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Africa News Live Updates: Raila Odinga's support for Kenyan government raises questions about his 2027 election plans
China and Canada's investment push in Bangladesh mirrors global competition for influence in Africa
China and Canada are both seeking to strengthen economic ties with Bangladesh through renewed collaboration in trade and investment, a move that highlights a larger global trend with significant implications for Africa, according to a report in Daily Sun. This development is part of China's ongoing Belt and Road Initiative and Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy, showcasing how major global powers are competing for influence and economic partnerships in emerging economies. For African nations, this dynamic serves as a case study, presenting both opportunities to attract similar investment and the challenge of competing for global capital, while underscoring the importance of strategic negotiation and sustainable debt management in such partnerships.
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Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
WTO must protect African interests: CUTS International dialogue
The WTO is a critical multilateral rules-based forum to promote and protect the trade interests of all countries, especially the African low-income countries, in the world, and it must be revitalised at all costs, said Pradeep S. Mehta, Secretary General of CUTS International . CUTS convened a high-level informal dialogue with African Ambassadors to the World Trade Organization (WTO) at the Palais des Nations, Geneva on 9th July. Mehta, an NGO Adviser to the DG, WTO, chaired the meeting. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Degree Leadership MBA Finance MCA Data Analytics Technology Public Policy Healthcare Product Management PGDM Data Science Project Management Data Science Design Thinking others Others healthcare CXO Artificial Intelligence Cybersecurity Digital Marketing Management Skills you'll gain: Data-Driven Decision-Making Strategic Leadership and Transformation Global Business Acumen Comprehensive Business Expertise Duration: 2 Years University of Western Australia UWA Global MBA Starts on Jun 28, 2024 Get Details The closed-door session focused on reforms to the multilateral trading system, the operationalization of the African Continental Free Trade Area ( AfCFTA ), Africa's strategic role within the G20, and preparations for the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14) to be hosted in Cameroon in March, 2026. The deliberations captured the continent's resolve to navigate a complex geopolitical environment and assert its developmental priorities on the world stage. Multilateral Trading System in a Fractured World A recurrent theme was the increasing fragility of the multilateral trading order. Participants expressed deep concern over the rising trend of economic unilateralism, particularly the imposition of arbitrary tariffs by dominant global actors. This threatens to further fragment global trade by pushing countries—especially vulnerable African states—into precarious bilateral deals that are often skewed against their interests. The erosion of predictability and stability in the WTO system, largely due to the disengagement of some major economies, was viewed as a direct threat to investment flows and long-term development planning. Participants were unequivocal in their call for a revitalized, rules-based multilateral system—one that does not hinge on the whims of any single power. Yet, there was caution against retaliation. The disengagement of any single country should not dictate the future of the trading system. Instead, African countries were urged to champion reforms that democratize decision-making and prioritize inclusivity and development. AfCFTA: From Aspiration to Implementation The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) featured prominently throughout the session. Several interventions emphasized that the agreement must move beyond high-level policy to tangible, ground-level impact—particularly for small businesses, women, and youth. There was strong consensus that the private sector must be placed at the heart of AfCFTA's implementation strategy. Ongoing initiatives, including national training workshops, online capacity-building platforms, and the establishment of a private sector facilitation framework, were cited as promising steps. The critical challenge now is ensuring that these tools translate into real trade opportunities. The connectivity deficits—both digital and physical—were seen as major bottlenecks that require urgent investment and regulatory coordination. Moreover, participants highlighted that AfCFTA must cohere with regional economic community frameworks to avoid duplication and disintegration. Investment Facilitation and Economic Sovereignty There was unanimous agreement that Africa's development hinges on attracting sustainable and strategic investment. The WTO's Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) Agreement was viewed by many as a pragmatic entry point—though concerns about legal integration and sovereign space were noted. It was emphasized that investment and services policies must be approached as two sides of the same coin. With two-thirds of global FDI flowing into services, African governments were encouraged to align regulatory environments accordingly, especially in sectors like telecommunications, logistics, and agri-processing. The call to attract investment reflected an urgent development imperative amid declining aid and mounting public finance constraints. A Critical Opportunity for Africa The upcoming MC14, to be hosted in Cameroon, was framed as a historic moment for the continent. With agriculture, food security, and WTO reform on the agenda, African countries must arrive at the conference with a unified, actionable agenda. Particular emphasis was placed on securing outcomes on public stockholding, special safeguard mechanisms, and industrial policy flexibility. Participants urged that MC14 must not only acknowledge Africa's unique developmental needs but also advance them through concrete institutional reforms—especially around the Dispute Settlement Mechanism and Special & Differential Treatment. Leveraging the G20: From Presence to Influence While the African Union's recent admission to the G20 was applauded, it was made clear that mere presence does not guarantee influence. Effective participation requires preparation, coordination, and an unwavering commitment to championing the continent's priorities—particularly in digital trade, infrastructure, and MSME development. Some voices were sceptical of the G20's utility, citing its historical disconnect from WTO deliberations. Others, however, emphasized the opportunity for Africa to engage proactively—especially with the AU now at the table. The upcoming G20 summits hosted by South Africa and potentially the US were viewed as tests of whether Africa can shape the global trade narrative rather than merely respond to it. The meeting closed with a stark yet empowering message: Africa must stop waiting for others to define the system. The continent's strength lies in forging coalitions, acting decisively, and learning by doing. The rules-based system must be preserved—not in spite of the challenges, but because of them. Indeed, the most thought-provoking insight may have been the call to stop treating the United States' disinterest as a veto on multilateral progress. The session was attended, among others, by Jeremiah Mangewa (South Africa), Amb. Brian Glover (Mauritius), Hamid Mamdouh (Senior Counsel), Rajesh Aggarwal (Visiting Professor, ICRIER), Amb. Urujeni Bakuramutsa (Rwanda), Lily Sommers (ITC), Ms. Mpho Michelle Mogobe (Botswana), M. Thomas Ndongo (Cameroon), Mr. Pradeep S. Mehta (Secretary General, CUTS International), Suddha Chakravartti (Director, CUTS International Geneva), Peter Maundu (Research Associate of CUTS), and Mritunjai Kapila (Ontern).
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
Chennai: 5 heritage structures reborn
Chennai's architectural landscape breathes like a living entity. The cityscape is dotted with Indo-Saracenic, colonial, and Art Deco landmarks, their presence a strong representation of Madras, and now Chennai's layered culture, history, and design language. But the past few years have seen a revived interest in restoring older structures, especially as the awareness in conservation has grown. There are scores of examples, from the 73-year-old Art Deco building in Rutland Gate that now houses the multi-designer boutique, Collage, and The Woodhouse Coffee & Cocoa Co, to The Entrance Cafe in Kilpauk, which is housed in an old colonial house. The cafe's updates includes a koi pond and a massive 10-ft. wooden door, courtesy architect Faisal Manzur. A stroll around town manifests in many such chance encounters — each heritage building, once a grand period residence, now embraces a new chapter, and thus adaptive reuse showcases its inherent potential and lore. Una Villa, Nungambakkam J. Rafiq Ahmed, managing director of Kothari Industrial Corporation Limited (KICL), has long championed the culinary arts. Una Villa marked a significant milestone in that trajectory, a space that Ahmed envisioned would foster intimate, high-quality dining experiences. And what ensued was a spatial sleight of hand, courtesy Anisha Murali and Denver Pereira, principal architects at u:i:make, a Chennai and Mumbai-based practice. Ahmed's frequent commutes along Uthamar Gandhi Road got him interested in a 1960s home and this soon evolved into a deep commitment for him and his wife, Basheera. 'I was immensely drawn to its high ceilings, large windows, and symmetrical façade. I knew I didn't want to rebuild; the structure needed to be restored,' he says. Set within a domestic garden, the 2,500 venue rests on a 6,300 land parcel. 'With a deep respect for context, materiality, and everyday life, we approach spaces as a hopeful exploration. Una Villa transforms one of the area's few remaining mid-century houses into a restaurant and bakery after years of vacancy,' highlights Murali. In Murali and Pereira's rendition, the bungalow's original flow remains intact. The load-bearing walls were stripped back to the plaster beneath, revealing worn surfaces and layered colour. Pereira says, 'A textured border runs along the bottom of the walls, colored to match the earth outside.' The stairwell defines circulation, its glorious form updated with only a fresh coat of lime plaster and brass handles. Surface-mounted wiring and copper conduits make their way across the walls and ceiling, introducing ingrained movement. 'Rather than erasing the past, the design builds upon it, allowing the abode's history to shape its quiet transformation into a public space,' observes Murali. Primrose 131, Mylapore Mylapore's veins thrum with an ancient rhythm, courtesy the vivid gopurams, and the fragrance of temple flowers. Tucked in a leafy enclave is Primrose 131, an ancestral dwelling from the mid-1950s, in the care of producer Archana Kalpathi and her husband. 'This was my husband's family home. The house is synonymous with their happiest memories; every anecdote unfolds under the shade of the mighty mango tree. We wanted to extend the warmth of our home towards meaningful celebration. And that is how its adaptation into a versatile event space transpired,' recalls Kalpathi. The motivation to breathe new life into its strong bones led the homeowners to Sruthi Reddy, principal architect at Chennai's Ceebros Designworks. Reddy shares, 'Our portfolio is a testament to the lasting legacies we craft. Each design is deeply rooted in its context, the overarching story, and the artisanship that enlivens it.' Spanning 9,600 the bungalow's identity was reconfigured by Reddy and her team, comprising Priyanka and Santhanam, in 2021. 'The magnificent mango tree was our muse! Traditionally, all gatherings unfolded around the home's courtyard and its resident tree. We wanted to evoke that atmosphere through design, creating a bridge between indoor and outdoor spaces,' Reddy adds. The building's architecture lent itself instinctively to a reprised take on Art Deco. A monolith in white, the structure is accented in bold strokes of black — in jambs, the staircase, and lighting. The alfresco space is sheathed in a fresh white terrazzo variety by Facilini Design Lab, and flows into the verandah's harlequin-style floors. 'The staircase makes for the most loved insert. The balustrade's gently curved form and its colour against the all-white backdrop make for a stunning vignette,' says Reddy. The interior features expansive spaces supported by slender metal columns, replacing the original floor plan's compact rooms while preserving the building's Madras terrace roof. 'The space is looked after like a regular, functioning home. Housekeeping services, close assessment of details, maintenance of floors, and paint touch-ups are administered per requirement,' shares Kalpathi. Malligai - Raw Mango, Cenotaph Road Anchored along Cenotaph Road is Malligai. Raw Mango's Chennai location bears witness to the city's rich history and its quiet march towards modernity. The story comes alive in a 5,400 residence with overlapping architectural styles, a space rejuvenated by Sanjay Garg, founder of Raw Mango, in collaboration with Delhi-based design studio Squadron 14, spearheaded by Adityan Melekalam. 'Akin to all our stores, the Chennai outlet also conjures an experience for our clients. We envisioned a gallery that showcases the brand's textile offerings and fascinations. The store is inspired by the context of the building, and at the same time, we are not too burdened by it,' Garg states. A diligent pursuit spanning over 50 residences landed Garg an encounter with the property that is now a sanctuary for connoisseurs of Indian handloom. The interior houses elements that are almost as delectable as the design house's offerings — a sculptural staircase, mosaic floors, ornate mullions, and gently curved cornices. Garg's curatorial prowess is apparent — the store hosts antiques collected over the years, finds from India and the world. 'The project was not about imposing a new identity but revealing the preexisting layers. The bungalow sports faint Art Deco influences and vernacular traces, but as with most things in Chennai, it's a confluence — neither strictly traditional nor entirely modern,' notes Melekalam. For Garg, the appeal lay in the inhabited home's distinctive architecture, which reflected the residing family's aspirations. The challenge? 'Maintaining the built form's character and integrity to lend a design aesthetic that resonated with our manifesto,' suggests Garg. Deconstructing the spatial layout, Melekalam elaborates, 'We reconfigured the flow between rooms to make the experience more fluid. The materials and hues respond to the space's quirks, like the original flooring. We designed most elements in-house. The museum-esque glass displays, for example, are inspired by vitrines from the turn of the 20th century.' Holding a mirror to Raw Mango's work, the adaptive reuse strategy embraces contradictions — treating the space as a container for ideas while absorbing myriad influences. KUP Budan House, Alwarpet Memory serves as a relentless compass, guiding one's journey towards the destination their heart has always sought. 'I recall a visit to veteran actor Sivaji Ganesan's home. The breezy thinnai, a signature of traditional Tamil homes, never quite left my mind. KUP Budan House was a serendipitous find, an ode to my upbringing in Madras and this childhood memory,' Jivesh Goenka, founder of KUP Coffee Roasters, shares. Building on successful operations in Nungambakkam, Goenka's keen eye for design and business potential drew him to an 80-year-old, 4,000 home in Alwarpet, where the café opened its doors in 2024. He relies on inspiration gathered over his travels abroad, 'There is a remarkable presence of adaptive reuse overseas. It was a challenge I posed to myself. I wished to recreate this — give my city a landmark!' Crafted in collaboration with Roaish Architecture + Design and Orange Elephant Interiors, the space is alive with KUP's electric DNA. The structure's sweeping form is unmistakable, its ivory façade animated by bold grey streaks that flow into the columns. Hand-painted lettering echoes signage from past decades, bridging different eras. The design language flows through the restored space, in step with its past. The layout is a collage of various seating options — the airy verandah, private dining rooms, the restored backyard configured around the mango tree, peripheral seats gazing at the frangipani trees, and the popular coffee bar, which was once a derelict garage. 'Community-building is central to KUP's ethos. The variety of spaces available at Budan House strengthens events where patrons from diverse backgrounds come together to interact and converse. Each visitor finds a nook that feels like their own,' says Vidya Vijay, brand head – KUP. 'White, black, brown, grey, and orange manifest across the café, representing KUP's visual identity. Polished mosaic floors, refurbished I-beams, Bakelite switches, exposed conduit lighting, and louvred windows speak of the site's history,' says Goenka. Lessons in legacy Preserve existing trees on site whenever possible. Choose furniture that resonates with the home's history. Retain original materials wherever possible. Brick, timber, and terrazzo are key examples. Engage structural consultants and design professionals while undertaking the overhaul of heritage structures. Survey rising road levels, waterlogging zones, and invasive root networks. Audit old plumbing and check for wood decay. Maintain the space like a lived-in home with regular housekeeping. The writer is an architect and design specialist.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Is Global South ready to lead—Or just done being ignored?
'We were never voiceless. You just refused to listen.' This silent refrain echoes from Accra to Jakarta, from the favelas of Rio to the corridors of Delhi. The world's power architecture, once held firmly by the hands of the Global North, now quivers as tectonic shifts emerge. But as the Global South finds its voice amplified on the world stage—through economic leverage, demographic might, and climate urgency—the question is no longer if it can lead, but whether it wants to. Has the Global South arrived at the helm—or is it simply done being dismissed? The great recalibration: Why 2025 feels like a pivot year In 2025, the term Global South is no longer code for 'underdeveloped.' It's shorthand for undervalued—and now ascendant. According to the World Bank's Global Economic Prospects Report (June 2025): Emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs) are projected to grow at 4.5% this year—nearly twice the rate of advanced economies (2.3%). India alone will contribute 16.2% to global growth in 2025, surpassing the EU bloc (14.9%) for the first time. ASEAN economies together are now the fourth-largest economic bloc, overtaking Japan. South-South trade now accounts for approximately 33% of total global trade, though trade in goods has recently contracted by 7% to $5.7 trillion, reflecting volatility in global supply networks (UNCTAD, 2025). Yet, this moment isn't defined solely by statistics. It's powered by assertion—and a mounting refusal to be seen as a footnote in someone else's economic story. Redrawing the world map—One rebuff at a time This isn't noise—it's navigation. The Global South is no longer asking to be seen; it's redesigning the frame. With India at the helm, the 2024 expansion of BRICS to include Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, and the UAE was less about membership and more about momentum. BRICS+ now speaks for 46% of the global population and commands 32% of global GDP, fundamentally tilting the scales of influence. At COP30 in Brasília (March 2025), assertive Indian diplomacy, backed by African and Latin American allies, blocked diluted climate pledges from the Global North and clinched a $50 billion binding Loss and Damage Fund—not positioned as aid, but as owed accountability. Meanwhile, Africa's ambitions are no longer theoretical. With its digital economy expanding at 11% annually, the continent is rewriting its future. Kibera Tech City in Nairobi, once overlooked, has emerged as a ground-up AI innovation zone rooted in local resilience. Across the Indian Ocean, Bengaluru and Hyderabad are quietly architecting the Global South's digital DNA—from semiconductors to sovereign AI stacks—indigenously developed and locally governed systems—turning India into a strategic innovation corridor between East and West. These aren't just responses—they are strategic assertions of autonomy, reshaping global power through precision, not protest. Leading, but differently: The southern style of stewardship Leadership, as defined by the West, has long revolved around dominance. But the Global South isn't interested in mimicking. It's innovating. India's Vaccine Diplomacy 2.0 now includes mRNA tech transfer agreements with 22 low-income countries—driven by strategic solidarity. Indonesia and Brazil, once labelled resource exporters, are spearheading a tropical green alliance, commanding 78% of global rubber and 52% of soy production, asserting commodity sovereignty. The UN Global Digital Compact, slated for signing in late 2025, saw Chile and Ghana co-authoring the data sovereignty clause—insisting on algorithmic fairness for AI tools deployed in the Global South. This is not the South asking for a seat at the table. It is crafting its own table, one that trades power for purpose. Growth with fragility But beneath this renaissance lie unresolved realities that must be reckoned with: Debt stress at historic levels Global public debt has now crossed $100 trillion, with developing countries owing over $31 trillion. External public debt service for Global South nations reached $487 billion in 2023, while net interest payments globally rose to $921 billion in 2024. More than 3.4 billion people now live in countries spending more on interest than on health or education. The world's poorest 75 nations owe $22 billion to China in 2025 alone, under the weight of Belt and Road-related repayments. In Africa, 57% of the population lives in countries where debt servicing exceeds public investment in core social services. This is not just economic distress—it is structural inequity. The very systems through which the South is expected to lead are shackling it. Trade and finance imbalances While global trade expanded by $300 billion in the first half of 2025, developing economies saw a 2% decline in imports, indicating uneven recovery. Africa's intra-regional trade, however, surged by 16%, showing regional resilience amid global fragmentation. Global FDI dropped by 11% in 2024, yet Africa posted record highs, though largely driven by extractives and infrastructure—a volatile foundation. Official net financial flows to developing economies turned negative, as debt repayments outpaced aid and investment. This dual reality—of rising ambition and restricted access to capital—defines the paradox of the Global South's moment. From dependency to interdependence: A Southern remix of global power The future isn't North-led. It's network-led. A Southern-led multilateralism is emerging—messier, more localised, but grounded in dignity and innovation. Latin American feminist diplomacy is reshaping peace narratives and environmental treaties. Bangladesh's solar microgrid exports are decentralising power in Sub-Saharan Africa. India's digital public infrastructure, including Aadhaar and UPI-like models, is now being adapted in Southeast Asia and Africa, establishing a tech stack rooted in inclusion. This isn't the Global South catching up. It's changing the race entirely. From margins to mandate To ask if the Global South is ready to lead is to cling to a dated worldview—one where leadership is something bestowed from above. But in 2025, leadership is something built from below. Yes, the Global South still battles internal contradictions, fiscal pressures, and geopolitical risks. But it no longer waits for permission. It redefines participation, reimagines prosperity, and reclaims its narrative. It isn't just knocking at the door. It is reconstructing the house. And if the old world refuses to listen, the Global South will speak louder—through trade, through treaties, through technology—and in a language it never needed permission to use. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
