The aim is to give the administration an opportunity to help the world better understand its vision for South Sudan while showcasing investment and trade opportunities in the country.

The roadshow will allow potential investors the chance to meet policymakers and business leaders face-to-face, to discuss the value proposition on offer in South Sudan. Mandated by Salva Kiir Mayardit, the president of the republic, the visiting ministers will be open to discuss ideas and projects that will boost the economy, and position South Sudan as a regional growth and investment partner.

In extending his invitation to businesses and media, Nhial Deng Nhial, minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, said, “We have come through the test of strife. Now we must rebuild, maintain peace, and create. With help, we are ready to show the world that we are capable of being a nation that works. This is an opportunity to partner with us to build an economy and the country.”

Past conflict curtailed oil production in South Sudan, but since the peace accord was signed, the country has resumed production, generating increased revenues to fund development. The purpose of the Invest in South Sudan roadshow is to find partners who will help grow the economy and create jobs.

Minister Deng Nhial added, “We want to build on the peace dividend to build a diversified sustainable economy that will benefit all South Sudan’s people.”

The delegation will be discussing opportunities and incentives that make South Sudan an attractive investment destination, highlighting the country’s importance as a gateway to markets in east and central Africa. South Sudan’s mineral deposits, fertile land, and infrastructure and industrial needs all offer potential investors opportunities outside the petroleum sector. Ministers participating in the roadshow represent multiple sectors of the economy.

“Opportunities exist beyond the petroleum sector. We want to build a world-class education system, an agricultural sector to feed our people and contribute to regional food security, a tourism industry to appreciate our natural heritage and a mining sector that helps us reap the rewards of our own wealth,” he explained.

The investment roadshow aligns with the government’s drive to raise awareness about progress in the country, and investment to re-ignite its economy. It hopes to build on the potential of its diverse underdeveloped sectors and industries.

“There is an African proverb: A man cannot sit down alone to plan for prosperity. We understand this to be true. So we would like to invite you to join us, find opportunities to invest in and have your questions answered,” he concluded.

Source: Oil Review Africa

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In a statement, the firm said the purpose of the agreement was to provide renewable energy through solar installations to power Small and Medium Enterprises across Nigeria. The Managing Director, Bishopgate MFB, Mrs. Dele Ilori, stated this at the signing ceremony that one of the main objectives of the bank was to empower the SMEs whose businesses relied more on electricity to function effectively at a cheaper cost.

“All that is required of an SME is the ability to contribute 30 percent of the cost while the bank will finance the balance without collateral,” she said.

The Managing Director, Solar Affairs, Mr. Oludemi, made a commitment that such beneficiaries would be able to enjoy 24 hours uninterrupted power supply that would be provided with the solar panel installation. He said, “The equipment comes with a one-year warranty and one-year insurance. This partnership is to make uninterrupted power supply available to the SMEs at a cheaper cost which is in line with the economic development of the Federal Government.”

Source: Punch Nigeria

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Post-colonial Africa was replete with a rise in the influence of the military on leading African countries. Irrespective of the oddity it showcased, many African countries were governed by military overlords who ran the states with fascist and intemperate policies. No African country or colonial post was exempt from this iron-fist domination. Where the military was not in direct control, the traditional institutions left the citizens as vassals to the dictates and swinging moods of these lords. In the past, African leaders were deified and the faint thought of unseating an incumbent was cast off easily, but the continent caught the flu of democratic election of leaders despite the drawbacks in several elections there have been good examples that depict the series of qualitative progress that has been recorded on the continent.

Moving forward, the late twentieth century and the early twenty-first century exposed several countries in Africa to the realities of building a thriving economy. At the base of this was the growing concern over fundamental governing issues in Africa. Particularly, problematic monolithic revenue structure of the African economy, as manifest in the undulating prices of commodities on the commodity-dependent continent, led a quest for the globally tested leading model to enshrine the working patterns as seen in first-world countries. Cardinal constructs were how; Stable and legitimate governments led the charge for open markets and foreign investments, the rule of law and basic enforcement of human and property rights with a heavy call for judicial reforms, market-driven policies that stimulate private-sector activities and investment in human capital and infrastructure were the pivots of the needed development.

So In governance, Africa moved from imperious and repressive regimes like that of Jean-Bédel Bokassa, who ordered the mass execution of schoolchildren because their parents refused to purchase uniforms from his spouse to Goodluck Jonathan who debased electoral fraud by saying his ambition was not worth the blood of any Nigerian. Not only has the attitude towards governance increased, but there have also been far-reaching electoral reforms around countries in Africa. Although many African leaders have seen their bid to reelection hit the brick wall, none was more spectacular than the 2015 and 2016 elections in Nigeria and Ghana.

The age-long question has always been. Why do leaders stay long in power? Of course, Africa is not alone in this, many countries either institutionalize the long stay of their leaders either by vetoing the removal of term limits as in China, where President Xi Jinping, the leader of the communist party, who has been in power since 2012, is poised to rule for a longer time, after National People’s Congress, voted 2,958 in favor, with two opposed and three abstaining, to abolish the presidential term limits, or like in Russia where President Vladimir Putin is on a fourth non-contiguous term or Germany’s Angela Merkel, who has stood in as the chairwoman of the Christian Democratic Party for 19 years and the country’s chancellor for 14 years. It could also be monarchical as seen in the UK, Middle East, and some other traditionalized leadership models.

However, there are extreme examples. Although Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew ruled the country for over three decades, there are arguments as to what liberal democracy would have brought the toddler nation as to that time. Kim Jung Un the North Korean dictator has been in power the most of his adult life, with the country a classic example of what many would refer to as the Banana Republic. As we asked earlier, why do people stay longer in power? There are no loose-fitting answers. As they say, power corrupts, and in the absolute, it corrupts absolutely. Asides some countries with institutionalized governance styles, it is hard to find countries, especially among the developing nations, with these perennial leaders that have had remarkable impacts. Rwanda has been an exception to this clause. After the dismembering genocide, and the fragmentation of the country along the ethnic divides of the two leading tribes, Hutu and Tutsi, Mr. Paul Kagame has done more to unite the country by consolidating on the gains of the local reinvention models and approaches that have healed the country’s hurt greatly. While many African countries still battle with the management of the abundant resources at their disposal, Rwanda, is Africa’s example of an economic renaissance.

At the time of its independence in 1968, Mauritius, an Indian Ocean island nation, was among the poorest countries in the world and tagged unsustainable. The country was a sugar-dependent agricultural economy. This commodity accounted for 20% of its gross domestic product (GDP) and over 60% of export earnings. In addition to the unemployment rate and dense population in the small-sized country, it was not immune to the extensive challenges of commodities-dependent nations; the volatility of currencies, the duplicity of exchange rates, unpredictability in growth patterns, trade shocks, and overhanging possibilities of economic contraction (recession). Contrary to the predictions of reputable economists and political scientists, the country has risen above the foretold ruins by laying a solid block work for continuous improvements in its governing style.

Ethiopia is not exempt from the leanings and revolutions happening in neighboring Rwanda. Ethiopia, Africa’s most populous country after Nigeria, has consistently made movements in the upward trajectory by the transformation of its economy with consistent positive economic growth, transparency and accountability in public office as well as its reinvention of local initiatives aimed at problem-solving.

The stability of Botswana’s democracy, the gross investment in education, and the marked impression it has made in the equalization and creation of a gender balance stand out. Botswana is a landlocked country, with revenue limited to its large diamond deposits, it has defied the predicted odds at independence to grow in leaps and bounds with continuous and progressive leadership, thanks to its status as Africa’s stellar liberal democracy.

At the heart of Africa’s political consolidation is the call to the transparency of governance in its leadership cycles. It is not pleasant to Africans that key index bodies like the Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership and the Transparency International rate Africa’s public leadership consistently low. But the turn of events since the far-sweeping turn of democracy is giving a cause for interest. In the distant past, some of the political developments were far and few, but the growing rise of liberal democracies although punctuated by a few sectional drawbacks is a tinge of joy.

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One of sub-Saharan Africa’s top developmental challenges continues to be the shortage of physical and digital infrastructure. Greater economic activity, enhanced efficiency and increased competitiveness are hampered by inadequate transport, communication, water and energy infrastructure. African markets are difficult to access and navigate largely due to inadequate policies and poor infrastructure. Sub-Saharan Africa ranks at the bottom of all developing regions in virtually all dimensions of infrastructure performance.  According to a report by World Bank, there is evidence to infer a positive relationship between key infrastructure such as energy, internet, road network and per capita GDP growth. This is further substantiated by empirical evidence seen from Ayogu (2007) that roads, power, and telecommunications infrastructure (rather than water and sanitation) have a significant association with long-run growth in Africa.

The World Bank estimates that SSA could achieve up to an annual per capita GDP growth of 2.6% if properly addressed. On average, the 24 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa have spent around 2 percent of GDP annually between 2009 and 2015 to build, rehabilitate, or improve the existing capacity of infrastructure across the main subsectors. The amounts of capital spending appear to be insufficient compared with overall needs, OECD estimates a minimum requirement of 4% globally and argues that developing nations like Nigeria and Ghana may require significantly higher investment to prop up growth.

As long as public spending keeps falling short of required levels true sustainable development can never be achieved and it is becoming increasingly clear that private sector is Africa’s primary engine of growth. Over 700 companies in Africa generate over  USD 500m per annum and collectively generate USD1.2 trillion and in addition it is projected that consumer spending and business will account for over USD 5.6 trillion by 2025. The private sector also generates an estimated 70 percent of Africa’s output, approximately two-thirds of its investment and 90 percent of employment on the continent and yet the tragedy is that intra Africa remains at approximately 20 % compared to over 60% in the EU. Currently participation in cross-border trade is very limited due to tariffs, non-tariff barriers which include complex customs and trade procedures, lack of access to finance, high transportation costs and lack of access to information, among others.

Africa seems to be moving in the right direction through the creation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) positioned to unlock the vast potential of its resources to create wealth and opportunities for the continent.  AfCFTA is the first agreement of its kind to bring together all 55 African countries under a single FTA, with a focus on creating a common market for goods, services and investment and allowing the free movement of persons. The AfCFTA will play a critical role in ensuring that these issues are resolved over time and that through increasing private sector led trade within African countries true economic growth will become a reality. The growth momentum for Africa will be enhanced when bigger economies like Nigeria to resolve their concerns and support the AfCFTA.

This positive development is that this is the closest that Africa has come to having its own customs union and free trade area to boost continent wide trade and cooperation amongst African economies for improved efficiency, productivity, resourcing and competition in each of these African countries. This development is expected to drive private sector activity which will provide a more attractive platform to attract foreign investment in key infrastructure projects – a critical driver for sustainable long run economic development.

Even though the AfCTA should foster freer trade and investment flows, the participating countries and their Governments also need to address behind-the-border barriers that impede the flow of goods and services between parties, encourage investment, enhance cooperation and can address other issues such as intellectual property, e-commerce and government procurement. Other key areas of impact includes enhancing competitiveness, fostering a more dynamic business climate, lower government spending and technology transfer which will help attract foreign investment.

The AfCFTA is a compelling  tool for development in Africa. But it must be wielded by private enterprise so that   businesses, local and international, can benefit from the great opportunities that the continent has to offer, and contribute to its sustainable growth and development.

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Among the dignitaries present are His Excellency John Mahama, immediate past president of Ghana, Her Excellency, Bongi Ngema-Zuma, First lady, Republic of South Africa; Honorable, Abubakar Malami, SAN, Nigeria’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General; Dr., Hon. Soomilduth Sunil Bhola, Minister for Business, Enterprise & Cooperatives; Mr. Rameswuriall Basant Roi, Governor, Central Bank of Mauritius; His Excellency, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, immediate past governor, Kano State, Nigeria and Senator of the Federal Republic; amongst others.

Highlights of the event:
– Panel Discussion to be centered around “How Can Africa win the Progress Race?”
– Unveiling of the Special Edition of the African Leadership Magazine
– Award presentation

Venue:
Sandton Sun Hotel, Johannesburg, South Africa
Date:
23rd February 2017

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The government of Tanzania will set up 90 cervical cancer centres across the country in order to ensure early diagnosis of cervical and breast cancer and treatment of the of the diseases.

World Bank (WB) will be financing the project and has already released 2bn/- to meet the June 2017 completion deadline according to the Daily News.

“We are going to train 180 health experts for these centres. This means we will deploy two of them at each centre,” Tanzania’s Minister for Health, Community Development, Gender, Elders and Children, Ms Ummy Mwalimu, told a press conference

According to Ms. Mwalimu, 70 per cent of the patients in Tanzania go to the Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI) when the disease has already spread on its third or fourth stage. Tanzania is estimated have a record of 50,000 cases of cancer every year and only 11.4 per cent get treatment.

According to World Health Organization Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers in Africa.

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Kenya is world’s least toxic country according ranking by renewable energy firm The Eco Experts by the help of data obtained from the International Energy Agency and World Health Organization (WHO).

In an article published on Newsweek, the east African nation topped a list that takes account of air pollution, energy consumption and renewable energy production.

Middle East countries dominated the most toxic countries with Saudi Arabia leading the pack. The cleanest countries were largely those from Sub-Saharan Africa.

Data released by WHO last year revealed that levels of air pollution had increased by 8 percent between 2009 and 2016. According to its estimates, poor air quality claims the lives of 7 million people every year.

Maria Neira, WHO’s public health chief, said the figures were indicative of a “major, major public health problem,” stressing that public awareness of the issue needed to be raised.

“We have a public health emergency in many countries,” Neira said. “Urban air pollution continues to rise at an alarming rate, wreaking havoc on human health. It’s dramatic, one of the biggest problems we are facing globally, with terrible future costs to society.

“The cost for countries is enormous. Air pollution affects economies and people’s quality of life. It leads to major chronic diseases and to people ultimately dying.”

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Jose Eduardo Dos Santos

Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos confirmed on Friday he will not run in this year’s presidential election, calling an end to almost 38 years as head of state.

He said that he will retain control of the powerful ruling party.

Dos Santos, aged 74, said in March 2016 he would not run in elections due in August but opponents remained suspicious given he had reneged on similar pledges during the nearly four decades he had spent running the country.

Defence Minister Joao Lourenco will be the presidential candidate for the ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), dos Santos said ahead of a party meeting where candidates for the vote will be confirmed.

His inscrutable public demeanour belies his tight control of Angola, a former Portuguese colony where he has overseen an oil-backed economic boom and the reconstruction of infrastructure devastated by a 27-year civil war that ended in 2002.

The MPLA won parliamentary majorities in the three elections since the end of the war. Lourenco, deputy president of the MPLA, is viewed as a dos Santos ally.

Despite its oil wealth, most people live in poverty and critics accuse dos Santos of enriching himself and his associates, including his billionaire daughter, Isabel, named by Forbes as Africa’s richest woman.

Isabel was appointed by her father as head of the state’s oil company Sonangol last year and his son, Jose Filomeno is chairman of Angola’s sovereign wealth fund.

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Ali Ali Hebeish and Professors Felix Dapare Dakora of Egypt and Ghana respectively have been awarded the 2016 African Union Kwame Nkrumah Scientific Award.

The two scientists were presented the $100,000 prize each on Monday at the 28th African Union Summit in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa.

Ghanaian Felix Dapare Dakora is a Plant and Soil Biotechnology Professor at the Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria, South Africa.

Professor Dakora won the award for his work on the interaction between legumes and social micro-organisms allowing bacterium to convert the 78% of nitrogen gas in the atmosphere into forms that plants can use among other benefits.

“Because fertilizers are very expensive, we try to actually identify leguminous species which when associated with the soil bacteria can produce a lot of nitrogen,” he explained at a press conference after receiving the award.

Egyptian Ali Ali Hebeish who is an Emeritus Professor of Textile Chemistry won the award for his contribution to the production of suitable textile fibres for apparels, furnishing and technical purposes like lining water canals and medical threads among others.

81-year-old Professor Emeritus Hebeish has over 360 publications to his credit and accredited with 9 patents and 9 books.

The prestigious award was instituted to raise the profile of the science and technology sector in Africa as a whole and thus contributing to Africa’s sustainable development, poverty alleviation and integration efforts.

Below is a video of the awardees explaining the work they do.

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