Africa, Now is A Time for Action - Kofi Annan

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“Now is a time for action” affirms Kofi Annan in final Africa Progress Panel report

The report presents a bold agenda for African progress, to be taken forward by leaders on the continent and abroad to accelerate Africa’s transformation in the coming decades

GENEVA, Switzerland, December 18, 2017/ -- By 2050 more than one in four people on our planet will be African. Bold action is needed now to ensure that all of them have a fair chance of leading healthy, prosperous and fulfilling lives, urges the newest and final report from Kofi Annan’s Africa Progress Panel (APP) (www.AfricaProgressPanel.org).

The report, “Making Progress Towards Attaining the Sustainable Development Goals in Africa”, (http://APO.af/xtXMF1) draws from the insights cultivated over the APP’s decade of work (2007-2017), outlining the key opportunities and challenges Africa faces as it strives to realize the Sustainable Development Goals, and create long-term equitable and sustainable prosperity.

The APP’s final report is primarily a call to action. It presents a bold agenda for African progress, to be taken forward by leaders on the continent and abroad to accelerate Africa’s transformation in the coming decades.

Nigeria - Signs of Economic Recovery for West Africa as Nigeria Exits Recession

President Muhammadu Buhari at the 48th ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government ordinary summit in Abuja.

Nigeria - Signs of Economic Recovery for West Africa as Nigeria Exits Recession


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Top five business risks for West Africa

Signs of economic recovery for West Africa as Nigeria exits recession – Militancy and political uncertainty remain key risks for businesses in 2018

LAGOS, Nigeria, December 18, 2017/ -- As Nigeria exits the recession of 2017, investor sentiment across West Africa is likely to experience uplift in 2018. Still, political uncertainty ahead of Nigeria’s 2019 presidential elections and on-going security concerns are among the key risks for businesses operating in the region, says specialist global risk consultancy Control Risks (www.ControlRisks.com) in their annual political and security risk forecast ‘RiskMap’.

Control Risks’ Senior Partner for West Africa Tom Griffin comments:

“2017 has been a tough and turbulent year for businesses in the region, however with Nigeria exiting recession, and foreign exchange shortages easing, we see a strong improvement in investor sentiment emerging. Another major engine of growth will be Cote d’Ivoire, where economic expansion is projected at around 7% next year. There will be only a handful of elections in the region in 2018, meaning continuity will largely prevail with policy decisions having the biggest impact on the business environment.”

NOLLYWOOD: A Film Industry Without A Film Catalogue

The Nigerian film industry, including #Nollywood and #Kannywood does not have a film catalogue.
As I have stated before in my articles published by @indiewire that Nigeria has a peculiar film industry, because it does not have any film market.

Every world class film festival has a film catalogue. This not the film festival brochure. A film catalogue of all the selected films and other films to be given to film commissioners and film distributors.
I am yet to see any film festival in Nigeria exploring the opportunities of the business platforms of film festivals like the Berlinale, Cannes, Venice, Toronto, Durban and others of world class standards.

Nigeria Signs Joint Declaration on Economic Cooperation with European Free Trade Association (EFTA) in Buenos Aires

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Nigeria Signs Joint Declaration on Economic Cooperation with European Free Trade Association (EFTA) in Buenos Aires

Represents Africa as Vice-chair World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial Conference; Friends of Investment Facilitation for Development (FIFD) Members Adopt Ministerial Statement on Investment

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, December 12, 2017/ -- Nigeria has signed a joint declaration on Economic Cooperation with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) (www.EFTA.int) in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on the sidelines of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) 11th Ministerial Conference.

(Left-Right) Ambassador Peter Matt of Liechtenstein, Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann from Switzerland, Nigerian Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade of Iceland, Mr. Guolaugur Por Poroarson and Ambassador Harald Neple from Norway after the signing of the Joint Economic Cooperation between Nigeria and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) in Buenos Aires, Argentina on the Sidelines of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) 11th Ministerial Conference.

It also represented Africa at the Ministerial Conference through its position as Vice-Chair of the conference.

Nigeria, Algeria, Morocco and Egypt Represent Africa at the International Surrealism Now Art Exhibition in Portugal

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Africa will be represented in the International Surrealism Now art Exhibition 2017/2018 which will open in Portugal on December 23

Morocco, Egypt, Nigeria and Algeria are the African countries to be present in the next edition of Surrealism Now, the largest World Surrealism exhibition of the 21st century which gathers art work from more than 48 countries

CONDEIXA-A-NOVA, Portugal, December 12, 2017/ -- Achraf Baznani and Yamal Din, Morocco, Aissa Mammasse, Algeria , Jimah St, Nigeria and  Olesya Novik, Russia / Egypt are the African artists whose work will be present in The International Surrealism Now 2017/18 Art Exhibition in POROS Museum in Condeixa village in Portugal.

Following on from this participation, the organisers , including the mentor of the project, the artist Santiago, are looking for more active participation from the African continent in this event with a great international appeal.

Over 1,000 Media Professionals and Industry Leaders in Beijing for Evolution of Global Communications

Redefining Influence: Over 1,000 Media Professionals and Industry Leaders Gather in Beijing to Discuss Evolution of Global Communications

PR Newswire Honors Top Marketers with 2017 Corporate Communications Awards at Annual Forum

BEIJING, Dec. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- PR Newswire, the premier global provider of news distribution and media monitoring services, held its 5th Corporate Communications Forum held in Beijing. Under the theme of "Redefining Influence," over 1,000 leaders and key opinion-makers from leading media and public relations communities from across Asia met to discuss strategies for communication with their audience within an evolving media landscape and the communication industry's responses to technological innovations. The company also handed out its annual Corporate Communications Awards, honoring leaders and innovators who represent excellence in their fields.

World Premiere of "The Wedding Party 2: Destination Dubai" is this Sunday

World Premiere of "The Wedding Party 2: Destination Dubai" is this Sunday, December 10.

The world premiere of the most anticipated romantic comedy, "The Wedding Party 2: Destination Dubai", is today, Sunday evening at the prestigious Eko Hotel and Suites on Victoria Island, Lagos. A production of ELFIKE Film Collective, a partnership between EbonyLife Films, FilmOne Distribution, Inkblot Productions and Koga Studios.

One of the Executive Producers and winner of the 2017 Institute of Directors Nigeria (IoDN) Award, Mo Abudu, CEO of EbonyLife TV and EbonyLife Films commended the Director, Niyi Akinmolayan and DOP, Malcolm McLean for doing an awesome job in the production of the follow up to the first box office hit, The Wedding Party directed by Kemi Adetiba and broke box office records in Nigeria as the highest grossing #Nollywood movie so far.

Synopsis
In the sequel to the 2016 smash hit, we follow the romance between Nonso Onwuka (Enyinna Nwigwe) and Deirdre (Daniella Down), the bridesmaid from London. Nonso proposes by accident while on a date and sets off a chain of events too powerful to stop.

Deirdre’s upper-crust British family are against the match, as are some members of the Nigerian clan, but Deirdre’s determination can’t be contained. After a near-disastrous introduction ceremony in Lagos and Nigerian opposition to a London wedding, both families reluctantly agree to a wedding in Dubai, setting us off on another colourful, chaotic and memorable journey to everlasting love.

All glory to God 🙏 #weddingpartymovie2 #TWP2 @niyi_akinmolayan @malcolmpeter @filmoneng @seyilaw1 @theonlychigul @bankywellington @kemiadetiba @emmaohmagod @mofedamijo @solasobowale @official_ikechukwu @iretidoyle @frankdonga_ @alibabagcfr @wofaifada @elenu1 @adesuaetomi @beverlynaya @zainabbalogun @somkele_i @daniellajoydown @a_yinna @inkblotpresents.thearbitration @kogaent @simplysaka @iamfvo @tedabudu @yolandaokereke @aycomedian @randbpr @iamsambasa @visitdubai.af @dubaitourism @biyibandele @topeoshinfilm @cameronpbailey @dakoreea @omonioboli @iretidoyle @Emmanuelikubese @kachi213 @lepaciousbose @ebonylifetv

Breaking News: Aliko Dangote on the Nasdaq Tower in Times Square, New York

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Aliko Dangote on the Nasdaq Tower in Times Square, New York

Aliko Dangote was selected as the only African on the Bloomberg 50 list of this year's most influential people

NEW YORK, United States of America, December 7, 2017/ -- Aliko Dangote is the only African on the Bloomberg 50 list of this year's most influential people.

A photo of Aliko Dangote was displayed on Wednesday on the Nasdaq Tower in Times Square, New York after Aliko Dangote was selected as the only African on the Bloomberg 50 list of this year's most influential people (http://APO.af/cvMEyq).

WorldRemit Raises $40m To Target 5 Million Customers in Africa

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WorldRemit raises $40m to target 5 million customers in Africa

Series C funding round brings the total amount raised to $220m

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, December 7, 2017/ -- Leading digital money transfer service WorldRemit (www.WorldRemit.com) has raised $40m to drive its next phase of global growth, aiming to serve 10 million customers connected to emerging markets. Half of these customers will be in Africa.

Ismail Ahmed, founder and CEO at WorldRemit.

As part of the expansion, WorldRemit will enable customers in Africa to transfer money to 148 countries as easily as sending an instant message, using the WorldRemit app. Countries in Africa which now receive remittances through WorldRemit, will become send countries. Most importantly, the new service will make sending money within Africa faster, easier and low cost. According to the World Bank, inter-Africa transfers are amongst the most expensive in the world.

Michael Liu, Regional Director, Asia-Pacific.

Money transfers to Africa account for more than half of WorldRemit’s total volume of transactions. The company currently handles 74% of remittances to popular mobile money services across Africa like MTN, Ecocash, Tigo Pesa, Vodafone M-Pesa and Airtel Money, making it the global leader in mobile-to-mobile international money transfers.

Ismail Ahmed, founder and CEO at WorldRemit, comments: “This new funding will fuel our growth, and help bring our service to millions more customers across the globe. Africa is a crucial market for us and over the next few years, we will expand our services so customers can send and receive with WorldRemit, getting the benefits of our fast, secure online service.”

Since its last funding round in 2015, WorldRemit has launched 206 new services across the globe and has grown its transaction volume by 400%. Last month WorldRemit became Arsenal FC’s (www.Arsenal.com) first-ever online money transfer partner.

Dangote is the Only African On Bloomberg 50 List of the Most Influential People in 2017

Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

Dangote: Only African in Bloomberg 50 List of the Most Influential People in 2017

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Dangote: Only African in Bloomberg 50 list of year's most influential people

Dangote's contribution to the world this year revolves around his dynamic attention to lessen food imports into his own country and Africa's largest nation, Nigeria

NEW YORK, United States of America, December 5, 2017/ -- Aliko Dangote was honored last night at the Bloomberg 50 annual gala dinner at New York's iconic Gotham Hall. Bloomberg's list of 50 most influential names (http://APO.af/hCnHFd) who have had an impact on the world in 2017 included Dangote, Africa's richest person, for his outstanding commitment of over $4B USD to increase Nigeria's food production capacity.