Josep Oriol

Tanzania is endowed with a variety of mineral resources and has been successful in attracting large mining investments. However, over the past few years, this investment curve has stagnated and flattened out, as potential new investors stay away in fear of a potentially unpredictable regulatory mining regime. In order to attract and retain new large-scale projects, investors suggest, that pertinent reforms must be made. Our new brief traces Tanzania’s mining history and from an investor perspective, shows how the country started losing the momentum and its share as a leading mining destination. It proposes some actions and reforms that could be made to reclaim its glory while at the same time achieving a win-win regime for sustainable mining and development. You can read this brief via: https://lnkd.in/dcXCMvSj

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How is the G7 going to meet its just announced ambition to support "Energy for Growth" in Africa? It says: "The initiative will engage with governments, the private sector, financial institutions, multilateral development banks, and community groups. It will partner with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Energy Agency (IEA). It will also coordinate with existing programmes, to ensure complementarity and avoid duplications, and will operate in close coordination with the G7 Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment." What does it mean? Anything new here? Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) CEO Damilola Ogunbiyi wrote this piece about what needs to be done: https://lnkd.in/ezxdF4vj A few additional thoughts: 💡 MDBs and DFIs need to provide lower or below cost financing. These institutions exist to promote development outcomes, not to make money. Most deals will make money, but they need to adjust their pricing given that the cost of capital today in the markets with the most need is much higher than it was a few years ago. 💡 USAID and the U.S. government need to step up on Power Africa already. President Obama committed $300m/year for 5 years at his Africa Leader's Summit in 2016. Only one tranche was ever disbursed. Fulfill that pledge. It's shameful to think we can light and power a continent for anything less than that. 💡 To keep the cost of electricity down for the next 20 years, MDBs and DFIs should take on more of the risk of local currency depreciation. They typically finance in dollars. Financing in local currency for 20 years would usually mean they lose money. At least share the currency risk. That's what grant money's for. 💡 Think regionally and not just locally. To accelerate the energy transition in Africa, countries that don't have base load power from hydropower and geothermal power need to buy it from their neighbors. That requires more robust cross-border transmission infrastructure and power trading. One reason that renewable energy hasn't scaled in sub-Saharan Africa is that many countries do not have enough base load power to support wind and solar. If DFIs, MDBs, philanthropies and governments do not facilitate trading or developing more renewable base load power, gas will be necessary. The G7 knows this. That's why G7 countries didn't think twice about shoring up gas supplies for themselves from others when Russia invaded Ukraine. Last week, I shared a study that said that it's in the G7's financial interest to subsidize the cost of the energy transition for emerging markets and developing economies. To the #G7: Thank you for the commitment. Please act on the announcement. We know what needs to be done. The World Bank IFC - International Finance Corporation U.S. International Development Finance Corporation British International Investment Todd Moss

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USIP comment is thoughtful. In the aim of safe point of view, USIP errs on the side of being incomplete and incorrect. Still, it is correct in counting on private sector investment in Africa. Also, China would in-debt Africa with expensive infrastructure - again! - the same routine from the 1960s, that rather condemned countries like Tanzania to perpetual debt. https://lnkd.in/entAiZqa Want a quasi-USG criticism of the strengths and weaknesses of investment strategies? It's here.

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Unlocking Zambia's Potential: A Land of Opportunity for Investors Curious about why Zambia is attracting global attention? Zambia offers a unique blend of stability, resources, and growth potential that smart investors are keen to explore. Political Stability: A peaceful multi-party democracy with a track record of smooth transitions of power provides a secure environment for long-term investments. Abundant Resources: From fertile agricultural land to vast mineral reserves and renewable energy potential, Zambia's natural resources provide a solid foundation for growth. Strategic Location: Situated at the heart of Southern Africa, Zambia offers access to a regional market of over 300 million people. Pro-Business Environment: The government is committed to attracting foreign investment through favorable policies, streamlined regulations, and incentives. Don't miss out on the chance to be part of Zambia's exciting growth story! #InvestInZambia #EconomicDiplomacy #AfricaRising #EmergingMarkets #Opportunity

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🚀Sub-Saharan Africa: The Next Global Growth Engine Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is undergoing a massive demographic shift that could redefine the global economy. By 2050, SSA will account for 25% of the world’s working-age population, presenting an unprecedented opportunity. However, to fully realize this potential, strategic investments are crucial—starting today! ⏳ 🔑Why This Matters: While SSA’s population grows rapidly, much of the world faces declining birth rates and aging populations. With a median age of 18, SSA has the world’s youngest workforce—a vast, untapped resource that could drive innovation and economic growth. But without infrastructure development, human capital investment, and better debt management, this potential could remain unrealized. How We Can Change SSA’s Growth Trajectory: 1️⃣ Invest in Infrastructure 🚉 SSA needs significant investment in energy, transport, and digital infrastructure to bridge its $100 billion annual funding gap. Closing this gap will drive economic growth, create jobs, and attract foreign capital. 2️⃣ Attract Global Capital 💼 Foreign investors often see SSA as high-risk, but by partnering with Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) to de-risk projects, SSA can become a prime destination for private investment. Countries like #Kenya and Côte d’Ivoire are already setting the pace. 3️⃣ Empower the Workforce 🎓 With a young, growing population, education and skills development are crucial. Focusing on #STEM, digital skills, and entrepreneurship will unlock SSA’s productivity potential. 4️⃣ Leverage MDBs 🤝 MDBs play a key role in SSA’s development by financing high-return projects that the private sector finds too risky. The International Development Association (IDA) replenishment this year will test global commitment to SSA’s future. 5️⃣ Embrace Sustainable Growth 🌱 SSA is vulnerable to climate change, but green infrastructure investments in energy and agriculture can help the region leapfrog into a sustainable future while attracting impact investors. 🌍 The Future Starts Now: SSA’s growth is not just an African story—it’s a global story. The world has a unique opportunity to support SSA’s rise as a global economic engine through partnerships, investment, and innovation. 🎯 Ready to be part of the transformation? Share your thoughts below and let’s unlock Africa’s massive potential together!🚀🌍👌🏽 #AfricaRising #InvestmentOpportunity #GlobalGrowth #SubSaharanAfrica #Infrastructure #HumanCapital #GreenEnergy #PrivateEquity #MDBs #EmergingMarkets #ImpactInvesting #FutureOfWork #Leadership #Innovation #AfricaFuture #LinkedInEconomy #LinkedInInvestment #LinkedInLeadership #LinkedInDevelopment #LinkedInFinance #LinkedInGrowth #LinkedInOpportunities #LinkedInAfrica #LinkedIn 👥 Tag someone who should see this!✨ Gilbert Boois, MIPM, CIPM Hilman Eugénio Mahumane Elthon Chemane Marco Ismael C. Onorio Manuel Jorge De Morais João Filipe Tatiana Mata Asha Amani Dércio José Joaquim Nhamússua

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Zimbabwe launched a gold backed currency the #ZIG. The US$ became a gold reserve currency at the 1944 Financial Conference at Bretton Woods, New Hampshire #thebrettonwoodsconference that gave birth to #theWorldBank and International Monetary Fund #theIMF. https://lnkd.in/dY9xtGjb The US Dollar was backed by gold then and in 1971 President Nixon unilaterally decided to remove the dollar crim being backed by gold. The Dollar became a #fiatcurrency and it can lose value anytime like any other paper currency that's not backed by any physical asset. Africa has been sleeping for such a long time. Africa wasn't represented at the 1944 Conference like it wasn't represented at 1884/5 Berlin Conference which created our so called sovereign states. Because at the 1944 all chunks of colonised African countries were represented by their colonial masters. The only present African countries were Ethiopia and possibly Sierra Leone attended the meeting. The time for Africa to act and become economically independent is now. It has to establish its own economic order and the starting point is for countries to get their currencies backed by gold as we work towards African Baskets of African currencies based on Regional Economic Communities #RECs before we work on a continental single currency. #wakeupafrica #newafricaneconomicorder #theafricawewant #agenda2063 African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat

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The Africa Wealth Report 2024 by Henley & Partners - The Firm of Global Citizens® Africa’s ‘Big 5’ wealth markets — South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya, and Morocco — account for 56% of the continent’s millionaires and over 90% of its billionaires. South Africa has the most millionaires and centi-millionaires, and Egypt has the most billionaires.

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Liberia’s President Boakai calls for END to proxy wars in West Africa at UN, Advocates for ECOWAS Unity: President Joseph Boakai has cautioned against the rising risk of proxy conflicts in #WestAfrica, stressing the need to protect the region from becoming a battleground for external rivalries and emphasizing the importance of preserving the unity of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). “Liberia firmly stands with the rest of West Africa in our resolve to maintain our 50-year-old Regional Economic Commission, #ECOWAS, intact. We oppose efforts to disintegrate our Union and will not accept the region being used for proxy #conflicts,” Boakai declared during his address. He warned that escalating political and #security challenges, including terrorism and economic instability, were creating fertile ground for foreign powers to exploit local tensions and fuel #conflicts in the region. The Liberian President made the remark while addressing the #UNGeneralAssembly on Wednesday. Boakai’s concerns reflect growing fears that West Africa, with its strategic importance and natural resources, is increasingly vulnerable to outside interference. The region has been grappling with instability, including #militarycoups, insurgencies, and terrorist activities, which have left countries like #Mali 🇲🇱, #Niger 🇳🇪, and #BurkinaFaso 🇧🇫 in turmoil. “The threat of conflict to our shared world underscores the importance of collaborative efforts to foster regional and global stability and peace,” he noted. The Liberian leader underscored the need for concerted regional efforts and called on the international community to support #WestAfrica’s fight against #terrorism and other destabilizing forces. “We look to the #EU and the #UN to support us in keeping the regional body united,” he added, reiterating #Liberia’s commitment to safeguarding the sovereignty and unity of ECOWAS. Continue reading.. https://lnkd.in/etfE-n7M #NotTheAfricaWeWant #Africa #NoToWarsInAfrica #AfricanUnion #ThisIsAfrica #OneAfrica #Peace #StrongerTogether #Diaspora #Agenda2063 #BrandAfrica #Unity #AfCFTATV #UNGA79

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Sub-Saharan Africa’s tentative return to international capital markets is already running into a wall as global investors fret over the uncertainty around US presidential election. Only five of the region’s 49 governments — Kenya, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Benin and Cameroon — have managed to sell dollar bonds this year, after they were all shut out to foreign capital for two years amid the ravages of war and rising global interest rates. The combined $6.2 billion they’ve raised so far is still lower than the amount mopped up by this time in 2022. https://lnkd.in/gaAjT6d2 #unitedstates #presidentialelection #jitters #imperilling #africa #return #primary #bondmarkets #internationalcapitalmarkets #foreigncapital

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I spent a little time reviewing the county green finance assessment. Accessible here: https://lnkd.in/d-yDB9Y4. County governments provide channels through which green projects can be identified and funded. The assessment reviewed financial and economic performance including the ability to take on more debt, the ability to manage funds and projects, credit risk assessment (complete with a shadow rating by a private firm) and investment (green) opportunities. The assessment will guide action through which green projects identified by county governments can be funded. The summary assessment reveals a: • Medium to High-Risk Profile • Low Own Source Revenue • Low Fiscal Autonomy • High Level of Pending Bills • High Personnel Expenses above Regulatory Threshold • Limited Financial Flexibility • Favourable climatic condition suitable for agricultural activities • Stable Political Environment There is no mention of a corruption index or an assessment that takekes this factor into account, so I assume it was out of scope. The detailed county reports provided have reviewed specific county projects that would qualify funding in terms of their management. I am unable to get over some of the issues raised I am afraid. The jury is out on county ability to manage borrowing correctly (a primary mode of dispensing funds envisaged). County loans are guaranteed by the National government under the PFM Act so at the end of the day, the loans are citizen's collective burden. Pick your county and read the assessment. I think that it provides a good guide for investors seeking to do business with counties.

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#Namibia is dry and very sparsely populated - and up to 55% of people cannot afford a nutritious diet. So it was good conversation with Calle Schlettwein, Namibia's Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform today, on the #investments and technical assistance needed to make the country's #agricultural value chains more #nutrition-sensitive. #Climate #adaptation finance will be key to Namibia's #development and ongoing #resilience. We discussed how #IFAD investments can help strengthen agricultural production, improve #irrigation, and drive commercialization in the small-scale agricultural sector. Agricultural is Namibia’s second largest driver of jobs and brings huge potential for rural #livelihoods and food #security. As Namibia navigates challenges of geography and climate, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) reaffirms its commitment to driving #inclusive, resilient, and market-oriented development in Namibian #rural areas.

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Due to lot of limitations in the current UN & #African Union protocols regarding asset recovery, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is set to introduce a groundbreaking protocol that will require Western nations to pay interest on repatriated looted funds & artefacts . 🔸ECOWAS Countries : includes 15 countries in West Africa. 🔸Repatriated Loot & Artefacts : Many valuable items - cultural artefacts,taken from West Africa during colonial times & are held in Museums or private collections outside the region. 🔸Demanding Interest: ECOWAS countries are not only asking for these items to be returned but also want compensation (interest) for the time these items were held abroad. 🔸Reason: They argue that the items' absence caused cultural & economic harm & the compensation would help rectify this loss .

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It is estimated that Africa accounts for about 7% of China’s overseas direct investments projects, 15% of the value invested, and 13% of jobs created by Chinese greenfield ODI since 2003. But closer scrutiny suggests these numbers may be significantly overstated. From a new capital in Egypt to cement factories in Ethiopia, major Chinese projects have quietly been shelved, reversed, or scaled down. https://lnkd.in/diPTBuAw

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2024 Sanlam ESG Barometer: Navigating the Changing Dynamics Listed companies in South Africa and Kenya are invited to participate in the research for this year's report https://lnkd.in/e5tQ-Ykk

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Acre Impact Capital just closed a $100 million round for its Export Finance Fund I, which funds the commercial tranche of infrastructure projects in Africa in the areas of renewable power; health, food and water; sustainable cities; and green transportation. The fund provides specialist funding to cover the gap not guaranteed by government-backed export credit agencies, which typically cover up to 85% of the risk. This means that every $100 million from the fund can enable $560 million of commercial funding. In this article, A to Z Impact Foundation explains why it decided to invest in the Acre fund - a rare display of transparency on their investment rationale that will help other impact investors explore and understand this type of investment. As you will see, they do this for their other investments in the Global South, as well, creating a helpful series of impact investing case studies. Acre's Export Finance Fund I attracted investment additionally from family offices Ceniarth and Trimtab Impact, along with institutional investors European Investment Bank (EIB), FSD Africa, Investec, Standard Bank Group, RMB - Rand Merchant Bank. #impactinvesting #africa Alex Evangelides David Krivanek Hussein Sefian Faisal Khan Chris M. The Private Infrastructure Development Group GuarantCo The Rockefeller Foundation https://lnkd.in/eDKUvXE2

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Navigating Africa’s Energy and Water Transition: Highlights from Enlit Africa 2024 Programme Exciting news for investors, financiers, and industry stakeholders: the programme brochure for Enlit Africa 2024 has just dropped! Circle the dates 21st-23rd May 2024 –these are the days the Cape Town International Convention Centre becomes the nexus for all things power, energy and water in Africa. This iteration of the event once again provides insights into the foundational pillars of finance, investment, and management, amidst the broader exploration of smart energy solutions, transmission, distribution, and water – a crucial resource tightly interwoven with the provision of power across Africa. Tailored sessions promise to deliver cutting-edge insights into emerging markets, investment strategies, and financial models driving the energy transition. New this year are pitch sessions from start-ups and companies in search of capital. The Pitch Stage provides an exceptional opportunity to explore projects, carefully curated and vetted, from a variety of exciting entrepreneurs. For exhibition visitors and conference attendees alike, the open-to-all complimentary CPD-accredited programmes – are perfect for broadening your knowledge within the energy landscape. The Renewable Energy and Storage Hub spotlights opportunities ripe for investment. Corporates in the C&I sphere keen on diversifying their energy portfolios will discover an array of solutions and content that speak to sustainability, resilience, and profit margins. The Generation, Transmission, and Distribution Hub offers pragmatic, efficiency-enhancing solutions applicable to utilities and municipalities alike. 2024 sees the return of the Municipal Forum, an arena for addressing fiscal and infrastructural challenges that South African municipalities face.

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