Major International Business Headlines Brief ::: 20 November 2025

Wed Nov 19 17:48:28 CAT 2025

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Major International Business Headlines Brief :::  20 November  2025 

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ü  Africa: Experts Call for Urgent, Politically Feasible Solutions to Sovereign Debt Crisis Ahead of G20 Summit

ü  Ghana: Mofa Urges Schools to Introduce School Farms

ü  Kenya: No, Telcos Won't Take Your DNA - Breaking Down New SIM-Registration Regulations

ü  Liberia: Foreign Ministry Hosts High-Level Talks On Proposed U.S.-Backed 300mw Power Project

ü  Africa Is Done Paying A Premium For A Story That Isn't True

ü  Malawi's Pension Money Grows to K5.4 Trillion - - but Big Problems Remain

ü  Kenya: 'Hii Wanyama Wananuka Vibaya' Mosiria Outlaws Livestock Keeping in Nairobi Residential Neighbourhoods

ü  Africa: Five Things to Know About Africa's First G20

ü  Nigeria: After Winning Two Oil Blocks in 2024, Total Signals Interest in Fresh Licensing Round

ü  Uganda: Tecno Pushes Aggressive Market Expansion With New Slim Series Devices

ü  Liberia: 'Excessively Ambitious'

ü  Liberia: Boakai Calls for Stronger Road Financing, Climate-Resilient Infrastructure

ü  Kenya: EU to Deepen Security, Trade, and Climate Cooperation With Kenya At Indo-Pacific Forum

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Africa: Experts Call for Urgent, Politically Feasible Solutions to Sovereign Debt Crisis Ahead of G20 Summit

Many developing countries, particularly in Africa, are experiencing a rapidly worsening sovereign debt crisis, according to global economic experts. Economic stability is at risk if this crisis is not addressed quickly and thoroughly, and experts are calling on G20 leaders to commit to strong actions as they prepare to meet this month in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The upcoming South African G20 presidency will focus on African debt sustainability, as low- and middle-income countries urge reforms to avoid debt derailing development. There are several priority areas, including the G20 Common Framework for Debt Treatment, debt transparency, and innovative financial mechanisms such as debt-for-climate swaps. To achieve this goal, it will be necessary to reduce the high cost of capital and improve access to reliable financing for development. G20 Ministerial Declaration on Debt Sustainability signals a commitment to tackle unsustainable debt and rising financing costs, particularly on the continent, through cross-border cooperation.

Speaking during a press briefing on charting solutions to the debt crisis, UN Special Envoy on Financing Sustainable Development Mahmoud Mohieldin described the crisis as "one of the biggest challenges of our time".

"Nobody can claim that they haven't seen it coming," Mohieldin said. "Even before the COVID crisis, back in 2019 and 2020, the World Bank… identified a rising wave of debt and called it the fourth wave," recalling previous debt crises in Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the 2008 global financial crisis. "Each one of them ended with a crisis," he said. "This one could be different, because it's not global in nature, but it's impacting many developing economies and emerging markets can use different indicators, or the typical indicators of debt-to-GDP ratios or debt service, and we can't really understand why it's a crisis facing many countries."

Mohieldin said that global debt has risen more than 25% since 2019, while many developing economies and emerging markets are now paying far more in debt service than they receive in new loans.

"In the case of developing economies and emerging markets, they paid $25 billion more to their external creditors in debt service rather than receiving new disbursements," he said. He argued that even countries exercising strong fiscal discipline are not seeing improvements in their debt-service ratios, largely because of the rising cost of capital.

"This is not only impacting enterprises and projects, but sovereigns themselves," he said. A particularly perverse dynamic, he explained, is that even countries that have imposed strict fiscal discipline and achieved primary budget surpluses are still seeing their debt-service ratios explode, largely because of the extraordinarily high cost of capital they face in international markets.

The problem is very well identified

"You see that ministers of finance are trying to do their best in controlling their debt exposure… The external debt-to-GDP might be flat or declining… But surprisingly, that is not really reflected in their debt service ratio," said Mohieldin. "This raises a very big question… because it has something to do with the cost of capital." "The problem is very well identified," he said. "But if this is the case, why are we not really seeing solutions being implemented?"

Mohieldien outlined a series of "technically feasible and politically plausible" measures, ranging from better debt and liquidity management to tools for preventing crises and restructuring the debt of countries unable to meet their obligations.  The proposals include replenishing the International Monetary Fund's Catastrophe Fund and the World Bank's Debt Reduction Fund, as well as normalizing debt service pauses.

The common framework of the G20 also requires major reform, as it is currently unable to function as a truly collective mechanism, Mohieldin argued. Middle-income countries should be included, restructuring timelines should be stricter, and affected countries need to be more involved. In addition to improving the IMF-World Bank debt sustainability framework, SDRs should be used more effectively, and long-term investments should be made in infrastructure and sustainability rather than consumption.

More efficient debt swaps for development, climate, and nature, were needed, he said, spurred by the creation of a new platform to streamline swap transactions. Mohieldin also mentioned emerging coordination mechanisms, such as the formation of a Borrowers' Club as a Global South counterpart to the Paris Club, and establishing a new Debt Forum in Spain where "credit supply and demand" could be brought into harmony under the principles of responsible lending and borrowing.

Trevor Manuel, the chair of the G20 Africa Expert Panel and South Africa's former finance minister, called the extensive discussion surrounding debt this year the "flavor of the year" for financial regulators worldwide. Manuel said the necessity of finding fundamental solutions to the debt crisis rather than just making minor adjustments to the system's flaws.

He criticized the discrepancy in the cost of capital for developing nations, using comparative data for Namibia vs. Germany and Egypt vs. Canada to demonstrate how the current system, influenced by rating agencies, leads to significantly higher bond yields for emerging markets despite healthier debt-to-GDP ratios or growth rates. "They take countries out of the debt market circulation for considerable periods of time," Manuel said.

"As Mohieldin had said, G20 methodology is not inclusive. It's punitive for countries to default."

Manuel said that while sovereign defaults are rare due to their severe and costly nature, nations instead default on public services like healthcare and education to ensure creditors are paid. He referenced the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt relief initiative from 20 years ago, which he said was treated as a mere "transaction".

"The HPIC was very significant for a number of countries, but the problem was that it was treated as a transaction and not as a substantive matter, and after a very short space of time, countries that had benefited from debt relief found themselves back in an unsustainable debt situation. This time would have to be different."

Kenyan economist Jason Braganza said Africa's spiraling debt burden has direct, damaging consequences for people's daily lives.

"The continent right now, we're saddled with the debt stop, now toppling just slightly over 1.3 trillion U.S. dollars, and debt servicing, which is getting close to half a trillion dollars," Braganza said. "We are seeing close to half the continent beginning to allocate close to more than half of their budgets and half of their revenues, towards debt, interest service repayments. What this means is, whilst in the immediate term, creditors remain happy."

This financial burden, he said, is causing a "default on development", forcing nearly half of African nations to allocate over half of their budgets and revenues to debt repayment.

Braganza warned that prolonged debt pressure will reverse development gains, leading to worsening health and education outcomes across the continent. He said rising taxes that go toward debt repayment instead of public services are fueling anger and disillusionment among citizens, leading to growing social unrest. Kenya, Madagascar, Tanzania, and Cameroon recently witnessed protests in response to a broken social contract where public services fail to materialize despite taxes and national borrowing.

According to Braganza, this frustration stems from a breakdown in the social contract. Citizens no longer feel they receive services or value in return for the taxes they pay or the debt their governments incur. "Underpinning all of this, really, is the breakdown of the social contracts between citizens and the state," he said.

For a solution, Braganza called for a "monumental shift in the power dynamics" of the global debt architecture. He suggested moving discussions from the G20 to a more democratic space like the United Nations, endorsing a proposed UN-led intergovernmental process to reform the system and establish a legal framework for sovereign debt.

"As we think about the human face of the debt crisis on the continent, and the social disclosure that it's presenting, perhaps we also need to combine that with a more systemic and purposeful reform of the global debt architecture in a more democratic sense," he said.

Founder and chair of the Liquidity and Sustainability Facility and a non-resident senior fellow at Brookings, Vera Songwe, said economic growth is key to reducing Africa's debt. She connected the climate crisis with debt discussions, claiming that effective climate action can serve as a significant growth strategy. She pointed out that the easiest way to overcome debt is through economic growth, which she believes isn't emphasized enough.

Songwe shared key insights from a report she co-authored, highlighting the importance of including climate challenges and benefits in macroeconomic and growth analyses, including the IMF's Debt Sustainability Analysis (DSA). She cautioned that over the next decade, emerging markets will become the largest polluters in the world, as advanced economies have previously polluted and then fixed their issues.

"Emerging markets will be the ones who will be polluting the most, effectively killing themselves," she said. "Essentially, we do need to make sure that we can begin to include climate in the growth of emerging market countries today." Songwe said that the good news about it is that green, sustainable, and resilient growth is much faster growth, and it's much sturdy growth.

She said that it is essential to rethink how Debt Sustainability Analyses are conducted through a climate lens. The report's second recommendation suggests a government-wide approach to identifying climate-related risks and opportunities in areas like health, education, the environment, finance, and investment. By investing in resilient infrastructure, countries can strengthen their economies, attract better investments, and ultimately improve their credit ratings.

She said building climate-related resilient infrastructure, such as a seabed wall in Senegal to protect tourism, can lead to better investments and higher credit ratings.  "We need domestic policy, we need principled leadership, and we need clarity on the domestic side. Debt is the contraction of obligations that may not necessarily pay out the return that is needed," said Songwe.

Martha Tukahirwa, Regional Coordinator for Africa at Fight Inequality Alliance, said that the reality is that the global economy is just not faltering. "Right now, it's extractive, it's exclusionary, it's highly unstable."

Debt justice must be viewed through the lens of those bearing the heaviest consequences, Tukahirwa believes. "It is important to situate our arguments in the lived realities of those who are bearing the brunt. And also bearing in mind that those who are bearing the brunt are mostly women, you know, girls, and gender-diverse people," said Tukahirwa. "Because, again, those are the ones that are carrying the care burden and, and having to, you know, feed economies, and whilst all that is happening, they're also bearing the band of of high taxes, and, and also, what unstable... what unstable living realities look like."

She said that while the G20 brings together the world's largest economies, it excludes the vast majority, the 99%.

"This means that there is the 99% that are seated on the margins, that do not have a seat at the table, and so this is an opportunity," she said. "This is an opportunity for global solidarity, this is an opportunity for us to come together. She announced the We The 99 People Summit, a parallel space for global solidarity, which is going to happen on the auspices of the G20, is this space to really build a shared narrative to create a shared agenda.

"We are really making sure that we build a non-elitist agenda, and therefore it's rooted in the values of social justice, in the values of inclusion," said Tukahirwa.

This summit aims to build a shared narrative and agenda centered on the wants and struggles of ordinary people, from a farmer in Namibia to a street vendor in Kenya, and bring together feminists, trade unions, youth activists, and farmers to reimagine organizing to present a unified, non-elitist demand for justice rooted in the values of social justice and inclusion.

Ghana: Mofa Urges Schools to Introduce School Farms

The Minister of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), Mr Eric Opoku, has urged schools across Ghana to introduce the concept of school farms.

He explained that such initiatives would not only provide students with food for consumption but also spark interest in agriculture as a viable and lucrative career.

Addressing the Food, Agriculture, Technology, and Sustainability Conference in Ho, themed "Rethinking the Future of Food and its Allied Systems in an Era of Sustainability and Circularity", Mr Opoku emphasised that institutions from the university level to basic schools should start school farms.

He noted that early exposure would help students appreciate agriculture and consider it among the best professional options.

The Minister revealed that MoFA plans to recognise schools, from primary to tertiary institutions, which implement school farms at the National Farmers' Day celebration on December 5, 2025, in Ho.

He highlighted that prominent Ghanaians, including President John Dramani Mahama, the Asantehene, and some Members of Parliament, were engaged in agriculture, underscoring its potential as a wealth-generating profession.

Mr Opoku explained that negative perceptions of agriculture among youth, shaped by punitive tasks such as weeding in schools, must change. "Agriculture remains one of the richest professions globally, and our youth must embrace it to help reduce unemployment," he said.

Supporting the call, International Researcher, Prof. Eric Danquah, stressed the importance of promoting agriculture through research and practical application, praising the government's establishment of a research fund to link findings to field practice with the help of agricultural extension officers.

Prof. Ibok N. Oduro of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology added that developing local traditional food varieties would enhance nutrition and health among Ghanaians.

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Read the original article on Ghanaian Times.

Kenya: No, Telcos Won't Take Your DNA - Breaking Down New SIM-Registration Regulations

Nairobi — Kenya's newly revised SIM-card registration regulations have sparked public concern over the scope of personal data referenced in the law -- particularly the inclusion of highly sensitive biometric identifiers such as DNA, retinal scans, earlobe geometry and fingerprints.

While the regulations mention these categories, they do not instruct mobile operators to collect them. Instead, their appearance stems from an expanded legal definition that has left many Kenyans questioning what the regulations actually empower and what they do not.

The rules -- formally titled the Kenya Information and Communications (Registration of Telecommunications Service Subscribers) Regulations, 2025 -- took effect through Legal Notice No. 90 of 30 May 2025. They replace Kenya's previous SIM-registration framework with stricter verification and data-governance obligations designed to curb identity theft, SIM-box fraud and misuse of mobile-enabled digital services.

The controversy centres on Regulation 2, which defines biometric data as personal data derived from physical, physiological or behavioural attributes. The illustrative list includes DNA analysis, fingerprints, retinal scans, voice recognition and other markers typically classified as highly sensitive.

This means the law acknowledges DNA and retinal scans within its definition -- but this is not the same as requiring their collection. The operative provisions that follow set out what telcos must do, and none of them mandate taking biometric samples.

What mobile operators must collect

Under the new rules, telcos must:

Register subscribers using original identification documents -- such as national IDs, passports or birth certificates;

Authenticate these documents through relevant government databases;

Securely store registration records and update subscriber information within seven days of any change;

Implement data-protection and cybersecurity controls consistent with the Data Protection Act, 2019.

The Communications Authority (CA) also gains enhanced audit powers, allowing it to access operator systems, records and infrastructure to verify compliance.

When service can be suspended

The regulations limit suspension or disconnection to cases where a subscriber provides false information or fails repeatedly to complete registration. Operators must issue prior notice before taking such action.

Complaints over wrongful registration must be resolved within 30 days, during which affected subscribers are entitled to a fair hearing.

Why privacy advocates are concerned

Despite CA's assurances, the broad definition of biometrics has unsettled data-rights groups. They argue that the gap between what is defined and what is required could leave room for future policy overreach, especially given that the Data Protection Act classifies biometric information as sensitive personal data that can only be collected under strict necessity and proportionality tests.

CA's clarification

Amid public unease, the CA has repeatedly stressed that no operator has been instructed -- formally or informally -- to gather biometric identifiers such as fingerprints, retinal scans or DNA samples.

"For the avoidance of doubt, CA has NOT issued any directives for the collection of biometric data by our licensees."

"The new SIM Card Regulations do not contain any provision requiring the collection of biometric data."

Read the original article on Capital FM.

Liberia: Foreign Ministry Hosts High-Level Talks On Proposed U.S.-Backed 300mw Power Project

MONROVIA — The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sara Beysolow Nyanti, hosted a high-level strategic meeting on Tuesday with a nine-member delegation of potential U.S.-supported energy investors, signaling what officials describe as a significant step toward increasing Liberia's electricity capacity and furthering the administration's economic diplomacy efforts.

The investor group, led by Liberian-American entrepreneur James Tarpeh, presented a proposal for a 300-megawatt power plant--an energy investment they say could dramatically change Liberia from a power-deficient country to a competitive producer in the West African energy market. Tarpeh told officials the consortium's interest reflects increasing global confidence in Liberia's governance and investment climate under President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.

He said the project, if approved, would be designed to reduce the country's longstanding reliance on costly and unreliable power sources, expand industrial activity, and strengthen national economic resilience.

Nyanti welcomed the proposal and said it aligns with the government's long-term development priorities, including lowering energy costs, supporting manufacturing, and improving service delivery.

"The Government remains committed to creating an enabling environment for high-impact, transformative investments," Nyanti said. "A reliable and affordable energy sector is essential to industrialization and national competitiveness, and we are encouraged by the level of interest from our international partners."

She stressed that the engagement reflects Liberia's push to position economic diplomacy at the center of its foreign policy--leveraging global partnerships to attract investment in key sectors such as energy, infrastructure, agriculture, and technology.

Assistant Minister for American Affairs Christiana M. Konneh added that the ministry is strengthening bilateral efforts to draw credible foreign direct investment into the country. She said Liberia's foreign policy is increasingly grounded in economic statecraft, using diplomatic channels to secure sustainable development opportunities.

Officials said the proposed 300MW facility would represent one of the largest energy investments in Liberia's history, with the potential to meet domestic demand, stimulate private-sector growth, and support major public utilities.

The Foreign Ministry expressed optimism that the talks will progress to technical assessments, project scoping, and further negotiations with the investor consortium.

The delegation was brought to Liberia through the facilitation of Isaac Taggart, Liberia's Special Envoy to the United States, with support from Assistant Minister Konneh.

The government reiterated its commitment to partnerships built on transparency, accountability, and long-term sustainability, and said it views investment in energy as central to Liberia's economic transformation.

Read the original article on Liberian Investigator.

Africa Is Done Paying A Premium For A Story That Isn't True

Johannesburg, South Africa:  As the G20 gathers in South Africa this week, the ONE Campaign is issuing a direct challenge to world leaders: stop making Africa pay more because the world sees it as less. Africa faces the highest cost of capital in the world, not because of weak fundamentals, but because of outdated assumptions, opaque risk assessments and decades of structural bias. For too long, Africa has been burdened by a financial architecture that penalises its potential instead of recognising its performance.

This imbalance is not academic. It is costing African countries tens of billions of dollars every year and squeezing development budgets at a time of rising global shocks.  Official development assistance plummeted by 7.1% in 2024, with projections pointing to deeper cuts ahead.  In response,  many African governments turned to capital markets between 2016 and 2021, only to find themselves paying an extra $56 billion in interest compared  to what they would have paid under concessional lending terms. That figure eclipses the continent's total foreign direct investment in 2023, illustrating just how profoundly the system is stacked against African borrowers.

At the centre of the crisis sits the "African risk premium." Despite decades of strong investment performance, including infrastructure returns that  have outpaced the S&P 500 sixfold , African countries are still charged some of the highest interest rates in the world. These inflated rates are shaped not only by economic factors but by subjective credit ratings and stereotypical global narratives. It is within this context that the G20 arrives in Johannesburg, and the stakes could not be higher. This moment demands conviction, clarity, courage and action.

Serah Makka, Africa Executive Director at the ONE Campaign, highlighted the urgent need for decisive action:  "This is not about spreadsheets, it is about human lives. When countries pay inflated interest rates driven by outdated perceptions, they are forced to choose between paying creditors or paying teachers, nurses and engineers. Nearly three-in-five Africans now live in countries spending more on interest than on health or education. Africa is not alone:  3.4 billion people globally face the same distortion.  This is a systemic failure. As the G20 meets on the continent, the world must say clearly that the era of pricing Africa on bias must end. Lowering the cost of capital is not charity; it is smart economics, and it is in the world's collective interest."

The G20 has the power and responsibility to lead an economic reset. ONE is calling for an ambitious implementation roadmap that overhauls how countries' risk is assessed, accelerates transparency in economic data, expands the use of innovative finance tools that reduce risk, meaningfully includes African voices in global financial rulemaking and ensures concessional finance reaches the countries that need it most. This Summit is not just another meeting. It is a turning point, and the world will be watching to see what choices the leaders will make.

Malawi's Pension Money Grows to K5.4 Trillion - - but Big Problems Remain

Malawi's pension money has grown very fast, reaching K5.4 trillion by June 2025. This is a big jump from K3.5 trillion recorded in December 2024, according to the Reserve Bank of Malawi's latest Financial Stability Report.

The central bank says this growth happened because pension funds made good profits from their investments and more people contributed to their pension accounts. Total contributions went up by 7.2 percent, and membership grew by 25 percent to more than 772 000 people.

But the good news comes with serious problems.

Most of the pension money is invested in only two areas -- the stock market and government securities -- making up 85.5 percent of all pension investments. This means if the stock market performs badly or the government faces financial trouble, people's pension money could be at risk.

Another big problem is pension arrears. This is money that employers deducted from workers' salaries but did not send to pension administrators. These arrears continue to grow and reached K107 billion by June 2025.

The Reserve Bank warns that when employers fail to send pension contributions on time, workers may struggle to receive their pension money when they retire. This also reduces the amount of money that pension funds can invest, lowering future returns and weakening trust in the entire pension system.

The bank says it is working on new rules that will force pension funds to invest in different sectors to reduce risk and protect people's savings.

Workers' unions are worried. Malawi Congress of Trade Unions (MCTU) president Charles Kumchenga said many workers lose their pension savings because employers simply do not remit the money.

He said this is unfair and illegal because employers deduct the money but fail to pass it on. He added that Malawi has many pension policies, but they are not being followed.

On the other hand, Employers Consultative Association of Malawi executive director George Khaki said some employers are struggling because the economy is tough, but many are still trying to follow the law. He encouraged those who are failing to communicate with their workers and the regulator to find a solution.

Financial analyst Kondwani Makwakwa warned that these arrears not only reduce confidence among workers, but also weaken pension funds' ability to invest and grow the economy.

Reserve Bank Governor Macdonald Mafuta-Mwale has said Malawi needs to use pension savings to support economic development and promised to help the industry diversify its investments.

The Pension Act 2023, which replaced the 2011 law, brought several reforms, including new rules on how pension funds are run, how benefits are paid, and when people can access their money.

Read the original article on Nyasa Times.

Kenya: 'Hii Wanyama Wananuka Vibaya' Mosiria Outlaws Livestock Keeping in Nairobi Residential Neighbourhoods

Nairobi — Immediate former Nairobi County Chief Officer for Environment Geoffrey Mosiria has declared that animal farming will no longer be allowed in the capital's residential estates, warning that livestock kept in densely populated neighbourhoods will be removed.

Mosiria who has been moved to the new docket of Citizen Engagement, said the county had noted a growing trend of residents keeping goats, sheep and other livestock in compact estates, turning residential streets into "makeshift livestock holding areas" and exposing neighbours to foul smells and health risks.

"What should be an ordinary residential street cannot be turned into an animal farm. It is unacceptable and unlawful," he said, a day before Governor Sakaja effected teh changes, adding that the city must remain "clean, organised and healthy for all residents."

During a visit to Kiamaiko, Mosiria flagged one case in which a resident was allegedly keeping sheep and goats by the roadside outside her home. In a video shared on his X account, Mosiria is heard calling the livestock owner and giving her a seven-day ultimatum to relocate the animals.

"Hii wanyama wananuka vibaya (These animals smell badly)," he said in the recording. "Ninakupatia siku saba utafute suluhisho, la sivyo tutakuja na maafisa wetu wa department of agriculture tu-impound hawa wanyama," he warned, saying the animals would be seized until a suitable location is found.

Mosiria stressed that while urban farming is permitted in designated areas and under proper regulation, keeping livestock in high-density residential zones violates county by-laws and infringes on the comfort and welfare of neighbours.

He reminded residents that Nairobi law only allows animal keeping under strict licensing, welfare and land-use requirements, and that those who ignore the rules risk penalties, including fines and impounding of animals.

"We don't allow animals by the roadside or in close proximity to homes. The smell here is not good for the people," Mosiria told the livestock owner over the phone, urging Nairobi residents to familiarise themselves with county laws on livestock and pet ownership.

Read the original article on Capital FM.

Africa: Five Things to Know About Africa's First G20

Leaders of the world's largest economies will meet in Johannesburg on November 22 and 23 for the G20 summit, the first of its kind in Africa.

Here are five things to know about the annual meeting, which is taking place at a time of heightened global instability and tensions between Pretoria and Washington.

- First in Africa -

Founded in 1999, the Group of 20 (G20) leading economies comprises 19 countries and two regional bodies, the European Union and the African Union (AU).

Its rotating presidency will be held by South Africa this year and mark the first time the summit will be in Africa.

G20 members represent 85 percent of the world's GDP and about two-thirds of its population.

South Africa is the only member state from the continent, although the AU was admitted as a group in 2023.

- 'Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability' -

South Africa lists its priorities for its G20 presidency as strengthening disaster resilience, debt sustainability for low-income countries, financing a "just energy transition", and harnessing "critical minerals for inclusive growth and sustainable development".

Its theme is "Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability".

Ranked by the World Bank as "the world's most unequal country", South Africa commissioned an expert team to analyse global wealth inequality and offer solutions to the summit.

The team led by Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz called for the creation of an intergovernmental panel to tackle the "inequality emergency" that leaves 2.3 billion people hungry worldwide.

- US boycott -

President Donald Trump said this month no US officials would attend the meeting and called South Africa's presidency a "total disgrace".

Trump has singled out South Africa for harsh treatment on a number of issues since he returned to the White House in January, notably making false claims of a "white genocide".

He has slapped the country with 30 percent tariffs, the highest in sub-Saharan Africa.

While a US boycott could undermine South Africa's agenda, Pretoria said the absence was Washington's "loss" and it was still looking forward to a successful summit.

Argentinan President Javier Milei, a Trump ally, will not attend and is sending his foreign minister.

As in previous meetings, Russian President Vladimir Putin will also not be present.

- Johannesburg in the spotlight -

The G20 leaders' meeting will be hosted at the Nasrec Expo Centre, South Africa's largest purpose-built conference venue.

Situated on the edge of the iconic Soweto township and chosen as a symbol of post-apartheid "spatial integration", the venue hosts large-scale events such as the ruling African National Congress annual convention.

It is also adjacent to the stadium that hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup final.

The event has brought attention to the plight of the city that was formed in a gold rush in the late 1880s and is now home to around six million people, according to official July estimates.

Home to Africa's richest square mile, Johannesburg is also scarred by crumbling infrastructure, lack of services and chronic mismanagement.

President Cyril Ramaphosa lashed out at the disrepair in March and demanded improvements. The African Development Bank in July approved a $139 million loan for upgrades.

- End of a 'Global South' run -

South Africa will hand the G20 to the United States, marking the end of a cycle of "Global South" presidencies following those of Brazil, India and Indonesia.

Trump has said he plans to radically reduce the platform, which has over the years expanded to include multiple working groups and social issues beyond its original financial scope.

The US president has also questioned whether South Africa should "even be in the Gs any more", raising questions about the G20's future.

Read the original article on Vanguard.

Nigeria: After Winning Two Oil Blocks in 2024, Total Signals Interest in Fresh Licensing Round

After winning two oil and gas blocks at the mini-bid round conducted last year, French energy major, TotalEnergies, has again signalled its strong interest in participating in the forthcoming 2025 licensing round scheduled to commence from December 1.

The President, TotalEnergies Exploration and Production, Mr. Nicolas Terraz, made the company's intention known yesterday in Abuja when he led a high-level delegation from the company on a visit to the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mr. Gbenga Komolafe.

Last September, TotalEnergies and its partner, South Atlantic Petroleum, signed the Production Sharing Contract (PSC) for the Petroleum Prospecting Licence (PPLs) 2000 and 2001 exploration licenses offshore Nigeria, which were awarded to them following the 2024 licensing round conducted by the commission.

During the meeting with Komolafe, Terraz, who was accompanied by the Managing Director/Chief Executive of TotalEnergies Upstream Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Mathieu Bouyer, and other senior executives, applauded NUPRC for delivering a transparent 2024 mini-bid round, signalling an interest in the forthcoming 2025 licensing round scheduled to commence next month.

In his remarks, according to a statement by the Head of Media and Strategic Communication at NUPRC, Eniola Akinkuotu, the TotalEnergies exploration and production president praised the NUPRC for the transparency and credibility displayed during the 2024 mini-bid round.

He expressed confidence that the 2025 round would benefit from the Commission's reform-driven processes and enhanced governance framework.

Terraz said the company remains optimistic about new opportunities in Nigeria, noting that the clarity and fairness exhibited in the previous round had strengthened investor confidence. He added that lessons learned from the 2024 exercise will positively shape expectations for the 2025 Licensing Round.

Terraz reaffirmed the company's long-term commitment to Nigeria's upstream sector, describing the country as a strategic hub in its global portfolio.

He emphasised TotalEnergies' readiness to align with NUPRC's vision for a more competitive, transparent, and investment-driven oil and gas industry.

"Drawing from the 2024 bid round, the 2025 edition would be positive," he said, stressing that TotalEnergies is "optimistic about the new bid round."

In his remarks, Komolafe reiterated NUPRC's commitment to a predictable regulatory environment. He noted that the Commission was not only a regulator but a strategic business enabler in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021. According to him, the era of regulatory ambiguity in Nigeria's upstream sector is over.

"Now, in Nigeria, we have a regulator that steps in to address the issues as an enabler," the NUPRC helmsman stated, underscoring the Commission's investor-centric reforms and continued drive to improve operational clarity for oil and gas companies.

Komolafe also commended TotalEnergies for its recent execution of projects under the Obagi Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT), describing the development as a demonstration of the company's commitment to community development and the spirit of the PIA's host community provisions.

He further used the opportunity to encourage the operator to actively participate in the upcoming 2025 licensing round, which the Commission has positioned to attract high-value investments, new entrants, and increased exploration activity across frontier and mature terrains.

Meanwhile, Komolafe has said the country has continued to record steady and measurable progress in attracting investments in the upstream oil and gas sector despite the global headwinds caused by the shift towards cleaner.

Komolafe stated this in Lagos, yesterday in his address on the last day of the two-day strategic workshop for media practitioners covering the oil and gas sector, which was organised by the corporate communication and media unit of the NUPRC.

Represented by the Deputy Director of Human Resources, Corporate Services and Administration, NUPRC, Mrs Efemona Bassey, Komolafe said: "One central takeaway from these engagements is that, globally, investments in oil and gas are declining as countries intensify the shift towards cleaner energy. Despite this global headwind, Nigeria has continued to record steady, measurable progress in the upstream sector".

He explained that the progress has been driven by the Commission's regulatory instruments developed under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and further reinforced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's far-reaching Executive Orders.

He said this year alone, Nigeria's daily crude oil production has on multiple occasions exceeded 1.7 million barrels per day, demonstrating the country's capacity to surpass the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) targets.

He reiterated that Nigeria's rig count has risen to nearly 70, with over 40 rigs active.

Komolafe mentioned that Final Investment Decisions (FIDs) valued in billions of dollars have been taken, restating that within the last 10 months, the commission has approved Field Development Plans (FDPs) worth approximately $20 billion.

Looking ahead, he said the NUPRC remains fully committed to the national aspiration of adding 1 million incremental barrels of oil per day to Nigeria's daily production profile.

To this end, Komolafe said the Commission will conduct another licensing round on December 1, 2025, one that the agency anticipates will be even more transparent and globally competitive than the 2024 round.

"This initiative is designed to open new frontiers, unlock fresh prospects and further strengthen our reserves base", he stated.

However, the CCE urged journalists covering the oil and gas sector in Nigeria to prioritise national interest in their reportage, stressing that as they advance these reforms and attract much-needed investments, the role of the media becomes more critical.

According to him, Nigeria's position as Africa's leading producer depends not just on policy, regulation and geology, but also on how the nation's story is told.

He noted that the oil and gas sector was highly sensitive to perception and that energy journalists' reporting has the power to reassure investors or deter them.

"It is therefore essential that while you continue to inform the public, such reportage remains factual, contextual and development oriented. The narrative must reflect Nigeria's aspirations, opportunities, and progress, not merely its challenges.

"In this regard, I once again urge you members of the Fourth Estate, to put the national interest at the center of your work, as the country competes on the global stage for energy investments", Komolafe stated.

Read the original article on This Day.

Uganda: Tecno Pushes Aggressive Market Expansion With New Slim Series Devices

Kampala — TECNO Mobile Uganda has introduced a new trio of devices the SPARK Slim smartphone, MEGAPAD SE tablet, and MEGABOOK S14 laptop in a move that underscores the brand's push for dominance in Uganda's fast-growing mid-range tech market. The launch comes as TECNO strengthens its global reputation, having secured three IFA Global Product Technology Innovation Awards 2025 for the TECNO Slim Series, MEGABOOK S14, and its AI Glasses line.

The awards, won at IFA Berlin one of the world's most influential consumer electronics fairs signal TECNO's shift from a value-driven brand to a contender in premium innovation spaces. The company also announced that the TECNO Slim had clinched a Platinum Award at the 2025 MUSE Design Awards for its ultra-slim engineering.

The SPARK Slim touted as the world's slimmest 3D curved-screen smartphone at 5.93 mm signals TECNO's ambition to set design standards in a segment dominated by Samsung's A-series and Xiaomi's Redmi line. The device's technical profile a 5200mAh battery, 45W fast charging, a G200 chipset, IP65 dust and water resistance, and 144Hz refresh rate positions it as a feature-forward competitor in the under Shs 1 million market.

The MEGAPAD SE tablet targets Uganda's rising demand for portable productivity tools among students and mobile professionals. Equipped with an 11-inch display, 8000mAh battery, keyboard support, and cross-device TECNO AI integration, the device enters a crowded budget tablet market long shaped by Lenovo and Samsung's Tab A-series.

The MEGABOOK S14 laptop, weighing in as one of the lightest 14-inch laptops in its class, is TECNO's strongest attempt yet to break into the ultraportable PC market traditionally dominated by HP, Dell, and Lenovo. It features an Intel Ultra chipset, OLED screen, 65W fast charging, and TECNO's growing AI ecosystem capabilities.

The three devices represent TECNO's broader shift toward an Apple-style cross-device ecosystem, with AI connectivity serving as the central unifying layer. The expansion of the TECNO ecosystem reflects the brand's strategy to lock users into its hardware suite at a time when African consumers are increasingly buying multiple personal devices.

TECNO has also rolled out aggressive Black Friday promotions running from 17-30 November covering the SPARK 40, CAMON 40, SPARK Slim, MEGAPAD SE, and MEGABOOK S14. In its most ambitious marketing bid yet, the company is offering 100% cash back for 1,000 units if the Uganda Cranes advance at each AFCON 2025 stage an incentive clearly designed to capture consumer sentiment during the tournament.

Read the original article on Independent (Kampala).

Liberia: 'Excessively Ambitious'

In a new release following a rigorous review of the Draft FY2026 National Budget, CDC describes the proposed US$1.211 billion envelope as excessively ambitious, adding that it ignores societal economic cries amid economic instability.

According to the CDC, the Draft FY2026 National Budget is built on speculative revenues and nonrecurring windfalls. It is designed to help developers rather than ordinary people, something the opposition says exposes Liberia to serious fiscal and implementation risks.

In its response to the budget, the CDC outlined the Fragile Resource Envelope, significant risks to the execution of the Public Sector Investment Plan (PSIP), and an alarming and growing wage bill without incremental benefits to civil servants, among other shortfalls.

The CDC details, excluding US$200 million contingent revenue from AML Signature Bonus and Asset Recovery, estimated Core Domestic of US$940 million, which represents an addition of US$135 million to the FY2025 Domestic Revenue of US$804, thought ambitious given the anticipated underperformance of the FY2025, the US$940 million projection could still be achieved through innovative and aggressive tax administration strategies.

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CDC said the fragility and risk to the full collection of the Draft FY2026 are mainly anticipated in contingent revenue, including the AML US$200 million signature bonus.

The Opposition explained the significant risk to the execution of the Public Sector Investment Plan (PSIP); the execution of the US$281 million PSIP projection largely depends on the realization of US$200 million from the AML signature bonus.

On the alarming and growing wage bill without incremental benefits to civil servants, CDC states that even though the draft FY2026 wage bill is US$329 million, the actual wage cost is estimated at US$352 million when over US$26 million in a new wage line called "OTHER COMPENSATION" is added. This aggregate US$352m wage amount represents about 37.8 percent of the core domestic revenue, excluding contingent revenue and external resources.

According to the CDC, the increment of the wage bill is not only excessive but also significantly troubling, since IT DOES NOT reflect increases in the salary of the civil servants, especially those civil servants who are undeservedly earning the lowest of their standardized pay amount, especially nurses, midwives, teachers, and security personnel, for whom over US$5 million was allocated in the draft 2024 budget by the CDC administration before exiting power.

According to the CDC, in the interest of public transparency and accountability, the Executive needs to disaggregate the US$26 million "OTHER COMPENSATION" by beneficiary, professional position, and spending agency.

Instead of hiding this under goods and services, it is important to reclassify it under the compensation category to reflect the government's actual wage bill, to be monitored by the government and the IMF under the current ECF program.

The Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) calls for the immediate reversal of the proposed National Budget and its submission to the Legislature.

CDC called on the Speaker of the House of Representatives, all members of the Legislature, and Liberians to act decisively in defense of fiscal prudence and economic stability. -Edited by Othello B. Garblah.

Read the original article on New Dawn.

Liberia: Boakai Calls for Stronger Road Financing, Climate-Resilient Infrastructure

President Joseph Nyuma Boakai on Tuesday inaugurated the 22nd Annual General Meeting of the African Road Maintenance Funds Association (ARMFA), emphasizing the importance of stronger collaboration, smarter investments, and bolder leadership to modernize Africa's road infrastructure.

Speaking at the EJS Ministerial Complex, the President welcomed road fund managers, policymakers, and partners from across the continent, saying Liberia was honored to host the gathering during a time when the country is implementing extensive reforms in road governance and maintenance.

Boakai said that improved road systems are essential for Africa's economic and social transformation, connecting "farmers to markets, children to schools, patients to healthcare, and businesses to opportunity." He warned that poor road conditions continue to hinder growth, safety, and regional integration.

"When we leave potholes unrepaired or downplay the urgency of a collapsing bridge, we create barriers to the safety and advancement of our people," Boakai said.

Roads as a Driver of Africa's Development

The President emphasized that Africa cannot achieve Agenda 2063 or fully benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) without dependable, climate-resilient, and efficiently funded road systems. He highlighted rising climate threats, rapid urban growth, and limited funding as major obstacles that demand "swift, innovative and collaborative" action.

Boakai reaffirmed Liberia's commitment to improving infrastructure under the ARREST Agenda, which focuses on inclusive, climate-resilient, and efficient road transportation. He emphasized the ongoing reforms of the National Road Fund and stated that Liberia is "fully aligned" with the African Union's Program for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA).

Call for Practical Solutions and Stronger Partnerships

Addressing dozens of delegates, Boakai urged member states to use the ARMFA platform to strengthen collaboration, share best practices, and explore digital technologies that can improve maintenance, financing, and oversight.

"Let this be a forum for practical solutions where we reflect on what has worked, what hasn't, and how we can boldly shape the future of Africa's roads," he said.

The President highlighted that decisions made at the General Assembly would influence the continent's development path for generations, urging leaders to be "both pragmatic and ambitious."

Boakai thanked ARMFA for choosing Liberia as host and expressed confidence that delegates were experiencing the country's hospitality, culture and warmth.

About ARMFA

ARMFA is a pan-African consortium of national road maintenance funds that promotes knowledge-sharing, capacity building and coordination to improve road financing and sustainability across the continent.

Read the original article on Liberian Investigator.

Kenya: EU to Deepen Security, Trade, and Climate Cooperation With Kenya At Indo-Pacific Forum

Nairobi — The European Union (EU) is set to strengthen its cooperation with partners across the Indo-Pacific region, including African nations such as Kenya, focusing on security, economic resilience, and climate change at the upcoming 4th EU-Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum.

The high-level meeting will take place in Brussels on November 20-21, bringing together around 70 delegations from Europe and the Indo-Pacific, spanning from the East Coast of Africa to the Pacific Islands.

Speaking in Nairobi on Tuesday, Henriette Geiger, EU Ambassador to Kenya and Permanent Representative to UNEP and UN-Habitat, emphasized that the current global landscape--marked by geopolitical shifts, economic uncertainty, and accelerating climate challenges--requires collective action.

"In this high-level ministerial forum, the aim is to explore joint interests in maritime security, secure trade routes, and foster economic and trade development by building value chains across continents," she said.

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Ambassador Geiger noted that the EU invited African countries bordering the Indian Ocean to participate due to their shared interests in integrated trade routes. "It is crucial that these countries have a seat at the table where governance decisions are made regarding shared resources such as oceans and waterways," she added.

A key component of the forum will be a session on protecting critical maritime infrastructure, convened by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas.

Safeguarding shipping lines

The session underscores the EU's commitment to safeguarding vital shipping lanes and undersea networks essential for global stability and connectivity.

Geiger revealed that Kenya will benefit from the EU's plan to expand the subsea cable project from Italy to Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, and Tanzania--a flagship initiative under the EU's Global Gateway programme.

The EU is also enhancing security cooperation through new partnerships and regular dialogues, including the fourth annual security and defense dialogue with Kenya, which focused on maritime security and hybrid threats.

"As a key player in the Indo-Pacific, Kenya is already collaborating closely with the EU to promote maritime security, trade, and sustainable development--but we can achieve even more," Geiger said.

While Kenya was initially set to be represented by Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho, the delegation will now be led by Kenya's ambassador to Brussels.

The EU's investment in security is also reflected in naval missions such as Operation ATALANTA (anti-piracy) and Operation ASPIDES (interrupting Houthi operations in the Red Sea), ensuring freedom of navigation. Geiger disclosed that the EU allocates an estimated Sh12-13.5 billion annually to maritime security in the Western Indian Ocean.

Security, economy and sustainability

The Ministerial Forum, co-chaired by Kallas and Danish Foreign Affairs Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, will focus on three main roundtables: Security and Defence, Shared Prosperity/Economic Security and Productivity, and Sustainable Future/Green Agenda--building on progress since the EU's 2021 Indo-Pacific strategy.

EU Special Envoy for the Indo-Pacific, María Castillo Fernández, speaking virtually from Brussels, said the forum comes at a critical geopolitical moment, with heightened interdependence between security and economies.

"The Indo-Pacific and Europe together account for 50pc of the global population, half of global GDP, and 70pc of global trade. Any disruption in one region affects the other," Castillo said.

On trade, the EU is intensifying dialogues to ensure resilient supply chains and negotiating comprehensive economic partnership agreements with key Indo-Pacific nations, including Australia, India, and the Philippines.

In digital connectivity, projects such as the EU-Africa-India digital corridor, which spans over 11,000 kilometers of subsea cables, highlight the EU's commitment to securing critical digital infrastructure.

Regarding green transition, the EU is supporting partners toward sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient growth, aligning with global goals like achieving net zero by 2050.

The forum aims to deepen partnerships, uphold the rules-based international order, and develop a roadmap for future engagement. Castillo emphasized the importance of collective commitment to multilateral institutions and shared interests.

The EU has also strengthened security ties with Japan, South Korea, Australia, India, Indonesia, and South Africa, while engaging Kenya in focused security dialogues.

Castillo encouraged Kenya, a key Indian Ocean nation, to actively participate in discussions on regional governance.

Although the forum is non-binding, it is expected to generate momentum for stronger bilateral and regional engagement.

"This ministerial provides a platform for high-level, informal exchanges to strengthen partnerships, advance trade and investment, enhance cooperation on critical raw materials, and sustain global commitment to the Paris Agreement," Castillo concluded.

Read the original article on Capital FM.

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