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For the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) to deliver on its promise, we must address concerns of entrepreneurs

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4 years ago

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Patrick Utomi

The AfCFTA will bring down trade barriers on the continent, harmonise trade regulations in all member states and in so doing create the largest single market in the world

CAIRO, Egypt, November 28, 2022/APO Group/ — 

by Professor Patrick Utomi, Chairperson of the Pan-African Private Sector Trade & Investment Committee (PAFTRAC) (http://PAFTRAC.Afreximbank.com).

The launch this week of the 2022 Africa CEO Trade Survey Report 2022, commissioned by the Pan-African Trade and Investment Committee, was instructive for a number of reasons. The idea that we are now actively seeking the views of our enterprising men and women who provide the goods and services on which we rely is itself worthy of note. In the past, policy makers opted to operate without this context, with predictable results and so we must celebrate all involved for providing this critical angle to the all-important task of supporting businesses, boosting trade and ultimately improving lives and livelihoods on the continent.

The results of the survey themselves paint an interesting picture. It will  come as no surprise that African CEOs are slightly apprehensive about the future. Operating in the long shadow of the pandemic, shaken by disruptions in delicate global supply chains, spooked by war and faced with a possible recession, only 50 per cent of CEOs surveyed said they felt confident about the future, a lot less than the 93 per cent who were confident about 2022 when they were asked in 2021. Dependant as we are on the outside world for much of what we consume, it is little wonder that these global crises are literally felt in our kitchens. We cannot carry on like this.

We must recognise the preponderance of micro-small and medium sized enterprise in the continent’s commercial landscape

This is why the confidence that CEOs have in the African Continental Free Trade Agreement is so heartening. When fully implemented, the AfCFTA will bring down trade barriers on the continent, harmonise trade regulations in all member states and in so doing create the largest single market in the world. The benefits from this would be incalculable. Our combined strength will make us an infinitely more attractive destination for investment, encourage value addition and according to the World Bank, raise incomes on the continent by 7 per cent and lift as many as forty million people out of poverty.

This is doable but it means that we have to listen closely to the people who run the businesses, especially the SMES on the continent, address their concerns, anticipate their needs and build an environment that spurs innovation and rewards their hard work. Thankfully, there are important clues in the report that can guide us. What CEOs are telling us is that they need a lot more information – and readily so – about the opportunities of AfCFTA and also about one another. They need facilitation of cross border trade, along with payment systems, that will enable them to take full advantage of trade area. They also need better trade infrastructure and logistics so they can, for example, move their goods from Lusaka to Abidjan as seamlessly as possible. And it goes without saying, they need policymakers across Africa to move quickly to realise this dream that finally seems tantalisingly within reach, almost six decades after decolonisation.

So those are the things we need to do. First of all, we must recognise the preponderance of micro-small and medium sized enterprise in the continent’s commercial landscape. A vast majority of the companies operating in Africa employ less than five hundred people and have less than USD 1 million in annual turnover. This recognition must inform the policies that we make, as we seek to support growth and investment. These companies, often run by women and people, are notoriously starved of capital which handicaps their expansion and compromises their sustainability. We will need to find creative ways to make long term capital to them.  We will also have to assist them to achieve quality and standards compliance, improve packaging and gain access to lucrative markets.

Given its nature and objectives, cross-border transactions, payments and ease of movement will be critical to the AfCFTA.  This means we must move quickly to formalise cross-border trade, assuring traders of the safety, security and enforceability of transactions, while also facilitating the free movement of people and disencumbering customs processes. I am encouraged by the launch of the Pan-African Payment and Settlements Systems (PAPSS), a home grown system through which traders can make and receive payments across currency lines. In addition, governments also need to invest in trade-enabling infrastructure, such as roads, ports and warehousing.   

Information, as indicated by survey respondents, will be essential to this enterprise. Entrepreneurs are, rightfully, enthusiastic about the AfCFTA and the prospects that it represents. But they will need to be armed with as much information as possible so they can fully participate. A one-stop shop, such as the African Trade Gateway, a digital platform developed in partnership with Africa Export-Import Bank, is exactly the type of innovation that entrepreneurs will need and must be encouraged to harness in their quest for information.

Ultimately, a shared purpose and sense of dedication will be required from all of us for the success of the AfCFTA. After decades of trying, we are now truly on our way to a building a common market, achieving self-reliance and fundamentally transforming the nature of our economies. We can’t do this, however, without the entrepreneurs up and down our continent. We must listen to them, work with them and achieve our goals together.   

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Pan-African Private Sector Trade and Investment Committee (PAFTRAC).

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Zambia–Lobito Railway Moves Towards Financial Close as President Hichilema Meets Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) Leadership

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15 hours ago

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November 7, 2026

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Zambia

Project advances towards financing with preferred EPC bidders selected and letters of intent covering approximately 2 million tonnes a year signed

LUSAKA, Zambia, November 6, 2026/APO Group/ –His Excellency Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia, has received a delegation from Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) (www.AfricaFC.org), led by its President and Chief Executive Officer, Samaila Zubairu, to review progress on the Zambia–Lobito Railway Project. AFC, the continent’s leading infrastructure solutions provider, is the lead sponsor and developer of the project.

The approximately 830-kilometre railway will connect Chingola in Zambia’s Copperbelt to Luacano in Angola, where it will link with the existing Benguela Railway and provide direct access to the Atlantic Ocean through the Port of Lobito.

 




 
 

A strategic component of the broader Lobito Corridor initiative, the project has reached several important development milestones. AFC last month announced preferred bidders for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts for the Angolan and Zambian sections, following an international competitive tender. The project has also signed memoranda of understanding and letters of intent with prospective railway users covering approximately 2 million tonnes of freight a year.

Every tonne that leaves Zambia unprocessed takes jobs away with it

In addition to providing a direct Atlantic export route for Zambia’s copper and critical minerals, the project is being developed as an integrated economic corridor supporting agricultural exports, petroleum logistics, manufacturing and regional trade. Transit from the Copperbelt to the Port of Lobito is expected to take approximately seven days.

The project’s commercial strategy targets approximately 5 million tonnes of annual freight at steady state, comprising petroleum products, agricultural commodities, copper, cobalt, zinc and other industrial cargo. AFC is targeting financial close in 2027.

Discussions focused on continued collaboration between AFC and the Government of Zambia on the project’s next steps, including the railway’s right of way and land for associated agricultural, petroleum and freight-handling facilities. The meeting also considered rail sector policy measures to support the corridor’s long-term competitiveness, including integration with the Zambia Railways network and the Chingola–Ndola line.

President Hichilema reaffirmed the railway’s importance to Zambia’s economic development and regional integration. He said: “The Zambia–Lobito Railway is central to our vision of transforming Zambia into a competitive regional hub for trade, manufacturing, agriculture and mineral value addition. By connecting our productive sectors to international markets more efficiently, we can reduce logistics costs, attract investment and create jobs. We welcome AFC’s progress and will continue working closely together to advance this strategic project.”

Samaila Zubairu, President and Chief Executive Officer of AFC, said: “Every tonne that leaves Zambia unprocessed takes jobs away with it. This railway changes that. Starting in Chingola, it gives Zambia a seven-day route to the Atlantic and every reason to process, manufacture and add value at home. With preferred EPC bidders selected and strong interest from freight users, we are now working with the Governments of Zambia and Angola, the African Development Bank, the Government of Italy and our other partners to reach financial close. We are building a railway. Zambia will build an economy on it.”

AFC continues to work with the Governments of Angola and Zambia, the European Union, the United States Government, the Government of Italy and the African Development Bank, alongside Italian development finance institution CDP and Italian export credit agency SACE, to bring the Zambia–Lobito Railway into construction.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Finance Corporation (AFC).

 




 

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Mukuru Partners with Flash to Add 170,000 Cash Pay-in Points Across South Africa

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15 hours ago

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November 7, 2026

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Mukuru

New partnership brings remittance payments into township, peri-urban and rural spaza shops nationwide

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, November 6, 2026/APO Group/ –Mukuru (www.Mukuru.com), a leading financial services provider, has partnered with Flash, a payments technology company with an extensive network of spaza shops across South Africa, adding 170,000 cash pay-in points where customers can now pay for their Mukuru remittance orders. The network includes Flash’s broader merchant footprint, giving Mukuru access to locations through Flash and its partner networks. These new locations are now operational, reducing the time and distance many customers currently travel to make a payment.

Previously, customers often had to travel to banks or dedicated payment outlets to pay for their Mukuru orders. Now, they can simply visit a spaza shop close to home, work or where they usually shop.

For people in townships, peri-urban and rural areas who rely on cash and have traditionally had limited access to formal pay-in points, particularly South Africa’s migrant communities, this change removes a real barrier and makes it easier to send money home. With these pay-in points inside spaza shops, Mukuru’s services become part of places people already go, meaning fewer extra trips and more timely payments.

Every additional pay-in point represents one less barrier for a customer trying to send money home

“Every additional pay-in point represents one less barrier for a customer trying to send money home,” said Erone Kyte, Commercial Manager: Cross-Border Remittances at Mukuru. “Our partnership with Flash gives us the scale to bring Mukuru’s services into the everyday spaces our customers already know and trust. It’s a meaningful step in making remittances simpler, more accessible and genuinely closer to the communities we serve.”

For Mukuru, working with Flash means reaching even more customers in underserved urban, township, and rural areas. By leveraging Flash’s established network, Mukuru can now offer cash pay-in options where they didn’t exist before. The expanded network is expected to help more people access Mukuru’s services, support growth in its South African customer base, and make cross-border payments more convenient.

Rens Rezelman, General Manager for Flash’s Merchant Division, commented, “Flash works to bridge the digital product and payments gap between businesses and consumers across the country. Launching Mukuru across our network presents another opportunity to bring a familiar brand closer to the people who need it most.”

The sector is now recognised as a R750 billion  industry. According to data tracked by Trade Intelligence, total turnover recently reached R197 billion, growing at roughly 15% annually. Research confirms that traditional trade and spaza shops are growing faster than large supermarket chains, with almost 80% of South African households shopping at these traditional trade outlets regularly. (https://apo-opa.co/4iDwZr8) Bringing Mukuru payments to these stores is a natural fit and helps shop owners draw in more customers and offer more services to their communities. Mukuru and Flash will build awareness of the new pay-in option through store, digital, and community promotions in the coming months.

This partnership is part of Mukuru’s ongoing drive to make cash pay-ins easier and improve access to remittance services for people living and working in areas with limited formal financial services. Over the past two years, the company has made similar moves to make its payment network bigger and more accessible across the region.

Mukuru customers looking to pay closer to home can easily find their nearest participating Flash pay-in point using the Mukuru app or website.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mukuru.

 

 




 

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How CESI is helping shape Africa’s next-gen power grids

Published

15 hours ago

on

November 7, 2026

By

CESI

CESI, a global engineering and consulting company specialising in power systems and energy transition, has supported utilities, transmission system operators and public institutions

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, November 6, 2026/APO Group/ –Across Africa, power systems are undergoing a profound transformation. Rapid population growth, urbanisation, industrial development and ambitious electrification goals are increasing pressure on networks that must improve reliability, integrate growing volumes of renewable energy and strengthen regional interconnections.

 




 
 

For utilities, regulators and governments, this creates a dual challenge: planning future power systems while modernising the infrastructure required to operate them safely and efficiently.

Drawing on projects delivered across the continent CESI, a global engineering and consulting company specialising in power systems and energy transition, has supported utilities, transmission system operators and public institutions in addressing both long-term planning requirements and grid modernisation challenges. These experiences highlight how strategic planning and operational modernisation are becoming increasingly interconnected.

Planning for growth in a changing energy landscape

Many African countries are updating power sector strategies to reflect changing demand patterns, evolving technologies and new regional opportunities. National master plans in countries including Angola, Mozambique and Liberia are examining how generation, transmission and distribution systems can evolve over the coming decades while remaining technically feasible and financially sustainable.

A key trend is the growing emphasis on integrated planning. Rather than treating generation, transmission and distribution separately, stakeholders are increasingly assessing investments across the entire value chain to meet future demand efficiently and reliably. Demand forecasting methodologies are also evolving, considering industrial development, electric mobility and broader electrification trends.

Renewable energy integration is another central consideration. Africa possesses significant solar, wind and hydropower resources, but integrating these technologies requires careful assessment of transmission capacity, system flexibility, reserve requirements and grid stability. In this context, CESI has contributed to power sector master plans and network studies evaluating future development pathways while addressing reliability, economic and energy transition objectives.

Regional interconnections as strategic infrastructure

Regional integration continues to play an increasingly important role in Africa’s electricity sector. Future Interconnection projects linking countries such as Ethiopia and Somalia, Uganda and Tanzania, and Uganda and South Sudan demonstrate how cross-border infrastructure can enhance energy security and optimise the use of available generation resources.

Delivering these projects requires more than engineering analysis. Technical, economic, regulatory and operational considerations must be aligned among participating countries. Through its involvement in several interconnection initiatives at different stages across Africa, CESI has supported stakeholders in assessing feasibility, network performance and operational requirements for cross-border electricity exchanges.

As regional power markets continue to develop, interconnected systems are expected to contribute further to reliability, operational flexibility and efficient resource utilisation.

Modernising grid operations for greater reliability

Alongside long-term planning, utilities are investing in modern operational technologies to improve management of increasingly complex power systems. Control centres, SCADA systems, energy management systems (EMS) and telecommunications networks are becoming essential components of modern grid operations.

In countries including Mozambique and Angola, projects are supporting the development of advanced control centres capable of monitoring generation facilities, transmission networks and interconnections through integrated operational platforms. These systems provide operators with real-time visibility and decision-support capabilities that strengthen system reliability and operational efficiency.

Meanwhile, programmes in Tunisia and Nigeria illustrate how utilities are upgrading ageing SCADA and EMS infrastructures to meet evolving requirements. Modern solutions increasingly incorporate

  • cybersecurity,
  • wide-area monitoring capabilities and
  • renewable energy management functions.

CESI’s experience in control centres, SCADA/EMS systems and power system operations reflects the growing importance of digital technologies in enabling more resilient and responsive electricity networks.

Building resilience and technical capacity

Environmental and social considerations are becoming increasingly important across both planning and modernisation initiatives. Climate resilience now plays a central role in infrastructure development, particularly in countries exposed to extreme weather events or heavily dependent on hydropower resources. As a result, environmental and social assessments are increasingly integrated into project design and investment decision-making processes.

Capacity building is equally important. New technologies and analytical tools require utilities and public institutions to continually strengthen technical capabilities. Training and knowledge-transfer programmes have therefore become integral components of many planning, interconnection and grid modernisation projects, helping organisations develop the expertise needed to manage increasingly sophisticated power systems.

An integrated approach to Africa’s power future

Several common themes are emerging across Africa’s electricity sector. Utilities are adopting longer-term planning horizons, renewable energy is becoming a central driver of network development, regional interconnections are expanding opportunities for power exchange, and digitalisation is transforming power system operations.

Together, these trends point towards a broader evolution of African power systems. The challenge is no longer simply expanding infrastructure, but ensuring that future networks are planned, operated and modernised in a coordinated manner. Achieving this objective will require continued collaboration among utilities, governments, regulators, financiers and technical stakeholders.

Experience across the continent suggests that integrating sound planning with targeted grid modernisation can support the development of more reliable, resilient and adaptable power systems, helping meet Africa’s long-term economic and social development goals.

CESI is a partner of ESI Africa, the power, energy, water, transport and utility multimedia platform that forms part of VUKA Group.

Read the article and access more information: https://apo-opa.co/47Xr1g3

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

 

 




 

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