Author: James Wambua

• UN Resident Coordinator in Kenya, Stephen Jackson, says the Africa Climate Summit goes beyond rhetoric—it’s about financing.
• Financing at scale to bring Africa’s climate solutions to the global marketplace is contingent on private sector participation.
• Currently, access to capital is limited, and when available, it often comes at a prohibitively high cost.

In Nairobi Kenya, a pivotal event is unfolding: the Africa Climate Summit 2023. Co-organized by the African Union (AU) and the Government of Kenya, this summit carries profound significance as it takes center stage in a continent on the frontlines of the climate crisis.

UN Resident Coordinator in Kenya, Stephen Jackson, summarizes the essence of this summit in his remarks, emphasizing that this event goes beyond rhetoric—it’s about financing. According to Jackson, here’s why the Africa Climate Summit’s focus on financing is of paramount importance.

Africa: A Crucible of Challenges and Solutions

Africa’s unique position in the …

• The Africa Climate Summit 2023 seeks to foster collaborative efforts in addressing the pressing climate crisis.
• Ahead of the summit, President William Ruto calls on the global north to live up to the climate action commitments.
• African government leaders are poised to commit to a Nairobi Declaration at the end of the meeting.

In a historic gathering of minds, an estimated 15,000 individuals, spanning government leaders, policymakers, civil society, the private sector, multilateral institutions, and youth from approximately 80 countries, have converged in Nairobi, Kenya, for the first-ever Africa Climate Summit.

The event has garnered attention from across the globe. Over 30 Heads of State have confirmed their attendance. Also attending will be the US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry.

Africa Climate Summit 2023

The primary aim of the Africa Climate Summit 2023 is to foster collaborative efforts in addressing the pressing climate crisis. Earlier Mr. Kerry expressed …

In the heart of East Africa, where the Serengeti wild plains meet the azure waters of the Indian Ocean, lies a nation that pulsates with fashion, creativity, and individuality. Tanzania, renowned for its natural beauty and cultural diversity, has cultivated a deep love for fashion that transcends mere clothing and expresses identity, history, and aspiration. The Tanzanian love for fashion is a complex tapestry woven with heritage threads, modernity, and a yearning for self-expression.…

• The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) impact on downstream nations Egypt and Sudan has turned the project into a geopolitical hotspot.
• The three countries expect to find common ground on the Nile dam’s construction in about four months.
• Egypt’s concerns are rooted in its dependence on the Nile waters for the livelihoods of its over 100 million people.

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), perched on the Blue Nile, stands as a symbol of Ethiopia’s ambitions for progress, energy independence, and economic growth. However, the $4.6 billion dam’s colossal impact on downstream nations, particularly Egypt and Sudan, has transformed this engineering marvel into a geopolitical hotspot.

Negotiations over the fate of the GERD are back on, with leaders of Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan expressing their intent to find common ground within a four-month window.

The stakes are high. Egypt relies on the Nile’s waters for agricultural sustenance and the livelihoods …

Kenya, East Africa’s economic nerve centre, was in the dark at 9.45 pm (1845 GMT) on Friday, plunging people and industries into the most prolonged nationwide blackout. Utility Kenya Power stated that the electricity outage was due to “a system disturbance”.

As lights flickered back on for nearly 24 hours later, a game of blame took centre stage, leaving the nation and analysts puzzled and raising concerns about Kenya’s energy infrastructure, emergency preparedness, and overall management.…

• 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 …

• 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 …