NTU-SBF CAS Newsletter

December 2021

The NTU-SBF Centre for African Studies (CAS) would like to wish its readers a happy new year. Set up in 2014 with an endowment from private sector donors and seed funding from the Singapore Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), CAS is the only one of its kind in South-East Asia. The aim of the Centre is to study the economic landscape of the continent and disseminate knowledge that enhances the understanding of Africa from a trade, business, and investment perspective.

The Best of 2021

As the year comes to an end, Nozipho Tshabalala and Amit Jain discuss the top three best read papers published by the NTU-SBF Centre for African Studies. Find out why the banking sector in Kenya is so formidable and what the future holds for cryptocurrency and the creative industry in Africa.

Listen here...

Knee-jerk reaction to the Omicron variant — panic or discrimination?

International travel ban exposes Africa’s long and painful association with disease. Amit Jain explains what lessons Africa should take from this episode in this Cape Times article.

Egypt emerges as a top
FDI destination

Political stability, strategic location and a large domestic market has put Egypt in a favourable position to attract foreign direct investments (FDI). Hebatallah Ghoneim explains why it is time for investors to take fresh look at a market that lies at the cross-roads of international trade.

Financing economic growth

Patrick Maluki outlines the contribution of the banking sector to the microeconomic stability
in Kenya.

US$400,000 funding to manufacture pharmaceuticals in Nigeria

The grant funding approved by the African Export-Import Bank will see the setting up of an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) production facility.

Gas prospectors strike windfall after they find the largest Helium reserve in South Africa

Renergen discover US$100bn worth of helium reserves on land for which they paid US$1 in
gas rights.

Africa finds advantage as the West attempts to take on China

Europe and US launch new programmes to counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

Angolan port chosen for IMO-Singapore maritime single
window project

The pilot project promises to make trade efficient.

MTN rides the tech IPO wave with share sale in Uganda

A number of African technology firms have listed their shares this year.

Organic farming takes off in
North Africa

Tunisian and Moroccan farmers are benefitting from the explosive expansion of organic farming.

Ethiopian Airlines steps up its domination of African skies

The continent’s leading carrier goes on an expansion spree through acquisitions and
strategic partnerships.

Mobile phones expand access to education in Africa

As the EdTech sector grows, mobile telcos are partnering with startups across Africa to deliver education on fingertips.

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