African Leadership magazine

CLEANING HOUSE FIRST - H.E. LAZARUS CHAKWERA

LEADERS WHO WILL SHAPE AFRICA IN 2021 PT.1

Afric n Leadership JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021

£5 $8 N3000 ZAR100

DAVID

IBIYEOMIE

DEVELOPING AFRICAN STATESMEN FOR THE FUTURE

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Leadership

Magazine

A F R I C A N

L E A D E R S H I P

M A G A Z I N E

PERSONS OF THE

YEAR 2020 (Virtual Awards Ceremony)

February 26th, 2021 info@africanleadership.co.uk

Contents

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37 Eswatini: Land of Vast Opportunities and Limitless Possibilities

Cover story David Ibiyeomie: Developing African Statesmen For The Future

57 CONTEC GLOBAL: Pioneering Agrictech and Bio-diversity for Inclusive Growth and Development in Africa

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Can A President Biden Re-set The United Statesʼ Relationship With Africa?

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Jean Mensa: A Woman of Courage and Mettle

Sustainable Finance Could Help Drive Africa's Economic Recovery

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Cleaning House First: Good Governance as a Key to Unlocking Global Partnerships for Shared Prosperity

Meet Stacey Abrams: An Unsung Star of the 2020 Election in the United States

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THE MOGUL: Abdulsamad Rabiu – The Skilled Merchant

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How Can Africa Prepare Its Education System For The Post-covid World?

United Kingdom Prepares For Big Post Brexit Trade Blitz

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True Federalism: Key to Nigeria's Growth & Development

AFRICANLEADERSHIP MAGA ZINE

...A Publication of African Leadership (UK) Limited

Group Managing Editor - Kingsley Okeke editor@africanleadership.co.uk Associate Editor - Arvy Nahar aknahar@africanleadership.co.uk

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Ken Giami Founder & Executive Chairman

Editor-At-Large - Martin Roche martin@africanleadership.co.uk Editor, International Affairs - Kenneth Nkemnacho nkemnacho@africanleadershp.co.uk Head of Creatives - Joseph Akuboh A.

Editorial Board Peter Burdin, London UK – Chair Nwandi Lawson, Atlanta USA -Member Simon Kolawole, Lagos Nigeria -Member Peter Ndoro, SABC Johannesburg – Member Frenny Jowi, Nairobi Kenya - Member Brig. Gen. SK Usman Rtd., Abuja Nigeria - Member David Morgan, Washington DC USA – Member

Contributors Matshona Dhilwayo, Chifuniro Kandaya Arthur Becker, Charles Peter Yomi Henry-Eyo, Barnabas Thondhlana

Staff Writer - Miracle Nwankwo

Furo Giami - Chief Operating Officer / Executive Director Bernice Benjy - Group Head, Finance & Administration Sasha Caton - Manager, UK & European Operations Ehis Ayere - Group Head, Sales & Business Development Jolayemi Mayowa - Manager, Client Relations Ekene Okolie - Manager, Office of the Chairman Samuel Moses Elaikwu - Manager, Sales & Business Developments Happy Benson - Director of Operations North America Christy Ebong - Head, Research and Admin - North America Sheba Nyam Alhamdu, Stanley Emeruem - Business Development Managers Oluwatoyin Oyekanmi - Head, South African Bureau Bernard Adeka - Head, Nigeria SS/SE

CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS Portsmouth Technopole, Kingston Crescent, Portsmouth PO2 8FA, United Kingdom; t: 44 23 9265 8276 | fax: +44 (0)23 9265 8201 | e: info@africanleadership.co.uk w | www.africanleadershipmagazine.co.uk AFRICA & REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE OFFICES Abuja Accra Atlanta Johannesburg Nairobi London Washington DC

ISSN 2006 - 9332

While great care has been taken in the receipt and handling of materials, production and accuracy of content in the magazine, the publishers will not take responsibility for views expressed by the writer

...Identifying, Celebrating & Enabling Excellence in Africa

C o v e r p h o t o c r e d i t : S a l va t i o n M i n i s t r i e s M e d i a U n i t

AFRICANLEADERSHIPMAGA ZINE

FROM THE CHAIRMAN'S DESK

COVID-19 pandemic has underlined the inherent inequalities, and gaps in our global healthcare delivery.

The Need For Forward-thinking Leadership In Africa Today!

It has been said that this is Africa's century!

According to the latest UN estimates, Africa - a beloved continent of birth for many is home to over 1.3 Billion people, making her the second largest continent globally. The continent's population is also expected to grow to 2.3 billion people in 2030 – an opportunity like no other.

The World Economic Forum also stated that at least half of the world's fastest-growing economies have been in Africa since 2000.

But we live in a different time and a changing world today: Ÿ Climate change continues to pose the greatest threats to human civilization. Ÿ Systemic racism and social injustices have remained endemic, despite various attempts to address them. Ÿ And more than anything else, the ravaging

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Almost no nation has been spared, and Africa is currently reeling from the economic impact of this scourge.

Hence, never before has Africa needed quality, forwardthinking and people-driven leadership like it does today. For although Africa remains a bastion of opportunity, and boasts of tremendous human and natural resources – home to over 30% of the world's natural resources, 40% of the world's gold, 50% of the world's diamond, 90% of the world's platinum, 12% of the world's oil reserves and 8% of the world's natural gas reserves; the continent continues to grapple with wild spread poverty and massive youth unemployment, overwhelming infrastructure and energy deficits, and a myriad of other challenges.

While these are serious problems no doubt, we believe Africa's challenges represents a tremendous opportunity for the current crop of African leaders, who must lead with fresh ideas, and with integrity, to drive the change that present and future generations of the African people so desperately seek.

The African people must come together to chart a pathway towards moving the continent forward - creating opportunities and a better life for all, not just in the moment but for the future generations of the African people. A postCOVID Africa would also need its partners more than ever before as it braces itself for what some expect to be an arduous recovery from the battery of the coronavirus pandemic. For without working together, our journey would be far. As the African philosophy of UBUNTU underscores – I am, because you are! If we must go fast, we may go alone, but if we will go far, and impact the future, then we must go together.

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WHAT NOTABLE LEADERS ARE SAYING ABOUT

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H. E. JOHN MAHAMA FMR. PRESIDENT OF GHANA

H.E. MRS AMEEN GURIB-FAKIM FMR. PRESIDENT OF MAURITIUS

DR GOODLUCK JONATHAN FMR. PRESIDENT OF NIGERIA

“It is always an honour to be in the company of such distinguished fellow Africans, that the African Leadership Magazine events bring together - Africans who have committed their lives to changing the negative narrative about our continent.”

“It is very gratifying that we now have an organization like African Leadership Magazine, which endeavor s to promote good governance and impactful leadership in Africa - bring the best of Africa to the global stages.”

“African Leadership Magazine has become a brand for Africa and I am pleased to be associated with it. especially because of the caliber of African Leaders on itʼs board.”

H.E. JOHN KUFOUR FMR. PRESIDENT OF GHANA

H.E. JAMES A MICHEL FMR. PRESIDENT OF SEYCHELLES

“ I b e l i e ve p e o p l e a re m o re important than power and anything that promotes good people and leadership is what we need in Africa, and that is what African Leadership Magazine is doing.”

“I wish to express my sincere thanks and deep appreciation to the African Leadership Magazine for the work that it is doing on the continent, and especially in advancing the cause of small Islands Developing states, Any effort aimed at increasing the visibility of the good work being done by leadership in Africa does positively impact on the continent and that is what the African Leadership Magazine is doing.”

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DR MANU CHANDARIA CHAIRMAN, COMCRAFT GROUP, KENYA

“I am honored and deeply humbled to be with the African Leadership Magazine. The organization have been consistent in tracking Africaʼs best and showcasing them to the world, which is quite commendable.”

AFRICANLEADERSHIPMAGA ZINE

WHAT NOTABLE LEADERS ARE SAYING ABOUT

AFRICAN LEADERSHIP MAGAZINE

MRS. ELLEN JOHNSON - SIRLEAF NOBEL PEACE PRIZE WINNER & FMR. PRESIDENT, REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA

H.E JAKAYA KIKWETE FMR. PRESIDENT OF TANZANIA

“I feel deeply honored to be a s s o c i a te d w i t h t h e A f r i c a n Leadership Magazine as it is a veritable platform to honor true service in Africa. I commend your efforts and assure you of my continued support and the support of the good people of Liberia.”

“African Leadership Magazine is doing a wonderful job of speaking for Africa and Africans. The magazine remain a good example of what young people in Africa can do in the world. Best wishes in keeping the African dream alive.”

H.E DAVID MABUZA DEPUTY PRESIDENT REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA “It is an honour to participate at this African Leadership Magazine's 2020 C e re m o n y, a n d I c o m m e n d t h e magazine's focus to reshape positively, the dominant narratives about the African continent, especially towards the pursuit of peace-building and democracy on the continent”.

DR. MO IBRAHIM FOUNDER, MO IBRAHIM FOUNDATION

MO DEWJI TANZANIA BUSINESSMAN & PHILANTHROPIST

“The future of African people and improving the quality of Leadership on the African continent is my vision and I find in African Leadership Magazine - a true partner. I am also happy that the African Leadership Awards is doing at a lower level, what I intend to achieve at the Head of State level. That is why I flew to Paris just to be a part of what you are doing here at the African Leadership Magazine”.

“The African Leadership Awards truly captures the essence of my message which is that, success shouldnʼt be solely defined by wealth. It should be about the positive impact and influence that one has had in his community.”

“I thank you so much, African Leadership Magazine for the great work that you are doing for the continent. Your tradition of awarding excellence as I have seen in the line up of African Leaders who have received the African Leadership Awards, is something very commendable”

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CAN A PRESIDENT BIDEN RE-SET THE UNITED STATES’ RELATIONSHIP WITH AFRICA?

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I see a continent on the move, home to a middle-class that is projected to grow to over one billion consumers. Today's Africa is a place of unprecedented prosperity and opportunity so we've been working to boost exports with Africa, working to promote good governance and human rights, to advance security and help feed families.

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US President-Elect Joe Biden is already making plans for Africa. According to Washington insiders there's to be a Presidential visit in his first year in office and an upcoming Summit with African leaders.

But will that be enough to restore the neglect during the four years of the Trump Administration?

We remember the euphoria on the continent that greeted President Obama's election as the first African-American to become the President of the United States – but we also remember how so many Africans were left underwhelmed that he didn't meet their great expectations and never quite achieved the hopes they placed in him.

Since President Obama has left office the world has changed so much that many of the crucial issues that distracted him – like climate change, terrorism, populism and attacks on democracy – are all growing in urgency and are coming home to roost in Africa.

Joe Biden was President Obama's Vice-President and they worked closely together so for an indication on how PresidentElect Biden is likely to address these issues we should first look at Obama's Africa strategy. Perhaps his greatest lasting legacy was YALI or the Young African Leaders Initiative. This has helped some 250,000 young people receive training and skills to prepare them for leadership roles.

Obama also launched the electrification programme Power Africa, Trade Africa, and the President's Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa. These were all part of his desire to move the US-Africa relationship from aid to a more equal partnership based on trade. As he outlined to one cohort of YALI graduates: “I see a continent on the move, home to a middle-class that is INTERNATIONAL projected to grow to over one billion consumers. Today's Africa is a place of unprecedented prosperity and opportunity so we've been working to boost exports with Africa, working to promote good governance and human rights, to advance security and help feed families”.

Biden seems determined to continue this strategy. He has already announced that he intends to keep the YALI programme and, in the words of his campaign website, makes this pledge to Africa: “We will deepen the United States' commitment to engaging with Africa's dynamic young leaders. We will renew the United States' mutually respectful engagement toward Africa with a bold strategy that reaffirms commitment to supporting democratic institutions, advancing lasting peace and security, and promoting economic growth trade and investment”.

This contrasts strongly with President Trump's four years of

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neglect and his sometimes insulting dismissal of Africa. In four years he never bothered to visit the continent and left several US diplomatic posts in Africa vacant including managing not to appoint an Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs for most of 2017. Now he's gone and suddenly it feels like the US is about to up its game in Africa.

The global pandemic has made rebuilding the global economy a top priority for Biden and this provides an opportunity for closer engagement with Africa. He's already pledged to deploy leaders from the African-American diaspora as key envoys to engage with African business.

By happy coincidence President Biden's Inauguration will take place in the same month the African Continental Free Trade Agreement is launched. Many observers see the AfCFTA a new dawn for the continent which will create a massive single market worth trillions of dollars.

No better time for President Biden and US business to wake up to the rich opportunities across Africa.

The United States is acutely aware of the threat China poses to its traditional world dominance. President-Elect Biden is determined to challenge China's rise to world hegemony.

Africa is a key battleground in this new superpower competition and as a consequence can only grow in significance. At present the US is playing catch-up to China across the continent. China is now Africa's biggest trading partner, it's also the number one destination for African students, and it's starting to offer a beguiling authoritarian alternative to the messiness of democracy.

Africa is a key destination on China's ambitious Belt and Road strategic thrust into global markets. Chinese firms have built the ports, roads and railways which will underpin intra-Africa trade and economic integration.

Although trade between China and Africa fell by 14% to $41 billion in the first three months of 2020 it still claims the lion's share of the Africa market with the European Union pushing the United States into third place.

China's Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) has now been an annual for the past twenty years and attracts the majority of African leaders to Beijing to hear China's latest African investment plans. Even Russia with growing commercial deals on the continent can attract sizable numbers of leaders to its African Summits. If President-Elect Biden is to revive the United States' footprint in Africa he has stiff competition.

All of a sudden everyone wants to be

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Africa's friend and this superpower rivalry can only provide the continent with further opportunities as the US seeks to find a middle strategy between challenging China's rise while working with it as a partner in Africa's economic and infrastructural transformation.

A dip into President-Elect Biden's heavy in-tray reveals further evidence of how Africa could provide him with some further opportunities. He's already said he wants to rejoin the Paris Accord on Climate Change which his predecessor President Trump stomped out of. Africa already sits on the fragile frontline for the devastation wrought by global warming and as a result it is ripe for alternative and renewable energies. Africa could become the renewable energy capital of the world.

Likewise President Biden plans to reverse President Trump's decision to pull out of the World Trade Organisation, and rethink security policy after President Trump blocked the United Nations from providing sustainable funding for African Union peacekeeping missions.

It remains to be seen whether the US has the appetite to engage in Africa's conflicts in the Sahel, Mozambique, Somalia and elsewhere where radical groups like ISIS, Al Shabab and Boko Haram are still potent forces. At the moment they remain “wars of choice” for the US but if the tide of radicalisation can't be turned back it may be forced to act more robustly. In AFRICOM the US

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already has a sizable military presence in Africa even though former President Trump threatened to scale it back.

Clearly the most urgent crisis in President Biden's In-Tray is the global Coronavirus pandemic. Even here President Biden could look to Africa which has fought the virus much more successfully than the US. President Biden has just announced a Coronavirus Taskforce to co-ordinate a united strategy to tackle the virus. That's something his predecessor President Trump failed to do but something the African Union has had in place almost from day one of the crisis when the South African President Cyril Ramaphosa set up an African Union co-ordinated strategy team. He harnessed the collective wisdom and talent of some of the continent's most prominent and successful political and business leaders to tackle every aspect of the Covid-19 crisis. Undoubtedly Africa's response has been far more effective and has saved many more lives.

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If partnership is the key to the future US-Africa relationship then it really is a two-way process and as President Ramaphosa's initiative demonstrates the US has much to learn from the continent. In return Africa is looking for President-Elect Biden to repair the damage done by Trump and to restore some of America's lost moral authority.The key question is which Joe Biden is Africa going to be dealing with – will it be the “Sleepy Joe Biden” as mocked by Trump in the election campaign or a reinvigorated Joe Biden ready to create a dynamic White House that he's spent almost fifty years in politics seeking to enter as President.

Perhaps a clue lies in the words of his favourite quote by the Irish writer Seamus Heaney: “Once in a lifetime, the longed-for tidal wave of justice can rise up and hope and history rhyme” The euphoria Africa experienced twelve years ago when President Obama was first elected has long gone, but perhaps this time round this new US President will give Africa the hope it deserves and help contribute to a new history of a continent transformed.

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Leaders Who Will Shape Africa In 2021 - Part1 With over 7 million cases and counting and 1.6 million deaths, as at December 13, 2020, Corona Virus has continued to cause untold hardship across the globe.

The pandemic has affected the entire world and continues to alter life as we once knew it. But as COVID-19 cases soar in Europe, the United States, Brazil, and India, confirmed COVID-19 cases in Africa remain comparatively low. With a population of 1.3 billion and weak health infrastructure, experts feared that COVID-19 would continue to impact the entire continent of Africa negatively. Speculation is growing that Africa's youth bulge and warmer climate could help spare most African countries from the worst of the health pandemic.

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Nonetheless, it has been a bleak year for many, as the continent continues to battle to stem the tide.

According to an AU report, the continent is projected to record about 20 million job losses due to COVID-19.

The pandemic also hit the SMEs sector as it wiped off over 40% of the businesses in this sector.

However, amid the uncertainties, some voices have stood out and kept the continent going. They have helped shape favourable outcomes for the continent and promote her interest on the global stage. They are our heroes and heroines, who inspired hope during the year 2020 and are looked upon as the leaders who will shape Africa in 2021. We celebrate and present them in this piece in no particular order.

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Pastor David Ibiyeomie is a Nigerian televangelist, founder and senior pastor of Salvation Ministries worldwide. He is an accomplished minister of God and leads one of the fastest-growing ministries in Africa and across the globe. Besides being a pastor, he is also a passionate humanitarian and has made countless contributions in the educational sector, setting up world-class educational facilities that are accessible. His message of hope and personal philanthropy example has inspired countless millions. He continues to expand his footprint across Africa and the globe.

His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa: Cyril Ramaphosa is the Chairperson of the African Union and has continued to rally African leaders towards silencing the guns and redoubling

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His Excellency Lazarus Chakwera, President of Malawi: has left no one in doubt about his desire to provide the necessary leadership for accelerated development in the country. In his speech during a recently organized event by the African Leadership Magazine UK, he maintained that "Currently, my Administration is pursuing Public Sector Reforms spearheaded by the presidency through the office of the Vice-President. We believe that the Public Sector must be in top shape to prepare for and respond to crises and changes in global climates before they occur."

"Such preparedness will put our countries in a stronger position to contribute to Global response and Global strategy, especially in the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda," he said.

Continuing, the President maintained that, "Malawi has shown the world, it is impossible to build a strong Governance framework if either the Civil Service and the Civil Society are stuck in a cycle of lethargy, greed, and partisanship."

He also said that the country's reform plan is designed to move the country away from an activity-focused model of delivery to a results-focused model anchored by the best practices of innovation, efficiency, and patriotism.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Chairperson of GAVI and WTO Candidate: NOI, as she is fondly called, is the former Minister of finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy of Africa's largest economy, Nigeria. She recently won popular vote to lead the world trade organization, but, was not announced due to the opposition by the Trump-led Administration. However, she has been tipped to clinch the seat in January when the final announcement will be made. She has also used her position at GAVI to push for the development of COVID-19 Vaccines and Africa's inclusion in the plan towards the distribution of the vaccine in January 2021

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Boss Mustapha, Chairman, Nigeria's Presidential Task Force on COVID-19: The Secretary of the Government of Nigeria and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha has led the multisectoral task force saddled with the responsibility to minimize the spread of the virus in Nigeria. He has provided excellent stewardship and coordinated all the relevant stakeholders in the fight against COVID19. Under his leadership, there has been a coordinated and strategic approach to battling the pandemic and frequent nationally televised updates on progress and areas of concern.

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efforts to move their countries out of poverty.

He also recently advocated for the improvement, implementation and coordination of the African Peace and Security Architecture and the African Governance Architecture for quick and adequate responses to conflict and instability. In his words, "To build lasting peace, we need to create inclusive multi-sectoral programmes that address the economic, social and environmental causes of conflict, along with their racial, ethnic, gender and spatial dimensions," he added.

President Ramaphosa said the coming into effect of the African Continental Free Trade Area in January 2021 was both an opportunity and a compelling reason to silence the guns.

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Akinwumi Adesina: A tireless fighter, Akinwumi Adesina is the President of the African Development Bank, the continent's premier development finance institution.

He was recently re-elected to the lead the Bank for another term of five years, after a tumultuous process. In April 2020, the Bank approved a $10 billion COVID-19 response facility for regional member countries to tackle pandemic. This fund has continued to help in no small means towards reducing the projected devastation in the continent. His contributions got him voted as the ALM African of the year 2019.

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Moussa Faki Mahamat, African Union Chairperson: He was the former Prime Minister of Chad. His leadership of the African Union has been robust and engaging. He took over the leadership of the AU in 2017 and provided the much-needed leadership for the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area. He is also committed to the AU's agenda 2063 and has been very vocal on the need for an Africa that works for all.

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Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, WHO: An Ethiopian biologist, a public health researcher 16 who has served since 2017 as Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros is the first nonphysician and first African in the role; and has led the charge of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. The expert who had at different times held highly influential positions in the Ethiopian government – Minister of Health and Minister of Foreign Affairs has continued to attract commendation for his management of the outbreak. He has continued to mobilize other experts at the organization towards stemming the pervasive nature of the pandemic as well as expediting the search for a vaccine for the pandemic.

CDC. Under the leadership of Dr John Nkengasong, the centre has coordinated the continent's COVID-19 response working with incountry agencies of member countries. It has helped with training and other support services towards boosting the capacity of agencies in member countries, thereby helping to reduce the impact of the pandemic across the continent.

Aliko Dangote, Chairman, His Excellency Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda: Known for his fierce allegiance to dignity and honour for the African people, Paul Kagame has maintained that the time for "babysitting" the continent is over. His voice has been loud and clear across major platforms that Africa can solve Africa's problems. In 1994, he inherited a country in tatters and bloodied by the Tutsi genocide, and has gone on to transform the country by many standards. Amidst the COVID-19 disruptions, president Kagame has continued to push for the country's massive development – including the drive to make the country, the continent's financial and events hub. The core aim of his presidency is to bring about an Africa that defies longstanding clichés by fostering ambitious governance encompassing anti-corruption efforts, accountability at every level of government, meticulous urban planning, environmental protection, across-the-board digitalization, health insurance initiatives, proactive economic policies, decreasing the country's reliance on international institutions, and promoting tourism and service-based economy.

Dr John Nkengasong, Director General, Africa CDC: Africa cross the 2 million mark in COVID-19 infections, there has also been an upsurge in the number of recoveries, owing to the strategic work of the continent's apex disease control centre, the Africa

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Dangote group: is Africa's richest man and also the continent's philanthropist.

He recently urged all operators in the private sector to commit one per cent of their profits to fund the health sector challenges in Nigeria, to enable the country to tackle crisis like the coronavirus pandemic successfully. Dangote noted that such an allocation, which would be a separate payment from the corporate tax usually paid to the government would improve needed funding to boost the nation's ailing health sector, as Nigeria continues to grapple with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This, according to him, would help ensure that the vaccine for treating the pandemic gets to the end-

users in the country and across Africa, through viable partnerships and collaborations.

Abdulsamad Rabiu, BUA

Group: Born to one of Northern Nigeria's top business tycoons, Khalifah Isyaku Rabiu, Abdulsamad Isyaku Rabiu had his early education in north-western Nigeria before travelling to Columbus, Ohio to obtain his Business degree from Capital University. He has achieved monumental strides in business, becoming one of the continent's most successful businessmen. He is committed to philanthropy and has continued to use the BUA foundation to touch lives in Nigeria and beyond.

The BUA foundation has been the vehicle through which Rabiu carries out most of his philanthropic gestures.

Some of the projects carried out by the Foundation include the construction of a 7,000-square-meter pediatric ward which was donated at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, as well as ambulances and medical supplies. Earlier in the year, the Foundation made a donation of N300 million to Sokoto, Edo and Ogun states to assist in response to the pandemic, and also a $2

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BURNA BOY: The two-time Grammy nominee is one of the continent's most influential softpower exports. He has at different times sold out largest event centres across the world, including the O2 arena in London. His latest album, produced by Sean Combs, also known as P Diddy, Twice as Tall has reached new streaming heights across the globe crunching numbers. He has

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STRIVE MASIYIWA: The Zimbabwean billionaire and philanthropist score huge on personal and corporate giving, but, that is not the news – he

y announced the propo 17 sed construction of the second-largest data centre in Africa in Nigeria. According to Mr Masiyiwa, the Chairman of Econet Group, the $100 million investment will be second only to the Data centre in South Africa and is capable of unleashing fantastic opportunities for the continent's young people. In his words, "a few years ago, ADC was just a single facility in Nairobi, Kenya. It was not a company, but as my team and I watched what was happening, we realized it should become a separate company. We hired experts from around the world and brought them together. We then began to expand the business by inviting investors."

He also said that the investment would make it possible for Nigerians to get more Cloud services cheaply.

And also drive investment into Nigeria, and help create thousands of hi-tech jobs, and drive the demand for technology-driven experts in Nigeria.

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ASHISH THAKK ER: Ashis h J. Thakk ar is a Rwanda n-based entrepreneur, that has defied many odds and built a thriving business conglomerate – spanning IT, Real Estate, Banking, Manufacturing among others.

The young and dynamic entrepreneur represents hope and possibilities for the continent's young people.

Ashish's commitment to job and wealth creation was on full display as he chairs the AfDB's Presidential Youth Advisory Group on Job creation. This initiative is designed to create 25 million jobs and impacting 50 million young people in the continent over the next ten years. He has continued to provide leadership towards accomplishing this arduous task. He founded Mara Group and Mara Foundation, and he is a co-founder of Atlas Mara Limited. Mara phones which are the first entirely made in Africa smartphone has continued to provide homegrown solutions to the continent's mobile market.

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NIGERIAN YOUTHS & ENDSARS MOVEMENT: The world stood in solidarity with the Nigerian Youths as they took to the street in October to protest police brutality in the now-famous hashtag #ENDSARS. For the country's young people who constitute over 60% of the population, the movement was a metaphor for other social issues that have stunted the growth of Africa's largest economy. Issues like rising cases of unemployment; underemployment; corruption; nepotism; poor health infrastructure; poor education infrastructure, among others, are the real problems that promoted the escalation of the protest across major cities in the country. The movement received extensive support from local and international organizations, who for the first time witnessed the country's young people, who hitherto had been termed lazy and docile, united towards a single cause and struggle.

The protest which began as a peaceful, lawful resistance was soon hijacked by hoodlums and infiltrated by statesponsored thugs who moved to disrupt the perfectly organized protest. This led to a push back by the young people and resulted in a nationwide breakdown of law and order. Things got to a head when personnel from the Nigerian military went to the venue of the sit-in protest at the Lagos Tollgate to shoot at unarmed protesters, causing deaths and injuries to hundreds of young people at the venue of the rally. There have been conflicting figures from reports on the number of deaths, but, one thing was sure, a sizable number of young people died and others wounded.

This led to a global outcry with world leaders condemning the Nigerian government and expressing solidarity with the young people. This has expectedly forced the government to re-examine its priorities in the country. For when Nigeria gets it right Africa gets it right

remained a voice against imperialism and racial segregation. His music which is a fusion of afrobeat and pop resonates with young people across the world and has become a channel for preach Afrocentrism.

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million grant to the COVID-19 relief fund accounts fight the Coronavirus in Nigeria. There was also another donation of $1 million to Adamawa state government and ambulances to several other states. Rabiu also made a personal donation of $2 million to support Nigeria's response to the virus, and medical and emergency kits and supplies to 9 States in the country.

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multiple entrepreneur and innovator-of-the-year awards — and are a regular topic of discussion among both business leaders and consumers.

While some of the companies Musk has founded are more famous than others, he has been actively inventing things since before he was a teenager.

Early efforts in software and software companies have since evolved into consumer products and mass-transportation visions. And although some of those visions may seem impossible at first glance, Musk's track record has muted many doubters. His breakthrough thinking has helped him amass a net worth around $13.5 billion. Some fantastic innovative ideas from the stable of Elon Musk include Tesla Motors; SpaceX; X.com-Paypal; Hyperloop; Zip2; SolarCity; Electric Jet; Web-based phone calls; location-specific searches, among others. His life and achievements continue to inspire African youths everywhere.

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senior international financial adviser in the Barack Obama administration and has extensive experience working at the Treasury Department during the Obama administration. Adeyemo will be the first black person to occupy the office of Deputy Treasury Secretary. Adeyemo was born in Nigeria in 1981. He, however, grew up in California. He migrated to the United 18 States with his parents, as a child.

His father was a teacher, and his mother was a nurse. Adeyemo and his younger brother and sister grew up sharing a room in a two-bedroom apartment. Adeyemo was also Obama's chief negotiator for the macroeconomic policy provisions of the Trans-Pacific Partnership and served advisories Chief of Staff of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

After serving as Senior Adviser for two years at BlackRock, he joined the Obama Foundation in 2019 as its President. Currently, he sits on the boards of the Golden State Opportunity Foundation and Aspen Strategy Group, among others.

He was an editor for the Hamilton Project at the Brookings Institution from 2008 to 2009. Adeyemo is an alum of the University of California, Berkeley and Yale Law School. At Yale, he was the codirector, project on law and education.

ELON MUSK: The SouthAfrican born serial entrepre neur Elon Musk is one of the world's smartest, most prosperous, and most influential people, and he's not shy about his aptitude for taking on new projects.

He is the founder of SpaceX, Tesla, and The Boring Company and a notoriously hard worker, putting in a gruelling 85-hour workweek for his passion projects and enterprises. Musk has helped to change the world as we know it with many firsts. The prolific inventor's inventions have won him

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TIDJANE THIAM: The former Franco-Ivorian boss of Credit Suisse was recently announced as the chair of Rwanda Finance Limited, a corporation owned by the government of Rwanda whose primary responsibility is to develop and promote what is known as Kigali International Financial Centre. The plan is for Thiam, with his experience and broad network of contacts from his time in politics and at McKinsey, Prudential and Credit Suisse, to play a vital role in promoting the country's push to create the continent's financial hub. The revered financial expert also recently joined the Council for Inclusive Capitalism, initiated by Pope Francis, which brings together some twenty world business leaders. At Credit Suisse, Thiam resigned amidst major shareholders pushing for him to stay. Thiam radically reshaped the Bank since joining in July 2015, expanding its wealth management division while downsizing its volatile and capital-intensive trading arm.

TONY ELUMELU, Chairman, Heirs Holding: For a continent with the world's largest reserve of young people and growing unemployment numbers, Tony Elumelu through his Foundation – Tony Elumelu Foundation, TEF, has continued to provide comfort for the teeming young people.

The leading entrepreneur and founder of the United Bank for Africa, UBA group, is a top champion on entrepreneurship in Africa. The objective of the Foundation is to empower women and men across Africa, catalyzing economic growth, driving poverty eradication and ensuring job creation. In 2015, the Foundation launched the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme, a $100 million commitment by Tony Elumelu to empower 10,000 African entrepreneurs over ten years. Building on the Programme's success and its unique ability to identify, mentor and fund entrepreneurs across Africa, the Foundation is increasingly sharing its robust delivery platform and working in partnership with institutions such as United Nations Development Programme, the African Development Bank, the International Committee of the Red Cross, GIZ, and United Bank for Africa Plc, to create meaningful and permanent impact across Africa. The Foundation's work has become all the more critical with the COVID-19 induced disruptions that have caused massive job loss across the continent.

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RAWYA MANSOUR: She is a renowned Businesswoman, environmentalist and social entrepreneur. Ms Mansour has from inception remained a vocal voice and maintained a sturdy commitment to the promotion of the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goal on Poverty Eradication, Gender Equality, Decent Work and Economic Growth. Over 20 years ago, she made a lifechanging decision to move from a renowned interior designer to leading voice for gender equality, climate change and social Entrepreneurship, and said, "I want to not only make the lives of the rich beautiful but to enrich the lives of those most segregated".

Today, the renowned business leader has continued to impact the lives of women across Egypt and beyond and remains an inspiration for women across the continent.

She was the winner of the African Leadership Female Leader of the Year, 2019, in a keenly contested poll, across seven

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different categories, which attracted over 74,500 entries on the website; 45,000 entries across social media platforms, and 15,000 submissions via emails. Ms Mansour, who is the founder of the RAMSCO Group emerged winner in the polls for the African Leadership Magazine Persons of the Year Awards 2019, with over 60% of the total votes/submissions for her category.

AURELIE ADAM SOULE ZOUMAROU: She is the Minister of Digital Economy and Communications of the Republic of Benin. Born in 1984, the young and exceptional MinisterMinister worked in France before returning to Benin. She joined the Patrice Talon-led administration in 2017 to lead the Ministry of Digital Economy and Communication.

Last year, she was elected to chair the ministers of Fre nch-speaking nations who are working together to improve their medium and long terms plans for the digital economy. Soule encouraged further digitization of the country, with support from UNCTAD. Laws had been written to regulate the e-economy, but they had not been passed. The coronavirus pandemic provided an opportunity for boosting the e-commerce sector in the country.

VERA ESPERANCA DOS SANTOS DAVES, MINISTER FINANCE ANGOLA: Vera Esperança dos Santos Daves de Sousa is the first woman to be appointed as Minister of Finance in Angola. Until her appointment, she was the Secretary of State for Finance and Treasury. She has worked as finance technician at Sonangol ESSA, Director of the Products and Research Office in Banco Privado Atlântico, Lecturer of Financial Markets at the Executive MBA promoted by the Catholic Business School Alliance, Lecturer of Public Finance and Economic Integration at UCAN – Business School. From 2014 to 2016 she was the Executive Director of the Capital Market Commission and from September 2016 to October 2017 she was Chairman of the Capital Market Commission.

When she appointed MinisterMinister of finance, she was tasked with the responsibility of restructuring the continent's 5th largest economy and pushing her out of a 4-year recession. The 36-year-old Vera is currently preoccupied with Turning things around by renegotiating the country's way through its massive debt with key lenders.

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JEAN-JACQUES MUYEMBE TAMFUM: JeanJacques Muyembe Tamfum was part of the research team that investigated the first known outbreak of Ebola virus disease in 1976. The renowned Congolese scientist is the brain behind the cure for Ebola. Dr Tamfum, who is the directorgeneral of the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale (INRB) DR of Congo, has invested a substantial part of his adult life treating the virus. His experience with the treatment of Ebola and finding a cure for the virus provided the much-needed guide and workable template for battling COVID-19 in the continent.

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ABUBACARR TAMBADOU: He was a former prosecutor at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and, former justice Minister in the Gambia. Moved by his 2018 visit to a refugee camp in Bangladesh where he heard the haunting testimonies of Rohingya survivors, Tambadou and his government brought a case before the International Court of Justice, accusing Myanmar of perpetrating genocide. In January 2020 they won an extraordinary initial ruling against Myanmar and its leader (and courtroom defender) Aung San Suu Kyi, as the judges ordered that Myanmar "take all measures within its power" to stop violent attacks against the Rohingya while the court continues to investigate the country's past actions. He believes that "International law is not the exclusive preserve of the rich and powerful countries," hence his commitment to promoting justice for all. In his words, "you do not have to have military power or economic power to stand for justice, to stand for what is right. We are doing this in the name of humanity.”

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DAVID IBIYEOMIE:

DEVELOPING AFRICAN STATESMEN FOR THE FUTURE

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Your journey in life and ministry remains an inspiration to many, especially when retold. Can you share your journey to becoming one of the leading voices in the Christian World in Nigeria and Africa at large? How did a microbiologist end up on the pulpit?

I was born into a decent family. My late father worked with Shell Petroleum in Nigeria, for over 30 years. When he retired, my mother took over the responsibility of supporting the family. I come from a family of six and from my childhood I have always been on the fast lane. Figuratively speaking, I was 21 like the Joseph of the family from childhood. I had two scholarships when I was in secondary school; I had Shell and government scholarships. When I got into university, I was the most popular student on campus in 1982. At a very tender age, in 1984, I became Mr. FM – (a social pageant held for youngsters by the State-owned radio station in that year). So, my life has been on the fast lane. But, I got to Lagos as a young man from Port-Harcourt, and I knew something was missing. I was in search of fulfillment, i wanted to pursue a higher purpose. I was going to Church, but I just knew something was missing in my life. That void in my life had to be filled, and it might interest you to note that nobody preached to me to be born again. I walked into a church and made the decision to walk this path, and I have never looked back. When I did so, God told me; clearly, I will use you. So I became born-again, met a man of God, Bishop David Oyedepo. I was living in Victoria Island, Lagos, and I was going to Church in a place called Iyana-Ipaja, in the outskirts of Lagos. But this distance did not bother me because I was looking for something meaningful. I attended bible school under Bishop Oyedepo, got tutored by him, and I also got married under him, and then my journey started from there.

I returned to Port Harcourt on April 13th, 1997. When I got back, everybody who knew me was surprised at my transformation. I had changed from the notoriously bubbly man that i was on the other side of the world. But like Paul, i knew what i wanted and I gave it my full commitment. I wanted to live for a higher purpose.. You know, people will remember you for the things you have done. I do not want to be a footnote on this earth. I want to live beyond my generation. One of the ways to achieve this is to affect humanity positively. This has been the journey of my life P A

In a continent fraught with massive leadership deficits and a teeming youthful population desperate for jobs and opportunities, only quality education can provide the frontline of defense against further descent into a gaping hole of uncertainties. In response to the onerous task of building transgenerational leaders and guardians of the continent's future, one man is lending his voice and resources towards changing the status quo. David Ibiyeomie, the founder and presiding pastor of Salvation Ministries in Port Harcourt. Nigeria, is taking an unconventional approach to leadership from the pulpit.

He is showing the power of personal example with his massive investment in quality education. In this exclusive interview with African Leadership Magazine UK, he talks about his efforts towards educating a generation of statesmen that will lead the continent on the path to sustainable development. Excerpts:

You have redefined what we know as philanthropy which traditionally flows from corporate organizations – giving from the much that they have. In your personal capacity under the David Ibiyeomie Foundation you have provided over 8000 scholarships; over 2000 skills acquisition training; and delivered grants to over 1000 businesses. Why is philanthropy such an essential part of your ministry? And why have you invested so massively in education?

First of all, love is at the center of whatever support we give. “For God so loved the world He GAVE his only begotten Son” This is the biblical verse that inspires our service, and every act of our giving. You give as an expression of love. I love to see people get ahead, and make the best of their lives. So i give whatever support i can to help people pursue their purpose in life. I believe that the true meaning and purpose of

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life is to make a positive impact in the lives of others. In my message and beyond the pulpit, my aim is to break boundaries to reach people of all faiths, all races and backgrounds.

People wonder why I got into education, and why I support people through scholarships the way i do. But when my father retired. It was tough.

22 And from that point, i made a commitment to support education, to give scholarships to children, whenever i have the privilege to do so. This is what i am doing. Another reason is that i do not like mediocrity. My support for education is part of my strong commitment to promote excellence. Our aim is to strike a balance between academic excellence and sound character. When you go to some Christian-based schools, they seem to always lack adequate facilities, even though they were founded on Christian values. And in many secular schools, they may have facilities, but they tend to struggle in terms of the values learners internalize. So, my aim is to strike a balance such that academic excellence goes with sound character training.

Another motivation for setting up our schools was to help curb the troubling trend of parents wanting to send their children, sometimes children as young as 12, to schools abroad - the UK, Europe and the USA, without adequate parental presence. This is a dangerous trend. All over the world, young children are vulnerable to all kinds of influences. They need guidance and proper grounding in terms of values. Our aim at Chokhmah International Academy, our school, is to achieve this grounding in a worldclass learning environment here at home. So that is how I got into education. And as long as I live, I will pursue this commitment. And this vision will continue as a family legacy.

You have also done what is not common in this part of the world, which is to build a house for aged people. Could this be related to the biblical injunction of honoring your father and mother?

In the western world, they have homes for the elderly, which are built

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to standard and are mostly well maintained. But the few we have In Nigeria need a lot of improvement. So we said look, why take an older man or woman to a place where there are no proper facilities? As a church, we do not run homes for the elderly. So We decided to approach and partner with a Catholic Church that owns and runs an elderly home. We built a new home for the elderly as a donation, and we maintain the facilities. But it is owned and managed by the Catholic Church.

It is a unique collaboration that we hope will serve as a model for others who wish to support the elderly in society. We believe that senior citizens who live in care homes should live in dignity.

You are also an exceptional author with over 100 books to your credit, many of which have become best-sellers.

However, one particular book - Secrets for Generational Impact: Living Successfully to Change Your World, published in 2012, remains evergreen on the subject of leadership. What was the motivation behind the book?

I have always been concerned about the subject of leadership, and the qualities that are needed in such an important role. I believe that true leadership is about vision and the ability to make lasting positive impact.

Today we have political leaders, but very few statesmen. A statesman sees beyond the moment, and thinks about the impact that present actions could have on the next generation. But typical politicians tend to have the next election in mind. What the world lacks today is not just good leadership, but everywhere, we see a shortage of statesmanship. Statesmen are transgenerational in their impact.

Politicians think of the next election, statesmen think of the next generation. So, in leadership, people should be transformational and impactful. From the Biblical times till today, people still discuss such iconic statesmen as Abraham and David.

American history would be incomplete without a mention of Abraham Lincoln.

Nelson Mandela was not known to be the wealthiest African leader, so how come everybody keeps referring to

Nelson Mandela? The answer is in the impactful life he lived. Impactful people do not die. They live in the hearts of men forever.

Africa holds the largest reservoir of the world's young people. About 60% of the continent's population is within the ages of 16-25. There has been a growing appetite from the continent's young people to get involved in the political process. We saw that last year in Sudan and more recently, the ENDSARS protest in Nigeria, which has now become a movement for the promotion of good governance in Africa. Do you see this as a precursor to the advancement of long-term sustainable development in Africa?

In every society, the youth are a critical demographic group. So i believe that any country that does not have a coherent plan for the education and productive engagement of its youth is endangering the future of that country. It is in the interest of a country for its youth to participate in the economy and in the governing process. But the youth should remember that being young by itself is not enough. They must be actively involved in personal development, in order to build up their capabilities for the task of nation building . They also need to develop a clear vision of where their countries should be. Our young people must also be guided by the values of accountability, creative thinking and selfless service. I think that the recent protests in Sudan, Nigeria, and elsewhere on the continent should be seen as an opportunity for leaders to undertake important institutional reforms for the benefit of their respective countries. It is also an opportunity for leaders to hear other voices outside of the bubble of government, and draw good ideas to enrich the decisions and

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There is no entitlement in titles; you have to make an impact.

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We serve a God of truth and righteousness. So, at its best, the church is expected to serve as a fountain of Godly values.

actions of government. I believe that when leaders draw from a rich pool of ideas, then governance itself becomes more participatory, and there would be less agitation. My view is that When we have systems that are responsive and inclusive, society would be better for it.

A January 2019 article by Shane Idleman titled: A silent pulpit, is not God's pulpit, charged Christian leaders to speak up against moral issues as well as mal-administration. What would you say is the place of the Church in promoting good governance and purposeful leadership in the continent?

We serve a God of truth and righteousness. So, at its best, the church is expected to serve as a fountain of Godly values. But the church is not the building, the people themselves are the church. And the church is often a vast congregation of many people in society, including

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According to a report by the World Bank, MSMEs account for more than 50% of the jobs in Sub-Saharan Africa, with COVID-19 broadly forcing a sizable number of these businesses to close shop. How do we revamp this sector across the continent?

I always prefer to see the positive side to every problem. Because if you look closely, every problem in life is a blessing in disguise. But if you focus

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A 2019 report by Brookings Institute stated that Africa is the World's last frontier in the fight against extreme poverty. It further said that one in three Africans live below the global poverty line. What are some of the urgent steps that must be taken to change this trend?

First of all, Africa is an incredibly blessed continent. No single country in Africa has a reason to be poor. The

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leaders and those they govern. While leaders have an enormous responsibility to chart the right path for society, our message is not for leaders alone, but for the society as a whole. When we give the right message, whether it is on the subject of moral renewal in society, good governance, or personal responsibility, we hope that the message would have a positive impact on society, and then produce a ripple effect. So all we do is to provide proper counsel, provide the appropriate message, give guidance and direction to say this is the way to go, and then we set the example.

widespread poverty we see is a direct result of the failure of leadership on the continent. The political leaders and economic planners in Africa must create alternative paths to development, beyond natural resources such as gold, oil and gas.

Even in the management of our natural resources, our approach needs to change. We have natural resources, but we do not produce finished products from those resources. We do not add value to these resources. So the advanced countries take these resources, process them into finished products, and sell the products back to us. And so the poverty continues on the continent. Until Africa knows how to process her raw materials into finished products; and until political leaders manage public finances in a visionary, transparent and accountable fashion, poverty will not end in Africa.

Personally, this is why i have made the education of young people my life's mission. Education unfetters the mind, and builds people's capacity to respond to their environment in a transformative way. Today, the richest companies in the world are in technology, no longer oil and gas companies. If we invest massively in education in Africa, our children will be among the masters of this new global tech frontier.

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exclusively on the problem, you might miss the bright silver lining behind the cloud. As a global pandemic, COVID-19 has caused much suffering and disruptions around the world. But it is also true that many businesses have taken advantage of the pandemic. In fact, some companies have been posting impressive profit margins during this pandemic. So the real challenge lies in how we respond to a disruptive pandemic such as COVID 19. Where necessary, many businesses across the continent would have to creatively rethink their business models in other to adapt to the changing times. There is also a need for governments to give grants, tax reliefs, and other forms of entrepreneurial support to SMEs in order to help them remain in business.

But in Africa, we must bear in mind that not all our problems were caused by COVID-19. We have had leadership and institutional crisis for far too long on the continent. For instance, we have leaders who appear to be more prosperous than their own countries, due to self-enrichment and corruption. This is a bigger problem for the continent than COVID-19, because there is no medical vaccine against corruption. What we need is a change in our leadership values, supported by strong institutional structures of accountability. We must reject corruption in all its forms and treat it as a moral scandal.

Secondly, we need visionaries in positions of leadership, not just perpetual office seekers who see leadership narrowly as the quickest path to personal wealth. Office seekers have corrupted politics in Africa, and turned simple elections into open warfare in many countries. They lack a developmental vision, and their motivation is to acquire unmerited personal wealth and comfort. So, until we prioritize service to the people, we will never make a difference. We are not products of misfortune. The entire world was created at the same level. Nations don't make people; people make nations.

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What is your advice to the continent's young people, many of whom are making dangerous journeys across vast deserts and oceans in search of ''greener

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Some companies have been posting impressive profit margins during this pandemic. So the real challenge lies in how we respond to a disruptive pandemic such as COVID 19. Where necessary, many businesses across the continent would have to creatively rethink their business models in other to adapt to the changing times.

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I believe that for Africa, this is the time to innovate, and create the change we want to see on the continent.

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pastures'' abroad, due to the prevailing realities across the continent?

My advise to young people is that, despite the frustrations, they should not turn their backs on Africa. The solutions to the challenges we face on the continent are not necessarily outside Africa. The answers are right here with us. There is no problem that cannot be overcome through innovative thinking. and the full application of our collective genius as a people. Political leaders must be accountable to the people, and prioritize policies that unlock opportunities for our young people. We must enthrone inclusiveness, meritocracy and excellence in all we do in Africa. I believe that for Africa, this is the time to innovate, and create the change we want to see on the continent.

If we build up the nations of Africa to their greatest potentials, the continent will be an irresistible magnet for people from all over the world. There's no disadvantaged nation on earth; if we have the right mindset, then we can create the change that we desire.

Any plans of slowing down?

I don't think I will slow down or stop. I will continue, and even improve on what I am doing. As God blesses me, i will shift my bar higher. God said the path of the just is progressive, Therefore, as i make more progress, all the causes and institutions that i have the privilege to support will see more progress in all ramifications, What is your message to African Leaders?

My message to every African leader is simple: aim to become a statesman.

Statesmen do not think about the next election, they think about the next generation.

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PASTOR DAVID

IBIYEOMIE: ONE MAN'S EFFORT AT BUILDING TRANSGENERATIONAL LEADERSHIP IN AFRICA

By Kingsley Okeke

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Africa has the highest rate of education exclusion in the world. The report further says that over one-fifth of the children between the ages of 6-11 are out of school, followed by youths between the ages of about 12 and 14.

In Nigeria alone, more than 13 million children of school age are not in school. This becomes all the more worrisome when stacked against the growing security crisis and the country's youthful population bulge.

This yawning gap and apparent mismatch in the number of children within and outside the school system is precisely what David Ibiyeomie is addressing through his monumental investment in education.

27 Mr Ibiyeomie's leadership transcends the pulpit, as he strives to help the continent overcome the twin challenges of poverty and poor leadership.

In the words of Nelson Mandela, "education is the most powerful weapon that you can use to change the world". This statement fittingly describes the propelling philosophy behind Mr Ibiyeomie's strong commitment to pursue his educationfor-all agenda.

Nothing better describes his fierce allegiance to this creed than his unwavering passion to stake all in his pursuit of building the next set of leaders that will help place the continent on the path to sustainable development.

Findings have shown that multi-stage leadership education model, that is multidisciplinary, global, and ethics oriented is no doubt the remedy for many of the leadership challenges facing the continent today.

It is in filling this void that the David Ibiyeomie Foundation and Chokhmah International Academy were created.

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The founder and presiding pastor of Salvation Ministries International, Pastor David Ibiyeomie, is leading an ambitious strategy to build transgenerational leaders – statesmen, akin to Nelson Mandela, Kwame Nkrumah, Obafemi Awolowo, among others. A leading voice in the propagation of the gospel, he founded the Church which started as an inchoate assembly on the 13th of April 1997 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria's oil metropolis, with 34 members: 15 males, ten females and nine children in attendance.

Today, the Salvation Ministries has become a global movement with millions of members.

Through the David Ibiyeomie Foundation and the Chokhmah International Academy, a model school in Port Harcourt, the passionate preacher has made a commitment of building leaders and equipping them with the requisite blend of character and sound education, that will birth the Africa of our dreams. His fervent faith in the interplay of quality education and sound morals within the school system was evident in the first few minutes our interaction.

In line with the Sustainable Development Goal 4 of the United Nations, which promotes inclusive and equitable quality education, the foundation has provided education intervention for over 8000 learners through scholarships that cut across the broad spectrum, including Kindergarten; primary; secondary and university education.

A recent report by UNESCO, pointedly states that, of all the regions, Sub-Saharan

Multi-stage leadership education model, that is multi-disciplinary, global, and ethics oriented is no doubt the remedy for many of the leadership challenges facing the continent

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"The real problem in Africa is not the absence of politicians, but the absence of statesmen", Ibiyeomie said as we settled for an extensive interview at the Church's headquarters in Port Harcourt.

Continuing, he said, 28 "there is a difference between a mere politician and a statesman. The typical politician thinks about the next election circle, but the statesman thinks of the next generation."

With his eyes set on the making of statesmen, Pastor Ibiyeomie envisions a solid educational eco-system that provides a frame of reference in excellence to potential students.

Chokhmah International Academy was set up as a center of excellence in learning and character. When our team toured the school's boarding campus situated at a serene environment in the outskirts of the bustling Port Harcourt city, we met a campus with an enthralling ambience.

From a group of students learning hyperbaric welding and fabrication skills by simulation, to another group mastering the rudiments of sound engineering and music video creation in a laboratory, we saw a wellprovisioned campus set to train Africa's new generation of leaders.

The boarding campus sits on a vast land, behind the ongoing Salvation Ministries cathedral project – an impressive Chokmah International Academy's day school located in the mainly residential suburb of the city known as D-Line, is similarly well equipped. Here, we see the buildings housing the Kindergarten, primary and secondary students, which provides the entry point to a world of grit and leadership. " I will let you know something," Ibiyeomie says, as he tries to explain why he pulled no stops in building a world-class structure. "I am trying to create a balance," he continued, "You've

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been to the premises, but there are two sides to our vision. If you have ever been to many Christian-based schools, they have values, but seem to always lack facilities. And if you go to many secular schools, they may have facilities, but they tend to struggle in terms of the values learners internalize. So, my aim is to strike a balance such that academic excellence is supported by sound character ,” he concludes.

It was therefore easy reconciling what we saw on the ground versus our understanding of education as a social enterprise. With the world-class facilities that feature prominently across all the schools visited, it wasn't difficult to glean that for Pastor Ibiyeomie, education is not a commercial enterprise. We found out that nearly 45% of the students in these schools are on full scholarship, while others are highly subsidized.

When our team arrived in Port Harcourt for an interview with David Ibiyeomie, yet another school had just been completed that will provide 100%

tuition-free education to children whose parents could not afford to send them to school. The school, located on Aggrey Road in central Port Harcourt, has an independent selection committee to guarantee a merit-based admission. The selection process typifies David Ibiyeomie, and his natural affinity to meritocracy. This illustrates why his philanthropy touches different tribes, tongues and nationalities – often unknown to him.

A story was told of how on one of his trips, a certain young man caused a stir at the Airport as he approached Pastor Ibiyeomie to thank him for changing his life for the better through a scholarship to study Medicine in the university, The young man, said, "Pastor, I am one of the young me that you gave scholarship to study medicine. I have since completed my studies and now work as a doctor." The young man continued, "if it were not for you, I would not have gone to school."

Startled, Pastor Ibiyeomie prayed with him to excel in his medical practice. The

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most precious asset.

By investing so adroitly and selflessly on the education of young people on the continent, Mr Ibiyeomie is not only creating a new generation of leaders, but is helping to create a knowledge and skills-based economy that places Africa firmly on the path of growth and sustainable development.

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We must expand social protection programs for the poor and ensure universal health insurance, especially for millions of the poor who rely on self-provisioning for health care.

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training and quality education, the David Ibiyeomie Foundation has also built a befitting home for the elderly at the heart of Port Harcourt city. This is designed to cater to the oftenneglected senior citizens of the society.

He feeds, houses and provides for their up-keep in fulfillment of the biblical injunction - "honour your father and your mother, that your days may be long."

An academic and former Commissioner for Information in Rivers State, Dr Austin Tam-George, captures the life of Mr Ibiyeomie succinctly in his article titled: THE EXAMPLE OF PASTOR DAVID IBIYEOMIE. According to TamGeorge, Ibiyeomie's impact as a cleric has grown exponentially over the past two decades because of his generous and exemplary life. In his words, "Pastor Ibiyeomie recognizes that there is no sermon greater than the power of personal example."

"This is why in the past 20 years, Pastor Ibiyeomie and the Salvation Ministries have spent billions of Naira in humanitarian relief efforts. They have built free schools for forgotten children, and granted scholarships to thousands of students in Nigeria and abroad," the article reads.

Dr Tam-George maintained that "in a morally vandalized world, dominated by leaders blinded by the cataract of corruption, Salvation Ministries has emerged as an important oasis of hope."

Despite appreciable progress on several frontiers, Africa is still a continent at the crossroads of development. But with almost 60% of the continent's population under the age of 25, Africa is the world's youngest continent.

While many of the continent's politicians may worry about the future of Africa's extractive economy, with their eyes fixed on the rise and fall of commodity prices in the international market, visionaries like David Ibiyeomie recognize the youth as the continent's

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young man's story represents that of many who have benefited from Ibiyeomie's benevolence.

Mr Ibiyeomie was also recently commended by the Rivers State government for donating a fully built and furnished 400 capacity hostel to the state-owned Ignatius Ajuru University of Education.

In a country with very poor national minimum wage standards, David Ibiyeomie keeps upping the ante with respect to salaries and wages.

While the National minimum wage is put at about $77, teachers and other staffers in David Ibiyeomie's schools earn more than five times the national minimum wage. Staff are also provided with fully furnished accommodation and round the clock access to other world-class amenities.

At the tertiary level, David Ibiyeomie and the Salvation Ministries have already concluded plans to build the Pacesetter University on a massive 214-hectares of land, some kilometers away from the Port Harcourt International Airport. The University which is conceived as a center of innovation in teaching and research aims to build strong partnerships with academic and industry leaders globally.

Away from education, Mr Ibiyeomie has donated over $30 million in business and entrepreneurial grants, as well as other business support projects. The David Ibiyeomie Foundation's business development support is geared towards promoting sustainable economic growth and productive employment. Through the Foundation, the schools and other institutions, Mr. Ibiyeomie has created thousands of jobs across Nigeria.

Remarkably, there is an ongoing programme to double the workforce of the schools and other related organizations, which are designed to help in depopulating the unemployment market in Nigeria. Mr Ibiyeomie is creating employment opportunities at a time when even governments across the continent are either downsizing or rightsizing, owing to the COVID-19 disruptions.

But Mr Ibiyeomie's philanthropy straddles different age groups. Beyond equipping the young with character

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“CLEANING HOUSE FIRST: Good Governance as a Key to Unlocking Global Partnerships for Shared Prosperity” Being full text of keynote address presented by H.E. Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, President of Malawi, during the recently concluded International Forum on African Leadership (Virtual), organized by the African Leadership Magazine. Ÿ Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB); Ÿ Dr. Ken Giami, Publisher of the African Leadership Magazine & Chairman ALG Strategy Group; Ÿ Senator Manqoba B. Khumalo, Minister of Commerce, Industry & Trade in the Kingdom of Eswatini; Ÿ Lord Dolar Popat, Member UK House of Lords & Prime Ministerʼs Trade Envoy to Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo Ÿ Rep. Billy Mitchell (GA), President of National Black Caucus of State Legislators, USA; Ÿ My Fellow Speakers, All Dignitaries here today, Ladies and Gentlemen;

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As Malawiʼs President, I have been given the honour of presently chairing the Least Developed Countries Group (LDCs), holding Malawiʼs membership seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council, as well as chairing the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) in the new year. These are all roles on the global stage, and each of them is partnership-intensive, with serious implications on our prospects for economic recovery. For this reason, I am delighted to address you on the theme “Rethinking Global Partnerships and Africaʼs Economic Resurgence”, because the relevance of partnerships to our context is beyond dispute.

There is a Kenyan proverb that says that “No good food can be chewed unless your teeth are working together”. The meaning of this is similar to the meaning of our own Malawian proverb which states that “One head cannot carry a whole roof”.

Across our great continent, we have these idioms

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My own journey to the office I hold is a testament to the power of partnership. I was elected President on the ticket of a party that was leading a 9-party alliance called “Tonse”, a word from our vernacular that means “All of Us”.

resulting in the cancellation of the lockdown. It may seem strange that a people would refuse to comply with a lockdown meant to protect them from a deadly virus, but on close inspection, there is a simple explanation: When people do not trust their leaders to govern them, they also do not trust them to protect them.

In this example and many others like it around the world, the COVID-19 Pandemic has taught us that poor governance damages public trust in government interventions. In turn, this loss of trust hinders public response to crises. For this reason, since taking my oath of office, it has been my singular mission to restore public and investor trust in our governance institutions by embarking on a statewide clean-up of the same. This is an exercise that is already bearing fruit in attracting strategic partnerships of goodwill from around the world, which proves that our strategy is credible. Even the metrics of international institutions attest to the impact of our efforts. For instance, Freedom House recently declared that its assessment of the state of Democracy in the Covid-19 era showed that Malawi is the only country in the world whose democracy has grown stronger during the pandemic. Specifically, our experience shows that key to our success in rebuilding our governance capabilities has been a few components that are worth highlighting.

FIRST IS THE RULE OF LAW: This is a prime catalyst for development and national growth. From the period of May 2019 to May 2020, the Malawi Judiciary had the Herculean task of presiding over an Elections Case that would shape Malawiʼs governance for generations to come, and they did it under the most acrimonious of circumstances and against the toughest odds, including threats of violence and attempted bribes.

Their integrity in refusing to be moved not only delivered justice for Malawians but also gained Malawi international acclaim through the winning of the prestigious Chatham House Prize awarded to the Five Judges of the Constitutional Court. I am sure that this did not go unnoticed, for it can be no accident that this was followed

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from our elders to remind us that there is very little good in this world that does not result from strategic partnerships.

My own journey to the office I hold is a testament to the power of partnership. I was elected President on the ticket of a party that was leading a 9-party alliance called “Tonse”, a word from our vernacular that means “All of Us”. That word captures the multilayered partnerships that made our victory not just possible, but inevitable.

Now that we are here, we owe it to posterity to leverage the partnerships we have and forge new ones to expedite the resurgence of our economy. I believe this to be true not just for Malawi, but also for Africa. If we are to achieve Economic Resurgence for Africa, we must strengthen our Global Partnerships. My central proposition in this respect is that African governments must be at their best in order to get the best partnerships on offer.

This is why my chosen title today is: “CLEANING HOUSE FIRST: Good Governance as a Key to Unlocking Global Partnerships for Shared Prosperity” From the period of May 2019 to May 2020, the Malawian People valiantly defended their right to vote and were in a fierce battle for justice, out of which they emerged victoriously and ushered in a new government. However, it was also within this time that COVID-19 Pandemic reached its peak, killing millions of people around the world.

Countries went into lockdown, but when the embattled government of Malawi tried to follow suit, the decision met heavy resistance from the people,

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by Malawiʼs subsequent election to the United Nations Human Rights Council.

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SECOND IS A RADICAL REFORM AGENDA: Currently, my Administration is pursuing Public Sector Reforms spearheaded by the presidency through the office of the VicePresident. We believe that the Public Sector must be in top shape to prepare for and 32 respond to crises and changes in global climates before they occur. Such preparedness will put our countries in a stronger position to contribute to Global response and Global strategy, especially in the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

As Malawi has shown the world, it is impossible to build a strong Governance framework if either the Civil Service and the Civil Society are stuck in a cycle of lethargy, greed, and partisanship. Our reforms agenda is designed to move us away from an activity-focused model of delivery to a results-focused model anchored by the best practices of innovation, efficiency, and patriotism.

THIRD IS MULTILATERAL AFRICAN INTEGRATION: African Leaders must join forces in combatting corruption and protecting civil liberties in our countries. Our lawenforcement and military must be used for protecting citizens, not stifling them. As Malawi is anticipating to Chair SADC from 2021, I have already made visits to six countries in the region to strengthen ties in readiness for a renaissance in our nations.

The Peace and Security of the Southern Africa region is a priority area worthy of the worldʼs attention, not only because of the political unrest that several countries in this region have faced over the past 5 years but also because of the unique economic opportunities it offers.

But we cannot attract the world to our nations if our nations are in disarray. We must have order and we must have it collectively. We cannot have good governance in one part of Africa if it is routinely being undermined in another part.

As such, those who are leading in the creation of good government have a duty to spread their methods across the region to strengthen our collective capacity to deliver world-class services. In this regard, Malawi is a great example of how a return to good governance positions a nation to have a

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Malawi has shown the world, it is impossible to build a strong Governance framework if either the Civil Service and the Civil Society are stuck in a cycle of lethargy, greed, and partisanship credible voice on the world stage.

For our part, we have already used our voice to lobby for better conditions for all African nations at various multilateral fora, including a call for permanent seats for African states on the United Nations Security Council, a call for the cancellation of sub-Saharan Africaʼs debt, and a call for equilibrium in the rules of engagement for global trade. No one in the world would listen to us or take us seriously if it became evident that none of our own people even trust us to govern them well. Malawi is finally open for global business and global partnerships because Malawi is finally closed to lawlessness and chaos.

Thank you for your attention.

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AFDB PRESIDENT AKIN ADESINA RESTATES THE BANK'S AFRICA GROWTH ACCELERATION STRATEGY AT THE 8TH INTERNATIONAL FORUM ON AFRICAN LEADERSHIP, IFAL

The President of the African Development Bank, Akinwumi Adesina has said that as part of strategies to help in rebuilding Africa, due to the large-scale disruption occasioned by COVID-19, the Bank is leading the way by providing over $384 million for countries to address immediate food and nutrition issues. He made this known during the 8th International Forum on African Leadership, IFAL, organized by the African Leadership Magazine U.K.

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The International Forum on African Leadership which held virtually on the 4th December 2020, had in attendance, H.E. Dr Lazarus Chakwera; U.K. Prime Minister's Trade Envoy to Rwanda and member U.K. House of Lords, Lord Dolar Popat; the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Kingdom of Eswatini, Sen. Manqoba B. Khumalo; President National Black Caucus of State Legislators, USA, Rep. Billy Mitchell, among others.

Presenting a keynote on the theme: 'Rethinking Global Partnerships and Africa's economic resurgence', Dr Adesina maintained that, "the African Development Bank showed leadership and responsiveness in supporting countries to address the pandemic. The Bank launched a $10 billion crisis response facility to support countries' immediate needs for liquidity."

He further stated that "the Bank also launched a $3 billion fight COVID-19 social bond on the global capital markets, the largest U.S. dollar-denominated social bond ever in world history, now listed on the London Stock Exchange, Luxembourg Stock Exchange and Nasdaq."

Dr Adesina, however, maintained that, though the Bank is lending its support to the continent's recovery, more still needs to be done.

In his words, "the disparity in the financial capacity to tackle the pandemic is very stark." Continuing, he opined that, "while developed countries have spent over $10 trillion as a fiscal stimulus for their economies, with spending by Western Europe being 30 times what was spent on the Marshall Plan, developing countries have minuscule fiscal space."

He, therefore, argued that the stark inequalities

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would affect the speed at which different economies recover from the effects of the pandemic.

Below is the full speech of the president of the African Development Bank during this event: Your Excellency Dr Lazarus Chakwera, President of the Republic of Malawi, Honorable Ministers, Eminent 34 Guests, distinguished ladies and gentlemen.

I would like to thank Dr Ken Giami, the Publisher and CEO of the African Leadership Magazine, organizers of the International Forum on African Leadership, for inviting me to speak to you at this event today.

The theme of the event, "Rethinking Global Partnerships and Africa's Economic Resurgence," is very apt for the times we are in today.

We live in unprecedented and challenging times with the COVID pandemic.

Globally, over 60 million people have been infected, and over 1.4 million have died. In Africa, total infections are at over 2 million, with over 45,000 deaths.

The negative impacts on economies have been massive. The African Development Bank estimates that Africa's GDP will decline by $173236 billion by the end of the year.

Africa's economic growth rate is expected to decline by 3.4%.

The world has become more fragile as we all face common existential risks. All are affected, developed and developing countries.

There's no coronavirus for developed countries and coronavirus for developing countries.

Our most significant test and the task is to build effective partnerships and reinforce leadership to navigate through the pandemic, save as many lives and possible, reverse the trend, and put the world and its economies back on more resilient recovery pathways.

Leadership and partnerships for a world in need.

The African Development Bank showed leadership and responsiveness in supporting countries to address the pandemic.

The Bank launched a $10 billion crisis

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response facility to support countries' immediate needs for liquidity.

The Bank also launched a $3 billion fight COVID-19 social bond on the global capital markets, the largest U.S. dollar-denominated social bond ever in world history, now listed on the London Stock Exchange, Luxembourg Stock Exchange and Nasdaq.

The speed and quality of the economic recovery process from the pandemic will depend on our shared sense of collective responsibility and the financial capacity of developing countries to address immediate shocks, stabilize their economies, and invest in growing back.

Yet, the disparity in the financial capacity to tackle the pandemic is very stark. While developed countries have spent over $10 trillion as a fiscal stimulus for their economies, with spending by Western Europe being 30 times what was spent on the Marshall Plan, developing countries have minuscule fiscal space.

These are stark inequalities which will affect the speed at which different economies recover from the effects of the pandemic. While social distancing is needed to prevent the spread of the virus, fiscal distancing must be avoided.

But there are also other divides.

The digital divide has worsened.

Countries with poor energy access, electrification rates and limited

broadband access could not stay open to transition businesses to the virtual new normal.

The pandemic has further laid bare the divide in the labour market.

Those with skills can keep their jobs, while low skilled workers, especially those employed in the informal sector lost jobs, worsened by the lockdowns.

It's estimated that up to 30 million jobs will be lost in Africa by the end of the year.

There's a big divide in healthcare capacities. Prior to the pandemic, Africa had, on average, only nine beds per 10,000 people, two equipped labs for COVID19 tests, 20 physicians per 10,000 people.

Developed countries have ten times the number of physicians and nurses and spend 60 times per capita on health.

I am confident that these, and other challenges arising from the pandemic can be overcome. But we must rethink many things and do things much differently than before.

We must not put new wine in old wineskins.

As Africa builds back, priority should be put on the quality of growth, not just the quantum of growth. Growth must be more equitable and focus on sectors that are better able to create jobs.

Building back African economies with resilience requires addressing its high debt levels. Total outstanding

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We must build back by focusing on the youth, many of whom had no jobs before the pandemic. That's why the African Development Bank will support the launch of the Youth Entrepreneurship investment Banks to create a viable financial ecosystem to unleash the entrepreneurship and businesses of young people.

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relying only on debt, especially expensive bilateral and commercial debt. Africa must grow by mobilizing domestic resources, especially by unlocking its over $1 trillion in pension funds, sovereign wealth funds and insurance funds. These should be better harnessed to help close the annual infrastructure financing gap estimated at $64108 billion.

Africa will build back faster by also harnessing and better managing the revenue streams from its abundant natural resources, including minerals, metals, biodiversity, blue economy, forest resources, agriculture and oil and gas, to boost domestic savings.

35 Going forward, more transparent governance over natural resources must form a key component of financing Africa's growth.

Africa must build back by focusing sharply on food and nutritional security. For many, the risk of hunger is higher than coronavirus. Without food, medicines or vaccines don't work. There is vaccination against coronavirus, but there is no vaccination against hunger.

The African Development Bank led the way in providing over $384 million for countries to address immediate food and nutrition issues, including providing access to improved seeds, farm inputs, strategic food reserves and opening up of regional trade corridors to facilitate trade in food.

We must build back by focusing on the private sector, especially the small and medium-sized enterprises who are the lifelines of the economy and the largest employers of labour.

We must build back by focusing on the youth, many of whom had no jobs before the pandemic. That's why the African Development Bank will support the launch of the Youth Entrepreneurship investment Banks to create a viable financial ecosystem to unleash the entrepreneurship and businesses of young people.

We must build back by ensuring that women are strongly supported, as a majority of them have lost incomes, due to their greater dependence on informal markets and sectors such as tourism, hospitality and trade, all of which have been devastated by the lockdowns.

That's why the Bank will further accelerate its efforts to mobilize $5 billion for women through its Affirmative Finance Action for P A

debt on the continent is over $700 billion.

While bilateral concessional debt finance has declined from 52% to 27% between 2000 and 2019, commercial debt owed to private creditors increased from 17% to 40% in the same period. Private commercial debtors held some $44 billion in Eurobond debt for 10 African countries at the end of September 2020.

The G20 is making global partnership efforts to support debt relief for developing countries through the Debt Service Suspension Initiative. To date, 22 African countries have benefitted from the initiative, which has deferred debt payments for $5.2 billion. However, this only represents 4% of Africa's total bilateral debt. Much larger financial support is needed, and the private sector creditors need to be part of the solution.

The lesson for Africa is clear: Africa simply cannot accelerate its development by

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Women.

We must build back by paying greater attention to climate change and resilience. The African Development Bank will redouble its efforts on the Desert to Power Initiative to provide electricity for 280 million people in the Sahel through solar power systems.

Building forward, the Bank will 36 boost Africa's capacity to adapt to climate change. That's why the Bank expects to devote 40% of its total financing to climate finance by 2021.

The Bank is already scaling up support to African countries to insure themselves against climate shocks through the Bank's Africa Disaster Risk Insurance Financing Initiative.

I was pleased to join forces with former U.N. Secretary-General Ban KiMoon to establish the Global Center for Adaptation in Africa, hosted by the African Development Bank, to help leverage additional global resources to support Africa's climate adaptation.

We must build back by ensuring that there's universal health care for all.

We must expand social protection programs for the poor and ensure universal health insurance, especially for millions of the poor who rely on self-provisioning for health care.

We must build back by building quality health care infrastructure for Africa. We must build Africa's manufacturing capacity for pharmaceuticals, medicines and vaccine production. The concentration of manufacturing capacity and global value chains outside of Africa poses a great risk to the continent.

That's why the African Development Bank plans to move into investing in quality health infrastructure to provide better access to quality health care. The Bank will also support the development of Africa's pharmaceutical industry to manufacture medicines and vaccines in Africa.

The African Development Bank is supporting the development of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area to create competitive industrial manufacturing capacity and wider trade and investment opportunities for the continent. The Bank provided $4.5 million to help create the secretariat for the free trade area.

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To further support the free trade area, the African Development Bank is supporting the Africa Exchange Linkage Project, to integrate stock exchanges across Africa. This will create a capital market with capitalization in excess of $1 trillion, representing 90% of Africa's total equity market. This will increase liquidity and enable seamless trading platforms across the continent.

We must rethink infrastructure and for a "Digital Africa". As economies recover, the world will become more digital. People, businesses, financial institutions and governments have to adjust to this "new normal rapidly".

The role of technology, especially digital technology, artificial intelligence, robotics and Internet of Things, will further revolutionize financial inclusion, delivering services, climate information, insurance, and health delivery, especially new models of telemedicine for better access and affordable care.

Therefore, Africa must further accelerate the development of digital infrastructure. Ÿ Going forward, we must rethink global health systems and partnerships.

In an interconnected world, with so much fluidity, securing health requires that we rethink and reconfigure institutions. We should now be strengthening the regional and national health institutions. For nations and the regions must lead efforts, now, and in the future. That's why the African Development Bank provided $27 million to the Africa Center for Disease Control to take the leadership in tackling the pandemic. Ÿ The pandemic is a shock to the world. Yet, working together, we will overcome challenges arising from it. We will arise, we will reset, and we will rebuild Ÿ For that, leadership is critical, at all levels. Ÿ Leadership that will inspire not aspire. Ÿ Leadership that will strengthen, not weaken and diminish. Ÿ Leadership that will build cooperation, not reinforce isolation. Ÿ Leadership that will look for common and collective interest, not build walls of nationalism and

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exclusivity.

We must hold hands together and rebuild together. We are only as strong as the partnerships we build together, for, after all, all lives are created equal.

This is the time for audacious global leadership.

Leadership that is able to navigate complexities and restore hope and confidence, to grow back, safer, better, healthier and with greater resilience.

Leadership that brings out the best in all of us.

Let's work together to make the world a better place for all.

Thank you all very much The International Forum on African Leadership is a one-day strategic highlevel summit designed to build consensus towards addressing pressing regional and international challenges of peace and security which have affected global partnership and much-desired development in Africa, as guided by shared vision and aspirations.

About African Leadership Magazine Group The African Leadership magazine is published by African Leadership (U.K.) Limited, a company registered in the United Kingdom. The magazine focuses on bringing the best of Africa to a global audience, telling the African story from an African perspective; while evolving solutions to peculiar challenges being faced by the continent today.

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We must expand social protection programs for the poor and ensure universal health insurance, especially for millions of the poor who rely on self-provisioning for health care.

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The mainstay of the Eswatini economy has been sugar exports. Recognising the risks of running a largely monolithic economy, are there plans to diversify? If yes, in what sectors do you believe Eswatini has a comparative advantage, or can easily create one?

Our Strategic Roadmap speaks to five sectors that we have identified to address the same concern that you have just mentioned. We have looked at mining and energy as a sector, under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy. We do have a number of mineral resources that are not currently being exploited for a number of reasons and we are trying to fix some of their underlying issues to be able to beneficiate mines and some of those minerals. Secondly, is tourism. This is a beautiful country and I think it is an untold story and a beautiful culture with peace and stability and we believe we can sell that. I am quite excited that there is an organisation called Lonely Planet that has rated Eswatini as one of the top five destinations to visit in the world in 2020 and it has really given us a lot of mileage even internationally. This has been covered in media like CNN. Thirdly is the area of manufacturing and agricultural processing.

This one is extremely important because again to create jobs you need industry and industry sort of mops up a lot of jobs in a short space of time; so we are looking at especially economic zones. We have actually established a couple of Special Economic Zones and we are in the process of developing the infrastructure around the second one. The first one is already fully developed and we are starting to see foreign companies coming in to those

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Lonely Planet recently rated Eswatini as one of the Top 5 destinations in the world to visit in 2020. The organisation noted the Kingdom's unique cultural heritage, which remains untouched by modernity. More than that, Eswatini presents limitless opportunities for investors looking for a consistent economy with access to surrounding markets in the Southern Africa region. In this exclusive interview with African Leadership Magazine UK, the Honourable Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Senator Manqoba Khumalo, shares government's efforts towards creating a conducive investment climate for ready investors. Excerpts.

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Special Economic Zones. We are also building factory shells and encouraging companies to come in, we are looking at our tax code making sure it is going to be one of the most competitive in the region and also other issues. But we really want to focus on agricultural processing, 38 that is to say, whatever we are producing, how do we do second level beneficiation for those agricultural products with the view of exporting internationally. We have a great company called Rhodes Foods, and they are already exporting to the likes of TESCO and other international Britain chains and we want to replicate that as well.

Agriculture is huge because we have good agricultural land and good rainfall. Versus most countries in the region, our rainfall is a little bit better, I am not sure why but we thank God for that. We still import a lot of what we eat from South Africa so we want to scale up. We already have a number of key projects that we have identified. For example, in maize, we want to be self-sufficient in the next three years. That is how aggressive we are and this applies to a host of other crops that we believe should be exported. Then the last sector is ICT, we want to digitise the economy because we see there is a business opportunity. We have been fortunate as a country to be one of those that will host the digital platform to operationalise the AfCFTA. The way it will be done is that there will be an e-

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We have a great company called Rhodes Foods, and they are already exporting to the likes of TESCO and other international Britain chains and we want to replicate that as well.

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commerce platform through a group that has signed a MoU with the African Union called the AeTrade Group and Eswatini will be one of the regional hubs for AeTrade. That is something that makes us really happy because we understand that it is a knowledge-based economy not a traditional economy that is going to drive the economy forward. So, we look at ICT as a competitive advantage for us.

Whether you want to do finance, Eswatini has set up an international finance centre, or you want to do ecommerce. We are already talking to big companies who are looking to have some of their data in the region and they have picked Eswatini as a point of interest. We are developing a data centre right now in our Technology Park which is housed inside one of our Special Economy Zones. We are trying to diversify the economy from sugar by focusing on those five key sectors; Mining and Energy, Tourism, Manufacturing and Agroprocessing, Agriculture and ICT. As Interim Minister of Information Communications and Technology,

do you anticipate that upskilling youths with digital skills can be a step towards positioning Eswatini as a regional outsourcing hub for global tech companies?

There is definitely planning in place which is still at infancy stage because one of the disadvantages that we have found as a new government administration is that our infrastructure is still lagging behind. . We are working on fixing our backbone infrastructure, so that we can have the best-in-class infrastructure. And on top of that, we will look at penetration. When His Majesty was opening Parliament, we call that the Speech from the Throne, one of the things he said was that he wants us to provide free Wi-Fi access to remote areas, particularly for our youth. He has commissioned me the mandate and I am already working on a plan to make that happen. We are then looking at PPPs to actually make that happen because there are a lot of private sector entities that have a huge interest to occupy that space, working with the Government and making sure that maybe we can then get the infrastructure, software

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and the investments that we want. We believe strongly that ICT education is key, so what we are also doing is introducing ICT-based education in our schools. We just launched a programme where we now have 28 schools already on that programme.

We are working on getting all schools in the country in three years to have an ICT-based education framework that will really ensure that by the time kids get out of school they have the requisite skills for the economy of the future. In our Royal Science and Technology Park, we have the whole curriculum on ICT skills, digital skills, and digital innovation skills. We have got clusters of children that are being trained on each of these skills. We are focusing quite a bit on technical and vocational institutions because what happens is that kids come out of high school and want to go to one of the traditional university structures. We want to get more vocational education with a very strong emphasis on ICT education because jobs of the future include robotics, software engineering, etc. We cannot be churning out graduates that are untrained in that.

The bulk of Eswatini's trade has

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predominantly been with the Southern African region. What efforts are you making as Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade to acquire strategic development partners outside your regional bloc?

We have many trade agreements that we have entered into as a country but the problem is the utilisation of these is really muted at this particular point in time other than the regional one. So, my challenge and our challenge as a government is how to utilise these trade agreements. There are some specific actions that we are embarking on. We have AGOA; the Africa Growth Opportunity Act, and right now we are using that primarily for textile. The textile industry employs about 35,000 people in Eswatini but we have looked at how we can be the preferred manufacturers for textile in the region. People say it is not a high paying job but when you look at the economic impact of textile mopping up youth and employment, it is something that makes sense to do. In fact, the latest statistics show that Eswatini is the second importer of textile into South Africa after China, which is pretty significant. But I have been asking myself why we cannot be

the first because we have started the landscape and we understand that the rest of the countries who have been supplying to South Africa actually get textiles from China. South Africa is now saying we need things that are actually made in those countries and Eswatini is becoming more preferred. There is a company that is going to be set up here and it will create 3,000 jobs next year. There is another one I visited in the south of the country earlier this year and it is going to be creating 6,000 jobs. So that is the value of textile but AGOA will allow us to expand into the American market because we can trade there duty free once we are able to distinguish ourselves as the preferred supplier of textiles in the region, which is one of our key strategies. We have also entered an agreement with the local American embassy to get the services of something called the Trade House in South Africa. It is an American entity based in South Africa helping private businesses that are supplying to the US on an AGOA optimization strategy so they will be here in March. We will then do a baseline survey and a sort of opportunity assessment and then put together an action plan to determine

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MERCUSSOR. It is a circle agreement which we are part of and we are You have been at the forefront of looking to see how we can supply to enhancing trade between Eswatini and the likes of Brazil, Argentina, and so on.

Taiwan which have led to meeting with There is nothing happening with that at officials from the Taiwan Economic the moment, but I have a team now, Trade Development Council (TAITRA) as actually the director of trade and I are well as the Chairperson of the Taiwan now looking at how we can start Sugar Corporation. What has been the supplying to those markets and how we can diversify from sugar in 40 outcome so far? Are there positive updates? particular. But it is really about having a We have an agreement that we call concerted effort at specific markets and ECA, Economic Cooperation saying, you know, what makes sense to Agreement, with Taiwan. The country supply to this particular country so that has chosen Taiwan as its strategic we are diversified as an economy. partner; it's a historical thing. His What I love about the Ae-Trade Majesty King Sobhuza II started our concept, because it is a concept that is relationship with Taiwan - the King's yet to be proven, is that it is really father said that our friends are grassroots centric. In other words, if Taiwanese and the current King His you are a handcrafter for example, and Majesty King Mswati III has maintained you are doing lovely crafts, how do you and strengthened our relationship with find markets for your product? And Taiwan. It is a very great relationship they have made a commitment by the and I think it is mutually beneficial. We way, they have said that they will create have also identified about 151 product through their SME program, 2000 jobs lines that we can trade with each other. in Eswatini. They would do that by first I was in Taiwan in June 2019 and we connecting SMEs to markets, because have formulated a cross-functional that is a problem in Africa. You know team that is going meet annually to better than I do that Intra-Africa trade look at our priorities. is said to be about 15%, which is quite Right now we have prioritised shameful. But on the flip side of that it honey. We supply honey and beef to is amazing because it speaks to the size Taiwan. They love our beef. They have of the economy, which is why the visited our beef industry and have AfCTA makes sense. So the way Aelooked at our health certificates Trade is going to connect SMEs is approval and they have given us the through a program of identifying the go-ahead and we have begun to SMEs that is sort of export ready, so to supply. Also, there are private speak, and secondly training and businesses that have off-take educating them on how to make sure agreements to supply beef into Taiwan. that they provide a sustained level of And they are also looking at sugar. We exports. Because another thing with also have an agreement with a Latin SMEs, using the example I gave about American company called exporting honey to Taiwan, you get an SME, you place an order saying give us a hundred tons in a year but this SME can only supply four tons in a year. So AeTrade Group is going to then help in capacitating orders.

They have a We have AGOA; the Africa Growth finance model which is Opportunity Act, and right now we are going to also help using that primarily for textile. The finance them to quickly textile industry employs about 35,000 scale up where they need people in Eswatini but we have looked to scale up.

And then at how we can be the preferred they have the mentoring manufacturers for textile in the region. model as well, where P A

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they will make sure they partner with SMEs even if it is remotely with someone who has gone to the coast and can help them through their paces.

But most importantly, they would remove the non-tariff barriers too, because the biggest problem to trade across Africa is the barriers to trade are just enormous. I was once exposed to that situation working for my previous employer, we were to take goods from Eswatini to Nigeria and we had to fill out 72 pieces of documentation. With digital information everything is linked to one source of entry, and you know the rates, you know the duty, you know who is going pay you and how.

Because another thing is some of these SMEs are quite shy to export what they have. And then once the person receives the goods, you go to the website and the website does not exist anymore. So Ae-Trade really eliminates all of these artificial barriers to trade that we see.

However, the most important thing for me is the youth and women. I have spoken to the Ae-Trade director, and he has said he is going to have a bias towards youth and women. Once we focus on youth and women we are very comfortable that the economy is going to change quite drastically, particularly women as they tend to create a better impact on the economy and the society.

Increased access to affordable Internet has been shown to have positive impacts on economic, education, health, and development outcomes. Is there one area that you believe Internet access has the greatest potential to improve? How has Eswatini fared in the areas of communication, information and technology over the years?

We are making fair progress.

Currently, some people say that our internet speed is a bit on the slow side and that is a bit costly but that has been rectified as we recently had data prices reduced by up to 70% our mobile companies. I count myself a bit fortunate that I will have a fair level of its influence in terms of shaping how this goes in the next few months. We just feel strongly that the telecommunications industry needs to

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Considering you spoke about exposure, what is your take on

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“Once we focus on youth and women we are very comfortable that the economy is going to change quite drastically, particularly women they tend to create a better impact on economic and the society”.

letting the information known across other continents like Middle East and beyond, in terms of investment and in terms of profiling Eswatini on its own, putting it together on a platform and getting it across to educate them on what is happening?

The Minister of ICT has been working on a new branding strategy because we have reverted to our original name, Eswatini. We believe the tagline we will come up with will be all-encompassing whether it is talking about tourism or you talk about business or whatever.

How do you manage to combine the two strategic portfolios that you handle which is the ICT and Commerce Industry?

I am able to manage it. The substantive Minister for ICT is Her Royal Highness, Princess Sikhanyiso. She is indisposed for a while and I am acting ICT Minister in the interim. I just find natural synergies to combine what the Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of ICT are doing. I will make a few examples, starting with our Revenue Services. For example, if you want to have a trading licence, you come to the Ministry of Commerce and apply but when you have to pay taxes you have to go to the Revenue Services. Once you have made your payments, you come back to finish the process; which is really awful from an ease of doing business point of view. So now the Ministry of ICT is working with the Ministry of Commerce to ensure that you do everything you need to do in one place. That is an example. There are many synergies that I see.

Businesses are complaining about the cost of the speed of internet, as well as the accessibility, both small and huge and I feel I am able to fast track some of those actions but the workload itself is quite enormous and you rely on people. We are blessed with really talented people. So that really makes it easy.

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Is there a strategy for attracting African Americans in returning and settling in Eswatini similar to Ghanaʼs year of the return?

I have to be honest, we do not have such a strategy yet.

But I think it will be great to get to understand how the likes of Ghana have achieved that and we need to build that into our strategy. It is very clear that there is so much latent potential that we are not tapping into.

I think another thing is exposure, I come from the private sector as you know, and I have only started working for Government.

Having a broader view of things, we are a culture that is always open to ideas, and particularly new ideas.

We believe strongly that it will be great for us to get such suggestions like the diaspora suggestions. We have set goals and we will be opening a new Informal Traders Hub in Manzini. We have built this up with the help of COMESA; where handcrafters will come in and have a storage facility and be able to spend the night. It is a 300bed facility with showers. What we have to do is that whenever we have visitors, we will let it be intentionally part of the agenda.

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be liberalised and that way you know you will be paying value for money. We are working towards fast tracking the unbundling strategy so that the players can be separated and play competitively in the mobile space.

They will have an infrastructure company but that will eliminate the exclusivity on infrastructure. So we will open up infrastructure so that the companies can come in and compete. For example, if Orange wants to come in and give us an infrastructure solution or MTN wants to give us a telecommunication solution both can be considered. And of course, we also have a postal service which should help to decentralize our services. We want people to not have to walk or rather travel more than 20 kilometres to get a service.

Right now we need to digitize our postal service. We believe that is going to achieve a few things; Ÿ It is going to allow free market economies. Ÿ It is going to give us the penetration that we need. Ÿ It is going to drive down the cost.

Then Eswatini will be a much better place to do business for both SMEs and private sector because we would have those fundamentals in place. We need to do that in the next two years, although it is a very aggressive timeline but I think we

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How Can Africa Prepare Its Education System For The Post-covid World?

Innovation in education has become a major priority due to COVID19. The recent technological influx in Africa needs to be capitalized upon by the education sector, which has been hit hard by the pandemic.

African governments need to invest in free, high-quality online education for all Africans.

Lindiwe Matlali is one of the Schwab Foundation's Social Innovators of the Year 2020.

This year, Kenya declared that its 2020 school year was considered lost and primary and secondary school pupils would return to class in January.

Indeed, COVID-19 has left 250 million children in primary and secondary schools in Africa alone out of school.

Due to the pandemic, the topic of innovation in education has never been so crucial. While most developed countries moved their classes online with ease, many developing countries have been found wanting, due to a lack of infrastructure and the high cost of data.

South Africa is ranked as one of the countries with the most expensive data in the world, resulting in challenges with implementing digital learning, particularly in rural areas.

Discussions on the matter are urgently required on an Africa-wide level.

Why good is not good enough On 30 March 2020, three days after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced South Africa's national lockdown, Africa Teen Geeks (ATG) launched the STEM Digital Lockdown school in partnership

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with the Department of Basic Education.

It has reached over 500,000 learners across the country through the MsZora platform – an artificial-intelligence based educational platform offering free live classes by qualified teachers. It is available to all South Africans with access to a computer and internet.

Classes are recorded and shared on social media sites such as YouTube for future reference.

And yet if South Africa has over 12 million learners in its basic education system, how is it possible that only 500,000 children were able to access these classes? Inequality is the answer.

Many have put their faith in 'leapfrogging'. The best example of that has been Africa's jump straight to mobile phones, almost entirely

bypassing fixed-line technology.

—Lindiwe Matlali, Chief Executive Officer, Africa Teen Geeks While online learning is playing a critical role in remote learning during the coronavirus pandemic, the implications of pivoting to online instructions are devastating for the poor.

Understanding why there is a digital divide A House of Lords Report in 2017 declared that "Digital literacy should be the fourth pillar of a child's education alongside reading, writing and mathematics, and be resourced and taught accordingly".

There are four main reasons why so many African people remain offline, according to the World Economic Forumʼs Internet for All platform:

Image: World Economic Forum

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Africa can be addressed by investing in 1. Internet and other infrastructure broadband infrastructure, partnerships must be earmarked as a basic need and investment in digital education, The pandemic has broken down access to funding led by the African borders, allowing us to focus on PanDevelopment Bank and education African programmes. In the context of recovery. education, infrastructure refers to both There is a need for collaboration in ICT infrastructure as well as the physical education, especially with the introduction of computer science and school infrastructure. robotics to boost 4IR skills in Africa, The cost of, and access to, the internet 43 moving beyond basic computer literacy. is a critical factor. African governments Education recovery involves the need to immediately understand that assessment and revision of the access to the internet has become an academic curriculum to be relevant and essential service and a basic need. The reflective of market demands and local African Union should use this realities, while catering to a nonopportunity to lead an Africa-wide physical environment. Fully aware that broadband infrastructure project jobs of the future will require new skills, funded jointly by African countries to the Department of Basic Education in accelerate access to broadband internet South Africa is currently developing the in Africa.

Education infrastructure, particularly in Coding & Robotics curriculum to close rural areas, is in crisis with many the digital skills gap between what we schools without access to clean water have and what the industry will be and sanitation facilities. Approximately looking for. Revised education systems 70% of schools in South Africa do not need to be able to produce both have a library, and 81% do not have a employees and entrepreneurs. laboratory, according to a Pulitzer African youth is beaming with Centre project from 2018, "Upholding innovative tech ideas, and motivation – 29(1)(a) in South Africa: The Right to and necessity – is the mother of Basic Education". innovation. Imagine just what an There is also an urgent need to African youth who could code and who modernise the basic structure and had knowledge of emerging resources provided to schools and technology such as AI, VR could do. The teachers. time to pivot, and ensure that post2. Prioritise remote learning COVID-19 Africa is transformed, is now.

With uncertainty regarding when schools will fully reopen, attention must This article was first published on be given to remote, technology-based www.weforum.org learning with classes provided through live sessions or by pre-recorded content.

African governments need to invest in free, high-quality online education for all Africans.

While access to the internet and devices are a African governments need to invest in barrier, particularly in rural free, high-quality online education for areas, higher education all Africans. While access to the institutions such as the internet and devices are a barrier, University of particularly in rural areas, higher Witwatersrand have education institutions such as the demonstrated that it is University of Witwatersrand have possible to distribute demonstrated that it is possible to devices and data to those distribute devices and data to those in in need. need.

3. Revamp digital skills and education curriculums The lack of digital skills in P A

1. A reliable, fast connection is not available – 31% of the global population does not have 3G coverage, while 15% have no electricity. In subSaharan Africa, some 600 million people (almost two-thirds of the region's population) do not have regular electricity, and this applies to nearly a quarter of people living in South Asia.

2. The cost of devices and connectivity is not realistic – Another factor preventing many people from accessing the internet, particularly impacting the 13% of the world population living below the poverty line. Broadband is only affordable for 100% of the population in just 29 countries.

3. Lack of skills, awareness and cultural acceptance – A key barrier for many skills is education, with 15% of adults globally considered illiterate. Cultural issues come into play, with women being up to 50% less likely to use the internet than men.

4. Local use either impossible or a hard sell – By its very nature, online learning creates barriers, with the vast majority (80%) of online content only available in 10 languages. By some estimates, Africa has approximately 2,000 different languages. There is still a general scepticism regarding the use of technology in some communities, with many trusting only what they can physically see and use themselves.

How can Africa pivot its education system in the COVID era?

The technological revolution sweeping the world is beginning to have a profound impact on the continent, presenting an opportunity to hit the reset button and reimagine the education landscape by addressing the challenge of exclusion, to achieve quality education for all.

Many have put their faith in 'leapfrogging'; the idea that Africa can escape its poverty and colonial heritage by skipping whole stages of development. The best example of that has been Africa's jump straight to mobile phones, almost entirely bypassing fixed-line technology. While we are still working on getting the basics right, technology needs to be used as an accelerator.

How can this be achieved, practically

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UNITED KINGDOM PREPARES FOR BIG POST BREXIT TRADE BLITZ The UK's Trade Commissioner for Africa Emma WadeSmith sits at the heart of a renewed effort to boost Britain's economic footprint on the continent.

As the UK prepares to finally cut loose from the European Union on January 1st 2021, the search is on to find new trading links and Africa is a major link in this new world.

For almost fifty years, the UK has traded within the EU umbrella. Now its long-standing European trade partners are about to become its trade rivals. Whether the UK leaves the EU with a deal or not, one thing is clear – the UK is about to experience a very different trading environment. And it is down to Britons like Emma Wade-Smith to make a success of this new world.

From her Johannesburg base, she is busy putting in place her stated aim to make the UK what she calls “Africa's investment partner of choice.”

She presides over a growing number of regional offices positioned across Africa to provide market and sector knowledge for British entrepreneurs seeking to trade with their African counterparts. There were twenty-three offices at the last count.

Recently, a bilateral trade deal was signed with Kenya and now the UK is looking to replicate that in many other countries as it begins its new life as a sole trader operating outside the European Union for the first time in almost fifty years.

Meanwhile her Department of International Trade team has set up an Africa Investors Group to drive UK investment into Africa. A deal has been signed with the ASOKO investment platform to create a virtual dealing room where African companies seeking funding can hook up with UK investors. In the past nine months, the Deal Room is estimated to have generated threequarters of a billion pounds in new business.

Her team in Africa is already helping to run Technology hubs in South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria where young African entrepreneurs, and in particular female entrepreneurs, can build skills and get their businesses market-ready for partnerships with entrepreneurs in the UK. These hubs link into the UK's Tech For Growth Programme which specialises in the FinTech ecosystem. In addition to FinTech Emma Wade-Smith is keen to encourage start-ups operating in infrastructure, renewables, health technology, online education and agribusiness. In her view, all these sectors are key areas for the future growth of African entrepreneurial talent.

At present, almost half of the UK's Africa trade is with Morocco, Tunisia and the southern African customs union. In 2019, UK bilateral trade with Africa grew by 4% to £36 billion but Emma Wade-Smith believes the UK can do much better in the future.

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But this is no free-fire zone. You can be sure that the twenty-seven countries still in the EU, not to mention China, Russia, Iran, Turkey and a USA reinvigorated in its Africa interests by the election of Joe Biden are also sharpening up their economic muscles to tap into these African opportunities.

Currently the UK lies in third place behind Netherlands and France in the volume of Foreign Direct Investment stock. Netherlands invested $78 billion between 2014 and 2018, France $53 billion compared to the UK's $49 billion.

The twenty-seven other countries who make up the European Union including the big economies of Germany, Italy and France are now trade rivals rather than partners. From January 1st 2021, after almost five years, the long goodbye that began when the UK voted by a narrow margin in a referendum to quit the EU and take its chances as a single trading nation finally becomes a reality.

From January the UK finds itself unshackled from EU regulations, ready to make its own way in the world and embrace the new “Global

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become a single trading nation is happening at exactly the same time that the African Continental free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) is being launched to create a single market of more than a billion people said to be worth around three trillion dollars a year.

Speaking at a virtual UK-Africa Investment conference in October Commissioner WadeSmith outlined the benefits of the AfCFTA: “We can see that bringing together a free trade 45 area is hugely significant. It will drive industrialisation to the benefit of millions of African people.”

Her boss the UK's Minister for Africa James Duddridge was equally bulish about the importance of the AfCFTA. He said at the Investment conference that the UK was keen to ramp it up and help make it a success.

Minister Duddridge pointed to the role of the UK's publicly owned impact investor group CDC, and its plans to commit £2 billion into African businesses over the next two years which will double the size of its Africa portfolio.

Currently the CDC has provided equity to around 400 African companies and their 800,000 employees.

Another bright light for the UK is the growing impact of climate change. In the middle of 2021, the UK will host the delayedCOP26 Climate Change Summit which will bring leaders from around the world to Glasgow in Scotland to agree new protocols on combatting global warming. The UK is Britain” brand its supporters demanded. It determined to use the also means setting out into those global Summit and the countdown marketplaces outside the negotiating Investors have a real opportunity to to it to demonstrate its advantages of belonging to the world's embrace the SDGs in partnership with green credentials and richest single market and trading block.

African countries and businesses – to present itself as a champion And in return, will those global fight climate change, create jobs and of climate change. marketplaces find the UK as an attractive skills and bring about positive social CDC's Chief Executive partner, now that it is no longer a gateway and environmental change.

Nick O'Donohoe urges UK into the EU single market? Already some investors to “embrace the global companies, particularly in financial huge opportunity to services, are relocating their Headquarters support the UN's Sustainable Development from London to Paris and Berlin and other European capitals.

Goals (SDGs): The countdown to this UK adventure has coincided with the “Investors have a real opportunity to embrace double whammy of Covid-19 and low commodity prices which the SDGs in partnership with African countries have seen investment flows into Africa drop significantly. and businesses – to fight climate change, create According to UNCTAD's World Investment Report 2020, FDI flows jobs and skills and bring about positive social into Africa are forecast to contract between 25% and 40% this year and environmental change”.

Even if current conditions are adverse, clearly there is great There's everything to play for and no doubt potential for growth across the continent. It is projected that a that from all the hectic activity at her Joburg HQ post-Covid-19 Africa will deliver opportunities to “build back that the UK's Trade Commissioner Emma Wadebetter”. Already senior African leaders like former African Smith is well and truly up for this new scramble.

Development Bank President Donald Kaberuka and former South African Finance Minister Trevor Manuel are hard at work charting the continent's new economic recovery path.

Culled.

Another boost to UK's future prospects is that its transition to

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Sustainable Finance Could Help Drive Africa's Economic Recovery Sustainable finance could help drive Africa's recovery from COVID-19 while also incentivising much-needed investments in the green economy and social development.

The global pandemic has set back the continent's growth and demanded new approaches to economic development. It has also highlighted the importance of sustainability and raised the focus on environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) issues.

Even before COVID-19, the sustainable finance market was flourishing. In 2019, sustainable debt issuances reached a record high of US$415 billion globally – up 60% from the prior year. Green bonds still dominate the sustainable finance market, but other products, including green loans, social bonds and sustainability loans, are fast playing catch-up, with the market becoming increasingly diversified to meet growing demand.

For the time being, Africa accounts for a negligible share of the global sustainable finance market, but the continent is starting to play catch-up as more corporates and investors recognise the benefits that these funding solutions offer. For example, corporates can benefit from lower funding rates if they achieve various predetermined ESG outcomes.

We believe that Africa is primed for a sustainable finance boom, given its immense potential in the renewable energy space and its ongoing developmental challenges.

Standard Bank launched its first evergreen bond, via a private placement with

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the International Finance Corporation (IFC), in March this year. The US$200 million bond will be used by the group's Sustainable Finance Business Unit to fund eligible green assets – renewable energy, energy efficiency, water efficiency and green buildings – aligned to our Sustainable Bond Framework.

Partly due to the impact of COVID48 19, we are already seeing a surge in client interest in financial products that promote a more sustainable economy.

For instance, the pandemic is boosting demand for bonds that fund social projects, and this trend is expected to last well into the future. Corporates are increasingly expected to maximise their social impacts and uplift the communities in which they operate.

Given Africa's immense unmet energy needs, we expect to see a wave of decentralised green energy projects as corporates and municipalities look to secure reliable and affordable power supplies while also furthering their ESG agendas.

African governments will also need to procure more power in the months ahead as demand recovers and the supply shortfall widens. The fastest and most cost-effective way to address the supply gap is through renewable power projects, which are now the most economically viable source of energy in most countries. Further, advances in battery storage technologies, coupled with cost declines, mean renewables are becoming increasingly attractive and viable.

Technologies such as hydro, wind and solar have proved their resilience in the face of the COVID-19 crisis, having allowed national grids to become more flexible to fluctuations in demand.

Meanwhile, the sustainable finance market is also being driven by investors, who are increasingly gravitating towards ESG-linked assets partly on the premise that they outperform over the long term.

In this context, we believe that our US$200m bond issuance is a significant and important step forward for our Sustainable Finance Unit, which is growing in importance to the group as demand for these solutions rises.

In September, Standard Bank closed a sustainability-linked loan with

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Equites Property Fund, a JSE-listed real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on logistics assets in South Africa and the UK. The interest rate on the loan is linked to Equites' achievement of certain pre-agreed ESG performance targets.

Standard Bank was also the lead arranger for Acorn Holdings' green bond issuance in Kenya. This was East Africa's first-ever green bond and the proceeds are going towards environmentally friendly student accommodation in Nairobi.

We expect to conclude more funding deals that unlock green projects aimed at mitigating climate change, and that enable social projects that reduce economic and social inequality.

Ultimately, Africa is well placed to become a major player in the global sustainable finance market. And given the continent's massive funding needs, sustainable finance will play an important role in shoring up global and local capital for high-impact projects.

About Standard Bank Group Standard Bank Group is the largest African bank by assets, operating in 20 African countries and 5 global financial centres. Headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, we are listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, with share code SBK, and the Namibian Stock Exchange, share code SNB. Standard Bank has a 157-year history in

South Africa and started building a franchise outside southern Africa in the early 1990s.

Our strategic position, which enables us to connect Africa to other select emerging markets as well as pools of capital in developed markets, and our balanced portfolio of businesses, provide significant opportunities for growth.

The group has over 50 000 employees, more than 1 100 branches and 9 000 ATMs on the African continent which enable it to deliver a complete range of services across personal and business banking, corporate and investment banking and wealth management.

Headline earnings for 2019 were R28.2 billion (about USD2 billion) and total assets were R2.3 trillion (about USD163 billion). Standard Bank's market capitalisation at 31 December 2019 was R277 billion (USD20 billion).

The group's largest shareholder is the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), the world's largest bank, with a 20.1% shareholding. In addition, Standard Bank Group and ICBC share a strategic partnership that facilitates trade and deal flow between Africa, China and select emerging markets.

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SAMEAWS 2020 PHOTO SPEAK Recently, AMAZON WATCH MAGAZINE, a member of the African Leadership Group hosted the South America-Africa- Middle East-AsiaWomen Summit (SAMEAWS). The virtual summit had in attendance the First Lady of Paraguay, H.E Sylvana Abdo; First Lady of Colombia, H.E Maria Ruiz;Governor Central Bank of Ecuador, Veronica Artola and other distinguished female, business and political leaders.

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Meet STACEY ABRAMS: AN UNSUNG STAR OF THE 2020 ELECTION IN THE UNITED STATES Stacey Abrams played a crucial role in delivering Georgia to Joe Biden

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It was a very methodical, step-by-step, year-by-year plan that had at its core expanding voting power in numbers of people of color in general and African-Americans in particular

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connected her with progressive activists and donors around the country.

Eight years later, Abrams' work has paid off. Joe Biden became the first Democratic presidential candidate to win Georgia in nearly three decades. And with two run-off elections scheduled for Jan. 5, Georgia has a chance to send two Democrats to the U.S. Senate. The upcoming races are crucial because the balance of power in Congress's upper chamber (and Biden's best chances of pursuing his agenda over the next two years) rests in Georgia voters' hands.

“It's literally hard to overstate the significance of those races,” Phillips said. “Millions and millions of peoples' lives will be better or worse depending on what happens in those races.” Everything from an economic relief package to the distribution of a Covid-19 vaccine to the prospect of a new Voting Rights Act (which Biden has promised to sign) is at stake.

To win the two elections and lock in a Senate majority — a tall order, as Republicans have traditionally fared better in runoffs in the state — Abrams and her coalition of leaders and activists will have to expand on the most successful parts of their 2020 playbook and implement new strategies to motivate voters who may not otherwise make the effort now that the presidential race has been decided. And they will have to continue to adapt their voter mobilization and registration efforts to maintain public safety as the U.S. plunges into another wave of Covid-19 cases this winter.

“Whichever side has the better turnout operation is going to be the one that wins,” said Andra Gillespie, a political scientist at Emory University. “This is going to be all hands on deck.”

The key for Democrats, she says, is demography and organization. African-Americans are the Democratic Party's most

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When Steve Phillips met Stacey Abrams in California in 2012, she wasn't yet a household name. She was the House Minority Leader in Georgia, and she wowed Phillips “with a PowerPoint and a plan.”

“She's one of the smartest, most strategic and data-driven people that I have met in national politics,” said Phillips, who was creating a political action committee at the time and is now the founder of the progressive organization Democracy in Color and host of a political podcast with the same name.

He still remembers Abrams's multipage plan documenting the seats Democrats held in the state legislature, the number of potential additional votes they could pick up in various districts and the number of seats they could win every year over the next six years.

“It was a very methodical, step-bystep, year-by-year plan that had at its core expanding voting power in numbers of people of color in general and African-Americans in particular,” Phillips recalled. Impressed, he

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reliable voting block, and they make up around 30 percent of the electorate in the state. (In Georgia, only 7 percent of Black women voted for Trump, according to early exit polls.)

Meanwhile, the state's diverse urban areas are growing, and its white population is shrinking. That's the trend Abrams focused on a decade 52 ago with her PowerPoints, and the movement she capitalized on to turn Georgia blue on the 2020 electoral map.

“What she was doing was, she was changing the shape of the electorate by adding new voices to the table,” Gillespie said, noting the change in strategy Abrams spurred. While Democrats have long debated whether they should try to win back the working-class voters who fled for the Tea Party and Trumpism or to dig deeper into their base, Abrams has advocated for the latter: expanding the electorate within Democrats' base and specifically among people of color, who tend to be less likely to vote.

The strategy played out with success this presidential cycle, thanks to the groundwork that Abrams, with her organization Fair Fight and others, laid in the years prior. Abrams pledged to redouble her efforts after she lost her own bid for governor in the state in 2018 by less than 55,000 votes — 1.4 percent of all the votes cast — after a massive purge of voter rolls by her opponent Brian Kemp the year prior, when he was Georgia's Secretary of State and overseer of elections.

“She showed a model that you could actually find more latent Democratic voters than you could, in this particularly polarized moment, try to persuade people,” Gillespie said.

“And in doing so, she ended up posting the highest vote total for any Democratic candidate in an election in Georgia.”

Like other relics of the Jim Crow South, Georgia is subject to policies and practices that have effectively suppressed the Black vote in both the past and present. In the modern era, voters of color have been disenfranchised at higher rates than white voters, whether by being forced

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to endure longer voting lines in the places where they live, or by exactmatch rules on names and signatures, which have in the past disproportionally flagged people of color.

“What she was doing was, she was changing the shape of the electorate by adding new voices to the table,” Gillespie said, noting the change in strategy Abrams spurred. While Democrats have long debated whether they should try to win back the working-class voters who fled for the Tea Party and Trumpism or to dig deeper into their base, Abrams has advocated for the latter: expanding the electorate within Democrats' base and specifically among people of color, who tend to be less likely to vote.

The strategy played out with success this presidential cycle, thanks to the groundwork that Abrams, with her organization Fair Fight and others, laid in the years prior. Abrams pledged to redouble her efforts after she lost her own bid for governor in the state in 2018 by less than 55,000 votes — 1.4 percent of all the votes cast — after a massive purge of voter rolls by her opponent Brian Kemp the year prior, when he was Georgia's Secretary of State and overseer of elections.

“She showed a model that you could actually find more latent Democratic voters than you could, in this particularly polarized moment, try to persuade people,” Gillespie said.

“And in doing so, she ended up posting the highest vote total for any Democratic candidate in an election in Georgia.”

Like other relics of the Jim Crow South, Georgia is subject to policies and practices that have effectively suppressed the Black vote in both the past and present. In the modern era, voters of color have been disenfranchised at higher rates than white voters, whether by being forced to endure longer voting lines in the places where they live, or by exactmatch rules on names and signatures, which have in the past disproportionally flagged people of color. ”Let's just say that somebody has

an unusually spelled name and they had handwritten their voter registration application out, and the clerk in the Board of Elections office inserted a typographical error,” Gillespie said. “You night make fewer mistakes typing in John and Mary. But somebody comes in and they have a different name, that raises the flag.”

Republicans have an advantage heading into January's election because past runoffs have shown that Democrats are less likely to vote.

Georgia's unusual runoff systemwas even designed by white segregationists in the state legislature looking to keep Black voters from uniting behind a single candidate.

As such, voter mobilization efforts that yield high turnout are coming back to the Peach State in full force.

Gillespie expects both parties to embrace mail-in and absentee voting, especially since the runoff comes after the busy holiday season. It's a turnaround from the presidential election cycle, when President Trump and other national Republicans spurned the legitimacy of mail-in and absentee ballots.

Phone banking and text messaging were go-to tools for Democrats seeking to limit in-person contact amid the global pandemic. But despite the rising Covid-19 cases, Gillespie thinks the stakes are too high for any campaign to forgo in-person campaigning and get-out-the-vote efforts like canvassing. She says doorto-door outreach is likely to take the form of what she calls a “ring-andrun,” with volunteers leaving leaflets at a person's door or mailbox, ringing the bell, and then backing up more than six feet to tell the resident about the information they left.

For now, Georgia voters can expect an onslaught of intensive campaigning during the two months ahead, whether they're answering a doorbell or curled up in front of the television.

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Energy Innovation for a Green Recovery in Africa By: International Renewable Energy Agency

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The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need for reliable, sustainable and affordable electricity. Without it, health facilities cannot run medical equipment or provide clean water essential for hygiene. For the hundreds of millions still living in energy poverty today, the pandemic presents an acute challenge.

The absence of electricity access is more severe in SubSaharan Africa, where despite the continent's substantial renewable energy resources, more than half a billion people still live without access to electricity. Identifying the opportunities for technology innovation and digitalization to unlock Africa's energy and economic potential was the theme of a virtual discussion hosted by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the Africa Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI).

The webinar featured insights from a range of experts who offered perspectives and insights on how power system innovation (technology, policy, business models, etc.) can shape a socially inclusive energy transition in the continent, in pursuit of economic recovery, the sustainable development goals and Africa's Agenda 2063.

“Sub-Saharan Africa could meet 67% of its power generation from indigenous and clean renewable energy by 2030” IRENA's Global Renewables Outlook revealed that SubSaharan Africa could meet 67% of its power generation from indigenous and clean renewable energy by 2030.Further analysis shows the transformation would boost GDP, improve welfare and result in employment gains of up to 2 million additional green jobs in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2050.

Ms. Safiatou Alzouma Nouhou, Director of the Independent Delivery Unit, AREI, highlighted the need for governments in the

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region to seize the moment: “Governments should use the urgency of the COVID-19 crisis to make relevant policy changes that will not only help in the short term but also strengthen the long-term recovery efforts,” she noted in her opening remarks. “In this context, 54 maintaining the focus on the deployment of renewable energy solutions is, therefore, central to addressing the daunting energy challenges of the continent.”

Swift and decisive policy interventions are critical as stressed by Dr. Maged Mahmoud, Acting Executive Director of the Regional Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency. “We need a rapid policy response to create accelerated renewable energy deployment in Africa,” he said.

“The COVID crisis has spread the African energy sector thin and we are now recognising

that a modernized and digitized energy system is stronger and more resilient.”

As African energy systems look to integrate higher shares of renewable energy, ensuring system flexibility will be a critical consideration for planners and policy makers.Increasing demand-side management, adding storage, the promotion of regional interconnections, and strengthening the grid were all identified as economical solutions to enable higher shares of renewable energy power generation.

IRENA Director of Country Engagement and Partnerships, Mr. Gurbuz Gonul said: “Stimulus and recovery measures for the post-Pandemic period provide a unique opportunity for Africa to address short-term and longterm priorities.” He further stressed that utilising the

technology innovation available offers Africa an efficient and cost competitive recovery pathway: “The ongoing power sector transformation is being accelerated by three main innovation trends,” he said.

“Digitalisation of system integration, decentralisation of supply side, and electrification of demand side.

Digitalisation and data collection can be more effectively used for a more optimised system operation.”

The post-pandemic recovery commitments should be channelled towards a well-informed, broad, innovation-led approach that prioritises the use of present-day power generation technologies, system planning approaches and demand-side management solutions even where little or no energy infrastructure currently exists.

During his intervention, Mr. Jean Pierre Barral, Director of Energy transition and Digitalisation Department, Agence Française de Développement, said: “Investment in smart technologies should be a priority for utilities as these investments will enable commercial and technical loss reduction, improve quality of service, and facilitate integration of intermittent renewables which are the cheaper option for producing power.” He added, “the digital revolution and mobile banking have already completely changed the business model of access to electricity with the Pay as You Go model, with more innovations to come.”

Digital innovations such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, smart mini-grids and associated flexibility solutions are starting to significantly impact African power systems, playing an important role in improving efficiency and in managing the complexities of dynamic power grids. These innovation solutions feature in IRENA's recently published series of innovation briefs.

“Digitalisation is just part of the broader structural transformation in Africa,” said Mr. Federico Bonaglia, Deputy Director of OECD Development Centre. “To tap into the huge renewable energy resources in Africa, we need to look at the issue from a strategy perspective as opposed to a sectoral perspective.”

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Digital innovations such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, smart mini-grids and associated flexibility solutions are starting to significantly impact African power systems.

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Linda L. Nxumalo CEO, Eswatini Tourism Authority

Jean Mensa:

A Woman of Courage and Mettle JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021

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Early Life and Education Jean Mensa in the year 1993 received her first degree from the Faculty of Law from the University of Ghana. She was then called to the Bar in 1996. She also had her secondary education at St. Mary's Senior High School. She has also received executive education from the Harvard Business School in the year 2018.

Career On 23 July 2018, Jean Mensah was named as the 56 Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana after Madam Charlotte Osei was axed from office.

Jean Mensah's quest for democracy for the past two decades made her a leader in Policy research and advocacy. In 2012, she was involved in the Presidential Transition Act, the Revised 1992 Constitution of Ghana, Political Parties Funding Bill, and the Revised Political Parties Bill.

ADVERTISEMENT Jean Mensah was sworn in by President of Ghana, Akuffo Addo though some people wanted the whole process to be halt as a result challenging the removal of the former EC's chairperson.

Prior to working at the IEA which organised Ghana's Presidential and Vice-Presidential Debates, as well as Town Hall Meetings for parliamentary candidates, Mrs Mensa also worked at Amarkai Amarteifio Chambers (1995-1997) and BJ Da Rocha Chambers as a Junior Lawyer (1998).

Personal Life Mrs. Jean Mensah is married to Dr. Charles Mensa and are blessed with three children. She has hide her family life from the public Mrs. Jean Mensah is yet to hold her first national election after coming under massive criticism for compiling a new voter's register by the opposition party, NDC. Encomiums have continued to pour in for Ghana's handling of the 2020 presidential and parliamentary elections. From all corners of the world, its been compliments and commendation for the gold coast owing to the country's decent management of the electioneering process. More so because, elections in the continent has become a contest of brut force.

Many actors are responsible for the overall success of the eventthe armed forces; the media; the politicians; the electorates, among others. However, one person stands out for commendation – Mrs Jean Mensa, the Chairperson of Ghana's Electoral Commission. Her handling of the elections has received local and international commendation.

Here is all you need to know about the lawyer, who has been described as a woman of courage and mettle.

Before taking over the mantle as the EC's, she spent over 18years at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) scaling through all the ranks to finally an Executive Director.

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CONTEC GLOBAL:

Pioneering Agrictech and Bio-diversity for Inclusive Growth and Development in Africa

By Alkali Amana In March 2019, when exploring investment options in an estimated Agro Limited (CGAL) has stamped its authority $11 billion global banana market, Nigeria's erstwhile Minister of and impact on the Nigerian terrain for over two Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, voiced the decades by employing smart bio-solutions biopossibility of Nigeria taking advantage of that market across Europe, herbicides, bio-pesticides and organic fertilizers hinging his optimism on the innovative solutions engineered by Contec devoid of caustic chemicals, to overcome food Global Agro Limited. A keen understanding of this outlook reveals the pull challenges. Remarkably, the vision of the Group and power of an organization committed to building and enhancing aligns seamlessly with the interests of the present biodiversity in agriculture and other sectors it operates.

Nigerian administration in the pursuit of zero With its African headquarters and major centres of operation based hunger and food security within the country, and in Lagos and Abuja, in Nigeria, Contec Global Group (CGG) is a group of this is made better given the Contec's companies focused on using technology to advance humanity commitment to the use of organic food crops sustainably; established by Dr Benoy Berry in 1984. It was devoid of any form of chemical inputs in fertilizer. first established as a security technology company, however to its credit, the Group transcends geographical, social and political borders in various sectors, including biometric technology, agriculture, transportation, mobile and financial technology, telecommunication and green energy. Over the Among Contec Global Group's subsidiaries, years with consistent application of best practices, the Contec Global Agro Limited (CGAL) has stamped Group has achieved uncommon results and rapid progress its authority and impact on the Nigerian terrain in sustainability indices across geographies and different for over two decades by employing smart bioterritories - thanks to its expertise and high-level solutions bio-herbicides, bio-pesticides and commitment towards the development and implementation organic fertilizers devoid of caustic chemicals, to of purposeful large-scale Agricultural projects in Africa. overcome food challenges.

Among Contec Global Group's subsidiaries, Contec Global

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The organization's policy also aligns with the target to improve food production, both in variety, quality and quantity, presenting a timely intervention in the agriculture sector at a time when local production is widely encouraged.

Contec also seeks soil solutions with activities such as soil sampling 58 and testing as part of its core operations. Under the leadership of Dr Benoy, this vision ably transmits via CGAL to revolutionize agriculture in Nigeria using organic means, thereby significantly helping to put organic food on every Nigerian dining table. The Plant Tissue Culture Division of Contec Global Agro Limited, established in 2016, is another leading innovation lab owned by Contec Global and recognized as the first Nigerian Scientific and Industrial Laboratories Technology [NISLT] certified lab focusing on Agro Research and dedicated to screening the native and unique agriculturally beneficial microorganisms in soils. In its efforts in various projects sites on agricultural development in the country and further innovation, the organization deploys earth-friendly, efficient and commercially viable solutions while also creating alternative technologies through careful research using non-toxic biodegradable and Eco-friendly approach. Situated in Abuja, Contec's laboratory has a centralized facility for basic

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research, quality control, in-depth analysis, fermentation facility, product development, and packaging. The lab boasts of a 5,000 feet state of the art facility with five (5) fully monitored growth rooms which can store over 1.5 million plants and completely controlled greenhouses spread over 1 acre of land alongside a team of qualified personnel and perfectly tuned logistics that ensure products are delivered on time. In the area of research, development of appropriate trials and production of various plant species serve as the focus of the lab with consideration on products like Plantain, Potato, Garlic, Onion, Pineapple,and Cocoa etc. Defined as world-class in infrastructure, CGAL fixes education as a core part of its operations and possibly as a means of executing its corporate social responsibility by collaborating with institutions to improve research. Instances include: · Sealing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Organic Farming and Research with the University of Abuja in the Federal Capital Territory. The MoU and the plan are geared towards assisting the Federal and State governments to boost Nigeria's food security drive. Accordingly, the partnership involves intensive research and training and incorporates the mechanism to get organic farm produce to Nigerians, Africans, and

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The organization's policy also aligns with the target to improve food production, both in variety, quality and quantity, presenting a timely intervention in the agriculture sector at a time when local production is widely encouraged.

the world at large. Commenting on the organization's laboratory facilities while on tour, the Vice-Chancellor of the University said: "I never knew that this kind of world-class agrofacilities exists in Nigeria". · Notable collaborations with other institutes reveal the organization's zeal to partner with local players. Some of these collaborations are with Ahmadu Bello University College of Agriculture (ABU), in Zaria, Kaduna State; and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) at Ibadan, Oyo State, in a bid to engage its laboratory in evaluating the efficacy of the developed products on various cereals, pulses and vegetables under local environmental conditions.

Amidst its active contributions in Nigeria, CGAL has also: Ÿ Developed organic banana plantation initiatives with its pilot project inspected in 2019 by the Minister of Agriculture at the time, Chief Audu Ogbeh, in Kwali Area Council of the FCT. The project was touted for replication in various other states such as Osun, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Taraba, Edo and Oyo States. Ÿ Invested NGN 20 billion in 2015 towards the successful trial of inputs that breathe life into depleted soils, shorten the period between breeding and harvest of crops and livestock, and resist pests' incursion in the agricultural sector. Contec also researches for improved crop varieties which will aid rapid production and increase in harvest. Ÿ Partnership with states such as Niger and Katsina states boosts agricultural development and promotes certain crops using improved organic varieties, amongst

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other products. Ÿ Collaborated with Mercy Corps to provide organic fertilizers to over 1000 farmers in Borno State and across the country's North-eastern flanks. Ÿ Contec Agro Limited aims to ensure increased crop productivity while improving the lives of the people who consume its products.

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With its subsidiaries spread out worldwide across four continents, the multinational Group boasts over 10,000 staff strengths of mixed race, integration and ideologies. Through its various initiatives, Contec has also acted as a major employer of labour within its entities, creating opportunities for the people.

It is evident that under the leadership and steering of Dr Benoy Berry, a man who has been awarded multiple times for his visionary ideas and commitment towards development and innovation, Contec as a group will continue to impact the agriculture and food ecosystems in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

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It is worthy and vital to note that bar its venture in agriculture, using Contec Global Agro Limited, the parent organization thrives with other subsidiaries creating growth, development and opportunities in the different lines they feature in. These subsidiaries include: Ÿ The Continental Transfert Technique Limited – involved in the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card Project, pioneering identification biometric technology in Nigeria, Niger and Burundi. The company also led the e-pass technology, the identity card referred to as e-gates, across the international and local airports in Nigeria. Ÿ Contec Global Infotech Now now – a mobile money software for quick, error-free and efficient financial transactions. Ÿ Other subsidiaries include the Weismann Autos, Contec Global Hospitality (CGH) and Contec Global foundation (GCF).

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Contec's laboratory has a centralized facility for basic research, quality control, in-depth analysis, fermentation facility, product development, and packaging.

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THE MOGUL: Abdulsamad Rabiu – The Skilled Merchant

At the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nigerian Central Bank mobilized the private sector towards supporting government's to minimize the projected devastation on business, lives and the economy. The private sector-led initiative was called CACOVID and collectively the partnership put together over $300 million to fight the pandemic. A handful of companies and business people gave substantially and are still giving to support the federal, state and local governments towards minimizing the impact of COVID-19; one of them is Abdulsamab Rabiu, Chief Excutive Officer, BUA Group.

The BUA group CEO contributed about $2.6 million to the government initiative, in addition to the private support to three states – Sokoto, Edo

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and Ogun States.

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A handful of companies and business people gave substantially and are still giving to support the federal, state and local governments towards minimizing the impact of COVID-19;

Below is all you need to know about the skilled merchant: Abdulsamad Rabiu is a Nigerian billionaire, an entrepreneur and a philanthropist. He is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of BUA, a Nigerian conglomerate with interest in agriculture, infrastructure, manufacturing, logistics and port operations. Abdulsamad Rabiu is also the Chairman of Nigerian Bank of Industry.

He was born into a wealthy family on the 4th of August, 1960 in Kano State. His father, late Khalifah Isyaku Rabiu was one of Nigeria's foremost industrialist in the northern states of Nigeria in the 1970's and 1980's. Late Khalifah Isyaku Rabiu was a serial

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Entrepreneurial Journey Young Abdulsamad Rabiu was saddled with the responsibility of running the father's business at a young age of 24 when he returned from the United States after his studies. At the time his father was detained by the administration of General Muhammed Buhari on allegations of duty aversion on rice imports. Even though young Adbulsamad did not have much business experience, he was able to stir the company around for good in the absence of his father.

Experience they say is the best teacher. That responsibility gave Adbulsamad real business insights which he used in setting up his own company in 1988. BUA International Limited which was started in 1988 has grown into a conglomerate.

Expansion of BUA International Limited Abdulsamad Rabiu established BUA International Limited basically for importation of rice, edible oil, iron and steel.

A breakthrough came for BAU International in 1990 when they struck a deal with the government owned Delta Steel Company. The deal was for BUA International to supply the

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entrepreneur who built his wealth majorly from commodity trading. It will be right to say that Abdulsamad Rabiu got his entrepreneurial skills from his late father, who was a skillful merchant.

Abdulsamad Rabiu had his early education in Kano state before proceeding to United States for his university degree. He has a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, USA.

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Young Abdulsamad Rabiu was saddled with the responsibility of running the father's business at a young age of 24 when he returned from the United States after his studies.

company with raw material for production. In return, BAU International was paid with finished products. It was indeed a windfall for the young company.

After many years, under Abdulsamad Rabiu leadership, the trading company evolved into BUA Group. BUA Group is a diversified conglomerate with subsidiaries in cement making, sugar refining, oil milling, real estate and port and terminals. They even diversified further into billets, steel, iron ore importation and supplying multiple rolling mills in the country.

Subsidiaries of BUA Group BUA Cement It is one of the largest cement manufacturing company in Nigeria.

The company has 3 plants in the

Northern and Southern part of Nigeria as well as a floating cement terminal.

These plants are: Kalambaina Cement Company Limited in Sokoto State, Obu & Edo Cement Company Limited in Okpella and Cement Company of Northern Nigeria in Sokoto State. The plants have capacity to produce various grade of cements as required

by Nigerian market.

BUA Sugar Refinery Limited The company was incorporated in 2015 as a private limited liability company. It focuses on refining of imported and locally sourced raw sugar and has refineries in Lagos and Port Harcourt. BUA Sugar produces 1,440,000 metric tonnes per annum.

BUA Estates The company's real estate

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portfolio includes various residential, commercial, mix-use developments in major cities in Nigeria. Residential portfolio includes BUA Kado Estates, BUA Hills in Abuja and BUA Court in Abuja while commercial and mixed use includes BUA Towers in Victoria Island, The BUA Place, VI and BUA Business Park, FCT-Abuja.

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They also handle dry bulk such as dried wheat, palm kernel shell, bulk cement and iquid bulk such as Crude Palm Oil, Base Oil, Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), etc.

BUA Oil Mills Limited It was established in 2008 for the

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They want to know; if I put my money in your economy, first will I be able to get a good return?

production of high quality products including Distilled Fatty Acid, Stearine and Palm Olein. The company's oil mills are located in Kano and Lagos.

Philanthropy of Abdulsamad Rabiu Abdulsamad Radiu gives back to the society through BUA Foundation which was founded for corporate social responsibility (CSR) purposes.

The foundation's aim is to discover and develop talented young athletes.

BUA Foundation also supports the health sector in the country by donating medicine and other healthcare equipments to the Cancer

Centre in FCT, Abuja and medical equipment to Daniel Ogechi Akujobi Memorial Foundation in Ogun State.

In partnership with Rotary Club of Gbagada South, the foundation rendered free ears, nose and throat clinical screening on pupils of Araromi and Kinniun-Ifa Primary School in Lagos.

Abdulsamad Rabiu contributed massively in the construction of a seven thousand square meter pediatric ward at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital and Islamic Studies Centre at Bayero University, Kano State.

In April 2017, the foundation disbursed about 600 million naira; an interest fee loan to two thousand farmers in Kano State. They also supported the farmers with fertilizers, improved seeds and other rice farming tools.

Early this year, Abdulsamad announced plans of BUA foundation to construct a 7.5 billion Naira ultramodern specialist hospital in Kano State.

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TRUE FEDERALISM: KEY TO NIGERIA'S GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT –

Amidst the rising cases of insecurity, unemployment and poverty in Nigeria, several high-profile business, political and diplomatic leaders are lending their voice to the call for more devolution of powers to the regions. In this exclusive interview with African Leadership Magazine UK, Hon. Ben Ibakpa, a member of the Nigerian House of Representatives, representing Ethiope Federal Constituency in Delta State Nigeria, tells us why True Federalism is the only way out of Nigeria's current problems. He also talks about the growing debt profile of the country, among other issues. Excerpts:

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Tell us more about yourself and foray into politics?

I am Honorable Ben Ibakpa from a little village in Delta State, Nigeria. I had my primary and secondary education in the village, and I had my bachelor's degree twenty years after I left secondary school in 1984. While growing up, there was this belief that secondary education was enough to keep you grounded and relatively prosperous. So, secondary education was the highest academic aspiration for some of us at the time, and that was why I didn't pursue further education, but left to concentrate on the pursuit of daily living. However, things changed, and I realized that I needed to get a degree to pursue a higher calling.

Under the administration of Chief James Ibori in Delta State, I was appointed Special Assistant to the Governor. I was at the time the executive assistant to the head of Finance and Administration of the Governor's office.

Afterwards, I was appointed Commissioner for Transportation, until 2015, when I decided to take a break from politics and pursue private practice. My decision to take a break from politics was deliberate. It was designed to help me establish a second address – a business that can thrive outside political patronage. I didn't want to be a professional politician. I was in private practice when I contested to represent my constituency at the Federal House of representative and won. For those who understand, competing for an elective position from the “outside” puts one at a disadvantaged position politically.

However, we won the election and today; we are contributing our quota towards the development of Nigeria and our constituency.

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necessarily review conditions attached to any loan before its approval, because, we receive these requests for permission in an envelope format-containing other requests.

It will be wrong for anyone to use this against the national assembly, because, we reserve the right to correct

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You have been on the side of caution on Nigeria's growing debt profile owing to the Chinese loans. What do you see as the future of the country vis-a-vis the rising debt profile?

I am an unrepentant advocate for responsible borrowing. Some of my colleagues have misconstrued 64 my call for caution, but, it is the right thing to do. There is nothing wrong in taking loans, but, there should be scrutiny of all attached conditionalities, to safeguard the present and future generation of our country. Secondly, what are the loans used for? Because I think that if you are borrowing money on behalf of anyone, I think they should know. I ask these questions on behalf of my constituents who have elected me to speak for them.

So if you are borrowing on behalf of the government, it means you are doing so on behalf of the over 200 million Nigerians, and they deserve to have more information. It should be an open conversation, and the people should be able to ask what have been done with the funds. It is not just about borrowing and later when they compare the money borrowed, and the project done, you find a mismatch in terms of value.

Again, as I've always said, Chinese loans are like 'black market loans.' The processes and procedure fall short of global best practices. Recall that the World Bank and IMF recently sanctioned them for infractions. The real question should be, why are we fixated on these loans? I see these loans as a ticking bomb waiting to explode. I know China loan is the new green across the world, but, more has to be done towards improving transparency and accountability to ensure we get the best out of the deals. I am not against anyone taking a loan, but if you are taking a loan, let Nigerians know why you are taking the loan and what project you are using it to do. People should be involved. I never supported the Chinese loan, and their loan is not the best way to go. The National Assembly doesn't

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when things aren't obvious, even when we may have given approvals. We shouldn't be blackmailed into silence simply because we had given our blessings. So, these are my concerns.

We witnessed the televised probe of the activities of the NDDC, which provided some theatrics. Many months afterwards, some analysts are asking for the outcomes of the investigation. As a member of this committee, how would you react to this?

What we saw with the probe of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, is truly a sad reminder of the need for true Federalism in Nigeria. I am not just a member of the committee; I am equally from the South-south region and an oil-bearing state. I have a firsthand experience of the pains and anguish of the people of the area. If we are in a federal system, the communities are allowed to run and control their resources, but here in Nigeria, the federal government hold on to so much – the exclusive list is too heavy. This is what has given rise to the call for restructuring, which means devolution

of powers – reduce the centre, provide some of the authorities to the states, so that the states can compete among themselves.

Not too long ago, the issue of the gold initiative in Zamfara State was on the front burner. If the oil in the southsouth is for everyone, then I believe the gold in Zamfara or anywhere else is for everybody because what is good for the goose is good for the gander. That is what I think resource control should be. If you can allow one state to sell what they have, you also have to let other states to do the same. The Southsouth should be allowed to refine her oil and sell to the federal government. The CBN would serve as the buyer of commodity. So these are issues that are agitating the minds of the people. Look at the EndSars movement; there is so much interpretation to it that people in the south-south are using that hashtag to say that it is time for us to take charge.

Coming to the NDDC, we did the probe, and we are still awaiting the report. We need to understand that every sphere of governance has leadership and hierarchy; we have done what we ought to do. I am from the region, and I have done what I have to do as a patriotic Nigerian and south-southerner. The report will be made public in due course. During the 2021 budget defence, I did say, when I was talking about the budget deficit and borrowing plan, that I am worried not because we want to borrow, but I am concerned that we do not sew our coat according to our clothes. It is time for us to look inward and sew according to the material available. And to worsen it, this borrowing plan does not guarantee clarity, so the legislature should wake up and help to galvanize our oversight function so that we can ask questions. I do not think of any other better representation outside the parliament. It is the parliament that can disseminate information to the people the way that they will understand even in all these crises that are happening.

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distribution companies, because, I think they have allowed customers to do their jobs – one shouldn't be providing transformer for communities, this is the work of the distribution companies. I don't see why we should continue to spend money when Nigerians are still buying transformers; they are even buying cables and fixing what should be done by the DISCOS, this is an aberration. Yet when you fix it, there is an obnoxious post that says whatever is in the grid belongs to the distribution company.

I have an amendment coming up for that, so that whatever you put into the grid should be given to you in terms of energy credit or they give you your money back because I don't see why we should be funding private companies.

However, my people said they needed transformers; I have no choice than to provide it.

Even after delivering it, the distribution companies are making it difficult because they have refused to energize the transformers; instead, they are asking for unnecessary payments, and I am wondering where all these are coming from. The contract states for the electricity company to provide clean, safe and reliable energy while I pay my bills. I am not usually the one that handles getting transformers or fixing them. There are communities where people can barely feed themselves, yet they are contributing 50-100 naira to put the equipment

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A cardinal part of a parliamentary engagement with the constituents is via the constituency projects. What are your key priorities for constituency projects?

As you are aware, I am a product of the people and not godfatherism. I'm a product of grass-roots politics, I belong to the people, and I do what they call needs assessment, where the people say precisely what they want. Even in my empowerment programmes, I created a form called the i-rep. The i-rep form is designed in a way that you tell me what you want, and this does not include; buying a car, building a house etc. But please tell me what will put food on your table, something sustainable and consistent and I will do it for you. We have moved from the era of giving grinding machines, sewing machine and all, I think that is a misnomer and a waste of resources and time. Today I am in the national assembly because I love to be a legislator. As a young boy, I watched people debate national issues on the floor of the National Assembly, and I was encouraged. I told myself I want to be like these legislators and I'm here because I am interested. So I designed the i-rep form so that my people can tell me what they want and I will, in turn, provide the same for them.

Then in terms of projects, that's precisely what we are doing. In my 2020 projects, I focused on power supply, because, it will unlock a lot of opportunities. I have had a running battle with the

I am a product of the people and not godfatherism.

I'm a product of grass-roots politics, I belong to the people, and I do what they call the needs assessment, where the people say precisely what they want

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For me, I want Nigerians to be involved – an inclusive government. Not where there are few, not the 360 or the 109 or the few ministers or the President and the vice president. We have a nation that belongs to everybody and everyone should have a say as to how the country should be run. As for the NDDC, we are awaiting the report, and I assure you that the information will be out soon.

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together for the distribution company, which is unacceptable.

Apart from the transformer, some artisans needed welding machines, some said hairdressing, so I broke the outreach in two whereby I can give them what they want and still have some funds to support them for getting shops and so on. So these are 66 what I have done for 2020, and it is still ongoing because the procurement process is always prolonged. It is sad because by now we ought to have executed the 2020 budget to about 80% judging from what has been released.

The Nigerian President recently transmitted the much-awaited Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) to the National Assembly. In straightforward terms, how will the passage of this bill help in promoting transparency and accountability in the oil and gas industry?

It represents decentralization and inclusive participation for Nigerians and the host communities. If you look at that bill the only part of it that I think we should look at which is coming up very soon, is to identify what is the level of participation for the host communities. There is what we call host communities, and there are impacted communities. If you categorize all the communities together, it might bring a lot of issues. Passing the bill will attract more funds for the country, because, those leakages would have been blocked, host community participation will be there, and in terms of technical know-how, our people will receive knowledge transfer. It will also help our bidding process, as it will open it up to more local companies. The economy will be improved by the time we block the leakages. In trying to get these things together, we must define what a host community and an impacted community is. For me in my village people do not sleep at night. The soil is no longer fertile. My parents are farmers. In the olden days, with less than 2 kilometres you can harvest a lot of cassava. But now even if you go into the forest you can't get anything. We are suffering, and I think that whatever law that is going to bring lasting peace

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should serve as a legacy to the present administration. I see their efforts in trying to pass the bill. Still, in passing it, we must be careful to do the right thing.

The recent agitation by the Nigerian youths for a wholesale reform of the country was met with strong opposition by the federal government.

What should be done to de-escalate further tensions in the country?

One thing that will take care of the situation is sincerity. The only way is to appeal with all honesty, and go-ahead to implement these policies that they are crying about because if you come to appeal to them without that sincerity of purpose, you are only postponing the evil days. Let it be said that as a country, we are no longer in the dark days. These children, these young men and women can hold Nigeria hostage and sell Nigeria to the international communities in a horrible way. That tells us that it is no longer business as usual. We must open the space for youth inclusion in politics and governance. Let them make decisions, let every decision that is being taken incorporate the youths. I am sure they will have their inputs, and when issues come up they can ask themselves; what happened? Where did we go wrong?

And how can we solve this?

This is bottled-up anger, hugely accumulated and the people are angry.

With the #Endsars, so many dimensions are coming; lousy government, poor infrastructure etc.

Go round the country, we who are privilege to serve sometimes feel terrible about how the people see us.

We find it difficult even to explain because they will never believe us. You are inside and trying to change things; things are not changing, you get frustrated, sometimes you give up. We get frustrated sometimes. So, governance in Nigeria has changed, I'm not partisan irrespective of the party; PDP, APGA, APC whatever, Nigerians should start looking at individuals. The youths are struggling, they want a change, but how many of them are ready to support a fellow youth to emerge tomorrow. They have the numbers for elections. Their

percentage in terms of the voting right is more, have they sat down to say; let us elect one of us, they would not because a lot of them are looking for daily needs. I understand it is said that the political class have impoverished the young people so that they cannot think well, but I tell you we've all gone through some of these things. You must be disciplined to get to where you are going. I am not someone you can give crumbs to get me to your side, I must believe in you, and if I believe in you, I will never leave you. At a point in my political life, I had to see what I can do for myself because that is the only way I can be independent. And when I stood up to contest in 2019, I was fighting from outside the government.

So nobody could tell me what to do. I am an independent man. I went for the people. I was not looking for any big man or godfather.

Let me use this opportunity to appeal to our brothers and sisters out there; you have spoken loud and clear, and the government has heard. We need to give them a little time because some of these issues are policy issues, and are not things you can do just sitting down. Some of them need a legislative framework, and those will take some time.

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This is a bottled-up anger, hugely accumulated and the people are angry with the #Endsars, so many dimensions are coming; l ousy government, poor infrastructure etc.

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INDUSTRY

Could you share your point of view regarding the African pharmaceutical market, and the effect on GDP? Africa is the only pharmaceutical market where genuinely high growth is still achievable, value of Africa's pharmaceutical industry jumped to USD 28.56 billion in 2017 from just USD 5.5 billion a decade earlier (Holt et al., 2015; Goldstein Research, 2020). That growth is continuing at a rapid pace and is projected to be worth USD 56 billion to USD 70 billion by 2030. Hence the necessity to implement such ambitious project in benefit of all the African continent.

While it is difficult to provide dollar value or GDP benefit forecasts at this early stage it is important to understand the status of drug and medicine production in Africa. Currently, less than 2% of drugs consumed in Africa are produced on the continent. The demand for safe, effective, and affordable medicines is therefore great, but weak local pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity means that Africa largely depends on imported medicines. It is

Country analysis – which country on the continent proves the most promising or forward thinking when it comes to pharmaceuticals and medicine?

As mentioned earlier, 95 percent of the medicines consumed in Africa are imported. Some African countries have a handful of local companies who produce for the domestic market (Conway et al., 2019). Most do not—and are currently uncompetitive for local drug production. The continent overall has roughly 375 drug makers, mostly in the North Africa region, South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya, to serve a population of around 1.3 billion people. Those in sub-Saharan Africa are largely clustered in just nine of 46 countries, and they are mostly small, with operations that do not meet international standards.

The initiative will help strengthen capacity of these local drug manufacturers through adherence to quality control, thus making safe and affordable medicines accessible on the continent and for cross border trade amongst African countries.

Which countries on the continent are at the forefront of this advocacy?

The fact that this initiative will contribute to building the continent's resilience against pandemics like COVID-19 in the future, leverage the African Continental Free Trade Agreement and also facilitate increased intra-African trade in pharmaceuticals products and medical devices, the AU member States that are also ARSO members have joined, so that they can participate in the harmonisation work that will be undertaken during the course of this project. Countries such as: Algeria, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, DRC, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe are represented.

What exactly are the roles of Afreximbank and ITFC in facilitating this initiative?

The roles of Afreximbank and ITFC include the provision of the grant which in turn will be used to carry out the harmonisation work with the resources provided. The provision

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Poised to serve as a catalyst for trade development for IOC member countries, the International Islamic Finance Corporation, ITFC, has continued to assist organizations in member countries gain better access to trade finance as well as equipping them with the competitive edge for global business. In this interview with African Leadership Magazine UK, Nazeem Noordali, Chief Operating Officer and Head of Trade Solutions Complex, ITFC, tells us more about the organization's efforts towards helping in the Harmonization of Standards for Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices, among other important issues. Excerpts.

observed that Africa accounts only for 3% of global medicine production with countries like South Africa and Morocco managing to produce 70% to 80% of their medicines. Certain countries in central Africa import close to 100% of their drugs and medicines. Initiatives aimed at harmonizing the standards for the local production of pharmaceuticals, drugs, and medicines will reduce the healthcare burden on some of the poorest of African countries, thus creating positive GDP and socio-economic benefits.

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High-Growth Achievable In Africa's Pharmaceutical Market – ITFC

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of the grant by Afreximbank and ITFC will foster ARSO's involvement who will also be supported by its Council, in 68 addition to a Joint Advisory Group comprised of Regional Economic Communities, and a series of technical committees.

What are the growth rates of the African pharmaceutical sector?

As discussed earlier, the value of Africa's pharmaceutical industry jumped to USD 28.56 billion in 2017 from just USD 5.5 billion a decade earlier and will continue to grow. The forecasted growth in various segments of Africa's drugs and medicines industry between 2017 and 2030 are as follows: prescription drugs are forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 6.5%, generics at 10%, over-the-counter medicines at 7.1%, and medical devices at 12.1%.

What are the industry characteristics of this budding sector?

Key drivers of this growth include increasing urbanisation across the continent, and increased provision and spending on healthcare by many African governments due to increasing incidences of chronic lifestyle diseases. The transformation and growth witnessed in many African economies point towards more supportive business environments that will further enable the sector to grow. Lastly, climate-changerelated pandemics and disasters such as the current COVID19 are pushing African leaders to prioritize the local production and trade of drugs and medicines.

Would you say FDI is still required, and to what extent?

The trade finance needs in Africa are estimated at USD 120 billion. Since the beginning of the COVID 19, this gap was more “tangible” because of the urgent needs for Agriculture and pharmaceutical products in the African countries and the limited resources these countries have to face emergency situations. IsDB and ITFC had announced urgent measures to support these countries and to help them cover their needs.

FDIs were never more required than today. While African is preparing the launch the AfCFTA on 1st January 2021, African countries need huge investments to upgrade their physical infrastructure and to build their digital ones.

Furthermore, the free movement of people and products stipulated in the Agreement will need considerable investments in cross-border facilities, logistical platforms and transportation projects.

Kindly explain the regulatory hurdles.

The continent's ability to locally manufacture its drugs is plagued with many barriers. Human resource constraints and lack of knowhow are amongst the chief barriers. Drug manufacturing facilities in countries like Tanzania for example employ mostly foreign workers from countries like India due

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to lack of skilled local workers.

Other barriers include inadequate infrastructure, high operating costs, weak links between local and international suppliers, high cost of local commercial capital, poor regulation, industry fragmentation, and low production quality standards.

However, with African governments increasingly considering medicines supply as a national security issue, there is a strong push toward initiatives that support the local production of safe, affordable medicines on the continent.

What are the main issues still to be overcome via the initiative?

The main challenge that still to be overcome is for the whole of Africa to understand that the contribution in developing and harmonizing these standards is needed, capacity and expertise is available in the continent but in most of the cases, countries tend to work individually rather than joining their efforts and capacities. Cooperation in terms of creating regional pharmaceutical industries is as well needed as an African solution to African problems. Awareness creation and government support are very important in this regard Did the initiative follow the European Union's directives on harmonized medical standards?

Due to the urgency in responding to the covid19 pandemic, in the short term, we will look into existing international standards, experts will judge on which regulations they can refer to according to the biggest African market apart from the international standards such as ISO among others and adopt those that meet what African countries need.

Could the initiative provide similar incentive for further progress in championing the AfCTA as well as closer multilateral cooperation amongst African nations?

Yes, harmonized product standards are critical to the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), ensuring that producers of goods on the continent comply with one shared set of minimum regulatory and customer quality requirements, in turn allowing them to supply the continental market and beyond with goods that meet those standards. The harmonisation of standards also serves to enhance the quality of African manufacturing and boost intra-African and Arab-African trade and investment – one of the AATB's key objectives.

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TWO AFRICAN COUNTRIES MAKE TOP 21 BEST HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS FOR 2021

Two African countries, South Africa and Ghana have made to an exclusive list of the top 21 best holiday destinations for 2021.

The list which was first published by www.cntraveller.com, was put together by Lizzie Pook and award-winning freelance journalist covering wildlife, wellness and adventure travel around the globe.

Perhaps 2020 was the year you'd planned to travel in a big way. The year you'd seek out secret beaches muttered about by in-the-know locals. The year you'd camp in a rainforest, see waters lit by bioluminescence and have a celebratory swig of something strong atop a wind-battered mountain.

Instead, 2020 was the year the world took a breath and travel had to reinvent itself.

After the colossal earth-shake of the pandemic, what's certain is that we're going to be travelling more thoughtfully from hereon in. But perhaps, also, more gleefully. We will appreciate every lingering orange-slice sunset; we will feel every grain as our toes sink into the sand. We'll think harder about how our journeys affect local communities and do more research into where our money is best spent. And while the way we travel might change, what we want from our precious holidays is, and will always remain, the same.

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But, first we present you two must visit destinations in Africa for 2021: SOUTH AFRICA - Cool creatives are at the forefront of a cultural renaissance Like many countries, South Africa's tourism industry has been through the wringer of late. But while the world has taken a forced break, a new generation of genre-busting creatives have been busy shining a light on the most diverse cultural community on the African continent.

Biennales, fairs and new artist-run spaces are at the helm of the country's enlivened art scene, with

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exciting local artists – including twin sisters Noncedo and Nonzuzo Gxekwa – getting prime wall space at galleries such as the Maitland Institute and The Centre for the Less Good Idea. All-women music festivals, Soweto township theatre groups and a burgeoning container coffee-shop scene in Maboneng draw the focus firmly onto Johannesburg. In Jozi, pan-African dinner clubs such as Yeoville, run by chef Sanza Sandile, rub up alongside lively rooftop bars and secret hole-in-the-wall spots in the 70 bohemian suburb of Melville.

That's not to mention the parade of fresh hotels and lodges waiting to welcome international guests in 2021, which includes Kruger Shalati– a stupendously smart cabin hotel stationed on a historical railway line – as well as AndBeyond's new supremely good-looking solar-powered Ngala Treehouse,rising above the predator-filled bush on the edges of Kruger National Park.

ACCRA, GHANA - Africa's brightest city is shining Few places on earth feel as energetic as Ghana right now, as its young creatives reimagine the country's role on the global cultural scene. In the heady city of Accra, among the cool crowds and the burgeoning diaspora, there's a growing sense of ownership of Ghanaian traditions when it comes to arts, music and fashion.

This hasn't gone unnoticed. Dior's most recent menswear collaboration – sure to become one of the most talked-about collections of the spring-summer 2021 season – involves a partnership with Ghanaian painter Amoako Boafo. Seduced by the same swagger, a design-savvy crew has started to suss out Accra too. You'll find them browsing the seafront Artists Alliance or Gallery 1957 for dazzling contemporary West African artwork. They can also be spotted eating whisky-marinated kushiyaki at Santoku, or gathering at 'spots' in Jamestown to nibble on kelewele (deep-fried plantain). In the evenings they'll have bagged a table at Midunu's forward-thinking Nomadic Dining supper club, run by innovative chef Selassie Atadika. The pop-ups – which have taken Atadika's fusion food everywhere from Cape Town's Design Indaba festival to banquets in Hong Kong – are held every quarter in secret locations around the capital. Each dish is inspired by Atadika's extensive travels around the continent, with a focus on seasonal ingredients and sustainability. Expect to find grains such as sorghum and millet on the menu, alongside imaginative offal and fine seafood, all executed with the boldness that encompasses this increasingly exciting city.

Other destinations from other parts of the world include: CHANIA, CRETE, GREECE; PULAU MERAH, JAVA, INDONESIA CHARLESTON, USA; GUYANA; COSTA RICA; SHETLAND, SCOTLAND, UK; OAXACA CITY, MEXICO; VIETNAM; THE BERKSHIRES, USA; EAST AND WEST SUSSEX, ENGLAND, UK; DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, CARIBBEAN; HELSINKI, FINLAND; AMAZON RAINFOREST; THE KIMBERLEY, AUSTRALIA; EL HIERRO, THE CANARY ISLANDS; UNITED ARAB EMIRATES; MELIDES, PORTUGAL; YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND, UK; SLOVENIA

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