $11 million in Series A funding, a financial backing that will see the global multi-currency accounts platform for individuals and businesses further expand its presence in Kenya and in its headquarters in Nigeria.

In a statement, Raenest said it also seeks to expand into the U.S. and Egypt markets this year, further broadening its impact with customers from African. Additionally, the new funding is part of a broader plan for the fintech giant to attract top talent to accelerate its growth momentum.

Speaking on the announcement, Victor Alade, CEO …

• The world has lost one of the most significant figures in global philanthropy and development.
• At the age of 88, His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, the Aga Khan IV, died quietly in Lisbon, Portugal, with his family by his side.
• His vision and leadership, as the founder of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslim community, have changed the lives of innumerable people in Africa and beyond.

The Aga Khan IV: An Advocate for the Advancement of the world

His Highness the Aga Khan IV is one of the few world leaders who has had such a lasting influence on Africa. From Kenya to Mozambique, Uganda to Tanzania, his decades-long dedication to social and economic development has had an impact on the continent. He led programs that raised millions of people, irrespective of their background, colour, or religion, and created enduring …