On 1 January 2021, the African Union launched the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the world’s biggest free trade area and Africa’s most ambitious and recent effort to liberalize trade. The World Economic Forum’s Connecting Countries and Cities for Regional Value Chain Integration – Operationalizing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) released this week analyses the impact that COVID-19 has had on Africa’s supply chains.
Developed by the World Economic Forum’s Regional Action Group for Africa in partnership with Deloitte, the report provides policy advice for accelerating the expansion of regional value chains in emerging manufacturing economies such as the automotive industry.
The paper is part of a series investigating five ways to drive economic recovery and build resilience in the context of the AfCFTA Agreement, new financing models for rapid recovery; unlocking manufacturing to mitigate global supply chain risks; leveraging integration and regional value chains; revitalizing infrastructure and connectivity; and scaling up digital transformation and inclusive innovation.
“The African Continental Free Trade Area holds immense potential for the social and economic development of Africa. Renewing the rules of trading will facilitate better cooperation to boost growth, reduce poverty and broaden economic inclusion,” said Børge Brende, President of the World Economic Forum. “This timely report of the Regional Action Group for Africa presents detailed insights and recommendations on how to advance public-private collaboration on regional integration, with a view of deepening and strengthening regional value chains.”
“It is perhaps the most ambitious free trade project since the creation of the World Trade Organization itself. Actively promoting trade liberalization to encourage new areas of growth is a pragmatic response to the reduction in global trade due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will position Africa as an enhanced destination for investment from multinationals”, said Martyn Davies, Managing Director of Emerging Markets at Deloitte Africa. “Although the continent can do little to counter the global forces inclining towards deglobalization, it can embrace a self-supportive regionalism through enhanced intra-African trade.”
Insufficient and inert inter-linkages between African economies have exacerbated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the continent’s supply chains. Yet, from local production of essential products to improving port and customs efficiencies – often flagged as a challenge in Africa – the response to the pandemic illustrated how meaningful impact is created through collaborative efforts. Successfully implemented, current efforts by the African Union will stimulate trade as well as deepen and create new regional value chains in Africa. Lessons learned should be applied to improving production capabilities in other industries so that economic and trade benefits can be realized.
The paper places emphasis on the automotive sector as a case study as advances in that industry have the potential to set the tone and pace for other sectors to mobilize and create stronger integrated regional value chains. The industry is on the cusp of an evolution, with advances in electric and autonomous vehicles and transformations in mobility, but as Africa builds its automotive industry, it should focus on development that promotes innovation and drives adoptions that will be sustainable for the growth and development of the sector.
Study finds ways to boost Intra-African trade and build resilience
Overseas Education
Widely regarded as an icon of democracy and social justice Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
It is therefore crystal clear that education has been integral to the growth of both the country level and at individual level. Most times especially in this fast paced day and age the more you learn and knowledgeable you become the better chances you have to exponentially earn.
The world in this day and age has continued to get smaller and smaller as technology brings us together. As the thirst of knowledge continues Universities across the world are opening their doors to international students for a much diverse academic community that allows stronger networks of professional integrity.
One such university that has continued to light this path is a brand new university across the pond in Europe, from the beautiful and historical country of Georgia.
Kutaisi International University (KIU), a brand new €1 billion western-style campus university in Georgia, is such an extraordinary campus that seeks to bring in students from across the globe, more so from Ethiopia. It is targeting Ethiopia to bolster its international student numbers as well as aid in increase the level of experience of tertiary education. As a result a major recruitment drive is getting underway to bring Ethiopian students to Georgia from September 2021 onwards.
KIU opened its doors in 2020. It is the first ultra-modern residential style university in the Caucasus region. It has been purposefully designed as an ‘international’ institution along US and European lines. Every course and programme is being developed and run in partnership with a leading international university. Its founding partner is the Technical University of Munich (TUM), rated the Best University in Europe in 2020 by QS World University Rankings.
In contrast to many universities which are struggling financially, KIU’s mixture of private, public and philanthropic funding will enable it to provide sustained investment in courses and facilities for students as it grows. The University is funded by a €1 billion donation from the Cartu Foundation, the charitable arm of former Prime Minister of Georgia, Bidzina Ivanishvili.
KIU’s funding base also means it can offer a world-class education at a significantly cheaper price than its competitors. Undergraduate tuition fees for KIU’s international students are set at $5,500 per annum (which includes all teaching materials); and expected annual living costs are a further $5,000 pa.
Prof. Alexander Tevzadze serves as the Rector of the Kutaisi International University starting from 2019.
The diligent professor having graduated from the Department of Physics at Tbilisi State University (Georgia) he received his Ph.D. in Mathematics from the Center for Plasma Astrophysics at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Belgium) in 2006. He was then a postdoctoral fellow at Osservatorio Astronomico di Torino (Italy) and Abastumani Astrophysical Observatory (Georgia). He was later appointed as Associate Professor at the Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, Tbilisi State University (Georgia) in 2009, and was Visiting Associate Professor and Adjunct Professor at the Department of Physics, Carnegie Mellon University (USA) starting from 2012. At the Tbilisi State University he served as the member of the University Senate, chair of international student exchange program committee, chair of the editorial board in physics, scientific secretary of the dissertation council and vice dean of the Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences. Alexander Tevzadze further served as the Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia from 2017. In this position his responsibilities included the higher education and science.
Prof. Tevzadze’s research interests focus on theoretical and numerical astrophysics, including the dynamics of accretion and protoplanetary disks, shear flows, aeroacoustics, cosmic magnetic fields and turbulence. He has received Eugenie Kharadze prize in astrophysics of the Georgian National Academy of Sciences and is elected fellow of the Institute of Mathematics and its applications (UK).
With an illustrious background, Prof. Alexander Tevzadze is poised to lead this new university that is set to offer the very best when it comes to education and exposure. Capital had an interesting discussion with the Professor as he candidly introduced the university to us and the Ethiopian audience at large. Excerpts;
Capital: Can you brief us about Kutaisi International University?
Prof. Alexander Tevzadze: Kutaisi International University is a newly established public university in the country of Georgia that offers university campus, vibrant environment, international faculty and modern educational programs. KIU is funded by international charity foundation Cartu by over 1 billion Euros. KIU founding partner is the Technical University of Munich (TUM), rated the Best University in Europe in 2020 by QS World University Rankings.
The goal of the university is to gradually become an international hub of education, science and technology in the region. The aim of the university is to prepare highly qualified professionals, workforce and human capital that will promote economic growth and development of the world.
Capital: Why is Kutaisi International University targeting Ethiopia? What are the potentials?
Prof. Alexander Tevzadze: Ancient history and culture heritage of the Georgia, toponymical names of old Ethiopian origin, orthodox religion, hospitality of its people culturally fit to be academic destination for students from the oldest country in the world.
KIU offers all programs in English, creating academic platform for partnership with countries with significant command of English as foreign language.
Georgia is becoming permanent observer in the African Union and proceeding with active diplomatic engagement.
Operating Embassy of Georgia in Addis Ababa can foster future partnership projects between Georgia and Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
Capital: What are the programs offered by the University?
Prof. Alexander Tevzadze: There are quite vast arrays of programs that are offered at the university. The following are the opportunities offered in brief summary.
- Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Computer Science
With individual program concentrations:
- Software Engineering
- Distributed Networks, Computer Networks
- Databases and Information Systems
- Artificial Intelligence
- Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Management
With individual program concentrations:
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Marketing, Strategy and Leadership
- Operations and Supply Chain Management
- Finance and Accounting
- Economics and Policy
- Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Mathematics
With a focus on the applied mathematics
Capital: As the University is new how do you plan to impress students?
Prof. Alexander Tevzadze: KIU has many advantages that impress students, among those:
- International professors, leading experts in their respective fields
- Modern state-of-the art green, safe and comfortable campus with multicultural environment best fit for academic process and student life alike
- Comfortable and fully furnished housing for students and academic personnel
- Modern and state-of-the-art laboratories, student facilities, cafeterias, libraries, co-working areas, an interactive learning management system, all of which will create forward thinking technology oriented educational ecosystem
- Close proximity to cultural sites in Georgia
- Tuition fees (KIU annual tuition fees vary from US$3220 to US$5500).
- Engagement and partnership with industry (internship and employment opportunities). KIU Industry Council supporting links between the university and multinational global companies
- International, multicultural campus experience.
Capital: What are your specialties/programs?
Prof. Alexander Tevzadze: Some of our top notch specialties’ include:
- Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Computer Science
With individual program concentrations:
- Software Engineering
- Distributed Networks, Computer Networks
- Databases and Information Systems
- Artificial Intelligence
- Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Management
With individual program concentrations:
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Marketing, Strategy and Leadership
- Operations and Supply Chain Management
- Finance and Accounting
- Economics and Policy
- Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Mathematics
With a focus on the applied mathematics
Our programs provide:
- Top quality of academic process
- All programs taught in English
- Support in English language training provided by our strategic partner the British Council
- Academic calendar – two semesters of 15 weeks each
- Additional 5 ECTS credits per year offered for free to support student progress towards degree
- Effective hybrid teaching method best fit to tackle challenges of current covid19 pandemic
- Competitiveness of the university graduates on the global labor market
- Proton Therapy Clinic and other Research Centers offering students multidisciplinary projects
Capital: How many students are you expecting from Ethiopia?
Prof. Alexander Tevzadze: We welcome as many students as would express an interest to study in Georgia at the KIU campus. With foreign students’ recruitment, we are planning to start with the proof of the concept approach. KIU can admit up to 800 students this year both nationally and internationally.
Tormenting Ethiopia Massive Hypocrisy Runs Amok
By The Queen of Sheba
Ethiopia has been under a coordinated and relentless global attack since it has decisively crashed the murderous putsch perpetrated by the TPLF cabal in early November 2020.
The cabal triggered the attack with executing officers and soldiers in their sleep while isolating them on the basis of ethnicity targeting particularly the Amharas and Oromos the two largest groups in the country.
As the cabal got annihilated on the battle front later, they treacherously destroyed, looted and trashed everything in their tracks including roads and bridges, telephone and power lines, medical facilities, school and learning resources, airfields, administration buildings and offices, trucks and vehicles, and depots oh, yes, banks.
The latest discovery of over 50 highly explosive air-to-surface missiles and rockets stashed close to a gas depot in close proximity to a major residential area is yet another vivid testimony of the nature of this beast and its concern to the people of Tigray. To put it simply, the cabal which had pontificated as the only savior of the people of Tigray ad nauseum, turned out to be its monstrous nightmare.
This article intends to provide a comparative perspective of such internal conflicts in a number of countries and how they played out globally to contrast the incessant demand on the Ethiopian government.
Libya: Gaddafi’s Kingdom
Following the Arab uprising that saw the removal of Colonel Muammar el Gaddafi, Libya has been viciously caught between multiple warring factions since February 2011. According to sources, Libya has been torn among numerous rivals, armed militias affiliated with distinct regions, cities and tribes, while the central government has been weak and unable effectively to exert its authority over the country.
Over 10 years since the outbreak of the conflict, the broken country tragically continues as a battleground of regional and international antagonists. The human and material cost has been incalculable.
Yemen: Saleh’s Fiefdom
The Yemeni revolution followed other Arab Spring mass protests in early 2011 which has seen the removal of President Ali Abdullah Saleh who fled to Saudi Arabia. As one of the world’s failed states, Yemen has also seen a multitude of players in the field.
The human tragedy in the country, as exhibited in numerous news and documentaries, has been biblical.
Somalia: Barre’s Lord-dom
Probably only a handful of countries rival Somalia as a failed state. Since Barre’s humiliating and devastating defeat on the Ethio-Somalia war, which he triggered in 1991, the country has seen total collapse. The country is split into internationally recognized and unrecognized states with multiple players in their midst, as elsewhere.
The scars of war could not be exhibited better anywhere else.
Ethiopia: Abiy’s-Dom
The human tragedies in Ethiopia could have easily surpassed these countries noted above, had the cabal forces succeeded in dismantling the Ethiopian Defence Force. They have nearly succeeded had it not been for the bravery of the Force and the full backing of the great majority of citizens who know, too well, the immeasurable cost of such miscalculated adventures.
The National Defence Force executed the operation in a highly coordinated and meticulously executed manner with particular care for civilian lives and property. According to Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed and his top military lieutenants the battle was executed from a situation room in Addis Ababa with such caliber and professionalism that it caught the cabal in total surprise-and shock. Abiy even dared members of parliament to pay a visit to the “operation room” to review the log book where every relevant shot was carefully recorded.
The cabal forces were annihilated by the army in a thunderous speed, apparently driven by a huge desire to mete out revenge for their massacred comrades. Abiy had to delay the taking over of Mekelle-the regional capital of Tigray-for several days to cool of nerves and also give the cabal forces to surrender themselves. Well, the key cabal leaders used this period to flee into mountains and caves, while a large contingency of their forces took the opportunity to do so.
The conflict, which the cabal had secretly planned for nearly three years, came to an abrupt end in under three weeks. This came as a total shock and surprise to both friends and foes alike.
Re-building the Region
At the end of the major operation, Abiy firmly warned undue sense of joy over victory as he spoke to his army generals in Mekelle. At that momentous speech he also underscored the need to start rebuilding the region immediately.
Indeed, that rebuilding has started in earnest already. Massive humanitarian effort is well underway. Flights have resumed. Communication infrastructure, schools, hospitals, banks, offices are being restored to most of the region. Demoblization of surrendered forces is proceeding. All these massive operations and mammoth rebuilding have taken place in a remarkable less than three months yes, less than three months!
The Voices from the World
The Ethiopian government has been receiving incessant and, also what it appears to be, coordinated attacks from all corners including the mainstream and social media, international organizations, and NGOs.
The UNHCR’s earlier accusations of the government at the height of the conflict, which it later apologized for, is one case in point. The BBC, Aljazeera, and New York Times carried unfavorable and dubious reports which presented the victim as a villain-sometimes in an embarrassing manner. One could throw the latest groundless piece of the Economist to that fold.
Here is the question to all the detractors and critiques of the Ethiopian government-who have no axe to grind.
- Where in the world have you seen such a lightning victory against a well-armed, well-networked, and well-resourced force with the least casualties and damage?
- Where have you seen, at least in Africa, where captured combatants treated, cared, fed, and dressed in the manner they have been?
- Where in the world does the leader of a nation talks about rebuilding while the conflict is still hot on the plate?
- How on earth would one expect a major conflict without casualties human and property and human displacement?
- How on earth would one expect and demand an instantaneous return to peace and security while a major operation is wrapping up and the demobilization of nearly a quarter of a million people just started?
- How is it that the massacres and atrocities committed by a villainous cabal is ignored, and yet any such allegations and innuendos are falsely attributed to the government?
- How is it that the world continues to consume wrong information and twisted news cooked by cabal shenanigans and hired guns who have proved to be wrong, time and again?
And more.
In Conclusion
The Ethiopian government and its people now feel that they are under the gun unjustly. In a rather unique way this may help bring the country and its people together as external threat has been an antidote to Ethiopia’s internal discord.
Be this as it may, it is important for global players to pay attention to the incessant litany of unfair and unjust demands and attacks on the country, as this may have an adverse and enduring impact.
Everything has its own limits.
The Queen of Sheba may be reached at QueenOfSheba2020@outlook.com | Twitter: @TheQueenofSheb5
African game “The Endless Wyrd” is the first to qualify for The Nordic Game Discovery Contest 2021!
South African produced game “The Endless Wyrd” wins big at NGDC and is heading for Early Access release this fall!
In this dice-based, deck-building, roguelike adventure, scavenge the Wyrd and escape the approaching Thing of the Dark. Load your dice with powerful augments to create your own synergies and combos and stack the odds in your favour. In the rabbit hole of the Wyrd, the only way back up, is down.
Produced in South Africa, “The Endless Wyrd” recently won the first qualification round of the NGDC Season V, which took place during Africa Games Week in Cape Town in early December and have therefore qualified for the big Nordic Game Discovery Contest this coming summer in Sweden!
“To us, The Endless Wyrd is the quest for the stupidly overpowered and we can’t wait for players to uncover the ridiculously overpowered synergies and combinations that we have in store”, says Janke van Jaarsveld, CEO of Design Imps, “We are also very proud of the game’s South African roots, boasting the unique comic art style of Willem Samuel, who’s band, SkreeAlleen, incidentally also lent their talents to the soundtrack.”
“The Endless Wyrd” is scheduled for Early Access release in Q3 of 2021 and an early Alpha demo is currently available on Steam. “At Design Imps we are committed to the concept of “Together we can make it better”. It was the reason we implemented an easy to use modding system for Fhtagn! – Tales of the Creeping Madness and the reason we want to have Early Access. We believe that with the input of players we can make this game amazing!”, says Janke.
