LEAF aims to unlock commercial and local-currency financing for decentralized renewable energy (DRE) projects in six program countries The Board of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) has approved $170.9 million in financing for the African Development Bank’s Leveraging Energy Access Finance Framework (LEAF) program. LEAF aims to unlock commercial and local-currency financing for decentralized renewable energy (DRE) projects in six program countries: Ghana, Guinea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria and Tunisia. The Green Climate Fund’s financing is part of an overall $900 million program budget whose objective is to scale up roll-out of mini-grids, solar home systems, and commercial and industrial solar…
Author: Akaolisa Emmanuel
COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AFTER THE MEETING OF THE GOVERNORS OF SOUTHERN NIGERIA AT THE LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT HOUSE, IKEJA, LAGOS STATE, ON MONDAY, 5TH JULY, 2021 NIGERIA. The Southern Governors Forum at the end of the meeting held on Monday, 5th July 2021 reviewed the situation in the Country and focused on the current security situation, constitutional amendment, Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). Rising from the meeting, the Forum agreed on the following: 1.Re-affirmed their commitment to the unity of Nigeria on the pillars of equity, fairness, justice, progress and peaceful co-existence between and amongst its people. 2.The Forum reiterates its commitment…
The new fibre network will help connect East and West Africa by land and improve internet access for millions of people Liquid Technologies and Facebook announced a partnership to build an extensive long haul and metro fibre network in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that is expected to improve internet access for more than 30 million people and help meet growing demand for regional connectivity across Central Africa. Facebook will invest in the fibre build and support network planning. Liquid Technologies will own, build and operate the fibre network, and provide wholesale services to mobile network operators and internet…
Multilateral development banks enhance cooperation on reporting climate finance MDBs publish 2020 Joint Report on Multilateral Development Banks’ Climate Finance; Eight MDBs committed $66 billion for climate finance in 2020, up from $61.6 billion; Of the total, 58 per cent was committed in low- and middle-income countries. Climate finance committed by major multilateral development banks (MDBs) rose to a total of $66 billion last year from $61.6 billion in 2019, according to the 2020 Joint Report on Multilateral Development Banks’ Climate Finance published today. Of this, 58 per cent – or $38 billion – was committed to low- and middle-income economies.…
The Korea-Africa Energy Investment Framework (KAEIF) pact follows the signing on 28 May 2021 of a General Cooperation Agreement between the Bank and the Korean government The African Development Bank, the Korean Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Export-Import Bank of Korea have signed an agreement, under which Korea will provide $600 million in co-financing for energy projects alongside the African Development Bank. The Korea-Africa Energy Investment Framework (KAEIF) pact follows the signing on 28 May 2021 of a General Cooperation Agreement between the Bank and the Korean government. The KAEIF has a particular focus on renewable energy solutions…
The renowned Professor of Mass Communication and former Chief of Staff and Commissioner for Economic Planning & Budget in Anambra State, Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna has reacted to the news making the rounds about the possibility of her becoming the Deputy Governorship Candidate/Running Mate to Mr. Valentine Ozigbo, the PDP flag bearer in the November 2021 gubernatorial election in Anambra State. Speaking in Awka, Prof. Okunna said she first heard the news of her becoming the Deputy Governorship Candidate through many associates, as well as men and women of goodwill who called, to her embarrassment, to congratulate her on what…
The proposed Kinshasa Declaration calls for doubling the number of women’s organizations that can access funds from national economic stimulus programs and external funding The proposed Kinshasa Declaration, launched at the Generation Equality Forum, outlines concrete actions for African Union member countries to advance gender equality in Africa by 2030; The proposed Kinshasa Declaration calls for doubling the number of women’s organizations that can access funds from national economic stimulus programs and external funding. A delegation of African women led by Her Excellency Madame Gisèle Ndaya, Minister of Gender, Family and Children of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and…
MARSEILLE, France, July 2, 2021/ — Iconic French football club Olympique de Marseille (OM), and APO Group the leading Pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service, today announced a multi-year agreement making APO Group the Official Partner of Olympique de Marseille’s OM Africa development programme. The agreement, making APO Group the club’s first African partner, was formalized today at an official signing ceremony at the club’s Robert Louis-Dreyfus training ground by Olympique de Marseille Managing Director, Laurent Colette, and APO Group Founder and Chairman, Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard. Olympique de Marseille is one of the most renowned football clubs in the world. Founded…
Flying their flag proudly, Madagascar has finally landed in Kenya for The U20 Barthés Trophy which kicked off on June 26 at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium and will run until July 11, 2021. Initially hit by travelling restrictions and closed borders due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Rugby Africa was able to assist with sending the team to Kenya, while adhering to COVID-19 procedures and protocols. Vying for this year’s African Junior Champion title will be defending champions Kenya, Senegal and now Madagascar. The fourth team, Namibia, was forced to miss the tournament as increased number of Covid cases in the…
The AGRF’s agriculture matchmaking platform initiative links some 4,000 actors in the agriculture sector to investment and networking opportunities The African Development Bank’s incoming Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development, Dr. Beth Dunford, and Director for Agricultural Finance and Rural Infrastructure Development Atsuko Toda joined development leaders online to launch this year’s African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) Agribusiness Deal Room. The AGRF’s agriculture matchmaking platform initiative links some 4,000 actors in the agriculture sector to investment and networking opportunities. In her first public engagement since her appointment, Dr. Dunford gave keynote remarks at a virtual session that drew…
The wife of Yoruba rights activist, Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has been abducted by the gunmen who attacked his house in the early hours of Thursday. The leader of Yoruba self-determination Groups, Ilana Omo Oodua, Professor Banji Akintoye, disclosed this in a statement titled, ‘Yoruba Nation: Elements of the Nigerian Army, accompanied by international terrorists hired by the Nigerian State attacked Sunday Ighoho’s residence – Akintoye.’ The statement was made available to newsmen by Akintoye’s Communications Manager, Mr. Maxwell Adeleye and read in part, “The assailants were all dressed in military uniform and spoke French language fluently.He…
The other day, in a WhatsApp group, a member posted these words “poverty is a bastard”. It was not as a reply to a previous comment, nor was it tagged. It just stood there on its own in the hitherto silent place. One begins to wonder what must have brought about the statement. Was the fellow facing a financial crisis and therefore spoke out of frustration? Was it a call to others to by all means never let themselves be held bondage by this ugly bastard? It could even be that this person just had a breakthrough and then sought…
The agreement aims to reduce all trade costs and enable Africa to integrate further into global supply chains – it will eliminate 90 per cent of tariffs Launched on 1 January the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement will create the largest free trade area in the world measured by the number of countries participating. The pact connects 1.3 billion people across 55 countries with a combined gross domestic product (GDP) valued at $3.4 trillion. It has the potential to lift 30 million people out of extreme poverty but achieving its full potential will depend on putting in place…
Under the theme ‘Our Stories, Lessons and Marching Forward’, the one-day semi-virtual regional conference will feature governments and civil society actors from West Africa Women, Peace and Security (WPS) stakeholders from across West Africa, will meet both physically and virtually, at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) on July 7th. The conference aims to facilitate fruitful exchanges on the past implementation of the WPS Agenda, its meaningful grounding presently in West Africa, and what’s next for the WPS agenda’s future. While the African continent is still making strides to advance women’s empowerment, several challenges continue and underscore the…
The thrill at the EUROS is gathering momentum as coincidences, predictions and surprises blend to give followers an exciting tournament. None of the 8 matches in the round of 16 played out without a twist. An emotional Denmark thrashed Wales 4-0 in Amsterdam even in the absence of its influential captain who is recovering from a cardiac arrest. Though football pundits expected them to win, Italy left it late with a 2-1 extra-time victory over Austria at Wembley. On Sunday, the tournament got its first major upset as Czech Republic shocked the Netherlands with a 2-0 win in Budapest, before…
Despite affecting 149 million children globally, chronic malnutrition lacks both widespread attention and adequate investment Global Program Created by UN Women, UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), Government of France, and the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court; UNITLIFE Leverages Innovative Finance and Partnerships to Protect the Next Generation from Chronic Malnutrition; The Condition Currently Effects 149 Million Children Worldwide, Limiting Future Growth and Potential; The COVID-19 Pandemic Predicted to Cause Widespread Increases in Malnutrition Due to Disruptions in Food, Health and Social Protection Systems. UNITLIFE, the United Nations trust fund dedicated to preventing chronic malnutrition, was officially launched yesterday on…
A quick snapshot of banking and payment trends in Africa offers encouraging news for banks on the continent and opportunities for growth Across Africa, all banking and payment channels are showing positive growth – from ATM usage through to mobile wallets. The key challenge for banks is to equip themselves so that they can provide a range of channel options and meet consumer demand. A quick snapshot of banking and payment trends in Africa offers encouraging news for banks on the continent and opportunities for growth. Thanks to Africa’s diverse population – and with that a wide range of…
South Africa’s ex president, Jacob Zuma, has been sentenced to 15 months by the highest court in the country. He was sentenced today, for contempt of court after he failed to appear at a corruption inquiry sometime this year. Zuma failed to appear at the inquiry led by deputy chief justice Raymond Zondo in February, this made the inquiry’s lawyers seek a court order for his imprisonment. The inquiry is examining allegations of high-level graft during Zuma’s period in power from 2009 to 2018. He has pleaded not guilty and has so far not co-operated. “Mr Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma is…
Seven-year NBA veteran brings nine years of assistant coaching experience to Boston The Boston Celtics have named seven-year NBA (www.NBA.com) veteran Ime Udoka the franchise’s next head coach, making him the 18th head coach in the organization’s 75-year history. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. “I would like to welcome Ime, Nia, Kez, and Massai to the Boston Celtics. Among the many outstanding qualities that Ime brings to the table are his character, humility, and competitiveness. He has a relentless work ethic and a vast array of experiences as a player and coach,” said Celtics President…
In Burkina Faso, the Islamic Development Bank and Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development – the bank’s poverty alleviation arm joined hands with Light for The World to get immediate help to the communities hit hardest by the COVID-19 crisis The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the lives of billions, and it has reminded us of our interdependency around the world. We are grateful for our strong programme partnerships which have endured the toughest of external challenges. In Burkina Faso, the Islamic Development Bank and Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development – the bank’s poverty alleviation arm joined hands with Light for The…
The Supreme Court in US has ruled that a transgender student can use the bathroom that corresponded to his gender identity, a victory for the LGBTQ community that has been fearful the high court would take up the case and reverse a lower court opinion. It began when Gavin Grimm, a transgender male who was then a high-school student, challenged the local school board’s decision to require him to use either a unisex restroom or a restroom that corresponds to the sex, female, he was assigned at birth. Grimm said he is happy that his fight to have his school…
Chief Timipre Sylva, Minister of State for Petroleum of Nigeria, has confirmed his attendance at African Energy Week (AEW) 2021, on the back of several VIP confirmations; Under the leadership of Minister Sylva, Sub-Saharan Africa’s leading oil producer is driving Africa’s energy future via large-scale gas development plans and progressive policy reform; Minister Sylva will lead a Nigerian delegation, including executives from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to AEW 2021. The African Energy Chamber (AEC) is honored to confirm the attendance of Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum H.E. Chief Timipre Sylva…
Erstwhile National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People’s Democratic Party (nPDP) and Chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has joined the lengthy roll of Nigerians and Nigerians in the diaspora and diplomats alike, who have felicitated with the President Mohammadu Buhari/APC-led Federal Government for the giant strides it has continued to record in critical areas of governance especially, the revival of the nation’s moribund rail infrastructure, covering a country mile and traversing the nook and cranny of the Nigerian territory and choreography. Recall that President Buhari, Thursday, June 10, 2021, inaugurated the commercial operations…
Few would have believed that Denmark will make it past the group stage in the ongoing EUROs, not that they were in a clear group of death, but the circumstances that trailed them at the start of the competition. Imagine having in your group the world number one in football ranking, Belgium, with its star-studded team. At their first game against Finland, the captain of the team and most prominent player, Christian Eriksen, collapsed due to a cardiac arrest on the field of play. His recovery was clearly a miracle going by past experiences of others. The Denmark coach in…
The African Development Bank Group’s shareholders have shown strong support for the Bank’s proposals to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic, and this as the continent faces the possibility of a third wave of infection amid poor vaccine access. This emerged from the 56th Annual Meetings of the Bank Group. The three-day event, which ended on Friday, included the 47th meeting of the Governors of the African Development Fund, the Bank’s concessional lending arm. Part of the proposal is that the Bank, the continent’s only development finance institution with a AAA credit rating, act as a conduit for International Monetary Fund (IMF)…
A jail sentence of more than 22 years has been given to Derek Chauvin, the former police officer who killed George Floyd on a Minneapolis street last year. The murder which led to a series of serious protests in the US and around the globe has been highly watched by the global media. Chauvin, in a light gray suit and tie and white shirt, spoke briefly before the sentence was imposed, offering his “condolences to the Floyd family.” Under Minnesota law, Chauvin will have to serve two-thirds of his sentence, or 15 years — and he will be eligible for…
Expanded port, economic zone and Berbera corridor will transform Berbera into an integrated maritime, industrial and logistics hub in the Horn of Africa Berbera Port’s new container terminal inaugurated, has capacity for 500,000 TEUs a year; Second phase expansion of terminal will increase capacity up to two million TEUs a year; Berbera Economic Zone under development aims to attract investment and new businesses, and to create jobs; Expanded port, economic zone and Berbera corridor will transform Berbera into an integrated maritime, industrial and logistics hub in the Horn of Africa. DP World, a leading provider of integrated logistics solutions, and…
President Muhammadu Buhari has welcomed Sen. Peter Nwaoboshi to the All Progressives Congress (APC), telling him “you are welcome to the progressives family.’’ The senator was formally with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Sen. Nwaoboshi, representing Delta North District, Delta State, was presented to President Buhari and National Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) at the State House by Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege. It will be noted that the Deputy Senate President is also representing Delta state in the senate. The Deputy Senate President said Senator Nwaoboshi’s decision to join the APC clearly shows that the effort of the CECPC…
The Buhari in us, a book put together by Haruna Abdullahi, also known as Haruspice, has been launched in Abuja at the Army Resource Center, Asokoro. The book which was launched by the vice president of Nigeria, professor Yemi Osibanjo, represented by Senator Femi Ojodu, is a compilation of articles written by the author over a period of time on the person of the president. In attendance were many notable figures in the polity, like Shehu Garba and Femi Adesina, spokesmen to the president, the minister of FCT who was represented by the minister of state for the FCT, the…
Sponsored by the Société Générale, the U20 Barthés Trophy is the only junior tournament in Africa where generally eight national U20 teams compete for the title As the 2021 edition of the continental youth tournament – The U20 Barthés Trophy – kicks off in Nairobi’s Nyayo national stadium from 24 June – 4 July 2021.The Senegalese team arrived in Nairobi in the early hours of Thursday morning before heading to their training bubble at Nairobi’s Brookhouse School, in preparation for the event that takes place in the Kenyan capital from 26th June 2021. The squad who finished third in the…
