This brief focuses on four key areas of concern in. combatting the spread of COVID-19 in Africa's vulnerable communities and addresses short-term interventions that can be implemented by governments to minimize the harm caused by this pandemic.

African countries can and should start this decade by taking advantage of this progress to shift from reactive to proactive diplomacy by building new ties with vital emerging markets. Instead of a 21st-century scramble, for Africa, 2020 marks the beginning of 21st-century partnerships.

While distressed companies in countries like the United States can turn to capital markets and distressed debt funds for refinancing, their counterparts in emerging markets, particularly in Africa, often struggle for revival due to inadequate access to funding and immature local business support to guide restructuring efforts. By refinancing or purchasing distressed firms, investors in Africa can unlock new opportunities in an underserved market for distressed assets and generate substantive ripple effects for local economies.

The last decade saw emerging markets in Africa such as Ghana become some of the fastest-growing economies in the world. Since 2010, economic growth in low-and-middle-income countries has been two to three times faster than in high-income countries. The ten economies with the highest projected growth rates for the next four years are all in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Botho analysts have observed three key trends in emerging markets that our team believes will continue into the next decade. Have we got it right?

The Amahoro Coalition was launched today at the Global Refugee Forum (GRF) with the support of Botho Emerging Markets Group and the UNHCR Office of the Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa. This landmark platform will mobilize the African private sector to be a key driver in the socio-economic transformation of refugee and host communities around the continent by promoting education and livelihoods.

Despite the steady growth of investments by the Middle East in Africa, trade between Saudi Arabia and the region remains low. However, the current economic and regulatory environment in African countries and the KSA are favorable to amplifying linkages between the two regions.

Almost three decades after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Russia is making concerted attempts to revitalize former strategic connections in Africa that have since languished. Botho’s analysis shows that the answer lies in three key approaches: improved knowledge sharing between Russia and Africa, an increase in government to government efforts to lay the foundation for private sector collaboration, and creating avenues for the exchange of Russian and African cultures.

Despite the fact that Africa makes up 16% of the global population and carries 23% of the global disease burden, the region accounts for a mere 1% of total global health expenditures and contributes to its $66 billion annual health financing gap. Given these stark figures, disruptive opportunities for healthcare technology across Africa have enormous transformative potential

Expo 2020 will host the largest number of African countries to ever participate in a World Expo.

In this 3-part series on technology regulation in Kenya, Botho examines how regulation can promote the use of technology by companies operating in the healthcare, education, and financial services industries.

Through a comparative analysis of demonetization drives in Ghana, India, the Philippines and Pakistan, this brief seeks to assess the potential economic effects of demonetization for Kenya. It indicates that a demonetization policy can considerably reduce illicit financial transactions and counterfeit notes through prudent policy choices. The brief also provides recommendations for policymakers regarding how to mitigate these risks.

Botho Emerging Markets Group, in partnership with the General Consulate of the Republic of Rwanda of Dubai, hosted “Africa’s Start Up Generation” at the Capital Club located in Dubai’s International Finance City (DIFC) on 17 July, 2019.

Rapprochement between Eritrea and Ethiopia is key for much needed regional economic cooperation, but more is required to translate peace into investment and business opportunities.

AfCFTA’s strong political backing and the excitement surrounding its rapid progress has led to some claims of its potential benefits going unchallenged, particularly surrounding intra-African trade gains. Most commentators appear reluctant to interrogate publicly a popular pan-African project, even when this analysis might be constructive.

This brief seeks to address the evident need for sensitisation on the most fundamental AfCFTA and TFTA issues, giving clarity on what each agreement might entail.

Botho Emerging Markets Group, in partnership with the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Consulate of the Republic of Rwanda hosted the Rwanda Investment Showcase on 23rd April 2019. This event introduced the GCC investors and private sector to exciting investment opportunities and prospects in Rwanda, one of the top 10 fastest growing economies in the world.

Given Kenya's current budget deficit, it is critical that efforts to attract FDI do not cannibalize local efforts to improve tax revenue.