Business
Standard Bank Supports China/Africa Cooperation
Standard Bank has announced that it supports the new and enhanced initiatives announced at the forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Sharmel Sheikh, Egypt, and remains committed to ensuring that the opportunities arising from the China-Africa Cooperation are beneficial for all parties.
FOCAC highlighted the progress made over the past three years and also laid down new initiatives which will continue to drive cooperation, such as China’s promise of $10 billion in Government concessional loans of African countries over the next three years and support for initiatives addressing climate change challenges in Africa.
Speaking at the entrepreneurs forum of FOCAC in Egypt in November, Craig Bond, Chief executive of Standard Bank China said “Standard Bank will work closely together with our Chinese partners to support the new and enhance FOCAC initiatives including advising Chinese companies on the tremendous opportunities in Africa helping them mitigate the risks, and offering a complete range in Africa countries. The $10 billion concessional loan initiative is highly commendable and I believe that the economic opportunities in Africa are tremendous and that much more than $10 billion of Chinese loan financing and investment will flow into Africa over the next three years. Much of this will be Chinese commercial bank financing and China’s commercial banks have both the liquidly and the appetite to step up their support for China’s trade and investment with Africa.”
With almost 150 year of experience on the African Continent and through its strategic partnership with ICBC, Standard Bank is well positioned to facilitate these commercial financing transactions for trade infrastructure and investment projects, thereby expanding the financing opportunities available to Chinese and African companies, both large and small.”
Craig Bond reaffirmed that building strong partners hips was crucial in ensuring that China’s overseas investment strategy was mutually beneficial for all parties involved particularly for African countries. These partnerships should extend beyond Government to Government relations, deepening and broadening to include strong cooperation business and growing understanding that trust between people.
“China’s open policy over the past 30 years has fundamentally and positively changed China’s global role. China economic growth has been creating opportunities for emerging economy to enter the global economy and grow their way out of under development and poverty.
Business
Kenyan Runners Dominate Berlin Marathons
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.
Business
NIS Ends Decentralised Passport Production After 62 Years
Business
FG To Roll Out Digital Public Infrastructure, Data Exchange, Next Year
-
Sports4 days ago
CAFCL : Rivers United Arrives DR Congo
-
Sports4 days ago
FIFA rankings: S’Eagles drop Position, remain sixth in Africa
-
Sports4 days ago
NPFL club name Iorfa new GM
-
Sports4 days ago
NNL abolishes playoffs for NPFL promotion
-
Sports4 days ago
NSF: Early preparations begin for 2026 National Sports Festival
-
Sports4 days ago
Kwara Hopeful To Host Confed Cup in Ilorin
-
Sports4 days ago
RSG Award Renovation Work At Yakubu Gowon Stadium
-
Politics4 days ago
Rivers Assembly Resumes Sitting After Six-Month Suspension