George Weah Wins Liberia’s Presidency With 61.5% of Votes

For decades, Liberia has waited through war and strongmen for a peaceful democratic transfer of power. On Thursday, as the last ballots in a presidential election were being tallied, that appeared to be on the verge of happening.

My fellow Liberians, I deeply feel the emotion of all the nation. I measure the importance and the responsibility of the immense task which I embrace today. Change is on.

— George Weah (@GeorgeWeahOff) December 28, 2017

Unofficial elections returns showed that George Weah, a former international soccer star, defeated the sitting vice president, two former warlords and his own ex-girlfriend and won the right to succeed the first woman democratically elected as president of an African country.

It was Mr. Weah’s third bid to lead Liberia, a nation founded almost two centuries ago by freed American blacks. He will succeed Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Read 

Related:

Liberia Election Could Mark First Peaceful Transfer of Power Since 1944 

2017 Elections That Defined Democracy in Africa and Going Forward 

Africa on Track to be a US3Tn Economy by 2030 – EY

“By 2030, Africa remains on track to be a US$3 trillion economy. However, growth needs to become more inclusive and sustainable to eradicate poverty at the levels that are required.

If we accept the reality that physical connectivity – enabled by regional integration and the development of physical infrastructure – will remain a key stumbling block to inclusive growth across Africa for at least the next decade, then the need to actively embrace digital connectivity becomes critical.

However, efforts to harness the potential of digital technologies as a fundamental driver of inclusive growth are still far too piecemeal and fragmented,” Ajen Sita, Africa CEO at EY Read

Why Kenya Wants To Go Nuclear

Kenya wants to go nuclear. Since 2012, Nairobi has been talking the talk and walking the walk. It has engaged the International Atomic Energy Agency and signed multilateral letters of intent in pursuit of nuclear power.

To date, Kenya reportedly has memoranda of understanding with Russia, China, South Korea and Slovakia which involve the building of four nuclear power plants with a total output of 4,000 MW. France is apparently also eyeing the potentially lucrative deals which would nearly double Kenya’s current electricity capacity.

Kenya’s Nuclear Electricity Board secured the global atomic energy agency’s approval in 2016. It hopes to have the first plant online anywhere from 2022 to 2027, leading a new African push for nuclear power. The only country currently generating nuclear is South Africa. Read More

Related: Kenya To Benefit from Sh 370 Million Nuclear Infrastructure Kitty 

Relief for African economies in 2017

The World Bank says economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa is at 2.6 percent this year and expect it to expand to 3.2 percent in 2018 and 3.5 percent a year later.

The slight rebound has been driven by a recovery in oil production in Nigeria, higher public spending in Angola and the fading of drought effects in South Africa, according to IMF’s regional economic outlook. Listen

Investing Lessons From 2017

By Anet Ahern, CEO, PSG Asset Management:

Say no to the narrative, not the opportunity

Capitalise on cash

Don’t lock in permanent losses

Make sure to pay a fair price

Factors to consider include:
The company’s track record of financial performance – does it have a history of making good profits?
Is there a strong market for the company’s products and services, and how sustainable is this market?
What is going on in the competitive environment? Is it easy for other companies to enter the market or does the company you’re interested in have a particular competitive advantage? Read