Africa: Do Trump’s Policies Endanger South Africa’s AGOA Trade Deal?

Over 100 AI engineers and data scientists graduated from the SAFEE program in Addis Ababa, a partnership between Kifiya Financial Technology and the Mastercard Foundation, supporting Ethiopia's transition to uncollateralized digital lending and financial inclusion. SAFEE facilitated over 22 billion birr in uncollateralized loans to 600,000 MSMEs, fostering partnerships with six banks and training young talent in AI and data science to drive the country's financial transformation towards data-driven solutions and economic empowerment. The event...

Green bonds are gaining traction globally, particularly in West Africa, offering the potential to finance environmentally sustainable projects while providing attractive returns for investors. African stock exchanges should invest in green bonds to align with sustainable development goals, bridging the climate finance gap and driving long-term economic stability. Sani Bankoley emphasizes the importance of standardizing climate finance products, incentivizing green bond adoption, and creating enabling policies to unlock capital markets and position West Africa as...

The Kogelberg Nature Reserve, located in the Cape Floral Kingdom of South Africa, boasts incredible biodiversity with over 1,880 plant species and eco-friendly accommodation options like the Oudebosch eco-cabins. Visitors can enjoy hiking trails, birdwatching, and mountain biking, as well as a swimming pool for relaxation. Day visitors are welcome, and the best time to visit is in Spring for wildflower displays. Sara Essop, a travel blogger, recommends this stunning reserve as a must-visit destination....

City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) Executive Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza emphasized his commitment to service delivery in his State of the City Address, focusing on key pillars such as infrastructure development, economic growth, and good governance. The administration's renewal project includes revitalizing the CBD, developing the township economy, and addressing infrastructure challenges. Plans are in place to upgrade energy infrastructure, appoint Independent Power Producers, and improve water and sewer systems to enhance service delivery and support the...

March 2025 was a disastrous month under Trump's presidency, with tariffs and economic threats causing market crashes, erasing gains from his election. The portfolio owner, who achieved financial independence in 2020-2021 with a $1.3m ETF portfolio, saw a $150k decrease in net worth, primarily holding VTI, VGT, VCR, and some single name stocks. The market saw significant declines with the S&P and Nasdaq entering correction territory, down more than 10% from highs, as Trump's tariffs...

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has ordered diplomats overseas to scrutinize social media content of certain visa applicants, focusing on those suspected of criticizing the U.S. and Israel. Consular officers are now required to conduct mandatory social media checks on student and exchange visitor visa applicants who may have terrorist ties, sympathies, or expressed sympathy for Palestinians during the Gaza war. Rubio has revoked over 300 visas, with a focus on students involved in campus...