Angola to leave OPEC over disagreement on oil production quotas

Oil minister says the country ‘gains nothing’ from remaining in the group after disagreements emerge over production cuts.

OPEC has agreed to production cuts as it seeks to boost the price of oil, a move Angola had objected to [File: Dado Ruvic/Reuters]

Angola says it will leave the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) over a disagreement regarding production quotas, a move that will bring the group down to 12 members.

Speaking on public television on Thursday, Diamantino Azevedo, minister for mineral resources, petroleum and gas, said Angola, which produces about 1.1 million barrels of oil a day, is leaving OPEC because it was not serving the country’s interests.

“We feel that … Angola currently gains nothing by remaining in the organisation and, in defence of its interests, decided to leave,” Azevedo was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the president’s office.

Angola, which first joined OPEC in 2007, has struggled to meet production quotas over the past several years. The country is joining others, such as Qatar and Ecuador, that have left OPEC in the past decade.

Questions about potential production cuts sought by leading oil producers such as Saudi Arabia have been a source of recent debate within the group.

Without Angola, OPEC countries will produce about 27 million barrels of oil per day, about 27 percent of the global supply.

But while Angola was a relatively small player in OPEC, the country’s departure has raised larger questions about the future of the organisation.

Crude prices dropped by more than 1.5 percent after the announcement.

“From an oil market supply perspective, the impact is minimal as oil production in Angola was on a downward trend and higher production would first require higher investments,” said Giovanni Staunovo, a commodity analyst with UBS.

“However, prices still fell on concern of the unity of OPEC+ as a group, but there is no indication that more heavyweights within the alliance intend to follow the path of Angola.”

Oil and gas make up about 90 percent of Angola’s exports and are a crucial economic lifeline for the country.

Last month, Azevedo’s office protested against an OPEC decision to reduce its production quota for 2024, concerned that it would damage Angola’s ability to increase its output capacity.

OPEC and its allies in OPEC+ have agreed to cut production to prop up oil prices.

Angola’s production capacity peaked in 2008 at 2 million barrels per day but has dropped since due to ageing infrastructure.

SOURCE: AL JAZEERA AND NEWS AGENCIES, 21st December 2023
Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail

AIF 2023 builds formidable powerhouse around investments in Africa

This year’s Africa Investment Forum attracted significantly  increased investment to the continent.

The Africa Investment Forum (AIF) 2023 has lived up to its name, with investment promises amounting to $34.82bn made over the three-day Market Days event held in Marrakech, Morocco, in November. It was attended by financiers, investors, pension funds, policy makers, private equity firms and governments.

The pledged investments are across several sectors of the continent’s economy. As always, infrastructure was a main feature of discussions.

Kenya secured $300m for building new power lines, for example. Tanzania secured a $5.9bn investment in the country’s new Mtwara-Mbamba Bay standard-gauge railway project. It also received funding for the Mangapwani II Integrated Hub Port project in Zanzibar, which forms part of the government’s drive to develop its blue economy.

Power was also a top draw, with a focus on green energy projects. Huge power deficits across many countries and the drive for net zero carbon emissions have lent momentum to renewable energy rollout in Africa, including in the continent’s two biggest economies – Nigeria and South Africa.

Also on the table were deals in health and creative industries and agriculture. Side events included regional transport corridors and a Mayors’ Forum on leveraging cities and municipalities to unleash growth and development. This included mayors and governors from Lagos, Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Abidjan and ministerial representation from Rwanda.

The event hosted the launch of the private sector-focused Alliance for Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones. This drew a commitment of $3bn towards development of these zones across the continent made by the AfDB, Afreximbank, the Islamic Development Bank and other partners.

The Forum also included some non-traditional discussions. One was about the role of sport in boosting economic development. The newly elected President of Rugby Africa, Ghana’s Herbert Mensah, highlighted the opportunity. “To invest in rugby across Africa is to invest in a continent of 1.3bn people, utilising the sport as a catalyst for both economic development and empowerment of the youth.”

‘Speed dating’ for investors

Organised by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Africa Investment Forum, held under the theme “Unlocking African value chains”, is now in its fifth year. It was launched in South Africa in 2018 as an innovative marketplace. It was hosted this year in Marrakech, under the high patronage of King Mohammed VI.

Dedicated to advancing projects to bankable stages, raising capital, and accelerating the financial closure of deals, it has sometimes been described as “speed dating” for investors. The three-day global event drew over 1,000 delegates from more than 60 countries.

AfDB Group President and Chairperson of the AIF, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, said “We are building a formidable powerhouse around investments in Africa that will have transformative impacts on the lives of people. That is the bottom line of the Africa Investment Forum: investing to improve lives.”

Adesina highlighted the success of the AIF which, since 2018, has drawn 16,500 participants and generated nearly $143bn in investment interest, including securing $15.5bn for the Abidjan-Lagos highway corridor and $3.6bn for the East Africa railway corridor.

Its founding partners are the AfDB Group, Africa50, Afreximbank, the Africa Finance Corporation, the Development Bank of Southern Africa, the European Investment Bank, the Islamic Development Bank and the Trade and Development Bank.

Among delegates were several African heads of state and government, including Comoros President Azali Assoumani, President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania; President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone; and Rwanda’s Prime Minister Eduoard Ngirente, also joined by the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley.

Adesina observed that despite insalubrious global economic conditions, African countries had exhibited resilience, even growing faster than the global average.

“African economies witnessed a real GDP growth of 3.8% in 2022, higher than the world average of 3.5%. Five of the six pre-pandemic top-performing African countries are projected to be back in the league of the world’s 10 fastest-growing economies for 2023-2024.”

He said his optimism is based on the data. Africa, he noted, is expected to have a population of 2.5bn by 2050, accounting for 25% of the global labour force, making it a key player in the global economy.

The continent is expected to grow to $3.4 trillion as a result of the African Continental Free Trade Area, with the agricultural market worth $1 trillion by 2030.

He pointed out that the continent is critical to the green energy transition, being home to many of the minerals needed for the production of electric vehicles. “Africa accounts for the largest source of the ‘green metals’ for the development of electric vehicles, including platinum (70%), cobalt (52%), manganese (46%), bauxite (25%), and graphite (21%).”

The King calls on the private sector

In opening remarks read on his behalf by Omar Kabbaj, an advisor to the king and president emeritus of the AfDB, King Mohammed VI noted that the complex economic issues facing the continent, exacerbated by geopolitical tensions and climate change, had been further complicated by challenging fiscal conditions.

He urged greater private sector investment and participation in African countries. “State budgets alone cannot cover all the investment needed, especially in high-potential, job-intensive sectors.”

The King observed that while infrastructure development is a barrier to development in Africa, he emphasised what can be done, using the example of Morocco.

The Kingdom of Morocco now has 4.1 GW of installed renewable electricity generating capacity, and is continuing to roll out its strategy to increase the share of renewable energy to over 52% of its national electricity mix by 2030. The Tanger Med port complex has helped position the kingdom as one of the top 20 logistics hubs in the world.

The importance of being derisked

Speakers raised the issue of the unrealistically high perceptions of risk in Africa, which affects the flow of capital into the continent and pushes up costs of finance. It has also deterred the deployment of assets under management from pension funds and other institutions for infrastructure and other investments.

Investors and institutions based in Africa or already doing business here believe the risk is overstated and does not match the reality on the ground. The AfDB aims to change this by derisking investment, improving information about opportunities in Africa and pushing for, and supporting, more bankable projects. The founding members of the AIF weighed in with some of their views.

The CEO of the Islamic Trade Finance Corporation, Eng. Hani Salem Sonbol, said that Africa was a land of boundless possibilities and a dynamic engine of growth.

Admassu Tadesse, Trade and Development Bank group president emeritus and group MD, said the TDB Group was pleased to see the AIF continuing to attract diverse financiers and institutional investors for greater engagements on investments and co-financing opportunities.

European Investment Bank vice-president Ambroise Fayolle restated the importance of a strong, innovative and resilient private sector and added, “We are happy to see how the creativity and vision of African innovators is making an impact, particularly in the area of technology.”

Africa Finance Corporation president and CEO Samaila Zubairu said collaboration through strategic partnerships such as the AIF was critical to unlocking opportunities in Africa’s rich and diverse value chains. The CEO of the Development Bank of Southern Africa, Boitumelo Mosako, praised the utility of the event in providing a platform for engagement with partners on transactions.

Alain Ebobissé, Africa50 CEO, said: “Once again, this year, the Africa Investment Forum has been a testament to the founding partners’ dedication to initiating projects that tap into Africa’s rich potential across diverse sectors.”

Source:  African Business, 9th November 2023

 

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail

Reimagining economic growth in Africa: Turning diversity into opportunity

Africa is home to the world’s youngest and fastest-growing population, burgeoning cities, and bold innovations in everything from fintech to clean energy. With its population expected to nearly double to 2.5 billion people by 2050, the continent presents myriad opportunities for robust, inclusive growth that harness its rich natural resources and abundant human potential to increase prosperity not only in Africa but around the world.

These strengths and assets present a chance for the continent to vastly improve its productivity and reverse the economic deceleration it endured from 2010 to 2019. GDP growth fell 35 percent over that period—and then the COVID-19 pandemic took hold, followed by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Those events set off shifts that are still working their way through the global economy. Today, 60 percent of Africa’s population lives in poverty, the result of per capita income growth that has averaged just 1.1 percent a year for the past several decades.

Yet the continent-wide statistics obscure successes in many of its constituent countries that can serve as models to establish productivity as the foundation of Africa’s economic growth. Over the past decade, certain countries, cities, sectors, and companies have been beacons of innovation, productivity, and growth—there is no “one Africa.” In those beacons lie lessons and innovations that can reinvigorate the African economy. Our new research indicates that abundant growth and development are still possible in Africa, still happening—and, more than ever, vital for the welfare of the world.

Africa’s real GDP per capita has grown only 1.1% annually since 1990.
Real GDP per capita

Africa’s growth has downshifted since 2010 after a promising opening to the millennium

 

 

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail

Congo’s presidential vote is extended as delays and smudged ballots lead to fears about credibility

Voters look for their names outside a polling station in Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. Congo headed to the polls Wednesday to vote for president as authorities scrambled to finalise preparations in an election facing steep logistical and security challenges. (AP Photo/Moses Sawasawa)

KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Lengthy delays at the polls forced officials on Wednesday to extend voting in Congo’s presidential election as many residents in the mineral-rich West African nation struggled to cast ballots because of steep logistical and security challenges, raising concerns about the integrity of the process.

Polling stations that never opened on Wednesday will conduct voting on Thursday, Denis Kadima, chair of the electoral commission, said on local radio.

Some 44 million people — almost half the population — were expected to vote, but many, including several million displaced by conflict in the vast country’s east, found it difficult to do so. The fighting prevented 1.5 million people from registering to vote.

At stake is the future of one of Africa’s largest nations and one whose mineral resources are increasingly crucial to the global economy. Congo has a history of disputed elections that can turn violent, and there’s little confidence among many Congolese in the country’s institutions.

Source: AP 17 December 2023

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail

From Lagos to London: Africa’s economic powerhouse makes historic debut at Lord Mayor’s Show

Nigeria's participation at Lord Mayor's Show on Saturday nov

The Lagos government is stepping up a hunt for foreign investment as federal authorities battle to revamp Nigeria’s battered economy.

Lagos, Nigeria CNN  — 

Nigeria’s Lagos state marked a historic moment by making Africa’s inaugural appearance at the renowned Lord Mayor’s Show in London – an annual procession, steeped in 800 years of tradition, that celebrates the history and commerce of the city.

The debut signals the state government’s ambitions to become a global financial hub and to attract foreign investment, particularly crucial as federal authorities grapple with revitalizing Nigeria’s economy, which faces challenges such as mounting debts, unprecedented inflation rates, and a sharp decline in the local currency.

Organizers of the Lord Mayor’s Show said Lagos was invited to participate in the London procession because of the state’s “growing economic prominence.”

Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who led Nigeria’s contingent to the London parade on Saturday, told CNN his state’s participation was an invitation to the world to explore “the myriad of opportunities” available in Lagos.

Among the Lagos contingent were the traditional Eyo masquerades who take part in the famed Yoruba Eyo festival in the state.
Among the Lagos contingent were the traditional Eyo masquerades who take part in the famed Yoruba Eyo festival in the state.

He told CNN: “Let it be known that Lagos State, with its rich cultural heritage and unwavering spirit, is not just participating in a historic procession; it is striding into the global spotlight, inviting the world to witness its dynamism, its progress, and the myriad of opportunities available to all.”

“Lagos isn’t just open for business — it’s open for transformative, groundbreaking projects that shape the future,” he added.

A global financial center

Lagos is Nigeria’s former capital city and has remained the economic nerve center of the West African country – contributing 30% to its GDP and more than 50 percent of Nigeria’s port revenues, according to figures released by the state.

However, it faces many issues, not least its struggles with inadequate infrastructure, such as roads, public transport, and utilities. Lagos has also experienced rapid population growth, leading to issues such as overcrowding, a strain on infrastructure, and increased demand for basic services.

However, many backers believe that Lagos has the potential to evolve into a global financial hub capable of drawing substantial foreign investments into Nigeria.

Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, co-chair of the newly inaugurated Lagos International Financial Centre Council (LIFC) told CNN Lagos was now ready to position itself with global players.

The “market infrastructure is in place,” he said adding, “The problem was the management of the market. Our market unfortunately suffered very poor management for the last eight years. But things have changed.”

Huddle for investors

Amid the scramble for foreign investments into Nigeria, myriad challenges however abound for potential investors.

According to the US Department of Commerce, foreign exchange restrictions and the rising cost of doing business in Nigeria were some of the drawbacks of investing in the country.

Last year, flights between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates were stopped after Dubai’s Emirates airline suspended its operations in the country citing trapped revenues.

In a similar move, British drugmaker GSK said this year it was ending its business in Nigeria, partly due to soaring business costs.

Aig-Imoukhuede, whose advocacy group EnterpriseNGR partnered with the Lagos government to create the LIFC, wants Nigeria’s financial authorities to address some of these issues, especially the country’s rising inflation and unstable exchange rate.

“Focus on the inflation rate, bring it down,” he urged the Nigerian Central Bank. “A low stable inflation rate automatically signals a stable currency … and that’s the job half done,” he told CNN.

Source: CNN, 21st December 2023

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail

Investments in Africa