Movemeback Pulse

Mobile phone operators in Kenya may soon be required to compensate their customers when network outages knock out voice, data and text services, in a move by the Communications Authority to improve quality of service. Telecommunications service outages are a threat to the country's economy e.g. Kenya lost billions of shillings following a 5 hour outage of Mpesa services (Kenya’s leading mobile money transfer platform), as customers experienced problems paying for electricity bills, shopping, sending money to relatives, and even placing gambling bets. With Ksh 679mn (~$6mn) moving through Mpesa every hour, stricter measures may help deter widespread economic disruption.

Exporting culture & identity

The Pan African Heritage World Museum launches on September 21. The $30mn project in Ghana is aimed at curating, preserving and communicating the history, ideals, civilisation and cultural heritage of people of African descent. The museum has been endorsed by among other entities, the African Union Commission and UNESCO. It aligns with the push by African governments to have more of the World Heritage sites on The Continent listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The project also bolsters the African Union Agenda 2063 goal 16 of Africa having a strong cultural identity, common heritage, values and ethics. 

Effective internal and regional security, and foreign policy

Sudan has arrested 41 suspected terrorists in possession of a number of explosives, big enough to blow up the capital, Khartoum. The successful interception by security forces was made possible by intelligence reports from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, part of Sudan’s National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS). The arrests have potentially averted deaths like those witnessed in terror attacks in Kenya by Islamist al-Shabaab militants despite intelligence reports. Kenya's interior minister admitted that security officers ignored intelligence reports leading to the 2015 al-Shabaab attack - the worst to date in Kenya’s history. Sudan’s interception highlights the benefits of intelligence gathering and coordinated African inter-agency cooperation.

Intra-continental connectivity, collaboration & trade

Nigerian billionaire, Dangote, is attempting to mediate between Presidents Talon and Buhari, by facilitating talks over Nigeria's closure of the Benin border in 2019. Benin's economy is heavily reliant on informal border trade with Nigeria, which accounts for about 20% of its GDP. Notably, about 80% of imports into Benin are destined for Nigeria. Informal cross border trade and accusations of illegal smuggling have been cited as key reasons behind the border closure, as it is seen to undermine Nigeria's industrialisation strategy. This highlights the wide scope for the private sector to lead the public in Africa, with Dangote being no stranger to forging public sector outcomes.

End-to-end value chain capture

Ghana has raised its farm gate price for cocoa by 21% after implementing the $400 a tonne Living Income Deferential on cocoa, jointly lobbied for by Ghana and Ivory Coast in the international market. Close to 800,000 farmers are poised to benefit, receiving about $305 more per tonne in the new season starting October 1. While Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire together produce 65% of the world’s cocoa, they earn only about $6bn each year from the $100bn global chocolate industry. The exporting of raw cocoa is a major cause of the low returns received by Ghana’s farmers - value addition is key in improving returns.

Proportional representation in politics, business and community leadership

Liberia has declared rape a national emergency and plans to introduce new measures, including setting up a national sex offender registry. These will help address longstanding concerns over sexual assault in a country where in 2015, only 2% of the 803 recorded rape cases led to a conviction. Meanwhile, lawmakers in Nigeria's Kaduna state have approved surgical castration as punishment for those convicted of raping children under the age of 14. While Nigeria's federal law provides between 14 years and life imprisonment as punishment, Nigerians have called for tougher punishment, following the recent rape and murder of a 22 year old that led to street protests, an online petition signed by thousands, and Twitter hashtag #WeAreTired.

Essential infrastructure, personal living-space & utilities

Nigeria has become the world’s highest contributor to under-5 deaths, with 858,000 out of 5.2mn under-5 deaths globally in 2019. Leading causes of death in children under-5 years are preterm birth complications, birth trauma, pneumonia, congenital anomalies, diarrhoea and malaria, all of which can be prevented or treated with access to simple, affordable interventions including immunisation, adequate nutrition, safe water and food, and quality care by a trained health provider when needed. This data lends urgency calls by health advocates for Nigeria to show commitment and prioritise management of certain diseases causing child deaths.