insert_link Africa US-Africa trade deal turns 25 next year: Agoa’s winners, losers and what should come next By Bedassa Tadesse, University of Minnesota Duluth The African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) is a landmark piece of trade legislation enacted by the United States in 2000. Its goal is to promote economic growth, development and poverty reduction in sub-Saharan Africa by providing qualifying countries with duty-free access to the US market for over 6,500 products. By eliminating import tariffs and quotas, Agoa aims to […] todayMay 7, 2024 25
insert_link Africa Kenya’s public universities: financing model overhaul fails to address biggest challenge – funding By Ishmael Munene, Northern Arizona University Kenya adopted a new approach to public university funding beginning with the 2023-24 academic year. Rapid student enrolment growth and declining state revenues have triggered the need for the reforms, which will require students to meet a higher proportion of costs. Ishmael Munene, who has a scholarly interest in African higher education, examines the background to these reforms. What are the […] todayMay 7, 2024 15
insert_link Africa Enough With the Veto, Mozambique Vents to the ‘P5’ Security Council Members Ambassador Pedro Comissário of Mozambique leads the UN Security Council in May. He said: The “veto should have never been allowed in cases of flagrant violation of international humanitarian law as we are witnessing in Gaza at this moment.” JOHN PENNEY/PASSBLUE By Damilola Banjo The veto power of the five permanent United Nations Security Council members is the bane of countless failed resolutions across decades. Now, Mozambique’s ambassador […] todayMay 6, 2024 13
insert_link Africa Nigeria’s minimum wage has never protected workers from poverty: here’s why By Stephen Onyeiwu, Allegheny College Wages have become the top issue for Nigeria’s organised labour movements in the past year. Reacting to recent increases in the cost of living, the labour movement has been calling for an upward review of the national minimum wage, currently N30,000 (US$24) a month. The Conversation’s Adejuwon Soyinka asks economics professor Stephen Onyeiwu if Nigeria’s minimum wage truly protects workers from poverty. […] todayMay 6, 2024 22
insert_link Africa African countries can’t resolve their debt crisis under a system rigged against them By Carlos Lopes, University of Cape Town The debt situation in many African countries has escalated again to a critical juncture. Twenty are in, or at risk of, debt distress. Three pivotal elements significantly contribute to this. Firstly, the rules governing the international banking system favour developed countries and work against the interests of African countries. Secondly, multilateral financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund […] todayMay 6, 2024 11
insert_link Africa Nigeria’s maritime logistics cruise as ports get a makeover By Bonface Orucho, bird story agency Nigeria is implementing a ports makeover, ramping up investment to expand its ports as it seeks to untangle congestion, enhance efficiency, and seize economic opportunities through improved sea freight logistics. President Tinubu and Maersk Chairperson Robert Maersk Uggla have reportedly discussed a US$600 million deal with A.P. Moller-Maersk. The two met during the World Economic Forum event in Riyadh. In […] todayMay 3, 2024 46
insert_link Africa Zimbabwe is hosting its 2024 Investment Summit at Kempton Park Zimbabwe is hosting its 2024 Investment Summit at Kempton Park, gathering key stakeholders to explore the country's economic and investment opportunities. Themed 'People You Can Invest In,' the event highlights Zimbabwe's skilled workforce and attractive investment prospects, particularly in tourism, mining, and agriculture. Zimbabwe's Ambassador to South Africa, David Hamadziripi, says foreign direct investment has surged, with significant growth anticipated in various sectors: todayMay 3, 2024 65
insert_link Africa M23 seizes key mining town in the DRC A town at the heart of mining coltan, a key ingredient in making mobile phones, has been seized in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo by rebel forces, their spokesperson Willy Ngoma has said. The BBC reports that Rubaya fell into the hands of M23 fighters on Tuesday following heavy clashes with government troops. The DRC’s government has not yet commented, but a civil society activist confirmed that M23 had captured […] todayMay 2, 2024 12
insert_link Africa Climate change could cost Africa billions by 2030 Africa currently loses between $7 billion and $15 billion a year because of climate change. If that trend continues, African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina tells the Zero podcast, that number could reach $50 billion by 2030. That’s why Adesina is focusing the bank’s efforts on financing climate adaptation, which he describes as the “forgotten cousin” of climate mitigation. todayMay 2, 2024 35
