Ghana’s Minister for Finance, Honourable Ken Ofori-Atta, and his delegation attended Day one of MTN Group’s Capital Markets Day in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The accompanying delegation included Mr. Reginald Yo Grant, CEO of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) and Mr. Solomon Asamoah, the CEO of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) who participated in the panel on Ghana's economic health, prospects, and opportunities at the event.
The rst day of the Capital Markets Day a orded MTN investors the opportunity to better understand the market dynamics across the Group footprint, with speakers unpacking the key drivers of these markets and sharing some of the challenges and opportunities. Key speakers for the event included the
Deputy Governor of the South African Reserve Bank Dr Rashim Cassim, CEO of South Africa’s Energy Council James McKay, Standard Chartered Bank’s Head of Research: Middle East and Africa, Razia Khan and Bismarck Rewane who is the Managing Director and CEO of Nigeria based Financial Derivatives Company.
Mr. Ofori-Atta talked about the role of Ghana’s mutual prosperity dialogue as a convening platform that will ensure that the private sector is at the centre of Ghana’s growth agenda. The Minister provided insights into Ghana’s macro-economic prospects to a group of MTN investors where he outlined the future prospects of Ghana, including the bene ts and importance of the recently signed agreement with the IMF.
The minister indicated that
Ghana is "seeking partnerships to enable us to crystallise our ambitions of being the seed country for Africa's economic and development renaissance."
During his visit, the Minister accompanied by MTN Group Chairman, Mcebisi Jonas paid courtesy visits to the President of the Republic of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa and the country's Minister of Public Enterprises, Pravin Gordhan.
The second day of the meeting, which is hosted by MTN Group CEO and President, Ralph Mupita, together with his senior leadership team, is an opportunity for MTN to unpack its progress, detail prospects and spell out plans for the MTN of tomorrow.
Ghana is a key market for MTN Group. The country has signicant growth opportunities and MTN has already committed to invest $US1billion on capital expenditure.
Consolidated Bank Ghana LTD (CBG) in partnership with Development Bank Ghana (DBG) have onboarded over 400 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) onto its SME Financial Empowerment (SFE) training programme. The two-day training which took place in Accra o ered participants the opportunity to learn more about nancial literacy to support the growth of their businesses with digital skillsets.
Speaking at the event, the Head of CBG SME Centre, Mr. Kwasi Amekonanye, said the programme will allow SMEs to showcase their products and attract potential buyers or suppliers globally.
"The goal of onboarding SMEs on the SFE programme is to enhance information sharing
and provide nancial solutions to support SME growth. This collaboration with DBG under the Ghana Integrated Financial Ecosystem program facilitates international connections and opportunities for SMEs in Ghana; it allows them to showcase their products and attract potential buyers or suppliers, both locally and internationally".
“CBG and DBG collaboration brings funding at concessionary lending rates, which are lower than usual, and thus not over-burdening to the SMEs. CBG’s focus on non-collateralized cash ow lending is being enhanced by collaborating with other donor-funded programs and thus contribute to a stronger economy by improving opportunities for women led businesses and youth
entrepreneurs too", he added. Reiterating CBG’s commitment to SME growth, the Head of SME Business, Mrs. Rita Ankra-Badu, stated that the Bank remains committed to providing value for SMEs
"The Bank recognizes the importance of not only providing nancial products but also o ering training and support to help their businesses thrive. We partnered with the Development Bank of Ghana (DBG) to serve SMEs at discounted rates and with unsecured nancing. The collaboration also aims to help SMEs to access nancial literacy training, low-cost facilities, as well as gain access to international markets for trade’
The SME Financial Empowerment (SFE) programme has been designed to transform
the landscape for aspiring entrepreneurs, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and businesses to build foundational digital nancial literacy and enhance their understanding of essential nancial services.
The programme o ers a wide range of courses designed to equip businesses with the necessary knowledge and skills to thrive in the digital economy. Participants will learn how to leverage digital tools and strategies to drive growth, e ciency, and competitiveness and access nance.
CBG is wholly owned by the Government of Ghana with 114 branches in 13 regions, strong government support, large SME client network and a pool of diverse talent.
The conference room at Johannesburg's Sandton Convention Center crackled with energy as over 300 exceptional leaders from Absa Group's 12 operating countries gathered. This was no ordinary Senior Leadership Group (SLG) meeting; these leaders had earned their place through unanimous selection by their peers, representing a unique assembly of talent and vision.
Dubbed 'Ijayo,' a Kiswahili word symbolizing the future,
this gathering was dedicated to forging Absa's new brand purpose—a daring declaration crafted to steer the bank's strategic trajectory in the years to come.
In an atmosphere thick with anticipation, the attendees took their seats, waiting for that pivotal moment when the purpose would be unveiled. With palpable excitement and conviction, Group Chief Executive, Arrie Rautenbach took the stage,
uttering the words everyone yearned to hear: 'Empowering Africa's tomorrow, together... one story at a time.'
The room erupted in thunderous applause, instantly echoing the resonance of the newfound purpose. It was a beacon of hope for a continent desperate for transformative change.
The statement signi es a bold departure from traditional banking norms and embraces a progressive, exciting, and community-centric approach. At the core of it lies a commitment to unlocking the immense potential that Africa holds. Gone are the days of viewing Africa through a narrow lens of limitations; this bank recognises the rich tapestry of stories, aspirations, and untapped opportunities that lie within its diverse communities. By shifting the focus from banking transac-
tions to human narratives, Absa is now attempting to rewrite the rules and reshape the perception of what a bank can truly achieve.
"Empowering Africa's tomorrow, together...one story at a time" might sound like a lofty ideal, but it serves as a rallying cry for change in an industry often criticized for its rigidity and conservatism. While some may raise their eyebrows at this departure from the tried and tested, Absa's counterintuitive approach opens doors to new possibilities. It challenges the notion that banks should solely focus on nancial transactions, highlighting the importance of human connection and empowerment. By embracing unconventional practices, Absa is signalling to the nancial world that it's time to think outside the box.
In Ghana, Absa’s constant culture of reinvention, fortied by a century-old heritage,
has set it apart in impacting and supporting real sector growth. Recently, Absa unveiled an unprecedented initiative to empower SMEs—o ering loans up to GHS1m at a remarkably low rate of 10% p.a., without collateral. In a country where borrowing rates have soared above 30%, this ground-breaking endeavour propels businesses to new heights, igniting their potential.
In shifting its purpose from “bringing possibilities to life” to “empowering Africa’s tomorrow together,” Absa is making a bold prediction that it will stick with Africa for the foreseeable future, and is con dent in the potential, growth, and transformation of its peoples and resources to make the world a better place. It is a refreshing take on what a bank must truly stand for, beyond its core sphere of in uence. It also comes at a time where the banking sector, at least in Ghana, is facing a crisis of legitimacy following economic and perfor-
mance challenges and customers’ waning con dence in the sector’s ability to support real growth and enhance wealth creation.
“One of the beautiful things about having a purpose is that it actually keeps you very focused and delivers direction. In empowering our customers and stakeholders, we are giving them a new lease of life to empower their families, households and build businesses, that will stand the test of time and support real sector growth,’ said Managing Director, Abena Osei-Poku.
Absa has always danced to its own rhythm in terms of strategy, steadfastly meeting the bespoke needs of customers and clients, unfazed by external pressures. By prioritizing the voices of its employees in crafting this new purpose statement, Absa is once again showing the world a new way to lead.
Ometha, explained that the partnership opens up the Ghanaian ecommerce space for acceptance of Locally and Internationally issued UnionPay Cards on various domestic ecommerce merchant platforms.
The UnionPay Africa Branch General Manager, Mr Asad Burney, expressed his excitement about the partnership.
“UnionPay International has no doubt that this launch with GTBank will expand our brand reach to both local and foreign cardholders in Ghana”.
Guaranty Trust Bank (Ghana) Ltd [GTBank] has partnered with UnionPay International [UPI] to accept payments from UnionPay issued cards on its e-commerce acquiring platform, GTPay, and various online merchants in Ghana.
The partnership, which is rst of its kind in the industry, reinforces the commitment of
GTBank and UnionPay to champion a cashless society by enabling UnionPay cardholders to pay for goods and services online, on Point-of-Sale (PoS) machines in stores and via a Quick Response (QR) service at enabled merchant locations. Group Head of Digital Banking at GTBank, Kenneth Selasi
“The Bank and industry currently accept UnionPay cards for cash withdrawals on ATM terminals and payment at physical stores; the addition of the online channel creates an additional opportunity for UnionPay cardholders to transact in the comfort of their homes and o ces. In addition, business owners and institutions signed onto our GTPay platform can now accept UnionPay cards as a payment option on their online platforms. We encourage all online merchants to contact GTBank for UnionPay to be activated to reach a wider market.”
With over 180 million UnionPay cards issued in 75 countries and regions outside mainland China, UnionPay has recently expanded its global acceptance network to 180 countries and regions.
UnionPay cards are widely accepted in Africa across all sectors, e ectively meeting the diverse purchasing needs of cardholders visiting and living on the continent. UnionPay cards are issued in 14 African countries, including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Nigeria, South Africa, Eswatini, Seychelles, Madagascar, and Mauritius.
Harm Reduction Alliance, Ghana joins harm reductionists across the World to celebrate World Vape Day on 30th May 2023. The occasion which precedes the celebration of World No Tobacco Day highlights the bene cial e ects of reduced-risk products in tobacco control.
According to the Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction Report, there are 5.012 deaths yearly attributable to tobacco smoking with approximately 644,429 current smokers in Ghana. This fact was reiterated by the Minister of Health, Dr Kwaku AgyemanManu during the launching of the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention for Tobacco Control (FCTC) 2030 project in Accra recently.
The Minister further stated that tobacco smoking is prevalent among young people and Ghana was faced with a dual burden of disease with the upsurge of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and a wide array of cancers and the project was timely for the eradication of emerging tobacco control challenges.
This was contained in a press statement signed by Mr. Samuel C.D. Hanu of Harm Reduction Alliance, Ghana.
The statement attributing the minister of health added that, though
Ghana had made signi cant progress in tobacco control with the inclusion of tobacco-speci c provisions in the Public Health Act, 2012, the passage of the tobacco control regulations in 2016 (L.I.2247) and the introduction of graphic health warnings, Ghana still has a long way to go in the pursuit of attaining a tobacco-free country.
Fortunately, Ghana need not re-invent the wheel. Good examples abound and Ghana can learn, for instance, the success story of Sweden.
The European Union (EU) in 2021 targeted the year 2040 for Member States to be ‘Tobacco-free’. This is de ned to be a smoking rate below six (6) percent. Two years on, Sweden is on course to achieve a ‘tobacco-free’ society 17 years ahead of the 2040 deadline. Sweden's health authorities had implemented a tobacco control policy for the past 50 years where the traditional tobacco control measures recommended by the EU run alongside an openness to alternative reduced-risk products. Sweden had achieved this remarkable feat of reducing the smoking rate by a whopping 80 percent despite a 30 percent spurt in population growth.
The Swedes began the journey to a smoke-free society with the introduction of snus, a smokeless oral tobacco product usually held
in the mouth between the lips and gums which brought the smoking rate down by 55 percent.
Furthermore, policymakers in the country had embraced a new generation of alternative risk nicotine products such as vaping and nicotine pouches which had facilitated a further decline in smoking rates, especially among the female population.
The e ects of these tobacco harm reduction e orts had led Sweden to save more than 3,400 lives yearly. It is projected that; the EU could save about 2.84 million lives should they follow Sweden's example. Furthermore, compared to the rest of the EU, Sweden has 44% fewer tobacco-related deaths, 41 percent lung cancer rates and 38 percent fewer cancer-related deaths.
Ghana can adopt and localise the Sweden example by embracing tobacco harm reduction (THR) interventions such as friendlier approaches in regulating reduced-risk products i.e., heated tobacco, nicotine pouches and vapes.
This could be implemented alongside the traditional tobacco control measures and education making the country safer for all and attractive to investors.
Tobacco Harm Reduction just
like harm reduction in general works on the principle that there are public health interventions which are less costly but e ective in achieving health targets and Ghana as a country must not be oblivious to the bene ts of reduced-risk products.
On World vape day, Harm Reduction Alliance, Ghana would want to be associated with the comments made by the Finance Minister of Sweden in April 2022 – Mikael Damberg –“Tobacco and nicotine taxes are […] structured today so that products are generally taxed based on risk. […] Products that are judged to be more harmful to health have a higher tax.”
On this note, Harm Reduction Alliance, Ghana would like to urge policymakers in Ghana to follow the science and not to be persuaded to make policies based on morality and ideologies. By following the example of Sweden, Ghana could save lives, improve public health outcomes, and alleviate the burden on healthcare resources.
Through education and regulation of traditional tobacco and the provision of safer alternatives, Ghana can empower its citizens and other people living in Ghana to make informed choices and transition from traditional combustible tobacco products.
Ericsson a rms its commitment to Africa by concluding an executive-led delegation engagement with key partners, customers, and industry leaders in Ghana. The recent engagement accentuates Ericsson’s dedication to advancing Africa’s Information Communication Technology (ICT) and network infrastructure, enabling sustainable connectivity, bridging the digital divide, and driving digital transformation across Africa.
The visit is the latest in Ericsson’s #AfricaInMotion journey and saw Ericsson executives engaging in constructive dialogues with Ghana’s communication service providers (CSPs) and country’s stakeholders on pivotal topics in the nation’s communication industry.
These ranged from enhancing network infrastructure, expanding access to broadband and high-speed internet connectivity, and driving digital inclusion across the country. Discussions also
centered on fostering an ecosystem of collaboration to increase digital literacy, meet the evolving requirements of the Ghanaian market, and facilitate the deployment of advanced technologies, such as 5G as a platform to enable local market innovation.
Ericsson has a long history of partnerships in Ghana and has worked closely with its partners over the years to build a resilient telecom infrastructure in the country and across the continent including Ericsson’s collaboration with works with the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) on spectrum recommendations that support Africa’s transformation into a knowledge economy through the development of technologies that boost connectivity and innovation paving the way for new advanced technologies such as 5G and beyond.
Last year, Ericsson received the 5G Technological Innovations Award at the Ghana Information
and Technology and Telecoms Awards (GITTA) for its pioneering role in building sustainable and energy-e cient 5G network infrastructures across Africa.
With a focus on nurturing the next generation of talent and empowering them to drive innovation and contribute to Ghana's growth, Ericsson had launched a graduate program that provides fresh graduates in Ghana with on-the-job and project-based learning opportunities in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and advanced technologies. The company aims to continue on this journey through various programs that support talent, innovation and entrepreneurship.
As digital literacy and nancial inclusion take on increasing signi cance at the national level, Ericsson has made it a priority to expand the reach and amplify the impact of mobile money in
Ghana. Ericsson aims to increase collaboration with local CSPs to bolster the accessibility and utilization of telecommunications technologies to contribute to Ghana’s economic growth.
Ericsson enables communications service providers and enterprises to capture the full value of connectivity. The company’s portfolio spans the following business areas: Networks, Cloud Software and Services, Enterprise Wireless Solutions, Global Communications Platform, and Technologies and New Businesses.
It is designed to help our customers go digital, increase e ciency and nd new revenue streams. Ericsson’s innovation investments have delivered the benets of mobility and mobile broadband to billions of people globally. Ericsson stock is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm and on Nasdaq New York.
The West African Monetary Institute (WAMI) and EMTECH SOLUTIONS Inc. today announced a strategic partnership to modernize country-level and regional regulatory sandboxes, enabling the harmonization of heterogeneous Fintech regulatory policies and frameworks across the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ).
The collaboration aims at strengthening nancial integration across the WAMZ member states.
WAMI and EMTECH will establish a knowledge and collaboration program called WAMZ RegEX, which focuses on showcasing
regulatory innovation, sharing insights from global and regional regulatory sandbox benchmarking, onboarding a cohort of WAMZ regulatory sandboxes to conduct rapid pilots, and promoting value.
Additionally, the partnership will involve publishing research and
case studies, as well as capacity-building programs and thought-leadership workshops.
Olorunsola E. Olowofeso, Director General of the West African Monetary Institute (WAMI), emphasized the importance of the partnership saying, "Our collaboration with EMTECH marks a new chapter in
our commitment to creating a uni ed nancial landscape in the WAMZ and signi es a critical step towards achieving a more integrated and technologically advanced nancial ecosystem in West Africa. We look forward to the positive impact this partnership will have on our member states and the broader West African region."
Souleymane Tall, Director of
Financial Integration at WAMI, highlighted the strategic value of this collaboration and stated that the partnership with EMTECH would align with our core mission to promote nancial integration and regional economic development.
By working together, we could unlock new opportunities, improve access to nancial
services, and contribute to the overall growth and stability of the West African Monetary Zone.
Tunji Odumuboni, Executive Director, Africa at EMTECH, remarked, "We are excited and honored to collaborate with WAMI to drive nancial integration and economic development within the WAMZ." EMTECH’s expertise in Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) and Digital Regulatory Sandbox technology will support WAMI and WAMZ member states in fostering an environment conducive to nancial innovation.
Carmelle Cadet, Founder and CEO of EMTECH added, "The collaboration between EMTECH and WAMI aligns with our mission of making nancial markets inclusive and resilient for everyone, by modernizing central banking infrastructure."
“We are eager to work with WAMI to deploy solutions addressing
local and regional ntech innovation and regulatory frameworks in the West African Monetary Zone." Cadet continued, “As many countries are developing ntech regulatory frameworks, a regulatory sandbox is a powerful tool to support safe innovations and capitalize on investment opportunities and economic growth. From the U.S. to Europe, regulators need novel new tools. By joining e orts with WAMI, we are committed to work closely with all 6 member states and support them along this new journey of modern central banking in Africa. In EMTECH, they have a real partner for the long haul.”
For more information about the partnership between WAMI and EMTECH, please contact [WAMI Press Contact] at [+233 (0)302 743801] or [info@wami-imao.org] and [EMTECH Press Contact] at [+1 415 889-7444] or [info@emtech.com].
The Chiefs and Traditional rulers of Teshie, a suburb of Accra in the Greater Accra region has cautioned the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Hon. Henry Quartey and the Registrar of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, Mr. Enoch Addo, to desist from interfering in the chieftaincy matters in Teshie.
The call was made during a press conference organised by the Chiefs and Traditional rulers of Teshie on Thursday 25th May 2023, in Teshie following an alleged attempt by Hon. Henry Quartey and Mr. Enoch Addo in collaboration with some members of the Teshie community to constitute an illegitimate Traditional Council for Teshie.
According to the Chiefs and Traditional rulers led by the Oblahia Mantse of Teshie Gbugblah, Original Nii Martey Laryea I, there is no recognized Teshie Mantse hence the move the Regional Minister and Registrar of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs to form a Traditional Council is illegal and will be resisted.
He further Hon. Henry Quartey of deliberately trying to destabilize the peace and stability being enjoyed by the people of Teshie and warned that if he does not desist from such actions, it might create unnecessary tension and eventually throw Teshie into chaos.
The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) is calling on logistics service providers in the country to collaborate with the government in addressing logistics supply chain bottlenecks to aid Ghana attract the necessary investment in realizing opportunities o ered by the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
Deputy Chief Executive O cer of GIPC, Yaw Amoateng Afriyie, who made the call at a CEO’s Breakfast Meeting as part of the centre’s dialogue series observed that logistics e ciency has the potential of transforming the Ghanaian economy which is well-positioned to major markets across the globe and Africa as a whole in the wake of AfCFTA.
``Ladies and gentlemen, Ghana is well-positioned with excellent proximity and connectivity to key markets in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent and Asia, North and Latin America, and the Caribbean. The world-class Kotoka International Airport (recently ranked for the third successive year as the best airport in Africa’s 2-5 million passenger category) presents many e cient freight forwarding and logistics opportunities” Mr Amoateng Afriyie stated.
According to the World Invest-
ment Report of 2022, global FDI stood at US$1.6 trillion in 2021, and analysts’ forecasts expect this gure to grow in the medium term.
Despite the fact that Africa’s supply chain, is confronted with high cost of moving goods due to inadequate transportation infrastructure and lack of regulatory frameworks, the continent’s share of the total global inward investment according to the report stood at US$83 billion – a record – up from US$39 billion in 2020, accounting for 5.2% of global FDI.
Flows to Ghana in the same year rose by 39 per cent to US$2.6 billion, owing to projects in extractive industries, supported by e cient supply chains.
Mr Amoateng Afriyie believes the narrative can change for the better if supply chain challenges are dealt with in partnership and forging linkages with all stakeholders to help Ghana especially leverage on the opportunities to derive much gains in o ering value to the world from AfCFTA irrespective of the negative impacts such the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian-Ukraine war.
He noted that the Tema and Takoradi ports are very important central assets for the transit of
goods and ship brokerages and to serve a market of over 370 million even as government recognizes the signi cance of rail, road, transport infrastructure in addressing the supply chains drawbacks and is therefore aggressively pursuing some projects to address the shortfall.
``Tema and Takoradi ports on the eastern and western coasts respectively are vital import and export arteries for the oil and gas and allied industries, mining logistics, agriculture and forestry, e-commerce, manufacturing, processing, infrastructure, ship brokerage and FMCG in Ghana and ECOWAS, a market of approximately 370mn people as well as the potential to serve the AfCFTA markets with a population of 1.4bn people and a combined and growing GDP of US$3.4trn” he indicated.
Chief Executive O cer of Apex Shipping and Commercial Company, Mr Prince Arkutu who delivered the keynote address on theme: “Revitalising Ghana’s Supply Chain: Maximizing Logistics E ciency for AFCFTA and FDI Growth.” urged government to master the courage to build an ecosystem that functions without stumbling blocks for Ghanaian businesses to function properly.
A strong and functional ecosystem he said will give investors the con dence to invest in Ghana and
o er them protection while supporting local entrepreneurs and businesses to grow.
The Country Lead of Agility Logistics Parks, Dickson Odei acknowledged the fact that supply chain is the engine of trade hence the need to address ine ciencies to the value chain to enhance trade.
He assured of Agility’s commitment to provide the needed warehousing facility needs to logistics service providers to enhance trade.
Agility Logistics and Parks is a privately owned developer of Grade A warehousing and light industrial parks located at the Tema Free Zones enclave and have presence in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.
Chief Revenue O cer at the Import and Export unit of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Edward Bagyiri said the authority is vigorously pursuing automation for enhance services to enable the country derive maximum bene ts from its supply chain entry points.
The GIPC CEO’s Breakfast meeting was organized in partnership with Agility Logistics Parks on the theme: “Revitalising Ghana’s Supply Chain: Maximizing Logistics E ciency for AFCFTA and FDI Growth.”
The Institut Pasteur de Dakar (IPD) and the Mastercard Foundation have announced a historic $45 million partnership named MADIBA (Manufacturing in Africa for Disease Immunization and Building Autonomy), a signi cant step towards achieving vaccine manufacturing autonomy in Africa.
The multi-year project, aimed at developing and building a world-class workforce to support vaccine manufacturing, will establish a Centre of Training Excellence to equip talented young people, particularly young women, with specialized skills in vaccine research, manufacturing, production, and distribution.
Based in Senegal, MADIBA aligns with the “Plan Sénégal Émergent” (Emerging Senegal Plan) to manufacture half of the country’s pharmaceutical products by 2035 as well as the African Union’s ambitious target to ful ll 60 percent of the continent’s vaccine needs by 2040. As a blueprint for future
vaccine manufacturing facilities across Africa, MADIBA marks a crucial rst step towards vaccine self-su ciency in Africa.
In February 2023, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) launched the Regional Capability and Capacity Centre Network (RCCCN), focusing on talent development for manufacturing and research, and selected IPD as its inaugural centre.
“Between 9,000 and 14,000 full-time employees will be needed across vaccine manufacturing and research roles across Africa by 2040. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the African Union together have called for a New Public Health Order which will safeguard the health and economic security of the continent as it strives to meet the aspirations of the Agenda 2063. A key pillar of this vision seeks to expand the local manufacture of vaccines, diagnostics, and thera-
peutics. Presently, less than one percent of vaccines administered on the continent are manufactured locally. This places a great nancial burden on the health systems of African countries and reduces their ability to respond to pandemics and other health crises,” states Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC. Through the MADIBA project, IPD will develop a specialized training curriculum for the African continent. This aims to train cohorts of talented young Africans from all over the continent, with a goal of enrolling 40 percent, female. It will also incorporate key ecosystem actors such as world-top experts, universities, and manufacturers to address the development of the requisite skills required for highly specialized functions, including vaccine production, quality assurance, supply chain, procurement, and clinical trials. Graduates of the MADIBA training program will help drive the success of other manufacturing facilities, contributing to a multiplier e ect and transformation of vaccine manufacturing capabilities on the continent.
“This partnership between the Mastercard Foundation and IPD will enhance human capital development for biomanufacturing in Africa. The project is a crucial pillar for vaccine equity and autonomy and a signi cant driver for high-skilled job creation
among young and female Africans. We aim to train a workforce for MADIBA and other African vaccine manufacturers, develop partnerships with African universities and promote science education among young students. We extend our gratitude to the Mastercard Foundation for investing in our mission to accelerate equitable and sustainable access to health in Africa along with other nancial and technical partners of the MADIBA project,’’ said Amadou Sall, the CEO of IPD.
“This partnership builds on the game-changing intent of the Saving Lives and Livelihoods initiative. That is, to keep everyone safe by rolling out COVID-19 vaccinations while ensuring Africa’s long-term health security by building vaccine manufacturing expertise and workforce on the continent. In the process, our collaboration will also bene t the livelihoods of young people in Africa.” said Reeta Roy, President, and CEO of the Mastercard Foundation.
The partnership between the IPD and the Mastercard Foundation will accelerate the development of a formally trained workforce in Africa to support vaccine manufacturing projects on the continent. This partnership also aligns with the Foundation’s Young Africa Works strategy to enable 30 million young people, particularly young women, to access digni ed and ful lling work by 2030.
EDITOR: BENSON AFFUL
PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS24 LTD.
