THE AFRICAN LEADERSHIP MAGAZINE - MAY 2022 EDITION

www.africanleadershipmagazine.co.uk

Afric n Leadership MAY 2022

Promoting African dignity & opportunities globally

AFRICA'S GROWING POPULATION – An Untapped Business Opportunity

NIGERIA - GHANA RELATIONS; Peaceful Neighbours Or Contending Rivals

CSR Score How are Nigerian Oil & Gas Companies Faring?

AFRICA'S GREATEST ASSET

ITS YOUNG PEOPLE

Contents 11. Tracing The Ukraine – Russia Quagmire & The Way Out 16. Africa's Growing Population – An Untapped Business Opportunity

42. CSR Score - How are Nigerian Oil & Gas Companies Faring?

45. Africa An Unexplored Market for Fine Wines 48. Double Decade of US - KENYA TRADE: Lessons for Africa 51. Nigeria - Ghana Relations; Peaceful Neighbours Or Contending Rivals

54. Africa's Movie Industry; Entertaining The People & Boosting The Economy 57. Wild Polio Eradication Africa's Unsung Health Win

60. Building a Climate Conscious Generation

63. Central Spine Comes To Ease

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56. Ukraine/Russia Conflict Possible Effects On Africa 60. US – Africa Trade Relations a Stock Taking Of Biden's Administration 65. Africa's Tourism Sector Bouncing Back 67. Tech Investments Point To A Transformation In African Agriculture

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37. Local Lens for SDG Implementation: Lessons From Bottom-up Approaches In Africa

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...A Publication of The African Leadership Organization

Ken Giami Founder & Executive Chairman

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Group Managing Editor - Kingsley Okeke editor@africanleadership.co.uk Editor - Kembet Bolton kembet@africanleadeship.co.uk

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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 EditorJohannesburg - Member Frenny Jowi, Nairobi Kenya - Member Brig. Gen. SK Usman Rtd., Abuja Nigeria - Member David Morgan, Washington DC USA - Member

Furo Giami - Chief Operating Officer / Executive Director Boma Benjy - Iwuoha - Group Head, Finance & Administration Sasha Caton - Manager, UK & European Operations Ehis Ayere - Group Head, Sales & Business Development Izuchukwu Samuel Ukandu - Manager, Client Relations & Partnerships Amana Alkali - Executive Assistant to the Chairman Samuel M. Elaikwu - Manager, Sales & Business Developments Happy Benson - Director of Operations North America Christy Ebong - Head, Research & Admin - North America Stanley Emeruem - Business Development Managers Muna Jallow - West African Rep for The Gambia and Senegal Oluwatoyin Oyekanmi - Head, South African Bureau Bernard Adeka - Head, Nigeria SS/SE

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FROM THE CHAIRMANʼS DESK

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WHY AFRO-POSITIVISM & AFRO-OPTIMISM MATTER From 'the hopeless continent' to 'the poor continent' and several negative appellatives in between, Africa has continued to bear the impact and stigma of negative stereotyping. This negativity has spurned a narrative that impacts on the volume of FDI inflows into the continent, intra African trade, and even a basic understanding of Africa as a continent and not a single country as some non-Africans still think - with its diversity, cultures, languages and differences.

Hence, the average non-African, who is not an active participant in Africa matters, most likely has a skewed, inaccurate and often negative perceptions and image of the continent.

However, there is another side to the story of Africa, an amazing continent rich in its history, music, art, and both human and natural resources. According to a UN report, the world's most youthful continent, with 70% of the population of subSaharan Africa under the age of 30, the story of African progress, innovation, courage, and achievement is the pedestal on which Afro-positivism and Afro-optimism rest.

J AwNw. w Ua AfRrYi c2a 0n2l e2a d e r s h i p m a g a z i n e . c o . u k

Afro-positivism as a concept was first used by a Congolese author Sony Tabou Tansi, describing it as a movement totally different from and opposite to Afro-pessimism. Afro-pessimism, simply put, has long since referred to a psychological bias that pushes most Africans and people of African descent to think that their continent positions its people to construct and build garbage economies in the depths of the cruellest, unbearable forms of indignity that humans can endure (Wilderson 2010). Afro-optimism, on the other hand, emphasises Africa's modernity, exudes positivity, inspires action, and celebrates 'Africanness' or African solutions, uniqueness and progress.

As more Africans continue to make unquestionable contributions to world peace and development and lead innovations in various sectors, including science, technology, and the arts, a subtle change of narrative is happening - galvanising the 'Afro-optimism movement'. This can be seen with

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Africa being home to up to 6 of the fastest-growing economies in the world, and greater global engagements with Africa reflected in several Africa summits over the last ten years, such as the US-Africa Summit, UK-Africa Conference, China Africa Forum and the list goes on. Hence, Africa and its leaders must deliberately design programs and encourage campaigns that underline optimism and positivism in the continent's future - in spite of the challenges we still face and grapple with. Initiatives such as #TheAfricaTheMediaNeverShowsYou movement must be encouraged both at the individual and trans-national levels to drive Afro-optimism.

I do believe Afro-optimism and Afro-positivism are by no means a denial of the lived experience of most Africans, who still deal with acute cases of poverty, poor access to basic healthcare and the many other challenges we are all too familiar with.

However, it is an expression of the possibilities and convictions of our past heroes that Africa can truly and fully lead itself someday and also lead the world. It is a conviction hinged on the belief that human beings could alter their circumstances by their individual choices and commitment to doing the work needed to back up those choices.

Africa is the future, and that future is now. Africa can truly lead the world someday.

To this extent, among several others, three key reasons why Afropositivism and Afro-optimism matter and should be encouraged are listed below: 1. Afro positivism inspires action.

My work and passion over the last two decades, which has focused on identifying, celebrating and enabling achievements in Africa, points to how celebrating outstanding achievements and leadership on the continent is good for humanity, and especially for Africa; as it has the potential to create a ripple effect in the society by inspiring others to take action towards serving humanity for the greater good of all.

Indeed, the inspiring example and impact that one truly effective action transmits is really powerful and gamechanging, not just for the ordinary

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citizens but also for African and global leadership. As the Singaporean leader, Lee Kuan Yew, mentioned in his book, From third world to first, "honesty and effective government, public order and personal security does not come about as the natural course of events, but as the products of visionary, ethical and competent leadership" (and action I should say). Such actions, especially when led by leaders, become notable points of reference for what is possible and also inspire a whole generation of upcoming leaders to go on to solve some of humanity's biggest problems in the future.

2. It has the ability to rally the African diaspora. Africa is Rising, and there is indeed a resurgent Africa arising from today's global challenges to emerge as the last growth frontier, and its diaspora must play a leading role in that emergence. Africans in the diaspora need to understand that they play a vital role in representing their African roots and in the popularisation of their 'Africanness'. African immigrant communities around the world must harness their intellectual capabilities, expert world views, strategic relationships, industry experience and skills to Fastrack or leapfrog economic development and progress on the continent. Governments and political leaders on the continent must back their Afro-optimist campaigns with enabling environments and benefit systems that encourage the African diaspora's contributions by replicating as much as possible the circumstances the diaspora members were operating in before coming back to Africa. And the returning diaspora members must

be willing to make sacrifices for the development of the motherland.

3. It would boost inward bound foreign direct investments and tourism.

Globalisation makes a case for increasingly growing international trade, information technology, interconnectedness and outsourced manufacturing. Africa can only catch up with industrialised nations through economic expansion and interaction.

The stories we tell must be positive and optimist in nature while staying balanced and true to attract the much needed investments that will drive innovations, jobs creation and a better life for the African people. This narrative will also boost tourism and revamp the struggling multi-billion tourism industry on the continent.

There are many beautiful tourist sites in Africa, ranging from Lions Head in South Africa, Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Zambia, the Omo River Region in Ethiopia, and Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Through tourism, we can begin to showcase some of the unique culture, music and food to the world all instruments of soft power.

In conclusion, as the saying goes, if you don't tell your story, someone else will tell it for you in ways that may undermine you. Therefore, it is time to tell the African story through Afropositivist and Afro-optimist lenses, for the Africa we want to see is the stories we need to sell.

I do believe Afro-optimism and Afro-positivism are by no means a denial of the lived experience of most Africans, who still deal with acute cases of poverty, poor access to basic healthcare and the many other challenges we are all too familiar with

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WHAT NOTABLE LEADERS ARE SAYING ABOUT

AFRICAN LEADERSHIP MAGAZINE

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 endeavors 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

FMR. PRESIDENT OF SIERRA LEONE

“I believe people are more 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 effor t 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.”

“I am delighted to be associated with the sterling work that the African Leadership Magazine is doing on the continent. Democratic governance is the elephant in the room, and the continent needs to reaccess its governance systems. The agenda on global sustainable development shows that Africans are lagging behind. Africa will need to reinvent its governance system with its youth growing population.”

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H.E. ERNEST BAI KOROMA

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WHAT NOTABLE LEADERS ARE SAYING ABOUT

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MRS. ELLEN JOHNSON - SIRLEAF Nobel Peace Prize Winner & Fmr. President, Republic Of Liberia

H.E JAKAYA KIKWETE Fmr. President Of Tanzania

H.E DAVID MABUZA Deputy President Republic Of South Africa

“I feel deeply honored to be associated with the African Leadership Magazine as it is a veritable platform to honor true service in Africa. I commend your effor ts 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.”

“It is an honour to participate at this African Leadership Magazine's 2020 Ceremony, and I commend the m a g a z i n e's f o c u s t o r e s h a p e positively, the dominant narratives about the African continent, especially towards the pursuit of peace-building and democracy on the continent”.

DR. AKINWUMI ADESINA President, African Development Bank

DR. MO IBRAHIM Founder, Mo Ibrahim Foundation

MO DEWJI Tanzania Businessman & Philanthropist

“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 ver y commendable”

“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.”

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AFRICANLEADERSHIPMAGA ZINE

EDITORʼS NOTE

this skewed narrative, don't skip it.

“Africa's greatest assets are its young people”. These famous words by Ahmad Alhendawi, UN SecretaryGeneral's envoy on youth is packed with a truth too heavy to dispute.

Today, in politics, business, sports, tech, entertainment and many other spheres, Africa's young people continue to hold the fort and draw positive attention to the continent.

Even if we wanted to, it would be a daunting task to list every African youth who is contributing to the continent's development in an edition. However, we have tried to shine the spotlight on a few from different spheres whom our search light shone on at the moment.

African economies are linked to Russia and Ukraine through food imports and tourism. Undoubtedly, the continent will be negatively impacted by the ongoing battle between the two countries. Is there a way out? Dr Godknows Igali did a fine job of tracing the roots of this quagmire and proffering a way out. It is a must-read.

It was both humbling and exciting when I was announced as the new editor for the African Leadership magazine.

My journalism journey, prior to this time, has been almost exclusively inspired by women, and focused on gender related issues, which had always mattered dearly to me. My first bosses were also driven women, who passionately pursued their objectives despite any limitations. With the backing of such women, most of whom you will read about soon, I have written and edited many articles that have inspired some action and progress on African women empowerment and development issues – for which I have always been proud of and content with.

Here, however, I have now been saddled with the very important task of editing not just the stories of women but mold the opinions and perceptions of all peoples and gender towards my beloved continent, "AFRICA". I therefore consider this opportunity one of the greatest honours of my life to shine the spotlight on the opportunities, beauty and achievements of Africa in all its ramifications. I look forward to sharing the very exciting stories of fortitude, resilience and triumphs that exemplify today, Africa. With your support, we will continue to promote African dignity and opportunities globally, in a way it inspires action and progress on the continent. This is my promise to you, and you can count on that.

The average non-African, who is not an active participant in Africa matters, most likely has a skewed, inaccurate and often negative perceptions and image of the continent. In the publisher's porch, Dr Ken Giami explains why Afro-positivism and Afro-optimism matter in changing

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Africa is a land of fortune and opportunities. The continent is full of possibilities and underutilised natural and human resources as well as businesses that, if ventured into, could yield huge returns and fully impact the continent's economy. For instance, did you know the wine/wineries sector is an often-overlooked business that has the potential of contributing hugely to the continent's economy? In the Trade and Investment segment of this edition, Fumnaya Ijeh outlined the positives of this unexplored business venture. You may be thinking of investing here after reading this.

You will find very interesting articles on Sports, CSR, Infrastructure and health in this edition. Like in other editions, the stories here matter to me, and I hope they will matter to you too. It needs engaged readers through which to come alive.

As you read the stories and contributions of the young Africans who are the main focus of this edition, I implore you to use your mind eyes and picture any other young African who is making the continent proud.

We welcome you to meet the ones we have spotlighted in this edition.

I present to you the MAY edition!

Kembet Bolton AFRICANLEADERSHIP MAGA ZINE

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In this edition, we choose to shine the spotlight on young Africans who are proving that age is no barrier in contributing meaningfully to the continent's socioeconomic development.

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Tracing The Ukraine – Russia Quagmire & The Way Out

By Godknows Igali, PhD

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After weeks of high-level diplomacy, looming thunder clouds and intense global hysteria, Russian troops have since entered deep into Ukraine, an independent, sovereign state. A dismal fait accompli and rather ominous recline for global peace and the progressive consolidation of international law.

Day after day, Russia, a world power, continues to bomb Ukrainian cities and other targets.

Indeed, from Friday, 24th February 2022, after days of deafening military exercises around the 2,295 kilometres of shared border, Russian troops moved as far as 260 kilometres into the precincts of Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, from all directions and other major towns, and have continued advancing.

From the north to the east through Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Mariupol,

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Sumy, and from Crimea in the south, they move, leaving in their trail an indescribable toll of loss of lives and wanton destruction of properties.

Typical of military conflicts this nature, optics on not few counter accusations of war crimes have been rife.

FROM EMPIRE TO COMMUNIST DIKTAT The story of Ukraine and Russia's inter-relations goes back to the shared parsimony in the Russian Empire, commonly referred to as Imperial Russia. This was a historical state that extended across much of Europe and Asia. It was the third most expansive political potentate in world history, surpassed in size only

by Britannia which “ruled the waves” at a time and the Imperial Chinese empire of the Qing dynasty (1631-

1912).

The Russian Empire which had a population of about 125.6 million people, as far back as the census of 1897, was known for its great economic, ethnic, linguistic and religious diversity. It comprised more than 100 different ethnic nationalities, of which the Russians were majority; i.e., over 40%, while Ukrainians were equally major stakeholders.

In political terms, the Russian Empire which was ruled by Kings known as Czars from the Romanov Dynasty (1613-1917), revelled in absolute and autocratic powers. They were also famously conservative, authoritarian and ultra-nationalistic.

In modern times, the successor state to the Russian Empire, that is the Union of Soviet Socialist

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Republics (USSR) or Soviet Union, as it was more commonly called, its origin in, the “October Revolution of 1917”. At that time, October, 24-25 on Russia's Julian Calender, but actually November 6-7, in world history, the Bolsheviks, headed by a fiery ideologue and revolutionary, Vladimir Lenin, overthrew the Provisional Government and established the world's first constitutionally declared Socialist nation. Thereafter, a unification of the Russian and Slavic Republics of Ukrainians and Byelorussians as well as the Transcaucasians (Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia) took place.

In 1944-1945, in the course of the 2nd World War, iron-fisted Soviet leader, Josef Stalin annexed the Balkan States (Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia) after liberating them from occupation by Nazi Germany.

The nation of Ukraine was therefore a critical part of the founding fabric which made up the erstwhile Soviet Union. Besides, it enjoyed very straddling demographic and linguistic cognancy with Russia. Indeed, after the Russian Federation, two other nations, being Ukraine and Belarus, came next in the line of "original" European stock that made up the Communist state and were part of the centre-point of doctrinaire socialist superstructure.

Ukraine's privileged standing in the former USSR explains why three of the most prominent and longserving Soviet leaders were all of its national stock. These are Nikita Khrushchev (1894-1971) protagonist of the Soviet Missile Crisis of 1962, Leonid Brezhnev (1906-1982) ruled for 18 years, and Konstantin Cherenkov (1911-1985) remembered to have paved the way for Mikhail Gorbachev's emergence.

In recent history political reforms known as “perestroika” - openness and “glasnost” – economic reform, became embarked upon by the 8th and last Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev. By the way, this great man just turned 91 years on March 2, 2022 and lives peacefully in Moscow in the midst of the current war.

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Ukraine, just like the other 14 former Soviet Republics, therefore pronounced its independence on 24th August 1991. This marked Ukraine's formal cessation from the stranglehold of Russian over-lordship after several centuries.

PUTIN'S MINDSET Vladimir Putin, 69 years old, a one-time Soviet intelligence officer, bears many similarities in demeanour and psychological makeup with some of Russia's ferociou s and oligarchic rulers of the past. Such historic personalities as Czar Ivan the Terrible (1530-1584), Emperor (Czar) Peter the Great (1672-1725) were responsible for the expansion of the erstwhile Russian Empire. Also, Putin's hard-line stance towards America and Western Europe, unlike his immediate past predecessors Gorbachev and Konstatin Chernenko is also a repeat of the mien of Josef Stalin, who ruled the USSR for a lengthy period of 31 years, from (1922 to 1953).

In his days, strongly-willed Stalin entered into an alliance with Western Allied Forces to defeat Nazi Germany during World War II. But then, he was mindful of drawing, very clearly, the easternmost boundaries between the East and the West. As a matter of fact, a town like Berlin, the German capital was divided into three and later two separate parts demarcated by a deafening wall.

More than Putin's mental state, is the factor that Ukraine's privileged standing and the seeming advantage of geographical contiguity occasioned the unrestrained citing of several critical economic and tactical defence assets of the former USSR in that country. As a matter, at the time of independence in 1991, about 3,000 of the Soviet Union's nuclear warheads were deployed on Ukrainian territory. Ukraine is also of great economic asset to the subregion as it has among other things, some of Europe's highest endowment of agricultural and mineral resources covering its entire landmass of 603,548 square kilometres.

Putin will therefore want to keep away Western meddlesome in a place as Ukraine as much as possible. In a repeat of history, as 35th American President, John Kennedy (1917-1963) would not see Soviet missiles in Cuba, about 145 kilometres from its borders, exactly sixty years ago, Putin and his Russian security hawks will not risk allowing Ukraine join NATO or enter some other deeper extraneous military alliances, unrestrainedly. As perceived by Putin and his ilk, the current invasion of their smaller neighbour, Ukraine, is essentially a fight for survival and an act in group self-preservation of its concentric sphere of influence. Indeed, Putin, as a young Communist Party official, perhaps grudgingly, saw his predecessors, Gorbachev and Boris Yeltsin dismantle Soviet era structures and the creeping cobweb of western democracy and military structures all around Russia.

However, from Georgia (2008), Chechen (1999-2008) Crimea (2014), now to Ukraine, he could not stomach such meddlesomeness directly inside his neighbours next door.

CAN PUTIN WIN THIS WAR? Although the current Ukraine war is, strictly speaking, not an ideological match of opposites, it bears historical traits to entrenched interests. The Cold War (1947-1991) has since ended, and the Warsaw Pact Military Alliance which since 1955 shielded countries of the Eastern Bloc, was dissolved in 1991.

However, Russia and China and a coterie of smaller nations are practising ideological hybridization at present, i.e., economic openness in the midst of closed political rigidity. Notwithstanding, their antecedents rooted in socialist/communist credos, keeps the two great powers (China and Russia) orphaned together as scions of eastern ideological orthodoxy.

They are somewhat perpetually on antagonistic and confrontational standing with western powers and vice versa. Although China's economic interests in the western

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DIPLOMATIC WATCH

Added to these, the exact size and strength of Moscow's maverick friend, North Korea's nuclear arsenals are unclear. Many believe that the pariah nation's testing of nuclear arsenals and show off ballistic capability during this period, keeps both America and its friends Japan and South Korea seriously on high alert.

On the flip side, from the days of its founding in 1949, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), an American-led military alliance has increased its collective military power. Now boasting a capacity to deploy, in nominal terms, nearly 3.5 million personnel, NATO remains the world's greatest defence and tactical platform. In terms of individual standing in military ranking, some of its key members such as United States is the world's no. 1, Germany is number 4 in power rankings, while the United Kingdom is number 5 and France comes up as number six (6).

This makes NATO a greatly formidable collective force to reckon with.

According to the leading global watch group, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) as of 2018, military expenditures was at a high mark of about US$1,822 trillion. However,

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SO, WILL NATO STAND UP TO RUSSIA? NATO's hands are tied as it were, by its Article 5, which limits it to only initiate action if one of its 30 members is attacked. That Article has been invoked only once in NATO's 70 years history. On September 12, 2001, the alliance invoked the provision, barely 24 hours after the 9/11 Terror Attack on the United States. It remains tenuously optimistic if the alliance will invoke that article now, as Ukraine's quest for membership is still far from reality. Besides, NATO is wary of orchestrating a Third World War, with the rather precipitate prevalent conditions.

THE RAIN OF SANCTIONS As Russia continues, undeterred to pillage, quite pitiably targets in Ukraine, its 44 years old President, Volodymyr Zelensky mounts global rostrums virtually and digitally, canvassing support. America and Europe's response has been to extend to Ukraine unprecedented military and humanitarian support, short of plunging into direct belligerency. These include lethal weapons, advanced systems, attack battle systems, anti-tank weapons, etc. These have helped Ukaine maintained relatively appreciable level, though at a much higher cost.

Additionally, the US and the rest of Europe have imposed

The sanctions which have been mounted cover almost all spheres of the country's national life. Primarily, the sanctions have been political, which are focused on isolating Putin and top members of his government in their personal and collective capacities. Added to these are visa and emigration restrictions. Several European countries have also expelled hundreds of Russian diplomats. The intention here is to limit the country's ability to conduct diplomatic relations or enable its operatives carry out intelligence activities at a time when the EU considers itself, to be at war with Russia. Actually, since Russia annexed Crimea, a part of Ukraine, the EU had frozen the assets of about 800 people and 62 entities, most of whom are members of the Russian government, Parliament (Duma), the National Security Council and selected business persons.

The US and Europe have also embarked on other types of embargoes, especially economic sanctions to limit Russia's ability to engage in international economic relations and thereby finance its war with Ukraine. Most European countries have equally extended sanctions to such Russian allies as Belarus and the contested/controlled Donetsk and Luhansk. The economic ban on Russia covers: Ÿ

restricted access to EU and by implication, global capital markets by Russian banks and companies;

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Limitation on transactions with Russian Central Bank and that of Belarus;

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SWIFT ban on banks from the two countries;

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Prohibition on access to Euro denominated currencies;

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Massive withdrawal of western companies including FDF flow;

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Cut-off of technology inflow for

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What the above scenario depicts is the counter-balance of belligerent capacity if things generate. None can therefore risk a conjecture on the outcome of a head-on confrontation.

unprecedented sanctions of economic, political and diplomatic nature on Russia.

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Russia and some of its allies are equally obtuse and by their own rights, global leaders in fire power.

As of now, China, for one, has the largest active men in uniform in the world totalling about 2 million. In terms of fighting force, India, North Korea and Russia count among the five largest armies respectively, each with over one million personnel.

With respect to overall military capability and capacity on deployment of weapons, China and Russia only come next to the United States. Russia itself is the world's numbers one nuclear power with about 6,225 warheads.

three years later, i.e. 2021, despite the rage of Covid-19, defence spending rose by almost 2.8%. In this, just the Americas alone expended in its aerospace and defence about US$ 550.78 billion in 2021. Two years earlier, in aggregate terms, the military budget of the United States was US$693 billion, the highest in the world. America itself is number two in nuclear capability, holding over 5,550 warheads

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world are overwhelming, its slowfootedness towards condemning Russia on all its adventurist policies, shows where its heart woukd lie, if things get worse.

DIPLOMATIC WATCH

the energy sector; and Ÿ

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Closure of EU airspace to Russian aircrafts.

As the war continues, the EU has also embarked on suspension of broadcasting activities of major Russian news houses, especially SPUTNIK and Russia Today. These efforts are going ahead of continued threats to suspend Russia from participation in the activities of the G8 and in such other international fora as the International Energy Association (IEA), Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), certain sporting activities, etc. The United Nations General Assembly on 7th April, 2022 took the unprecedented step of suspending Russia from the Geneva-based Human Rights Council; although China voted against it while 24 countries including Nigeria abstained.

WILL SANCTIONS STOP THE RUSSIAN FURY? It is however important to properly situate these measures visà-vis the actual efficacy of economic, diplomatic and other forms of sanctions. It is important to mention, that despite these farreaching sanctions, the country has continued to march on and still remains a military and economic powerhouse in the world.

No doubt, the country's population would feel the pinch of the sanctions but whether these will help immediately stop the bombardment of Ukraine's 40 million people, of which over 5 million have already fled helplessly to Poland and other neighbouring countries, remains to be seen. As of today, the Russian economy with the world's fifth largest foreign exchange reserve is a global powerhouse. It is ranked as 11th largest economy in the world with a GDP of $1.71 trillion and huge resource endowment, it leads in many areas. So will Russia immediately feel the pinch and the biters? As a matter of fact, this brings the whole question of sanctions to question as several other countries which have gone through such

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economic and financial penalties have survived.

Sanctions imposed by the US on Cuba started in 1959, while those on Iran were from 1979 and reintroduced in 1987. In the case of Syria, the embargoes started in 1986 and for Venezuela, in 2018. What is curious is that, to a considerable degree, all these countries have continued to survive. Even such countries as Libya, Iran, India, Zimbabwe and erstwhile Apartheid South Africa lived through all manners of sanctions, imposed by bilateral nations, alongside multilateral and regional organisations and remained afloat to a reasonable extent. Even Nigeria following the killing of Ken SaroWiwa in 1995 was severely sanctioned but survived until the country returned to democratic rule.

Sanctions bring hardships of various forms and create a state of autarky as is the case of Russia at present, however issues bordering on implementation, enforcement, imperative of humanitarian intervention and even stark economic realities make it difficult to work sufficiently to achieve the desired effects. For example, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has already warned that these measures “will have substantial impact on the global economy and financial markets.” The organisation called attention to likely global spiral of inflation and extraordinary uncertainties. Similarly, the UN has cautioned on the likely debilitating impact on food production, supplies and prices. More directly, Europe depends substantially on Russian gas and energy for subsistence. Indeed, new fears are emerging that sanctions would in the long-run, also hurt many western economies and how long they will allow these shocks loom around remains to be seen.

It is therefore most unlikely to expect that sanctions alone will stop Russia from its heavy bombardment of Ukraine.

INTERNATIONAL LAW

DIMENSION The other question is the efficacy of international law in being able to guarantee peace and security around the globe and curtail the situation of anarchy and total breakdown of peace as it is now in Ukraine. The precursors to the events that are ongoing in Ukraine were foreseen during the drafting of the UN Charter. It is for this, that specific provisions were made to prevent such occurrences. So, Article 51 of the Charter states inter alia: “nothing in the present shall impart the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence if any armed attack occurs against a member of the United Nations until the Security Council has taken measures to maintain international peace and security.”

Similar to this, the Charter has given copious “enforcement powers” to the Security Council under other provisions of Article 39 to 50. The Charter clearly states that by Resolution of the Security Council, such threat on security can be contained through collective global action. Such collective actions have been taken by the UN at least 25 instances between 1946, a year after the organisation was formed and 2020. They have included the use of sanctions and actual military enforcement actions such as peace keeping, peace enforcement, peace monitoring and other actions by way of preventive diplomacy.

However, the entire UN actions have been vitiated by the provision of the use of Veto Power by the socalled Club of Permanent Members, (P5), i.e., Britain, France, Russia, United States and China, being the five victorious allies of the 2nd World War. What this means is that, it would be almost impossible for the UN to take collective measures against Russia as the vote of the other 10 non-permanent members who are elected on two yearly terms is not up to the vote of a single Permanent Member. Any of this quintet of P5 can prevent a decision from being

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DIPLOMATIC WATCH

THE DIPLOMATIC IMPERATIVE Ahead of the commencement of war in Ukraine, various European leaders had embarked on backchannel negotiations to prevent escalation and bring the foreseen carnage to an end. The German Chancellor, Olaf Schulz and French President, Emmanuel Macron both undertook diplomatic demarche to avoid the war, curtail it and bring it to an early end. As war raged, the Austrian Chancellor, Karl Nehammer has also waded in, inchoately. While he has continued to drum the need for diplomacy to end this war, Putin himself has not relented in his demand on so-called “demilitarization, denazification, constitutionally entrenched neutrality of Ukraine”. Furthermore, he has not relented in his request on Ukraine and the international community to legitimize and take as given, his annexation of Crimea, and the recognition of Donbass and other breakaway parts of Ukraine as independent states. These Russia's demands constitute a major challenge to international law as it appears to be like the fungal disease “ophiobolus graminis” whose effect is total, i.e., the “winner takes all”.

Efforts at negotiation between Russia and Ukraine, initiated by Turkey have remained equally snailpaced. Behind the scene efforts by Israel which has an interest since Zelensky is of Jewish stock and both Russia and Ukraine have substantial Semitic populations is also rather indeterminable. China, who cannot claim to be a non-interested party, has in public declarations also voiced the need for diplomacy and

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Against the above scenario, the only hope of stopping the fury and might of the Russian war machine may be to get China and other medium range countries who seem to enjoy relative contact with both sides to form “amici curiae”, of sorts and attempt to broker peace.

HOW THE WAR WILL END So, as risky as this may appear, it is remiss to hazard the guess that the most foreseeable way of bringing respite to the RussianUkrainian war will not lie alone in the supply to Ukraine, of armaments and weapons for further escalation. As wrong as Russia is in attacking a sovereign country, it will continue to see itself as embarking on a war of survival. Putin and his political “étatmajor” also realize that relying on the existing dictates of international law and seeming return to detente, the possibility of actual military intervention from the west is tenuous. Accordingly, Putin may not easily buckle to the unceasing level of propaganda and sanctions against his nation. Unlike past cases of breach of peace in Libya, Iran, Iraq, Syria and even North Korea, Putin also realizes that Russia's Veto Power may, for a long while, keep almost all other parties in a cul-de-sac.

More closely home, countries such as Nigeria, Brazil, India, Saudi Arabia, Egypt or South Africa who are not in the theatre of the conflict, but of sufficient international respect, could carve out for themselves some form of activist diplomacy. If pursued individually, such efforts may appear lilliputian, so it could be embarked upon as a coalition. This is similar to what the Non Aligned Movement and G77 plus China effectively did and still do on the floor of the United Nations General Assembly. After all, Nigeria for one, has historic relationship with Russia, and lately in a major way with Ukraine, in terms of human educational cooperation and active consular relations. Nigeria could therefore warm its way to becoming part of the global efforts to provide solutions. But think of it, this is in consonance with the declared ascent of Nigeria being the fulcrum of “Concert of Medium Powers” once dreamed about.

Whatever it is, let peace reign.

Igali, a former Ambassador is the Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA).

Coming from this perspective, it is more likely that diplomacy, if given the opportunity to take the centre stage, could be the panacea for arriving at sustainable peace. In this effort, it would be more propitious to leave all options open, including the issues raised by both Russia and Ukraine. One particular option which the President of Ukraine has started to canvass, along few other

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In a situation where NATO and their allies are hamstrung from entering the war and the efforts to bolster the defence capability of Ukraine are not giving early victory over Russia, the whole international community finds itself in a seeming dilemma of circumstances with limited escape routes.

international intermediators, is the fact of Ukraine becoming a neutral state, a kind of buffer between the West and the East. Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, Austria, Norway, Malta, Ireland and so on, have at different times in recent global trends, maintained neutrality and played the role of forming broader global alliances towards promoting peace.

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This shows the gaping flaws in the existing global international law regime as it pertains to collective security. In other words, these big powers, P5 and their likes can do whatever pleases them in the world and go free. Hence, there is need to find another strategy.

dialogue. But rather vaguely, insists “that this will only be done when the time is right.”

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taken. Therefore, any move at this time to enforce the provisions under Charter 7 will likely be torpedoed by either Russia or its strong ally, China.

BUSINESS

AFRICA'S GROWING POPULATION – An Untapped Business Opportunity

By Janet Abena Quainoo

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The rising population in Africa has always been a topic of debate.

Africa is facing some of the toughest challenges in the world right now.

But it is also in Africa that we see some of the most innovative, forward-thinking ideas when it comes to tackling the issues. In Africa, we can see the beginnings of the development of truly smart cities with smarter infrastructure. The fourth industrial revolution has given us unparalleled access to data analytics, providing real-time solutions to real-world problems based on empirical data. We need to ensure we are making the most of this, driving smarter decision making.

Africa's population is the fastestgrowing in the world. It is expected to increase by roughly 50% over the next 18 years, growing from 1.2 billion people today to over 1.8 billion in 2035. Africa will account for nearly half of global population growth over the next two decades.

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According to Akinwumi Adesina, President of African Development Bank, the continent's young and increasing population presents an opportunity for rapid development.

While total population growth is essential for the socio-economic prospects of countries, the age structure of the population is just as crucial. By 2035, sub-Saharan Africa's population will still be the youngest globally. At the same time, the share of working-age individuals (aged 15 to 64) relative to the non-workingage population is increasing, which is good news for the economy.

During demographic transitions, countries move from having high birth rates and high death rates toward an older, more stable population structure characterized by much lower birth rates and higher life expectancy. During this process, the share of the working-age population increases relative to the economically dependent (children

and the elderly) population. This socalled demographic dividend has the potential to unlock economic growth.

Most countries in sub-Saharan Africa have fewer workers supporting a more significant proportion of the population (mainly children) than other developing regions. Yet, as Africa's population ages the ratio between working-age individuals and the economically dependent population will change for the better.

A large labour force as a share of the total population translates into increased productive capacity and can help boost savings and investment. And even though technological advances will probably drive future global economic expansion, Africa's lower middle income and low-income economies still have a lot to gain from their expanding labour force over the coming decades. However, most

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African countries that have entered the demographic "sweet spot" are mostly upper-middleincome economies in southern and north Africa. Cape Verde, a lowermiddle-income yet highly urbanized economy, is an exception. With the fertility rate around replacement level, the West African country is experiencing a demographic dividend that is likely to hold over five decades.

It is possible to speed up the demographic transition in sub – Saharan Africa's low and lowermiddle-income economies to create more significant economic growth and development opportunities. If central and West Africa, the regions with the highest fertility rates, dramatically reduced these over the coming two decades, they could benefit from an earlier onset. As well as a more prominent – demographic dividend, and with the right policies, capitalize on it to boost growth.

Africa's growing population is again an opportunity for agricultural development. The surge in workingage adults has the potential to increase productivity, improve innovation and transform African economies. Instead of seeing the rising number of mouths to feed as a challenge, the demographic shift can be an opportunity to transform Africa's agricultural sector into the

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Companies can produce goods in large numbers and more cheaply, serving many low-income customers.

For instance, Kenya has companies that have benefitted from increasing population growth and density in targeting the large numbers of lower and lower-middle income groups – the "bottom of the pyramid." Their business model is viable because they can serve a multi-million customer base, which has increased by 25% over the last ten years and continues to multiply.

As an untapped business opportunity, the population can enable a critical mass of people to allow a more vibrant society. With low populations, there is less scope for diversity. But, when the population grows, it can enable the support of a broader cultural range of activities. Our society is more enjoyable when we can learn about people's lives in different cultures and, if possible, experience and learn from these cultures. However, when certain cultures become extinct, we miss out on important life lessons we could learn from them.

The challenges ahead of us require diverse, innovative solutions for the new generations in Africa.

Every country should be responsible for tackling prevailing population problems according to its development policy, based on the local cultural, religious, political, ethnic and demographic diversity.

Already we can see young entrepreneurs taking the lead in their countries. Still, we need to be there to support them by helping develop our human capital with skills, nurturing the growth of science, technology and innovation in the journey towards the achievements of SDG 11.

A large labour force as a share of the total population translates into increased productive capacity and can help boost savings and investment

There is an urgent need for the

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Africa has the potential to feed not only itself – it can become the world's next breadbasket and use its agricultural potential to guarantee food security and grow its economy.

Africa's enormous size and variations in elevation, waterways, climates and soil contribute to a diversity of environmental conditions where many different kinds of crops and farming operations can thrive. And increasing productivity in agriculture is key to Africa's economic development. As Graca Machel has warned that "even though our youth have the potential to transform Africa if neglected, they could exacerbate poverty and inequality while threatening peace, security and prosperity." Therefore, we must be proactive in ensuring we meet the needs of this burgeoning population.

continent to prepare young professionals for future roles as development leaders and change agents. The potential of a young population can only be harnessed if the continent creates a conducive environment for the youths to take action. Governments must take into consideration youth employment, skills and gender empowerment seriously. Because in the face of no activity in all development agendas, the continent risks a broken social fabric and an exodus of youth who may seek opportunities elsewhere.

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For example, Nigeria is forecast to see its fertility rate declined from 5.4 children per woman of childbearing age in 2017 to 4.4 in 2035. This means it will see an improvement in the ratio between the country's working-age population relative to the elderly and children. Yet the so-called demographic "sweet spot" is still only expected to peak around the mid -the 2080s. The same trend holds for the bulk of sub-Saharan Africa's lower-middle-income and low-income economies.

world's breadbasket. But the population surge will only benefit the economies than can absorb the influx of new workers.

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countries in sub-Saharan Africa have yet to experience the dividend, mainly because fertility rates remain stubbornly high while life expectancy continues to increase.

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AFRICA'S GREATEST ASSET

ITS YOUNG PEOPLE “Africa's greatest assets are its young people”. These famous words by Ahmad Alhendawi, UN Secretary-General's envoy on youth is packed with a truth too heavy to dispute.

By 2030, it is predicted that the number of youths in Africa will have increased by 42%. Africa's population as a whole is very young, with 60% of the entire continent aged below 25, making it the youngest continent in the world, in relation to its population makeup.

Young ones are so important that it has been unanimously agreed that involving young people in politics and society is not merely a question of inclusion, but one that is vital for economic growth, innovation, peace and security.

With Africa's ever-increasing youth population projected to double by 2050, the need for inclusion of young people continues to grow in importance. While the challenge is daunting, it also has inspired so many of Africa's creative and diligent young people to take charge of their own futures, coming up with innovative

solutions to keep themselves employed and actively engaged.

Today, in politics, business, sports, tech, entertainment and many other spheres, Africa's young people continue to hold the fort and draw positive attention to the continent.

In this edition, we choose to shine the spotlight on young Africans who are proving that age is no barrier in contributing meaningfully to the continent's socio-economic development.

Even if we wanted to, it would be a daunting task to list every African youth who is contributing to the continent's development in an edition. However, we have tried to shine the spotlight on a few from different spheres whom our search light shone on at the moment.

As you read their stories and contributions, use your mind eyes to picture any other young African who is making the continent proud.

We welcome you to meet the ones we have spotlighted in this edition.

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Founder & Executive Chair, Janngo Capital Fatoumata BA is administrator, investor and entrepreneur, currently founder and CEO of Janngo, the number1 tech for good in Africa. Janngo is supported by the Mulliez family, Clipperton Finance and Soeximex, also by African philanthropists.

At Jumia, the first African unicorn, she was the founder and managing director of the platform in Côte d'Ivoire, managing director in Nigeria and member of the executive committee at continental level, running the performance of more than 130 operations through Africa, covering more than 10 jobs, in over 30 countries, with more than 3,000 direct jobs and more than 70, 000 indirect jobs created and developed opportunities for more than 500,000 middle-sized companies through Africa.

She is passionate by technological leapfrogging in Africa, in particular when it's about female entrepreneurship and women's empowerment, the growth and formalization of middle-sized companies, together with by solving health and education problems via Medtech and Edtech. She is a board member at SouthBridge Investment Bank, a member of the investment committee of Creadev Africa and of the Council of Women in Africa.

She is undoubtedly one of the young Africans making the continent proud.

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Yaya Touré Y A Y A T O U R E

Gnégnéri Yaya Touré (born 13 May 1983) is an Ivorian professional football coach and former player who played as a midfielder.

Touré aspired to be a striker during his youth[4] and has played centre-back, including for Barcelona in the 2009 UEFA Champions League Final. However, he has spent the majority of his career as a box-to-box midfielder for club and country, where he has been regarded as one of the world's best players in his position. One of the greatest African players of all time, Touré was voted African Footballer of the Year for 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

Touré began his playing career at Ivorian club ASEC Mimosas, where he made his debut at age 18. His performances attracted attention from Europe. He had stints with Beveren, Metalurh Donetsk, Olympiacos and Monaco before moving to Barcelona in 2007. He played over 100 matches for the club and was part of the historic 2009 Barcelona side that won six trophies in a calendar year. In 2010, Touré moved to Premier League club Manchester City, where he scored a number of key goals, most notably the only goals in the 2011 FA Cup semi-final and final. He also helped City earn their first league title in 44 years.

Touré earned 100 caps for the Ivory Coast from 2004 to 2015, representing the nation at the 2006, 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cup tournaments. He also represented them in six Africa Cup of Nations in 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2015, helping them finish runner-up in 2006 and 2012, while captaining them to victory in 2015.

He is the younger brother of fellow footballer Kolo Touré, who was his teammate at Manchester City and for the national team.

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She is the first woman to be appointed as Minister of Finance in Angola. Until the date of her appointment she was 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.

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Mrs Vera Esperança dos Santos Daves De Sousa (born 1984) is an Angolan politician who has been the country's Minister of Finance since 2019.

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She is the co-author of a book on public finance with Alves da Rocha, a professor of economics. served as Angola's Secretary of State for Finance and Treasury before being appointed

by President João Lourenço as Minister of Finance on 8 October 2019 at age 35, the first woman to hold the role. She succeeded Mangueira, who left the role to become governor of Namibe Province.

Daves joined the Political Bureau of the ruling MPLA party at an extraordinary congress shortly before her appointment. She has been described as a "very disciplined, well prepared and competent technician."

When she took on the role, Daves was tasked with restructuring the country's economy, Africa's fifth largest. In March 2020, she announced that the country was in a recession, and that the Finance Ministry was revising the General State Budget due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and in April, she announced all contracts whose funding had not been secured were suspended based on the low price of oil and the impact of the pandemic on public finances.

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breakthrough track "Ojuelegba." Not only did the single cement his status as one of Nigeria's biggest pop acts, it was also picked up and remixed by Drake and Skepta, thrusting Wizkid into the international spotlight. In return, he appeared on Drake's 2016 smash single "One Dance." In March 2017, Wizkid signed a major deal with RCA and Sony International, which would release his third LP, Sounds from the Other Side, later that year. A handful of singles appeared in advance of the album, including "Sweet Love" and the Drake-assisted "Come Closer."

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In October 2018, Wizkid issued a pair of singles, "Master Groove" and "Fever," to mark Nigeria's Independence Day. The following year, he joined Beyoncé and Saint Jhn for The Lion King: The Gift track "Brown Skin Girl" and released his own single, "Joro." The EP Soundman, Vol.1 was issued by Balogun's Starboy Entertainment imprint in 2019.

Following his involvement in the successful protests to scrap Nigeria's controversial Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Wizkid's fourth album, made in Lagos, arrived in October 2020.

Featuring collaborations with H.E.R., Damian Marley, Burna Boy, and several others, the Grammynominated set was a critical and commercial success, appearing on numerous year-end album lists and reaching number 15 on the U.K. album charts. The record's fifth single, the Grammy-nominated "Essence" (featuring Tems), became a worldwide hit, reaching number 17 in the U.K. and even becoming the first Nigerian song to chart in the Billboard Hot 100. After the track became a hit, a remix featuring Justin Bieber was released

Wizkid) Singer/songwriter Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun (aka Wizkid) is one of Africa's biggest R&B crossover acts, having worked with Drake, Skepta, and Chris Brown, among others. He first found regional success in 2011 with the massively popular single "Holla at Your Boy," which appeared on his debut album, Superstar. Wizkid went global in 2016 after his collaboration with Drake, "One Dance," soared to number one in 15 countries, resulting in a multi-album deal with RCA, which issued his Caribbean-influenced major-label debut, Sounds from the Other Side, in 2017. The acclaimed Made in Lagos followed in 2021, featuring the internationally charting hit single "Essence."

Balogun began his career in music when he was just 11 years old. His first record, Lil Prinz, was recorded in 2001 in collaboration with Glorious Five, a group consisting of Balogun and his friends from church. In 2006, he started pursuing music full-time, at first collaborating with various Nigerian pop acts including OJB Jezreel, Naeto C, and Banky W. By 2011, he was ready to record his debut studio album as a solo artist; Superstar was released by Empire Mates Entertainment (EME for short) to great critical and public acclaim across Africa, propelling Wizkid to stardom in his home country.

After multiple delays and label disagreements, he released his sophomore studio album, Ayo, in 2014. The record featured a multitude of guest appearances, including a spot from Femi Kuti. It also featured Balogun's global

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Yonas Beshawred Yonas Beshawred is a 33-year-old Ethiopian entrepreneur, who is one of the few Black founders in the Silicon Valley. Beshawred made his breakthrough in the tech industry after working at Accenture, a Fortune Global 500 company. The exposure Beshawred got at Accenture helped him understand how top companies are using tech to make business management effective.

He, therefore, was able to strategize on creating a professional directory for startup software development.

Beshawred, through, networking was able to raise funding to kickstart StackShare.

StackShare was Beshawred's solution to the software development problems commonly encountered by developers when making tech decisions in product development. It can be pictured as LinkedIn for software developers. Beshawred was able to bring together information on SaaS solutions of different companies and allow developers to get access to them using StackShare.

As of 2022, over one million global developers, architects, and CTOs use StackShare to manage products.

StackShare has become a necessary tool for startups to use for product development.

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M Y E R S

Gwen Myers Commissioner Gwen Myers is a native and lifelong resident of Hillsborough County. She was elected to the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners in November 2020.

She has long been an advocate for improving transportation, affordable housing, and health care in the county. She plans to lead the County through the COVID-19 crisis.

Commissioner Myers uses the theme "It's About The People." She worked in Hillsborough County Government for 25 Years, from 1988 through 2013, in the departments of Housing and Community Development and Health and Social Services.

Commissioner Myers has a bachelor's degree in Business Administration/Accounting from Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University (FAMU). She is married to Randolph T. Myers, Sr., and has one adult stepchild.

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Dr. Abasi Ene-Obong is the founder and CEO of 54gene, a health technology company advancing the state of healthcare through large scale discovery and translational research, advanced molecular diagnostics, and clinical programs for the benefit of Africans and the global population. Born in Nigeria, Abasi has extensive experience operating in the US, UK and Nigerian healthcare industries.

Prior to 54gene, Abasi worked with leading healthcare organizations, including Fortune 100 pharmaceutical companies, academic and research institutions, and governments as a management consultant with PwC and IQVIA (formerly QuintilesIMS).

Previously, Abasi worked as a cancer researcher and published a seminal paper on pancreatic cancer immunology in the journal, Gastroenterology. Abasi holds a Ph.D. in Cancer Biology from the University of London, a masters in human molecular genetics from the Imperial College London and a masters in business management from the Claremont Colleges, California.

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Simply put, Dr Jilata is a brain surgeon.

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From her rooms at Morningside Mediclinic, she treats everything from brain tumours to the effects of stroke.

She also addresses issues related to the nervous system, including degenerative issues of the spine.

In some cases, she sees patients who've been bedridden and were able to walk again after surgery performed by her. “Seeing a patient wake up from the ICU and able to use all their body parts without any pain brings me great joy,” she says.

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Dr Ncumisa Jilata's journey from a childhood classroom in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape to becoming the youngest neurosurgeon in Africa may have begun with a glass of water.

The feeling of sipping a cold drink, holding the glass in your hand, and the rush of thirst-quenching pleasure, was a visual image offered by Jilata's Grade 11 biology teacher that began a life-long love of neurons.

“The way he introduced this concept of impulses taken to the brain and the circuitry of neurons, I thought, there's nothing that could top this,” she tells Spotlight.

Fast-forward through finishing matric, completing university and graduating with a prestigious fellowship by the age of 29, Jilata had become one of just five black female neurosurgeons in South Africa.

That remarkable achievement, however, came with challenges. A young black woman in a maledominated field, she had to work twice as hard to be taken seriously in a career where there were few role models before her.

Now, she is working to change that.

By mentoring future generations of black women neurosurgeons and bringing science to communities, she's hoping to shape a new future for the field.

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Philani Potwana FNB Easy CEO, Philani Potwana, was always a man ahead of his time. He completed his matric at Mariazel High School, in the Eastern Cape just shy of his 16th birthday.

Upon attaining his Bachelor of Commerce degree in information systems, from the University of Kwazulu-Natal, he applied and got his first stint at corporate South Africa.

Here he was a trainee systems analyst at FNB, at the tender age of 20, back in 2009.

Today, Philani Potwana is South Africa's youngest – CEO of Easy Segment at First National Bank (FNB). He is the brain behind giving people the ability to withdraw money from their bank accounts without using their bank cards. His innovative cardless withdrawal system led to FNB being named the most innovative bank in the world in

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2012. “I came up with the card-less cash withdrawals using Cellphone Banking idea for the world's most innovative bank. I wanted people to withdraw money from their bank accounts without the need of a bank card. Little did I know the idea was a first in the world”, he says. Philani Potwana was born and raised in rural Eastern Cape.

He holds a Master of Commerce (MCom) in Business Management from the University of Johannesburg, BCom Honours degree in Information Systems and BCom degree in Information Systems & Technology from the University of Kwazulu Natal. He is interested in development, imparting financial management principles to consumers, and mentors learners in Alexandra, Johannesburg.

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M W I R I G I

Hon. John Paul Mwirigi Youngest Member of Parliament to Serve in East Africa Hon John Paul Mwirigi made history on 8th August 2017 as being the youngest ever elected Member of Parliament in Kenya. At Just 23 years old he trounced down the who's who at the competition of Igembe South parliamentarian by election.

He campaigned and worked on a very low budget to win this election.

Prior to winning this seat, Hon John Paul did casual jobs, which then landed him to a decent job before getting officially into politics. When he got this seat, one thing stood out, he used public transport to the statehouse for a meeting with the president. This was unique as no Kenyan politician ever did that. Following this incident, President Uhuru Kenyatta gifted him a brand-new Toyota Prado, as a tool to help him with movements.

He told African Leadership Magazine, that attaining this position is a dream come true.

“I had a dream that I was tabling a motion in parliament. So, on this day 28th I came out and announced to the students that I will be vying for the

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position of member of Parliament and I will win come 2017.” He narrated.

As his term gradually comes to an end, Hon. John Paul Mwirigi believes that he has achieved at least 75% of what he promised in his manifesto. Among them include, issuing bursaries to students, tarmacing roads in Igemebe South for easy movement of farm produce to the market, enhancing security in the constituency and sponsoring 59 students from his salary and over 300 secondary and University going school students on NG-CDF funds.

As he winds up his term, Hon John Paul Mwirigi is certain that being a young leader has been an advantage on his end. As a youth he says, the older people are always ready to listen to you as you pitch ideas. Because of this he believes that he lobbied a lot because of his age.

Also, he cites that the people who have been in the game previously have made it easy for him to serve the people of Igembe South. Now he urges other youths to believe in themselves and never get tired to knock offices for assistance or guidance. He will be running for the same position come August 2022 general elections.

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Nomlayo Mabhena Youngest-ever Black Female Attorney Transforms The Legal Space Nomlayo Mabhena is known for being the youngest-ever Black female attorney admitted as a conveyancer. She was just 23 years old when she successfully completed her qualification at the University of Pretoria. During her time in university, she was placed on the Pretoria Law Faculty Dean's Merit List for her excellence in studying the practices and policies of the South African legal sphere. She completed her articles at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr back in 2017. Over the years, Nomlayo has gained valuable experience in the Dispute Resolution, Employment as well as the Real Estate and Conveyancing practices.

Nomlayo was appointed as an Associate as of 2019. Born in Olievenhoutbosch, a township in Centurion, south of Pretoria in Gauteng, Nomlayo has navigated a fruitful career, thus far, that is based on an acute appreciation for justice and equality. Her

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personal mission is to use her career to play an active role in transforming notions surrounding Black female practitioners in the industry.

When asked how she knew this would be the right career choice for her, she said '' I believe that careers must be fashioned according to one's passion. When I was about nine years old, I read a book called “The Innocent Prisoner” by Kwasi Koranteng which ignited a passion for justice in me.

So, my decision to study law was quite set from then.

At that stage I thought that pursuing justice meant practicing criminal and/or family law. However, when I started studying law, I then realised that commercial law was more suited to my personality. I enjoyed contract law; transnational business law as well as property law and that steered me to a career in the commercial law space''.

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O K Y E R E

Kevin Okyere Kevin Okyere is a Ghanaian entrepreneur in the Oil Industry in Ghana. He is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Springfield Energy- a billion-dollar oil company. The company was founded in 2008.

Even in the bloated-budget world of oil exploration, $70 million is a lot of money. And yet that's how much Kevin Okyere, one of Ghana's savviest yet understated entrepreneurs, has personally expended in developing the highly promising West Cape Three Points Block 2 offshore Ghana (WCTP2). Springfield Group, the energy conglomerate he founded and controls, owns an 82% interest and operatorship in the block which covers 673 square kilometers in the Gulf of Guinea's Tano Basin. It's the first time a homegrown Ghanaian company is exploring for oil, and the stakes are high.

At 41, Kevin Okyere is definitely a pace setter in the oil and gas industry and among the many other front liner young person's making the continent proud.

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Sulley Amin Abubakar is the founder of Zaacoal, a green waste to energy business.

Amin is a very curious social entrepreneur with extensive community-based research and development skills.

Mr. Sulley Amin Abubakar disclosed that he developed his business idea after he released that coconut sellers poorly disposed of their coconut waste.

According to him, he decided to abandon law school and used his final year school fees to start his charcoal factory. Although he got a business idea, he initially didn't know what to do with the coconut waste until he went out to buy kenkey and saw the seller using the coconut waste to set up her fire instead of firewood.

He then asked himself if it was possible to turn turn coconut waste into charcoal and so decided to join some guys in the Northern part of Ghana to learn how charcoal was made.

This gave birth to his charcoal company, Zaacoal.

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S O U N O U V O U

Vital Sounouvou holds a disruptive strategy certification from Harvard University, a business certificate from the University of Texas at Austin and a bachelor's degree in telecommunications and software Engineering from the UIT de Calais in France.

His professional life spans from the Annual Investment Meeting of the United Arab Emirates government where he managed African relations, to the Corporate Council on Africa in Washington D.C, and Microsoft's Johannesburg offices.

Founder, Exportunity Fellow of President Obama's Initiative for Young African Leaders (YALI) and of the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Program; awarded Ambassador of the Global Youth Innovation Network by IFAD, he is member of numerous leadership networks and is active at numerous events and trade shows in West and Central Africa, USA, Russia and United Arab Emirates.

Vital has an extensive experience doing trade between subSaharan Africa, the United States of America and the Middle East, through trade representation deals with manufacturing companies. Since May 2012, Vital founded Exportunity.net, an exclusive virtual market that organizes and manages B2C and B2B trade in Africa; He is fluent in English, French and several local languages.

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Chimamanda Adichie Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a Nigerian author whose work drew extensively on the Biafran war in Nigeria during the late 1960s.

Early in life Adichie, the fifth of six children, moved with her parents to Nsukka, Nigeria. A voracious reader from a young age, she found Things Fall Apart by novelist and fellow Igbo Chinua Achebe transformative. After studying medicine for a time in Nsukka, in 1997 she left for the United States, where she studied communication and political science at Eastern Connecticut State University (B.A., 2001). Splitting her time between Nigeria and the United States, she received a master's degree in creative writing from Johns Hopkins University and studied African history at Yale University.

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Chimamanda's works include novels, short stories and nonfiction. She was described in ''The Times Literary Supplement as "the most prominent" of a "procession of critically acclaimed young anglophone authors which is succeeding in attracting a new generation of readers to African literature" particularly in her second home, the United States.

Adichie, a feminist, has written the novels Purple Hibiscus (2003), Half of a Yellow Sun (2006), and Americanah (2013), the short story collection The Thing Around Your Neck (2009), and the book-length essay We Should All Be Feminists (2014). Her most recent books are Dear Ijeawele, or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions (2017), Zikora (2020) and Notes on Grief (2021).

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D A U S E N

Hellen Dausen Founder: Nuya's Essence

Hellen Dausen is the founder of Nuya's Essence, one of Tanzania's first home-grown, organic luxury brand. Hellen holds a bachelor's degree in International Business Administration and Entrepreneurship, which she says she only picked because it was the easiest.

Her entrepreneurship is in response to environmental, cultural, and traditional inclinations. She learned much from her mother who crashed through ceilings that excluded women from venturing into business.

Her mother motivated Hellen to be professional in her soap making. Even though her mother's businesses might be looked at as informal or simple in comparison, her mother's modelling had an impact on her daughter, and by extension other young females across the continent and globe.

From Hellen and her mother, we learn that crashing ceilings and breaking through barriers is not only a matter of venturing into the male dominated spaces. Rather, it is also about challenging the limitations we put on ourselves, on what we want to do and our capabilities. They show us that as Black females, the spaces we occupy and our successes are meant to pave a way for other Black women and to increase to access to entrepreneurship.

Women such as Hellen Dausen are eliminating the ceilings and barriers that have made representations of the regular African girl to be that of underachiever, mediocre, poor, and husband/saviour-seeking.

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How does the idea of starting a business with zero capital sound to you? Crazy, isn't it? Well, not to these two South African entrepreneurs who literally toiled in the dirt to establish their own construction company without having to raise a fat wad of cash.

Having overcome a myriad of difficulties which popped up at various stages of the journey, the duo has gone on to nurture the venture into a successful enterprise seven years down the line, and gobble up accolades in the process too.

Sihle Ndlela, 28, and Simphiwe Majozi, 29, are co-founders of Majozi Bros Construction; a fast-rising construction outfit that was established in 2012 in Durban, South Africa. The company is renowned for building houses in upmarket estates like Cotswold Downs and Zimbali, as well as overseeing a number of other multimillion developments in partnership with WBHO; a big name in the South African construction business.

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The Dynamic Duo Who Built A Successful Construction Company in South Africa

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Founder: Novarick Homes

There is a belief that so many start-ups fail before their first anniversary. This is as a result of various challenges not limited to experience and resilience. But for young entrepreneur, Noah Ibrahim, his start-up, Novarick Homes —a millennial property development company is still thriving.

Noah is a disruptor. He has successfully established Novarick Homes as one of the rapidly growing real estate development companies in Nigeria. He didn't come from a very rich home yet he has been able to rise to the top withstanding all hurdles and now breaking new grounds in the Nigerian real estate industry. For the young man, his ambition has been to provide affordable housing and investment solutions in Lagos, Nigeria.

His Novarick is uniquely focusing on creating greener communities as part of its effort to guarantee an increase in homeownership and improve the living standard of people, using renewable energy systems in a more sustainable environment. Already, his Novarick has since developed such residential estates in fast-developing

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communities in Lagos State like Ibeju-Lekki, Epe and at Ologolo community in central Lekki. On this call, Noah has every reason to celebrate his moderate success achieved in just three years of operation. Penultimate Friday, Noah and his team hosted select clients, associates and other guests to a banquet dinner for its third anniversary at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. At the exclusive dinner, Noah believed the third anniversary celebration was essential because it's an incredible milestone for his company, and he's so proud to celebrate the hard work, passion and dedication of team members.

Noah, who bagged a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife with a 2nd Class Upper Division, places value over money because he believes value precedes money. And as his company grows, the fast-rising property magnate promises to continue to deliver value that provides a mixture of luxury and affordability, a superior end-to-end service in collaboration with its clients to make land acquisition, property ownership and real estate investments seamless and affordable in Lagos.

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LOCAL LENS FOR SDG IMPLEMENTATION: Lessons From Bottom-Up Approaches In Africa

By Omowumi Odesomi

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The United Nations adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015 to build on the successes of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which ended the same year.

The goals, also known as the Global Goals and the 2030 Agenda, were adopted as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030.

The 17 Goals, which fall under four categories, are geared toard making the world a better place for all to live.

In achieving the set goals, different countries have adopted various means deemed fit and appropriate for their citizens. This is so because though the SDGs are global, attaining them depends on the peculiarities and specifics of each nation and continent, as these peculiarities form the basis of creating a national

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framework for achieving the goals.

For the African continent, governments and policymakers in the various countries have, over time, been involved in policy-making as regards the attainment of global targets because the resources, knowledge and ideas are put together as one to achieve such an Agenda.

Taking a cue from the experiences of the MDGs with the plans of doing better with the SDGs, Africans agreed on the Development of productive capabilities through improvement in infrastructure, agriculture, industry, manufacturing, and services sectors; Innovation, science and technology; Upgrading value chains and empowerment of youth to meet the 2030 target.

To this end, the bottom-up approach was adopted against the top-down approach, which usually comes through for most frameworks and guiding policies on the

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continent.

addressed to meet the targets within a country.

The bottom-up approach allows for the involvement of all stakeholders in the decision-making process up to the grassroots levels, a development that gives a sense of belonging to all involved and encourages participation.

It is, however, essential to point out that the efforts of the national governments of African countries towards attaining the goals cannot go announced as most local authorities are yet to come to terms with their responsibilities and capabilities regarding the achievement of the SDGs.

This is needed as the majority of those at the grassroots levels are at the heart of the SDGs, and attaining any of the goals requires the input of local authorities for inclusiveness and all-around participation and meaningful impact because people's participation is key to the success of achieving the goals.

One of the instances of the impact of the Bottomapproach is in the area of inclusiveness and participation.

Through the system, some selected African youths got involved in creating awareness of the SDGs through their creative writings and by so doing, many others joined in the campaign, which has created more awareness and got more involved.

The creative writings of the selected African Youths put together as an Anthology of Short Stories on Sustainable Development Goals were published by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in 2021.

Titled Beans Without Korkor And other stories, the Anthology depicts the experiences of Africans and their survival modes and the linkages between development, people and sustainability.

According to Director, Technology, Climate Change and Natural Services Division at the Economic Commission for Africa, Jean-Paul Adam, " the perspectives of these stories remind us that the SDGs are not just a list of 17 Goals, which have been agreed by a group of diplomats in New York but are a reminder to everyone involved in implementing them that they can be realised.

"The power and the importance of this storytelling initiative reside in giving voice to young people, giving power to their imagination, and translating the sustainable development goals into our daily lives in a simple way to understand, " he said.

This is so because, over time, most governments in Africa have been centralised with little or no regard for the local authorities.

To that effect, the UN-Habitat, the UNDP and the Global Taskforce of Regional and Local Governments have proposed a roadmap for localising the SDGs, which requires the existence of strong local government systems.

Also, given that fiscal capacity is low at sub-national levels across Africa, getting the SDGs implemented effectively will require the will of national governments to facilitate access to necessary resources while also encouraging improving in local revenue mobilisation and finding ways to improve fiscal autonomy for the local governments.

Across the continent, countries like Ghana, Burundi, Kenya and Rwanda have made progress in fiscal decentralisation. However, there is still the need for more reforms to create a conducive environment for the local authorities to be more effective.

To address the issue, several initiatives to strengthen the financial capacity of sub-national and local governments and their ability to implement the SDGs in Africa are emerging. In 2021, Nigeria, with support from the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP launched the Nigeria Sustainable Development Goals Implementation Plan 2020-2030.

The technical publication provides a comprehensive

The key to effectively activating the potential of the bottom-up approach lies in communicating both the goals of behavioural changes and the best strategies for implementing these changes to have maximum impact.

At this point, the lessons are picked for Africa and its leaders to identify and understand the gap that exists among the levels of government that hinders effective growth.

The bottom-up approach opened up the inefficiencies of the system of government and how most of its policies do not make an impact at the grassroots levels where the majority of the targeted are based.

Though the SDGs are global, attaining them depends on the peculiarities and specifics of each nation and continent, as these peculiarities form the basis of creating a national framework for achieving the goals

While it is the norm that success at meeting goals and targets is typically measured at a national scale to enable a comparison of global progress, tracking local progress assists in better identifying and understanding gaps that need to be

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The plan will allow governments at sub-national levels to take ownership of the initiatives and implement it to ensure that no Nigerian is left behind.

With eight years to the end of the decade of action on the sustainable development goals, Africa can still develop suggestions on the notes taken from the bottom-up approach and also leverage the Africa Continental Free Trade Area, which brings all Member States together to provide a unique opportunity to address most of the goals on the list.

In a related development, the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), in collaboration with the Global Fund for Cities Development, is working to diversify the financial resources of local government institutions.

This initiative is being implemented in Cameroon, Madagascar, Mali and Niger in partnership with the Network of African Finance Institutions for Local Authorities.

In all, it is a fact that countries do not grow at the same pace hence the uneven development across African countries in realising the Sustainable Development Goals.

Still, one thing that the bottom-up approach has brought to the fore is that grassroots transformative change led by local communities and businesses can deliver a promising means through which targeted goals will be achieved.

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The creative writings of the selected African Youths put together as an Anthology of Short Stories on Sustainable Development Goals were published by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in 2021

Coming as a matter of urgency is also the need to increase the adoption and effectiveness of the bottom-up approach and get more countries involved if the continent is to meet up with the 2030 agenda.

According to the 2020 Africa sustainable Development Report, the average score across all African Member States in achieving the SDGs was 53.82 in 2020, slightly higher than that of 2019, implying that the continent is still halfway towards achieving the set goals.

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roadmap for national and sub-national governments and diverse stakeholders on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

AFRICAN HISTORY

MESKEL FESTIVAL:

The Pride of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church

By Omowumi Odesomi

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Beautiful, colourful, and bright are just a few adjectives that come to mind when describing the Meskel Festival, the first big festival of the Ethiopian religious year.

The Meskel Festival is an ancient festival unique to the Christian faithful in Ethiopia and is celebrated annually.

The highly regarded and timeless festival marks the discovery of the True Cross upon which Jesus Christ was crucified, and as such Christian faithful and tourists converge on the 27th of September every year or on 28th in a leap year

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to commemorate the celebration of the Meskel festival.

dream to the location where the True Cross of Jesus was buried.

The feast is celebrated at Meskel Square, named after the festival, in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa.

In commemorating the day, the celebration begins on the eve of the festival with the burning of a large bonfire called Demera by a procession of Christians presided over by a patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church at Meskel Square.

The word “Meskel”, according to Wikipedia, is from the Ge'ez language that translates to “cross”.

So, the festival is a celebration of the cross.

The festival dates back to the fourth century when the mother of Roman Emperor Constantine, Queen Helena, was said to have received divine guidance through a

As part of its uniqueness, the Demera is achieved with the use of flowers called the Meskel Flowers, which are gathered around large firewood and then set on fire in line with the festival's history.

The Meskel flowers are beautiful

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The festival is not limited to only church members as priests and deacons from churches around the city come out in their beautiful ropes carrying drums and ornate crosses used in religious ceremonies.

Let it not be mistaken that the festival is celebrated in the city alone - far from it, because even in their localities, those who cannot afford to be in the city commemorate the day by making their small Demeras.

For one, like other Christians elsewhere, the people believe that the cross signifies the death of Christ, which brought forgiveness from sins and love to all believers, so it is a celebration of hope and love.

To them, it helps to promote their spiritual lives as it reconciles families, builds social bonding, and ensures

The direction of the smoke when the bonfire collapses is also believed to predict the future.

With the changes and advancements that take place daily in all spheres of life, one would think the Ethiopian Orthodox Christians would abandon the age-long festival for other things. Still, they look forward to the Meskel Festival so much that even within the country, people travel from one locality to another to celebrate with family members.

Though it is termed a religious festival, Meskel has become a national festival in Ethiopia. Since 2013, it seats conveniently on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation ( UNESCO).

They gather and burn a torch natively called Chibo in every locality, wait for it to burn to ashes, and give their interpretations depending on the ashes' direction.

It is expected to rain to signify a prosperous year on the same day.

The following day, the actual Meskel festival, the people go to the place where they burnt the Demera, pick up the ashes, and use them to draw the sign of the cross on their foreheads, symbolising their devotions to God. Then the feasting and celebrations follow as it is considered they have found the cross.

The word “Meskel”, according to Wikipedia, is from the Ge'ez language that translates to “cross”. So, the festival is a celebration of the cross

Going by the history of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, the

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Usually, as in other festivals, the Demera, which precedes the Meskel festival, involves eating, drinking, dancing and other joyful celebrations, which are replicated on the primary festival day.

In all of these, do the people go through this process annually just to feast and dance? The answer is no because a lot of significance is attached to the festival by the Ethiopian Orthodox Christians.

peaceful coexistence in society.

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The beauty of the culture of the people sets into play when the bonfire is burning as the people sing around the Demera until it burns entirely into ashes.

discovery of the location of the True cross happened in March. Still, the faithful have taken to September to celebrate the feat to abstain from any form of celebration during the Christian Lenten period, which usually takes place in March.

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yellow daisies tied together on top of branches into Demera before being set on fire.

CSR

CSR Score - How are Nigerian Oil & Gas Companies Faring?

By Omowumi Odesomi

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For most people, at the mention of Corporate Social Responsibility in the oil and gas sector in Nigeria, what readily comes to mind is Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) and their protests against environmental damage caused

by Shell and the Nigerian government in 1994.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a policy undertaken by organizations to bring about positive change in their environment. It is a concept whereby the companies integrate social and other concerns into their business operations for the social-economic advancement of their stakeholders and society.

The crisis started with the abandonment alleged by the Ogoni people of Rivers State in the Niger Delta region despite the many resources drawn from their backyards.

In Nigeria, companies and other corporate organizations are involved in CSR as a platform to connect with the people and their environment.

What then is Corporate Social Responsibility?

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The oil and gas industry in Nigeria is dominated by Multinational companies like Shell, Total and ExxonMobil,

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While it is not the duty of the oil companies to fix the various problems facing the communities, there is an added importance devoted to CSR due to the nature of activities they practice and the potential threats such activities have on the environment.

To achieve this, the companies dialogue with resident communities' stakeholders and enter into a Memorandum of Understandings on the role of all involved.

Through the initiatives, the multinational oil companies have committed substantial amounts to initiate, fund and implement significant community development schemes in the oil-producing region.

The Oil companies have helped build schools and hospitals and assisted in youth employment programs and training.

An instance of this is Shell's improvement in CSR activities in the region, coming after the bitter lessons of the Ogoni crisis in the 1990s.

Shell introduced a new means of involving the communities directly in their development through the Global Memorandum of Understanding Programme that entails the communities proposing development projects. The Shell Development Petroleum Company, on behalf of its Joint Venture Partners, provides secured funding.

With that, it has been able, to some extent, to maintain a good relationship with the host community for peaceful co-existence.

With the launch of its "Committed to Better Energy Campaign" in 2014, the Total Group's CSR policies and programmes received a significant boost.

The choice of programmes became a collaborative effort involving all stakeholders, namely the host communities, government, the media and the larger populace.

With the launch of its "Committed to Better Energy Campaign" in 2014, the Total Group's CSR policies and programmes received a significant boost

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This approach has proved successful in helping to align their programmes with the real needs of the people, thus avoiding projects that add little or no value to the beneficiaries.

Though not yet in the best form, other multinationals have also followed suit by maintaining cordial relationships with their host by meeting some of their needs.

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There have always been outcries from host communities about negligence on the part of the oil and gas companies. The companies responded by embracing various CSR initiatives to address some of the problems of their host communities and make it a win-win for all.

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With the best deposits of resources and revenue accruing to the government and the oil companies, Nigeria's oil region still faces environmental pollution and degradation. These unmitigated degradations led

to underdevelopment, which has resulted in several unrests, kidnappings, militancy, and loss of revenue over time.

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with just a sprinkle of a few indigenous companies.

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The indigenous oil and gas companies have also recorded success stories in infrastructure development, healthcare facilities and education, to mention a few.

Examples of some of these acts are Seplat Energy's investment in meeting an SDG goal for the region in education which has been in existence for more than a decade.

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The company does this by sponsoring children's education in host communities. The company also initiated the Seplat Teachers Empowerment Programme (STEP) initiative. This initiative takes the bull by the horns by selecting, training and equipping teachers from Edo and Delta States with Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to enhance educational development in Nigeria.

Another leading example in the discharge of CSR among the indigenous oil companies in the Niger Delta Exploration & Production Company.

In honour of its achievement in that area, the company, through the Niger Delta Petroleum Resources Limited (NDPR), was awarded the Excellent Public Relations Award in 2021 by the Rivers State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations for recognition of the company's Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.

The award was for NDPR's Host Community Development Trust through which it had contributed to the economic and social development of its host communities over the years.

NDPR pioneered the community development Trust in 2002 as a vehicle for meaningful community development initiatives through dedicated funding from its operations and has, to date, invested about N2.2 billion in various CSR initiatives in its host communities.

visitations. Presently, no law in Nigeria makes it mandatory for companies to either incorporate environmental preservation into their company policies or enforce compliance.

However, several other laws incorporate within their provision's expectations from companies on CSRs. Examples are the Company and Allied Matter Act 1990 and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (Establishment) Act 2007.

While there might not be a law or rating scale to judge the performance of the oil and gas companies per se, it is worthy to note that the relative peace being enjoyed in the oil-producing region presently is a reflection of the excellent and cordial relationship which exists between the host communities and the companies, and a testimony of their current CSR performance.

It is worthy of note that the CSR interventions by the oil companies have laid to rest, to a large extent, the hatreds that usually surround oil companies and their host communities.

Without making it look like all things are perfect, it is essential to note that all is not rosy for the various host communities in the oil and gas producing areas, as they do not have it all. There are still a lot of inadequacies and developmental gaps which can still be undertaken by Multinationals or indigenous institutions to better the lives of their host communities.

It, therefore, means that as much as the companies must have done in the area of Corporate Social Responsibilities, there is still more to be done because, like Oliver Twist, human nature is insatiable and will always crave more.

Other indigenous companies in this category of meeting one essential need, or the other, include the Lekoil company and First Exploration and Petroleum Development Company Limited.

Though it can be said and seen that most oil and gas companies carry out their CSRs, there are no particular scaling or ratings to determine how well the companies have done, save for reports from host communities and

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AFRICA

An Unexplored Market for Fine Wines

By Fumnaya Ijeh

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Africa is a land of fortune and opportunities. There are so many untapped resources that the African Continent can benefit from if judiciously explored. Nearly half of the world's gold and one-third of all minerals are in Africa.

be explored.

The United Nations says Africa has about 20% of the world's mineral reserves, 12% of the world's oil and 8% of the world's natural gas reserves.

One untapped resource that the African Continent is yet to explore is its fine wine/wineries.

It says the continent also holds 40% of the world's gold and up to 90% of its chromium and platinum- both valuable metals.

The global wine market size was USD 339.53 billion in 2020. The market is projected to grow from USD 340.23 billion in 2021 to USD 456.76 billion in 2028 at a CAGR of 4.30% in 2021-2028.

The continent is full of possibilities and underutilised natural and human resources as well as businesses that, if ventured into, could yield huge returns and fully impact the continent's economy. However, these have been ignored such that some economic experts have frequently argued that the continent is still in a poverty trap because it is not willing to exploit the available natural resources.

All across the different countries in the continent, there are deposits of one resource or the other waiting to

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The global wine industry generates $29 billion in annual revenue and is at an inflexion point.

Societal and taste changes are poised to bring new frontiers and opportunities to the industry.

When it comes to this libation, your first thought might be the French countryside, the valleys of California, or even the hills of South America. But Africa should be on the radar of every wine connoisseur, too. The northern

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parts of the continent have produced wine since the Phoenician times, while the south has created its vintages since the 16th century. And other parts of the continent have awoken to the magic of winemaking in the last three decades.

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increased, recording a change of 222.5 per cent compared to 2018.

Between 2017 and 2019, wine exports went up by 207.14%, bringing the country US$0.20m for the year 2019.

Morocco is probably the last continent that comes to mind when you think of a wine destination, but it, alongside Algeria, has produced wine for hundreds of years; the more recent one leading the wine market now is South Africa.

In 2020, the wine sector suffered a setback due to the impact of the covid 19 pandemic, and just like many other businesses and investments, it is still struggling to gain ground from the effects of the pandemic.

Africa is now becoming one of the biggest wine markets globally, with South Africa, Namibia, Ivory Coast and Kenya leading the way.

Morocco is the second-largest exporter of wine in Africa after South Africa. The combination of a generous sun and rich agricultural land provides the optimal condition for wine production.

Yes, the continent could be the wine industry's 21st Century answer to falling wine consumption in Europe and emerging markets.

It is now the second-fastest-growing economic region behind Asia and is rapidly becoming an attractive magnet for global brands such as Coca Cola and Vodafone.

In Kenya, its wine market has reached 102.8 million USD at retail prices between 2020-and 2025.

According to Wine East Africa data, the Kenyan wine market has a potential of 7.2 million litres annually with average revenue of Sh8.6 billion.

The sales of wines have increased in recent years due to the expansion in popularity of bars and other entertainment spots and restaurants, specifically in urban centres.

Morocco is undeniably a land of vines, and despite the pressures of co-existing within a relatively conservative Muslim society, Moroccan wine production and consumption in Morocco is flourishing.

The first vines date back 2,500 years in the central Meknes region, but during the French Protectorate (1912 – 1956), the wine industry in Morocco was transformed.

Morocco has 14 wine regions centred around Meknes, Casablanca, Agadir, Boulaouane, Fes, Kenitra, Marrakech, Melilla, Ouarzazate, Rabat, Safi, Sidi Ifni, Tangier and Tetouan. Becoming more famous are the vineyards in Benslimane, Berkane and Guerrouane.

Current annual output stands at more than 40 million bottles of wine, making Morocco the second-largest

Kenyan wineries hope to one day go global. Produced in many regions, including Naivasha, the Yatta Plateau, and along the Great Rift Valley Escarpments, Kenyan wine is diverse in influence and flavour. Furthermore, The Trade Kenya Wine Agencies limited with Yatta wines and the Rift Valley Winery with Leleshwa Wines are the two major players in the Kenyan wine market.

Therefore, if these sales are made locally, the revenue would accrue to the government if it considers making it a significant contributor to GDP by opening wine factories and attracting investors.

Kenya will ultimately experience exponential growth in the coming years, partly due to the change in lifestyle trends among urban Kenyan dwellers.

Many factors play a part. First is the increased availability of products in the Kenyan market.

Secondly is the growing number of distributors and producers and increased advertising.

On the other hand, the expansion of consumer education and the popularity of local wine brands led to a booming market.

Ivory Coast is another country that has fine wine resources. It exported 258 tonnes of wine in 2019. By 2019 alone, the demand for the Ivory Coast wine has

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producer in the Arab world.

national head of agriculture John Hudson,

85% of production is consumed by the domestic market, leaving 15% exported, mainly in France.

"It needs to move to a premium positioning in the global market, focus on inclusive growth and strive for environmental and financial sustainability."

According to unofficial figures, Morocco's wine industry now employs more than 20,000 people and generates about a 130million Euros.

Moroccan wine reaches Europe and other continents, including the US, Japan, and China.

South Africa is the 9th largest wine-producing country globally; it produces 3.4 per cent of the world's wine and has seen enormous growth in the last decade.

With over 500 wineries, South Africa is one of the top wine-producing destinations in Africa and the entire world.

Vino lovers are spoiled for choice here.

South Africa's economy is a growing one; if it goes the extra mile to fully utilise the production of wine as a catalyst for development, it will be doing itself well and be putting Africa on the world map.

For instance, the South African wine industry contributes about 9 per cent to the country's Gross Domestic Product, GDP. The wine industry has built and continuously maintains a strong brand reputation for South Africa on the global stage, where it exports to 132 countries. The wine sector annually contributes R55 billion to GDP and employs more than 265 000 people.

As the highest producer of wine on the continent, the government can use available agreements such as the African Continental Free Trade Agreement Area to develop strategies to uplift and explore untapped options in the wine industry.

The various other wine-producing countries on the continent can also do better by refocusing their thoughts and getting more creative along with the changing tides in the industry.

By so doing, each of the countries will be better off by contributing meaningfully to their country's GDP and also stand as representatives of the continent.

The various other wine-producing countries on the continent can also do better by refocusing their thoughts and getting more creative along with the changing tides in the industry

However, for the South African wine industry to thrive and make remarkable impacts, according to Nedbank

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Double Decade of

US - KENYA TRADE: Lessons for Africa

By Meresia Aloo

A Kenyan company is developing a factory in Zanzibar worth Sh5.7 billion ($51.3 million) to tap into the region's clothing market. The corporation is also eyeing the EU and US markets and the European Union through the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa).

Last year, the biggest corn lobbying group in the United States requested President Joe Biden's administration and Congress to prioritize trade agreements with Kenya.

This was owing to apprehensions about losing their industry's competitive advantage over China.

As if that was not enough, the American Corn Refiners Association (CRA) previously said that delays in reaching trade agreements would cause potential partners such as Kenya to move on. Again, this, they reiterated, would allow rivals like China to shape trade practices across the globe.

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Last year, the biggest corn lobbying group in the United States requested President Joe Biden's administration and Congress to prioritize trade agreements with Kenya

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Moreover, with the Covid-19 outbreak, it is a difficult moment for the Republic of Kenya to be negotiating a trade pact with the United States. The pandemic will have long-term negative consequences for African economies, and many people are concerned about when it will strike.

A stable macroeconomic environment, positive investor confidence, and a healthy service sector have all contributed to the current economic expansion. These figures have positioned Kenya as one of Sub-Saharan Africa's fastest-growing economies and a focal point for trade negotiations.

Last year, Kenyan exports to the United States under the Africa Growth Opportunities Act (AGOA) totalled Sh67 billion, up 3.7 percent from Sh64 billion the year before.

According to the latest data from the US Trade Representative, Kenya is Africa's fourth-largest exporter, behind Nigeria (Sh310 billion), South Africa (Sh200 billion), and Angola (Sh60 billion).

"Kenya is currently our 96th largest goods trading partner with Sh110 billion in total (two-way) goods trade during 2019," said the report in part.

"Goods exported totalled Sh40 billion, while those imported totalled Sh67 billion, representing a goods trade deficit of Sh27 billion in 2019."

Kenya's main exports to the United States were clothing, macadamia nuts, titanium, coffee, tea, and spices.

Aircraft, plastics, machinery, and wheat were the top imports from the United States to Kenya.

The latest data follow ongoing negotiations between the two countries to reach an agreement on a bilateral free trade agreement intended to serve as a model for similar agreements with other countries in the area.

According to Kyle McCarter, the current US envoy to Kenya, Kenya is an essential strategic partner in Africa, and he anticipates increased commerce in the future years.

While President Kenyatta claims this is a positive start, others warn that this bilateral strategy could be a mistake for Kenya.

Some trade lobbyists, for example, predict that the achievement of the Kenya-US trade pact will have dire effects on Kenyan businesses. They anticipate it will lead to the downfall of critical industries such as agriculture as the US strives to expand its market access for agricultural technology-based products.

Subsidized American imports may pose a significant threat to Kenyan farmers. The manufacturing industry is expected to be impacted by the trade agreement. This could be because while Kenyan exports to the United States account for a significant portion of the country's total exports, On the other hand, the majority of US exports to Kenya are high-value-added items.

As a result, Kenya's efforts to grow its manufacturing industry are likely to be hampered, as the United States will continue to export produced goods to the country.

This is concerning because the manufacturing sector is critical to Kenya's and other developing African countries' economic progress.

Kenya must increase its manufacturing industry to meet its economic goals set out in its Vision 2030. The proposed agreement could jeopardize Kenya's domestic policy and incur significant administrative and implementation costs.

For example, as part of the trade agreement, the US aims to gain market access in Kenya for American goods.

This will necessitate more regulatory adherence to American policies.

As the US wants to grow its exports of agricultural technology-based products, it may hinder Kenya's efforts to regulate hazardous chemicals and agricultural

Lessons learned for Africa The most significant immediate benefit to Sub-Saharan African countries will be extended commodity inclusion under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and a tariff- and quota-free textile and apparel exports to the US. The program also envisions the US and those nations negotiating a free trade agreement (FTA) in the future, which would involve the exchange of reciprocal commitments rather than the one-way favours of AGOA. Still, it does not provide the President with the ability to do so.

Last year, Kenyan exports to the United States under the Africa Growth Opportunities Act (AGOA) totalled Sh67 billion, up 3.7 percent from Sh64 billion the year before

Other measures give the region a higher priority in US foreign economic policy agencies, enhance funding and

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Kenya is East and Central Africa's largest and most advanced economy. Its GDP accounts for more than half of the total in the region. In 2019, the economy grew at a rate of 5.7 percent on average, whereas the economy grew at a rate of 5.0 percent in 2021 as a result of COVID 19. Kenya's GDP is expected to increase at 5.9% this year. AFDB is the source of this information.

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technical assistance, and improve collaboration between the US and African countries.

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US VS CHINA: Why Kenya is the Centrepiece of Trade Negotiations.

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production methods.

Kenya now prohibits the introduction of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and such items are prohibited.

The United States, on the other hand, has GMOproducing food and agriculture industries. Furthermore, most trade agreements negotiated by the United States stipulate that sanitary requirement be based on science and evidence. This is likely to clash with Kenya's genetically modified organisms (GMOs) stance.

While this is not enough, Kenya may again lose the goodwill of other African countries, according to observers, because its actions reflect a lack of good faith by negotiating bilaterally rather than under the aegis of a regional group.

must tread carefully to prevent antagonizing its African neighbours.

Finally, with all these lessons learnt, it is anticipated that the prospective trade deal will compromise plans to advance intra-African commerce. Kenya is now a signatory to some regional trade agreements. Like many other qualified nations, Kenya is under-utilizing AGOA, with nontextile sectors receiving almost no attention.

Whether or not the US-Africa trade program is extended when it ends in 2025, Kenya's experience has many policy implications for the country and other members. Hence, it is essential to note that Kenya must trade carefully while signing these signatories.

As a result, when it comes to elective seats for key posts in international organizations, the country may lose the votes of East African Community states and other African countries.

Kenya is already on top of the situation with other African countries, as seen by the failure of Amina Mohammed, Kenya's then-foreign affairs minister, to win the position of chairwoman of the African Union Commission in 2017.

Furthermore, Kenya just missed out on hosting the AfCFTA's headquarters, awarded to Ghana. Ms Mohammed is now running for Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Some trade lobbyists, for example, predict that the achievement of the Kenya-US trade pact will have dire effects on Kenyan businesses

Kenya will require the cooperation of the other African countries, which make up 35 percent of the WTO's Developing Country membership. In light of this, Kenya

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NIGERIA - GHANA RELATIONS; PEACEFUL NEIGHBOURS OR CONTENDING RIVALS

By Fumnaya Ijeh

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The relationship between Nigeria and Ghana has been for as long as both countries have existed. There have been the good times, and there have also been the rival times.

The two countries never shared the same borders, but it has always looked like they did. Being that Togo and Benin Republic separated the two countries has never affected their neighbourly feeling.

Ghanaians are not so different from Nigerians. The truth is that they have much more in common than in contrast. They may argue about a few irrelevant things and occasionally tear each other down with words, but they are the same and so are one.

Ghana and Nigeria are inseparably tied together not only by language but also by that basic human desire to seek each other's counsel, to seek each other's expertise, and to seek each other's companionship. And so basically, their fates continue to intersect, and their destinies intertwine.

Ghana and Nigeria are inseparably tied together not only by language but also by that basic human desire to seek each other's counsel, to seek each other's expertise, and to seek each other's companionship. And so basically, their fates continue to intersect, and their destinies intertwine

Something similar about both countries is that they were colonized by the British, and they are the two English speaking countries amid French-speaking countries.

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Both countries had the same currency and airline until independence, and the same apex court settled all their judicial matters.

Political Relations

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One of the first rival issues was that Ghana got its independence in March 1957, and Nigeria got theirs in October 1960. This did not feel right for many Nigerians; as they said, they were 'bigger' and should have gained their independence before 'small' Ghana. Nonetheless, both countries have had to grin and bear being trolled by each other throughout human history.

Nigerians are swift to mockingly point out how a single state in their country is more significant than all of Ghana.

To them, Nigeria is bigger than she truly is, larger than humanity and even the universe.

Ghanaians never hesitate to poke fun at Nigeria's unstable power supply or joke about how a paltry 100 cedis is some 7.5 billion naira. There's also that who-cooksthe-better-Jollof rivalry. It is fierce at times, but it is harmless.

Both countries inherited from the British government a common official language, common legal, administrative and educational systems.

With independence, the two countries joined the Commonwealth of Nations. Economically, both countries have faced similar economic problems of mass poverty and misery. Again, both countries are practising democracy after seeing their democracies battered by a series of military interventions.

It is essential to state that relations between the two countries have not always been smooth. Between 1969 and 1970, Ghana expelled large numbers of Nigerian residents. Nigeria responded by suspending oil exports to Ghana (before the discovery of crude oil in Ghana) and displaced around 1 million Ghanaians residents in Nigeria in 1983 and another 300,000 in 1985.

accounting for almost 10% of total Ghanaian foreign trade.

Ghana, in turn, was Nigeria's ninth-largest trade partner in that same year, accounting for some 1.3% of Nigerian trade (including 1.9% of exports).

Their historical, political and social similarities notwithstanding, the two countries are usually cynical of each other's policies, especially on trade matters. Worried about the trade tension between Nigeria and Ghana, members of the private sector in the two countries have sought an end to the imposition of restrictive trade rules and counter-actions between the countries.

While there are claims of a resolution, private sector operators are worried about the effect on trade and the two countries' economic development.

Earlier in February, At the 2022 forum of Ghana Nigeria Business Council (GNBC) and Ghana Investment Promotion Council (GIPC) for Chief Executive Officers, in Lagos, Nigeria, Ghana High Commissioner to Nigeria, Rashid Bawa, expressed readiness by the Government of the Republic of Ghana to cooperate, collaborate and work closely with the Nigerian government for the sustainable development of the economies of both countries.

"The Ministers of Trade of Ghana and Nigeria, late last year, signed a joint agreement that establishes a framework to guide the engagement between the two countries in resolving issues between Ghanaian retail traders and their counterparts from Nigeria.

"I can, however, assure you that the Government of the Republic of Ghana is committed to the timely implementation of the framework of engagement between Ghanaian and Nigerian traders.

"As the economic and trade relations between the two countries warm up, as world economies are beginning to find ways of functioning amid the pandemic, the desire for deepening cooperation among enterprises is growing stronger. It is, however, disheartening to learn that many

Relations were restored by Jerry John Rawlings of Ghana and Ibrahim Babangida of Nigeria. Still, the Ghana Investment Promotion Council Act of 1994 brought the rival relationship to the fore in 2012 when Ghana tried to implement the act in which some Nigerian businesses were closed down.

In the same vein, the bilateral relations between the two countries have come a long way.

Nigeria-Ghana Trade Relationships The trade relationships of both countries have been dated back to the colonial times.Ghana and Nigeria have traded various goods and services for the past 50 years. As the two largest economies in West Africa, the relationship between Nigeria and Ghana is crucial for the region.

Both countries inherited from the British government a common official language, common legal, administrative and educational systems

They are also the two biggest oil producers in the region, although with differences in output. Nigeria was Ghana's third-most-important trade partner in 2010,

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economic integration in the region cannot be overemphasized. This is the only thing that can guarantee development in the region instead of resentment and bitterness.

Nigerian entrepreneurs still fall short of the knowledge of and connectivity to the Ghanaian market. Many are oblivious of the enormous potential that exists in Ghana.

"It is a matter of the fact that mutual understanding of the economies of our two countries with a positive attitude would further promote and strengthen our bilateral relations and escalate the growth of business cooperation," he said.

At the same meeting, the President of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr Michael Olawale-Cole, said for more than five decades, Nigeria and Ghana have established bilateral relationships in line with the mutual interests of both countries for their individual economic development agenda and shared prosperity for the West African region.

He said the relationship between the two countries had suffered setbacks occasioned by episodes of trade attacks and disputes.

Given the size and liquidity of their economies in the sub-region, until Nigeria-Ghana put their house in order, regional and market integration would remain unattainable in West Africa.

Moreover, the ECOWAS Trade

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Liberalization Scheme will remain a mirage.

Discriminatory policies, high tariffs, long registration process, transportation problems, obnoxious policies, harsh business environment and bickering are some of the challenges identified in the trade relations between Nigeria and Ghana.

Nigeria and Ghana, who played leading and significant roles in the formation of ECOWAS, and should have been responsible majorly for its functionality, are one of the greatest violators of the various protocols of ECOWAS.

This rivalry has been a prop to both countries' independence, and the match-up is among the oldest and most proliferating rivalries in African football.

The foundation of their football is also similar, grounded initially in the British tradition, honed by England's legendary dribbling wizard, Sir Stanley Mathews, who went around some African countries in the 1950s to influence and glamourize the game and establish the tradition.

Both countries became the fiercest rivals on the football field but remained the best of friends outside it.

As the two leading economies in the sub-region, they should lead regional, continental and multilateral efforts to accelerate intra-ECOWAS trade and intraAfrican trade, which still hover around 10-12 per cent.

This shall greatly expand trade, grow employment, reduce poverty and reduce insecurity. Also, the Chamber of Commerce and National Export Promotion facilitate reciprocal bilateral trade fairs in each other countries.

Their historical, political and social similarities notwithstanding, the two countries are usually cynical of each other's policies, especially on trade matters

Despite the intricacies and complex nature of the NigeriaGhana relations, they remain close allies and partners within the ECOWAS sub-region. The need for them to work to accelerate

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Africa's Movie Industry; Entertaining The People & Boosting The Economy

By Fumnaya Ijeh

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In 2006, "Tsotsi", a South African film written and directed

by Gavin Hood, a South African filmmaker, won the Oscars for best foreign language film and was also nominated by the Golden Globe Awards in the same year for Best Motion Picture for Foreign Language.

The African film industry in recent times has produced spectacular films that vividly depict the scenic landscape and authentic African culture on the continent.

For many participants in the African film industry, it was not out of the blue when the New York Times mentioned Timbuktu on the list of 25 best films in the 21st century.

In spite of the many challenges facing the continent, African film industries have performed considerably well, producing some of the greatest films in the world. Even at the early stage of the post-independence era, a period considered to be the beginning of the film industry on the continent, classic films were produced.

The sole aim of producing or shooting a movie or film is to entertain, inform and educate the audience, listeners or

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viewers. But it does not end at just informing, entertaining or educating as Movie production can help in growing any country's economy and can also help in hastening development.

Around the world, the movie industry is one of the industries well known for its efficiency in job creation for millions of its citizens or people living in that vicinity. By this, it supports the country's economy. When a movie or television show shoots on location, it brings jobs, revenue, and related infrastructure development, providing an immediate boost to the local economy.

In Africa, the film industry though still not at its very best because of untapped opportunities is still booming and like others contributes its quota to the economy.

In 2021, the Director -General of the UN cultural agency, UNESCO Audrey Azoulay, while reporting about the untapped potentials in Africa, said Africa's film and audiovisual industries could create over 20 million jobs and contribute $20 billion to the continent's combined Gross Domestic Product, GDP.

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Currently only 44% of countries have an established film commission, while just 55% of countries have a film policy and 35% offer financial support to filmmakers.

This slow pace of industry formalisation and low to non-existent government support across the continent” holds the industry back from maximising it's potentials.

Believing that if the industry is properly managed, a million more jobs could be created in the sector, the World Bank is currently assisting the Nigerian government to create a Growth and Employment in States project to support the entertainment industry, along with other industries.

A World Bank finance and private sector specialist, Chioma Nwagboso says that the Bank understands the job creation potential of the Nigerian film industry and the need for a “fruitful export for the country.” Without initial support from the government, Nollywood propelled itself

Africa's potential as a film powerhouse remains largely untapped, despite a significant growth in production across the continent, Nigeria alone produces around 2,500 films a year.

In Nigeria, the Nollywood industry is seen as the second largest employer with more than a million people.

The Nigerian film industry is undoubtedly helping create jobs in a country with an economy that relies mainly on oil and agriculture.

Over a million people are currently employed in the industry, making it the country's largest employer after agriculture.

Although Nigeria's economy will grow by 7% this year, according to the African Development Bank, insufficient jobs for a growing youth population continue to be a huge concern.

The film industry in Nigeria, Africa's largest economy has been an integral component of the Arts, Entertainment and Recreation Sector with projected export revenue of $1billion in 2020.

The film industry accounts for about $7.2 billion thus 1.42% of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) – overall the Arts,

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The report based on responses from 43 countries and 36 governments says the movie industries in Africa are historically and structurally underfunded, underdeveloped and undervalued.

The Nigerian film industry, also known as Nollywood, produces about 50 movies per week, second only to India's Bollywood, more than Hollywood in the United States.

Although its revenues are not on par with Bollywood's and Hollywood's, Nollywood still generates an impressive $590 million annually.

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The report aims to help the African film industry, and decision-makers, to take stock of the current landscape and plan strategically for future growth.

Entertainment and Recreation Sector contributes 2.3% of GDP.

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She said, “This landmark publication reflects on the importance of strengthening international cooperation to enable all countries, in particular developing countries, to develop cultural and creative industries that are viable and competitive both nationally and internationally.”

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to the position it occupies today, and a little lift could take the industry to even greater heights.

South Africa is not an exception too, as its film industry has a positive impact on its economy.

The South African film industry is one of the oldest and most advanced, becoming one of the first countries in the world to see and hear sound motion pictures in 1985.

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The direct contribution of the film industry to its economy is projected at R3,86 billion. An additional R3,31 billion is projected to have been generated through indirect (R946. 07m) and induced (R2,36 billion) impacts, resulting in a total contribution to the local economy of R7,18 billion.

The industry also created an increase in employment opportunities as it created over twenty-one thousand jobs.

With international filmmakers honing in on some of South Africa's most breathtaking locations, low production costs and government tax rebates, the local industry

grapples to hold the reins.

With that said, the sector holds great potential in contributing to the local economy in the form of employment, skills development, cash flow and tourism.

With the help of grants, loans awarded by the government to local filmmakers, incentives, tax deductions by the South African Revenue Services and the Industrial Development Corporation, the industry may grow to be better.

In Ghana, the thriving film industry has proved to be very significant and important for Ghana's economy.

According to Ghanaweb, the film industry in Ghana is projected to contribute 30% to the country's GDP. Though not yet at the 30 percent point projected, it contributes a little and also supports the production of locally made goods.

To make it's contributions more meaningful, Ghanaian President Nana Addo Akufo-Addo in 2021 launched an initiative to boost the industry.

Among other things, the 25million-U.S.-dollar Presidential Film Pitch Series seeks to make the Ghanaian film industry a critical contributor to national development.

It is expected that about 6,000 jobs will be created from the initiative while the initiative would be leverages on by filmmakers to make the Ghanaian movie industry a tourism hub which could also fetch money into the economy.

Across other countries, plans are underway for African Movie industries to contribute massively to the continents economic growth, with draft film policies currently under consideration in Sudan, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

To reap bountifully, the various governments and leaders across the African states must also show interest in the movie industries by supporting them and in turn, the continent will be better off. Thus, in the long term, investments in the film industry of Africa will aid African countries in their quest for the universal goal of sustainable development.

AFRICANLEADERSHIP MAGA ZINE

HEALTH

WILD POLIO ERADICATION Africa's Unsung Health Win

By Meresia Aloo

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A young wrom Kenya is featured on the WHO website giving particular exercise to her polio-paralyzed child. She is doing this to prevent her child's limbs from beoming completely deformed. If you scroll down a little, a young Nigerian girl is a polio survivor on the same page. She is pictured in Kano, Nigeria, supporting a friend riding his hand-operated tricycle.

Poliomyelitis, sometimes known as polio, is a highly contagious viral disease. This virus primarily affects youngsters under the age of five. It has the power to assault the brain and spinal cord. This infection can result in total paralysis within days.

Despite this, it comes in three poliovirus serotypes with low heterotypic immunity. These are the ones (PV1, PV2, and PV3). There is no cure for any of them, and they all have the same symptoms.

According to the African CDC, immunity to one serotype does not result in considerable immunity to other serotypes. A serotype is a distinct variant within a species of bacteria or virus or among immune cells of different persons. In any case, it is not all doom and gloom.

As in the previous two examples, the globe is still working together to ensure that polio is eradicated. A stroll down memory lane reminds us of the development of the first polio vaccine.

This critical milestone in the 1990s provided relief, indicating that youngsters could be safeguarded against

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the disease. In 1960, Czechoslovakia became the first country to show national poliomyelitis eradication scientifically. This occurred following the first significant poliomyelitis epidemic in (previous) Czechoslovakia in 1939.

Only the western section of the state, Bohemia, was impacted, with a high sickness and mortality rate. This was roughly 25.42 and 2.05 per 100,000 on average, respectively. In Prague, the death rate was 8.1 percent, with children aged 5 to 9 years accounting for 41.5 percent.

However, Dr Jonas Salk of Pittsburgh developed the first injectable polio vaccine, which led to the United States' first mass immunization campaigns. Dr Albert Sabin created an oral vaccination brought to the market in 1961.

The launch of these two life-saving discoveries provided a sigh of relief as their impact on the continent became more promising than ever before. Because of the early success of these mass vaccination operations, much of this activity was captured in the book The End of Polio: Global Efforts to End a Disease by Brazilian photographer Sebastio Salgado, a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

According to Dr Juliet Nabyonga, a former WHO representative in Kenya, the world is celebrating the success of polio eradication.

Significant milestones in the fight against this disease have been attained, though not entirely, she says.

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HEALTH

"We are at the tail end of completing the eradication of polio from the face of the earth'' according to Dr Juliet Nabyonga.

She credits the achievement to the global polio eradication initiative's worldwide coordination of the eradication strategy and governments' resolve to vaccinate all children.

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She told African Leadership Magazine that member nations, foundations, Rotarians, Clubs, the United Nations, and other donors had contributed significantly to the polio eradication goal.

Over 95% of Africa's population have now been inoculated.

Before proclaiming the African continent free of wild Polio, the Africa Regional Certification Commission imposed this criterion.

The eventual purpose of this commission (ARCC) in battling polio was primarily to protect all children from the hazardous, often fatal, yet fully vaccine-preventable effects of polio transmission and outbreaks, maybe before the Dday of proclamation.

On August 25, 2020, the world came to a halt to celebrate the announcement directly from the Africa Regional Certification Commission. "The African Region has been declared free of wild poliovirus." This crucial milestone shed light on the path to polio eradication and intensified our focus on the finish line. Nigeria was Africa's last polioendemic country, having gone three years without detecting wild poliovirus, allowing the formal regional certification procedure to be completed.

"This is a momentous milestone for Africa. Now future generations of African children can live free of wild polio.

This historic achievement was only possible thanks to the leadership and commitment of governments, communities, global polio eradication partners, and philanthropists. I pay special tribute to the frontline health workers and vaccinators, some of whom lost their lives, for this noble cause,"…Exclaims Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

The ARCC's decision came after an exhaustive, decadeslong process of documentation and analysis of the polio surveillance, immunization, and laboratory capacity of the region's 47 member states, including conducting field verification visits to each country.

This incredible public health achievement —the interruption of wild poliovirus transmission from every corner of the African region—began in 1996 with a call to action by the late South African President Nelson Mandela.

He challenged African heads of state and leaders to mobilize to "kick polio out of Africa." At the time, 75,000 African children a year were paralyzed by polio. Over many years and thanks to the dedicated efforts and sacrifices of health workers, community volunteers, traditional and religious leaders, parents, and country leadership with support from donors, all children, even those in the most remote and insecure areas, have been reached with the polio vaccine.

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With the African region's certification, five of the six World Health Organization (WHO regions) external icons – representing over 90% of the world's population – are now free of wild polioviruses.

However, these incredible gains can be fragile, especially as responsible institutions operationalize the safe resumption of immunization and polio activities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A case in point was last year, where, although the African Region was certified free of wild poliovirus in 2020, after four years without a case, outbreaks of vaccine-derived poliovirus (CVDPV) were noted. According to the World Health Organization, this was characterized by disruptions to polio vaccination campaigns caused by COVID19.

As of 2022, Experts recommend that the African government continue to work together with institutions to detect any virus. So far, the latest case has been discovered in Malawi. And the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) Rapid Response Team, which is based at the WHO Regional Office in Africa, is deploying a team to Malawi to support coordination, surveillance, data management, communications, and operations. Also, World Health Organization is working hand in hand to support the Malawi health authorities to carry out a risk assessment and outbreak response.

This includes supplemental immunization. Besides this, disease surveillance is also being ramped up in neighbouring countries to ensure that the disease does not spread.

The country has also launched the first round of vaccination campaigns against wild poliovirus type 1 using the bivalent Oral Polio Vaccine recommended by World Health Organization (WHO).

The campaign targets 2.9 million children under 5 years in a four-round vaccination drive after Malawi declared an outbreak on February 17—the first such case in the country in 30 years and the first in Africa since the region was certified free of indigenous wild poliovirus in 2020.

There is not much to worry about. The responsible institutions have put all their antennae to detect any virus.

Because of this spirit, alluta continua!

On August 25, 2020, the world came to a halt to celebrate the announcement directly from the Africa Regional Certification Commission. "The African Region has been declared free of wild poliovirus

AFRICANLEADERSHIP MAGA ZINE

CLIMATE

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Building a Climate Conscious Generation Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing today's society. It doesn't matter where you live or how old you are; climate change affects your life and will continue to do so unless action is taken. Everyone has a part to play in mitigating climate change, youths included.

Mayokun Iyaomolere is the founder of Plogging Nigeria Club. In this exclusive interview, he spoke to African Leadership's Chekwube Ukoh on Building a Climate Conscious Generation.

The new report from the International Panel on Climate Change, IPCC, calls for an immediate and complete transformation of every sector of society. Only then will it be possible to halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

This begins with individuals. How can people's behaviour make a difference?

Let's take Nigeria, for example. We have a population of over 200 million persons. Let's create a scene where a person drops a nylon bag into the drainage. That might seem insignificant because it's just nylon and doesn't clog the drainage. Let's imagine again 200 million people, each dropping that into that drainage. It will amount to a lot of waste that would cost a lot of environmental problems.

Now, imagine 7.8 billion people in the world being careless with waste. That shows the power in numbers. Just one person looks insignificant, but when we count all the ones in different places, it becomes tangible and significantly affects the environment. In the same light, imagine 7.8 billion people being conscious and taking one action per day with everyone being aware of the type of food they eat, how they use energy, how they discard their waste, and their carbon footprint.

Individual behavior can make a huge difference. if every

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individual is conscious about the need for environmental sustainability, the need to maintain balance with global temperatures, it will have an impact on their life style and invariable, amount to massive benefit for the planet. The bottom line here is that every action counts in the fight against climate change, each person's behaviour and effort to combat climate change and reduce global warming counts. This also means that for those already fighting to combat climate change, the conversation must continue.

The future of the planet and the next generation lies in today's youth's hands. This is a statement we hear often.

Why is the burden on the youths? Why should they be involved in a situation they didn't create?

It's a dilemma for youths, having to be vocal and take so much action and leadership for a situation we can distance ourselves from. In one of his speeches, Barrack Obama said, "We are the first generation to feel the impact of climate change and maybe the last generation that can do something concrete to stop it".

That statement highlights why the burden has been thrust upon the youth. Let's take, for example, plastic.

When plastic was invented and used for packaging, it was a big win, but nobody foresaw how it could become a

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There is a saying that we should look at the planet not as our property but as one which was borrowed from our children ahead of us. When we understand this saying, we will understand that preserving the planet is for us and for generations to come.

Let's talk about Africa. Despite contributing only a minute amount of global greenhouse gas emissions, the African continent suffers the toxic effects of climate change to an imbalanced extent. It could get worse, and as we have established; the future lies with the youths. How climateconscious are African youths?

It's unfortunate how things tend to happen; the way the whole planet and environment are connected that activities somewhere in the world could affect people in other parts of the world. If this were not the case, we would see that Africa would thrive beautifully. Naturally, there are regions where we feel the negative impact of climate change due to our local actions, but we can arguably say that most of the effects on the continent are from the more developed countries.

We say that Africa is the earth's lungs in the climate space. We have an opportunity in Africa not to develop how Western countries have developed. We have seen the impacts of industrialization; we can thus do better for the planet's sustainability in our approach to development. For the African youths, the consciousness is increasing. In the last 2-3 years, there has been a rise in the number of informed youths about climate change issues. But we still don't have enough youths who understand climate change and its conversation. More needs to be done to make African youths aware of what is happening to the planet and mitigate climate change.

So how can youths help stop climate change? Some youths are not rich to sponsor various environmental programs or projects. Some are not influential people who could invite many people. Some are just ordinary students.

This is the situation in Africa. Many African youths barely survive and try to get the means to cater for themselves and their young family. Many significant

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By educating others via conversations with family, friends, neighbours and colleagues where you may not have to spend money. Self-education is also key to disseminating knowledge on climate change and climate action. You can educate others by word of mouth, by writing articles, and employing social media as a tool.

Youths can help mitigate climate change by keying into available opportunities as volunteers for several African organisations and countries that are executing climaterelated projects around Africa.

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The generation that brought industrialization to develop world economies did so without thinking of the environmental impact. Still, now that we see the negative impact, it falls on the youths because if they don't, the consequences will be on them and the future generations the most. The whole concept of sustainability revolves around using resources the planet currently has without compromising the ability of future generations to have access to some resources. We could say that the generation before us was not sustainable in their endeavours, but now, we have an opportunity to correct and address their mistakes.

projects require huge funding, and in Africa, we rely mostly on foreign grants and funding. But there are inexpensive ways of talking about climate change.

While a lot of discussion about climate change and energy use is centred around replacing the energy we use currently with a cleaner substitute, the latest IPCC report shows that by 2050, ideas and technologies that could lower emissions are required to keep the world up and running. Taking this into consideration, what ideas and technologies can youths employ to reduce our carbon footprint across the continent?

Youths must continue to do the basics. I am always very particular about the basics because it sets the foundation for building on stronger actions. You must perform the simple task of managing energy consumption, as simple as putting off the lights in your house when not in use, unplugging your gadget from power outlets, and adapting to energy-saving solutions like the use of solar energy to generate electricity and reduce our energy footprint.

Although this technology is still unpopular in Africa, the use of wind turbines as a source of electricity is a technology that should be looked into for sustainable and renewable energy.

Plogging Nigeria was founded with the mandate to promote a culture of responsible waste handling. What's the link between this mandate and ensuring a cleaner planet and climate change mitigation?

There is a big connection between waste and climate change. The connection is through the emissions that come from waste from the industries that create them. In Africa, for example, there is a lot of burning of waste even with waste management systems. In more developed

Imagine 7.8 billion people being conscious and taking one action per day with everyone being aware of the type of food they eat, how they use energy, how they discard their waste, and their carbon footprint

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nuisance like it is now. It rests on this generation to develop innovations and inventions that would address this plastic problem, especially by providing alternative packaging that people can use.

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countries, waste is harnessed, and there have been reports of importing waste to harness energy from it. For Plogging Nigeria, our mandate revolves around helping people become conscious about the decisions they make with their waste and helping them to understand the impact it can have on the environment. The 2021 National Determent Contribution report stated that 9% of Nigeria's total emissions are from waste. If we can cut down the 9%, it will reduce our emission profile. We teach people to be more sustainable with their waste, reduce their consumption of resources so they can generate less waste, reuse and repurpose items, upcycle to make new items, and recycle waste. The essence of all this is to reduce national emissions associated with waste. That's how Plogging Nigeria is connected to mitigating climate change.

introducing policies that encourage climate action. It is also imperative that climate change be taught in schools.

Including climate education and environmental sustainability in the school curriculum is an excellent way to catch children young and help them develop consciousness from a very early age. We have to continue to be sustainable in our daily interactions with the planet for individuals. For every action you take, think of its effect on the environment.

Has Plogging Nigeria succeeded in its mandate of building a cleaner environment? How involved are youths in Plogging Nigeria's operations?

Yes, Plogging Nigeria is succeeding but has yet to meet its long-term target: to have a clean environment with fit people. Plogging means jogging and picking litter. Back when we started in 2018, only 15 people came out to volunteer. We have a network of over 1,300 students and youths across 22 Nigerian campuses and two local communities. We are still expanding our tentacles to awaken consciousness in more people. Over time, we have reached millions of people physically and virtually. We organize lots of campaigns and activities to promote climate change.

For example, we run a Green Switch Academy where we teach young people about environmental sustainability. The Academy has trained about 900 youths from 11 African countries and 4 European countries. We have other initiatives where we do social Media campaigns, Plogging episodes, and workshops. We do these activities to create a climate-smart generation.

How can we build a generation that is climate-conscious?

What are your recommendations?

My first recommendation will always be to educate others in simple ways. For people that know about climate change, it is not knowledge that should be kept. Share and inform others. Everything we possess; clothes, shoes, cars are all extracted from the environment. Imagine how much it takes from the environment to provide for the needs of 7.8 billion people worldwide. So, we have to awaken everyone's consciousness through education, enlightenment and engagement. Nations and continents have to be intentional about reviewing policies that are not climate-friendly and

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You must perform the simple task of managing energy consumption, as simple as putting off the lights in your house when not in use, unplugging your gadget from power outlets, and adapting to energy-saving solutions like the use of solar energy to generate electricity and reduce our energy wfootprint

AFRICANLEADERSHIP MAGA ZINE

INFRASTRUCTURE

CENTRAL SPINE COMES TO EASE

By Janet Abena Quainoo

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Indeed with hardship comes ease. Every government promises to make lives comfortable and easy for its citizens.

We will all agree that any government that takes power in Ghana would want that by the end of their term, they can boast of at least one or two achievements. And that they have contributed their quota to national development.

This achievement could fall in the various sectors of health, transport, education, agriculture, and other essential government portfolios. And these projects of the governments, one way or the other, turn to reduce the burden on the citizens. Whethe you are the reigning government or in opposition, that is something we can't deny as a people despite our differences in opinion.

The central spine project was thought of to ease the citizenry's burden. The plan is to construct an approximately 595 kilometres railway line that will run from the centre of Kumasi to Paga, near the northern border with Burkina Faso.

Kumasi is the second-largest city in Ghana, a converging point of commercial activity and a key transport hub. The government says the city's economic progress and rapid urbanisation have led to traffic congestion, inhibiting growth. This vast project, the cost of which is estimated at US$ 3.3bn, incorporates several axes of the railway interconnection project between Ghana and Burkina Faso.

The project will be implemented through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) or a build, operate, transfer (BOT) contract with a 30-year concession and funded through a combination of debt and equity

The project's development, which is in line with the Railway Master Plan completed in 2013, will improve rail and

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logistics infrastructure as part of an integrated transport network in Ghana. It will also help improve services to customers and reduce the cost of transportation, especially in the trade to and from the hinterland and the Northern regions of Ghana and the Sahelian countries.

Furthermore, it is expected to facilitate the transportation of passengers and freight cargo from the south to the north of the country and onwards.

As an essential greenfield rail development project, sector minister Joe Ghartey strongly believes there is the need to undertake a feasibility study to determine the economic, financial, social and environmental viability of the proposed 595km rail corridor between Kumasi and Paga.

Therefore, the government is set to start a feasibility study for the construction of the railway from Kumasi via Mankraso, Bechem, Sunyani, Techiman, Kintampo, Buipe, Tamale, and Walewale, Bolgatanga, and Navrongo to Paga.

At a recent meeting held regarding the study, the consortium led by Professor Kwasi Kwafo Adarkwa expressed their readiness to start work, saying they had all their technical experts in place. The meeting included officials from the Ministry of Railways Development, the Ghana Railway Development Authority and the Ghana Railway Company Ltd. under the chairmanship of Deputy Minister for the Ministry, Honourable Andy Kwame Appiah- Kubi.

The project is expected to start in 2023 and open in 2029. The project will be implemented through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) or a build, operate, transfer (BOT) contract with a 30-year concession and funded through a combination of debt and equity. The line will have a US$945m NPV at an 8% interest rate, a 9.45% FIRR until 2055, and a

13.2% Expected Internal Rate of Return (EIRR) until 2055.

"As a developing country, the government continues to play a major role in the planned socioeconomic transformation of the country," says minister of finance Mr Ken Ofori- Atta. "However, partnership with the private sector is critical in mobilising adequate technical and financial resources to drive the implementation and attainment of the SDGs, the AU agenda 2063, and national development aspirations."

The government, we believe, has awakened the railway sector with this project. And this time around, we hope it is here to stay as a resurrected, resourced, rebranded, and well-maintained railway industry that serves its citizenry well.

The six-month study will provide the line's construction, known as the central spine in Ghana's railway blueprint. It is expected to include a comprehensive survey and map out the right of way to assist with developing a business case and attract private sector interest in the project. The studies will also recommend the Kumasi -Offinso route selection and manage critical environmental impacts and social safeguard/ health/safety risks. It also will involve consultations and reporting in line with World Bank and IFC ecological and social safeguard requirements.

A consortium led by Vision Consult Ghana Limited will undertake the studies regarding the central spine. Other partners in the consortium are Gauff Ingenieure and ILF Consulting Engineers, both from the Federal Republic of Germany.

The consortium was procured through a competitive tendering process in line with the Public Procurement Act, 2003(Act 663) as amended in 2016 (Act 914) of the Republic of Ghana.

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AFRICANLEADERSHIP MAGA ZINE

DEVELOPMENT

Africa's Tourism Sector Bouncing Back

By Conrad Onyango

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With the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, Africa's tourism sector has started showing signs of a recovery as international arrivals begin to grow, airlines relaunch and offer new routes and increased frequencies, and international hotel chains open their doors again.

News that French hospitality giant Accor has re-opened Nairobi's Fairmont The Norfolk after shutting down the hotel for nearly two years, as well as the Dubai state-carrier Emirates announcing plans for two daily flights to Mauritius beginning in June, are the latest signs of growing tourist interest, and a rise of arrivals in Africa.

Tourism markets in Africa are

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bouncing back as economies in the continent continue to relax COVID19 rules to bolster their economies.

“The hotel and Accor regional team have worked closely together to reopen the hotel and its facilities,” said Accor Kenya country general manager Mehdi Morad, in a notice.

Norfolk Hotel's re-opening also highlights the resumption of international conferencing and events business in Kenya--for years a mainstay of its tourism sector.

The PrideInn Group, a local hotels chain with establishments in Nairobi and Mombasa, has not only acknowledged the impact of regional intra-Africa tourism but has seen far more tourists from Uganda,

Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Nigeria over the pandemic period. It also notes that international tourist numbers have been on the rise since last year.

“In 2021 international arrivals picked compared to 2020,” said the PrideInn Group of Hotels managing director, Hasnain Noorani.

Kenya's Tourism ministry projects international arrivals will surpass one million in 2022 after registering a 53.29 per cent growth to 870,465 visitors in 2021, compared to 567,848 in 2020.

In South Africa, Cape Town's tourism destinations are also abuzz with the latest figures showing a return in travellers' confidence.

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Official Cape Town and Western Cape Tourism, Trade and Investment Promotion Agency show February 2022 recorded the highest international passenger numbers-25, 861--since the resumption of international travel in October 2020.

The figure represents a recovery rate of 52 per cent, compared to 2019.

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“We are seeing clear and exciting indications of a recovery in the tourism and hospitality sector in the Western Cape, after taking a significant knock due to the COVID19 pandemic and the subsequent travel restrictions,” said Western Cape Provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, David Maynier.

In late March, South Africa dropped mandatory negative COVID-19 results for inbound travellers who are fully vaccinated, with the easing of the rules seen to boost tourism and economic activities in the country.

In North Africa, Egypt launched an eight-week virtual promotional campaign targeting international tourists from the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, France and the United States of America. A campaign dubbed, “Follow the Sun,” marketed Egyptian tourist spots for the summer 2022 season.

The resumption of international

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flights, both within and to/fro the continent, has also intensified.

From April 9, Emirates Airlines has begun offering nine weekly flights to Mauritius using a Boeing 777 as it prepares to change equipment to use Airbus A380s, for its double daily service to tap into summer bookings in the island nation.

“Emirates' second daily flight will provide an important boost to tourism to the Indian Ocean destination which has now relaxed entry restrictions for travellers,” said the airline in a statement.

The Dubai-based superconnector said additional flights will also offer customers looking to travel to Mauritius from markets across Europe, the Americas and the Middle East more choice in flight timings and seamless connectivity.

According to an African Airlines Association (AFRAA) March 2022 update, a significant number of African airlines have opened international routes that did not exist pre-COVID 19, while others have reopened most of their previous routes, in anticipation of a larger flow of tourists and business travellers.

“African airlines had reinstated approximately 80.8 per cent of their

pre-COVID international routes, though frequencies remain low,” said AFRAA. Intra-African connectivity reached 80 per cent of its pre-COVID level by December 2021.

UNWTO World Tourism Barometer data released in March 2022 shows international arrivals in Africa grew to 18.5 million in 2021 from 16.2 million in 2020. While this represents a 4.4 per cent rise, it is still 76 per cent lower than 2019 figures of 68.2 million. However, positive prospects in the airline industry have been recorded by International Air Transport Association (IATA) whose data shows African airlines had a 69.5 per cent rise in February passenger traffic compared to 2021 figures.

In January, year-on-year traffic was just 20.5 per cent, indicating the potential for a sustained recovery.

“The recovery in air travel is gathering steam as governments in many parts of the world lift travel restrictions. States that persist in attempting to lock out the disease, rather than managing it, as we do with other diseases, risk missing out on the enormous economic and societal benefits that restoration of international connectivity will bring,” said IATA's Director-General, Willie Walsh.

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AGRICULTURE

Tech Investments Point To A Transformation In African Agriculture

By Seth Onyango

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Kenya's startup space is receiving the lion's share of Africa's agritech investments as the state ratchet up efforts to plug the food deficit not just domestically but in the region.

It comes as a slew of agri-tech innovations have cropped up over the last decade to serve Africa's long-neglected small-scale farmers.

Advances include crop monitoring by satellite, drone use and automated irrigation, with Microsoft projecting the value of Africa's agriculture sector will eclipse 1 trillion US dollars by 2030.

According to Fitch, between 2019 and Q1 2022, Twiga Foods and Apollo Agriculture, Kenya's preeminent agritech startups raked in 80 million US dollars and 40 million US dollars, respectively.

“Kenya has emerged as a hot spot for agricultural technology

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investment and product development amid food security challenges and the influence of the agriculture sector on the country's overall economy,” said the U.S financial information services firm.

Oxford notes the state's firm commitment to mobilise considerable public and private resources in support of agriculturalists as a key driver of agri and agri-tech directed funding.

“In our view, the adoption of technology in Kenya's agriculture sector will have a transformative effect on the market and help alleviate growing concerns of food insecurity.”

“The strategies in play for meeting these objectives, including subsidising fertiliser, extending irrigation and digitalising land registries, present openings along the entire value chain to intervene in the interest of multiplying efficiency, and entrepreneurs and financiers have stepped eagerly into partnerships that can exploit those openings, it said in a report.

Fitch's forecast period also shows that Kenya has made a major leap in the agritech space compared to the performance of the segment between 2015 and 2017.

Oxford Business Group figures show that between 2015 and 2017 Kenyan start-ups involved in agricultural technologies and innovations brought in just 13.4 million US dollars.

A Microsoft report released in June last year showed that Africa was “fast becoming a global leader in the agritech space, noting that between 2016 and 2019 the agritech sector grew by 44 per cent year-on-year,

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and the continent has registered the highest number of agritech services in the developing world, reaching over 33 million smallholder farmers to date."

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“Agriculture already accounts for 14 per cent of GDP in Africa and for 52 per cent of the continent's workforce. It's expected that as the continent's middle class rapidly grows, they will drive increased demand for fresh produce,” it read in part.

The Microsoft report further said it expects the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) to boost intra-African trade by 49 percent.

Through increased investments in inputs, storage facilities and irrigation infrastructure, Africa is expected to increase its agricultural output by up to three times by 2030.

Mobile connectivity is predicted to reach over 55 per cent by 2030, compared with 45 per cent, meaning that over 85 per cent of smallholder farmers could have access to features or smartphones and mobile solutions.

Microsoft argues this is critical, as many smallholder farmers live in remote areas, are hard to reach, and lack purchasing power on their own.

It further states that agribusinesses provide tech services to these farmers, using digital tools to reach smallholders with extension services.

“Agritech solutions have a direct impact on the farmers they engage with. Twiga Foods links smallholder farmers in rural Kenya to informal retail vendors in cities. With Twiga's mobile-based business-to-business food supply platform, vendors can order fresh produce from farmers

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across Kenya at competitive prices,” it said.

Growing investment into Kenya's agritech segment comes as agriculture remains the engine of economic growth in Kenya and a major income earner for millions.

But despite its central role in job creation, the sector has traditionally been off the radar for financial institutions, even when ample liquidity existed in their balance sheets.

Agriculture is key to Kenya's economy, contributing 26 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and another 27 per cent of GDP indirectly through linkages with other sectors.

increasingly vulnerable to drought and the unpredictability of weather patterns resulting from climate change.

But according to UNEP, numerous ICT SMEs and start-ups have emerged in that market in response to the business opportunities offered by the digitalisation of farming.

“Kenya, therefore, provides a relevant case for examining the nature, current status and future opportunities for digital solutions for agricultural value chains, in Kenya and for other parts of Africa,” the agency's agritech report, released in December 2021, states.

It employs more than 40 per cent of the total population and more than 70 per cent of Kenya's rural people.

Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) notes that agriculture in Kenya is large and complex, with a multitude of public, parastatal, non-governmental and private sectors.

Farmers, who are used to rainfed farming systems, are being pushed into the dryer, more marginal areas where they become

According to Fitch, between 2019 and Q1 2022, Twiga Foods and Apollo Agriculture, Kenya's pre-eminent agritech startups raked in 80 million US dollars and 40 million US dollars, respectively

AFRICANLEADERSHIP MAGA ZINE

SPORTS

WOMEN SPORTS IN AFRICA Challenges & Potentials

By Janet Abena Quainoo

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The sports industry, particularly in Africa, has been long dominated and reserved for men.

Women's sport for years has faced countless barriers in Africa. As suc, gender discrimination in sports remains deeply entrenched and tolerated in most parts of Africa.

Such perceived prejudicial treatment has re-awakened issues regarding gender inequity. As the American female footballer star Megan Rapinoe said, "I think it's pretty clear women in sport have not been treated with the same care and financing that men's sports have. I don't think anyone's arguing about that anymore."

According to a survey carried out by the Economic Community of West African States, there are few or no organized sports activities for girls in countries like Lesotho, Malawi, and others. Teen girls in these parts explained that there are no places for them to play sports, as most community fields in their neighbourhoods are generally understood to be only for the boys. The few girls who tried to play in those public fields were reportedly told

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to vacate them or even harassed. This depicts why women's participation in sports continues to be at a low in these parts.

Again, a barrier has also been the lack of parental permission to do sports. Parents feel overly worried about their daughters' safety outside the home, with the thinking they might be assaulted. Some others would rather have their daughters beside them at home after school or did not believe sports should be a priority for the girl child.

However, the males were free to leave home after classes to play sports in the streets and fields.

Female athletes in Africa have to face being paid half or less of what is given to their male counterparts. There are gross discrepancies between the incomes of male and female athletes. In Allysa Marshal's "Addressing the Gender Pay Gap in African Sports", it was reported that the South African women's rugby team during the 2014 World Cup received between R5,000 ($345) to R2,000 ($131) for each of the games they played. That is in stark contrast to the

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SPORTS

men's team, who took home around R90,000 ($6,220) or over R120,000 ($8,230) per game. "I cannot think of any other industry aside from sports that have such a wage gap, really", sports partnership manager at UN Women, Beatrice Frey, told BBC News.

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"Depending on country context and sports, a man can be a billionaire, and a woman in the same discipline cannot even get a minimum salary." Suppose the income disparity between female and male athletes is breached to a considerable extent, and women can receive income the same as their male counterparts for playing sports, Africa might be reborn, and women can have a rethink about indulging in sports.

Aside from poor sports facilities, these problems, insubstantial media exposure and inadequate funding tend to contrive and stagnate the women's game. But then, amid all these barriers women sports are embroiled in, there is a glimmer of hope.

It really should be that sports can serve as a powerful tool and platform for empowering women on the continent, with an ambitious view of challenging gender norms on and off the field of play. Female sports had long cried out for better sponsorship, media coverage and tangible opportunities to be on equal footing with their male counterparts. It has become much more evident that sports are empowering the girl child.

Research has shown that over six hundred million girls are growing up in Africa today. It has been confirmed by international bodies like the World Bank and the United Nations that the best way to combat poverty and stagnation in these parts of the world is to invest in girls and women. This is quite a thing because if you invest in the girl, you indirectly invest in her society as the education she takes in increases her earnings and the human development of teenage girls. It has been known to have a significant impact on their families and their societies at large.

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These improvements are associated with enhanced feelings of accomplishment, perception of improved physical appearance and commitment to exercise. Evidence from developing countries shows that involvement in organized sports activities helped enhance girls' selfesteem, self-empowerment and personal freedom.

We cannot overlook women like Nawal El Moutawakel, the first Muslim African and Morrocan woman to win an Olympic Gold medal in 1984. This reminds us of the challenges that are intricately woven in religious influences.

In Southern Africa, Matilda Mwaba (CEO OF NOWSPAR), who in 1999 became president of the Zambia Judo Association, was the first female in Africa and second in the world to head a national martial art sports association. And lastly, Esther Phiri from Zambia. She was the first female professional boxer in Zambia to become Women International Boxing Association light Welterweight World Champion in 2007 when even the legal framework did not support her.

All these women represent some of the realities of women in sports in Africa. Their courage and determination have inspired a million others to take up sports on the continent, as they are at the core of the transformation in Africa for women in sport.

It is naïve to believe that conditions surrounding women's sports in Africa can be changed overnight. But we do hope that this gets enough people to think, and maybe, just maybe, they will be the pro-changers we have been looking for, for a long time. And that government and other stakeholders across the continent will affect changes to their sports policies and structures to accommodate both genders for a progressive state through sports.

Giving girls more sports participation allows them to build self-esteem, courage and selfefficacy. As their belief in their own abilities increases, they drift towards taking up leadership positions, which translates into their everyday lives. By investing them in such spheres, girls are encouraged to take the initiative, raise their voices, and attempt things they never thought possible.

An example is in East Africa; Felicia Rwemalika in Rwanda set up the Association of Kigali Women in Sports to facilitate reconciliation and healing among women and girls of diverse ethnic groups after the 1994 genocide. This shows the leadership of women and sports for

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AFRICANLEADERSHIP MAGA ZINE