Invest Africa Insights

One hundred days into Donald Trump’s second term, U.S.-Africa relations stand at a critical juncture. Early signals point to a blend of unpredictability, transactional diplomacy, and shifting strategic priorities—raising pressing questions about the future of trade and investment between the two regions. While the administration has yet to articulate a coherent Africa strategy, several key developments were already shaping the landscape.Uncertainty looms over the future of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), while diplomatic tensions with key partners such as South Africa threatens to disrupt longstanding ties. At the same time, there were early signs of a more sustained U.S. focus on the continent. The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) appeared poised for an expanded mandate, and senior appointments suggested a growing emphasis on African expertise within key government agencies.This timely webinar brought together experts from the worlds of policy, business, and diplomacy to examine the administration’s early moves and what they signal for Africa’s investment climate. Speakers explored whether the U.S. was likely to adopt a more strategic, long-term approach—or whether Africa would remain on the margins of American foreign policy. The discussion also addressed investor expectations around trade policy, financing mechanisms, and broader geopolitical engagement.This conversation offers an in-depth look at the evolving direction of U.S.-Africa relations, and the opportunities—and risks—that lie ahead. Speakers: - Jonny Gass, Research & Strategic Planning Manager, Invest Africa - Aubrey Hruby, Senior Fellow, Africa Centre, Atlantic Council - Cameron Hudson, Former White House Director for African Affairs; Senior Fellow, Centre for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) - Gyude Moore, Former Minster of Public Works, Liberia; Senior Fellow, Centre for Global Development

As part of The Payments Exchange series in collaboration with Crown Agents Bank, this episode brings you a critical discussion adapted from a recent webinar. On July 29, 2024, the Ethiopian Central Bank made a historic decision to float the Birr. This episode explores the potential impacts on Ethiopia’s trade and investment landscape, foreign exchange dynamics, and how businesses and international organisations can navigate these significant changes and capitalise on this transformative moment for Ethiopia. Featuring: * Barkot Tekle, Head of Central & Development Banks, Emerging Market Financial Institutions at Crown Agents Bank * Duncan Keil, Chief Executive Officer at ICAP Africa * Zemedeneh Negatu, Global Chairman at Fairfax Africa Fund & Invest Africa Advisory Board Member * Patricia Rodrigues, Associate Director at Control Risks

At the end of May, South Africans went to the polls for national and provincial elections that marked a significant shift in the country's political landscape. After more than two decades of waning voter support, the African National Congress (ANC) lost its majority in the National Assembly. This historic change for a party that has held unitary control over the executive branch since the first racially inclusive post-apartheid elections in 1994. In this recent vote, however, the ANC secured just 40% of the national vote and 159 out of 400 seats in the National Assembly. This necessitated the formation of a coalition government, wherein the ANC retains 20 out of 32 cabinet posts, the Democratic Alliance holds 6, and the remaining portfolios are shared among smaller parties (click here [https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/meet-sas-new-cabinet]to see the new National Executive). To delve into what this historic election and the new coalition government mean for investors and businesses operating in and around South Africa, Ipeleng Selele, Chairperson of Brand South Africa; Seamus Duggan, Director for Global Risk Analysis at Control Risks; and Jeff Gable, Chief Economist at Absa, share their insights on the election results, new cabinet, and the challenges and opportunities for investors and businesses created by this new political landscape in South Africa.

Welcome to the first episode of The Payments Exchange mini-series. Over the course of four episodes, we will explore the payments ecosystem across the African continent with Crown Agents Bank and a guest expert. In this episode, Chris Partridge, VP & Head of Bank and Non-Bank Financial institutions at Crown Agents Bank, and Mark O'Sullivan, CEO of IPT Africa dive into the dynamic landscape of payment systems in Africa, highlighting the current trends and challenges shaping the industry and its prospects. From mobile money to digital wallets, they uncover the key factors driving change and discuss the implications for businesses, consumers, and policymakers.

In this podcast, we explore the evolving risk landscape in Africa and its impact on trade, investment, and gender. Genevieve Ahinful, Head of Political Risk and Trade Credit at Africa Specialty Risks, and Tokunboh Ishmael, Managing Director & Co-Founder, Alitheia Capital, discuss changing perceptions, offering insights into the opportunities and challenges for investors, and the need for companies to implement a gender-focused approach to their overall strategy.