Aamir A. Rehman

Closed off day 1 of #GITEXAfrica delivering Keynote remarks at the Future Health Summit reflecting on the Power of Ideas and my experience of founding timbuktoo Africa and the 4 pillars of my vision for building #Africa’s #innovation #ecosystem —> 1/ Governments and donors must be enablers and not crowd out private sector 2/ Universities must see themselves at the heart of the emerging African knowledge economy 3/ Startups, corporates, and investors must be aggressively focused on building global with local product-market fit and 4/ Talent, talent, talent. Without it we are sunk. #TheFutureisNow #StartupsSolveProblems #AfricanStartupRevolution #KnowledgeEconomy

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Understanding Sovereign Debt: Options and Opportunities for Africa, with Ceyla Pazarbasioglu , Director of the Strategy, Policy, and Review Department (SPR) of the International Monetary Fund . Spring #IMFMeetings and #WBGMeetings United Nations Joint SDG Fund United Nations #InvestingInTheSDGs #BlendedFinance #DecadeOfAction #SDGfinancing #Fin4Dev #SDGs #SDGInvest #2030agenda #timetoact 💸No poverty 🍲No hunger 🏥Health 📚Education ⚧️Gender equality 🚰Water 💡Energy 👩🏾‍⚕️Work 🏭Industry ✖️No inequalities 🏙️Sustainable cities 🪙Responsible consumption 🌍Climate action 🌊Life below water 🌳Life on land 🕊️Peace 🤝Partnerships

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It was a real privilege to present to the SADC Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) Network CEOs Forum on 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗙𝗜𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲-𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗖, covering: * Africa's SDG, NDC and climate-compatible industrialisation financing needs are not being met. * Weaknesses of the global financial architecture. * Fragmentation and under-capitalization of African DFIs (ADFIs). * The need for African countries to exercise agency by 1) advocating for global financial architecture reform and 2) capacitating ADFIs to raise the scale and impact of finance for climate-compatible industrialisation. * Options to raise the scale and impact of ADFIs. * Sector opportunities for climate-compatible industrialisation. * Knowledge and research gaps to raise the scale and impact of ADFIs. Thanks to hosts SADC-DFRC and Development Bank of Seychelles. The Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, The African Climate Foundation, African Development Bank Group, African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Banco de Poupança e Crédito, Banco del Sol, Botswana Development Corporation, Industrial Development Company of Eswatini, Lesotho National Development Corporation , Development Bank of Mauritius Ltd, Development Bank of Namibia, Agricultural Bank of Namibiam, Industrial Development Corporation, Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), Land and Agricultural Development Bank of South Africa, TIB Development Bank Ltd, Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank, Development Bank of Zambia, Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe (IDBZ)

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Development finance institutions and multinational corporations in the extractive industries still dominate Africa’s international #investment landscape. And that’s okay. But as foreign institutional and retail investors explore private markets for better returns and greater diversification, the persistent #negativeperception of the continent as a risky investment destination continues to limit its ability to maximize its share of global investment flows. The #riskperception premium. As successfully done in #India and #Israel, expanding the investor pool beyond conventional sources to include non-traditional sources like #diasporacapital can go a long way in addressing the ever-growing financing needs in #Africa. #Diaspora capital can play a major role. The Economic Club of Africa in New York (where I have the honor of serving as Board Chairman) and its partners are convening a series of strategic #roundtables of distinguished investors, business leaders, finance professionals, leading academics, diplomats, entrepreneurs, and development finance experts in the #BigApple in the coming months to explore this. Thanks to the #UniversityofMichigan for publishing my recently co-authored #whitepaper, #Demystifying Africa's Risk Perception Premium, which offers some actionable insights on this very important topic. #Whitepaper available here: https://lnkd.in/eEef6fYA Image credit: https://lnkd.in/eNzMumAH

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"🌍 COMESA is Africa’s largest Regional Economic Community, comprising 21 Member States, over 640 million people, and a GDP of $1 trillion. COMESA facilitates a global trade of $383 billion. Learn more about our efforts towards economic integration and development. #CIF2024 #COMESA #EconomicCommunity #COMESARIA #NIPAs #InvestinAfrica #africainvestment"

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Understanding the barriers to access and intensive use of technology by African firms is essential to help unlock their full potential. IFC - International Finance Corporation’s new #DigitalAfrica report shows that: - Businesses frequently face limits on foreign participation in markets, limited competition, and high tariffs for digital goods. The African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) can add significantly to business prospects through trade in digital services. - Middle and last mile infrastructure is needed to reduce broadband prices, driven by the expansion of submarine cables by 2027. - Technology prices in Africa are up to 35% higher compared to other regions. - High-skill human capital is scarce and expensive in Africa - African businesses face higher rejection rates and higher interest rates for loans for technology upgrades and business expansion.   This represents a substantial opportunity for both local businesses and investors. Find our more: https://lnkd.in/eqjHMD3K

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We took time to discuss how organizations and economies can unlock value in the Young World. Africa has over 1 billion people below the age of 35, with the median age in Kenya being 20 years. Diverse and interesting views were shared on: a)      The journey to achieving a digital economy, challenges faced and existing opportunities. b)      Regional integration and the resilience of the Kenyan economy (lessons from Covid-19 response to significant reduction of her trade deficit). c)      Climate change agenda and the need to address the transition risks and take stock of the opportunities that exist in the crisis. d)      Financial inclusion and policy intervention. At Genesis Analytics, we Partner with key actors to deliver lasting impact in critical areas. Belinda K., Stephan Malherbe, Betty Maina, Richard Ketley, Mike Olver

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Thrilled to see the recent strides in Kenya-US relations following President Ruto’s productive visit to the White House. The multibillion-dollar agreements struck are set to bolster trade, enhance security cooperation, and promote investments in digital infrastructure and energy—areas critical for sustainable development. As an active investor in both the US and Kenya, I’m particularly excited about the emerging opportunities these agreements present. The focus on fostering economic growth and enhancing connectivity aligns perfectly with our investment strategies in these vibrant markets. Reflecting on the discussions I had the opportunity to contribute to on Kenyan TV recently, it’s clear that such international collaborations not only boost local economies but also create a more interconnected and resilient global market. Let’s continue to support and contribute to these vital partnerships that promise a brighter, more prosperous future. #KenyaUSRelations #InternationalInvestment #EconomicDevelopment

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Key figures and takeaways from IFC - International Finance Corporation’s new report “Digital Opportunities in African Businesses” launched at the Africa CEO Forum:   ➡️Businesses that integrate digital technologies extensively are more productive: 31% of firm-level differences in productivity are explained by technology adoption, and up to half the productivity gap for agricultural businesses.   ➡️Over 600,000 formal businesses and 40 million microbusinesses in Africa are potentially ready for digital transformation. This could benefit up to 61 million African workers.   ➡️Vast market opportunity to develop, market and invest in digital solutions, offer financial services, and develop infrastructure.   Download the report for more: https://lnkd.in/eqjHMD3K #ACF2024

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"Now is the time that we need to make a dramatic and bold move. For too long, women have been on the periphery of the financial system." Tune into my keynote at the Africa CEO Forum, where I discuss how inclusive financial systems can support women as key drivers of economic growth. #ACF2024 https://lnkd.in/eZrfHJH6

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Fresh stories this week of opaque resource backed loans from private sector entities for #African countries are a reminder of the disaster that these arrangements have for the long term development of the continent. They are both a stranglehold on the development agenda, saddling governments with unsustainable levels of debt, and tying the hands of credible global bodies to respond to transparent and impact focused financial solutions, as well as a pathway for corruption to thrive. Zambia, Somalia, immediately come to mind. How many others must go through this difficulty and do the painful process of digging out from these errors through a process that takes years to achieve solutions to, and sees significant economic hardship for citizens. These deals have the potential to wipe out a generation of economic growth to line the pockets of the few. Saddened to see reports this week in mainstream media of yet more of these deals being negotiated that would see entire GDP of one African country swept away. Glad to see African Development Bank Group and International Monetary Fund and other IFIs stepping up the awareness and the tools to respond to these disastrous deals.

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The Africa Wealth Report 2024 by Henley & Partners - The Firm of Global Citizens® Africa’s ‘Big 5’ wealth markets — South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya, and Morocco — account for 56% of the continent’s millionaires and over 90% of its billionaires. South Africa has the most millionaires and centi-millionaires, and Egypt has the most billionaires.

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National Bank of Ethiopia

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It was a pleasure to chair and moderate the Strategic Roundtable “Africa Goes Digital: How can firms gain most?” at the Africa CEO Forum last week. It was an opportunity to deep dive into IFC - International Finance Corporation’s new book and get perspectives from investors, tech & telecom companies, and users on how investments on infrastructure and innovative technology can help boost firm productivity and competitiveness through advance use of digitalization.     You can see the full report here: https://lnkd.in/eqjHMD3K 

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As an AnCop Ambassador from Nigeria, I'm thrilled to share my latest piece, which focuses on the regulatory harmonization of instant and inclusive payment systems in Africa. I explore challenges and opportunities and highlight inspiring examples driving positive change across the region. Please join the conversation in the comments section! #financialinclusion #IIPS #regulatoryharmonization

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History repeats itself in yet another so-called developing economy, rich in resources, yet still reliant on external financial resources that it does not need! In this tragicomic story we see the usual legal and institutional mechanisms deployed to ensure the eternal cycle of debt imposed upon a sovereign state. Neocolonialism in full swing. #IMF #Ghana #SovereignBonds #Debt Ghana’s debt restructuring deal falters after IMF rebuff - https://on.ft.com/3Q4y9yq via @FT

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The Board of Directors of the African Development Fund (ADF) approved yesterday a grant of USD 43 million to #Ethiopia to fund the implementation of the agri-MSMEs development for jobs (AMD4J) project. The project comprises two pillars. One seeks to expand access to finance for #youth and #women led agri-MSMEs while the second aims to establish a Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank (YEIB) in Ethiopia. Proud to have coordinated the team behind this important projet. #Ethiopia #Youth #YEIB #accesstofinance #entrepreneurship #MSMEs #AfricanDevelopmentBank #AfricanDevelopmentFund

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