7th Int'l Conference on Financing Investment and Trade in Africa held in Tunisia

STORY: 7th Int'l Conference on Financing Investment and Trade in Africa held in Tunisia SHOOTING TIME: June 11, 2024 DATELINE: June 12, 2024 LENGTH: 00:00:56 LOCATION: Tunis CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the conference STORYLINE: The seventh edition of the International Conference on Financing Investment and Trade in Africa (FITA) kicked off on Tuesday in Tunis, the capital city of Tunisia. Organized by the Tunisia Africa Business Council (TABC), this international conference is themed "Strengthening local transformation and technology transfer for sustainable and inclusive growth in Africa," which attracts more than 2,000 participants. Inaugurating the two-day event, the TABC's president Anis Jaziri said that Tunisia would benefit from its membership in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which offers several advantages to investors including exemption from customs duties. For her part, Tunisian Minister of Industry, Mines, and Energy Fatma Thabet Chiboub stressed that "Tunisi

Ghana receives approval to trade 700 products under AfCFTA

STORY: Ghana receives approval to trade 700 products under AfCFTA SHOOTING DATE: May 23, 2024 DATELINE: May 26, 2024 LENGTH: 00:04:21 LOCATION: Accra CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the Made-in-Ghana Bazaar 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): KOBINA TAHIR HAMMOND, Ghana's Minister of Trade and Industry 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): MAVIS NKANSAH-BOADU, Ghana's deputy minister for foreign affairs and regional integration STORYLINE: Ghana has received approval from the authority of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to trade 700 local products within the African continent, according to Minister of Trade and Industry Kobina Tahir Hammond. Hammond made the announcement on Thursday, the first day of the Made-in-Ghana Bazaar, saying the government has been taking a number of steps aimed at making Ghanaian products competitive domestically and abroad under the AfCFTA. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): KOBINA TAHIR HAMMOND, Ghana's Minister of Trade and Industry "The government has facilitated exploratory m

Ghanaian president urges Africa to boost fintech, digital economy for transformation

STORY: Ghanaian president urges Africa to boost fintech, digital economy for transformation SHOOTING TIME: May 13-14, 2024 DATELINE: May 15, 2024 LENGTH: 00:02:53 LOCATION: Accra CATEGORY: POLITICS/ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the conference hall (general view) 2. various of conference participants and the exhibition 3. various shots of Tema port and harbor (file) 4. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): NANA ADDO DANKWA AKUFO-ADDO, Ghanaian President 5. various of conference participants and the exhibition 6. various of the AfCFTA secretariat (file) 7. various of the Accra central business district (file) 8. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): WAMKELE MENE, Secretary-general of AfCFTA Secretariat STORYLINE: On Monday, Ghanaian president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo opened the 3i Africa Summit in his country's capital of Accra. Akufo-Addo urged African countries to develop the digital economy and financial technology (fintech) to accelerate the pace of transformation. The three-day summit, themed "Unleashing Africa's Fintech and D

Ghanaian industry leader urges packaging improvement to leverage AfCFTA opportunities

STORY: Ghanaian industry leader urges packaging improvement to leverage AfCFTA opportunities SHOOTING TIME: April 23, 2024 DATELINE: April 25, 2024 LENGTH: 0:02:45 LOCATION: Accra CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the Production and Packaging (Propak) Ghana Exhibition 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): SETH TWUM-AKWABOAH, Chief executive officer of Association of Ghana Industries 3. various of the Production and Packaging (Propak) Ghana Exhibition 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): SETH TWUM-AKWABOAH, Chief executive officer of Association of Ghana Industries 5. various of the Production and Packaging (Propak) Ghana Exhibition 6. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): SETH TWUM-AKWABOAH, Chief executive officer of Association of Ghana Industries 7. various of the Production and Packaging (Propak) Ghana Exhibition 8. SOUNDBITE 4 (English): SETH TWUM-AKWABOAH, Chief executive officer of Association of Ghana Industries STORYLINE: An industry leader in Ghana on Tuesday called on African stakeholders to enhance the packaging of their pr

Kenyan president urges leveraging technology to propel free trade in Africa

STORY: Kenyan president urges leveraging technology to propel free trade in Africa SHOOTING TIME: April 3, 2024 DATELINE: April 5, 2024 LENGTH: 00:02:47 LOCATION: Accra CATEGORY: ECONOMY/TECHNOLOGY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the Kenyan President William Ruto 2. various of conference participants 3. various of the AfCFTA secretariat 4. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): WILLIAM RUTO, Kenyan President 5. various of conference participants 6. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): WAMKELE MENE, AfCFTA Secretary General STORYLINE: Kenyan President William Ruto has called for the secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to promote technology as a key driver of free trade in Africa. Ruto made this call on Wednesday when he paid a courtesy visit to the AfCFTA secretariat in Accra, the capital of Ghana. He said that technology would accelerate the realization of the goals of AfCFTA and create prosperity that leaves nobody behind and shared prosperity that brings on board the majority of the people. SOUNDBITE 1 (English

Rwanda seeks to boost fisheries sector through AfCFTA opportunities

STORY: Rwanda seeks to boost fisheries sector through AfCFTA opportunities SHOOTING TIME: March 19, 2024 DATELINE: March 26, 2024 LENGTH: 0:02:04 LOCATION: Kigali CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of fishing industries in Rwanda 2. SOUNDBITES (ENGLISH): EMMANUEL GATERA, Manager of the National Standards Division at the Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) STORYLINE: Rwanda is poised to bolster its fisheries sector by capitalizing on the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, an official has said. Emmanuel Gatera, manager of the National Standards Division at the Rwanda Standards Board (RSB), said that the fisheries sector is one of the prioritized value chains under the AfCFTA agreement. "To promote the fisheries sector, Rwanda is actively participating in making continental harmonized standards available," he said in a recent interview with Xinhua. SOUNDBITES (ENGLISH): EMMANUEL GATERA, Manager of the National Standards Division at the Rwanda Standards Board

GHANA-EASTERN REGION-AFRICA PROSPERITY DIALOGUE

GHANA-EASTERN REGION-AFRICA PROSPERITY DIALOGUE

(240128) -- ACCRA, Jan. 28, 2024 (Xinhua) -- African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretary-General Wamkele Mene speaks at the Africa Prosperity Dialogue in Ghana's Eastern Region, Jan. 27, 2024. African leaders attending the Africa Prosperity Dialogue in Ghana have urged the continent to propel industrialization to achieve prosperity at a faster pace. The three-day dialogue, which kicked off Thursday in Ghana's Eastern Region, brought together many African leaders, experts, and stakeholders to delve into road maps for the continent's prosperity. (Photo by Seth/Xinhua)

Ghana to lift visa requirement for visiting Africans by 2024: president

STORY: Ghana to lift visa requirement for visiting Africans by 2024: president SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 25, 2024 DATELINE: Jan. 27, 2024 LENGTH: 00:02:08 LOCATION: Accra CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. Various shots of the airport (file) 2. Shots of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo/conference 3. Various shots of the China-built port expansion project (file) 4. SOUNDBITE (English): NANA ADDO DANKWA AKUFO-ADDO, President of Ghana 5. Various shots of Accra Central Business (file) 6. Various shots of the port expansion (Movement of goods) file 7. Various shots of conference participants STORYLINE: Ghana is about to implement a policy to grant visa-free entry to all Africans visiting the country by the end of this year, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo announced on Thursday. Akufo-Addo pledged while opening the 2024 Africa Prosperity Dialogue in Ghana's Eastern Region, saying the gesture is in line with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to create a seamless single mark

Kenyan president hails establishment of AfCFTA policy and development center

STORY: Kenyan president hails establishment of AfCFTA policy and development center SHOOTING TIME: Nov. 7, 2023 DATELINE: Nov. 9, 2023 LENGTH: 0:04:06 LOCATION: Nairobi CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Kenyan President William Ruto during the launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) policy and development center 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): WILLIAM RUTO, Kenyan President 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): WAMKELE MENE, Secretary-general of the AfCFTA Secretariat 4. various of the AfCFTA headquarters STORYLINE: Kenyan President William Ruto has hailed the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) policy and development center as a watershed moment in the continent's transformation into an economic powerhouse. Ruto made such remarks during the launch of the center on Tuesday at Strathmore University in Nairobi, Kenya. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): WILLIAM RUTO, Kenyan President "As we embark on this journey, it is essential to acknowledge and keenly examine and attend to the

Africa should fix infrastructure to stimulate continental trade: Kenyan president

STORY: Africa should fix infrastructure to stimulate continental trade: Kenyan president DATELINE: May 30, 2023 LENGTH: 0:01:51 LOCATION: Nairobi CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the African ministers meeting 2. SOUNDBITE (English): WILLIAM RUTO, Kenyan President 3. various of AfCFTA secretariat 4. various of Nairobi STORYLINE: Africa should fix its infrastructure to stimulate continental trade, Kenyan President William Ruto said Monday. Ruto told a continental forum in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, that intra-Africa trade currently stands at approximately 17 percent, compared to 40 percent in Asia and 70 percent in the European Union. "A major enabler of continental economic take-off requiring considerable investment is infrastructure," Ruto said during the African Private Sector Dialogue on the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). SOUNDBITE (English): WILLIAM RUTO, Kenyan President "Similarly, you have been assigned the task of generating viable strategies to resolve Africa's c

AfCFTA secretariat vows to boost Africa's food security

STORY: AfCFTA secretariat vows to boost Africa's food security DATELINE: May 27, 2023 LENGTH: 00:03:04 LOCATION: Accra CATEGORY: POLITICS/AGRICULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. various of the banner of the 7th African Leadership Forum 2. various of participants of the forum 3. SOUNDBITE (English): WAMKELE MENE, Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat 4. various of plenary discussion 5. various of Accra's central business district 6. various of the 7th African Leadership Forum STORYLINE: The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat will prioritize intraregional agricultural trade to unlock the region's agricultural potential and achieve regional food security, Wamkele Mene, the secretary-general of the secretariat, said Thursday. Mene made the vow in his opening remarks at the 7th African Leadership Forum in the Ghanaian capital of Accra, stressing the need to reverse the continent's food import bill by utilizing its abundant arable lands to become self-sufficient in food production. The AfCFTA chie

Zambian president calls for accelerated implementation of Africa's free trade arrangement

STORY: Zambian president calls for accelerated implementation of Africa's free trade arrangement DATELINE: May 26, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:03 LOCATION: Lusaka CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the commemoration of Africa Day at Freedom Statue, Lusaka STORYLINE: Zambia on Thursday joined the rest of the world in commemorating this year's Africa Day, formerly African Freedom Day, with President Hakainde Hichilema calling for accelerated efforts to implement the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to ensure sustained economic development. The Zambian president said there is a need to enhance intra-Africa trade in order to promote sustainable growth and development. "This will lead to more jobs, greater wealth and improved welfare for all our people." He also said there is a need for the active participation of young people in order for African countries to realize the full benefits of the free trading arrangement. Zambia, he said, is resolved to maximize the benefits presented by the fr

Cooperation with China will advance industrialization in Africa, says Ghanaian official

STORY: Cooperation with China will advance industrialization in Africa, says Ghanaian official DATELINE: May 18, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:55 LOCATION: Accra CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of participants 2. various of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat 3. various of Ghana ports and harbour 4. various of participants 5. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): MICHAEL OKYERE BAAFI, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry 6. various of participants 7. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): MICHAEL OKYERE BAAFI, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry STORYLINE: African countries should take the third China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation with China to advance their industrialization and infrastructure development, a senior Ghanaian official said Monday. China and Africa need to strengthen their already strong relations and make it even more mutually beneficial through trade, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Michael Okyere Baafi told Xinhua at a promotion event for the th

Africa striving for local currency usage in continental trade

STORY: Africa striving for local currency usage in continental trade DATELINE: March 31, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:22 LOCATION: Nairobi CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the meeting 2. various of street scenes in Africa STORYLINE: The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is striving for the usage of local currencies in trade among countries in the continent, an official said Thursday. Cross-border trading among countries in the Economic Community of West African States is already happening through the use of local currencies instead of the use of U.S. dollars, said Wamkele Mene, secretary general of the AfCFTA Secretariat, on the sidelines of a trade forum in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi. "We now want to expand to other regional blocs including the East African Community which is in talks with the African Export-Import Bank," Mene said. He said that the cost of currency convertibility due to the use of U.S. dollars in trade among African countries is close to 5 billion dollars annually.

AU summit concludes with calls for unity in speeding up economic integration amid challenges

STORY: AU summit concludes with calls for unity in speeding up economic integration amid challenges DATELINE: Feb. 21, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:03 LOCATION: Addis Ababa CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of AU summit 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): AZALI ASSOUMANI, Chairperson of the AU 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): MOUSSA FAKI MAHAMAT, Chairperson of the AU Commission STORYLINE: The Assembly of the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government has concluded its 36th ordinary session with a call for togetherness in speeding up the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement and in dealing with various challenges facing the continent. Addressing the closing session on Sunday, Comorian President Azali Assoumani, who took over the rotating AU chairmanship from Senegalese President Macky Sall, underscored the need to strengthen African unity in dealing with continental and global challenges. The summit was held from Feb. 18 to 19 at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with

36th Ordinary Session of AU Assembly concludes in Addis Ababa

STORY: 36th Ordinary Session of AU Assembly concludes in Addis Ababa DATELINE: Feb. 20, 2023 LENGTH: 00:03:04 LOCATION: Addis Ababa CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of 36th Ordinary Session of AU Assembly 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English interpretation): MUSSA FAKI MAHAMAT, Chairperson of AU Commission 3. various of 36th Ordinary Session of AU Assembly 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ANTONIO GUTERRES, United Nations Secretary-General 5. various of 36th Ordinary Session of AU Assembly kicking off 6. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): ABIY AHMED, Ethiopian Prime Minister STORYLINE: The 36th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Assembly concluded on Sunday at the headquarters of the AU in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. African leaders, UN officials and leaders of various international organizations attended the two-day summit under the theme "The Year of AfCFTA: Acceleration of the African Continental Free Trade Area Implementation." The integration of Africa, rebuilding Africa from the brunt of various health and s

Africa cannot afford failing to implement AfCFTA: AU Commissioner

STORY: Africa cannot afford failing to implement AfCFTA: AU Commissioner DATELINE: Feb. 18, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:19 LOCATION: Addis Ababa CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the conference 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ALBERT MUCHANGA, AU commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Industry and Mining 3. various of the conference 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ALBERT MUCHANGA, AU commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Industry and Mining 5. various of the conference STORYLINE: Africa cannot afford failing to implement the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a senior official of the African Union Commission (AUC) has said. Albert Muchanga, the AU commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Industry and Mining, said in a media briefing during the 42nd Ordinary Session of the AU Executive Council Wednesday that the AfCFTA is a key asset to transform Africa and failing to implement the program can not be affordable. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ALBERT MUCHANGA, AU commissioner for Economic Develop

Ghanian VP urges increased production capacity to address poverty in Africa

STORY: Ghanian VP urges increased production capacity to address poverty in Africa DATELINE: Jan. 29, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:20 LOCATION: Accra CATEGORY: POLITICS/SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of general views in Ghana 2. various of the opening ceremony of a three-day high-level policy dialogue on achieving prosperity in Africa in Accra 3. SOUNDBITE (English): MAHAMUDU BAWUMIA, Ghanaian Vice President 4. various of general views in Ghana 5. various of the ceremony STORYLINE: Africa needs to increase its production capacity to realize the dream of trading its way out of poverty, Ghanaian Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia has said. Bawumia made the comments on Thursday in his keynote address at the opening ceremony of a three-day high-level policy dialogue on achieving prosperity in Africa in Accra, the capital of Ghana. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) initiative presents the continent with a unique opportunity to increase its capacity in manufacturing and industrialization, he said, adding t

AfCFTA launches guided trade initiative for seven countries

STORY: AfCFTA launches guided trade initiative for seven countries DATELINE: Oct. 11, 2022 LENGTH: 00:03:41 LOCATION: Accra CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of a group photo 2. various shots of participants 3. various shots of AfCFTA conference 4. various shots of AfCFTA trade exhibition 5. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): WAMKELE MENE, Secretary-General of the AfCFTA 6. various of AfCFTA conference 7. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ALAN KYEREMATEN, Ghanaian Minister for Trade and Industry STORYLINE: The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) secretariat based in Accra, the capital of Ghana, late Friday launched a guided trade initiative for seven member countries. These seven countries which have signaled their readiness to start trading under AfCFTA were Tanzania, Mauritania, Kenya, Egypt, Cameroon, Rwanda, and Ghana. Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Wamkele Mene said at least 96 different products from the seven countries could be freely traded under the rules of AfCFTA. Products approved to trade u

Kenya expands tea export to West and Central Africa

STORY: Kenya expands tea export to West and Central Africa DATELINE: Oct. 6, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:47 LOCATION: Nairobi CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the ceremony 2. SOUNDBITE (English): WILLIAM RUTO, Kenyan President STORYLINE: Kenya has expanded its tea export to West and Central African countries as it seeks to cash in on tea demand in the region. Kenyan President William Ruto on Wednesday flagged off the first consignment to Accra, Ghana under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Guided Trade Initiative. Ruto urged the government to increase Kenya's value-added tea products to 50 percent from five percent in the next five years. Ruto announced that Kenya will also have the same conversations with Tunisia, Morocco and all other tea importing countries. SOUNDBITE (English): WILLIAM RUTO, Kenyan President "We can now harvest the returns of the huge market of 1 billion people in our continent. The infrastructure provided by the African Continental Free Trade Area of making it easie

Xinhua Headlines: Studies show private Western lenders create most of African debt burden

Xinhua Headlines: Studies show private Western lenders create most of African debt burden

(220720) -- NAIROBI, July 20, 2022 (Xinhua) -- A man sits outside the office building of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat in Accra, capital of Ghana, Aug. 17, 2020. (Ghana Presidency/Handout via Xinhua)

AfCFTA presents Africa with opportunity for growth, prosperity: Tanzanian president

STORY: AfCFTA presents Africa with opportunity for growth, prosperity: Tanzanian president DATELINE: May 28, 2022 LENGTH: 00:03:04 LOCATION: Accra CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. Various shots of AfCFTA secretariat. 2. Shots of Samia Suluhu Hassan, Tanzanian President signing the visitors book. 3. Various shots of participants. 4. Shots of Samia Suluhu Hassan, Tanzanian President. 5. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): SAMIA SULUHU HASSAN, Tanzanian President. 6. Shots of Wamkele Mene, secretary-general of the AfCFTA Secretariat 7. Shots of participants. 8. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): WAMKELE MENE, secretary-general of the AfCFTA Secretariat 9. Shots of Port and harbour STORYLINE: The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents Africa with the biggest opportunity for growth and prosperity, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan said here on Wednesday. Hassan made the remarks during a visit to the AfCFTA secretariat. The trade area presented an opportunity to accelerate intra-African trade and use trade more eff

China-Africa trade reaches all-time high in 2021, showing resilience amid pandemic

STORY: China-Africa trade reaches all-time high in 2021, showing resilience amid pandemic DATELINE: Feb. 28, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:25 LOCATION: Nairobi CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Chinese-built Addis Ababa-Djibouti Standard Gauge Railway 2. Kenyan Naivasha Inland Container Depot (ICD) 3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): WAMKELE MENE, Secretary-general of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) 4. various of the new Kenyan Mbita Bridge 5. various of Kenya's standard gauge railway (SGR) train station and the passengers 6. various of Kenya's Lamu port 7. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): STEPHEN NDEGWA, International relations lecturer, United States International University (USIU-Africa) 8 various of the Kenneth Kaunda International Conference Center in Lusaka, Zambia's capital 9. various of the Zimbabwean parliament building STORYLINE: China-Africa trade has bucked the global economic downward trend, and analysts believe it has contributed to the African economy's resilience in the face of COVID-19 challenge