Image: Angola`s railway network, courtesy: Wikipedia
Highlighting the importance of the railway for Angola, President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço said ‘the Lobito Corridor, which links Angola to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and whose concession we have given today … will certainly boost intra-African exports which currently account for only 14% of the total exports to the rest of the world. Figures like this show us the importance and necessity of putting our infrastructure at the service of the economic and social development of our countries and our continent. And we are doing so with vision, purpose and clearly defined objectives.’
Lobito Atlantic Railway concession launched
ANGOLA: Operations, management and maintenance of the 1 344 km railway along the Lobito Corridor were formally transferred to the Lobito Atlantic Railway consortium at a ceremony hosted by the Municipal Administration of Lobito on July 4. Present at the event were President of Angola João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia and President Felix Tshisekedi from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Lobito Atlantic Railway is a joint venture consortium formed by Trafigura Pte Ltd, Mota-Engil Engenharia e Construcão África SA and Belgian rail operator Vecturis SA. Awarded the 30-year concession on November 4 last year, the consortium will handle freight traffic on the 1 067 mm gauge line that connects the deep-water port of Lobito with the network operated by Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer du Congo near the border town of Luau in eastern Angola. The line provides a direct link from Kolwezi in the heart of the Copperbelt to Lobito, offering a direct route for exports of copper, cobalt and other raw materials.
“We have plans to build a railroad from the Pacific all the way across the Indian Ocean. We have plans to build in — in Angola one of the largest solar plants in the world. I can go on, but I’m not. I’m going off-script. I’m going to get in trouble.”
Ignore, of course, Biden’s gaffe about building a railroad across the Pacific. Ignore, too, his statement that he was “going to get in trouble” for going off script. Joe Biden is the president of the United States. He commands a huge arsenal of warships, warplanes, and nuclear weapons. With whom, exactly, might he be getting in trouble?
Instead, focus on the part about the solar project in Angola. Biden didn’t give any details, but he was referring to a $900 million loan commitment that was announced on June 1 by the Export-Import Bank of the United States that will back the construction of a 500-megawatt solar project in Angola. In a press release touting the deal, the Ex-Im Bank claimed the project will “generate over 500 megawatts of renewable power; provide access to clean energy resources across Angola; [and] help Angola meet its climate commitments.”
You can also be forgiven for not knowing that Angola is a member of OPEC and has enormous oil and gas reserves. Further, you can be forgiven for not knowing that Exxon Mobil may invest as much as $15 billion in Angola to develop a new offshore oil field and that Angola exports tens of thousands of barrels of oil per day to the United States. Finally, as can be seen in the graphic above, you can be forgiven for not knowing that the average Angolan resident is emitting a paltry 0.6 tons of CO2 per year and that U.S. per capita CO2 emissions are about 15 tons per year or 25 times more.
The Ex-Im Bank loan for the Angolan solar project — and Biden’s crowing about it to the League of Conservation Voters (LCV), which is one of America’s richest dark-money climate NGOs — drips with irony, hypocrisy, and green colonialism.
President Putin`s Speech at the Second Russia-Africa Summit
by PD Lawton, 24 March 2023
Over 75% of African States attended this historic event in Moscow. It was not easy for many to make the journey because of the extreme pressure being put on African governments by Washington and Brussels who threaten sanctions on friendship with Russia.
excerpts from President Putin`s speech:
Historical Friendship
It is well known how significant support the Soviet Union once provided to the peoples of Africa in the struggle against colonialism, racism and apartheid, how it helped many African states to gain and protect their sovereignty. It has consistently supported the development of statehood, the strengthening of defense capabilities, the creation of the foundations of the national economy, and the training of personnel.
The construction by Soviet specialists of Africa’s largest Aswan hydroelectric power
station was once a symbol of such cooperation.
President Nasser and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev at the ceremony to divert the Nile during the construction of the Aswan High Dam on 14 May 1964. At this occasion Khrushchev called it “the eighth wonder of the world”. Image: Wikipedia
President Nasser at start of construction of the Aswan
And today the Russian Federation continues to follow the line of support and assistance to the continent.
I will note that African states are constantly increasing their weight and their role in world affairs, they are asserting themselves more and more confidently in politics and
in the economy.
African Economy Growing Fast
I am convinced that Africa will become one of the leaders in the emerging new multipolarworld order; there are all objective prerequisites for this.
As you know, Africa is home to about one and a half billion people, a huge resource base is concentrated there, almost a third of the world’s mineral reserves.
And while African countries so far account for only 3 % of global GDP, we note that many of their economies are growing at a faster pace.In today’s very difficult conditions, against the backdrop of turbulence in world politics and the economy, African countries are striving to pursue an independent and sovereign foreign and domestic policy, to solve their own, sometimes difficult, problems on their own.
Shared Societal Norms
Russia and the countries of Africa uphold the norms of morality and social principles that are traditional for our peoples and oppose the neo-colonial ideology imposed from outside.
By the way, many states of Asia, the Middle East and Latin America adhere to similar positions,and together we make up the world majority.
I have said more than once that our country is determined to continue building a strategic partnership with African friends in the full sense of the word.We are ready to jointly shape the global agenda, work together to strengthen fair and equal interstate relations, and improve mechanisms for mutually beneficial economic cooperation.
Russia Helps Industry
Thanks to our assistance, many industrial enterprises have been built on the continent, entire industries have been created, and vital infrastructure and social facilities have been built.
Russia Cancelled African Debt
At the same time, Russia wrote off the debt to African states in the amount of more than 20 billion dollars.
Mutual Trade in National Currencies
Mutual trade is growing every year, which reached almost 18 billion dollars last year.It is unlikely that such a figure can fully suit us, but we know that this is far from the limit.
The development of our counter commodity exchanges will undoubtedly be facilitated by a more energetic transition in financial settlements to national currencies and the establishment of new transport and logistics chains.
AfCFTA will reach $3 Trillion
Additional opportunities are opened by the process of establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area, which began in 2021, which in the future will become a common continental market with a total GDP of more than three trillion dollars.
We are in favor of actively establishing ties with this new association both through the Eurasian Economic Union and bilaterally.
Russia Helps with ENERGY
Large Russian investment projects are being implemented in Africa with the participation of such domestic companies as Rosneft, Gazprom Neft, RoosHydro, ALROSA, Lookoil and many others.
We will continue to assist African countries in the production of electricity, which the continent has so far provided only a quarter of its needs.
Today we offer new environmentally friendly technologies, primarily in the field of nuclear energy.Rosatom is already building a nuclear power plant in Egypt, it plans to expand its participation in the development of the national energy systems of the African continent.
I want to point out that significant, in some countries 100 percent, funding comes from Russia.
These are serious projects worth 15, 20, 25 billion dollars.
El- Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant, Egypt which will provide significant energy and fresh water through desalination. Image: ROSATOM
Technology Transfer
Russian-African cooperation in the field of high technologies is being strengthened. For example, in Angola, with Russian assistance, the ANGOSAT satellite communications and television broadcasting system is being created.Yandex is actively implementing information services in the countries of the African continen to organize the transportation of passengers by taxi and other modes of transport.
At the same time, Russia is always ready to share its technologies with African countries;it offers precisely a joint diverse technological development.
Food Security
I emphasize that our country is conscientiously fulfilling all its obligations regarding the supply of food, fertilizers, fuel and other critical products for the states of the continent,thereby contributing to ensuring their food and energy security.
You probably know that we are ready to transfer some of the resources we have frozen in European countries, including fertilizers, the first batches have already passed, to transfer to countries in need free of charge.
But, unfortunately, even here they create obstacles for us.
Guided by the needs of primarily African countries, Russia recently agreed to an extension for another 60 days of an agreement concluded in Istanbul to export Ukrainian food through the Black Sea and unblock Russian agricultural exports and fertilizer supplies.
At the same time, we insist on the package nature of this deal, primarily in the interests of African and other developing countries, bearing in mind that they need large amountsof food.
West Blocks Russian Help
We insist on full compliance with the key Russian requirements, first of all, as I said,showing concern that grain and fertilizers go to the needy states of Africa, and not be transported to well-fed European markets, to well-fed European countries.
Meanwhile, of the total volume of grain exported from Ukraine, approximately 45 % went to European countries, and only 3% went to Africa.
Now, perhaps, I will say two more words about this. Let me emphasize that only if our position is taken into account will a fair and comprehensive implementation of the Black Sea grain deal be ensured.
And, depending on this, we will decide on our further participation in it.From August 1, 2022 to March 20 of this year, 827 ships left Ukraine, of which only three million tons of grain were sent to Africa and 1.3 million tons to the poorest countries in Africa.
As I said, almost 45 percent went to well-fed European countries, despite the fact that this whole deal was presented under the source that we need to ensure the interests of African countries.
By the way, I draw your attention to the fact that during the same time, despite all the restrictions and restrictions on the export of Russian grain, almost 12 million tons were sent from Russia to Africa.
Real Friendship
And there’s something else I’d like to add. If we nevertheless decide not to renew this deal after 60 days, then we are ready to deliver all the volume that was sent in the previous time to countries in Africa in particular need, from Russia to these countries free of charge.
Education
Cooperation between Russia and African states in the field of education is traditionally at a high level.About 27 000 African students are currently studying in our country, of which more than 5000 are studying at the expense of the federal budget.At the same time, the annual quota for their admission to state-funded places in Russian universities will be more than doubled.
Health
The project of the Russian-African Network University has entered the practical stage. We intend to build up cooperation on such vital topics for Africa as medicine and healthcare,ensuring biological and epidemic security.
To this end, Russia is ready to provide Africans with mobile laboratories with equipment, modern medicines, and train specialized specialists.
By the way, during the coronavirus pandemic, our country was one of the first countries to supply African countries with large volumes of vaccines, test systems, sanitary and hygiene products, and other medical and humanitarian supplies.
And of course, Russia invariably lends a helping hand to African countries in overcoming the devastating consequences of natural disasters: floods, fires, hurricanes and droughts.
Restoring Peace
Cooperation in the fight against terrorism and extremism has received significant development in recent years. Our military and military-technical cooperation continues, including the supply of Russian weapons and military equipment to African partners, and the training of relevant personnel. Currently, military personnel from more than 20 African countries are studying at the universities of the Russian Ministry of Defense.
For more on the second Russia-Africa Summit go Here:
Lors de mon voyage en Angola en 2018, j’ai eu l’immense honneur d’être reçu par la présidente de la Fondation Agostinho Neto, Maria Eugénia Neto, veuve d’Agostinho Neto, et de sa fille Irène Neto. Elles m’ont alors offert les recueils de poésie de Neto et une thèse comparative de son oeuvre avec celle de Léopold Sédar Senghor. Cette dernière, n’étant disponible qu’en portugais et en anglais, j’ai pris la décision de la traduire pour le public français avec l’aimable autorisation de la fondation Neto. Lors de la journée mondiale de la langue portugaise, le 5 mail 2022, j’ai pu enfin présenter ce travail à Maria Eugénia Neto et Irène Neto. Vous pouvez désormais commander ce livre.
Who Benefits from Africa’s Poverty? PD Lawton RTF Lecture
28 Dec 2021
In this Rising Tide Foundation lecture, Africa Agenda editor in chief PD Lawton takes you through a definitive history of Africa with a look to the future. PD introduces ancient African renaissance traditions that have long been suppressed by colonial powers since the 19th century and takes the viewer through the calamitous 20th century with a look to the good, the bad and the ugly dynamics that fought to revive Africa’s noble heritage vs those interests that sought to keep the continent in a dark age, depopulated condition.
After evaluating the struggles led by such great men as Kwame Nkrumah, Patrice Lumumba, Thomas Sankara and many others, PD evaluates how these historic currents are impacting today’s Africa with a look towards those seeking a better future in tandem with China’s Belt and Road Initiative vs those representing the anti-human Malthusian agenda.
it was my pleasure to be interviewed by Ethiopian media OBN and to stand in solidarity with Ethiopians who are forging the future of a NEW PARADIGM for beautiful Africa
” We have to take active steps to dismantle the colonial economic model that we inherited and that we sustained over the last 50 years . We have to stop being exporters of primary products to countries of the North. We have got to make sure we establish industrial development capacity on the African continent so that we create jobs on the African continent and so that we completely rely on Africa, self sufficiency in Africa and if anything Covid-19 has demonstrated is that Africa is over reliant on the export of primary commodities, overly reliant on global supply chains. And we know when the global supply chains are disrupted, we know that Africa suffers. We know that when the global commodities markets are subdued we know that Africa suffers. So we have got to take active steps to make sure that Africa`s industrial development is accelerated and this African continental free trade area and the trading that starts today ,are the first steps that we have to take in that direction.” -His Excellency Wamkele Keabetswe Mene, Secretary General of the AfCFTA
This was the day that the African continent stopped being the raw materials market of the North. This was the day that the vision of the founding fathers of the continent became a reality. The United Africa, the United Economic Union of Sovereign African States was the foundation stone of the Organization of African Unity as envisaged in 1963 by the leadership of Ghana, Egypt, Guinea and Algeria. The industrialization of Africa was the vision, most notably of, Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana and Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt.
Image: Gamal Abdel Nasser with his beloved wife, Tahia and three of their young children, meeting with Kwame Nkrumah in 1965 after forming the Casablanca Group and then the OAU. One year later Nkrumah would be ousted from government in a foreign run coup. Five years later and Nasser would die of a heart attack, despite good health, worked to death by the War of Attrition with Israel.
Today it is Niger and President Mahamadou Issoufou who has been the champion of economic unity under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
” I ask all Africans, young or old , woman or man, to appropriate our common ambition to realize the Africa we want, an Africa unimpaired, unique, prosperous, that properly leads its children, development for one and for all.” President Issoufou of Niger
President Nano Akofu Addo is another Ghanaian great leader and champion of the industrialization of the African economy. In his speech on January 1, he thanked the presidents of the countries who have contributed the greatest efforts for AfCFTA, Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger, Alpha Condé of Guinea, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt, Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa and Paul Kagame of Rwanda.
Image: President of Ghana, Nano Akofu Addo
The African Continental Free Trade Area is the creation of a single continental market. Trading will be duty free and quota free. It will boost inter-African trade and stimulate innovation and investment. It will provide jobs for the youth and encourage African entrepreneurs. It has a protocol on the financial inclusion of women in trade.
“The focus of our trade agreement should be directed to a larger extent on the development and sustaining of small and medium enterprises and not only on well -established big companies.” President Cyril Ramaphosa
The Afrochampions Initiative will encourage big firms in the African private sector which will in turn foster the growth of small and medium enterprise.
Food self-sufficiency, which is a national security priority, in this age of out sized and exaggerated globalization, has worsened in the majority of African nations over the last several decades. Not only does this jeopardize the health and existence of society, but it drains nation’s foreign reserves with mega-food import expenditures.
The most critical, essential, fundamental, and undeniable ingredient to a successful agricultural sector, as well as a manufacturing sector, is infrastructure.
re posted from AFRICA AND THE WORLD
Hunger Stalks Africa: Nations Should be Food Self-Sufficient
February 27, 2020
Right now, as I write, two regions of Africa are experiencing food emergencies: East Africa and Southern Africa. This is a crime against humanity. There is no objective reason for starvation and malnutrition in this continent rich with arable land. Actions should be taken today, not tomorrow, to reverse this life threatening, but preventable food shortage. It is morally repugnant to witness so many human beings perishing due to the persistence of poverty, hunger, and disease in Africa.
On January 20th, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) requested a mere $76 million to combat the spread of the destructive Desert Locusts. A just released joint statement-UN Joint Statement on Locust in East Africa signed by several organizations, Locust in Africa: A Race Against Time, reports that since February, the locust swarms originally sighted in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, have spread to South Sudan, Djibouti, Uganda, Tanzania, and have reached the eastern border of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has not since a locust incursion since 1944. With the expansion of the locust invasion, the FAO has doubled its request for emergency funding to $138 million, of which only $33 million, less than 25% has been collected of pledged.
Pompeo’s Africa Trip Had No Purpose But To Attack China
Feb. 22 (EIRNS)—Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s just-completed visits to three African countries appear completely self-defeating, visits which discredit the United States across the African continent. Pompeo’s trip to Ethiopia, Senegal, and Angola, Feb. 15-19, had no United States purposes; it was conducted solely to attack China with three of China’s leading cooperating nations and recipients of its investment, none of which are going to suspend their cooperation with China. It had no tangible result, but cannot have helped President Donald Trump’s standing with Africa, nor with China, with which he has repeatedly expressed his aim to cooperate.
As observed in Australia’s Lowy Institute blog “The Interpreter,” on Feb. 12: “More to the point, all three countries are also key regional partners for China in Africa. In December 2018, Senegal became the first West African nation to sign onto the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) when it welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping. Dakar is also hosting the 2021 Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), bringing together Chinese and African heads of state to discuss the strategic framework for the next three years of China-Africa relations. Ethiopia is a leading investment destination for Chinese businesses, recipient of several high-profile Chinese infrastructure projects such as the continent’s first light railway in Addis Ababa and [African Union] AU headquarters, and strategic anchor for China’s Eastern Africa BRI. Angola has received some of the highest amounts of oil-backed Chinese infrastructure loans in Africa, is China’s second-largest African trading partner, and a key source of petroleum for China.”
The Washington Post on Feb. 20 wrote: “The trip concluded without an announcement of any major deal or new initiative, and it deepened a sense … that U.S. politics has moved away from popular humanitarian programs and broad-based trade benefits, to a near-singular focus on economic cooperation with China.” Meaning a negative pressure focus on those nations cooperating. “Given the vast gap between Chinese and American economic investment in Africa, cuts to many of those [U.S.] humanitarian programs, and the impending expiration of the U.S. government’s biggest trade-benefit program in Africa, the lack of a big-ticket announcement also seemed to underline how … the U.S. government’s Africa policy [has shifted] toward the rhetorical as opposed to the tangible.” The Post cited experts debunking Pompeo’s claims about China’s projects in Africa, and an African expert stating, “This talk of ‘true liberation’ is of course highly exaggerated.”
Au stand d’Angosat avec le nano-satellite CanSat 100% Made in Angola
J’ai été invité à Luanda, la capitale angolaise, pour le Forum ANGOTIC 2019 sur les Technologies de l’information et de la communication (TIC), du 18 au 20 juin. Cet événement mondial, qui réunissait cette année plus de 8 000 participants et 150 intervenants, est l’occasion de mettre en réseau entités gouvernementales, acteurs du secteur, fournisseurs numériques et institutions de financement. 65 % des communautés africaines résident en zone rurale, hors de toute couverture numérique. Un secteur particulièrement juteux pour les investisseurs donc, mais qui doit avant tout se constituer en levier technologique pour assurer le développement économique et infrastructurel des Africains eux-mêmes.
