Crown Agents Bank (www.CrownAgentsBank.com), the specialist provider of foreign exchange (FX) and cross-border payments for hard-to-reach markets, and Invest Africa (www.InvestAfrica.com), a leading platform for business and investment opportunities in Africa, today announces a new collaboration, ‘The Payments Exchange’. The campaign will drive new insight and understanding around the role of FX and payments in the economic transformation of Africa. It will also comprise a programme of events and content across 2024, that explores the integral role that payments and FX will play in realising the ambitions of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement and future trade and investment.

Africa’s global importance is rising, with permanent G20 membership and expanded BRICS involvement. Its growing population, vast resources, and fast-growing economies make it a major player on the global stage. Yet, challenges like political discord and insufficient investment remain.

As a result, The Payments Exchange will bring together African central bankers, finance ministries, fintechs, development finance institutions, pan-African banks, and other pertinent stakeholders with a shared goal to discuss solutions to facilitate greater access to improve the flow of money across the continent.

As part of the initiative, Crown Agents Bank and Invest Africa will also host a special breakfast roundtable on 5th June as part of the programme for Invest Africa’s flagship event, The Africa Debate, on 6th June 2024 in London. The 10th edition of The Africa Debate will focus on advancing trade and investment between Africa and the rest of the world and plans to attract 500+ investors, market leaders and senior decision makers across a variety of sectors and verticals. The collaboration will also see the publication of a series of articles and podcasts and an event in the margins of the World Bank Annual Meetings in Washington DC.

“In partnership with Invest Africa, Crown Agents Bank is proud to launch The Payments Exchange Series, catalysing dialogue and action to empower Africa’s economic evolution through optimised payments infrastructure. Together, we will pave the way for inclusive growth, facilitating financial access and fostering investment opportunities across the continent.” said Chris Partridge, Head of Banks&NBFIs at Crown Agents Bank.

Chantelé Carrington, CEO of Invest Africa Ltd, said, “At Invest Africa, we recognise the pivotal role that payments infrastructure plays in driving economic growth and investment across the continent. Through our collaboration with Crown Agents Bank, we are committed to amplifying the conversation around payments, fostering collaboration, and championing initiatives that will enhance financial inclusion and enable businesses to thrive in Africa.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Invest Africa.

PR Contacts:
CCGroup
Medha Pal/Holly Ingram
CrownAgentsBank@ccgrouppr.com

About Invest Africa:
Invest Africa is a leading pan-African business platform that promotes trade and investment across the continent. With over sixty years of experience, our network is made up of more than 400 global organisations, private investors, fund managers, family offices, policy makers and entrepreneurs. Together we share a desire to build opportunity across the African continent. As the trusted entry point into Africa, we support and connect business and investment through a unique range of services, from leading business conferences and bespoke trade and investment missions to sector specialist event programmes and consultancy projects.

For questions, please contact Cara Oldenburg, Head of Marketing and Events at Invest Africa, at cara.oldenburg@investafrica.com. For more information about Invest Africa, please visit www.InvestAfrica.com

About Crown Agents Bank:
Crown Agents Bank (CAB) is a UK-regulated FX and payments service provider, specialising in global FX and cross-border payments for hard-to-reach markets. 

Unlike traditional banks, CAB’s unrivalled network, technology, and expertise means it can move money in the most complex situations, to the most challenging markets, for organisations that expect the most.

Trusted by Blue Chip organisations across the globe, CAB connects its clients to underserved geographies rapidly, consistently, and equitably so money can move efficiently to where it’s needed. Offering a single API for all FX and cross-border payments, covering 100+ markets and currencies across 700+ currency pairs. Its extensive global network of partners allows CAB to offer competitive prices and fast, reliable settlement.

CAB is one of the first banks to achieve B Corporation™ status. The bank was awarded the Gold Sustainability Rating by EcoVadis in 2022&2023 – ranked within the top 94% of 94,000 companies assessed across 160 countries and over 200+ industries.

For more information, please visit: https://www.CrownAgentsBank.com/

For more information on The Africa Debate: www.TheAfricaDebate.com

BRAVE Combat Federation (www.BRAVECF.com) lands in Mauritius for the first time on May 11, with BRAVE CF 82 taking place in St. Pierre. In total, it will be the fourth event in Africa for the company; further cementing the organization’s spot as the only global MMA promotion to host events in the continent.  

The historic event now has a fitting fight card as well which is stacked from top to bottom featuring African stars going up against global MMA names, and headlined by the biggest title fight of 2024.

The main event will see the trilogy showdown between BRAVE CF Bantamweight champion Nkosi Ndebele and former champion Jose ‘Shorty’ Torres. This will be the first ever trilogy in BRAVE CF and will also be the first trilogy in MMA history with each fight happening in a different continent. 

In the co-main event of the evening, Zimbabwe’s Nicholas Hwende looks to push his case for a Bantamweight title shot when he takes on the undefeated Khurshed Nazarov. Khurshed Nazarov comes into the fight with a 9-0-1 record and can shake things up in the Bantamweight division if he manages to impress at BRAVE CF 82. 

After a memorable 2023, African superstar Eliezer Kubanza hopes to start 2024 on a high note as he fights the experienced Karim Rabei in a Super Welterweight showdown. Kubanza is undefeated in his professional MMA career with all his wins coming via stoppages. Karim, on the other hand, has fought around the world in his decade-long career and makes his BRAVE CF debut at the event. 

A battle of two undefeated phenoms will unfold at BRAVE CF 82 when Ramazan Gitinov takes on Prince Lolia. Touted as the best amateur fighter in IMMAF history, Gitinov is currently undefeated in his four-fight professional MMA career while Lolia has a similar resume to showcase as he is currently 3-0. 

The card will also feature a flyweight battle between Bidzina Gavashelishvili and Luthando Biko giving the fans a long list of reasons to get excited about the event in Mauritius, as BRAVE CF continues to lead the development of the sport in the continent.

BRAVE CF 82 Full Fight Card

Bantamweight world championship: Nkosi Ndebele (c) vs Jose Torres 3

Bantamweight: Nicholas Hwende vs Khurshed Nazarov

Flyweight: Bidizina Gavashelishvili vs Luthando Biko 

Featherweight: Ylies Djiroun vs Ananias Mulumba

Super Welterweight: Eliezer Kubanza vs Karim Rabei

Lightweight: Ramazan Gitinov vs Prince Lolia

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of BRAVE Combat Federation.

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ABOUT BRAVE CF:
BRAVE Combat Federation’s vision is to change mixed martial arts from an event business to a sports business and to provide MMA fighters with the opportunity to showcase their talents on a global platform.

BRAVE CF has created the biggest sports development program for mixed martial arts, with over 800 fighters from 80+ nations having competed under the bright lights of the most global MMA organization.

Since its inception seven years ago, BRAVE CF has established itself as the most global mixed martial arts organization in the world, having now hosted events in a record-breaking 30 countries in 81 events. During this time, the organization has acquired the largest market share in Asia and Europe, hosting shows in all regions in both continents, as well as being the number one sports media property in the Middle East.

In a resounding address at the 2024 International Development Association (IDA) Summit held in Nairobi, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana emerged as a leading voice, advocating for a groundbreaking initiative: the doubling of funding for the IDA.

Amidst a backdrop of global challenges, President Akufo-Addo’s clarion call for increased support to the IDA reverberated throughout the summit halls, igniting discussions on the imperative of bolstering international development efforts.

President Akufo-Addo’s impassioned plea underscored the urgent need for enhanced financial resources to confront the daunting infrastructure deficit plaguing African nations. Quoting figures from the African Development Bank (AfDB), the President highlighted Africa’s infrastructure needs, estimated at a staggering $130 billion to $170 billion annually, with a yawning financing gap of $68 billion to $108 billion. Such disparities, he emphasized, hinder economic growth, stifle progress, and perpetuate cycles of poverty and inequality.

Central to the President’s argument was the pivotal role of the IDA in providing concessional financing to bridge the resource gap and facilitate sustainable development. Against the backdrop of mounting debt distress and the far-reaching impacts of climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic, President Akufo-Addo stressed that doubling IDA funding was not merely an option but an imperative for African nations striving to navigate these intersecting crises.

Drawing from Ghana’s own experiences, particularly its engagement in debt restructuring under the G20 Common Framework, President Akufo-Addo elucidated the challenges facing countries grappling with debt burdens. He emphasized that doubling IDA resources would not only alleviate debt pressures but also enable nations to address pressing development needs, from infrastructure investment to climate resilience and social protection.

The President’s advocacy for doubling IDA funding resonated with summit participants, who echoed his sentiments on the need for bold and transformative action. Recognizing that development efforts require sustained, long-term investment, President Akufo-Addo called upon the international community to seize the opportunity presented by the IDA replenishment to mobilize resources, forge partnerships, and chart a course toward inclusive and sustainable development.

As the summit concluded, President Akufo-Addo’s call to double IDA funding reverberated as a rallying cry for solidarity and shared responsibility in addressing the most pressing challenges of our time. With the stakes high and the need urgent, the President’s visionary leadership set the stage for a renewed commitment to building a brighter future for all.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.

On April 29, commencing at noon (local time)(9: 00 p.m. JST) for approximately 45 minutes, Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is visiting the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, paid a courtesy call on H.E.Mr. Alassane Ouattara, President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire. The overview is as follows.

At the outset, Minister Kamikawa thanked the President for the opportunity of a courtesy call and expressed her gratitude for President Ouattara ‘s words of sympathy concerning the recent Noto Peninsula Earthquake. She also congratulated Côte d’Ivoire on winning the Africa Cup of Nations, which was successfully hosted by Côte d’Ivoire this year.
Looking back on then Prime Minister Abe’s visit to Côte d’Ivoire in 2014, as the first visit to Francophone West Africa as Prime Minister of Japan, the two sides confirmed that bilateral friendly relations have deepened in various fields over the past decade, with the increase of the number of Japanese companies in Côte d’Ivoire and steady progress in the construction of a flyover and the development of the Abidjan Port, which Japan promised at the time.
Minister Kamikawa also expressed her will to continue to strengthen cooperation to create a business-friendly environment for companies to expand. As part of this effort, the two sides welcomed the co-hosting of the Japan-Africa Public-Private Economic Forum.
They affirmed their commitment to work together to promote common values such as Women, Peace and Security (WPS), the rule of law, and democracy, in order to maintain political and economic stability in Côte d’Ivoire in the face of prolonged instability in the Sahel region.They also exchanged views on African and regional issues and confirmed to further advance cooperation.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.