Author: Priscilla Agyeman-Duah

Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s Foreign Minister, recently paid a historic visit to the African continent, signaling Russia’s ambition to strengthen its influence in Africa. Amid the escalating tensions between African nations and Western powers over sanctions and other forms of interference, Lavrov indicated the readiness of his country to act as a mediator in the continent’s conflicts and counter what he described as “destructive” foreign intrusion.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has contracted a $15 million deal with NMB Bank Zimbabwe, aimed at fueling the growth of the financial sector within the country. This transaction aligns with the AfDB’s strategy of driving the development of Africa’s financial markets and promoting financial inclusion throughout the continent.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a firm stance of solidarity with Palestinians and other Muslims worldwide observing the holy month of Ramadan amidst the hardships of ongoing conflicts. The president made his sentiments known in his weekly newsletter, expressing unwavering support for the Palestinian cause.

In a notable display of continental cohesion, the African Union (AU) has pledged to provide strategic logistical and financial backing to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in efforts to deploy troops in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The move is part of a larger initiative to counter the escalating threat posed by the armed group, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), which is currently causing widespread instability in the region.

The World Economic Forum (WEF) is advocating for the creation of vaccine production hubs across Africa to ease the distribution of vaccines throughout the continent. The proposal surges amidst the realisation of a skewed spread of vaccines, particularly for low- and middle-income nations, despite the global efforts through the COVAX Facility.

The largest Black History Month event in the US, the Pan African Film Festival (PAFF), is now well underway, with events lined up from February 11 to 23.

A significant partnership between ARC Insurance Company Limited (ARC Ltd) and the US Government’s International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) is set to boost the accessibility and availability of parametric insurance in Africa.

Scientists working closely on new possible vaccines have escalated hopes about eradicating one of Africa’s most pressing health problems—malaria, a deadly disease causing several deaths annually, predominantly among children.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have announced a significant partnership with a commitment of $17.2 million to support the forcibly displaced population in South Sudan. The comprehensive project addresses the prevalent issue of poverty among refugees and the communities hosting them.

Canadian officials have been routinely warned that the nation is consistently losing its relevance within the African continent, despite a history of substantial peacekeeping efforts during the 1990s. This declining influence in Africa comes despite fluctuating aid commitments from Canada amounting to between $2.3 billion and $3.3 billion since the start of 2010.