CEO-FEEEDS/FE3DS Participates in Briefing on COVID-19 Federal Intiatives to Assist U.S. Small Business

March 19, 2020 - COVID-19 News for America's Small Businesses:


FEEEDS/FE3DS CEO Dr. Robin Sanders participated in an official COVID-19 briefing on all U.S. Federal Initiatives to assist America's small businesses under 500 employees. Key Takeaways from the briefing is that the U.S. small businesses can seek working capital low interest (3.5 percent) relief loans up to $USD 2million from the Small Business Administration (SBA). The Initiative called Economic Injury/Disaster Relief Loan Program offers a one year repayment deferment, and the goal is to keep America's small business and non-profits afloat during this uncertain, social distancing times of COVID-19.
Make sure your state is applying to be part of this Initiative as it only requires that a minimum of five small businesses in your state be impacted by COVID-19 for your entire state, and all of its  small businesses with less than 500 employees, to be eligible to apply!  Your State has to apply though to be part of the Initiative. To date states which have applied for eligibility or are in the procees of doing so are Maryland, Ohio, Colorado, Massachusetts, Washington State, Michigan, California, Louisiana and Maine to name a few.
Rules for non-profits are equally impressive and similar (with 2.75 percent loans), although religious organizations and churches, as of now, are not now eligible for these loans.  Small businesses can apply for this new SBA COVID-19 Economic Injury/Disaster Relief Loans even if they already have an existing SBA loan. https://www.kxan.com/news/coronavirus/sba-offering-covid-19-disaster-loans-to-small-businesses-nonprofits/; https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance

Africa @ the Crossroads: Things are Changing, but Challenges Remain

Africa at the Crossroads  Technology and global political pressure have changed the landscape of African activism and youth-led change are on the rise. Joining Insight to discuss how Africa's youth is changing the continent is former US ambassador to Nigeria, Robin Renee Sanders. She is delivering the keynote address Friday at Sacramento State University's 21st Annual African/African Diaspora Conference: Africa at the Crossroads: Revolution, Democracy, Youth empowerment, Social media and Non-Violence.

click here to listen to NPR interview w/Ambassador Sanders in Sacremento http://archive.org/download/Insight_120426/Insight_120426c.mp3 or

download link

Six Nigerian Governors Discuss: Business, Investment & Development in Their States

H.E. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi – Chairman of the Governors’ Forum, Governor of Rivers State
H.E. Ibrahim Shehu Shema – Governor of Katsina State
H.E. Liyel Imoke – Governor of Cross River State
H.E. Gabriel Suswam – Governor of Benue State
H.E. Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha – Governor of Imo State
H.E. Ibikunle Amosun – Governor of Ogun State
Ambassador Herman J. Cohen – President of Cohen and Woods International, retired from the U.S. Department of State in 1993
Wale Adeosun – Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Kuramo Capital Management, LLC
Ambassador Robin Renée Sanders – Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, served in Nigeria beginning in December 2007
Steve McDonald – Program Director for the Africa and Leadership and State Capacity Building Programs of the Wilson Center
Although Nigeria is often thought of in terms of oil production and a legacy of military governance, recent democratic gains combined with anticorruption initiatives and a focus on development which are opening the country to investment in “non-oil” business and development ventures. In keeping with Africare's Policy Series and Constituency's For Africa's Ron H. Brown Series, the Wilson Center's Afrca Program hosted six Nigerian Governors who have been and continue to be instrumental in creating and advocating economic and human development in their respective states. Ambassador Robin Sanders introduced each of the governors and said that she had “had the wonderful opportunity to visit all of their states many times and by far to [her] they are the dynamic, key governors that are doing incredible things in their states.” Ambassador Herman Cohen moderated the first panel discussion and quipped that the occasion was special, “because during my long career in diplomacy … and [having] interacted with many high government officials from the top and all of them were not elected people. They were all people mostly from the military and it is a privilege to be in the presence of people who were elected and are accountable to their constituents.” Each Governor proudly presented the opportunities in their state and encouraged private and public investors to forge lasting partnerships with the Nigerian people in order to ensure a strong, stable, and internationally significant Nigeria.
Panel 1
H.E. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi
Despite a volatile past, the Nigeria of today is fertile ground for business and investment, and analysis of the current conditions will show not only the need for development within certain sectors, but also the eagerness of the local population to participate in these ventures. Nigeria’s population of 140 to 150 million people is composed of a variety of ethnic and religious groups, which interact freely and harmoniously to make a dynamic and efficient workforce. Though consideration of the needs of the local population is key in business decision-making, other factors must also be weighed including environmental protection and the reality on-the-ground. Oil is doubtless the main Nigerian export, leaving the national economy dependent on its production and distribution. One of the cardinal priorities of the current class of elected officials is to reduce oil dependence and diversify the Nigerian economy by developing the agricultural sector and creating jobs in manufacturing and tourism. This diversification would lead to job security and a more competitive and stable Nigeria, thereby increasing regional and international confidence in the country. Past spats of violence and tumult have shaken investor confidence and left valid questions in the minds of many risk-averse practitioners. But, peace in the delta is beginning to take hold and can be seen through the recent rise in oil production. Each Nigerian state is endowed with different assets that should be carefully considered by potential investors and business partners. Rivers State has a population of five million and is the largest oil and natural gas producer in the country. Governor Amaechi characterized this abundance of natural resources as a blessing and a curse for the state. Oil production in Rivers has stimulated economic growth and employment opportunities for the state, but it has also given rise to environmental degradation and pollution in certain areas. Additionally, there has been a gulf between the wealth generated by this industry and the actual income of the population, which must be resolved. The potential for development within the power and agricultural industries could address this issue and alleviate some of the economic disparities among the local population. Rivers State has made progress in the education and health care sectors, yet there is always room for improvement. A recent partnership with an Indian firm has led to the modernization of the school system, bringing it up to UNICEF standards. Availability of and access to healthcare has also been a priority, and medical tourism is an option under consideration by local officials.
H.E. Ibrahim Shehu Shema
The Governor of Katsina spoke about his state of six million people and described the possibilities that investors could explore within its borders. Katsina State is particularly rich in minerals including precious stones, including diamonds, yet the extraction and refinement industries within the state are underdeveloped. There are also vast opportunities for modernization and expansion within the agricultural sector. Farming is the principal source of livelihood in Katsina, and any advances made would have a direct, positive impact on the local population. Nationally, agriculture is one of the largest contributors to Nigeria’s GDP and, is, therefore, an area that, if properly developed, could provide sustainable and productive occupations for many Nigerians. Compared to other Nigerian states, Katsina lacks abundance in oil reserves, which has led to the diversification of the energy sector and investment in alternative power sources. Currently, a substantial wind power project is being realized to harness energy through more environmentally sound methods. This sector has ample room for growth. In conclusion, Governor Shema emphasized his commitment to providing commercial and industrial incentives to encourage business partnerships in his state. “We have the ambition to ensure that our people are productively employed,” he stated, “and that our resources are well-harnessed for the well-being of all in Nigeria.” “If we harness agricultural resources well, along with oil resources and minerals, I have no doubt that Nigeria’s quest for development by 2020 is achievable,” the Governor asserted.
H.E. Liyel Imoke
Cross River State is one of the most dynamic states of Nigeria and is heralded as one of the “cleanest and greenest” in the country. Moreover, Cross River’s economy is growing faster than the nation’s economy at 6.33% due to its plenitude of minerals and natural resources. It is also host to one of the largest tropical forest in Africa which offers an added level of biodiversity in the natural environment. Cross River State encompasses three different climate zones allowing for a range of agricultural variety that constitutes 42% of the state’s GDP. In addition to the agricultural offerings of the local environment, the prospect for tourism is optimal in the state that boasts of having “Africa’s warmest welcome.” As a result of significant foreign investment, this sector is slowly growing and shows promise for extensive job creation. In conjunction with the drive to boost tourism in the region, Governor Imoke highlighted the need for investment in education and professional training, notably in the service industry. Cross River is home to a sizable skilled and educated (over 1.8 million literate) workforce, and skill-specific training would increase their ability to shift towards a more service-driven economy.
Panel 2
Wale Adeosun, Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Kuramo Capital Management, moderated the second panel of Governors and stated that “as an investor, this event is a testament to what is happening in the country. To invest in the country, the key issue that everybody worries about is political stability and political risk. As you have seen from the [governors]… the political transition in Nigeria is a strong testament to what the future holds for the country.”
H.E. Gabriel Suswam
The crop-rich state of Benue is often called the “breadbasket” of Nigeria. Eighty percent of the 4.7 million people who inhabit the state earn their livelihood from the land, rendering agriculture development the core focus of elected officials within the state. Farming education and training are provided to the local population by the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi and the Akperan Orshi College of Agriculture. Also, Benue has a wealth of coal, limestone, and salt deposits, and has a large beach corridor that is virtually undeveloped. Benue State is also extremely culturally vibrant, and in tandem with its picturesque beach properties have led the region’s leaders to prioritize tourism in development planning as an expanding industry that holds promise for the people and economy.
H.E. Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha
Imo State shares many of the characteristics of other Nigerian states i.e., agricultural wealth, gas resources, and abundant, inexpensive labor, yet Governor Okorocha took pains to discuss the features that set Imo State apart from the others. First and foremost, education is the key focus of this region, and elected officials consider investments in this sector to be vital. The manpower and framework are already in place, but they lack the financing necessary to build the desired educational system. Within this system, officials hope to establish a network of professional schools and special training programs to equip a new generation of Nigerians with a skill set that can build and sustain competitive, market-oriented industries. To achieve this goal, potential investors will be incentivized by free land, 15-year tax exemptions, and work visas. Moreover, with specialized training and skills, the manufacturing industry in Imo will be able to grow beyond its current state.
H.E. Ibikunle Amosun
The bustling region of Ogun is often referred to as the “gateway state” due to the large, busy highway that adjoins disparate parts of the state. Agriculture, commerce, and industry are the strengths of Ogun, and local products are distributed with ease throughout the country via the transnational highway. Governor Amosun highlighted the particular fertility of the land in Ogun state with proclamation that “everything grows here!” He articulated the integrality of agriculture to the Nigerian economy and spoke of his desire to have a more open trading environment to facilitate the distribution of Nigerian goods. Furthermore, his ambitious goal of five hundred new investors over the next few years was emphasized by promises of land donations, legal permits, and tax incentives. Ogun’s strategic location, infrastructure, and natural resources combined engender a vast economic potential and demonstrate the positive changes that are taking place in Nigeria.
Concluding Comments
The government of Nigeria is making a concerted and deliberate effort to diversify the economy in order to provide Nigerians with legitimate, sustainable career paths. Past media attention has focused on the corruption, violence, and illicit practices of the informal economy that has plagued the country, but the government now hopes that new developments will allow the media to show a new emerging face of Nigeria. By providing Nigerians with education, healthcare, and professional opportunities, the prominence of the shadow economy will shrink dramatically. Further, decisive steps to rid the government of corruption have been taken and, in effect, transformed the public sector into a more transparent, proactive entity, and raised the prevalence of elected officials that are accountable to the people of Nigeria. This is providing a new democratic environment that hopefully fosters solid and fruitful business relations. Although the advent of an entirely stable political and economic environment is far from complete, consequential progress has been made, and a welcoming and advantageous business climate for foreign investors is on the rise.

The Advocacy Initiative called FEEEDS/FE3DS®

There are several key global issues of our day that require constant advocacy and dialogue to ensure that we as a nation and as a global community are doing our utmost to make the world a better place for the next generations. I believe that some of these issues are: Food Security, Education, Environment-Energy, Economics, Democracy- Development, and Self Help, or FEEEDS.
What does FEEEDS/FE3DS® mean?
-- Food Security – meaning availability and access to not just food but nutritional food;
-- Education – representing the entire range of education from knowledge learning to knowledge management to knowledge usage, which also includes training, retraining , entrepreneurship (SMEs), and formal education;
-- Environment-Energy – enabling environments for communities to thrive, as well as a focus and realization of the importance of renewable energy and alternative energy resources;
-- Economics – enhancing living wages, and on the macro level, ensuring governments, and community leaderships manage budgets and tax payer dollars not only effectively, but efficiently in order to address social service needs;
-- Democracy-Development – linking these two symbiotic issues are key to improving life-quality, especially for people of color; and,
--Self-Help – realizing that identity for anyone provides self esteem, but for nations and people of color this also represents both power and empowerment.
In Pursuit of Change:
What and how do we proceed in communicating or educating our diverse world population (now@7 billion) on the challenges of these global human FEEEDS® issues? How do we overcome or shift the paradigms that have been pre-scripted for our families, our communities, and for some nations? There are things that are pre-destined, but the negatives on FEEEDS® are not; thus we can help change these negatives. Let’s begin with communicating and educating about the challenges:
Food Security Most of the world population, particularly of color, and especially women and children, fail to get enough nutritional food to eat every single day. Most of us have heard the adage that many things in life are about “quality not quantity;”thus, this adage also applies to food security. There is a lack of consumption of the key food groups not just daily, but at every meal for many global communities. What we seem to be missing is the focus on and access to good nutrition. The examples seen around the world in communities, particularly those of color are similar as regards to food security, with the seminal issue being: access to nutritional food.
The FEEEDS/FE3DS Enabling Platforms: What are they?
1.) Education: Although many global challenges are connected to FEEEDS/FE3DS®, the way forward on many issues is education, specifically training (also vocational), retraining, formal education, entrepreneurship (SMEs), knowledge sharing, usage and management, discussion, and creative and enterprising development and design solutions, particularly for youth and women. We need to think of education as our new Frontier Enterprise where dynamic development design strategies are created to respond to FEEEDS. Education is not static, and includes more than just basic and/or formal education.
2.) Environment-Energy: These two issues are linked, and we should focus on the need to improve both sectors. Simply put – they are symbiotic and affect quality of life. Here community is being used in the big “C” sense -- meaning at the family, local, state and sovereign levels. The environment is both where you live, and how you live in your community. Where one lives must provide an “enabling atmosphere” where one feels safe and confident to thrive as a person or a culture. We must also take the responsibility to treat the living nature around us with more respect. This includes using and advocating for renewable energy, particularly using alternative resources for daily living. Here knowledge sharing will be important even on the simple things like knowing which action is greener than another. Here is a simple test: Is plastic or glass recycling greener; is flying at night greener than day flying; and, is wearing organic cotton greener than wearing recycled bamboo? (answers appear at the end)
3.) Economics: Economics plays a key role in everything – personal, family, community, and government. If the economic sure-footing is not present then it detracts from progress, vision and future planning. Enhancing living wages, ensuring government leaderships manage budgets and tax payer monies effectively and efficiently to address social service needs – are part of the fundamentals. A reliable, stable economic environment is not only empowering, but powerful and is a pillar of both a strong government, and personal identity, where self-reliance and self-esteem are the order of the day.
4.) Development-Democracy: There is also a linkage of these two themes because democracy – as defined as transparent rules, regulations, stable institutions, and equal access to social services – are a “must-have” to develop communities and address global human values, and improve life-quality – all hallmarks of democracy.
5.) Self-Help: Self-help, a pillar of leadership, is the center-beam. Countries should not always want (or expect) outsiders to always provide, guide, direct, or frame (meaning explain and resolve through their world lens) what the responses to FEEEDS® are. These issues for many nations will need to be driven by country-specific self-help by way of innovative, creative, and sometimes culturally-specific means.

Green answers: Recycled glass over plastic requires less energy as recycled plastic continues to degrade in quality; flying during the day; organic cotton over bamboo (Source Washington D.C. NBC local news 9/25/2011).

Africa-China: An Economic Relationship with Staying Power

A FEEEDS™ series blogspot

A Look at the Economic, Business, and Investment Relationship

The Power Relationship: Why it Exists, Where it’s Going?

Why is a country like China, now eclipsing Japan as the second largest world economy with a 2010 growth rate of 10.3 percent, and sub-Saharan Africa, identified as the next emerging market frontier with growth rates in the region projected to reach 5.5 to 5.75 per cent in 2011 and 2012 (http://tinyurl.com/IMF-World-Update) developing an economic and business relationship that has everyone talking? Because they need each other and the linkages are not only unmistakable, but profound.

For both China and sub Saharan Africa, there are some fundamental facts that underscore not only the potential strength of the nascent relationship, but what some would call the symbiotic nature of the relationship’s future progression and impact on the world’s economy. At a February 2011 Washington, D.C. Woodrow Wilson Center event, World Bank Managing Director Okonjo-Iweala made this point clear when she said that “the debate is no longer about whether China should be in Africa; it is there. The debate today is about what the nature of the relationship should be. China has a long term strategy for Africa; Africa does not have one for its relationship with China” (http://tinyurl.com/Woodrow-Wilson-Center). Her point is that Africa needs to have a short, medium and long-term plan, as well as strategic direction about the Africa-China relationship.

We are hearing more and more about the Africa-China economic, business, and investment relationship. So what are the symbiotic linkages – there are three:

--For China – the need for resources, and commodities to support its large population;

--For Africa – having resources for commodities, its own domestic demand for commodities and a large population.

Thus, there is no coincidence in the nexuses listed above – resources, commodities, and population. Population for both China and Africa are one of the biggest elements in their symbiotic relationship. China falls on the need side of the equation as it population needs both resources and commodities. Africa’s population is on track to be home to 1.9 million people by 2050, with half being under 25 years of age (http://tinyurl.com/RRSanders-Blog). Its population should be responsible for taking the lead in not only developing the natural resources but Africa’s leadership will need to ensure transparency in both the extraction of its resources and the financial gains. Approximately 40 percent of both Africa’s and China’s populations live in cities – meaning growing urban consumers demanding commodities (http://tinyurl.com/McKinsey-Lions-of-Africa). On Africa’s side of the population equation, the Continent needs investment, training, education, and development – all elements China can bring to the table to help Africa reach its Millennium Development Goals.

What is the focus of the Relationship?

Right now the offerings from China are primarily in two areas: business and investment, with a number of key countries in its sights. Nations such as South Africa, Nigeria, Angola, Zambia, Mauritius, Kenya (pending port deals), Mauritius, Ethiopia (electric power), and Tanzania (recent $3 million in coal/iron sectors) are targeted countries for China’s interest. However, the main focused of China’s activities are in extractive areas (coal, copper, iron, oil, etc); agriculture (142 projects by end of 2009), infrastructure (construction), and forestry. (http://tinyurl.com/Foreign-Affairs-Africa-China). There are also reportedly 100 million Chinese living and working in Africa from businesspersons to sellers in African markets (http://tinyurl.com/Guardian-Invasion-of-Africa) -- establishing and building both investment relationships and family ties for the long term. According to China’s official white paper report on Africa issued at the end of 2010, China invested approximately $9.33 billion on the Continent writ large (figure includes Egypt) and also has goals to develop economic zones in Zambia, Mauritius, Nigeria, Algeria, Egypt, and Ethiopia with some monies from China’s new $5 billion China-Africa Development Equity Fund and the China Export-Import Bank. Two-way Africa-China trade, which is growing at roughly 44 per cent per year, is over $114 billion and a new $1 billion SME fund for Africa was also established according to the 2010 report(http://tinyurl.com/China-White-Paper) .

With democratic and transparent African leadership on the direction and nature of the business relationship, sub Saharan Africa stands to gain for both its growth and development. Over the last 12 months several sub-Saharan Africa countries have signed financing agreements with China’s Export-Import Bank. Here is a very short checklist:

-- Ghana: $10.4 billion concessionary-loan agreement for various infrastructure projects, payable over 20 years;

-- Nigeria: $900 million loan agreement ($500-million for construction of railway linking Abuja-Kaduna, $400-million public security communications project);

-- Zambia: $243 million for Zesco Limited and Sino Hydro of China to increase capacity at the Kariba North Bank power station by 360MW;

-- Ethiopia: $293.5 million for building of 9 vessels for Ethiopian Shipping Lines (ESL), the largest order the Ethiopian national company has made in its 46 years;and,

-- Angola: $1.5 billion to cover projects in agricultural sector, particularly to boost cereals (rice, maize, soya);

-- Mozambique: $214 million to help improve communication infrastructure.

The bank’s overall investment at end of 2010 was reportedly over $200 billion (http://tinyurl.com/Dengruo-Africa-Finance). As African commercial banks are cautious about investments, China has stepped in as a financier of key major projects. We can expect more along these same lines in the future. Let’s not forget that China is also financing the renovation of the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa for approximately $100 million (http://tinyurl.com/Ethiopian-Review), and collateral oil deals with countries like the Republic of Congo.

Africa’s Economic Outlook- A New Emerging Market Frontier?

The Economist noted that from 2000-2010, six of the world’s ten fastest-growing economies were in sub Saharan Africa and that in five years African economy will outpace Asia (http://tinyurl.com/Economist-Blog). This will increase as more African countries become middle income countries as Senegal did in 2010, and Ghana is expected to do in 2011, and as profits from Chinese investments begin help African capital markets. McKinsey reports that the rate of return on foreign investment in Africa is higher than for any other developing region, and that by 2020, Africa’s combined agriculture-resources-infrastructure sectors could generate nearly $2.6 trillion in revenue, $1 trillion more than today(http://tinyurl.com/McKinsey-Lions-of-Africa). The Continent’s potential is base on improved political and macroeconomic reforms in many countries. However, we cannot forget despite this good news, more needs to be done on the democracy, anti-corruption, and transparency fronts. This means also using these tools to keep an eye on its varied economic relationships with China to ensure the following checklist:

-- Investments create jobs for Africa;
-- Business deals are transparent and fair;
-- Trade balance improves in favor of Africa;
-- African labor force is trained and used in Chinese-financed projects;
-- Environmental impact assessments are done for extractive projects;
-- Value-chain development is part of investment projects;
-- Renewable energy is used; and,
-- Technology is transfered to Africa’s next generation.

If these steps are followed by Africa then the Africa-China economic relationship, which is certainly here to stay, can serve both well. How Africa manages its relationship with China, by making it more strategic, with long-term planning can lead to the type of growth and development that those of us who are Africa activists want to see for the Continent.

Visit to the New ICT Hub for Nigeria: Main One

Ambassador Sanders at the site

Main One was a fabulous eye opener for me, and showcases the new ICT outlook for Nigeria, the West Africa Region, and the Continent. I was given a tour of the facilities on July 8, 2010. What is Main One then? It is the central hub of where the fiber optic submarine cable landed in Nigeria which will provide not only more Internet capacity and bandwidth to this country of 150 million people, but also leads the way for new IT platforms and applications from mobile banking, forex exchanges, education technologies and the like. Mostly importantly, it will reduce the cost to customers bringing the average cost down to $500 per mega bite month versus $2k for satellite use. The U.S. private sector contribution was in the submarine cable constructed by Tyco Electronics for $250 million. On ground as part of Main One there are 5 institutional investors. It is a fantastic new infrastructure and ICT development for Nigeria.