Small businesses in Livingstone, the country’s top tourism destination, can now benefit from the ITC ecomConnect Learning Programme’s suite of digital tools and training.

The programme, a collaboration between the International Trade Centre (ITC) and Absa Bank Zambia Plc, aims to unlock the potential of online business for growing trade.

‘The initiative represents a significant milestone in our efforts to foster economic development and empower our local entrepreneurs,’ Livingstone Mayor Constance Muleabai said at the launch on 14 March.

‘Our city is also home to a vibrant community of small and medium enterprises striving to succeed in an increasingly digital world,’ she said. ‘Today we take a bold step forward in supporting these businesses on their journey towards ecommerce excellence.’

The new hub will offer free access to a mix of online and offline resources:

Dedicated e-learning platform with self-driven training tailored to Zambian needs
Online support to get first-hand advice and feedback from the experts.
E-commerce focus groups, technical workshops and webinars to share knowledge about e-commerce topics.
Free access to e-learning materials and ITC’s e-commerce tools
Benefits ITC’s partnerships with local and international marketplaces such as eBay and Novica, and logistics and payment providers like DHL and Payoneer, to access additional capacity building, technical support and preferential rates.

‘The focus we have in this hub is really to drive business enablement, business linkages, and linkages to finance for small and medium enterprises,’ said Owen Malambo, Director of Digital and Technology at Absa Bank Zambia. ‘This would include startups, and any businesses already existing.’

The new programme in Zambia forms part of ITC’s Digital Moonshot, a cross-cutting effort to make sure that small businesses in developing countries can reap the benefits of the digital economy.

‘Our ultimate goal is for these hubs to become self-sufficient and diversify their income streams,’ said Daniel Chileshe, ITC’s Digital Moonshot Lead in Zambia. ‘Following this event, we will be launching a call for applications for businesses to participate in a five-month e-commerce programme.’

The selected businesses will receive free training, backed by in-person consultancy from ITC to ensure they complete the programme and can access additional resources.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Trade Centre.

Angola’s push towards economic diversification and privatization has opened up opportunities for foreign investors, and Brazil has emerged as a highly strategic partner owing to its expertise in the oil and gas industry. Brazil’s trade with Africa surged by 33.7% in 2022, reaching nearly $21.5 billion, up from $15.9 billion in 2021. This increase presents an opportunity for Angola to deepen its economic ties with Brazil as the country aims to increase oil production while diversifying its economy.

Last year, Angolan President Joao Lourenço and Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva convened at the presidential Palace in Luanda. The meeting resulted in the signing of seven memoranda of understanding across various sectors, including tourism, health, and agriculture, showcasing a mutual dedication to strengthening bilateral collaboration. As the Angola Oil&Gas (AOG) 2024 conference draws near, the event presents an opportunity for both nations to expand their strategic partnership within the oil and gas sector.

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AOG is the largest oil and gas event in Angola. Taking place with the full support of the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas; national oil company Sonangol; the National Oil, Gas and Biofuels Agency; the African Energy Chamber; and the Petroleum Derivatives Regulatory Institute, the event is a platform to sign deals and advance Angola’s oil and gas industry. From October 2-4, AOG unites global capital and technology providers with Angolan government and companies towards a common goal of establishing Angola as the hub of the future. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com

Mutually-Beneficial Investment Opportunities

Angola boasts estimated proven reserves of 9 billion barrels of crude oil and 11 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. Currently producing approximately 1.18 million barrels per day (bpd), the petroleum industry plays a pivotal role in Angola’s economy, contributing nearly 75% of its revenues. Additionally, Angola yields an estimated 17.9 billion cubic feet of natural gas annually from associated oil production.

Meanwhile, Brazil, Latin America’s top oil producer, witnessed a surge in crude oil production in 2023, reaching 3.4 million bpd. Most notably, Brazil’s national oil company and the country’s largest oil and gas producer Petrobras, accounted for 87% of oil production and 91% of gas production in December 2023. Brazil also possesses the largest recoverable ultra-deep oil reserves globally, with 97.6% of its oil production occurring offshore, highlighting its expertise in offshore drilling. This expertise in upstream developments, technology, and industry practices highlights a strategic opportunity for Brazil to support Angola’s major upstream projects.  

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As part of a six-year licensing round initiated in 2019, Angola concluded a 12-block tender in January 2024 and is now finalizing production sharing negotiations in preparation for its next oil and gas licensing round – set to launch in 2025. Meanwhile, Brazil’s recent oil and gas licensing rounds highlighted the Pelotas basin’s emergence as a new exploration frontier. Petrobras, in partnership with Shell and CNOOC, secured assets in the basin. As such, both nations are witnessing a surge in exploration activities and opportunities in mature and high-potential basins, signaling an opportunity for mutual partnerships.

As Angola seeks to leverage its resources for economic growth, the African Development Bank (AfDB) called for enhanced cooperation with Brazil through the multi-partner Lusophone Compact in November. Launched in December 2018, this initiative involves the AfDB Group, Portugal, and the six Portuguese-speaking Countries in Africa – Angola, Cabo Verde, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Mozambique, and Sao Tome e Prinipe. The Lusophone Compact presents an opportunity for Brazilian private investors to explore partnerships and contribute to the economic development of Angola and other Lusophone nations.

Transcending Oil and Gas Opportunities

Opportunities for bilateral collaboration transcend the oil and gas industry. In the aviation sector, TAAG Angola Airlines is enhancing connectivity between Luanda and São Paulo by increasing weekly flights from four to six. This move not only meets growing market demand but also strengthens ties between the two Portuguese-speaking nations. The codeshare agreement between TAAG Angola Airlines and GOL Airlines further facilitates smoother travel options for passengers, positioning Luanda and São Paulo as connection hubs between South America, Africa, and Europe.

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In addition to Brazil’s strategic ventures in Angola, Angola is reciprocating with significant investments in Brazil’s telecommunications sector. Angola Cables has announced plans to construct a second data center in Fortaleza, Brazil, with an investment of up to $80 million. The expansion aims to establish Ceará as the company’s hub in the Americas, leveraging its expertise and infrastructure to enhance telecommunications and information technology markets in the region. The project is scheduled to commence in the second half of this year and conclude by 2025.

Brazil’s expanding trade relations with Africa and strategic investments in various industries present Brazilian investors, government, and companies with an opportunity to participate in collaborative ventures and contribute to the Angola’s economic development at AOG 2024. Scheduled to take place in Luanda from 2-4 October under the theme Driving Exploration and Development Towards Increased Production in Angola, AOG offers a platform for stakeholders to engage and explore potential partnerships in Angola’s oil and gas sector.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&Power.

The Director General of the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) for East Africa, Nnenna Nwabufo, has expressed satisfaction with the implementation of projects funded by the Bank in Burundi.

During her four-day visit to the East African nation between March 18-21, Ms Nwabufo assessed the progress of projects supported by the Bank, including the East African Nutritional Sciences Institute (EANSI), which has received over $9 million from the African Development Bank. She was joined by the Burundian Minister of Education and Scientific Research, François Havyarimana.

Nwabufo remarked, “The buildings have been properly renovated, the laboratories (microbiological, food and medical) are well equipped, and the students are actively engaged in their courses.” She lauded the involvement of the Burundian Ministry of Education in implementing this innovative project aimed at benefiting countries in the East African Community.

Currently, 129 students from Burundi, Tanzania, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are pursuing specialized courses in nutrition and food processing.

Minister Havyarimana expressed satisfaction with Burundi hosting a sub-regional center of excellence, which is contributing to the country’s acquisition of highly specialized skills. He emphasized, “The project is clear evidence of the African Development Bank’s commitment to sustainable development through promoting quality education.”

Nwabufo also inspected the mordernization works at the Port of Bujumbura, co-funded by the African Development Bank and the European Union with $48.93 million. Her delegation observed with concern about the rising water levels in Lake Tanganyika, attributed to climate change. She pledged support for initiatives to mitigate potential damages.

Engaging with representatives of the Burundian private sector, Nwabufo commended their commitment to the country’s socio-economic development. She announced plans to dispatch a special mission by year-end to assess needs, make recommendations and outline how the Bank could support the private sector in Burundi.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Media contact:
Communication and External Relations Department
medias@afdb.org

As South Sudan struggles to overcome a yellow fever outbreak, a measles crisis is mounting in Western Equatoria state; We urge health authorities and WHO to launch an immediate vaccination campaign to prevent further spread of the disease; We call for increased efforts to raise community awareness about the diseases and to adopt best practices to stop them from spreading.

A measles crisis is mounting in South Sudan’s Western Equatoria state, just as health authorities struggle to overcome a yellow fever outbreak. Since February, seven deaths among children under five and 460 cases have been recorded as of 24 March in three health facilities in Yambio and Nzara counties; 90 per cent of these children had never been vaccinated against the disease.

With measles cases on the rise and vaccination coverage alarmingly low, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) urges health authorities and the World Health Organization (WHO) to launch an immediate vaccination campaign to prevent the disease from spreading further.

“When my child fell sick, he was having high fever, diarrhoea and cough. While at home, I gave him paracetamol but there was no improvement,’’ says Victoria John, mother of one-and-half-year-old Mark Emmanuel, who has measles. “We then brought him to the MSF facility where he received treatment for three days. If I didn’t come to the facility, I know my child was going to die.’’ 

Measles has become a persistent emergency in South Sudan, with recurring outbreaks challenging healthcare systems and endangering communities. More than 12,000 cases have been recorded this year; more than 400 cases were recorded last week alone.

To respond to this emergency, MSF teams are treating measles in Gangura and Sakure health centres, as well as at Yambio State hospital, all located in Nzara and Yambio counties. We will increase the number of beds for measles patients from 32 to 40 due to the rapidly increasing number of cases. MSF teams are also screening children within the communities for potential measles symptoms and to refer them to health facilities if needed.

Twenty per cent of children treated for measles at MSF-supported facilities are over the age of five. This highlights the need for a reactive vaccination campaign to reach this group of older children who did not receive measles vaccinations as part of the existing expanded immunisation programme.

The measles outbreak is a double blow for a region still struggling to deal with yellow fever after the most recent outbreak – the fourth in just six years – was declared by health authorities in December 2023. As of mid-March, 81 cases of yellow fever and six deaths have been recorded.

The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with WHO, launched a yellow fever vaccination campaign, immunising around 357,000 people across three counties of Western Equatoria state. The campaign resulted in a reduction in the numbers of suspected and confirmed cases – a testament to the efficacy of mass vaccination campaigns.

“Large-scale vaccination campaigns are vital, both in Western Equatoria state and Northern Bahr el Ghazal state where the current measles outbreaks are ongoing, to halt further spread of the disease and prevent any more outbreaks,” says Zakaria Mwatia, MSF head of mission. “South Sudan’s fragile health system cannot bear the burden of recurrent outbreaks.” 

Low vaccination coverage in South Sudan has a significant impact on communities, particularly children, who are highly vulnerable to diseases such as measles, which can lead to serious health complications and deaths. 

Given the gravity of the health threats posed by both measles and yellow fever, MSF calls for increased efforts to raise community awareness about the diseases and to adopt best practices to stop them from spreading. 

“It is imperative that the Ministry of Health and other health organisations, including WHO, intensify their efforts to expand vaccination coverage across the country and especially those areas most prone to disease outbreaks,” says Mwatia.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Médecins sans frontières (MSF).