Africa

Africa's $824Bn Debt
  • AfDB asks policymakers to put in place an orderly and predictable way of dealing with Africa’s $824Bn debt pile.
  • According to AfDB, Africa’s ballooning external debt reached $824 billion in 2021.
  • AfDB president says there is urgent need for increased concessional financing, particularly for low-income countries. 

Africa’s immense economic potential is being undermined by non-transparent resource-backed loans that complicate debt resolution and compromise countries’ future growth, African Development Bank (AfDB) President Dr Akinwumi Adesina has said.

Adesina at the Semafor Africa Summit taking place on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank 2024 Spring Meetings, highlighted the challenges posed by Africa’s ballooning external debt, which reached $824 billion in 2021, with countries dedicating 65 per cent of their GDP to servicing these obligations.

He said the continent would pay $74 billion in debt service payments this year alone, a sharp increase from $17 billion in 2010. “I …

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  • Meg Whitman, US Ambassador to Kenya, highlights key investment opportunities in Kenya, particularly in the creative industry and clean energy.
  • She noted that Kenya has the potential to become the Singapore of Africa through vertical business integration, job creation, innovation, and foreign direct investment.
  • AmCham Business Summit 2024 seeks to strengthen bilateral trade and investment between the US, Kenya, and East Africa.

The fourth edition of the regional American Chamber of Commerce Kenya (AmCham) Business Summit, has officially kicked off in Nairobi, Kenya, under the theme, ‘Catalyzing The Future of US-East Africa Trade and Investment’.

This year’s forum underscores AmCham Business Summit as the premier platform for strengthening bilateral trade and investment between the United States, Kenya, and East Africa.

Hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham), the two-day Summit has brought together delegates from the United States of America, East and Sub-Saharan Africa in efforts to deliberate and …

  • UN faults UK-Rwanda asylum treaty citing concerns on potentially harmful impact on global responsibility-sharing, human rights, and refugee protection.
  • Spearheaded by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the legislation mandates judges to deem Rwanda as a safe third country.
  • With deportation flights slated to start in July, the move is sparking weighty debates over the ethical implications of outsourcing asylum responsibilities.

This week’s passage of the “Safety of Rwanda” Bill by the UK Parliament has triggered alarm bells within the United Nations (UN), with two prominent leaders, Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, raising concerns over its potentially harmful impact on global responsibility-sharing, human rights, and refugee protection.

Spearheaded by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the legislation mandates judges to deem Rwanda as a safe third country, paving the way for the deportation of thousands of migrants who have sought refuge …

  • In 2024, diversification of your crypto portfolio remains a fundamental principle for managing risk and maximizing returns.
  • Understanding how to build an optimal investment portfolio and monitor its effectiveness is crucial for both experienced investors and newcomers.
  • A well-diversified crypto portfolio typically includes a mix of traditional and alternative assets such as stocks, crypto assets, real estate and cash.

Diversification in the crypto world is not just a smart move; it’s a necessity. As the digital currency market evolves rapidly, its risks multiply. Understanding how to build an optimal investment portfolio and monitor its effectiveness is crucial for both experienced investors and newcomers. Here’s a guide to crafting a well-balanced crypto portfolio in 2024.

Diversification in the Crypto World

In today’s dynamic financial environment, investing in cryptocurrencies offers enticing opportunities but also carries inherent risks. Diversification, a fundamental concept in risk management, plays a pivotal role in safeguarding investments against

  • A key component of successful cryptocurrency investment is utilizing cryptocurrency exchanges effectively.
  • The USDT/SOL exchange pair refers to the trading of Tether (USDT) against Solana (SOL) on a cryptocurrency exchange.
  • Solana, on the other hand, is a blockchain platform designed for decentralized applications and crypto-native projects.

Cryptocurrency investments have gained significant popularity in recent years, providing individuals with opportunities to grow their capital in the digital asset space. One of the key components of successful cryptocurrency investment is utilizing cryptocurrency exchanges effectively. In this blog, we will explore the concept of using exchanges to grow your capital, with a specific focus on the USDT/SOL exchange pair.

What is the USDT/SOL exchange pair?

The USDT/SOL exchange pair refers to the trading of Tether (USDT) against Solana (SOL) on a cryptocurrency exchange. Tether is a stablecoin pegged to the value of the US dollar, providing investors with a stable and reliable cryptocurrency

  • African Airlines revenues for January 2024 were $ 1.83 billion compared to $1.56 billion in November 2023
  • Available seats per kilometre (ASKs) also exceeded the level of March 2019 by 7.7 per cent.
  • Open skies will boost intra-African connectivity and drive down airfares.

Investments among the continent’s carriers have begun to pay off as African Airlines Revenues and seat numbers hit a record high, a new report by African Airline Association (AFRAA) has shown.

The number of airline seats offered in the region has increased by 12.6 per cent to 16.1 million in March 2024, thanks to new routes and flight frequencies.

For the first time in four years, the industry surpassed pre-COVID-19 monthly figures of 14.3 million, recorded in March 2019.

The year 2024 is shaping up to be a significant year of recovery for the aviation industry. Airlines have regained their pre-Covid levels of capacity and traffic and …

  • Kenyan doctors have rejected a $18.3 million (KES2.4 billion) offer to return to work.
  • The top demands of over 7,000 medics include immediate hiring of trainee doctors, adequate medical insurance coverage for doctors and their dependents, and fixing delays in pay.
  • The labour boycott also calls for paying doctors working in public hospitals as part of their higher degree courses.

In a move that further throws Kenya’s healthcare system into a spin, public hospital doctors under the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KPMDU) lobby have rejected a $18.3 million (KES2.4 billion) offer to leave the streets and go back to work.

The latest twist underlines the deepening rift between healthcare professionals and Kenyan officials amid a strike that has now stretched into its third week since March 15.

Representing over 7,000 members, KMPDU initiated the strike to address several critical issues, including the demand for the payment of …

  • Across Ghana and Ivory Coast, climate change, illegal mining, cocoa industry woes, and a devastating disease known as swollen shoot have conspired to end West Africa’s cocoa supremacy.
  • In Ivory Coast, 30% of cocoa plantations are infected by swollen shoot disease. Upto 600,000 hectares under Cocoa in Ghana are infected, too.
  • The crisis in West Africa is offering opportunity to Ecuador, Brazil and Peru to become global cocoa production titans.

A double whammy of a devastating disease coupled with unchecked gold mining activities has set up a storm that is fast threatening to kill West Africa’s Cocoa supremacy.

For decades, Ghana and the Ivory Coast have held the mantle of titans in the cocoa world, jointly supplying over 60 per cent of the beans’ global demand. However, this year’s poor harvest as noted by an exclusive piece by Reuters, could spark a seismic shift in the cocoa production industry, …

  • China Henan International Cooperation failed to to disclose the use of a commission agent while submitting a bid.
  • The ban on Chinese firm reflects broader concerns about the nature of China-Africa economic relations.
  • The move follows the conclusion of a negotiated settlement agreement with the Chinese company.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has suspended Chinese firm, China Henan International Cooperation Group Company Limited, from undertaking any contracts in Africa for the next one year.

The move follows the conclusion of a negotiated settlement agreement with the Chinese company putting an end to sanctions proceedings for a fraudulent practice against China Henan International Cooperation.

In the directive, pursuant to the negotiated settlement agreement, China Henan International Cooperation Group Company Limited, registered in China, will be debarred for a period of 12 months, effective 28 March 2024.

“An investigation conducted by the Office of Integrity and Anti-Corruption of the African Development Bank …

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