🎙How can African nations drive industrialization by investing in high-value sectors, developing regional value chains, and adopting flexible policies?🎙South Africa's gross foreign exchange reserves hit a record high of $62.518 billion in December 2023, rising from $61.721 billion in the preceding month.🎙Egypt's current account deficit narrowed by 12.1% to USD 2.8 billion in Q3 2023, down from USD 3.2 billion in the same period the previous year.🎙The FAO Food Price Index fell to 118.5 in December 2023, the lowest since February 2021, from a downwardly revised 120.3 in November.🎙ACWA Power signed a framework for a $4 Billion green hydrogen project in Egypt, producing 600,000 t/y of green ammonia, scaling to 2 Million t/y in a second phase.🎙Red Sea transit insurance costs spike to 0.5% of ship hull value, up from 0.1-0.2%, as attacks prompt expanded risky zones.

🎙Africa's clean energy shift promises security, green jobs, and development but faces hurdles. 🎙Gross foreign exchange reserves in South Africa increased to USD 61.721 billion from USD 60.932 billion.🎙The Central Bank of Botswana slashed its benchmark interest rate by 25 bps to 2.40% at its meeting on December 7th 2023, pushing borrowing costs to the lowest since July 2022.🎙Africa faces $25B annual loss from EU carbon tax, risking de-industrialization and reliance on raw exports.🎙 The annual inflation rate in Rwanda declined to 9.4% from 12.9%.🎙The annual urban inflation rate in Egypt decreased for the second straight month to a six-month low of 34.60% from 35.8%, after hitting a record high in September of 38.0%,

🎙OPEC+ meeting postponed to November 30 over output quota dispute with African producers Nigeria and Angola.🎙Cocoa futures hit $4,300/tonne, last seen in 1977, up 65% in 2023, fueled by supply worries from Ivory Coast and Ghana.🎙Mozambique's annual economic growth accelerated to 5.92% from 4.67% in the previous three-month period.🎙Kenya weighs using forex reserves to repay $2 billion Eurobond; concerns arise as reserves dip below $1.03 trillion statutory requirement.🎙World Economic Forum's 2023 report: $13.5 trillion needed by 2050 for sustainable transition in key industries; collaborative innovation crucial.

🎙Understanding the current state of the South Sudan economy amidst the Sudan crisis.🎙The NSE-All Share index extended gains for the fourth straight session to touch a new record level of 71,170 on Friday.🎙PPC sells 51% Cimerwa stake for $42.5M to Kenya's National Cement, focusing on core markets and optimizing capital allocation.🎙Facebook ads in Tanzania face 18% VAT starting Dec 1, 2023. The government targets tech giants for Digital Services Tax.

🎙Uganda has over-time completed the acquisition and processing of high-resolution aerial magnetic data for the country. It is projected that the mining sector will be a major driver of employment and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in Uganda over the next several years.🎙South Africa posted a trade surplus of ZAR 13.1 billion in September 2023, above market estimates of ZAR 12 billion and a downwardly revised ZAR 12.6 billion surplus in August. 🎙US President Joe Biden intends to end the participation of Gabon, Niger, Uganda and the Central African Republic in the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) trade program. 🎙Microsoft has announced plans to certify 30 million people in Africa in artificial intelligence- (AI-) related skills by 2025.

- Global Islamic Finance assets are forecast to reach USD 3.69  trillion by 2024, according to the 2020 Islamic Finance Development Report - South Africa  emerges as the top choice for mergers and acquisition deals- S&P Global Ratings cut Egypt's long-term foreign and local currency sovereign credit ratings to B-, from B. 

The cost of energy in Ghana has led the country into debt. The power woes don't end there, there have been challenges with the tariffs, mismanagement of funds, embezzlement and other factors that have raised the country's cost of power causing the country to pay more than what is being produced which caused a deficit in the economy.

The national airline of Angola, has announced its financial results for the fiscal year 2022, revealing a remarkable increase in net profit compared to the previous year. The airline reported a net profit of 460.1 million kwanzas, equivalent to approximately USD$800,000, representing a substantial 30% overall growth compared to 2021.

Kampala is one of the cities in Africa that is on the first track of development, with the city producing 65% of the country's GDP and being the one and only city in Uganda contributing 80% of the country's industrial and commercial activities. With their high urbanization rate; it has led to the depletion of the green cover of Kampala.

Rinah KIZZA CEO and owner of Ri's Munch joins us today on this episode of meet the CEO to inspire all you business men and women out there that think you can't make it.

The ongoing conflict in Khartoum has caused significant economic disruption, including food shortages, blackouts, and inflation. The city, previously considered a stable financial center, has become a war zone with frequent shelling and air attacks.

Ghana receives the financial assurance it needs from the Paris Club after the meeting of the official Creditors Committee, chaired by China and France, paving way for the Board of the International Monetary Fund(IMF) to approve of the country's pending $3 billion loan-support programme. The Creditors Committee will negotiate with the Government on the terms of restricting the claims which are going to be finalized in a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU). This loan will help Ghana in debt restructuring and minimize the balance of payment deficit and open doors for more investors.

Today we talk about how Africa is a continent that is rich in natural resources and offering a wide range of investment opportunities.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) says MSMEs in Africa face challenges in acquiring resources such asfinance, markets, and technology. In some countries like Uganda for example, MSMEs  for 75% of private sector employment but only 16% access formal finance.

In Ghana, members of the Pensioner Bondholders Forum have returned to the premises of the Finance Ministry to demand payment of outstanding coupons on matured bonds.

In order to narrow its fiscal deficit, Kenya has come up with a plan to charge taxes on the transfer and exchange of digital assets such as cryptocurrency exchanges.

Join us on today's episode as we talk with  Maya Senussi a Senior Middle East Economist who will be helping us to understand more on the different  opportunities in the Egyptian economy

Christian Intwari, the founder of ‘Our Past’, the youth-led initiative that organises aims to educate young people about the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and inspire them to take the initiative to rebuild Rwanda 

Some investors of Ghana's 2030 Eurobond have received coupon payments which had been due on April 14. The country announced it would default on some its external debt in December and has not made payments on its international bonds since. However, the bond maturing in 2030 with a coupon of 10.75% is partially guaranteed by the World Bank, so payment kicked in this week via the bank's International Development Association.  On today’s episode we are joined by Ondiro Onganga analyst with the K Financial to give an understanding of the International Monetary Fund’s bailout package for Ghana. 

The World Bank projects the economic growth of poor nations to slow by almost one-third and business cycle indicator in South Africa slips further.

The World Bank’s think tank says a spike in scams and fraud across sub-Saharan Africa risks reversing recent gains in bringing previously excluded groups into the digital economy, with damaging results for economic development and inclusion in government services.Absa Bank Uganda’s Managing Director Mumba Kalifungwa joins us for this episode.

Egypt has devalued its currency 3 times already and many experts see a fourth on the cards. Churchill Oguttu, Economic Analyst for North and East Africa with IC Group joins us for this episode 

Global rice shortage is set to be the biggest in 20 years and Ghana GDP Growth Accelerates to 3.7% in Q4

Thousands flee Sudan’s capital, South African cannabis firm wins Malaysian backer.

Absa Bank Uganda posts 141bn shillings profit for the year 2022 and Accounting giant Ernst & Young is cutting 3,000 jobs

In Kenya, Some civil servants across the national government and employees in at least half of the counties across the country were yet to receive salaries for the last two months as the government faces cash flow problems. Rising domestic debt maturities in 2023 have put pressure on government revenues, forcing the prioritisation of debt repayment to salaries and other operations and maintenance vote heads

The annual inflation rate in Rwanda edged up to 31% in March 2023, from a five-month low of 30.3% in the prior month. Ted Kaberuka, Economist and  Partner at Centrix Group returns to the podcast to discuss measures being taken to bring down that  number  to below 8% by the end of the year.

Jean Hurbert Ishimwe Nkurayija of Kashireshi joins us. He opens up about working in a space and country that has its foot forward in the innovation space and also what it means to develop tech solutions with an African perspective

There is an uptick in the inflation rate in Rwanda. Latest data shows the annual inflation rate in Rwanda edged up to 31% in March 2023, from a five-month low of 30.3% in the prior month. Ted Kaberuka Economist and  Partner at Centrix Group joins us for this episode to highlight the factors influencing the  uptick in inflation.

The Ugandan government  is working to grow export revenue especially in Africa. One of the steps it is  taking is strengthening  ties with South Africa and working to remove non tariff barriers.The Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development, Mr.Odrek Rwabwogo on  how to achieve the growth in export revenue by USD 6BN over the next 5 years. 

More and more roles are being created where having the skills to draw valuable insights from large data sets is imperative. Which for many has left them with the question: what are some of the considerations that one should take into account when planning to upskill yourself to better prepare for the demands of the data driven workforce?Micheal Nyitekega Program Director at Refactory at Clark International  University joins us for this episode. 

We are back with another episode of Meet the CEO. Sandrah Asimwe returns to the podcast, this time as the  award winning CEO of Ecoville Ug. She walks us through what it means being a pioneer in her field and why we should all be working towards a more sustainable lifestyle. 

One of the biggest hurdles the private sector has had to deal with is access to finance. Large firms tend to benefit more from bank financing than SMEs do, as their track record and scale reduce their risk profile. Smaller, newer companies and those in the informal sector often face higher borrowing costs, if they are able to borrow at all.  Damalie Ssali, the Programs Director at Private Sector Foundation Uganda, in this episode discusses why it's important to create alternative pools of finance for the private sector.

Ayambe Zero CEO Alex Kalanda returns to the podcast to expound on issues in the climate change ecosystem. Today he expounds more on what a carbon footprint is. 

Climate change has become one of the most pivotal conversations of our time, Alex Kalanda, the Ayambe Zero CEO joins us for this episode  to expound on the work done to ensure it is not just a buzzword but a concept that can be understood even at the grass-root level.

Stanbic Uganda posted  Profit After Tax of Ush. 366 billion in the year 2022representing year-on-year growth of 33 per cent.. Customer deposits grew by 6.8 percent year on year to Ush 6.1 trillion from Ush 5.7 trillion; net loans and advances rose to Ush.4.1 trillion from Ush.3.7 trillion while total assets grew by 3.9 percent to Ush. 9.0 trillion.Andrew Mashanda, Chief Executive of Stanbic Uganda Holdings Limited reflects on the bank’s performance despite the prolonged uncertainty of the global and local economic uncertainty.

US Vice President Kamala Harris kicks off Africa trip. Her itinerary  includes three nights in Ghana, two nights in Tanzania, and one in Zambia. In Ghana she pledged more than $100 million (€ 93 million) in an aid package to the country.She said she was "very excited about the future of Africa," adding that she would be discussing issues like increasing food security, climate change, and growing investment on the continent.

At the start of this month,A French civil court dismissed a fast-track lawsuit brought by campaigners against energy major TotalEnergies (TTEF.PA) over its oil projects in Uganda and Tanzania, saying the case should be examined in depth in a standard trial.Under the suit filed in 2019, six French and Ugandan activist groups had accused the company of failing to protect people and the environment from the Tilenga oil development and the $3.5 billion East African Crude Oil Pipeline.

The Bank of South Sudan has increased the Central Bank Interest Rate by 300 bps from 12 per cent to 15 per cent. Akol Dok, Managing Partner at Orus, joins us for this episode to discuss this key decision further

In the past few weeks, Safaricom’s share price has been on a free fall, causing panic. The giant telco lost as much as  32.3 percent off that price valuation.Solomon Kariuki - Equities and Fixed Income Analyst .AIB-AXYS Africa joins us for this episode to discuss the performance of the Safaricom share price and the possible effects on the Nairobi Stock Exchange?

We really look forward to Fridays. We bring you another Episode of Meet the CEO. Albert Munyabugingo, CEO of Vuba Vuba joins us for this episode. He discusses what it takes to build a thriving e-commerce business and why its important transaction charges take the downward trend  

South African opposition, The Economic Freedom Fighters called for a national shutdown to protest against rolling blackouts and pressure President Cyril Ramaphosa to resign. There were sporadic disruptions, including some road closures, and some stores shut their doors, mainly in the city centers where marches were held.Tsholofelo Diale, analyst with the KFinancial joins to shed more light on what many have called a resounding failure

Industry and businesses have been principal beneficiaries of academic outcomes developed in educational  institutions and research laboratories.Ultimately, the global society benefits from this joint effort of the non-profit institutions and for-profit businesses. But this synergy is often not given due recognition and appreciated in a tangible manner by the society in general. Dev Chamroo Senior Consultant with CITC Technologies joins us for this episode to discuss the academia-industry interaction and how it can be mutually beneficial.

The Airport Carbon Accreditation Annual Report 2021-2022 was released last week showcasing the remarkable carbon management progress made by accredited airports in Africa.Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Africa saw a remarkable growth rate of 38% in airport participation, with 22 accredited airports across 13 countries.

Some of the biggest hurdles exporters face include  limited access to finance ( high costs of borrowing, limited post-shipment financing,) low production volumes, high international market entry related costs, generic loans backed by strong collateral.Estelle Uwizeye,Manager Exports and Manufacturing PortFolio at the Development Bank of Rwanda, joins us expound on the The Export Growth Fund (EGF) by the Development Bank of Rwanda and how its solving the export financing challenges in Rwanda 

Africa is home to a third of the world’s 850 million people living with hunger.With the removal of barriers to agricultural development aided by new investments, Africa’s agricultural output could increase from $280 billion per year to $1 trillion by 2030.

In today’s episode we talk to Kush Bank’s Acting CEO Ryan O’Grady on its move to remove fees on all deposits and withdrawals in the country and it’s impact on financial inclusion. 

Despite the confluence of multiple shocks, growth across all five African regions was positive in 2022—and the outlook for 2023–24 is projected to be stable.

African Development Bank has launched its first edition of Africa’s Macroeconomic Performance and Outlook Report.The bank's President  Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina hopes that the biannual publication provides  African policymakers, global investors, researchers, and other development partners with an up-to-date, evidence-based assessment of the continent’s recent macroeconomic performance and short-to-medium term outlook amid dynamic global economic developments.

The Aviation industry is expected to finally reach a profit in 2023 – the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic – but unpredictable factors such as oil costs and ever-increasingly extreme weather patterns will continue to create more challenges for airlines. Derek Nseko, Airspace Africa CEO joins us to break down these trends for the African continent. Will they mirror the global picture ?

The entry of new retail brands and expansion of the retail sector in Uganda is facing a number  of challenges. While there is a  positive outlook for consumer spending in Uganda over 2023, with real household spending growth accelerating to 6.2% y-o-y. There are factors like inflation and interest rates that will both be elevated over 2023 and eat into disposable income. 

South Africa’s energy provision plan and Tanzania’s cautious introduction of a digital currency. 

Climate change lawfare and it impacts on oil developments in Africa .

Debt Restructures across the continent and we look at the EAC Intra Trade hitting 10 billion dollars .

Ghana, is there domestic debt restructure a cautionary tale for other African countries?

In today’s Episode Uganda’s oil and gas industry takes centre stage.Elison Karuhanga, Chairman of Oil and Gas Committee - East African Law Society reviews, the great, the good, the bad and ugly happenings of the sector in the year 2022

Antoine Kajangwe  Director General-Trade and Investment at the Ministry of Trade and Industry (Rwanda) returns for another episode. This time he breaks down how countries can leverage their comparative trade advantages 

Africa in 2023, what factors will influence growth on the continent?

Lessons from Morocco ‘s football Infrastructure investment. And we look at Rwanda’s GDP  growing  by 10%.

Have countries had an equitable recovery from the pandemic ? And Ghana Suspends payments on External debt 

Nigeria Inflation Rate Climbs to New 17-Year Peak. And a look at pandemic preparedness.

Roland Christian Habimana, CEO and Founder at SPACES & SCAPES joins us for this Episode of Meet CEOHe discusses Sustainable Architecture, Interior Design and Landscaping. 

What is the $3 trillion dollars AFCFTA opportunity? A look at the dynamic inflation picture on the continent.

Kenya’s President introduces a hustler fund, how will it work? Ghana’s Cedi appreciates.

Ethiopia: No foreign currency for non priority goods imports. 

Is Africa’s rising health tech sector getting its due attention?

Safaricom’s $850 million entry spend into Ethiopia.

The devaluation of the Egyptian pound, what does this mean for the country’s economy?

Private sector activity on the continent registers a mixed picture and we look into what the fast paced world of digital transformation means for the marketing sector. 

Global food prices fall. Is Air Nigeria ready for takeoff?

Meet the CEO: Tony Adesina of Safi rides.

Opening of Africa’s air transport markets.

Ghana hikes key interest rate to highest in 19 years.

The role of manufacturing sector and AFCFTA for economic rebound.

Meet the CEOClive Kyazze, CEO of Football 256

Inflation; Kenya raises benchmark rate, Zambia leaves it unchanged.

Nigeria hikes key interest rate. 

A possible recession, which African countries are defying the odds?

Ethiopia moves to open up banking sector. Nigeria inflation at all time highs. 

Meet the CEO: Anisha Muhoozi of KCCA Football Club.

More commitments to climate funding, oil and gas dominate #Cop27 conversation.

Nigeria’s Naira falls to record low and a look at Tunisia’s inflation numbers.  

As discussion on energy transition in Africa gains traction economics warn that Energy poverty is rife on the continent. 

Fulfilling the promise of e-procurement reforms in Africa.

The Egyptian pound depreciated over 16% and Malawi raises its benchmark rate. 

Meet The CEO series, Arnuad Nibaruta,Co-Founder of Dot Pharma challenges us on mindset change towards the innovations young people are coming up with to solve every day problems

The power of the political economy phenomenon.South Africa's government has revised its budget deficit. 

Capital investment for climate neutrality in Africa.

Egypt set for cop 27, what should we expect?

Botswana maintains steady benchmark rate. 

De-risking Africa’s agriculture sector, what does this entail? Ethiopia restricts foreign currency use.. Ghana’s Cedi Becomes the worst-performing currency in the world.

Côte d'Ivoire Inflation Rate Hits Fresh 11-Year High, Botswana Food Inflation at Over 13-Year High. A special Regional Export Facility (REF) of an initial amount of Uganda shillings one trillion has been launched.

The International Monetary Fund’s latest  Economic Outlook puts Growth in East, west, central, southern Africa regional blocs at  3.6% in 2022 and will remain subdued at 3.7% in 2023.

Nigeria’s Naira depreciates sharply and a changing market landscape. 

Today’s CEO is Ryan O’grady  The  CEO Kush Holdings and Ag CEO @kushbankss. He talks about diversification in the Banking Sector and the growth he hopes to see in South Sudan 

Ghana Inflation Rate Hits Fresh 21-Year High, Kenya GDP Growth at Over 1-Year Low

Harnessing the potential of Africa’s manufacturing sector.

Ghana to revise debt policy, Seychelles inflation.

Josephine Adeti, Ivan Otieno and Isaac Wachira, the founders of Radava Mercantile feature on this episode of Meet The CEO.

The economy of Angola Advances, African Startups have raised over 4bn in 2022 and is Elon Musk back to buy Twitter?

Ghana’s economic woes take centre stage. We also look at the Economies of Morroco and Senegal, did they advance in the Second Quarter?

Generation Z or best known as Gen Z and their disruption of global  investment trends.We also look at  Kenya's accelerating Inflation and South Africa's shrinking trade surplus

Somalia Inflation Rate Ticks Down, Namibia’s economy advances and we talk about sustainable investment and why debt stress on the continent poses a danger to it. 

Nigeria Lifts Key Interest Rate to 15.5%, Above Forecasts, while Zimbabwe Keeps Key Interest Rate. In Uganda, The NSSF counts the opportunity cost of the Mid Term Benefits. 

 Global economic growth is set to slow sharply in 2022, Kenya’s Fuel subsidy removal.

Ethiopian Airlines will own 49 per cent equity In Nigeria Air and  The Central Bank of Egypt kept its key overnight deposit rate steady

Today’s CEO is Helen Wangari from SowPrecise Africa. She enlightens us about the farm management system that enable farmers to manage their farms remotely from any location!

A mixed inflation picture on the continent and the appointment of a new Central Bank Governor in South Sudan. 

100 start-ups in Africa have raised their first $1m+ round.Ghana economy advances. 

Crypto markets hit a fresh low. The 93.7m Treasury Balance, Is Kenya’s government broke? That and more in this episode,

In this meet the CEO, we talk to Eric Uzabakiriho from Irebe Biotech. This program is powered by the Jasiri Talent Investor program. Applications for the next program are still open until October 7th. Apply now via jasiri.org/application. 

Uganda’s capital markets savings sees 13.7% growth. Ghana annual inflation rate accelerated to 33.9% 

Africa’s aviation sector big boys are in Kigali. Could this spark the sector? 

Bitcoin regains ground and a look at Uganda’s oil sector benefits to the locals. 

We look at the cost of the elections in East Africa’s biggest economy, Kenya. 

In this episode we look at South Sudan’s tax rate hike and Kenya’s rising inflation rate.

Today’s CEO is an ardent believer in Sports Investment and the change that will bring to the continent.Meet Rose Maghas, CEO of Rova Sports Academy .

Remarkable economic growth across Botswana, Angola and Seychelles.And also we start our series;  Post Mortem of Kune Foods.