US envoy plays down Africa tariff, visa concerns, affirms Lobito commitment
The top US diplomat for Africa on Tuesday dismissed allegations of unfair US trade practices and said funding delays would not derail a key railway project connecting Angola, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
AU officials on Monday questioned how Africa could deepen trade ties with the US under what they called 'abusive' tariff proposals and tightening visa conditions largely targeting travellers from Africa.
'There is no visitation ban,' ambassador Troy Fitrell said during a press conference at the US-Africa Business Summit in Luanda. He said US consulates continue issuing visas regularly, though some now come with shorter validity periods due to concerns over overstays.
Several African business and political leaders have raised concerns about a sharp drop in visa approvals, particularly for travellers from West Africa, since late 2023.
Washington's tariff plans have also added to cooling diplomatic ties with African countries, as some economies — including Lesotho and Madagascar — warned that even a baseline 10% levy could threaten critical exports such as apparel and minerals.
But Fitrell said the proposed US import tariffs were not yet implemented and negotiations were ongoing to create a more reciprocal trading environment, including through the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act.
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IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
B20 leaders call for closing the infrastructure gap for sustainable growth in Africa
B20 Task Force leaders (from left to right): Sim Tshabalala, chair of the Finance and Infrastructure Taskforce; Busi Mabuza, chair for the Trade and Investment Task Force; B20 Sherpa Cas Coovadia; and Mxolisi Mgojo, co-chair of the B20. Image: Supplied The Business 20 (B20) Task Force leaders are calling for the continent to address the pressing need for improved infrastructure across Africaas as well as sustainable economic growth. Sim Tshabalala, chair of the Finance and Infrastructure Taskforce, said Africa holds significant reserves of critical minerals essential for the global energy transition yet currently collects only 40% of the revenue possible from these resources. 'However, Africa collects only about 40% of the revenue that could be generated by these resources. Now, I ask you, how about if we got 60%? We need the right business environment, the appropriate social and environmental regulation, and the necessary infrastructure,' Tshabalala said. 'In other words, our capacity to drive the world's growth depends to a large extent on our ability to maintain and expand our infrastructure. To use a South African example well known to everybody, we need to improve our rail and port infrastructure. According to data by the African Development Bank, Africa needs to spend about $170 billion a year to meet our infrastructure needs.' Tshabalala was speaking during the roundtable of the B20 Task Force Leaders. The B20 serves as the official G20 dialogue forum with the global business community. Each year, the B20 provides a platform for companies and business organisations to articulate their perspectives on pressing global economic and trade issues, ensuring that the voice of the business community is heard at the highest levels of international economic governance. The B20 is made of eight task forces that are developing evidence-based solutions on trade, energy, digital inclusion, climate, and more. Video Player is loading. 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Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Tshabalala said they were able to mobilize about half of the required amount at the moment, creating an African infrastructure funding gap of $85bn. He said for South Africa alone, that gap was $29bn and for the world as a whole, it was roughly $500bn. 'And so the core mandate of the Finance and Infrastructure Task Force is to work on ideas for the G20 and other key stakeholders to help close this massive infrastructure gap. To that end, we've developed ideas in three broad areas,' he said. Tshabalala said the first idea was to support the expansion of investable infrastructure projects. This would be followed by improving access to capital by increasing the availability, effectiveness, and resilience of public, private, and philanthropic investment. The third idea revolves around drafting proposals about how to enhance the flow of funds between investors, infrastructure projects, and the wider community. 'As we have worked to develop our draft proposals over the last few months, we focused on a combination of long-term policy proposals and short-term actions to drive meaningful change. As one example of a critical long-term reform, we would like to promote greater coordination and cooperation among infrastructure programs, both within and between countries,' Tshabalala said. 'This involves prioritizing strategic sectors such as energy and digital infrastructure, sectors which hold the highest potential to impact economic growth and can act as catalysts for development in other areas. 'In the short term, we are focusing on project preparation and support. This includes encouraging a stronger emphasis on conducting robust feasibility studies and developing comprehensive business plans, as well as streamlining regulatory processes to reduce bureaucratic hurdles, ensuring that projects are better prepared and more likely to succeed.' Mxolisi Mgojo, co-chair of the B20, reiterated that the G20 represents 85% of global GDP, 75% of trade, and two-thirds of the world's population. Mgojo then questioned what should be Africa's unique value to the collective business sector of the G20. 'Africa is central to many of the global challenges. Issues of critical minerals, renewable energy, food security, and the world's youngest workforce that is emerging. We must shift the narrative from potential to progress, ensuring growth benefits all, not just the global North,' Mgojo said. 'Key priorities that Africa should be focusing on are, one, inclusive growth, advancing AfCFTA and regional value chains to unlock Africa's $3.4 trillion market, bridging economic divides in sub-Saharan Africa, where 400 million-plus are in poverty is going to demand urgent attention and action. 'The second is global collaboration. In a fragmented world, Africa can be a bridge, balancing East-West tensions while securing supply chains. 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Daily Maverick
2 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
Africa on edge: How global tensions between Israel, Iran and the US threaten stability
The conflict in Iran may seem far away, but it's creating volatility that African leaders must act on urgently. Israel, Iran and the United States' (US) escalating hostilities have sent geopolitical tremors far beyond the Middle East. With the fragile ceasefire holding for now, the world waits tensely to see if a broader regional or global conflict will erupt. For African policymakers, three critical vectors demand close scrutiny — security, diplomatic and economic. Each carries risks that may have outsized effects on the continent. The first danger lies in the security sphere. The conflict risks drawing multiple global powers — Russia, China, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato) — into yet another Middle Eastern quagmire. Historically, when the great powers collide, Africa often becomes an unintended theatre of competition and collateral. The scars of the Ukraine and Gaza conflicts are still apparent in myriad economic, diplomatic and security shocks. There is a worrying sense of déjà vu in the current situation. If global tensions spill into new ideological or military standoffs, African countries could get trapped in the messy middle. North and East African states face particular exposure to direct risks from primary and proxy actors. Security vulnerabilities Iranian projectiles have already lit up Cairo's night sky — a reminder of Egypt's security vulnerabilities; with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi advocating for de-escalation. Elsewhere, US-aligned military assets in Djibouti and Somalia, and Israel's assets in Eritrea, could become the focus of retaliatory strikes by Iran or its regional proxies, such as the Houthis. There is also an indirect security risk arising from a reprioritisation of Western strategic interests. With defence budgets and attention stretched by the Ukraine war and domestic concerns, Africa's security sectors may find themselves increasingly under-resourced and unable to manage transnational threats. Testament to Africa's declining geostrategic value in the Western security psyche, the continent received little attention during recent G7 and Nato meetings. Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger are already feeling the brunt of Western retrenchment in the Sahelian theatre. Further disengagement would leave them even more vulnerable to insurgencies. Human security — often overlooked — is also at stake. Food insecurity, climate shocks and governance deficits already strain many African states. Fresh pressures could arise if Middle Eastern instability fuels large-scale migration or refugee flows into Europe. European diversion of development funding to manage such spillovers could further undermine safety nets for Africa's most vulnerable populations. Religious and sectarian tensions, exacerbated by Middle East developments, may also inflame local disputes in Africa's multi-faith societies. A concern is Nigeria where Shia groups could engage in attacks in solidarity with Iran. Compounding these risks is the spectre of nuclear proliferation. If Iran abandons nuclear restraint, other regional players may follow, raising the chances of an arms race with global consequences. Weakened influence For Africa — a strong proponent of nuclear disarmament under the Pelindaba Treaty — such a shift would weaken its influence in future global arms control negotiations. Diplomatically, pressure on African states to take sides will intensify. They may be forced into uncomfortable choices — between Washington and Tehran, or the US and its rivals in Moscow or Beijing — with sanctions or aid withdrawal the price for defiance. South Africa is in a particularly delicate position. Its inconsistent foreign policy has left it walking a narrow tightrope. Washington has sparred with Pretoria over its stance on Israel, its domestic policies, proximity to Iran, and its alignment with BRICS. The US could react punitively to any sign of sympathy towards Iran. Multilateral institutions, especially the United Nations Security Council and expanded BRICS+, will also be tested. Iran's recent accession to BRICS has added complexity and may strain the bloc's unity. African members like South Africa, Egypt and Ethiopia could face awkward choices should the bloc lean towards favouring Tehran. The implications are profound. A world that abandons international law for raw power threatens the very framework that protects smaller, less powerful states. For Africa, this is an existential issue — without rules-based multilateralism, the continent's collective influence diminishes. Worse, a global slide into 'might is right' politics may embolden expansionist African leaders. Ethiopia's Abiy Ahmed Ali, Rwanda's Paul Kagame and Morocco's King Mohammed VI could feel encouraged to pursue territorial ambitions under the cover of global disorder. Others may take 'preventive' strikes against perceived enemies like the US and Israel — illegal under current international law. Africa's collective voting strength at global forums may also erode in such a scenario. If influence weakens, so too does Africa's leverage on crucial matters such as debt restructuring, climate finance and development aid. Only through a unified, strategic voice can the continent avoid marginalisation. Yet the most immediate and tangible impact is economic. Global uncertainty traditionally sparks a 'flight to safety', strengthening the US dollar and weakening African currencies. This raises debt servicing costs for African sovereigns, many of which are heavily dollar-indebted. Bond yields could spike, and fiscal pressures — already strained by post-pandemic recovery and fallout from the Ukraine war — would tighten further. Energy security is another looming flashpoint. Disruption of the Strait of Hormuz — the conduit for a third of the world's oil — would send energy prices soaring. Net oil importers, including many African economies, would suffer painful imported inflation, raising transport, food and energy costs. This would intensify cost-of-living crises and complicate monetary policy just as central banks prepare to loosen rates to spur growth. Recession Broader trade disruptions, coupled with the expiry of US President Donald Trump's tariff reprieves, could drag the global economy into recession. For Africa, the fallout could be severe. Depreciation-driven debt deterioration could complicate restructuring in Zambia, Ethiopia and Ghana. 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Security capacities and collaboration must be bolstered to reduce dependence on foreign powers and cushion against internal and external threats. Diplomacy must become more unified and strategic — both to protect Africa's interests and uphold the international rules that safeguard its sovereignty. Economic resilience, through fiscal prudence, dollar de-risking and deeper regional market development, is urgent. The Iran crisis may rage abroad, but its sparks are falling on African soil — and the continent must brace for impact. DM
IOL News
3 hours ago
- IOL News
United Nations condemns Israel's 'weaponisation of food' in Gaza
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire despite aid beginning to trickle back into the territory after a more than two-month Israeli blockade. Image: Omar AL-Qattaa / AFP The United Nations on Tuesday condemned what it said was Israel's "weaponisation of food" in Gaza and called it a war crime, urging its military to "stop shooting at people trying to get food". The head of the UN agency supporting Palestinian refugees also called a new US- and Israel-backed food-distribution system in the Gaza Strip an "abomination". The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation began handing out food in Gaza on May 26 after Israel completely cut off supplies into the occupied Palestinian territory for more than two months, sparking warnings of mass famine. The UN and major aid groups have refused to cooperate with the GHF - an officially private effort with opaque funding - over concerns it was designed to cater to Israeli military objectives. "Israel's militarised humanitarian assistance mechanism is in contradiction with international standards on aid distribution," said UN human rights office spokesman Thameen Al-Kheetan. "The weaponisation of food for civilians, in addition to restricting or preventing their access to life-sustaining services, constitutes a war crime." He stressed that only a court could make a legal determination on whether war crimes have been committed. Fatalities Kheetan noted "scenes of chaos around the food distribution points" of the GHF. "Desperate, hungry people in Gaza continue to face the inhumane choice of either starving to death or risk being killed while trying to get food," he told reporters in Geneva. Since the GHF began operating, "the Israeli military has shelled and shot Palestinians trying to reach the distribution points, leading to many fatalities", he said. Kheetan pointed to reports that "over 410 Palestinians have been killed as a result, (while) at least 93 others have also been reportedly killed by the Israeli army while attempting to approach the very few aid convoys of the UN and other humanitarian organisations". Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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"At least 3,000 Palestinians have been injured in these incidents," he added. "Each of these killings must be promptly and impartially investigated, and those responsible must be held to account." Kheetan cautioned that the system "endangers civilians and contributes to the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza". The UN said in May that "100 percent of the population" of the besieged territory were "at risk of famine". "Humanitarian assistance must never be used as a bargaining chip in any conflict," he said. The UN rights office demanded immediate action to rectify the situation. "The Israeli military must stop shooting at people trying to get food," said Kheetan. 'Abomination' Meanwhile Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA, slammed GHF as "an abomination that humiliates and degrades desperate people". "It is a death trap costing more lives than it saves," he told a press conference in Berlin. Israel has accused UNRWA of providing cover for Hamas militants and earlier this year banned the agency from operating on Israeli soil or contacting officials. Lazzarini called for UNRWA to regain access to the Palestinian territory and restart its aid efforts. "The humanitarian community, including UNRWA, has the expertise and must be allowed to do their job and provide assistance with respect and dignity," he said. "There is no other alternative to address the challenges of spreading hunger in the Gaza Strip." GHF said Monday it had distributed roughly 680,000 food boxes so far. "GHF workers continue to provide meals safely and securely," said the foundation's interim chief John Acree, adding: "Our system is working, and we will press on." AFP
