Africa's eyes on Trump vs Harris

Africa's eyes on Trump vs Harris

Only the tiniest proportion of voters across the US will be voting for Kamala Harris or Donald Trump on the basis of policy towards Africa, but what happens in next week's election remains of major continental significance. Fortunately, neither candidate is totally unknown.?

In March and April 2023 Vice President Harris visited Tanzania, Zambia, and Ghana, where she launched an initiative to extend digital access to 100 million individuals and businesses. A continuation of the policies of President Joe Biden is the most likely outcome should she prevail. Biden has prioritised commercial ties, including calling for the reauthorisation and modernisation of the tariff-free African Growth and Opportunity Act and talking up the Lobito Corridor.?

Donald Trump requires no introduction. His first term was marred by labelling some African countries as “sh*tholes”. His attempts to limit Muslim immigration into the US discriminated against several African nations. Yet he launched the $60bn Development Finance Corporation, and the return of his transactional approach may please some African leaders. But his promises to double down on tariffs are sure to alarm others.

BUSINESS BRIEFS

TELCO TROUBLE | Nigerian telcos companies were among the worst hit when President Bola Tinubu liberalised the foreign exchange market, resulting in a massive devaluation of the naira. Can the sector recover? >> Read more

HANDOVER HECKLED | The UK seems to believe that transferring sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius will make it more likely that African countries will back its foreign policy goals. Others think that is na?ve. >> Read more

CULTURE OF CREATIVITY |?At the recent CANEX WKND in Algiers, Afreximbank announced that it would double the funds it deploys across Africa's creative sector. >> Read more

CONSERVATION CONVERSATION | While many nations have made strides in developing national targets aligned with the Global Biodiversity Framework, the pace at which African countries are domesticating these targets and incorporating them into national policies has been inconsistent. >> Read more

STAR INTERVIEW

‘We can create 100 million jobs in Africa by exporting talent’

Interview with: Fred Swaniker

Fred Swaniker ’s African Leadership Group aims to train up to five million Africans for the modern workplace by 2035, he tells Omar Ben Yedder. >> Read more

In partnership with African Development Institute of the African Development Bank Group

Ireland’s President Michael D. Higgins to Deliver 2024 Kofi Annan Eminent Speakers’ Lecture

07 November 2024, 14:00 – 16:00 GMT

The theme of the lecture is “Issues for Structural Transformation, Inclusive Economy and Sustainable Development in Africa: Achieving Food Security through Globalisation ‘from Below’”. The event will also feature the President and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group, Dr Akinwumi A. Adesina, and the Bank’s Chief Economist and Vice President for Economic Governance and Knowledge Management, Professor KEVIN CHIKA URAMA .?>> Find out more

GUEST INSIGHT

African transparency reforms are working – but there’s more to do

By: Favour Ime

Governments have implemented new anti-corruption measures. With further leadership, these efforts could be even more impactful, says Open Ownership's Favour Ime. >> Read more

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