#SaveTheDate: African AntiCorruption Dialogue 2021 - 9-11 November, 2021

Dear friends,

Kindly find important information below on an upcoming AU Anti-Corruption Board conference.

Check out #AfricaAgainstCorruption on twitter.

EK

Media Advisory: Africa Private Sector Summit (APSS) series 2

 

Media Advisory

AFRICA PRIVATE SECTOR SUMMIT (APSS) SERIES 2

Theme: Awakening Africa's Sleeping Giants in the Implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) 

What:     The inaugural Africa Private Sector Summit (APSS) was held in March 2020 under the theme "Righting the Wrongs of Doing Business under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement." The conversations focused on the collaborative role of the private sector, governments, international bodies, academia, and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in creating an enabling environment for facilitating intra-African trade in readiness for the AfCFTA

In light of the success of Series 1, the organizers are organizing Series 2 of the APSS. The theme of the Summit is: 'Awakening Africa's Sleeping Giants in the Implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA)". The High-Level Summit will convene stakeholders for a unique collaboration that is expected to generate goodwill and commitment from both the African Private and Public sectors in implementing key recommendations geared towards optimizing the benefits of the AfCFTA.

Who:     The Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI), together with the UN Economic Commission for Africa and the European Union will convene African business giants, industry players in the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), policy makers and investors. 

When:     October 19-22, 2021

Where:    Labadi Beach Hotel, Accra, Ghana 

To follow the discussion online: 

https://zoom.us/u/aejK2FiRjW

Webinar ID: 921 0037 1977

Participant ID: 393800

Passcode: 401882

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Senait Afework (Ms.)
African Trade Policy Centre, ECA
Email: afeworks@un.org

RE: MEDIA INVITATION TO THE 2ND SERIES OF THE AFRICA PRIVATE SECTOR SUMMIT (APSS), 19-22 OCTOBER 2021, ACCRA, GHANA

8 October, 2021

ATTENTION: all Media houses

Dear Media partner,,       

RE: MEDIA INVITATION TO THE 2ND SERIES OF THE AFRICA PRIVATE SECTOR SUMMIT (APSS), 19-22 OCTOBER 2021, ACCRA, GHANA

The Africa Private Sector Summit (APSS) is a Pan-African Think Tank organization, with headquarters in Ghana and membership across Africa and the diaspora. 

The inaugural APSS Conference was held in March 2021 under the theme "Righting the Wrongs of Doing Business under the African Continental free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement." The conversations focused on the collaborative role of the private sector, governments, international bodies, academia and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in creating an enabling environment for facilitating intra-African trade in readiness for the AfCFTA.

In light of the success of series 1, the organisers have partnered UNECA to host Series 2 of the APSS to be held on 19-22 October, 2021, at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra, Ghana. 

The theme of the Summit is: 'Awakening Africa's Sleeping Giants in the Implementation of AfCFTA and Leveraging Strategic Opportunities for Africa's Turnaround'. 

The High-Level Summit will convene stakeholders for a unique collaboration that is expected to generate goodwill and commitment from both the African Private and Public sector in implementing key recommendations geared towards optimizing the benefits of the AfCFTA.  

Given the importance of this Event and the recommendations thereof in shaping the continent's quest for sustainable business, the APSS is keen to engage media institutions across the continent to provide national and/or regional coverage for the Event. 

In this regard, we are delighted to invite your media house to cover and participate in the Summit.

The programme will be sent you in the course of the week. 

Upon confirmation you will receive a detailed information note to guide on the logistics. 

Details about your modest DSA will be communicated to you in the course of the week.

Please confirm your participation by email to Mr. E K Bensah, on ekbensah@africaprivatesectorsummit.org, copy to info@africaprivatesectorsummit.org and mediacommunications@africaprivatesectorsummit.org. 

We look forward to your confirmation and participation

Yours Faithfully,

Emmanuel K Bensah Jr

E.K.Bensah Jr

Head of Media & Communications Unit

Africa Private Sector Summit

Mobile: +233.268.687.653 / +233.55.833.85.47

eml: 

ekbensah@africaprivatesectorsummit.org 

mediacommunications@africaprivatesectorsummit.org

Twitter: @ekbensah / @BizWrongs

Instagram: @ekbensah

www.facebook.com/africaprivatesectorsummit

OCTOBER IS AFCFTA POLICY MONTH

📌 *OCTOBER IS AFCFTA POLICY MONTH*

_a service from the Office of Deputy Executive Director, *Afcfta Policy Network* outlining meetings APN is participating in and/or involved in organising_

*_#SaveTheDate_*

1. 🗒️12 October -- *_Connecting African Markets & Peoples_* : *AfCFTA, Free Movement of People*

_...panel of three experts would discuss the objectives of the AfCFTA in rationalising RECs and facilitating the movement of people on the continent, from different perspectives._

Venue: ONLINE, (ECDPM)

2. 🗒️13 October -- *_Young Entrepreneur's Roundtable Exchange;

_Presentation on AfCFTA -- by E K Bensah.Jr, AfCFTA Policy Network_* 

Venue: *Nairobi*; ONLINE, Accra, Ghana (All Africa Conference of Churches)

3. 🗒️14 October -- *_Virtual Strategy Session on Re-designing Investment Governance_* 

Venue: ONLINE

4. 🗒️14-15 October -- *_Technical & Policy Dialogue on Climate-Smart Agriculture_* 

Venue: ONLINE, Accra, Ghana (FARA)

5. 🗒️19-22 October -- *_Africa Private Sector Summit_* (Series II) 

Venue: LABADI Beach Hotel, Accra, Ghana

www.africaprivatesectorsummit.org

6. 🗒️20 October -- *_Africa Supply Chain in Action 2021_* 

Venue: ONLINE

7. 🗒️25-27 October  -- *_Africa Globalized Investment Summit_*

Venue: LABADI Beach Hotel, Accra, Ghana

www.afcftapolicy.net

8. 🗒️28 October -- " *_Effects of Climate Change on African Trade Revolution_*"

Venue: ONLINE

https://bnionline.zoom.us/j/91790031733?pwd=KzdGWFVRVWlGWTVrZ3JsSUVBd3FWUT09

#MoreSoon

📌www.afcftapolicy.net

📌www.instagram.com/afcftapolicyghana 

📌www.twitter.com/afcftapolicyGH

Accountability Music Awards opens nominations for 2021

Accountability Music Awards opens nominations for 2021

Arusha, 29 September 2021 - Nominations have officially opened for the 2021 Accountability Music Awards (AMAs). The 2021 AMAs are a collaboration between Accountability Lab, the ONE Campaign and the African Union to honour African musicians whose music calls out the vice of corruption or advocates for good governance through the fight against corruption..

By providing a platform for conscious musicians, the AMAs aim to galvanise citizens in demanding greater transparency and accountability from institutions, corporations and the African citizenry. The campaign also recognises the critical role that music can play in getting citizens involved in anti-corruption reform by shifting norms and behaviours.

Nominations can be submitted before October 18, 2021 via the campaign website, www.accountabilitymusicawards.org, www.au.int andhttps://www. anticorruption.au.int/en. Five finalists will be selected for a continent-wide, public vote, with the overall winner announced on International Anti-Corruption Day on December 9, 2021. The campaign is looking to celebrate artists who express a clear and cohesive idea centered around accountability. The songs should encourage citizen engagement, solidarity with social justice efforts and reinforce the values of democratic and accountable societies. 

Executive Director of Accountability Lab, Blair Glencorse, said the AMAs, which ran for the first time in 2019, are an exciting way to begin to shift norms: "We're looking for artists who are using their voices to engage citizens around critical challenges in their societies. The more we can do to celebrate and lift them up, the more we can begin to popularise their messages and shift understandings of the problems". 

ONE in Africa Executive Director, Edwin Ikhoria, said: "These AMAs aim to celebrate and honor a zealous young generation of artists in Africa who are using music as a tool to increase public consciousness and inspire its people. These awards play a critical role in stirring a sense of purpose and elevating the messaging needed to develop a continent such as ours."

Charity Nchimunya, the Executive Secretary of the African UnionAdvisory Board on Corruption (AUABC), observed that 'Music is a such a powerful tool in connecting people across different divides, and through the AMAs, young and old alike can be connected with one voice in promoting integrity, accountability and anti-corruption. Are you that young artist that can help in connecting people to say no to corruption? If yes, stand up and be counted'.

The inaugural AMAs previously celebrated Chioma "Cill" Ogbonna, a Nigerian-based musician, and her song "All You've Got" as the overall winner. The song encourages citizens to take an active role in pushing for social and political reform in Nigeria. Fellow Nigerian and hip-hop legend Folarin Falz, real name Folarin Falana, came in second with his song 'Talk,' which challenges the promises of security and economic prosperity offered by Nigerian policy-makers. Kenyan Afro-pop group Sauti Sol, Malian singer-songwriter Fatoumata Diawara and Zimbabwean dancehall artist Platinum Prince were also among the award finalists.

About Accountability Lab

The Accountability Lab makes governance work for people everywhere by supporting active citizens, responsible leaders and accountable institutions. We are reimagining how to build accountability to support a world in which resources are used wisely, decisions benefit everyone fairly and people lead secure lives. 

About ONE

ONE is a global movement campaigning to end extreme poverty and preventable disease by 2030, so that everyone, everywhere can lead a life of dignity and opportunity. ONE believes the fight against poverty isn't about charity, but about justice and equality. Whether lobbying political leaders in world capitals or running cutting-edge grassroots campaigns, ONE pressures governments to do more to fight extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa, and empowers citizens to hold their governments to account.

About the African Union

The African Union (AU) is a continental body consisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent. It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). The AU is guided by its vision of "An Integrated, Prosperous and Peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena." 

For more information, contact:

sheena@accountabilitylab.org  (Communications Director - Accountability Lab) kealeboga.mokomane@one.org (Communications Manager - ONE)

ApollosD@africa-union.org (Communications- African Union) katuuC@africa-union.org (Communications - AUABC.)

CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR APSS MCU PARTNERS PANEL & APSS MEDIA NETWORK

*CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR APSS MCU PARTNERS PANEL & APSS MEDIA NETWORK*

The *Media & Communications Unit (MCU)* of *Africa Private Sector Summit (APSS)* is charged with the responsibility of reaching out to media and communication outlets working on Africa-related issues, with a specific focus on AfCFTA, Regional Economic Communities; and the African Union and its agencies. 

Its primary objective is to promote the work of APSS within its partners, stakeholders, including the AU & UNECA; and the general public. 

To this end, the APSS MCU is issuing a *Call for Expression of Interest* to identify communications, and media outlets interested in supporting and amplifying the APSS' work and its messaging.

Selected media and communications outfits will be registered in *APSS MCU Partners Panel*, which will be made available to all APSS Planning Committee Members and partner institutions as a valuable information resource. 

Selected media will also populate an established *APSS Media Network* to help carry the important messaging of APSS work across the continent.

Submit your profile, detailing your working experience on any of the APSS themes to Head of Media & Communications Unit, APSS on ekbensah@gmail.com.

More information will be posted on agenda2063tvshow.blogspot.com, www.eastafricarisinggroup.org and social media outlets of APSS.

Deadline for submissions is 20 September, 2021.

ENDs

*ACCESS TO FINANCE*: CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE NEED TO ENGAGE RESPECTIVE GOVERNMENTS FOR AFRICAN TRADE INSURANCE (ATI)

Accra, 22 August, 2021

*ACCESS TO FINANCE*: CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE NEED TO ENGAGE RESPECTIVE GOVERNMENTS  FOR AFRICAN TRADE INSURANCE (ATI)

Ahead of the two-day roundtable on "Single Currency and Fintech to Boost Intra-African Trade and Enhance AfCFTA Implementation" scheduled to be held in Dakar, Senegal from 23-24 August, think-tank Africa Private Sector Summit (APSS) wants to take the opportunity to remind stakeholders about the importance of the African Trade Insurance (ATI) in the conversation on AfCFTA and financing.

APSS believes that ATI is not sufficiently-engaged by Chambers of Commerce (the business community at St large), and that the Chambers of Commerce need to engage their respective governments to become members of ATI. If all 55 countries were members of ATI, this would help celebrate the Boosting Intra-African Trade (BIAT), as it would enable them access direct financing for the business community backed by ATI through insurance risk.

If access to finance is a perennial and persistent problem for AU Member States business community, it is arguable that, with ATI, this challenge is to a large extent resolved. 

Already, ATI supports African governments and businesses to raise finance from international banks at acceptable interest rates because of its credit rating. This enables a reduction of their debt-burden. 

Secondly, in the event of contracts requiring a sovereign guarantee, ATI is able to provide the requested guarantee in lieu of government. Third, ATI adds value to local enterprises by facilitating credit access for local enterprises. 

To date, there are only 18 member States of the AU that have fully subscribed to the ATI. 

In 2017, ECOWAS came closer to developing a relationship with ATI when it moved a step closer to realising the establishment of an Investment Guarantee corporation for West Africa with the inaugural meeting of a Project Implementation Committee held in May 2017. In 2016, ECOWAS waived the idea of establishing a new agency and decided to work with ATI instead. It was then agreed that up to 7 ECOWAS Member States could potentially join ATI, increasing the share capital  by as much as USD100 million. 

In conclusion, given the central role Chambers of Commerce play in the private sector conversation around AfCFTA, it is incumbent on them, now more so than ever, to consider engaging their governments for ATI' s membership in more strategic ways for access to finance.

Governments will continue to be an important interface for Chambers of Commerce, reason for which Chambers must engage them to ensure inclusiveness on the conversation on access to direct finance. 

In addition, any type of inclusiveness  needs to ensure that the Pan-African Chambers of Commerce & Industry (PACCI), which is populated by Chambers of Commerce across the continent;  African Business Council(AfBC); and business associations are all part of the conversation. 

AfBC remains the umbrella body to all businesses at the AU.

ATI will be represented at the panel discussion on Day 2 of the upcoming conference on Single Currency scheduled for Dakar.

Watch out for APSS Series 2 and 3 coming up in October and November respectively.

www.ati-aca.org 

You are invited to a Zoom meeting.

Roundtable on Single Currency and Fintech to Boost Intra Africa Trade and Enhance AfCFTA Implementation August 23 to 24, 2021

When:  Aug 23, 2021 09:00 AM Greenwich Mean Time

              Aug 24, 2021 09:00 AM Greenwich Mean Time

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0pfuypqjgjHddHXj1C9gr2YhPoWpJSntgs

 

NOTE:- After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

ENDs

E.K.Bensah Jr

Head of Communications Unit

Africa Private Sector Summit

Mobile: +233.268.687.653 / +233.55.833.85.47

Twitter: @ekbensah / @BizWrongs

Instagram: @ekbensah

www.facebook.com/africaprivatesectorsummit

Issued by:

Emmanuel.K.Bensah

ekbensah@gmail.com

   

#IOM – APN Collaboration Social Media Communication Campaign on Popularization of FMP

#FreedomOfMovement

#freemovementinAfrica

on @apniom

by E K Bensah Jr

Deputy Executive Director -- AfCFTA Policy Network /

Country Champion -- Agenda 2063 Media Network

 

 

Proposed tweets

will be referring to articles 2, 3, 5 and 6 in a THREAD over two tweets for coming week.

 

Acc 2 Article 2 of AU FMP, Objective of Protocol is to facilitate implementation of African Economic Community (AEC) by providing for progressive implementation of free movement of persons, right of residence and right of establishment in Africa.

As per article 3, it shall be guided by principles guiding AU provided in article 4 of AU's Constitutive Act. It shall be guided by non-discrimination; transparency.

Acc 2 Article 5 of AU FMP, Free Movement of Persons, right of residence and right of establishment shall be achieved progressively through 3 phases:  @NicholeEsparon @IOMatAU @UNmigration @_AfricanUnion @AU_HHS @AmiraDSA @mashanubian @KojoAbroba @afcftapolicyGH

 

• phase 1: during which State Parties shall implement the right of entry and abolition of visa requirements

• phase 2: during which State Parties shall implement the right of residence 

• phase 3: during which State Parties shall implement the right of establishment

Article 6 concerns itself with right of entry. There are 3 provisions: 

• nationals of a Member State shall have right to enter, stay, move freely, and exit territory of another MS in accordance with laws, regulations and procedures of hist MS.

@NicholeEsparon @IOMatAU @UNmigration @_AfricanUnion @AU_HHS @AmiraDSA @mashanubian @KojoAbroba @afcftapolicyGH

 

• MS shall implement right of entry by permitting nationals of MS to enter into their territory without requirement of visa.

• right to enter territory of MS shall be enjoyed in accordance with articles 7

 

@NicholeEsparon @IOMatAU @UNmigration @_AfricanUnion @AU_HHS @AmiraDSA @mashanubian @KojoAbroba @afcftapolicyGH

 

 follow us on www.twitter.com/apniom 

ENDs

COMING UP ON NEXT EDITION OF AGENDA 2063 TV SHOW -- an interview about African Medecines Agency

(Still in the business of making history)...in a *CONTINENTAL EXCLUSIVE*, Agenda 2063 TV Show is the ONLY media programme to interview key staff working on *African Medecines Agency* to help unpack the AMA after reaching its proverbial 15 ratifications. In an age of *vaccine nationalism*, and a public health pandemic in covid-19, what future portends for the AMA to disrupt Africa's health narrative?

 I shall be speaking to Dr Ndomondo from NEPAD- *AU Development Agency* for way  forward. #AfricanHealthWeWant #AfricaWeWant #Agenda2063

AAU TV is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Agenda 2063 TV Show

Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87514673646?pwd=WnNtVmRmUXcrMkZNamhhNHQyNHVKQT09

Meeting ID: 875 1467 3646

Passcode: 578044

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Dial by your location

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Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kB6hqeQ7i

Next Edition of Agenda 2063 TV Show: Celebrating Doreen Nawa (Zambia)

In next edition of *Agenda 2063 TV Show*, I will be interviewing *Doreen Nawa*, who was nominated by her peers in the official NEPAD-AUDA *Agenda 2063 Media Network* as one of the most hard-working journalists promoting Agenda 2063 from Zambia.

I am doing two things with this interview -- helping celebrate hard-working reporters promoting Agenda 2063, and giving visibility to the Agenda 2063 Media Network, which was established in 2018 by NEPAD-AU Development Agency to bring together journalists across the Continent to champion Agenda 2063. 

Ghana's country Champion is the host of the Show and is also a proud member of the Network. 

This is *dedicated to all reporters* doing their best to unpack Agenda 2063 narratives: the space is here!😁🔥

AAU TV is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Agenda 2063 TV Show

Time: Aug 11, 2021 02:30 PM Africa/Accra

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87050633631?pwd=TGRsbEwycWJjdWNESk1hYTZQZFJjZz09

Meeting ID: 870 5063 3631

Passcode: 713548

One tap mobile

+13462487799,,87050633631# US (Houston)

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: TENDER FOR PREPARATION OF A PRIVATE SECTOR BILL OF RIGHTS TO ENHANCE IMPLEMENTATION OF AFCFTA

Accra, 7 August, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

TENDER FOR PREPARATION OF A PRIVATE SECTOR BILL OF RIGHTS TO ENHANCE IMPLEMENTATION OF AFCFTA

We are pleased to announce a consultancy for the preparation of a Private Sector Bill of Rights to Enhance Implementation of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

This tender is one of the three outcomes of an MoU that was signed between Association of African Universities (AAU) and Pan-African Chamber of Commerce (PACCI) in March 2021. 

The second is for the establishment of an Educational Trust Fund; and a corresponding working relationship between private sector and academia.

The AAU in collaboration with PACCI, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the European Union (EU) and the private sector, organized an African Private Sector Summit on, "Righting the Wrongs of Doing Business in Africa" in March 2021. This summit brought together stakeholders from industry, governments, academia, and civil society. 

Attended virtually by three Presidents: Botswana, Rwanda (represented by a Minister) and Niger (represented by a Minister), one of the outcomes of the week-long event was a call for a Model Bill of Rights for an Enabling Business Environment in Africa to Enhance Implementation of AfCFTA. This is premised on the notion that an enabling operational environment for the private sector in Africa would help support the implementation of AfCFTA. The final Bill will be validated by stakeholders, including member States, universities, and civil society organisations (CSOs) for validation. 

The key objective of the Bill of Rights is intended to address pertinent issues for the seamless implementation of the RECs and AfCFTA protocols.  It is to help Universities produce a skill-set for private sector.

In this respect, it forms a cardinal part of the conversation triggered by the meeting for a concerted and sustained conversation between African private sector, academia, consumer organisations and citizens.

Funded under an EU/ECA project on advocacy and sensitization of AfCFTA, the following should, at a minimum, be explored and covered in proposing the Model Bill of Rights:

1. National trade policies

2. National monetary and fiscal policies

3. National investment policy 

4. The enabling environment for doing business in Africa in the context of judicial system.

5. Capacity constraints of businesses in Africa 

6. Role of multilateral and other international organizations in promoting business in Africa (WTO, UN/UNECA, AU, RECs, ITC, IMF, WB, Lending Institutions, etc.)

You can find more details in the link below:

https://careers.un.org/lbw/jobdetail.aspx?id=160911

In the meantime, we wish to notify the public that Series II commences in hybrid format here in Accra from 19-22 October, 2021. Series III will take place in Rwanda from 16-19 November under the theme "Action Plan for Implementation". 

FOR MORE INFORMATION & INTERVIEWS

E.K.Bensah Jr

Head of Communications Unit

Africa Private Sector Summit

Mobile: +233.268.687.653 / +233.55.833.85.47

Twitter: @ekbensah / @BizWrongs

Instagram: @ekbensah

www.facebook.com/africaprivatesectorsummit

Issued by:

E K Bensah Jr

+233.833.85.47