• Will U.S. policies empower Africa’s sustainable development, or will they prioritize American interests at the expense of local communities and ecosystems in the next four years?
• Africa’s vast mineral wealth makes the continent a focal point for global economic and strategic competition.
• By encouraging African nations to process and refine their minerals domestically, the U.S. can help Africa can create jobs and enhance economic benefits.

Africa’s natural resources hold a key position in shaping the future of the global mining and energy industry. From critical minerals essential for modern technology to immense energy reserves, the continent is both an opportunity and a battleground for international players.

As Donald Trump assumes a second term as President of the United States in 2025, questions abound regarding his administration’s approach to Africa’s resource wealth. Will U.S. policies empower Africa’s sustainable development, or will they prioritize American interests at the expense of local communities …

• Pattni’s network exploited Zimbabwe’s natural resources, overreported cash proceeds from foreign sales to claim inflated compensation, and bribed officials to shield their illicit operations.
• A total of 28 individuals and businesses involved in gold smuggling network in Zimbabwe were
• Investigations show the gold smuggling and money laundering scheme had direct ties to President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has imposed sanctions on 28 individuals and businesses involved in a gold smuggling network in Zimbabwe. Among the culprits slapped with far-reaching sanctions by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is controversial businessman Kamlesh Pattni, who has been running a vast gold-smuggling and money-laundering network in Zimbabwe, and deftly coordinating its activities across multiple countries.

The U.S. Treasury Department noted that Pattni’s criminal network was increasingly robbing Zembabwe’s people of their natural resources.

“Across the globe, when corrupt actors like Pattni choose to exploit openings …

• The new Trump administration faces a policy conundrum in pushing for democracy in Africa’s most fragile zones.
• Trump’s previous skepticism toward multilateralism and international aid raises questions about how his administration will engage with regional bodies like the AU.
• Trump’s previous focus on trade could provide a framework for re-engagement like AGOA and perhaps supporting AfCFTA.

As Donald Trump prepares to begin his second term as President of the United States in February 2025, his administration will need to confront the complexities of U.S.-Africa relations. Africa, home to over 1.4 billion people and rich in resources, remains a key player on the global stage. Yet, the continent is marred by challenges such as challenges in its democratic ideals, military coups, and persistent governance crises.

For Trump, striking a balance between promoting democratic ideals and safeguarding U.S. strategic interests could be a defining challenge during his second term as president.

The

• Despite a challenging economic climate, cleantech and internet connectivity sectors lead the way, with Kenya spearheading investment activity.
• Debt funding, often overshadowed by venture capital, played a dominant role in terms of volume, with transactions totaling over $26 million for November alone.
• The dual reliance on debt and equity highlights the adaptability of African startups in securing resources to fuel their growth.

As 2024 winds down, the African startup ecosystem finds itself in a less-than-rosy funding environment. According to data from startup funding tracker Briter Bridges, over 580 startups in over 30 African markets secured $1.9 billion through more than 670 deals that were disclosed this year.

This marks a noticeable decline in both funding volume and deal count compared to 2023, a scenario that is attributable to global economic challenges that have seen the tightening of the purse strings of investors.

Why African startups faced funding dip in 2024

• As President-elect Donald Trump, a man who once referred to Africa as ‘shithole countries,’ assumes office, the question remains: Can the U.S. move beyond gestures and deliver on its promises to Africa?
• Under Democratic leadership, U.S. policy toward Africa has typically focused on programs aimed at long-term development, governance, and economic opportunities.
• So far, however, decisively countering China’s growing economic presence in Africa has remained elusive, whether under Trump, Biden, or even Obama, a man who has Kenyan roots.

Africa has long been a continent of paradoxes for U.S. foreign policy, celebrated for its potential but too often neglected when it comes to sustained engagement. President-Elect Donald Trump’s first presidency brought this ambivalence to a head, marked by his infamous dismissal of African nations as “shithole countries.” Now, with Joe Biden having finally visited Angola at the tail-end of his term, many are left wondering whether U.S.-Africa relations are being …

• Tanzania has food surplus and is now exporting to neighbours.
• This raises hope that the fight against hunger and malnutrition on the continent is achievable.
• AfDB is now calling for the implementation of Dakar 2 Food Summit commitments.

Tanzania has been recognized for its steady steps to achieve food self-sufficiency attributable to its expanding agricultural industry.

“Tanzania is setting new benchmarks in food self-sufficiency across Africa, raising hope that the fight against hunger and malnutrition on the continent is achievable,” notes the African Development Bank (AfDB) President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina.

Dr. Adesina made this observation during a high-level session at the World Food Prize Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue in Iowa, US where he was moderating the talks. He lauded Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan after she announced that her country had reached 128 per cent food security and is now exporting surplus to neighbouring countries.

Speaking during a session …