Author: James Wambua

• Namibia’s 100MW Rosh Pinah Solar PV project is poised to accelerate the nation’s pace in achieving renewable energy goals.
• The project will be built by an alliance of China Jiangxi International Economic and Technical Cooperation Co., Ltd. and China New Energy Development (Zhejiang) Co., Ltd.
• Namibia’s reliance on imported electricity has been a challenge to its energy independence.

The presence of Chinese contractors in Africa’s infrastructure journey continues to grow after Namibia on Monday entered into an agreement with contractors from China to develop the country’s largest solar plant.

For Namibia, the 100MW Rosh Pinah Solar PV project is poised to accelerate the nation’s pace in achieving renewable energy goals, while at the same time boosting the country’s energy generation capacity.

However, for analysts, the 18-month project is set to further project growing Chinese presence in the continent’s industrialization and renewable energy quest.

On Monday, Namibia’s state-owned power utility, NamPower, …

• Since late June, heavy rains have hit parts of Sudan, including South Darfur, Red Sea, River Nile, and Northern states, affecting around 500,000 people.
• In Chad, at least 340 people have lost their lives, and nearly 1.5 million people have been impacted, with over 160,000 homes destroyed by floods.
• Nearly a third of Lesotho’s population—about 700,000 people—are at risk of food insecurity in the coming months due to historic drought gripping the country.

Extreme weather patterns continue to batter Africa, plunging millions of people into a deepening humanitarian crisis. From the ongoing catastrophic floods in Sudan and Chad to the severe drought crippling Lesotho, and other economies in the southern Africa region the impacts of climate change are starkly evident across the continent.

As floods displace families, destroy homes, and disrupt agriculture, drought worsens food insecurity, leaving communities on the brink of disaster.

Sudan and Chad drenched by devastating floods

• The bulk of the financing will go toward tackling mpox in 14 most affected African countries, and enhancing readiness efforts in 15 others.
• Other funds will go into operational and technical support, ensuring that the plan is executed through a network of partners.
• Africa CDC and WHO hope to reduce the virus’s impact and curb its spread.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) have teamed up to counter the spread of Mpox across the continent in a new plan estimated at $600 million. This initiative, which is set to run between September 2024 and February next year, is poised to firm up Africa’s capacity to check the spread of the virus, cushion the populations at most risk and curb the spread of the disease.

Across the continent, mpox is spreading, and although calls for vaccines continue to intensify, the need …

• Ahead of COP29, Africa’s climate finance strategy is based in three core pillars: scaling up adaptation funding, boosting mitigation efforts, and improving access to carbon markets.
• Without financial support, Africa could experience an annual loss of 5% of its GDP by 2040 due to adverse weather.
• While the stakes are high, populations across the continent will be watching to see how global powers will answer Africa’s plea.

As leaders from across the world ready to gather in Baku, Azerbaijan, for the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), Africa is rallying for a spirited push to secure climate finance deals at scale.

This agenda was unveiled at the 12th Conference on Climate Change and Development in Africa, hosted by Ivory Coast in Abidjan. This meeting was held on the sidelines of the 1oth Special Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN).

Bringing together stakeholders such as …

• DRC announces receipt of the first shipment of 99,100 doses of JYNNEOS mpox vaccine.
• Africa CDC reports that another 100,900 mpox vaccine doses will arrive in DRC this Saturday.
• The country says the vaccination will prioritise health workers and vulnerable groups at higher risk of contracting mpox.

For millions of people in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the arrival of 99,100 doses of mpox vaccines presents hope and a lifeline as the disease threatens to damage the country’s socio-economic fabric. On Thursday, authorities in DRC announced the receipt of the first shipment of the JYNNEOS mpox vaccine.

This vital supply, facilitated by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and UNICEF, marks the beginning of a nationwide vaccination campaign aimed at curbing the rapidly escalating mpox epidemic.

The first batch of vaccines was officially received by DRC’s Minister of Health, Samuel Roger Kamba, alongside high-ranking …

• Chinese leader Xi Jinping has pledged over $50 billion in financing for Africa over the next three years.
• This sets the stage for Beijing-led cooperation in the financing of infrastructure, trade, agriculture, mining, and energy projects.
• Beijing has also offered to create at least one million jobs in Africa.

In recent years, economies across Africa and the world’s second biggest economy, China, have been enjoying strong ties, powered by Beijing’s massive financing of key projects. A the ongoing China-Africa forum, several financing, investment, and trade deals are, however, poised to further cement this relationship, raising the continent’s relevance in the global contest for its rich resources and a fast growing market.

On Thursday, Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s pledged over $50 billion in financing for Africa over the next three years, setting the stage for deeper Beijing-led cooperation in critical industries such as infrastructure, trade, agriculture, mining, and energy.

The 2024 …

• AIM Congress 2025 will explore the latest trends and developments shaping global investment, focusing on addressing current and future challenges.
• Key segments of next year’s edition include FDI, Start-ups, global manufacturing, and digital transformation among others.
• HE Al Zeyoudi: “AIM Congress will provide a crucial platform for the international community to come together, devise innovative investment strategies, and build a framework that ensures sustainable and inclusive growth for all.”

Once again, the City of Abu Dhabi in the UAE is gearing up to host the 14th edition of AIM Congress 2025, with planners of the global showpiece projecting to host over 25,000 participants.

In an announcement Wednesday, the Organising Committee of AIM Congress says the 2025 showcase will take place from April 7-9, under the theme “Mapping the Future of Global Investment: The New Wave of a Globalized Investment Landscape – Towards a New Balanced World Structure”.

Taking place at …

• This [gasoline production] will eliminate all fuel queues in Nigeria. This will improve the health of everybody. This will also make sure that there is consistent supply to the market, says Aliko Dangote.
• Refinery hailed as a big step in weaning Nigeria from its heavy reliance on imported oil products.
• Its capacity to export surplus products, such as aviation jet fuel and diesel, offers additional revenue streams for the country.

Nigeria’s energy sector is poised to experience a monumental shift as the Dangote Oil Refinery, a $20 billion investment on the outskirts of Lagos, started gasoline production on Monday. According to media reports, this development marks a big step towards reducing the country’s heavy reliance on imported oil products.

The refinery, which began operations in January, is set to revolutionize Nigeria’s oil industry, promising to address long-standing challenges that have plagued the nation for decades.

“It’s a very historic, monumental …

• Leaders of Africa’s big economies such as South Africa and Kenya are in Beijing seeking loans for big infrastructure projects.
• Kenya, for instance, is eager to secure additional financing to complete stalled BRI projects.
• In return, analysts say China is keen on creating avenues for accessing minerals and market opportunities for their finished products.

This week, the city of Beijing will be hosting a gathering that could shape the future of Africa’s economic landscape for years to come. The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) is set to welcome a delegation of African leaders eager to secure substantial financing for key infrastructure projects back home.

Amidst intensifying global competition and shifting economic dynamics, this year’s China-Africa summit promises high-stakes discussions.

The Beijing Summit comes at a critical moment not only for Africa but also for China and the broader international community. Over the past decade, China has solidified its position as …

• Key reforms ranging from privatisation initiatives in Kenya to financial liberalisation in Ethiopia, are positioning East Africa as a prime destination for PE investment.
• In Uganda, upcoming oil production in 2025 is expected to increase PE activity, particularly in sectors and businesses that will benefit indirectly from the oil industry.
• Tanzania’s one stop facilitation centre introduced in 2023 seeks to streamline the investment process by integrating key authorities that issue permits and approvals.

East Africa is experiencing a surge in private equity (PE) interest, driven by a wave of government reforms that are reshaping the financial industry. Kevin Kimotho, East Africa Private Equity Leader at Deloitte Africa, has highlighted these developments in the firm’s latest Deloitte Africa Private Equity Confidence Survey 2024.

These reforms, ranging from privatisation initiatives in Kenya to financial liberalisation in Ethiopia are positioning East Africa as a prime destination for PE investment.

Currently, Kenya continues …