Musings From Abroad

US President, Joe Biden, to meet South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa. Here’s why

Published

2 years ago

September 2, 2022

The United State presidency has announced that President Joe Biden will meet with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa this month.

The White House made the announcement on Thursday in a statement by press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, as the US looks to strengthen relations with African countries at a time when South Africa and many of its neighbors have staked out neutral ground on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

President Biden’s visit which is scheduled for September 16 comes on the heels of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to South Africa in August, in which he said the Biden administration sees Africa´s 54 nations as “equal partners” in tackling global problems.

US officials said the visit will focus on trade and investment, infrastructure, climate and energy, public health, and South Africa´s leading role on the continent.

“The two Presidents will reaffirm the importance of our enduring partnership, and discuss our work together to address regional and global challenges.” The statement revealed.

South Africa is a strategic partner of the United States, with strong collaboration in shared global and bilateral priorities, including health, climate, trade and investment, education, and digital economy.

Musings From Abroad

Brazilian meatpacker JBS invests $2.5 billion in Nigeria, builds six facilities

Published

2 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

Brazilian meatpacker JBS says it has inked a memorandum of understanding with the Nigerian government for a $2.5 billion investment plan that will include the construction of six new plants in the African nation.

Three of the plants would deal in poultry, two in beef, and one in pork, according to a statement from JBS.

In accordance with the memorandum of understanding, JBS stated that it would develop a five-year investment plan in Nigeria, which would include budget estimates, feasibility studies, and an action plan for the development of the local supply chain.

The Nigerian government would then guarantee the sanitary, regulatory, and economic conditions required for the project’s viability, JBS continued.

Musings From Abroad

China’s Xi meets with Morocco’s Crown Prince

Published

2 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

Morocco’s official media reports that Chinese President, Xi Jinping, visited Morocco briefly on Thursday.

According to Morocco’s MAP, Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan welcomed Xi in Casablanca. The visit demonstrated the close ties of camaraderie, collaboration, and solidarity between the Moroccan and Chinese peoples, it said.

China’s official broadcaster, CCTV, said that Xi and Hassan had a “cordial conversation” at the airport after being received by the Crown Prince and Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch.

After attending the G20 Summit in Brazil, Xi paid the visit.

In recent years, China has increased its investments in Morocco’s rail and infrastructure. Morocco is desirable for Chinese electric car battery manufacturers because of its proximity to Europe, free trade agreements with important EU and US markets, and an established automotive sector.

Morocco was chosen by Chinese EV battery company Gotion High Tech in June to establish Africa’s first gigafactory, which will cost $1.3 billion in total.