Hustler delegation

Hello readers ????

A luxury jet, an entourage of Kenya’s leading lights, and surprise meetings with sport legends…President William Ruto landed in Washington DC with a flourish, the first state visit by an African president in 16 years. While Ruto has a jam-packed schedule of partnership announcements and site visits, all eyes – and ears – will be on the outcome of talks with US President Biden. Discussions will focus on Africa’s debt burden, strengthening trade, and promoting security – particularly the Kenyan-led mission to Haiti, of which the US is a major funder. Ruto is also set to meet with a congressional delegation, and to call for the extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act. His high-profile visit comes against a backdrop of discontent back home, with plans for additional taxes set to worsen the cost of living crisis. Biden, meanwhile, had promised to make a visit to the continent in 2023 – following up on his US-Africa Leaders Summit – but the trip failed to materialise, positioning Ruto as a continental envoy.

Yours in whirlwind itineraries,

AP editorial team

?? 32 billion

The installation of new submarine cables across Africa is projected to increase international internet bandwidth sixfold between 2022-2027, according to the IFC. By boosting internet access and driving down costs, these dynamics promise to generate up to USD 32 billion of fresh investment on the continent over the next five years.?

?? Improving foundational learning in Zambia

Africa is experiencing a learning crisis, with the vast majority of children completing primary education without developing reading proficiency. Across sub-Saharan Africa, the World Bank estimates 86.3% of children suffer from learning poverty, while in Zambia, this stands at a staggering 98.5%. Associate Consultant Fulufhelo Ramathikhithi examines Zambia’s approach to closing this gap and ensuring children reach their full potential.

???? Court conclusion

South Africa’s Constitutional Court ruled on Monday that former president Jacob Zuma is ineligible to run as a parliamentary candidate for uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK). The constitution disallows anyone convicted and sentenced to more than 12 months imprisonment from serving in the National Assembly, but Zuma was handed a 15-month jail sentence for contempt of court in 2021. Zuma is also barred from running for president, having already served two terms. Confusingly for voters, his picture will remain on the ballot paper as the face of MK. This leaves the MK party short of candidates to fill elected leadership positions after party founder Jabulani Khumalo was unceremoniously expelled by Zuma in April. Undeterred by the court’s decision, MK claims it is seeking a two-thirds majority, which would allow it to amend and circumvent the constitution. Polling reveals that this remains a pipe dream, although the party is expected to perform well in KwaZulu-Natal, Zuma’s home province.?

???? Foiled coup

A coup attempt against Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi was foiled in the early hours of Sunday morning. Led by Christian Malanga, a politician and former military captain exiled in the US, a group of around 50 assailants, including three US nationals, occupied the presidential building before the operation was ultimately thwarted. Malanga was killed by security forces alongside a few other members of his entourage as they resisted arrest. His son, Marcel Malanga, and business partner, Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun, both US nationals, were arrested. President Tshisekedi’s whereabouts at the time of the attack have not been disclosed, but according to the government, Malanga’s forces also attempted to attack the residences of key political players, including former deputy prime ministers Vital Kamerhe and Jean-Pierre Bemba, and the new Prime Minister Judith Suminwa.

???? Ghana go-slow

Ghana’s parliament reconvened for the first time since it was adjourned in March after a dispute over President Nana Akufo-Addo’s handling of the anti-LGBTQ+ bill. Although the bill was unanimously passed by lawmakers in February, Akufo-Addo has withheld presidential assent until the Supreme Court rules on two legal challenges to the bill – a move widely seen as deferring the issue until after elections in December. The Supreme Court has postponed the hearings without setting a new date, after instructing the plaintiffs to amend their motions due to the use of inappropriate language. In a somewhat ironic move, one of the first actions taken by parliament upon reconvening was the approval of a USD 150 million loan agreement from the World Bank, part of a finance package that the finance ministry cautioned may be jeopardised if the anti-LGBTQ+ bill becomes law.

???? ???? Border bonds

Kenya and Uganda signed a series of agreements in the past week. Notably, Uganda will now import refined petroleum products through Kenya. This rectifies Uganda's legal action against Kenya at the East Africa Court of Justice over Kenya's previous denial of access to its infrastructure for importing petroleum products. Additionally, Presidents William Ruto of Kenya and Yoweri Museveni of Uganda signed agreements across various sectors, including youth affairs, sports, education, and gender equality. The two heads of state also affirmed their dedication to regional peace and security, expressing concern over the drawdown of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia, and urging withdrawal timelines more closely aligned with Somalia's security situation. As per the United Nations Security Council roadmap, 4,000 ATMIS troops will depart Somalia by the end of June, despite concerns over potential territorial gains by Al Shabaab.?

??Champions League

The first leg of the African Champions League Final ended in a 0-0 stalemate between Tunisian club ES Tunis and 11-time continental champions Al Ahly from Egypt. Played in Tunis at the Hammadi Agrebi Stadium, the game was not much of a spectacle, and only saw one shot on target as both defences reigned supreme. However, ahead of the game, attention was drawn to a tifo created by ES Tunis fans in support of Palestine, and acknowledging other clubs whose fan bases have shown similar solidarity. This continued a deep-rooted tradition of using sports to express political solidarity. The second leg, now finely balanced, will be held in Cairo on 25 May, where ES Tunis will be looking to win its fifth title, while Al Ahly will be looking to win its twelfth.

???AfDB Annual Meetings

The African Development Bank’s 59th Annual Meetings will take place from 27-31 May in Nairobi, with Africa Practice’s Managing Director for East Africa, Richard Kiplagat, in attendance. The meetings will convene the bank’s shareholders, development agencies and NGOs to debate changes to the global financial architecture and consider how to promote structural transformation. The meetings will also enable aspiring candidates for the presidency of the bank to outline their agendas ahead of applications formally opening in September.

?? Kinjani's (ad)Venture Builder Programme

Kinjani aims to attract talent from across sub-Saharan Africa to address climate-related pain points within six key industries: food, water, restorative mining, urbanisation, materials and oceans. The programme brings together entrepreneurs with technical, commercial or operational experience, helping them build scalable and profitable climate-positive businesses. Deadline is 31 May.

?? Bald Dandelions With Their Wishes Blown Clean Off

An anthology of ten stories from East Africa, Bald Dandelions highlights a new generation of African voices that revisit old themes in radical and experimental ways. Engaging with ideas of family, rebellion against tradition, and domestic violence, this anthology illuminates and enacts the unbound commonality of African lives in spite of exaggerated national boundaries.

??Tiwa Savage – Gara featuring. Ayra Starr

This year, Afrobeats artist Tiwa Savage has added actress and executive producer to her résumé with her debut in Water and Garri. Teaming up with Amazon Prime, she transformed her concept for a visual album based on her 2021 EP into a full-fledged film. The film comes with a 10-song soundtrack featuring both her longtime collaborators and rising stars taking the African continent by storm. Notably, the song "Gara" boasts the talents of Arya Starr, the breakout star from "Rush."? Produced by Blaise Beatz, the track blends Tiwa Savage's signature Afrobeats sound with the driving drums popular in Amapiano.?

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