Musings From Abroad

43% German companies planning for increased investment in Africa next year

Published

1 month ago

December 27, 2022

A survey by German-African Business Associations has revealed that German companies plan to increase activities in Africa next year.

The survey shows that investment will focus on areas such as green hydrogen and liquefied natural gas, with 43% planning to increase investment in the continent.

The Association head, Christoph Kannegiesser told newsmen. “the majority of companies want to expand their activities in the coming year, … it makes sense because the continent is still on a growth trajectory.”

“The field of green hydrogen and liquefied gas will give a new impetus in many countries,” he said, highlighting Senegal, Nigeria, and Mauritania as countries with investment potential.

Kannegiesser said he sees big opportunities in the energy sector in Africa and Namibia could also profit massively from green hydrogen production.

The Association wants the government to give greater support through improved conditions for export credit insurance and investment guarantees from the German government to ensure African business is not left to the United States and China.

According to Chatham House quoted by furtherafrica, the digital transformation of African goods and services and supply chains will also continue in 2022. Africa’s resource potential has spurred political engagement by several European countries, most notably Germany.

Musings From Abroad

US Secretary, Anthony Blinken, reveals concern over human rights in Egypt

Published

1 day ago

January 30, 2023

Ifeoluwa Dada

The United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken has revealed that the US is concerned over human right abuses in North African country, Egypt.

Blinken made the position known During a press conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, noting that the development top item on the agenda in talks with Egypt’s president and foreign minister during a visit to Cairo on Monday.

Human rights defenders are critical to building just and successful societies. I met with members of Egyptian civil society, heard inspiring stories of their work to protect fundamental freedoms for all, and reiterated the centrality of human rights to U.S. foreign policy. pic.twitter.com/2w3AKYe8z3

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) January 30, 2023

Blinken said the United States would continue to encourage Egypt to take further actions on human rights, including releasing more political prisoners and reforming pre-trial detention.

He also said holding elections in Libya this year was the only viable path to a durable solution in the country.

Musings From Abroad

Months after truce with Tigray region, US official insists Eritrean troops still at Ethiopian borders

Published

2 days ago

January 29, 2023

Ifeoluwa Dada

Months after peace was brokered between crises involving the Ethiopian government, Eritrea, and the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front, a senior United State official has revealed Eritrean troops are still in Ethiopia although they have moved back the border.

The United State Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said at a news conference during a visit to the Kenyan capital Nairobi, that “with respect to Eritreans we understand they have moved back to the border and they have been asked to leave.”

The alleged presence of the Eritrean troops contradicts Ethiopian authorities’ position on the departure of the Eritreans who fought alongside the Ethiopian military and allied militias in the two-year conflict that pitted the Ethiopian government against rebellious forces in the northern region of Tigray.

Meanwhile, the allegation has been denied by a senior Ethiopia military officer briefing foreign officials on Saturday.

“There is no other security force in the Tigray region except the FDRE Defense Forces,” Major General Teshome Gemechu said, using an acronym for the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

The Ethiopian government nor any of its officials have made official reactions to the allegations. The government spokesperson Legesse Tulu, Redwan Hussein, national security advisor to the prime minister, and Colonel Getnet Adane, spokesperson to Ethiopian Army also did not respond to requests for comment on claims by Thomas-Greenfield and Getachew.