Podcasts about african growth

International Relations minister, Ronald Lamola says South Africa will continue to engage with the United States despite the current difficulties and uncertainties they've encountered. He says South Africa relations with the United States remain important.He says various sectors have historically benefited from duty-free access to the US market under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which now faces disruption with the 30 percent tariff imposed on South Africa. He was speaking earlier at a joint media briefing in Pretoria, with the department of trade and industry. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to independent economist and associate of the Trade Law Centre (Tralac), Eckart Naumann

The U.S. Trade Representative is reviewing the African Growth and Opportunity Act which provides favorable access to the U.S. market for products from 30 African nations. Source: USMEFSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Tuesday's AOA, we start the show discussing USDA's approach to combating New World Screwworm with Dr. Russ Daly, South Dakota State University Extension Veterinarian. In Segment Two, we have a conversation with Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI). Following that in Segment Three, we take a look at the latest market trends and more with Naomi Blohm, Senior Market Advisor at Total Farm Marketing. Then we close the show with ag news headlines in Segment Four including an update on the U.S. Trade Representative reviewing the African Growth and Opportunity Act which provides favorable access to the U.S. market for products from 30 African nations.

From U.S. Meat Export Council The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is currently conducting its annual review of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which provides favorable access to the U.S. market for products from some 30 African nations. Those nations are supposed to also open their markets to U.S. products, but as the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) explained in comments filed with USTR, some of those nations, South Africa and Nigeria in particular, maintain significant trade obstacles for U.S. red meat. USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom explains some of the concerns expressed to USTR for the review. A public hearing on AGOA was held by USTR earlier today. The Act is set to expire Sept. 30 unless Congress takes action to renew the program. Halstrom also discusses a similar trade preferences program for the Caribbean, which is also under review by USTR. USMEF filed comments regarding access under the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI), urging USTR to consider market access barriers when evaluating whether to recommend any country as a CBI beneficiary. Of particular interest is Jamaica’s longstanding ban on U.S. pork and high tariffs on imported beef and pork. USTR will submit a report to Congress on the CBI by the end of this year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Segundo dia da 17ª cimeira de negócios Estados Unidos–África, com mais de 1.500 participantes, incluindo chefes de Estado, governantes e empresários, em Luanda, com o objectivo de reforçar parcerias económicas e investimentos estratégicos. Osvaldo Mboco, especialista em Relações Internacionais ligado à Universidade Técnica de Angola, acredita que “Angola pode atrair investidores e capitalizar este momento para estar na montra internacional”. Angola acolhe, pela primeira vez, a 17.ª Cimeira de Negócios Estados Unidos–África. O que representa a organização deste evento e quais são as vantagens para o país? Angola pode capitalizar muita coisa, mas dependerá, em grande medida, da organização do Estado angolano, das estratégias que o país pode utilizar para atrair investidores e também de capitalizar este momento para estar na montra internacional, como o país que está a organizar esta cimeira e estar, de facto, nos grandes meios internacionais. Esta cimeira tem como foco o Corredor do Lobito – infra-estrutura ferroviária estratégica para o escoamento de minerais críticos, ligando Angola à República Democrática do Congo, Zâmbia e Tanzânia –, com forte investimento norte-americano. Quais serão os investimentos anunciados para este projecto? O que se pode esperar é que novos investidores olhem para o Corredor do Lobito como um projecto ambicioso, não olhando simplesmente para o investimento a ser feito no próprio Corredor do Lobito, mas para outro tipo de investimentos. Ou seja, aqui podemos falar de plataformas logísticas, indústrias transformadoras… Construção de infra-estruturas? Claramente. Há aqui uma série de investimentos que podem seguir aquilo que é o Corredor do Lobito. Então, Angola pode também atrair esses investidores para outros sectores ao longo do Corredor do Lobito. Angola tem saída para o mar e alguns países encravados – como a Zâmbia ou a República Democrática do Congo, onde a saída para o mar é basicamente inexistente – podem usar esta porta de entrada e de saída de mercadorias. Há ainda a questão petrolífera… Sem sombra de dúvida. Angola é um dos maiores produtores de petróleo, ao nível do continente africano, e através do Corredor do Lobito pode servir de canal de saída do crude para os mercados internacionais, para os países que possam refinar. Temos uma posição geográfica privilegiada, mas tudo vai depender da organização do próprio Estado angolano. Recentemente, numa entrevista, disse que os países africanos têm aproveitado mal as oportunidades do AGOA – o African Growth and Opportunity Act. Como é que os países podem, de facto, aproveitar melhor esta oportunidade, numa altura em que os Estados Unidos estão a reduzir as despesas com o continente africano? O AGOA foi prorrogado até ao ano de 2025, penso que até Setembro deste ano. Provavelmente, o Presidente Donald Trump poderá prorrogar o acordo. Como é que os países africanos podem  aproveitar melhor os acordos do AGOA? O mercado americano é um dos maiores mercados a nível mundial, mas nós não conseguimos exportar quase nada, dentro do âmbito desta lei de investimento e oportunidades nos Estados Unidos. O que devemos fazer, enquanto países elegíveis no âmbito do AGOA, é estudar a pauta aduaneira americana e os critérios e padrões de produção que são aceites para os produtos nos Estados Unidos, para deixarmos de exportar simplesmente matérias-primas e passarmos também a exportar produtos acabados. Recordo que, actualmente, a China está a isentar os países africanos para que possam exportar para o seu país com uma isenção de aproximadamente 98% das tarifas aduaneiras. Então, perante esta corrida, esta competição comercial existente entre esses dois Estados, começamos a ver que o continente africano, os países africanos, têm dois grandes mercados que, bem explorados, podem servir de mercados alternativos. Os países europeus – principalmente do Ocidente, Estados Unidos e os seus aliados – importam, do continente africano, apenas matérias-primas. Então, podemos alterar esta configuração. Daí que tenho estado a defender que, na nossa relação com a China, devemos começar a pensar numa alteração significativa, ou seja, África não deve receber simplesmente os produtos manufacturados da China, mas fazer com que unidades fabris da China sejam deslocadas para o continente africano. Agora, isto só vai acontecer se o ambiente de negócios dos países africanos for bom, porque nenhum investidor quer investir num país que tenha sérios problemas no ambiente de negócios, nem repatriar capitais para um país que tem um dos índices de corrupção mais elevados. Até que ponto a corrupção pode ser um obstáculo à captação de investimento? A corrupção é um obstáculo à captação de investimento. Embora se tenham feito reformas estruturais no país, alterou-se a Lei do Investimento Estrangeiro, que tinha uma cláusula que obrigava um estrangeiro, que investisse em Angola, a juntar-se a um nacional, que passava a deter 35% do negócio – quando esse nacional, muitas vezes, nem entrava com capitais. Isso já não existe. Há a Lei da Concorrência, mas essas leis também não concorrem significativamente para o combate à corrupção no nosso país. Então, é necessário que se tenha um combate à corrupção muito mais acérrimo, que inclua vários actores e que credibilize o país do ponto de vista internacional. Os Estados Unidos têm sempre uma postura muito diferente da China e da Rússia, com critérios próprios relativamente a direitos humanos, boa governação, combate à corrupção... Claramente. Se Angola conseguir atrair investidores americanos, fazendo com que os americanos desloquem as unidades fabris para África, vamos ver muitos investidores de outras partes do mundo a quererem investir em Angola. O investimento americano pode simbolizar um bom ambiente de negócios, uma vez que os americanos só investem em países com garantias, com critérios de direitos humanos, boa governação, liberdade de imprensa, etc. São elementos norteadores daquilo que é a governação. Então, se tivermos um grande número de empresas americanas a investir em Angola, vai-se passar um sinal ao mundo de que Angola é um país para investir. Onde estão os americanos, tendencialmente, há outros actores que também querem estar. É também uma forma de alavancar a economia e reduzir o elevado número de desempregados? Isso só vai acontecer se Angola fizer o trabalho de casa, com os nossos empresários preparados e organizados, até para que, neste encontro, apresentem propostas aos outros empresários para a criação de joint ventures, por exemplo. Só acontecerá se o nosso ambiente de negócios for bom; de outra forma, os investidores não ficarão em Angola. Há uma discussão que se fala muito e que tem a ver com a Lei da Terra. Há uma pressão por parte de investidores estrangeiros, principalmente americanos, para que a cedência da terra seja, pelo menos, de 100 anos. É uma pressão contrária à visão angolana, e penso que isto também constitui um elemento inibidor. Mas penso que o Estado angolano deve ter alguns critérios que salvaguardem determinados elementos e assegurem a própria soberania do Estado. A 17.ª edição da Cimeira Empresarial EUA–África é coorganizada pelo Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) e o Governo de Angola, tendo como destaque o Corredor do Lobito, uma infra-estrutura ferroviária estratégica para o escoamento de minerais críticos, ligando Angola à República Democrática do Congo, Zâmbia e Tanzânia. O corredor é considerado prioritário pelos EUA, União Europeia e parceiros regionais. A cimeira vai dar ainda destaque ao comércio, investimento e parcerias económicas nos sectores da energia, infra-estruturas, saúde, tecnologias digitais, agronegócio, indústrias criativas e minerais estratégicos. Mais de 1.500 participantes, entre chefes de Estado e de Governo e delegações empresariais dos dois blocos, são esperados no mais importante fórum de negócios entre os Estados Unidos e o continente africano, que decorre em Luanda até ao dia 25 de Junho.

During the first 100 days of his second term in office, US President Donald Trump has issued a series of executive orders that have unsettled the commodities market and prompted investors to hold off from making new investments in African economies. In the last three months, Trump has presented the world with “a ding-dong of measures and counter-measures," as Nigerian finance analyst Gbolahan Olojede put it.With such measures including increased tariffs on US imports from African nations (as elsewhere), this new regime has effectively called into question the future validity of preferential trade agreements with African states – such as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which allows duty-free access, under strict conditions, to the US market for African goods."The reciprocal tariffs effectively nullify the preferences that sub-Saharan Africa countries enjoy under AGOA," South Africa's foreign and trade ministers said in a joint statement on 4 April.Jon Marks, editorial director of energy consultancy and news service African Energy, echoed this climate of uncertainty: “With the Trump presidency lurching from policy to policy, no one knows where they are. And it's very difficult to actually see order within this chaos."Africa braces for economic hit as Trump's tariffs end US trade perksHe told RFI he expects long periods of stasis, in which nothing actually happens, when people have been expecting immediate action.“That's going to be, I think, devastating for markets, devastating for investment. The outlook really is grim," he added.CommoditiesIn 2024, US exports to Africa were worth $32.1 billion. The US imported $39.5 billion worth of goods from Africa, the bulk of these being commodities such as oil and gas, as well as rare minerals including lithium, copper and cobalt.“The focus of the Trump administration is on critical minerals now, particularly in the [Democratic Republic of Congo], which is the Saudi Arabia of cobalt,” said Eric Olander, editor-in-chief of the China Global South Project news site.The US is aiming to build non-Chinese supply chains for its military technology.“The F-35s, supersonic fighter jets, need cobalt. When they look at critical minerals, they're not looking at that for renewable energy. They're looking at it specifically for weapons and for their defence infrastructure,” Olander explained.Collateral damageOn 2 April, President Trump unveiled sweeping tariffs on US imports worldwide, declaring that the US “has been looted, pillaged, raped and plundered by nations near and far” and calling this date a “Liberation Day” which will make “America wealthy again”.Stock markets immediately plummeted as a result of his announcement.On 9 April, Trump announced a 90-day pause – until mid-July – on these tariffs. Instead, a flat 10 percent rate will be applied on exports to the US.The exception was China, whose goods face even higher tariffs – 145 percent on most Chinese goods. Beijing retaliated with 125 percent levies on US imports.According to Olander, most African nations have so far been “insulated from the harsh impact of these tariffs” and from the consequences of what is, in effect, a trade war between two economic giants – China and the US.“South Africa, which accounts for a considerable amount of Africa's trade with the United States, is much more exposed to the effects of these tariffs than the rest of the continent,” he said.Africa FirstBut what if Trump's "America First" agenda was to be copied, asks Kelvin Lewis, editor of the Awoko newspaper in Sierra Leone.“Just like Trump is saying America First, we should think Sierra Leone First,” he told RFI. “He is teaching everyone how to be patriotic. We have no reason to depend on other people, to go cap in hand begging, because we have enough natural resources to feed and house all 9 million of us Sierra Leoneans.”He added: “If Africa says we close shop and we use our own resources for our benefit like Trump is telling Americans, I think the rest of the world would stand up and take notice.”Meanwhile, Trump believes his imposition of these increased tariffs has succeeded in bringing countries to the negotiating table.“I'm telling you, these countries are calling us up, kissing my ass. They are dying to make a deal. Please, please sir, make a deal. I'll do anything. I'll do anything, sir,” Trump said on 8 April at a Republican Congress committee dinner in Washington.New marketsOlander believes that the trade war instigated by Trump has resulted in more risks than opportunities for Africa's vulnerable countries.“But, there is a lot more activity now diplomatically between African countries and other non-US countries,” he added.“Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed from Ethiopia was in Vietnam, as was Burundi's president. There's more engagement between Uganda and Indonesia, more trade activity and discussions between Brazil and Africa.”Foreign ministers from the BRICS group (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) met in Rio de Janeiro on 28 April to coordinate their response to Trump's trade policy.However, securing markets for non-US exports is a challenging task. It took Kenya 10 years “of steady diplomacy” to get China to fund the extension of the Standard Gauge Railway to the Ugandan border, according to Olander.Kenyan president visits China as country pivots away from the US“Whether it's in China, Indonesia, Brazil or elsewhere, it takes time. Exporting into developed G7 markets means facing an enormous number of hurdles, like agricultural restrictions,” he continued. “Then, in the global south, Angola is not going to sell bananas to Brazil, right?”“Trump's trade policies have actually been to depress the oil price,” said Marks. “The price has been under the psychologically low threshold of $70 a barrel.He explains it is because of the demand destruction Trump's policies have placed on global trading.Demand destruction means that people are not investing, “ Marks said. “It's really a period of wait-and-see.”“This will affect prices very profoundly. One of the ironies is that although a lower dollar means that African economies should be able to export their goods for more money, a declining dollar amidst market uncertainties means that investors are not going to be rushing to come into Africa.”

Are benefits from the African Growth and Opportunities Act (Agoa)  dead in the water after steep US tariffs on Africa are announced? Senegal's parliament approves revisions to a controversial amnesty law And raising awareness of autism in Somali culture Presenter : Audrey Brown Producers: Daniel Dadzie,  Bella Hassan and Yvette Twagiramariya Technical Producer: Chris Kouzaris Senior Producer : Paul Bakibinga Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi.

The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), enacted by the United States in 2000, has long been a cornerstone of trade relations between the U.S. and sub-Saharan Africa. By offering duty-free access to the U.S. market for over 6,500 products, AGOA has aimed to spur economic growth, attract investment, and foster development in eligible African nations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) nears its expiration in September 2025, African nations face uncertainty about their trade relationship with the United States. Enacted in 2000, AGOA has provided duty-free access to the U.S. market for over 1,800 products from eligible sub-Saharan African countries, fostering economic growth, job creation, and export diversification—particularly in textiles and apparel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Daybreak Africa: The spread of meningitis in the Northern state of Kebbi began late January with over two hundred suspected cases recorded. Plus, South Sudan women make gains in the field of information technology. Malawi lions given birth control to prevent a population boom. South African President Ramaphosa wants to continue trading with the US through AGOA – the African Growth and Opportunity Act. Europe hosts talk on the details of rearming. For these and more, tune in to Daybreak Africa!

“This is the new reality that we are going to have to face and it is a fantastic opportunity for us to redefine our position away from the US trying to tell us who we can or cannot be, because they really don't care about us” - Ugandan coffee farmer Robert Kabushenga In the year 2000, the United States government set up the African Growth and Opportunity Act also known as AGOA. It's aim was to give qualifying sub-Saharan African countries access to the US market, without paying import taxes, thus promoting economic growth in Africa. But there's no certainty that president Donald Trump will renew the deal when it expires later this year, especially considering many of the moves he's made in recent weeks. His administration cut off financial aid to countries like South Africa and many others around the world. So, what lies ahead for trade relations between Africa and the United States? Presenter: Alan Kasujja Guests: Ugandan coffee farmer Robert Kabushenga, Eswatini economics lecturer Sanele Sibiya and South African exporter Nhlanhla Dlamini

Since 2000, African countries eligible for preferential market access under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) have seen a considerable increase in their exports to the US. But that piece of legislation comes up for renewal this year – while President Donald Trump and his protectionist views on global trade are in power. We take a look at what that could mean for key export sectors in Africa. Finally, our correspondents in Mexico look at how the local auto industry is dealing with the threat of tariffs.

Bongani Bingwa speaks with Dr. Naledi Pandor, former International Relations Minister and Chair of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, responds to US President Donald Trump's executive order freezing aid to South Africa over a contentious law that allows the government to seize farmland from ethnic minorities and the fear of being excluded from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stephen Grootes talks to Shane Naidoo, Global Treasury and Trade Management Services Specialist at Nedbank Commercial Banking, about the implications of Trump's tariffs on the African Growth and Opportunity Act.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Nigeria-America Chamber of Commerce has appealed to the incoming Trump administration to renew the African Growth and Opportunity Act, or AGOA, and the Presidents Emergency Plan for Aids Relief, or PEPFA. President of the chamber Sheriff Balogun told VOA's Chinedu Offor, these policies will boost regional economic growth.

Welcome to Mormon News Roundup Episode 141 (December 8, 2024)! Dive into this week's most compelling LDS headlines, including: Why the Mormon Church is experiencing significant growth in Africa

In this Founders Connect episode, we sit down with the team behind Norrsken Foundation and Norrsken 22: Niklas Adalberth, Hans Otterling, and Lexi Novitske. Niklas opens up about his upbringing and shares why he decided to leave Klarna, offering a unique perspective on the balance between money and happiness. Hans reflects on his own early years and provides his vision for the African tech ecosystem over the next 5-10 years, including his experience investing in Spotify. Lexi gives us an inside look at the collaborative efforts of the Norrsken 22 team. We also discuss the types of companies in Africa that Norrsken 22 is keen to invest in, offering valuable insights into the future of tech and entrepreneurship on the continent. This episode is for anyone interested in the future of African tech

On this week's episode of the Trade Guys, we dissect the recent African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum, the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity (APEP) trade ministerial in Quito, and the WTO Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on Electronic Commerce.  

The youth are getting thrifty – how Gen Z and Millennials are reclaiming their financial power. Then, Kabelo Gwamanda must go! But is he the only one to blame for Joburg's ruin? Later, an illegal military training camp in Mpumalanga. How did government miss it? And gold, silver and bronze – our Olympic athletes are bringing home the medals. But first, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (known as AGOA) is once again topping the agenda as the United States is seemingly warming to the idea of keeping South Africa around as a trade partner. Meanwhile, the Minister of Trade and Industry and his Deputy are confident our membership will be renewed. But there's still a lot that could happen between now and September next year. Carte Blanche Website · Chat on X · Chat on Facebook

In an interview with BizNews, Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Andrew Whitfield shared his vision for revitalizing South Africa's economy and enhancing its relationship with the United States through the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Emphasizing the critical need for data-driven policies and robust intergovernmental collaboration, Whitfield discussed the importance of addressing inefficiencies and fostering private sector partnerships. His strategic approach aims to transform economic growth and job creation, making South Africa a more attractive destination for investment. The interview provides an insightful look into the government's plans to leverage AGOA's benefits while tackling pressing economic challenges.

Bongani Bingwa speaks to Minister of Trade and Industry Parks Tau following his visit to the US for the 21st African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) Summit. The Minister tells Bongani that SA will have discussions with both presidential candidates in the run-up to the US elections in November in its efforts to secure continued access to the African Growth and Agoa. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some members of the U.S. Congress have called for South Africa to be excluded from the African Growth and Opportunity Act, a U.S. program that grants duty-free access to the enormous U.S. market for many South African exports. Zaheer Cassim reports from Johannesburg on South Africa's effort to remain eligible for the trade program and its evolving relationship with the US.

A South African delegation is currently in the United States to lobby against a Senate review of the bilateral relations between the two countries. Last month, the House of Representatives passed a law requiring a comprehensive assessment of the bilateral relations, which could potentially harm trade ties and jeopardize South Africa's participation in the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). AGOA is a trade agreement that grants South Africa and 30 other African countries duty-free access to the US market. Trade and Industry Minister Parks Tau has indicated that the delegation will utilize the upcoming AGOA Summit in Washington, D.C. as an opportunity to push back against the review. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Political and Economic risk analyst, Marisa Lourenço, who will provide further insights on this matter

Greetings Glocal Citizens! I met Elike Kofi Nkansa, a multifaceted creative with a background in literature and art with a keen interest in fine detailng, one afternoon at a place called the Green Butterfly Market (https://greenbutterflyghana.com/greenbutterflymarket/) in Accra. He was seated in front of a beautiful portrait tapestry which I eventually purchased after visiting his flagship boutique and seeing a sampling of his portfolio. He trained as an architect and is the designer for his fashion brand, Elike Clothing which has become a household name, particularly in Ghana, and he has clothed many eminent personalites. He is currently costumier for three-time Grammy nominated artiste Rocky Dawuni (https://rockydawuni.com). Elike was selected amongst 14 other garment manufacturers in Ghana to spearhead an effort in mass production under AGOA (https://agoa.info/about-agoa.html)--African Growth and Opportunities Act, through which his enterprise gained the requisite training to engage in mass apparel and textile production. His brand is minimalist afrocentric and heavily inclined in technically and functionally artistic design. He mentors young artisans in the fashion industry helping to release fresh creativity into the fashion space. Through his art he hopes to forge closer bonds of peace and kinship between peoples wilst empowering women and youth. Where to find Elike? www.elikeclothing.com On Facebook (https://web.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069978938042) What's Elike reading? War and Peace (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_and_Peace) by Leo Tolstoy Works by Robert Greene (https://powerseductionandwar.com) What's Elike watching? Guest Who's Coming to Dinner (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guess_Who%27s_Coming_to_Dinner) Kramer vs. Kramer (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kramer_vs._Kramer) Other topics of interest: Leklebi Dafor (https://mapcarta.com/N7234270840) Coffee and Togo (https://perfectdailygrind.com/2022/12/coffee-production-in-togo/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CMore%20than%2040%2C000%20households%20in,farmers%20who%20also%20produce%20cocoa.) About the game Chaskele (https://www.theghanareport.com/games-that-entertained-children-in-the-90s/) RIBA - Royal Institute of British Architects (https://www.architecture.com) Ghana Institute of Architects (https://gia.com.gh) About technical pens (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technical_pen) About the Peugot 504 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peugeot_504#:~:text=The%20504%20was%20elected%20European,visibility%2C%20strong%20engine%20and%20refinement.) About Ricci Osei (https://humansofafrica.net/ricci-osei-a-cultural-and-artistic-icon/#google_vignette) and son, Reggie Rockstone (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reggie_Rockstone) About UT Bank's Kofi Amoabeng (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_Kofi_Amoabeng) William Blake's The Chimney Sweeper (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Chimney_Sweeper) About Ambassador D.K Osei (https://web.facebook.com/gbcghana/videos/3331626410408171) Special Guest: Elike Nkansa.

Greetings Glocal Citizens! I met Elike Kofi Nkansa, a multifaceted creative with a background in literature and art with a keen interest in fine detailng, one afternoon at a place called the Green Butterfly Market (https://greenbutterflyghana.com/greenbutterflymarket/) in Accra. He was seated in front of a beautiful portrait tapestry which I eventually purchased after visiting his flagship boutique and seeing a sampling of his portfolio. He trained as an architect and is the designer for his fashion brand, Elike Clothing which has become a household name, particularly in Ghana, and he has clothed many eminent personalites. He is currently costumier for three-time Grammy nominated artiste Rocky Dawuni (https://rockydawuni.com). Elike was selected amongst 14 other garment manufacturers in Ghana to spearhead an effort in mass production under AGOA (https://agoa.info/about-agoa.html)--African Growth and Opportunities Act, through which his enterprise gained the requisite training to engage in mass apparel and textile production. His brand is minimalist afrocentric and heavily inclined in technically and functionally artistic design. He mentors young artisans in the fashion industry helping to release fresh creativity into the fashion space. Through his art he hopes to forge closer bonds of peace and kinship between peoples wilst empowering women and youth. Where to find Elike? www.elikeclothing.com On Facebook (https://web.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069978938042) What's Elike reading? War and Peace (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_and_Peace) by Leo Tolstoy Works by Robert Greene (https://powerseductionandwar.com) What's Elike watching? Guest Who's Coming to Dinner (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guess_Who%27s_Coming_to_Dinner) Kramer vs. Kramer (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kramer_vs._Kramer) Other topics of interest: Leklebi Dafor (https://mapcarta.com/N7234270840) Coffee and Togo (https://perfectdailygrind.com/2022/12/coffee-production-in-togo/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CMore%20than%2040%2C000%20households%20in,farmers%20who%20also%20produce%20cocoa.) About the game Chaskele (https://www.theghanareport.com/games-that-entertained-children-in-the-90s/) RIBA - Royal Institute of British Architects (https://www.architecture.com) Ghana Institute of Architects (https://gia.com.gh) About technical pens (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technical_pen) About the Peugot 504 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peugeot_504#:~:text=The%20504%20was%20elected%20European,visibility%2C%20strong%20engine%20and%20refinement.) About Ricci Osei (https://humansofafrica.net/ricci-osei-a-cultural-and-artistic-icon/#google_vignette) and son, Reggie Rockstone (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reggie_Rockstone) About UT Bank's Kofi Amoabeng (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_Kofi_Amoabeng) William Blake's The Chimney Sweeper (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Chimney_Sweeper) About Ambassador D.K Osei (https://web.facebook.com/gbcghana/videos/3331626410408171) Special Guest: Elike Nkansa.

This week we report on Kenyan President William Ruto's visit to Washington, D.C., the first by an African leader since 2008. We dig into what the occasion means for the relationship between Kenya and the wider African continent, including whether it will lead to closer economic ties between the United States and Africa as a whole. During the conversation, we also look back at our interview with Sen. Chris Coons about the visit, in which we discussed the African Growth and Opportunity Act, or AGOA, and the U.S. Africa policy. We are also keeping a close eye on the farm bill — a $1.5 trillion piece of legislation that shapes food assistance both within the United States and abroad. While the legislation largely focuses on domestic policy, it also governs the operations of Food for Peace, a flagship food assistance program that distributes American-grown commodities across the globe. However, it has been proposed that at least 50% of funds should go toward U.S.-grown commodities and ocean freight. As the reauthorization negotiations continue, we explore the importance of these funds for communities in the global south and contemplate what the potential outcomes of the discussions could be. On the topic of food systems, we also look at a story that explores how Vanuatu is stepping up its efforts to enhance food security by combining traditional practices with modern technology. For the latest episode of the podcast series, Devex Managing Editor Anna Gawel sits down with David Barth from Save the Children and Devex Senior Reporter Adva Saldinger to discuss these stories and others. Sign up to the Devex Newswire and our other newsletters: https://www.devex.com/account/newsletters

Lumkile Mondi, Senior Lecturer at Wits Business School, and Stavros Nicolaou, Member of the SA BRICS Business Council, joins host Motheo Khoaripe to delve into the topic of US lawmakers' efforts to extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a trade pact with Africa, until 2041.   Daniel Morgan, analyst at Ninety-ONE discusses the combination of an energy transition, along with nearshoring, geopolitics, demographics, technology and public investment that is driving a global capex cycle in our Money Show Explainer.  In our Friday File, car expert Warren Tucker delved into the question of whether purchasing a pre-owned luxury car is a worthwhile investment, given the associated maintenance costs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lumkile Mondi, Senior Lecturer at Wits Business School, and Stavros Nicolaou, Member of the SA BRICS Business Council, join host Motheo Khoaripe to delve into the topic of US lawmakers' efforts to extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a trade pact with Africa, until 2041See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover the catalysts of technological growth and innovation in Africa with Kissi, a trailblazer who's steering multiple tech ventures and a non-profit aimed at reshaping the continent's economic narrative. This episode promises to unveil the intricacies of integrating local talent and knowledge into business strategies that thrive amidst Africa's unique market dynamics. Kissi's journey from problem-solving engineer to an influential thought leader unfolds, revealing his methods for enhancing local business efficiencies and his relentless pursuit of accessible data for budding entrepreneurs.As we recount the wisdom shared at Peduasa Lodge, we grasp the profound significance of involving the African diaspora in fueling the continent's prosperity. The dialogue shifts to the financial sphere, dissecting the trials faced by local banking institutions and my own evolution in conducting business within Africa. Understanding the importance of building influence rather than imposing change, we dissect strategies for leveraging the wealth of African talent and adapting to the economic landscape to cultivate lasting success.Closing the conversation, we celebrate the transformative power of learning and problem-solving, as shared through my academic pursuits from engineering to software development. Kevin, a former Principal Engineer Manager at Microsoft, joins us to underscore the impact of unwavering determination and continuous learning on career progression. This episode is more than a discussion—it's a testament to the enduring influence of education and strategic thinking on personal growth and professional excellence within the tech industry.Support the showWatch the video episode of this on YouTube - https://linktr.ee/konnectedminds

The 40th forum of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which offers duty-free access to the United States economy for 20 African countries, has concluded and appears that concerns about South Africa potentially losing its benefits due to the 'Lady R' diplomatic spat and its support for Hamas and Iran have abated. South Africa is advocating for an early 2024 renewal of AGOA in the U.S. Congress, as the current agreement is set to expire in September 2025. In an interview with Biznews, Renai Moothilal, the CEO of the National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (NAACAM) said while it is challenging to predict the outcome until a formal announcement by the U.S. Congress, a strong case has been made for the continuation of AGOA. Moothilal said the automotive industry plays a significant role in the South African economy contributing to 5% of GDP and employing 110,000 people primarily in component manufacturing. AGOA, he said, is vital for the industry's competitiveness and ability to maintain volume. Moothilal pointed out that South Africa exports a substantial number of vehicles and components to the U.S., which accounted for R24 billion in exports last year. He explained that South Africa contributes less than 1% to global auto production and it can't afford to lose any markets, making AGOA crucial for the sector's growth. Commenting on the global shift to electric vehicles (EVs) he said that component manufacturers are already adapting to technology changes and are prepared for the shift to EVS.

Siphamandla Zondi, professor of politics and international relations at the University of Johannesburg and Patrick Bond, political economist, and Distinguished Professor of Sociology discuss, strengthening economic ties between the US and sub-Saharan Africa, during  African Growth and Opportunity Act forum, the significance of the trading relationship with the US what conversation and expectations of the forum. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the number of internally displaced persons rises to record levels in the Democratic Republic of Congo, we look at the devastating impact the ongoing conflict is having on children. Also how does Africa benefit from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa), signed into law by the United States, 23 years ago? And we speak to one woman, Amira Adawe, who is determined to highlight the dangers of using skin lightening products.

Today is the first day of the annual African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum in Johannesburg which will be running from Nov 2-4 to discuss the United States' flagship trade programme for the continent. To discuss the impact of this forum and the possible outcomes we are joined by Dr Mpumelelo Mkhabela, political analyst and Eckart Naumann, Economist.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ebrahim Patel Minister of Trade and Industry of South Africa discusses expectation the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) labour forum,  trade agreement officially  set to expire in two years, requiring congressional approval for re-authorisation any concerns about unfavourable winds due to domestic US politics.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

German president wraps up Zambia visit+++20th African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum opens in Johannesburg

Today, Les, Jess, Jamil and Morgan discuss the Biden Administration giving Uganda, Gabon, Niger, and the Central African Republic the boot from a special US-Africa trade program - the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) - due to Niger and Gabon's dictatorial takeovers and CAR and Uganda's violations of human rights. AGOA is set to expire in 2025, and the geopolitical landscape both across Africa and in the U.S. is much different than when AGOA first passed in 2000.What does the future of AGOA and U.S.-Africa trade look like? What's our assessment of how President Biden and Congress is doing when it comes to Africa policies and programs? How can the Biden Administration reimagine U.S.-Africa relations?Hear our experts debate these issues and more in 10 minutes on our latest episode of Fault Lines! Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-67236251https://www.csis.org/analysis/beyond-2025-future-african-growth-and-opportunity-acthttps://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/10/us/politics/niger-coup-biden-declaration.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2023/10/26/pepfar-funding-delays-hiv-abortion/Follow our experts on Twitter: @notTVJessJones@jamil_n_jaffer @lestermunson@morganlroachLike what we're doing here? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

African leaders, US representatives, and the private sector will be gathering at Nasrec in Johannesburg on November 2 to attend The AGOA Business Forum. This forum will explore ways for Sub-Saharan African countries to build industrial capacity and regional value chains to take advantage of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) – a trade programme initiated by the United States to foster greater economic ties with Sub-Saharan Africa by allowing preferential access to the US market through tariff-free exports. Standard Bank is a key sponsor of the forum and the bank's CEO for Corporate and Investment Banking, Kenny Fihla spoke to Business Day TV about the success and importance of AGOA ahead of the event.

Prof. Adrian Saville, GIBS Professor of Economics, Finance, and Strategy, and Prof. Gilbert Khadiagala, GIBS Professor of International Relations and Director of the African Centre for the Study of the United States, spoke about the upcoming AGOA forum and what is at stake for South Africa and the continent as a whole. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

South Africa will be looking to get more from its trade ties with the US, as the nation prepares to host the African Growth and Opportunity Act Forum. Business Day TV spoke to Stanlib's Chief Economist, Kevin Lings about how South Africa can capitalise on the AGOA Forum.

Today marks nine years since Senzo Meyiwa was killed in his then-girlfriend, Kelly Khumalo's Vosloorus home. Follow up on the Gold-One mine situation. Have all the mineworkers resurfaced, and what's the way forward with the battle of the unions that led to the drama unfolding? Inquiry into deadly Marshalltown fire gets underway. Police are destroying R800 million worth of drugs tomorrow. Details around where it's being held are being kept a secret. It starts at 07:00. Only one person per media organisation is allowed so that Thabiso will film. Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Ebrahim Patel will provide a comprehensive update on South Africa's preparedness for hosting the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum and insights into the forthcoming program. Your attendance and coverage are highly valued. The KZN Education Department holds a media briefing on the state of education, especially in light of the recent storms. Several schools were damaged. Monday marks the start of the matric exams. Mandy's book of the week, Bounce: How to Raise Resilient Kids and Teens, is an easy-to-read, effective guide that can make an immediate difference to your parenting approach and relationship with your children.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US Senator John Kennedy is pushing for an extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act |(AGOA) until 2045 in an effort to counter China's growing influence in the region. Business Day TV spoke to Business Day journalist, Thando Maeko for more perspective on the move.

If Donald Trump returns to the White House for another stint of President of the US, he may want to renegotiate the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). And those could be tough negotiations because Trump would want his pound of flesh. So says Dr Edward Mienie, the Executive Director of the Strategic Studies Programme & Partnerships and Professor of Strategic & Security Studies at the University of North Georgia in Atlanta. Dr Mienie, a former diplomat for both the National Party (NP) and the African National Congress (ANC) governments, speaks to BizNews as speculation mounts across the world that Trump could pull of another “unthinkable” political victory that would bring about significant shifts in US foreign policy. He says Trump is by far the most popular of the contenders of the Republican Party, and that Democratic Party President Joe Biden is lagging behind. “If he (Trump) wins all of these court cases, or if they fall by the wayside, I'm predicting that it's very likely that he'll move into the White House. And it'll be quite a story…” - Chris Steyn

In this episode, I am joined by flydubai, a very important international airline serving multiple points in Africa, which has just announced a brand new route, taking its African network to 11 destinations in 10 countries. The airline has announced it will serve Mombasa on the east coast of Kenya 4 times per week from January 2024. In this podcast, we hear directly from the airline as to what has prompted this new route announcement and also to get a general feel of FlyDubai's approach to development in Africa, with Sudhir Sreedharan, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations at flydubai.  Connect/ Follow Sudhir on LinkedIn here For those listening, you can now head across to our new website www.AviaDev.com to see the theme for our 2024 event and get a flavour of our event plans.  If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating to enable us to be found by even more people, and feel free to share the link with someone in your network that you think would benefit from listening.

The African Growth and Opportunity Act, or AGOA, gives duty-free access for exports to the American market, and has done for 23 years. South Africa is one of the countries that has benefitted – but now its inclusion in doubt due to allegations from the US that it has violated its neutrality and supplied weapons to Russia - something South Africa denies. So what would being pushed out of AGOA mean for the country? Plus we hear from Ethiopia – it has been suspended from AGOA due to the the war in Tigray - we hear from an economist in Addis Ababa who disputes the benefits of these trade agreements to Africa. Presented by Ahmed Adan with reporting by Russell Padmore. (Image: An Ivory Coast stand at the 2019 AGOA forum, showcasing products on the market. Credit: Getty Images)

The President/General of the Universal African Peoples Organization checks into our classroom on Monday morning. Zaki Baruti will Preview the Supreme Court's final week of decisions and how they may impact the 2024 elections. Brother Zaki will also discuss the importance of travel. Before, Zaki Veteran Record Executive Eddie Pugh will continue our salute to Black Music Month. Before Eddie, we will review the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGO). The Big Show starts on WOLB at 1010 AM, wolbbaltimore.com, WOL 95.9 FM & 1450 AM & woldcnews.com at 6 am ET., 5 am CT., 3 am PT., and 11 am BST. Call-In # 800 450 7876 to participate, & listen live in the DMV on 104.1hd2 FM, 93.9hd2 FM, & 102.3hd2 FM, Tune In Radio & Alexa. All shows are available for free from your favorite podcast platform. Follow us on Twitter & Instagram.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Premier of the Western Cape Alan Winde joins Mike to explain the motivation for the delegation's current visit to the USA to meet senior officials to save the African Growth and Opportunity Act.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pressure is growing from the West on the South African government, because of its close relationship with Russia. President Cyril Ramaphosa is said to be sending an envoy to the US to discuss its relationship with Russia. Foreign Policy Analyst Peter Fabricius told BizNews that the South African government is concerned about losing the benefits of its inclusion in the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). AGOA allows Sub-Saharan countries to export products to the United States without tariffs. South Africa contributes the majority of AGOA exports at 56%. Fabricius says South Africa and the Russian leader are likely to wriggle out of the sticky situation of being forced to arrest Putin if he sets foot on South African soil for the BRICS summit. The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for the Russian President for war crimes in Ukraine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Witney Schneidman, a Brookings Africa Growth Initiative nonresident fellow, assesses U.S.-Africa relations under the Biden administration, discusses how the next version of the African Growth and Opportunity Act might better support U.S.-Africa trade, and offers recommendations for enhancing U.S. trade and investment in the region. Show notes and transcript: https://brook.gs/3wGRqgh  Foresight Africa podcast is part of the Brookings Podcast Network. Subscribe and listen on Apple, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and wherever you listen to podcasts. Send feedback email to podcasts@brookings.edu, and follow and tweet at @policypodcasts on Twitter.