News & Events

SpaceX landed its first-stage rocket booster on a drone ship off The Bahamas, marking a significant milestone in international operations.

The Starlink mission departed Cape Canaveral Space Force Station carrying 23 satellites destined for low Earth orbit. The booster landed precisely on the vessel Just Read the Instructions, positioned near Exuma island. SpaceX’s avionics supply chain engineer, Zachary Luppen, expressed enthusiasm for the ongoing partnership with the Bahamian government, indicating plans for future landings in the region. Local residents had been forewarned about potential sonic booms during the landing procedure.

This mission represented the booster’s 16th flight, having previously supported nine Starlink deployments. The company’s reusable booster technology continues to demonstrate significant advantages in launch frequency and cost efficiency compared to traditional expendable systems.

Read the original article here: https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/spacex-lands-booster-off-coast-of-bahamas-for-first-time/ar-AA1zhiSX?ocid=BingNewsVerp

The CARICOM Development Fund (CDF) and African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) have signed a €708,000 grant agreement to establish a Green, Resilience, and Sustainability Facility (GRSF). The signing took place during CARICOM’s 48th Regular Meeting of Heads of Government in Barbados.

The GRSF aims to provide blended and concessional financing to CARICOM member states, supporting infrastructure development, climate adaptation, and sustainable development initiatives. This facility will help address the region’s estimated US$20 billion resilience financing shortfall.

CDF Chief Executive Mr Rodinald Soomer highlighted the grant’s importance for Caribbean sustainability, whilst Afreximbank President Prof Benedict Oramah emphasised its role in supporting countries facing climate-related economic challenges. This agreement follows the strategic partnership established between both organisations in August 2023, when CDF became a shareholder in Afreximbank. The initiative complements CDF’s other partnerships, including their collaboration with USAID on the Caribbean Community Resilience Fund, demonstrating their commitment to mobilising investment for regional development and climate resilience.

Read the original article here: https://afreximbank.africa-newsroom.com/press/caricom-development-fund-and-afreximbank-sign-grant-agreement-to-establish-green-resilience-and-sustainability-facility?lang=en 

A delegation from the Mano River Union (MRU) recently completed a successful visit to the Busia One Stop Border Post (OSBP) between Kenya and Uganda to study efficient cross-border trading systems that support women traders. The delegation included women traders and border officials from Liberia and Sierra Leone, along with African Development Bank representatives.

Established in 2018, the Busia OSBP is one of East Africa’s busiest border crossings, managing over 3,000 people and 900 vehicles daily. The facility has revolutionised cross-border commerce and serves as an exemplar for streamlined border procedures between the two nations. The visit was part of the African Development Bank’s BI-BEST project, which aims to support 1,500 women traders in Liberia and Sierra Leone. The delegation met with various Kenyan officials and local women traders, who shared their experiences of the OSBP’s positive impact.

Notable improvements at the border post include a children’s daycare centre, simplified trade procedures, and dedicated support facilities for women traders. Local traders reported significant benefits, whilst delegates from Sierra Leone and Liberia expressed enthusiasm about implementing similar systems in their regions.

Read the original article here: https://afdb.africa-newsroom.com/press/mano-river-union-delegation-studies-successful-border-post-model-to-enhance-womens-crossborder-trade?lang=en