Major International Business Headlines Brief::: 27 February 2025

Thu Feb 27 11:06:58 CAT 2025

 <https://bullszimbabwe.com/> 

 <http://www.bullszimbabwe.com> Bullszimbabwe.com
<mailto:info at bulls.co.zw?subject=View%20and%20Comments> Views & Comments
<https://bullszimbabwe.com/category/blogs/bullish-thoughts/> Bullish
Thoughts        <http://www.twitter.com/BullsBears2010> Twitter
<https://www.facebook.com/BullsBearsZimbabwe> Facebook
<http://www.linkedin.com/pub/bulls-n-bears-zimbabwe/57/577/72> LinkedIn
<https://chat.whatsapp.com/CF6wllAfScU9Wr6dXxoQnO> WhatsApp
<mailto:bulls at bullszimbabwe.com?subject=Unsubscribe> Unsubscribe

Major International Business Headlines Brief:::  27 February 2025 

 <mailto:info at bulls.co.zw> 

ü  Kenya: Nairobi Medics to Down Tools Thursday to Protest 'Chronic' Salary
Delays

ü  South Africa: 15 Million South Africans Don't Get Enough to Eat Every Day
- 4 Solutions

ü  Liberia: Key Boakai Ally Urges President to Take Bold Action for Economic
Growth

ü  Africa: Regional Networks to Strengthen Africa's Vaccine and Health
Products Manufacturing Workforce

ü  Malawi: 'Malawi in Crisis - Government Fails to Manage Economy,' Says
Rev. Baxton Maulidi

ü  Ethiopia: Sea Access Equals Riparian Rights - Expert

ü  Africa: Unlocking Africa's Full Oil Potential, Utmost Priority for Opec -
Secretary General

ü  West Africa: AfCFTA and the Alliance of Sahel States

ü  Kenya: BD East Africa, Safaricom to Compensate Ex-Staff Over Privacy
Breach

ü  Liberia: Minister Bangalu Inspects Youth Agriculture Training Center
Renovation Work

ü            Liberia: Minister Bangalu Inspects Youth Agriculture Training
Center Renovation Work

ü  Instagram may launch separate Reels app to take on TikTok - report

ü  Nvidia says AI chip sales strong despite DeepSeek fears

ü  Musk, tariffs and tensions - takeaways from Trump's first cabinet meeting

ü  Trump says 25% tariffs on EU will be announced soon

 <mailto:info at bulls.co.zw> 

Kenya: Nairobi Medics to Down Tools Thursday to Protest 'Chronic' Salary
Delays

Nairobi — The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has
announced a planned strike across Nairobi City County from Thursday to
protest salary delays and stalled promotions.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, KMPDU said the strike is in response to
salary delays, unpaid gratuities, and delayed confirmation letters.

"Strike notice: All Nairobi County doctors will down their tools at midnight
on February 27 due to illegal salary stoppages and dismissals, chronic
salary delays, stalled promotions, unpaid gratuities, and delayed
confirmation letters," the union stated.

KMPDU said doctors had no choice but to protest over what the union termed
as deliberate incapacitation.

"For quality healthcare, doctors must [be] valued, supported, and empowered
to serve," the statement added.

The strike follows a 30-day notice issued by KMPDU Secretary General Davji
Atellah demanding the resolution of salary payments.

Fresh standoff

Further, KMPDU warned on weekly protests should the Ministry of Health fail
to resolve its demands on the posting of medical interns within a month.

"We are giving the government 30 days to solve this issue of payment and the
posting of medical interns. Otherwise, on March 18, 2025, we will start a
series of weekly demonstrations," Atellah warned.

The renewed standoff came after a video surfaced of Health Cabinet Secretary
Deborah Barasa saying the government would paythe new cohort of medical
interns Sh70,000 instead of Sh206,000 agreed upon in the 2017 Collective
Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

She was speaking at the Health Summit 2025 at Deputy President Kithure
Kindiki's Karen residence on Monday, February 17.

"During our meeting in November/December, we talked about Sh206,000, but for
the new cohort, we're talking about Sh70,000, and so negotiations will start
to ensure that this is implemented," Barasa stated.

Atellah, responding via his official X account, warned that tampering with
doctors' salaries would have serious consequences.

"Anytime you touch our salaries, you are inadvertently giving yourselves a
strike notice as the government. CS Barasa, consider it served," he wrote.

Capital FM.

South Africa: 15 Million South Africans Don't Get Enough to Eat Every Day -
4 Solutions

At least 15 million South Africans suffer from food insecurity. That means
they don't have enough nutritious food to live healthy lives.

This is due to a combination of factors, including unemployment, poverty,
inequality and food system failures.

More than 1,000 children die from malnutrition each year. This compares
unfavourably with 350 child deaths from malnutrition in Brazil, which has
more than three times South Africa's population, and 269 child deaths in
Colombia, which has about the same per capita income as South Africa.

A robust indicator of chronic hunger is child stunting. Stunting in South
Africa has flatlined at around 25%, or one in four children, since the early
1990s. Other middle-income countries such as Brazil and Peru have made
impressive progress. Peru halved its rate from 28% in 2008 to 13% in 2016,
after the president committed to reducing stunting.

Read more: South Africa's hunger problem is turning into a major health
crisis

How can South Africa's government deliver on the right to food and begin the
urgent process of eradicating hunger?

We have worked on food security and food justice for many years. We've
researched the links between social protection and hunger and between food
systems and nutrition, and the cost of hunger.

Based on this experience, our view is that food shortages are not a cause of
hunger in South Africa. The country produces and imports all the food it
needs. Instead, the problem is unequal access to food. While some South
Africans live in a world of abundance, with no budget constraints, millions
more survive below the food poverty line, unable to afford even a basic
nutritious diet for their families.

We believe that the government must deliver on the constitutional right to
food and begin the urgent process of eradicating hunger. It can do this by
expanding the social grant system, extending the school nutrition programme,
reducing food waste, and ensuring access to land for low-income rural and
peri-urban households.

Above all, a coherent and coordinated strategy for tackling hunger is
needed, led by a minister of food, following models like Brazil's Zero
Hunger initiative. In December 2024, Brazil handed over the G20 presidency
to South Africa, after it launched the Global Alliance Against Hunger and
Poverty. South Africa should embrace the embrace the spirit and focus of the
alliance to develop its own Zero Hunger strategy.

Four steps to end hunger

The South African government pays out 19 million social grants a month, or
26 million if the 9 million recipients of the special social relief of
distress grant are included. Without these cash transfers, poverty and
malnutrition in the country would be even higher. But they are inadequate,
especially in a context of high and rising food prices.

Read more: South Africa's fight against extreme poverty needs a new strategy
- model shows how social grants could work

Firstly, the following changes should be made to social grant payments.

An immediate increase in the child support grant, followed by further
increases. The goal should be to get this grant, which is currently below
the food poverty line at R530 a month (US$28), to R1,634 (US$34). This is
the minimum amount of money needed to meet basic needs, including nutritious
food, clothing and shelter.

Pregnant women should receive a maternal support grant from 12 weeks of
pregnancy, to reduce the risk of low birth weight.

Social grants should increase to match inflation every year.

Secondly, the National School Nutrition Programme, which provides one
nutritious meal to all learners in poorer primary and secondary schools, has
limited impact because meals are provided only on weekdays during school
terms.

The programme should be boosted in the following ways:

The Department of Basic Education must deliver adequate nutrition to all
children in early learning programmes, all year round.

Programmes for school-age children should be extended to ensure that they
all receive at least one nutritious meal every day, including on weekends
and school holidays.

Adequate funding should be given to school food gardens and nutrition
education. Moreover, the national school nutrition programme starts too late
to address under-5 stunting. It only begins when children enter grade R,
aged 5.

Read more: Malnutrition in South Africa: how one community wants resources
to be spent

Thirdly, interventions are needed in the food system.

Prices of essential food items should be regulated, to keep them affordable
for low-income South Africans and to encourage shifts in consumption choices
towards healthier, more nutritious diets.

Positive dietary choices can also be promoted through the use of subsidies,
discounts or vouchers on "best buy" foods, either for all consumers or for
shoppers receiving social grants. They could be given vouchers for
nutritious food items along with their cash transfers. Food subsidies or
vouchers must include foods that are protein-rich (meat, fish, eggs, dairy),
since protein is highly inaccessible to the poor.

Read more: How do people choose what food to buy? Answers depend on what you
ask - so we built a research tool for African countries

Government must extend social security protections to seasonal and informal
workers during periods of unemployment and underemployment. Seasonal hunger
requires specific attention. Seasonal farm workers - most of whom are women
- have low incomes, few savings, and limited access to unemployment
insurance. They face food insecurity and hunger during the off-season winter
months.

The government's land redistribution programme should prioritise securing
access to land for poor agrarian or peri-urban households, and providing
support (water, inputs, extension advice) to farm that land. This would help
vulnerable groups which derive most of their food from production.

Agrarian households (smallholder farmers, farm workers, farm dwellers) are
poorer and more food insecure, especially the female-headed households who
survive below the food poverty line. When farm women with food gardens have
direct access to fresh vegetables, their dietary diversity improves, and
they earn income by selling produce to meet their basic needs.

Lastly, steps must be take to reduce loss and waste in the food system.

A third of food produced in South Africa, 10 million of 31 million tons,
goes to waste each year. This is equivalent to 30 billion meals, in a
context where an estimated 20 billion meals would be enough to end hunger.
The government has committed to halving food waste by 2030, in its draft
food losses and waste strategy of 2023. It must be finalised and
operationalised.

Next steps

These interventions would cost money. And the government will argue that it
is doing all it can to address hunger with the resources available.

There are many options for raising additional resources to address the
hunger crisis - as seen when the government found R500 billion (US$33
billion) to address the COVID-19 crisis in 2020.

The government should also consider raising additional revenue by
introducing a wealth tax targeting high-net-worth individuals. This could be
used to increase social grants or subsidise nutritious foods.

Read more: Urban food gardens produce more than vegetables, they create
bonds for young Capetonians - study

Finally, government needs to tackle hunger in a coordinated way. Several
government departments, including agriculture, social development and
health, address issues related to food security. However, no government
ministry focuses specifically on hunger.

The president should appoint a minister of food to address the hunger crisis
along the lines of the special minister of electricity position established
in 2023 to deal with the country's energy supply problem.

Read more: South Africa needs to change direction on maternal health to
solve child malnutrition

At the same time, a national food commission should be established, to
monitor and coordinate all initiatives that focus on the goal of eradicating
hunger.

The government should be guided by the priorities set down by a new
coalition - the Union Against Hunger - which is due to be launched on 26
February. The initiative is a coalition of civil society organisations and
academics (the authors are among the founding members). It has compiled a
list of 10 demands that reflect our analysis of the causes of hunger and
recommended solutions. They include realising everyone's constitutional
right to food, halving child stunting by 2030 and making nutritious food
accessible to all.

Liberia: Key Boakai Ally Urges President to Take Bold Action for Economic
Growth

Monrovia — Senator James Biney has called on President Joseph Boakai to
"develop the spine to lead" amid mounting controversy over the reappearance
of US$374,000 allocated to the Turkish company Karpower in the national
budget for the 2025 fiscal year.

This comes after a heated debate in the Senate over the allocation of funds
for Karpower, a company involved in providing floating power plants.

Members of the Senate had previously removed this amount from the 2024
budget during the recast, but it was found to have resurfaced in the 2025
budget under the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC).

This has raised serious concerns about transparency and accountability,
especially since the government had earlier rejected the deal with Karpower.

Senator Biney expressed disappointment with President Boakai's leadership,
stating that the country has been far too reliant on foreign aid, which he
believes is an unsustainable strategy for Liberia's economic growth.

"It is dangerous for Liberia to depend on foreign aid to generate revenue
for development," Biney said. "We need innovative ways to increase our
revenue, but the government must be willing to face challenges head-on."

Biney, who supported President Boakai in his quest for leadership, added
that Boakai must show the resolve to address Liberia's revenue-generation
challenges. He cited the underperformance of the forestry sector, where he
said international partners now control much of the revenue, and the
stagnation in Liberia's energy sector, particularly the import of plywood
despite the country's vast rainforests.

The senator emphasized that Liberia should be exporting logs instead of
importing plywood, asserting that with strong leadership, the country could
maximize its natural resources to generate revenue, create jobs, and
increase the value of its currency.

He called on President Boakai to demonstrate a stronger will to stand up
against exploitative practices and take control of the country's sectors,
particularly logging, which should be a key revenue driver.

Additionally, Biney pointed out that the Port of Harper has not been dredged
for over 20 years, and foreign interests continue to profit from Liberia's
iron ore sector, providing the country with minimal benefits. "For too long,
leaders have failed to develop the spine to stand against these practices,"
Biney said, adding that it is time for President Boakai to step up and
demonstrate strong leadership.

"What we need is leadership with the courage and determination to move this
country forward," he stated.

Meanwhile, Senator Gbleh-bo Brown of Maryland County raised further
questions about the handling of the Karpower allocation, stating that the
Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) had kept the funds in
the budget despite the Senate's removal of the allocation. He called for a
thorough investigation into how the funds were used.

Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Samuel D. Ngafuan, responded
by clarifying that the money for Karpower had not been spent, asserting that
the budget contains appropriations intended for various projects, which are
adjusted as necessary throughout the year.

However, Senator Brown rejected this explanation, calling it a form of
deception. He demanded transparency, pointing to the allocation's
mismanagement and calling for accountability.

As the debate over the Karpower allocation continues, many are now
questioning the priorities of the Boakai administration. Critics argue that
the government should prioritize resolving outstanding debts, such as the
CLSG debt to Côte d'Ivoire, rather than redirecting funds to a controversial
project like Karpower. Energy analysts also stress the importance of
focusing on sustainable energy solutions that align with Liberia's long-term
development goals.

FrontPageAfrica.

Africa: Regional Networks to Strengthen Africa's Vaccine and Health Products
Manufacturing Workforce

In a move to accelerate Africa's capacity to produce its own vaccines and
other health products, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention
(Africa CDC) has established Regional Capability and Capacity Networks
(RCCNs) to drive skills development, workforce training and R&D.

Africa has set an ambitious goal of manufacturing a significant portion of
its vaccine locally by 2040. This drive has gained momentum through key
decisions made by the African Union Heads of State and Government, including
broadening the Partnerships for African Vaccine Manufacturing (PAVM) mandate
to include the manufacturing of medicines, diagnostics, and other health
products, as well as establishing a Pooled Procurement Mechanism (PPM) for
medical products from African manufacturers.

Since then, the continent has achieved key milestones, including the
establishment of the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA) - a
financing initiative designed to unlock up to $1.2 billion over a decade -
and commitments exceeding $3.5 billion from global donors and development
finance institutions. Notably, the Cairo-based Afreximbank has pledged $2
billion to boost Africa's health product manufacturing sector.

A recent survey by Africa CDC on Africa's manufacturing landscape identified
574 manufacturers across the continent, including 25 dedicated to vaccine
production - 10 of which already have installed capacity. Between 2025 and
2030, three African vaccine manufacturers are expected to produce and secure
World Health Organization (WHO) Prequalification for eight vaccines to
supply the continental market and beyond.

The RCCN Secretariats were officially launched on the sidelines of the 2nd
Vaccines and Other Health Products Manufacturing Forum for African Union
Member States, held in Cairo from 4-6 February 2025.

In his keynote address, Africa CDC Director General, Dr, Jean Kaseya, hailed
the initiative, describing it as a game-changer for workforce development in
biomanufacturing. This announcement marked the completion of a rigorous
selection process to identify leading institutions that will coordinate
efforts in each region:

North Africa: Institut Pasteur du Maroc (IPM) in Morocco and The Unified
Procurement Authority (UPA) in Egypt

East Africa: Africa Biomanufacturing Institute (ABI) in Rwanda

West Africa: Institut Pasteur de Dakar in Senegal

Southern Africa: Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in
South Africa

The initiative was launched in early 2024 with an open call for proposals,
inviting applications from institutions across the African Union regions. A
panel of independent experts conducted reviewed applications, interviewed
shortlisted candidates, and selected institutions based on their technical
expertise, training capacity, and potential for regional impact.

The RCCNs will play a critical role in addressing one of Africa's biggest
bottlenecks: the shortage of skilled professionals in biomanufacturing,
research and development (R&D), and regulatory affairs. These networks will
connect training institutions, manufacturers, R&D organisations, and
national regulatory authorities to establish structured, sustainable
training programs and initiatives that advance Africa's health products
manufacturing sector.

One of the major hurdles has been the lack of hands-on learning
opportunities, such as internships and structured workplace learning, making
it difficult to build a steady pipeline of skilled professionals to sustain
Africa's vaccine industry. Expanding training in biomanufacturing, R&D and
regulatory affairs--aligned with Africa CDC's Vaccine R&D and Vaccine
Manufacturing Competency Frameworks--will be central to the RCCNs' efforts.

According to Dr Chiluba Mwila, Talent Development Lead for Africa CDC's
Platform for Harmonised African Health Manufacturing (PHAHM), the continent
needs to quadruple its current 3,000 vaccine manufacturing and full-time R&D
employees to meet its bold goal of manufacturing 60% of its vaccines
locally.

"Africa faces three main challenges in its effort to develop the required
workforce: insufficient relevant educational programmes, brain drain, and
fragmented funding," said Dr Mwila. "Our strategy directly addresses these
challenges to ensure we produce a world-class workforce that can support the
vaccine manufacturing ecosystem."

However, addressing the skills gap requires a systematic approach to
workforce training- one that not only focuses on technical expertise but
also integrates sustainable business and operational models. Dr Abebe Genetu
Bayih, PHAHM Coordinator, emphasized: "Our goal is to create an enabling
environment where Africa CDC and its partners can support training and
workforce development initiatives in a coordinated and sustainable manner."

Beyond technical expertise, the RCCNs will also foster collaboration between
research institutions and industry players, ensuring that Africa's vaccine
ecosystem is not only well-trained but also innovative and globally
competitive. With the RCCNs now in place, Africa CDC will focus on
operationalising the networks, strengthening institutional capacity, and
scaling up training programmes. This marks a significant step toward
building a self-sufficient, highly skilled workforce capable of driving
Africa's vaccine and health products manufacturing ambitions.

Africa CDC.

Malawi: 'Malawi in Crisis - Government Fails to Manage Economy,' Says Rev.
Baxton Maulidi

Rev. Baxton Maulidi, the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) Economic
Justice & Accountability Champion in Malawi, has strongly criticized the
government's handling of the country's economic challenges, declaring that
Malawi is in crisis due to poor economic management.

Rev. Maulidi's remarks follow a protest today by vendors of second-hand
clothes, or kaunjika, who stormed Parliament in Lilongwe to express
frustration over soaring prices, which have made it difficult for them to
afford bales of clothes to sell. The protest signals a growing public
discontent over the worsening economic situation, and Rev. Maulidi warns
that it is a wake-up call for the government.

"The government has failed to solve the economic crisis, and this protest
should serve as a reminder that something needs to be done immediately,"
Rev. Maulidi said. "The rising inflation and skyrocketing prices of basic
goods are driving people to the edge."

The government's reaction, led by Minister of Trade and Industry Sosten
Gwengwe, has been to revoke the licenses of wholesale traders who supply
second-hand clothes, an action Rev. Maulidi deems a short-sighted, reactive
measure.

"This is like shooting itself in the foot," he argued. "The vendors are the
ones who will suffer because they rely on this business to survive. The
wholesale traders cannot be blamed for raising prices; they are responding
to the scarcity of forex, which is the real issue here."

Minister Gwengwe made the announcement in Parliament today, stating that the
government had revoked the licenses of all wholesale traders dealing in
second-hand clothes, demanding that they cease operations immediately. This
decision followed growing protests from kaunjika vendors who are struggling
to cope with the rising prices.

"We have to take decisive action to address the issues facing vendors, and
we believe this step will bring order to the market," Gwengwe said during
the session.

However, Rev. Maulidi warns that this move will only exacerbate the economic
crisis, as it disrupts the supply chain that vendors depend on. "The
government should have acted proactively to manage the economy long before
it reached this point," he said. "Instead of reactive measures like revoking
licenses, we need concrete, long-term solutions."

Rev. Maulidi calls for the government to develop a clear economic recovery
plan, one that addresses forex shortages, stabilizes prices, and provides
support for local businesses. "Banning kaunjika is not the solution," he
stressed. "The government needs to stop reacting and start addressing the
root causes of the crisis."

As the protest continues outside Parliament, Minister of Local Government
Richard Chimwendo Banda assured vendors that the government would provide
resources to help them continue trading, while Gwengwe pledged to engage
with the vendors' committee to find sustainable solutions.

With the national budget for 2025-2026 currently under discussion in
Parliament, government officials are promising to implement measures aimed
at improving the socio-economic conditions of Malawians, but it remains to
be seen whether these actions will bring tangible relief.

Rev. Maulidi's statement underscores the urgency of the situation, warning
that unless the government takes decisive action to address the root causes
of economic hardship, the crisis will deepen.

Nyasa Times.

Ethiopia: Sea Access Equals Riparian Rights - Expert

ADDIS ABABA — Ethiopia's pursuit of sea access holds the same legitimacy as
the right of lower riparian countries to utilize transboundary river
resources, according to an expert and advisor on transboundary affairs.

In an interview with the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA), the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs' Advisor on Transboundary Resources Ambassador Ibrahim Idris
emphasized Ethiopia's longstanding challenges in ensuring equitable use of
the Nile waters. However, he noted that Ethiopia's negotiating position has
strengthened, providing greater opportunities for fair resource utilization.

Beyond domestic resource management, Ethiopia's call for fair access to
international maritime routes is gradually gaining international
recognition. Dismissing Ethiopia's quest for sea access is baseless, as it
aligns with established international legal principles. "Every country has
the right to sea access," Ambassador Ibrahim underscored.

Referring to some downstream nations' claims over the Nile, he pointed out
that certain countries insist on exclusive rights to a river from which they
contribute nothing, despite facing no threats from upper riparian states.
"Similarly, Ethiopia's right to sea access must be acknowledged as equally
important and as fair as their claim to river resources."

The ambassador also highlighted the necessity of mutual agreements to ensure
the sustainable use of maritime resources, stressing that lower riparian
nations should recognize the importance of cooperation for long-term
benefits.

Meanwhile, he noted that the near-completion of the Abbay Dam is
significantly enhancing Ethiopia's economic stability, which, in turn,
strengthens its negotiating power. "While the dam's completion still
requires continued public financial support, Ethiopia holds a strategic
advantage in water resource utilization," he stated, urging further efforts
to bridge the electricity generation gap.

Ethiopia's global diplomatic influence is closely tied to its internal
stability. "If we maintain national unity, our ability to negotiate
effectively at the international level will improve," he asserted.

According to the dam's construction coordination office, the Abbay Dam's
turbines are exceeding expectations. Unit 6, now operational, is generating
401.26 MW, while Unit 5 is nearing completion, further boosting Ethiopia's
power production capacity.

Ethiopian Herald.

Africa: Unlocking Africa's Full Oil Potential, Utmost Priority for Opec -
Secretary General

The Secretary General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting
Countries, Haitham Al-Ghais, has said the organization's commitment to
unlocking Africa's full oil potential remains a top priority.

Speaking during the opening ceremony of the eighth edition of the Nigerian
International Energy Summit on Tuesday in Abuja, Al-Ghais stated that the
event perfectly reflects OPEC's mission to link global investors with
Africa's untapped energy resources.

Al-Ghais said, "I would like to congratulate the organizers for selecting
such an important theme, one that aligns closely with OPEC's objectives.

"Unlocking the full potential of this great continent is an utmost priority
for OPEC, and we will continue to work closely with the Nigerian government
and our other African members to achieve this goal."

Al-Ghais highlighted the strong and enduring relationship between OPEC and
Africa, noting that half of OPEC's member countries are from the continent,
including Nigeria, the most populous African nation, and Algeria, the
largest in geographical size.

He emphasised the significant oil reserves Africa holds, with proven
reserves amounting to approximately 120 billion barrels.

He noted that the vast and plentiful resources at our disposal should not be
disregarded or neglected merely to accommodate the energy transition agenda
pushed by Western nations

The Secretary-General also underscored the importance of long-term stability
in the oil market, which is a key focus of OPEC's mission. "The investment
needs of the oil industry are substantial, with cumulative requirements
amounting to $17.4tn by 2050. This is why stability in the oil market is
essential for investors to plan effectively," he added.

Similarly, the Group Chief executive officer of the Nigerian National
Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, stated that given the abundant
resources in Nigeria, the federal government's $1tn economy target has
become less ambitious and should be revised upwards.

According to him, Nigeria is a major producer of petroleum products in
Africa, placing it in an advantageous position to grow its economy beyond
the $1tn target.

He said, "Oil will be here even by 2050, contributing to over 29 per cent of
the global energy mix and increasing demand of at least 100 million barrels
of oil, even by 2050, so oil and gas will be here. And we understand this,
and we know the significance but it must be connected globally, and that's
why the world recognizes Africa as the next destination providing greater
support to the energy markets."

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum
Resources, Nicholas Ella, explained that Nigeria is focused on leveraging
its vast natural gas resources as a feedstock for blue hydrogen while
exploring green hydrogen opportunities powered by renewables.

Nigeria key destination for sustainable investments-Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu in his speech declared Nigeria's oil and gas sector as
a key destination for sustainable investments, full of opportunities driven
by extensive reforms aimed at fostering a business-friendly environment.

He said the opportunities are driven by an improved regulatory environment
and strategic initiatives aimed at attracting all kinds of investors.

He noted that the government has worked to remove impending barriers by
simplifying the nation's tax regulations, offering incentives and ensuring a
transparent and predictable fiscal framework.

The president, who was represented by Doris Uzoka-Anite, minister of state
for finance, explained that the government's efforts to expand power
generation and improve transmission infrastructure also offers investment
opportunities in both conventional and renewable energy sources.

Tinubu also highlighted the importance of the ongoing tax reforms, stressing
that it would attract both local and international investors.

Daily Trust.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the newly formed
Alliance of Sahel States are two significant developments that are set to
transform the economic and political landscape of West Africa. The AfCFTA,
which came into effect in January 2021, aims to create a single, unified
market for African countries, promoting free trade and economic integration.
On the other hand, the Alliance of Sahel States, comprising Burkina Faso,
Mali, and Niger, was formed in response to the regional crisis and the
perceived failure of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
to address the security concerns of its member states.

The impact of AfCFTA on the Alliance of Sahel States is multifaceted. On the
one hand, the AfCFTA offers tremendous opportunities for economic growth and
development in the region. By creating a single market, the AfCFTA aims to
increase trade among African countries, promote economic integration, and
attract foreign investment. This could lead to increased economic growth,
job creation, and improved living standards for citizens of the Alliance of
Sahel States.

On the other hand, the AfCFTA also poses significant challenges for the
Alliance of Sahel States. The region's economies are largely informal, and
the private sector is underdeveloped. This could make it difficult for
businesses in the region to compete with larger, more established
organisations from other parts of Africa. Moreover, the AfCFTA's emphasis on
free trade could lead to increased competition from cheaper imports, which
could negatively impact local industries.

The Alliance of Sahel States, on the other hand, aims to promote regional
stability, economic independence, and self-reliance. The Alliance plans to
introduce a new currency to replace the CFA franc, which is currently tied
to the French economy. This move could reduce French influence in the region
and promote economic independence. The Alliance is also establishing a joint
military force to combat terrorist groups in the region, which could lead to
improved regional security and reduced reliance on external powers.

However, the Alliance's withdrawal from ECOWAS could disrupt regional trade
flows. The region's security concerns, including terrorist threats and rebel
insurgencies, also remain a significant challenge for the Alliance.

In conclusion, the impact of AfCFTA and the formed Alliance of Sahel States
on the region is complex and multifaceted. While the AfCFTA offers
tremendous opportunities for economic growth and development, it also poses
significant challenges for the region's economies. Ultimately, the success
of both the AfCFTA and the Alliance of Sahel States will depend on the
ability of regional leaders to navigate these challenges and promote
economic growth, stability, and self-reliance in the region.

This Day.

Kenya: BD East Africa, Safaricom to Compensate Ex-Staff Over Privacy Breach

Nairobi — The Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) has ruled in
favour of Catherine Kainyu Murithi in a data privacy case, ordering Becton
Dickinson and Company (BD East Africa) and Safaricom PLC to pay Sh250,000
each for unlawfully processing her personal data without consent.

Murithi, a former employee of BD East Africa, filed the complaint in
November 2024, alleging that her ex-employer shared a copy of her national
ID with Safaricom without her nod.

The unauthorised disclosure was reportedly made to facilitate the transfer
of her work-issued SIM card back to her personal identity after her
employment was terminated.

According to ODPC's determination, BD East Africa violated the laws by
failing to obtain Murithi's explicit consent before transferring her mobile
number and processing her personal data.

Safaricom, on the other hand, was found to have acted improperly by
processing personal data without verifying the complainant's authorisation.

Data Commissioner Immaculate Kassait ruled that both respondents breached
Murithi's right to privacy enshrined in the constitution and failed to
adhere to data regulations in the Data Protection Act, which guarantees
individuals the right to be informed about the use of their personal data.

"The complainant's ID copies should not have been shared without her direct
consent. The law mandates that any personal data processing be lawful, fair,
and transparent," the ruling stated.

Additionally, ODPC found that BD East Africa had transferred Murithi's
personal data across borders, copying South African-based employees in email
correspondences without providing adequate data protection safeguards.

However, since South Africa has established data protection laws, ODPC ruled
that the cross-border transfer did not constitute a violation.

The ruling also highlighted Safaricom's failure to ensure proper procedures
were followed when transferring Murithi's SIM card.

The Kenya Information and Communications (Registration of SIM Cards)
Regulations require telecommunication companies to verify a subscriber's
identity in person before effecting such changes.

Although ODPC does not have jurisdiction to issue constitutional
declarations or permanent injunctions, the office awarded Murithi a total of
Sh500,000 in damages, citing emotional distress and violation of her privacy
rights.

Both BD East Africa and Safaricom have 30 days to appeal the decision in the
High Court of Kenya.

Capital FM.

Liberia: Minister Bangalu Inspects Youth Agriculture Training Center
Renovation Work

Bensonville — Last Friday, February 21, 2025, Youth and Sports Minister
Cllr. Jeror Cole Bangalu, accompanied by Deputy and Assistant Ministers for
TVET, led a multi-sectoral team on an inspection of the ongoing renovation
work at the Youth Agriculture Training Center in Bensonville.

The inspection is part of an initiative launched by President Joseph N.
Boakai in February 2024 to assess facilities for potential transformation to
accommodate and rehabilitate at-risk youths.

The center is undergoing a significant overhaul, evolving into a modern
facility designed to rehabilitate at-risk youths and equip them with basic
technical and vocational education skills.

Established in 1978 through a bilateral agreement between the Government of
Liberia and the Federal Republic of Germany, the center initially provided
entry-level training in general agriculture to rural youth to curb
rural-to-urban migration.

During the inspection, Minister Bangalu and his team spent several hours
examining the girls' dormitory and other key areas of the facility.

The renovation project, exclusively funded by the government and implemented
by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, marks a crucial step toward creating an
environment conducive to empowering at-risk youth.

Speaking with The Liberian Investigator after the assessment, Minister
Bangalu emphasized the importance of the renovation, describing it as a
testament to the government's fight against drug abuse and its commitment to
providing an enabling environment for marginalized young people.

He underscored that the renovation is one of President Boakai's top
priorities, reflecting his dedication to empowering and transforming the
nation's future leaders while striving to make Liberia a drug-free country.

"This renovation is a key priority of President Boakai, aimed at empowering
and transforming the country's future leaders while working toward making
Liberia drug-free," Minister Bangalu concluded.

Liberian Investigator.

Liberia: Minister Bangalu Inspects Youth Agriculture Training Center
Renovation Work