• The Horn of Africa has been grappling with the most severe drought in 40 years since late 2020.
• Rain-fed agriculture in parts of Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia worst hit as harvests drop to 70 percent of normal standards.
• A United Nations-backed conference raised $2.4 billion on May 24th to address famine in the Horn of Africa.

The worst drought in a-half-century is causing severe economic hit on economies in the Horn of Africa. This is due to the economies’ heavy reliance on agriculture, and other climate-vulnerable resources.

Drought has led to reduced rainfall and water, severely reducing agricultural production. Crops failed, and pasturelands dried up. As a result, millions of heads of livestock died due to a lack of water and fodder. Millions of farmers are experiencing significant crop losses and decreased livestock productivity. Consequently, huge populations are grappling with thinning incomes and food shortages.

Agricultural losses, food insecurity

Rain-fed …

• As temperatures keep rising and emissions soar, the planet, too, continues to break (dangerous) new records.
• Climate change is a shared problem that the global community must solve by working together.
• With a strong partnership between Africa, Europe, and the rest of the international community, Kenya, can make significant contributions to the global transition to a net-zero economy.

NAIROBI – Last year in Berlin, the great Kenyan long-distance runner Eliud Kipchoge broke the world marathon record, clocking 02:01:09 and beating his previous time by 30 seconds. His success has made him a legend not only in Kenya but globally. It offers a useful lesson for everyone involved in the fight against climate change. Kipchoge’s winning strategy is rooted in the science of running (as well as 120 miles of hard work every week), and our own approach to the climate crisis must involve the same level of commitment and …

• A total of 34 countries at risk of climate disaster across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Pacific have mobilised over $150 million towards 2,100 adaptation projects. 
• To date, the EU has provided over $58 million for climate adaptation initiatives. EU members Sweden has raised $52 million, while Denmark and Belgium have each raised $14 million. 
• Climate vulnerable countries say their needs are growing exponentially and therefore need urgent support to avert disasters.

Ministers from some of the world’s most climate vulnerable countries have called on international institutions and donors to boost access to finance to aid their adaptation to the impacts of changing weather patterns using the Local Climate Adaptive Living Facility (LoCAL). 

Without funds, populations face bleak future

LoCAL, which is designed and managed by the UN Capital Development Fund, was identified as part of the climate finance “solution” at a ministerial meeting of member countries in Brussels, …

• Deal Source Africa connects African businesses online with investors, transaction advisors and Impact Funds.
• Experienced transaction advisors will link with businesses to provide professional support along their fundraising journey.
• During the pilot phase, the program enabled 94 businesses to connect with 18 investors in deal rooms. 

A new programme seeking to connect African businesses online with investors, transaction advisors and Impact Funds has been unveiled in Ghana at the West Africa Deal summit. The programme, Deal Source Africa, comprises a digital platform that connects investors with businesses, in-person and virtual deal rooms where businesses can meet investors.

Deal Source Africa seeks to bridge the $331 billion funding gap for African SMEs. Top on target will be SMEs with high growth potential and offering solutions that help meet their business needs.

It also includes Impact Fund showcases where investors can meet African venture funds and other local capital providers.

Deal Source

• Key staff in Eswatini and Zimbabwe have gained critical skills on how to harness Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
• The training will be rolled out in Kenya, Seychelles, Rwanda, and DRC starting June, this year. It is critical for helping businesses identify and compare emerging opportunities in Africa.
• The programme equips staff with integrated and reliable trade intelligence on international market performance and opportunities as well as market access conditions.

Staff from over 80 companies and public agencies in Eswatini and Zimbabwe have gained critical skills on how to harness opportunities under Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The training was undertaken by the African Trade Observatory, one of the five operational instruments of AfCFTA charged with driving intra regional trade of small businesses.

The online dashboard is critical for helping businesses identify and compare emerging opportunities across the continent. It provides integrated and reliable trade intelligence on international …

• Standard Bank has developed the Africa Trade Barometer, a tool that blends qualitative and quantitative data across African markets.
• The Africa Trade Barometer is instrumental in solving access to information, a significant non-tariff barrier in Africa.
•  It provides a near real-time view of trade openness, access to finance, and macroeconomic stability data among others.

Standard Bank, the biggest lender by assets across Africa, has thrown its weight behind the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) saying it is a key opportunity to alleviate poverty, drive economic activity and achieve prosperity.

By eliminating trade barriers, AfCFTA aims to lift about 30 million Africans out of poverty by increasing incomes across the continent by seven percent by 2035. Once implemented, AfCFTA will be the world’s largest free trade area ever rolled out.

Standard Bank wants to power AfCFTA take-off

Recent global supply chain woes suffered in Africa illustrate the urgent need of …