Africa’s exposure to global disruptions is closely tied to its reliance on imports and limited intra-continental trade, Kuagbedzi said, arguing that recent crises have underscored the urgency of reducing that dependence.

“Well, I think that we have to deepen African trade,” he said, referencing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which was created to boost trade among African countries but has yet to reach its full potential.

He warned that continued reliance on external suppliers for essential goods leaves African economies vulnerable when global supply chains are disrupted.

“We cannot continue as a continent to depend on, you know, others for our, you know, supplies in terms of crude oil, in terms of our cereals, in terms of sugar, in terms of everything that we actually import into this country.”

Economists have long argued that such dependence amplifies the impact of global shocks. Analysts, including Dani Rodrik, have pointed to the need for diversification and stronger domestic industries.

"Economic growth and development are possible only through the accumulation of capabilities over time, in areas ranging from skills and technologies to public institutions," wrote in his book, " The Globalisation Paradox ".

Nelson, during the discussion with Abigail Johnson Boakye, intimated that Africa must move beyond exporting raw materials and instead invest in value addition. “I think that we need to diversify our economic basis by adding more value to the raw materials,” he said, pointing to Ghana’s plan to stop exporting raw gold by 2030 as an example of policy direction.

He added that heavy reliance on imports has implications for employment and economic growth. “Once you continue to import, you are creating unemployment in your country, and you are creating a corresponding employment in that country.”

For Nelson, strengthening intra-African trade is central to reducing vulnerability.

“We should try as much as possible to trade within ourselves. We should try as much as possible to deepen our economic and financial relations. And we should also try as much as possible to build our economies based on African solutions that can solve African problems.”

Watch the full interview attached above.

Vietnamese voters cast ballots on Sunday in a general election for the National Assembly, the country’s top legislative body that largely ratifies decisions by the ruling Communist Party. More than 73 million voters are electing 500 lawmakers and local council representatives in the five-yearly polls. About 93% of the 864 candidates are Communist Party members, while independents account for 7.5%, down from 8.5% in 2021, according to the national election council. The party currently holds 97% of parliamentary seats. Voters expressed hope representatives would support continued economic modernisation under top leader To Lam.

Flight cuts seen from April as China, Thailand halt jet fuel shipments

Vietnam has warned airlines to prepare for potential flight reductions from April after China and Thailand halted jet fuel exports amid the Iran war, raising the risk of shortages. Vietnam imports more than two-thirds of its jet fuel, with 60% supplied by China and Thailand. In a March 9 notice, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam said shortages could begin in April and urged airlines to review operations, particularly domestic routes. Airport operators were also asked to prepare extra parking space if flights are cut. Importers Petrolimex and Skypec said they can guarantee supplies only through March, while deliveries from Singapore have also declined.

Homegrown Viettel is world’s strongest telecom brand in 2026

Vietnam’s Viettel has been ranked the world’s strongest telecommunications brand in 2026, with a Brand Strength Index score of 89.9 out of 100 and an AAA+ rating from consultancy Brand Finance. The result lifts the group to the top of the global telecom sector after placing second for two consecutive years. Brand strength measures customer trust, loyalty and engagement rather than financial value. Brand Finance said Viettel performed strongly on metrics including reputation, trust and customer recommendations. The company’s brand value stands at US$7.9 billion, making it Southeast Asia’s most valuable telecom brand and the only Vietnamese firm in the global Top 500 ranking.

Oil support from Japan, South Korea sought

Vietnam has asked Japan and South Korea to help expand its access to crude oil amid global supply disruptions caused by the Iran war, the trade ministry said on Monday. Deputy Industry and Trade Minister Nguyen Hoang Long made the request during an energy security summit in Tokyo over the weekend. Vietnam’s two refineries meet about 70% of domestic fuel demand and rely heavily on Middle Eastern crude. Long asked Japan to assist in identifying and securing crude supplies and discussed Japanese investment in liquefied natural gas and nuclear power. Vietnam imported 14.2 million tonnes of crude oil last year, up 5.3%, customs data showed.

Vietnam, Switzerland push to accelerate EFTA free trade pact talks

Vietnam and Switzerland have agreed to accelerate negotiations on a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), aiming to largely conclude discussions during the 20th negotiation round in Hanoi. Officials said both sides hope to announce the completion of talks by late June 2026 on the sidelines of an EFTA ministerial meeting in Iceland. Switzerland described Vietnam as an important partner and said the deal could boost investment, job creation and technology transfer. Vietnamese officials said the agreement would strengthen trade, supply chains and investment ties with Switzerland and other EFTA members, including Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

Speakers said Africa has made progress on lowering trade barriers under AfCFTA, but restrictive visa rules still block the flow of people needed for services trade, investment, tourism and cross-border work.

“The evidence is clear. The economics support openness. The human story demands it,” said Alex Mubiru, AfDB’s Director General for Eastern Africa, urging countries to move beyond gradual reforms to “transformative change.”

Amma A. Twum-Amoah, the AU Commission’s Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, called for faster implementation of existing continental frameworks, describing visa openness as a practical tool for expanding regional markets and improving responses to economic and humanitarian shocks.

Former AU Commission chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said free movement is central to the AU’s long-term development vision, Agenda 2063. “If we accept that we are Africans, then we must be able to move freely across our continent,” she said, urging states to implement the African Passport and the Free Movement of Persons Protocol.

Ghana ’s Trade and Industry Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare said her country’s open visa approach for African travellers has already supported business travel and tourism, and helped attract investors.

Participants also pointed to new data from the Africa Visa Openness Index showing that more than half of intra-African trips still require visas before departure, which they said continues to slow down trade and integration.

Mesfin Bekele, chief executive of Ethiopian Airlines, said visa liberalisation should move alongside efforts to improve aviation connectivity, including full implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).

Organisers said progress toward a visa-free Africa will require political will and practical steps such as aligning migration policies , improving border infrastructure and building interoperable digital identity and information-sharing systems. 

Why it matters

What’s in it for India

What’s in it for the EU

What’s driving the push now

What they said

Geopolitics behind it

What happens next

Once concluded, the India–EU FTA would mark a rare moment of trade liberalisation in a protectionist era — binding two uneasy but increasingly aligned partners as global commerce splinters.

According to the International Coffee Organisation (ICO), the world now consumes more than 170 million bags of coffee per year , with European nations leading per-capita coffee intake. Nordic countries remain the strongest consumers, with Finland topping the global list at nearly four cups a day on average.

Tea, however, remains the world’s most consumed hot beverage overall. Research from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) shows that global tea consumption continues to rise, driven largely by China, India, and other Asian markets where tea holds deep cultural roots.

This global divide is clear on the map: North America, much of South America, and Western Europe lean heavily toward coffee, while Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East remain firmly in favour of tea.

The United Kingdom and Ireland maintain their traditional place among Europe’s tea-dominant nations, while countries like Brazil and the United States reinforce their status as coffee-centric economies.

Recent climate impacts in major coffee-producing countries, such as Brazil ’s frost events and Ethiopia’s variable rainfall, have drawn attention to the fragility of beverage supply chains.

At the same time, consumer behaviour is shifting. The International Trade Centre reports that younger buyers increasingly prioritise sustainability, ethical sourcing, and speciality varieties, whether choosing single-origin coffee or artisanal teas. These preferences are changing how brands market their products and how consumers engage with them.

The reasons vary and range from U.S. sanctions to conflicts, limited ad-support infrastructure, and low monetisation status.

Google’s advertising products account for nearly 31% of all digital advertising spending worldwide. Meanwhile, Google’s documentation confirms that certain geopolitical, economic, and regulatory factors directly influence whether ads can run in specific markets.

Together, these insights raise an important question: Where exactly does YouTube advertising stop, and why?

Regions blocked due to sanctions or political restrictions

The infographic shows that YouTube ads cannot run in Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, or Russia . Google cites U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctions as the primary reason for these prohibitions.

These sanctions limit U.S. companies, including Google, from offering commercial advertising services in those regions. Russia, although not under OFAC sanctions for ad-delivery, remains blocked due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and corresponding restrictions implemented in 2022.

This aligns with broader global trends: major digital platforms like Meta and TikTok have similarly scaled back or restricted advertising access in these territories due to compliance and safety concerns.

Ads-free countries: Low monetisation and limited infrastructure

There are also countries where YouTube may be available, but monetisation levels are too low to justify ad distribution, or where the platform does not support advertising services at all. These include Albania, Cambodia, the Ivory Coast, Laos, Myanmar, Macau, Madagascar, the Maldives, and Mongolia.

Reasons range from:

Putin noted that defence cooperation between the two countries remains strong, with Indonesian military personnel currently undergoing training at Russian institutions. “Our military departments have direct bilateral ties… at the level of good professional interaction, and we are ready to expand this cooperation,” he said.

The Russian leader also congratulated Indonesia on joining the BRICS group in January and reaffirmed support for negotiations between Jakarta and the Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEC) on a potential free trade zone.

Subianto’s official visit to Moscow focused on strengthening the Russian-Indonesian strategic partnership and discussing key international and regional developments, according to the Kremlin.