?? African Weekly Roundup #11 (November 20–26, 2023)

Welcome to our African Weekly Roundup, where we bring you the most impactful news and deep-dive analysis from across Africa. Here’s a snapshot of the key events from the past week:?

News Highlights ??:?

• ???????? Nov 21, 2023 | Nigeria and Germany sign $500 million renewable energy and gas deal: Nigeria and Germany have signed two agreements, a $500 million renewable energy pact, and a gas export deal, strengthening economic ties. The renewable energy memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Union Bank of Nigeria and Germany's DWS Group aims to attract $500 million in investments for renewable energy projects in Nigeria, particularly in rural areas. Additionally, Riverside LNG of Nigeria and Germany's Johannes Schuetze Energy Import AG signed an MoU on a gas export partnership, with Nigeria set to supply 850,000 tons of natural gas annually to Germany, eventually rising to 1.2 million tons by 2026. The deal will help process about 50 million cubic feet per day of natural gas that would have otherwise been flared. Germany has also committed to investing 4 billion euros in green energy projects in Africa by 2030. Read more on Reuters.
• ???????? Nov 23, 2023 | Mali And Russia signs deal to build West Africa's largest gold refinery | Mali's military government has signed a four-year agreement with Russia to build a gold refinery in the capital, Bamako, capable of processing 200 tonnes of gold annually. Gold is Mali's leading export and a key driver of economic growth, with the project aimed at enabling better control over gold production and ensuring the proper application of taxes and duties, according to Finance Minister Alousséni Sanou. This move follows Mali's efforts to strengthen ties with Russia after a 2021 military coup and the subsequent withdrawal of French forces. Read more on BBC.
• ???? Nov 23, 2023 | Kenya ready to privatise 35 state companies, president announces: Kenya plans to privatize 35 state-owned companies and is considering opening up the capital of 100 others, according to President William Ruto, as the country grapples with liquidity problems and economic challenges exacerbated by the impact of Covid, the war in Ukraine, and a historic drought in the Horn of Africa. The move follows recent IMF recommendations to reform state-owned companies, with the Kenyan president emphasizing the potential for improved services in the private sector, and comes amid efforts to address a significant public debt standing at over 10,100 billion shillings (64.4 billion euros) at the end of June. Read more on Africanews.
• ???? Nov 24, 2023 | Somalia officially joins East Africa trade bloc: Somalia has officially become the eighth member of the East African Community (EAC), joining the regional trade bloc and expanding its market to over 300 million people. Despite potential challenges, such as security concerns and governance issues, Somalia's admission marks a significant step in the EAC's expansion across East Africa. Read more on Aljazeera.
• ???? Nov 25, 2023 | Madagascar’s Andry Rajoelina re-elected after boycotted presidential poll: Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina has been re-elected in a first-round ballot, with nearly all opposition candidates boycotting the election. Rajoelina secured 58.95% of the votes, but the results await validation by the constitutional court, and opposition candidates, citing irregularities and an "illegitimate election," have not recognized the outcome. Read more on The Guardian.

Analysis ??:?

• How is agritech helping to optimize the farming sector? | This World Economic Forum article outlines how agritech, driven by data and technology, is revolutionizing the farming sector in Africa. It highlights the role of private sector innovation, featuring impactful startup cases, and underscores the global shift towards a Fourth Industrial Revolution in agritech. The insights provided by industry experts and the showcased use cases demonstrate the immense potential for data and technology adoption, offering a comprehensive view of how these advancements can address challenges, optimize agricultural practices, and create a sustainable ecosystem benefiting farmers, retailers, and consumers. Read the full article on the World Economic Forum.
• 5 of the coolest innovations I saw in Senegal | ?Bill Gates recently shared his experiences from a trip to Senegal, a country that has made significant strides in improving the health of its people through community-led care and smart policymaking. During his visit, Gates had the opportunity to explore the groundbreaking innovations taking place in the country, particularly in the field of health and science. Read more on Gates Notes to discover five of the coolest innovations he encountered.?

Upcoming Events ??: ?

November 27-29, 2023

• 11th Edition of the African Humanitarian Symposium | The Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development of the African Union Commission (AUC) will host the Eleventh Session of the AU Annual Humanitarian Symposium on 27 – 29 November 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya under the theme “Advancing Effective and Inclusive Humanitarian Action in Africa. The symposium will focus on strategic approaches to advancing effective and inclusive humanitarian action in Africa, in accordance with the collective commitments of the African Union Member States as encapsulated in the 2016 Common African Position on Humanitarian Effectiveness (CAP), the 2022 Malabo Declaration and the Global Compact on Refugees. The establishment of the African Humanitarian Agency as Africa’s Institutional pillar in responding to forced displacements and disasters on the continent gives effect to the centrality of African States in humanitarian action on the continent and marks a significant development in shaping Africa’s Humanitarian Agenda and Architecture.

.

??? Which story do you think will have the biggest impact on the continent in the weeks and months to come? Feel free to share your insights in the comments below. ??