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Africa Headlines

Cameroon rolls out world’s first malaria vaccine – According to the annual World Malaria Report, 608,000 people died of Malaria in 2022, most of them in Africa. Indeed, in 2022, Africa was home to 94% of malaria cases in the world.  Not surprising, the focus of the malaria vaccine developed is Africa. We had first shared here last year that the roll out of the vaccine developed by GSK will roll out early this year, and yesterday, Cameroon became the first country to launch a routine vaccine program, with 20 other African countries planning to introduce it this year. The vaccine, known as RTS,S or Mosquirix, which has the backing of the  World Health Organization targets the deadliest strains of malaria spread by mosquitoes. The vaccine is administered in four doses to young children from five months of age. While its effectiveness of reducing the risk of severe malaria by about 30%, researchers believe giving it just before the malaria season could increase its efficacy. Logistics of administering multiple doses in remote areas pose challenges, but over 30 African countries have shown interest. The WHO estimates a growing demand for 40-60 million doses annually by 2026, and a second vaccine, R21 developed by Oxford University, is expected to help meet the demand.

Extended NLNG force majeure reveals oil sector challenges – The Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), the country's largest gas exporter, has been under force majeure for over 15 months, raising concerns about the challenges faced by Nigeria's oil and gas sector, and the government’s ability to raise further revenue from the sector. The force majeure, declared due to gas supply constraints caused by high flood water levels in the operational areas of gas suppliers, has led to a decline in NLNG's output and has constrained the progress on Train 7. The prolonged force majeure coincides with a surge in global demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG), impacting NLNG's buyers and potential revenues. The shortage of associated gas, resulting from crude oil production decline due to theft, pipeline vandalism, and aging infrastructure, further exacerbates the gas supply issue. In 2022, the company said their input gas supply gap was 37%, from the 3.5bcf required for Train 1 – 6.

US’s Blinken begins four-nation Africa tour amid Sahel worries – US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has begun a four-country tour of Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and Angola, reaffirming the United States' commitment to strengthening relations with Africa. He met with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday. Despite global crises and security concerns in the Sahel region, Blinken emphasized that the US is dedicated to deepening partnerships across the continent. President Joe Biden's absence from Africa last year, despite hosting African leaders in 2022, has raised questions, but Blinken quoted Biden, stating, "We are all in when it comes to Africa." In Cape Verde, Blinken commended the country's cooperation with the US in law enforcement and naval stops, highlighting it as a "beacon of stability" and a "strong, principled voice." Blinken will also visit Cote d’Ivoire, where he will attend a match in the Africa Cup of Nations. The Africa visit comes amidst rising global geopolitical tensions, tightened financials conditions in Africa, and the worst economic crisis on the continent since 1990s.

Global Headlines

U.S. and U.K. forces renew strikes on Houthi targets – The United States and Britain launched new strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, marking the eighth round of military action by the duo since January 12. While the Pentagon and White House have not publicly confirmed the strikes, US defence officials reported the news to US media outlets. The operation, named "Operation Poseidon Archer," suggests a more organised and potentially longer-lasting campaign. US President Joe Biden spoke with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak about Houthi attacks on merchant and naval vessels in the Red Sea, reaffirming their commitment to freedom of navigation and defending against such attacks. The escalation of the crisis in the region followed the escalation of the Israeli / Palestinian crisis. 

The repeat of the US 2020 elections nearing wrap up – Donald Trump won the New Hampshire primaries yesterday and perhaps now remaining a formality that he will be the Republican candidate for the US November elections, thereby setting in motion a repeat of the 2020 elections between him and President Joe Biden of the democrats. He beat Nikki Haley by 55% to 43%, the only second major candidate remaining in the race. De Santis, the Florida State governor had abandoned his presidential race and endorsed Donald Trump last weekend.  Before then, Vivek Ramaswamy had endorsed him after dropping out after the Iowa caucus. Donald Trump won the Iowa Caucus by 51% of the vote and Nikki coming third with 19% of the vote. After the New Hampshire primary, focus now shifts to the next primaries, which holds in Nikki Haley home state of South Carolina, where she was governor 2011 – 2017 on February 24^th . Before then, there is the Nevada and Virgin Islands Caucuses on February 8^th .