Author: James Wambua

The inaugural Korea-Africa Summit 2024 highlights the strategic importance of Africa’s rich resources and market potential for South Korea. Asian economic powerhouse seeks to firm up ties between Seoul and 48 African nations through industrial infrastructure, digital transformation, and sustainable investments. Summit is also building on previous successes and aspires to foster mutual growth while addressing climate change, food security, and health. South Korea is hosting a key summit for the first time with Africa, a forum that has seen leaders from 48 countries across the continent converge in Seoul to discuss expansive economic ties and cooperation between the two…

At the ongoing AfDB Annual Meetings 2024 in Nairobi, President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina highlighted Africa’s resilience and growth potential despite global challenges, highlighting the AfDB’s impactful initiatives in infrastructure, climate action, and economic development. Dr. Adesina celebrated the Bank’s 60th anniversary, showcasing its financial innovations and strong partnerships aimed at empowering women, and youth, and promoting sustainable development. The President’s speech inspired optimism and a collective resolve to continue driving Africa’s progress and transformation. The cool Nairobi air buzzed with anticipation as leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders from across the African continent and beyond gathered at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre,…

Zeroe, a carbon management startup based in Dubai, offers a platform that helps streamline the flow of finance from the global North to the global South. The firm’s innovative solution provides comprehensive carbon accounting, and an AI-enabled decarbonization planner, making it easy and affordable for companies to measure and reduce their emissions. Zeroe is already working with businesses in the UAE and Indonesia and sees significant climate financing opportunities for growth in Africa, especially North West, North East, and Southern Africa. Climate finance: “There is enough money; we just need to make it flow.” This statement by Lauren Haworth, Head…

Google is rolling out Umoja cable, the first-ever fibre optic link directly connecting Africa with Australia, aiming to enhance global digital infrastructure and foster economic growth. The Umoja project, developed in collaboration with Liquid Technologies, will improve connectivity and drive digital inclusion across Africa. This initiative is part of Google’s long-term commitment to Africa’s digital transformation, with investments in infrastructure, cybersecurity, and AI innovation to support growth. In a deal set to revolutionize digital connectivity across continents, tech heavyweight Google has announced the launch of Umoja, the first-ever fibre optic link directly connecting Africa with Australia. This project is poised…

Xente, co-founded by Francis Nkurunungi, is a fintech platform that streamlines business payments, collections, and financial operations. Targeting medium to large enterprises, Xente offers a digital wallet and integrates with systems like VISA to facilitate secure, efficient transactions and manage financial documents in one place. Currently, the startup has onboarded over 500 businesses in Uganda and plans to expand rapidly into Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, and Ghana. When you think about the next big thing in fintech, your mind might drift to Silicon Valley or China. But Francis Nkurunungi, the COO and Co-Founder of Uganda-based fintech Xente, wants to change that…

Founded in Uganda, Famunera is a tech-driven startup that digitizes agribusiness operations, providing farmers, cooperatives, and agribusinesses with easy access to financing, market access, and supply chain traceability. Initially a B2C model for farm inputs, it transitioned to a B2B platform to address the unique financing needs of agribusinesses. With growing presence in the UAE, and the Netherlands, Famunera has onboarded over 1,000 agribusinesses and indirectly employed over 50,000 farmers. Imagine a world where farmers from Uganda can seamlessly connect with agribusiness financiers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), while cooperatives in the Netherlands can procure produce from African farmers…

Kenya’s GDP grew by 5.6% in 2023, driven by a rebound in agricultural activities and strong performances in transportation, communication, and hospitality sectors. The manufacturing sector saw mixed results with modest growth in food production and significant increases in non-food manufacturing. Despite inflation remaining stable and financial indicators showing growth, the Nairobi Securities Exchange saw a decline, highlighting some challenges amid the overall economic recovery. Kenya’s economy achieved a significant milestone in 2023, recording a robust Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 5.6 percent, official data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics showed on Monday. This impressive growth rate,…

Three Americans are among 50 arrested in a failed attempt to overthrow President Tshisekedi of DRC. The alleged coup leader, Christian Malanga, a US-educated former refugee and naturalized US citizen, along with his son Marcel and Benjamin Zalman-Polun, a cannabis entrepreneur from Maryland, among those arrested. The UN and international community have condemned the coup attempt, instead, calling support for the Congolese government. In a stunning turn of events that has sent ripples through the international community, three American nationals have been arrested for their alleged involvement in a failed coup attempt in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The…

Kazan Forum provided a unique platform for nations to strengthen ties and explore joint initiatives in various spheres including economic, educational, social, and cultural realms. With over 80 nations expected to participate, including representatives from prominent OIC member states, the forum catalyses international cooperation and collaboration. The forum’s comprehensive agenda also featured cultural events, fashion shows, competitions, and an international property market fair.  AIM Global Foundation, a leading private organization dedicated to promote economic development and international cooperation, concluded its participation in the 15th International Economic Forum – Kazan Forum held over six days at the Kazan Expo International Exhibition…

South Sudan is recognised for its vast mineral resources, including a burgeoning gold industry. Over 50 alluvial sites near the Luri River, about 40 km southwest of Juba, have reported gold concentrations. Other alluvial gold concentrations have been found near the Kinyeti River, Nimule, and northeast Karpeto. Globally, South Sudan is recognised for its vast mineral resources, including a burgeoning gold industry. This industry represents promising opportunities for collaboration with established gold producers, enabling the country to leverage its expertise for enhanced exploration, extraction, and value addition. For the first time in its eight-year history, the South Sudan Oil and…