Africa Matters

Unpacking the Economic Impact of Sovereign Credit Ratings on Africa

Are Africa’s Sovereign Credit Ratings Hindering Economic Growth? Our Correspondent | Africa Guardian Sovereign credit ratings play a pivotal role in determining a country’s cost of borrowing and access to global capital markets. The “Big Three” credit rating agencies—Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s, and Fitch—assign these ratings, influencing everything from government borrowing costs to economic activity across sectors. However, questions…

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Biden Declares ‘Africa is the Future’ During Angola Visit, Pledges $600M for Railway Corridor

Edson Baraukwa | Africa Guardian President Joe Biden pledged an additional $600 million for the Lobito Corridor rail project on the final day of his historic visit to Angola, marking a significant milestone in U.S.-Africa relations. Speaking to African leaders, Biden emphasized the continent’s potential, declaring, “Africa is the future.” The Lobito Corridor, a multi-nation rail project, is set…

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African Diaspora Leader Champions Economic Growth Through Youth Empowerment

Charles Muchoki | Africa Guardian Olanrewaju Babalola, a business consultant with the Nebraska Business Development Center, is championing entrepreneurial empowerment for African youth, highlighting skill development as a cornerstone for economic resilience. Speaking at the Global Finance and Entrepreneurship Bootcamp, hosted by Bold Money College in Nigeria on December 2, 2024, Babalola unveiled his vision in a presentation titled…

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India Emphasizes AI’s Role in Closing Africa’s Digital Divide

Edson Baraukwa | Africa Guardian The High Commission of India in Tanzania has highlighted the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in narrowing Africa’s digital divide and equipping diplomats with advanced tools to navigate global complexities. During a special reception and talk on AI in Diplomacy held in Dar es Salaam, Indian High Commissioner Bishwadip Dey underscored AI’s growing…

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AEC Backs Africa Energy Bank, Bridging the Continent’s Energy Financing Gap

Our Correspondent | Africa Guardian The Africa Energy Bank (AEB), set to begin operations by March 2025, marks a major milestone in Africa’s journey toward energy self-sufficiency. Launched by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in partnership with the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO), the AEB is poised to empower African nations to take control of their energy future. The…

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Digital Wallets and Mobile PoS: Game-Changers for Africa’s SMEs

Elizabeth Antidius Shumbusho | Africa Guardian For decades, access to financial services in Africa was marked by stark disparities—between rural and urban areas, men and women, and small businesses versus larger enterprises. These gaps left millions, particularly the continent’s most vulnerable, excluded from the formal economy, stifling entrepreneurship, limiting credit access, and restricting financial mobility. However, the tides began…

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Davido: Entertainment Opened Doors to Educate the World About Africa

Edson Baraukwa | Africa Guardian Nigerian music icon Davido has highlighted the pivotal role of entertainment in reshaping global perceptions of Africa. In a recent interview, the Afrobeats star reflected on his experiences growing up in an all-white community in the United States, where he encountered widespread ignorance about his African roots. “I’ve said this a hundred times: as…

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African Development Bank Commits $1 Billion to Morocco’s 2030 World Cup Preparations

Charles Muchoki | Africa Guardian The African Development Bank (AfDB) has pledged significant financial support to Morocco, earmarking $1 billion to bolster its preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup. This includes a recently signed agreement for a €350 million ($370 million) loan to enhance economic governance, expand water supplies, and establish an industrial zone at the Nador West…

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