Author: James Wambua

• Mobile phone numbers serve as vital identifiers, connecting individuals to their devices, and enabling unique recognition.
• TrustPid is a privacy-led identification solution that harnesses mobile numbers as unique identifiers.
• As mobile usage grows across Africa, the importance of identifying consumers through mobile phone numbers is critical.

In the ever-evolving digital landscape, a groundbreaking collaboration is taking shape as four major European telecom giants join forces to create TrustPid–an innovative advertising ID system.

TrustPid is a privacy-led identification solution that harnesses mobile numbers as unique identifiers, revolutionizing the digital marketing of publishers and brands, especially in the face of the imminent extinction of third-party cookies.

This endeavor not only addresses the challenges posed by the evolving digital ecosystem but also highlights Africa’s pivotal role in shaping the global tech landscape. Interestingly, the roots of this groundbreaking initiative can be traced back to Africa’s own innovation hub and mobile marketing pioneer, …

• One of Africa’s biggest pipeline is the 4,100Km Trans-Sahara Gas Pipeline connecting Nigeria and Algeria oil fields.
• At 1,443Km East African Crude Oil Pipeline will connect Uganda’s oil fields to Tanzania’s coast.
• Cutting across seven countries, the Central African Pipeline System will include refineries, gas-to-power plants, and LNG terminals.

As oil and gas industries continue to grow in Africa, the construction of regional, intra-African pipelines has a huge part to play in distributing these hydrocarbons across the continent, allowing Africa to reap the benefits of its energy resources.

These benefits included improved access, availability, and affordability of energy as well as energy security. It also contributes to added revenue to the participating countries and the skills development of local companies and individuals.

Africa, a continent teeming with untapped energy potential, has long been grappling with the challenge of delivering its vast oil and gas resources to its energy-hungry populations.

With …

The death of Yevgeny Prigozhin, a former Russian President Vladimir Putin confidant and head of the mercenary Wagner Group, has cast a shadow over Russia’s intricate involvement in African economies.
A jet crash in Moscow that led to Yevgeny Prigozhin’s death has sparked questions about the future of Russian military support in Africa as well as other economic interests spanning across nations.…

• Egypt and Ethiopia will join BRICS alongside Saudi Arabia, Iran and Argentina starting January 1st, 2024.
• This takes membership into the bloc to three countries across the continent after South Africa.
• With the inclusion of Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, three major oil-producing nations globally will become part of the bloc.

Egypt and Ethiopia alongside oil-rich Saudi Arabia, Iran and Argentina have received an invite to join the BRICS bloc, originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India, and China in 2009. The momentous shift could reshape the global economic landscape and will take effect 1st January 2024.

Notably, this expansion comes at a time when geopolitical tensions between the West and the East have been escalating. In particular, the inclusion of Iran and Saudi Arabia in the BRICS bloc indicates a strengthening of the China-Russia-led coalition that could challenge the influence of Western powers.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who …

• Initiative with the US company is expected to cost around $15 million in initial investments.
• The joint venture will primarily focus on producing aircraft thermo-acoustic insulation blankets, electrical wire harnesses, and other parts.
• As of early June, Ethiopian Airlines’ order book comprises 29 aircraft, including 17 Boeing 737 MAXs, five Boeing 777Fs, one Boeing 787-9, and six Airbus A350-1000s.

Africa’s largest carrier, Ethiopian Airlines, is set to make aviation history as it enters a groundbreaking joint venture with Boeing to manufacture aircraft parts.

The collaboration, which is expected to cost around $15 million in initial investments, aims to bolster Ethiopia’s aerospace industry.

The Ethiopian Investment Commission announced the deal on August 18, revealing that the state-owned airline has already signed a memorandum of understanding with Boeing and the local state Industrial Parks Development Corporation (IPDC).

Ethiopia Airlines, Boeing joint venture

This strategic partnership will establish a cutting-edge aerospace factory at …

• Africa’s vast untapped oil and gas reserves have the potential to reshape the continent’s energy landscape and stimulate sustainable economic growth.
• At the same time, Europe is charting a course toward renewable energy sources, driven by escalating environmental concerns.
• These divergences in priorities necessitate a strategic approach to simultaneously achieve progress, address energy security and tackle climate change challenges.

The global energy landscape stands at a defining moment where Africa and Europe are confronted with parallel challenges and shared aspirations in their pursuit of sustainable development.

As the countdown to the African Energy Week (AEW) begins, the spotlight shifts towards pivotal talks which aims to harmonize Europe’s renewable energy vision with Africa’s drive towards oil and gas-powered industrialization.

Africa-Europe intertwined priorities

The forthcoming Africa-Europe Roundtable Discussion, set for October 16-20 in Cape Town, South Africa, offers a platform to unravel the intricacies of these intertwined priorities, underlining the essential role …

• Aggressive marketing campaigns targeting the younger demographic are significantly driving the choice of drinks.
• Health consciousness is not just a buzzword; it’s a lifestyle shift that’s influencing the beverage market.
• The influence of social media and global trends have heightened consumer awareness of new products and flavours.

Innovation and cultural heritage intersect as Africa’s beverage market evolves in response to shifting consumer tastes and socio-economic currents.

From the cherished rituals of traditional tea and coffee to the burgeoning popularity of carbonated soft drinks and fruit juices, Africa’s beverage market is evolving, reflecting its diverse society and changing preferences.

The Middle East and Africa Functional Beverage Market Size & Share Analysis – Growth Trends & Forecasts (2023 – 2028) report captures this dynamic evolution. It underlines key trends that are reshaping the way Africans quench their thirst.

Health benefits influencing Africa’s beverage market

One significant trend driving the beverage scene is …

• COP28 President-Designate Dr Sultan Al Jaber says Africa is a leading force in energy transition and there is a need for increased finance.
• Dr Al Jaber calls on the international community to unite on international climate finance, citing progress at a recent meeting of major global economists in Abu Dhabi.
• Dr Al Jaber held meetings with African leaders in Ethiopia to discuss the COP28 climate finance and energy transition agenda. He called on the leaders to share their priority outcomes and key contributions for COP28.

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, the President-Designate of COP28, delivered a compelling address at the nineteenth session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN), outlining his vision for the upcoming COP28 and emphasizing the critical need for adaptation of climate finance and an accelerated energy transition in Africa.

Climate finance critical in energy transition

AMCEN, a vital partner to COP28, convenes environment ministers from …

Egypt’s Nile River Delta is the cornerstone of North Africa’s economy. Boasting a pivotal role in Egypt’s GDP, its fisheries, aquaculture, agriculture, and tourism sectors contribute an impressive 20 per cent to the nation’s economic output.
The Nile River Delta, a verdant stretch spanning 240 kilometers along Egypt’s northern Mediterranean coast, holds a unique significance. Occupying merely 2 per cent to 3 per cent of the country’s landmass, the Delta is home to four out of 10 people living in Egypt today.…

• US companies’ entry into Libya will solidify Tripoli’s global oil market wild card role in stabilizing an already weary industry.
• American Chamber of Commerce in Libya (AmCham Libya) has partnered with Energy Capital and Power for the November 8-9 Libyan Energy and Economic Summit in Tripoli.
• Libya boasts of the greatest proven crude oil reserves in Africa totaling 48.4 billion barrels as of 2021.

A new partnership is promising to open doors for US energy companies in Libya, the frontier that is becoming the world’s oil market wild card. The move will further solidify the North African country’s oil industry’s pivotal role in stabilizing an already weary global energy market.

Libya’s oil market wild card status

While Libya is a member of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) oil cartel, the country is enjoying oil market wild card status. Internationally, Libya is not bound by OPEC’s crude output caps due to …