Over the years, the elections in the Sahelian region have been marred with conflict, as incumbent leaders cling to power. In contrast, Liberia has been consistently upholding its commitment to peaceful democratic transitions, including the most recent election, when President George Weah gracefully accepted defeat, allowing President-elect Joseph Boakai to take office following a tightly contested race won by a mere 1.28% margin. This peaceful transition, reminiscent of the one in 2017, not only highlights Liberia's growing political stability, but also prompts a closer look at whether the nation's efforts to fortify its democracy might provide insights into what appears to be a year teeming with elections across neighboring countries.

As the dust settles after the long anticipated COP 28 held in the UAE late last year, there is a growing sense of optimism among developing nations, with African countries in particular looking forward to the implementation of the Climate Loss and Damage Fund (LDF). Initialized at COP 27, the LDF was officially endorsed and operationalized at COP 28 with the aim to support nations that contribute minimally to greenhouse gas emissions, yet bear the brunt of climate change effects.

In the complex mosaic of global trade, it is rare to encounter a technology which maintains mindshare across several years. Distributed Ledgers are one such technology, transcending geographies and institutions. Today, it is led by the increasing focus on Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs). Several pilot programs have been launched to assess the viability of CBDCs for international trade, with economies of the Global South driving the momentum.

Botho, in partnership with African Business Magazine, the AfCFTA Secretariat, Afreximbank, AUDA-NEPAD, International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation, and the International Trade Centre, is happy to announce the launch of the 2023 edition of the third annual PAFTRAC Africa CEO Trade Survey Report.

The report, based on a survey of more than 1000 CEOs from across the continent, reveals the effects of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the current and future trends of African trade flows, and the trade-related ambitions and obstacles of the respondents. It also highlights the need for more cooperation and dialogue between the private sector and policymakers to boost trade facilitation and innovation.

The power of storytelling to engage people emotionally and connect them to a cause can create change. With this vision in mind, Botho Emerging Markets Group, in collaboration with Asphalt & Ink, conducted a study commissioned by the Luminate Group to identify the barriers to collaboration between strategic communications firms, donors, and change agents in Kenya.

Our research found that collaboration between these actors can amplify change agents' work and influence policy. This study looked at commonplace practices within the operations of communications firms and change agents to identify opportunities for collaboration and recommend ways both parties can overcome barriers that hinder effective cooperation.

Every year, between US$ 250 billion to US$ 1 trillion is deployed in Zakat and Sadaqa in and from Muslim-majority countries. Estimated to run into tens of billions of dollars annually, Saudi Arabia collects 2.5% of net Zakat-taxable earnings, while Kuwait gathers 1% of earnings from public companies. Nevertheless, the Gulf’s considerable philanthropic contributions remain relatively unrecognised on the global stage. A sizeable portion of these contributions has been directed to Africa- a region that has attracted growing Gulf attention when it comes to investments and cultural exchange in the past decade.

When examining trade in Africa, it is impossible to overlook the significance of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to establish a unified market for goods across the continent. Moreover, it's compelling to assert that AfCFTA through its advocacy plans for regional integration as well as its unique trade partnerships programs has acted as a catalyst for bolstering refugee enterprises in Africa.

Africa is one of the most susceptible regions in the world to climate change. This is due to its high dependence on climate-sensitive sectors like agriculture and limited access to resources and technology for coping with adverse climate change effects. Amidst the array of solutions available to tackle the devastating effects of climate change in Africa, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a potential game changer for incorporating tools like predictive analytics and machine learning in the fields of agriculture, water, weather modeling, and wildlife conservation to combat the effects of climate change.

Françafrique, the popular expression used to define France’s contemporary relationship with Africa, was first coined in the aftermath of World War II. The expression has been more en vogue recently, commonly used to describe the European nation’s interest networks, commercial activities, and lasting influence in parts of the continent. France’s preeminence in its previous colonies is, unfortunately, not always positive. The country has been accused of complicity in several of the coups which have taken place in the continent over the past decades, trying to maintain economic control of its former colonies through the CFA franc currencies, and providing military support to uphold the political status quo. Considering the scale of its past influence, Françafrique in the 2020s is beginning to show cracks.

The worsening extent of state fragility observed in certain West African nations is a potential hindrance to regional economic advancement. The slew of recent coups in the region, particularly in Niger, demonstrate the state of political turbulence that threatens to tear apart the country’s social fabric, sending shockwaves through an economy already grappling with instability, trade disruptions, and an escalating humanitarian crisis.

The expansion of the BRICS coalition heralds the dawn of a new age, with the bloc poised to better represent the interests of the Global South on the world stage. Over 40 countries expressed a desire to join BRICS in the buildup to its summit in August 2023, demonstrating the growing desire for collaboration between emerging global powers. The new additions to BRICS are all important players in their respective regions, and their accession to the bloc could have significant geo-economic implications. One of the most interesting developments to emerge from BRICS’ evolution is the unified desire to trade in local currencies.

In the vast and diverse continent of Africa, a transformational idea is taking root. The concept of e-mobility, with its promise of cleaner transportation and reduced dependence on fossil fuels, has captured the imaginations of individuals, governments, and organizations alike. However, the rapid adoption of e-mobility in Africa faces substantial obstacles due to limited local production capabilities, which leads to a fragmented supply chain. Hence, establishing local battery manufacturing facilities that develop a robust, sustainable delivery network is a key factor in paving the way for the broader adoption of electric vehicles in Africa.

The Middle East, long a focal point of energy geopolitics, has traditionally seen Iran and Qatar as dominant players in gas, while Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iraq and Kuwait have primarily focused on crude oil. However, a transformative shift is now on the horizon, as Gulf nations venture into gas production.

In recent years, Africa has witnessed a remarkable surge in efforts to foster regional integration and economic growth. Recognizing the potential benefits of enhanced trade relations among African countries, policymakers and stakeholders have taken proactive measures to develop and implement tech-driven policies that facilitate cross-border trade among countries in the continent and beyond.

As the second largest producer of diamonds in the world, Botswana holds considerable influence when it comes to the movement of the precious stones in the market. For over 54 years, it has had a deal with De Beers, owned by the British mining company Anglo American, outlining how the stones are mined, the percentage share kept by Botswana, and details on the payment of taxes and royalties. However, after over half a century, Botswana’s relationship with De Beers is set to change dramatically. The question is - for better or for worse?

As curtains closed on the 14th African Union High-Level Private Sector Forum held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Kenya (10th – 12th July 2023), it emerged that Africa will see a rise in trade from $235 billion to $450 - $655 billion by 2035. Current intra-African trade at 14%-18%, lags behind Asia (59%), the Americas (44.4%), and the EU (69%). Given the projections of increased trade and trading opportunities in Africa, intra-African trade is still in the headwinds despite the official ratification of the AfCFTA in January 2021.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia (KSA) are currently at a geopolitical inflection point, both regionally and globally. Their growing prominence is enabled by recent events that have allowed them to leverage their strengths towards a position of influence. In terms of geopolitical shifts, both the UAE and KSA have been actively deepening their connections with countries in the Global South. They are extending an olive branch to old foes in the region, while simultaneously diversifying their economic and political ties beyond conventional allies. Both are also actively striving to position themselves as preferred trade and development partners for markets in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. The transformative phase experienced by these two Gulf countries in recent years has established them as global heavyweights, rapidly reshaping global geopolitics through strategic alliances with emerging markets.

Stepping away from the confines of traditional film production, mobile filmmaking might just be the next big thing in the African film industry. The revolutionary impact of using smartphones as a filmmaking medium in the African film industry is propelled by the increased accessibility of mobile phones, a surge in internet connectivity, and the allure of reduced production costs. This shift has gained traction among African content creators and filmmakers, who increasingly turn to smartphones for their vlogs, short films, and other productions. The rise of modern mobile devices with their impressive camera quality and enhanced resolution has facilitated the shift.

Africa’s Creative and Cultural Industries (CCI) serve as critical social, cultural, and economic engines for the continent. However, the accelerated adoption of eCommerce is necessary for the African creative economy to reach its full potential.

e-Commerce has the ability and potential to move African fashion around the continent and around the world - if only given enough support and investment, especially considering that MSMEs make up 90% of African fashion businesses.

Over the years, China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has experienced mixed international success in establishing an infrastructure network that connects China to its key trading partners. By utilizing the Maritime Silk Road (MSR) within the BRI framework, China has formed connections across the Global South, particularly in Central Asia and Africa. However, the realization of a Silk Road from China to Africa needs to consider the Middle East. A critical lynchpin, the Middle East has historically been a region where the Global West has exerted significant influence. Nevertheless, with recent geopolitical shifts and the decoupling of power centres, this geopolitical dynamic is also undergoing changes. China is strengthening its economic ties with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) to support the expansion of its Belt and Road Initiative towards the West. Saudi Arabia is emerging as a crucial node in China's geostrategic expansion.