WHO sets up panel to review handling of COVID-19 pandemic
The announcement follows strong criticism by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, which accused the WHO of being “China-centric”, and U.S. formal notification on Tuesday that it was withdrawing from the U.N. agency in a year’s time.
One of the biggest name in the British High Street takes a heavy blow
LONDON (Reuters) - British health and beauty retailer Boots plans to cut 4,000 jobs and close 48 optician stores, in the latest...
African-born Elon Musk says he is very close to making cars that can drive themselves.
“I remain confident that we will have the basic functionality for level 5 autonomy complete this year.”
Maktech’s Godwin Makyao: Now Is A Time of Entrepreneurial Opportunity in East Africa
As an executive decision-maker in both the telecommunications and tourism industries, Godwin Makyao could not have experienced a more diverse set of...
Africa’s CDC urges more COVID-19 tests, masks, as continent’s cases top 500,000
NAIROBI (Reuters) - African countries urgently need to scale up coronavirus testing and the use of face masks, a regional disease control...
City Lodge faces resistance to its R1.2bn rights issue. Here’s why
In the wake of COVID-19 many listed companies have offered rights issues in order to raise capital during these trying times, but according to Oasis Asset Management there are good and bad equity issuances. Joining CNBC Africa for more is Adam Ebrahim, CEO of Oasis Asset Management.
Sacred sites blast exposes Australia’s laws skewed to mining
But the bill comes at a time when public outrage over the caves’ destruction, fuelled by the Black Lives Matter movement, could yield different outcomes from a legal structure that has almost always greenlighted mining development at the expense of cultural sites.
Malawi appoints Wilson Banda as new central bank governor
BLANTYRE (Reuters) - Malawi’s new President Lazarus Chakwera has appointed Wilson Banda, a former central bank official, as its new governor, a...
Total secures $15.8 bln in funding for Mozambique gas project – FNB
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - French oil major Total has secured $15.8 billion in funding for its massive liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in...
Visit vibrant Kigali for the inspiring IATF 2020
Situated in the heart of Rwanda, Kigali is buzzing with possibility and African charm. Home to countless creative startups and tech hubs and supported by a promising investment climate, the dynamic and progressive capital is the perfect setting for the key event boosting trade in Africa – the IATF 2020.
Surgo Foundation: Why a young population is Africa’s best defence against coronavirus
Africa’s young population is the best defence against the COVID-19 pandemic, as the COVID-19 mortality rate for key populations has shown age as a factor for hospitalizations. This is according to the latest study by the Africa COVID-19 Community Vulnerability Index; CNBC Africa spoke to Dr. Sema Sgaier, Executive Director at the Surgo Foundation for more.
Professor Shabir Madhi gives update on SA’s first COVID-19 vaccine trials
It’s been almost three weeks since South Africa’s first COVID-19 vaccine trials began, we will be unpacking more on the progress of these trials as well as the latest emerging evidence brought to the attention of the World Health Organization regarding the airborne transmission of COVID-19. Joining CNBC Africa for more is Shabir Madhi, Professor of Vaccinology at the University of Witwatersrand.
How can the media industry bounce back from COVID-19 headwinds?
The media industry globally has come under immense strain as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with both big and small players in the sector announcing staff layoffs and salary cuts. How exactly can this sector bounce back? CNBC Africa spoke to David Omwoyo, CEO of Media Council of Kenya, for more.
Uganda Securities Exchange CEO: How the bourse is adapting to COVID-19 disruptions
The share index at the Uganda Securities Exchange dropped by about 4 percentage points as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic though the bourse’s CEO Paul Bwiso remains upbeat about the performance, He spoke CNBC Africa to for more.
AfCFTA: How to get the free trade deal back on track amid COVID-19 crisis
The African Free Continental Free Trade Area agreement was scheduled to be operationalized on the 1st of July but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, various heads of state have agreed to a new date for what will become the continent’s biggest trade deal, CNBC Africa to Albert Muchanga, AU Commissioner for Trade and Industry on the way forward for the AfCFTA deal.
FSCA publishes conduct standards for banks
The Financial Sector Conduct Authority has published the Conduct Standard for Banks, which aims to regulate and supervise banking institutions, and to promote the treatment of financial customers. Having successfully undergone the Parliamentary process, the Conduct Standard has been made final. Joining CNBC Africa for this discussion is Kedibone Dikokwe, Divisional Executive, Conduct of Business Supervision at the Financial Services Conduct Authority and Adri Grobler, Manager, Legislation & Regulatory Oversight in the Market Conduct Division at the Banking Association of South Africa.
How to reposition Nigeria’s judiciary system
Nigeria’s judicial system has come under fire in recent years and conversations around repositioning the judiciary has become rife. As lawyers in Nigeria prepare for the elections of the Nigerian Bar Association, one of the candidates vying for the top spot joins CNBC Africa’s Kenneth Igbomor for this discussion. He is Dele Adesina, Senior Advocate of Nigeria and the Principal Partner, Dele Adesina Legal Practitioners....
Coke The Secret Formula EP4: Highlights Special
In this episode of The Secret Formula the team travel to Soweto and the Western Cape to investigate how The Coca Cola Company are making a difference in terms of their waste management systems and encouragement of recycling. In these uncertain times of COVID-19 it's time to paint a brighter future on that blank canvas in front of us....
Op-Ed: Africa’s people-led approach to combat COVID-19 shows signs of progress and leadership
In its fight against the spread of COVID-19, our continent faces a massive challenge that requires unprecedented levels of unity and coordinated action. These are the actions the African Union is taking to fight the pandemic.
Steinhoff agrees to sell stake in Conforama France to Mobilux
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Scandal-hit Steinhoff International agreed to sell its shares in furniture retailer Conforama France to Mobilux Sàrl, the parent company...
Namibia to ground national carrier’s license over cash hole
WINDHOEK (Reuters) - Cash-strapped Air Namibia will have its planes grounded at midnight on Wednesday after it failed to secure enough funding...
Uganda growth to sink as low as 0.4% this year – World Bank
KAMPALA (Reuters) - Ugandan economic growth is set to plunge to as low as 0.4% in 2020 from 5.6% last year as...
How retirement funds can contribute to rebuilding SA’s economy
Sanlam Benchmark Symposium: Sanlam has conducted research across a wide breadth of employers, retirement funds and professional consultants to benchmark their employee benefits experiences of the lock-down as well as their expectations of the future in a COVID-19 impacted economy. Chris Bishop spoke to Viresh Maharaj, Managing Executive, Sanlam Corporate Distribution, about the outcomes of the research and current trends in the Industry....
Uganda Securities Exchange CEO on how COVID-19 is impacting the bourse
The economic turmoil caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has had wide severe impact on financial markets not leaving behind stocks, bond and commodity markets. Uganda Securities Exchange CEO, Paul Bwiso joins CNBC Africa for more.
COVID-19: How the pandemic is accelerating the digitalization of healthcare
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused huge disruptions in healthcare provision, highlighting the need to adopt and invest in digitalization. Dr. Wanjeri Millicent Loice, Director and Content Manager, Toto Health Kenya joins CNBC Africa for more.
AfDB’s Nnenna Nwabufo on how COVID-19 has impacted African economies
According to the African Development Bank’s revised African Economic Outlook, though the continent is expected to rebound next year; it could lose a quarter of a trillion dollars in economic output for the rest of this year and 2021. Nnenna Nwabufo, Acting Director-General of East Africa Regional Office at the AfDB joins CNBC Africa for more.
Kenyan sports minister Amina Mohamed to bid for top WTO job
The Geneva-based body is seeking a replacement for Brazil’s Roberto Azevedo who is stepping down a year early at the end of August at a critical juncture for the trade watchdog.
COMMENT: COVID_19 – Crazy times call for crazy measures
On the 10th of September, 2001 – you could walk up to an airline counter, buy a ticket with no ID, walk straight through to the gate, get on a plane, pop into the cockpit to say hi to the captain, and within reason do what you wanted.
UBA: Nigeria’s Fx markets continue to be under pressure
Traders at UBA say the tight system liquidity with no expectations in sight for the week and the lack of securities supply is putting a damper on market sentiments. Nkem Azinge, Currency Trader at UBA joins CNBC Africa for a mid-week review of Nigeria’s money markets...
NSE upgrades X-Issuer to enhance market integrity
The Nigerian Stock Exchange upgraded its issuers’ portal on Monday. The portal was developed to ensure electronic delivery of issuers’ mandatory filings in a structured way for stakeholders in the capital market. Tinuade Awe, Executive Director for the Regulation Division of the NSE joins CNBC Africa for more.
Moody’s: How COVID-19 has diminished Africa’s capacity to absorb future shocks
Moody’s Investors Service says the longer-lasting negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on credit profiles of Africa countries will leave them with diminished capacity to absorb future shocks. Moody’s Vice-President, Kelvin Dalrymple joins CNBC Africa for more.
Nigeria money markets: Naira weakens against the dollar
As the Central Bank of Nigeria amplifies its efforts to unify the exchange rates, Access Bank says the naira closed at 386 naira 50 kobo to the greenback, with transactions executed as high as 391 naira 45 kobo. Olugbenga Sonaike, Fixed Income Trader at Access Bank joins CNBC Africa for more....
How COVID-19 could condemn millions of Africans into extreme poverty
The African Development Bank says an additional 49 million Africans could be pushed into extreme poverty by the Covid-19 pandemic and its aftermath. This was in the updated forecast of the Africa Economic Outlook, where they expect Central Africa and West Africa to be the hardest-hit regions. Kayode Akindele, Partner at TIA Capital joins CNBC Africa for more.
Implement substantive reforms, Paris Club creditors tell Zimbabwe
HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwe should implement sustainable political and economic reforms and successfully complete an IMF monitoring programme in order to normalise...
BFA Asset Management on Angola’s annual budget outlook
Chinese debt relief given to emerging markets that are facing the pressure from the Covid-19 pandemic may pose some threats to countries that already have vast amounts of debt owing to facilities. Joining CNBC Africa to unpack debt relief implications for Angola and Mozambique and as well as the Angolan annual budget outlook is Rui Oliveira, CEO at BFA Asset Management.
L’Oreal’s Hlengiwe Mathenjwa on how Covid-19 has impacted the beauty & skincare industry
The 111 year old French beauty giant L’Oreal has appointed Hlengiwe Mathenjwa as the new director of its largest manufacturing facility in the Africa and Middle East region. This appointment comes amid the Covid-19 storm that is ravishing most industries globally, Hlengiwe Mathenjwa joins CNBC Africa for more.
COVID-19 lock-down: How the Gauteng government plans to safely reopen schools
Since the gradual opening of the economy after lock-down there has been a sharp incline of COVID-19 cases. The government has the task of balancing the health of the people with keeping the economy going and opening the schools. How is the Gauteng provincial government helping? The Gauteng MEC for education is laying out the plans to welcome back school goers....
COVID-19: Rwandan bound containers held at Mombasa port
Over 2000 Rwanda bound containers of goods have been held in Kenya and Tanzania due to the delays in cargo clearance. According to Rwanda's Private Sector Federation, the move contradicts a comprehensive regional COVID-19 approach that was agreed on in dealing with the challenges of the virus on the cross-border businesses between member states. Economic Analyst, Ted Kaberuka joins CNBC Africa for more.
Atlas Mara’s Maurice Toroitich on the major drivers behind strong Q1 results
A more efficient approach, frugal is what some experts have called it, now that is the strategy taken by BPR Atlas Mara Rwanda Managing Director, Maurice Toroitich and it seems to be reaping results, well at least in the short run. He joins CNBC Africa for a look at the bank’s first quarter results.
Parts of South Africa’s Edcon set for sale to Durban-based retailer
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Parts of South African retail chain Edcon are likely to be sold to private equity-backed Retailability Ltd, administrators in...
Africa Press Office
Coronavirus – Nigeria: Donation of Personal Protective Equipment from ANPA for COVID-19 response in Nigeria
We are grateful to The Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA) for the donation of personal protective equipment as support for the COVID-19 national response. We commend the efforts of public and private entities as we jointly take responsibility in the face of this pandemic.Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).Media filesDownload logo
Coronavirus – Somalia: Update on COVID-19 in Somalia (7th July 2020)
Download logoNew cases confirmed today: 9 Somaliland: 3 Jubbaland: 3 Puntland: 3 Male: 7 Female: 2 Recovery: 45 Death: 0 Total confirmed cases: 3,015 Total recoveries: 1,096 Total deaths: 92Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health & Human Services, Federal Republic of Somalia.
Madagascar receives USD 2.13 million from African Risk Capacity Insurance Company Limited Policy for Drought Response
The Government of Madagascar today received a symbolic cheque in the amount of USD 2,13 million from the African Risk Capacity Insurance Company Limited (ARC Ltd) to cover anticipated losses to livelihoods of its vulnerable population from the crop failure in the just concluded farming season. The ARC payout is the result of drought insurance taken by the country with the support of the African Development Bank (the Bank) through its flagship programme, Africa Disaster Risk Financing (ADRiFi) Pr
Coronavirus – South Africa: Minister Nathi Mthethwa on gazetting of the re-opening of arts and cultural spaces during Coronavirus COVID-19 Alert Level 3
Download logoMinister Nathi Mthethwa has signed and approved the re-opening of cinemas, theatres, museums, libraries, galleries and archives, in compliance with measures to prevent and combat the spread of COVID-19 as per 27 (2) of the Disaster Management Act 2002 (Act no. 57 of 2002). This approval comes after consultation with the cabinet member responsible for health. Cinemas, theatres and arts and cultural spaces overall may operate, provided that only 50 people or less are allowed, in co
Coronavirus – Sierra Leone: COVID-19 Status Update (7th July 2020)
Download logoCumulative confirmed positive cases: 1,572 Total number of deaths: 63 Active new cases: 25 Active cases at Isolation Centres: 421 Cumulative recoveries: 1088 Number currently in quarantine: 1,390 Number discharged from quarantine: 7,925Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Government of Sierra Leone.
Coronavirus – Zimbabwe: COVID-19 update, 6th July 2020
Download logoHighlights of the situation report Eighteen (18) cases tested positive for COVID-19. These include returnees from South Africa (16) and 2 local cases who are isolated. Investigations are underway to establish the source of infection for the local case. We regret to report a facility death of a male aged 54, from Bulawayo Province who tested positive with no history of travel and had co-morbidities. New recoveries were reported by the following provinces Harare (12), Masvingo