20 Jun Improved agricultural efficiency “key to Africa’s growth”
“Science and technology are critical to transforming agricultural efficiency in Africa, according to the head of the African Development Bank.”
20 Jun The IMF lays out the grave consequences of Brexit
“AS IF the economic evidence against Brexit were not already strong enough, the IMF has today published an analysis which shows just what a hit Brexit would be to the British economy. It is an even-handed piece of work, but probably still underestimates the economic costs of quitting the European Union.”
08 Jun NABA FINANCIAL GUIDE LAUNCHED
On June 6, Norwegian African Business Association (NABA) launched their new initiative; NABA Financial Guide. This new added-value service is developed as a complementary to the already existing “NABAs Business Guide to the East-African countries”.
The new site – www.nabafinancing.com – will as a first step provide a comprehensive and quick overview of Public Funding initiative available for Norwegian companies in the Energy sector.
The new service is developed with the support from The Global Capital Guide (www.globalcapitalguide.com)
31 May “If we abandon smallholder farmers, we abandon our future,” IFAD President to tell G20 ministers
“Rome, 31 May 2016 – With around 795 million hungry people in the world, and an additional 60 million needing food aid in the wake of droughts and crop failures caused by El Niño, agricultural ministers from the G20 countries meeting in China this week have an enormous challenge ahead of them, says the president of the UN agency dedicated to assisting smallholder farmers. “
31 May NIB funds roll-out of smart electricity meters in Norway
“NIB and the Norwegian electricity producer Eidsiva Energi AS have signed a 15-year loan agreement of NOK 440 million (EUR 47 million) for the installation of smart meters and steering systems in the counties of Hedmark and Oppland.”
23 May Board approves AfDB Group’s Strategy for the New Deal on Energy for Africa 2016–2025
“The Executive Boards of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) took a significant step towards Africa’s economic transformation in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire on Wednesday, May 18, 2016, with the approval of the Bank Group’s 2016–2025 Strategy for the New Deal on Energy for Africa.”
23 May European Investment Bank backs EUR 5.3 billion new loans…
“The Board of Directors of the European Investment Bank today approved EUR 5.3 billion of new loans to support small business lending and finance new investment in schools, corporate research and development, water infrastructure, local transport schemes, and urban regeneration. EIB financing for 8 of the 26 projects is expected to be guaranteed by the EU budget guarantee under the Investment Plan for Europe.”
23 May Swedbank’s success is built on old-fashioned thrift and modern technology
“Two years ago Swedbank, Sweden’s biggest retail bank, moved from its offices in the centre of Stockholm to a drab business park outside the city. Employees fretted about leaving their prime location, a few doors from the Riksbank, the central bank, and a stone’s throw from Parliament. The move, which has saved $25m-odd a year, was symbolic not only of the bank’s thrift, but also of its desire to retreat from the exciting but risky end of banking. Instead, much like the Scandinavian furniture in its office, it is returning to something simpler and more straightforward. That strategy has made Swedbank not only one of the safest banks in Europe, as judged by the thickness of its cushion of capital, but also one of the most profitable.”
16 May Statssekreterare Nils Vikmång leder handelsfrämjande delegation till African Utility Week
“Den 16 till 19 maj leder Nils Vikmång, statssekreterare hos energiminister Ibrahim Baylan, en delegation bestående av svenska företag och myndigheter till African Utility Week i Kapstaden, Sydafrika. Syftet är att, inom ramen för Team Sweden Energy, främja svensk energiteknik och bidra till ökad bilateral handel med södra Afrika.”
16 May African Guarantee Fund Visit Helsinki
“A delegation from the African Guarantee Fund (AGF) led by CEO Felix Bikpo visited NDF on Thursday.”