Browsing: Africa

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.

In a fresh concerted effort to face the challenges of climate change, 79 countries under the African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) coalition have promised to reinforce their political, economic, and social alliances with the European Union (EU). The combined force is set to tackle various global issues, significantly focusing on climate change, with or without the backing of the United States.

The Pan-African Congress is all geared up to hold its 9th preparatory conference in Mali in May, fostering dialogues about unity, prosperity, and international relations within the continent and its wide diaspora. This conference aims at creating an environment that can make strides in Africa’s progression by strengthening its defense strategies and epitomizing peace across 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.

One of Africa’s leading diversified mining and mineral companies, African Rainbow Minerals (ARM), has recorded a significant surrender in its financial performance due to dwindling ferrous metal prices. The company revealed a disheartening 43% fall in its earnings for the first half of the year.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has set forward ambitious plans to promote carbon pricing mechanisms across 10 states in Africa by the year 2030, in a bid to ensure climate-proof economic growth across the continent.

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.