Sasai seizes the opportunity to create a digital economy in Africa

By a Special Correspondent With smartphone penetration in Sub Saharan Africa set to grow by 67% by 2025 buoyed by increasing internet penetration, the opportunity to lead the digital revolution, drive inclusivity and uplift people’s quality of life through technology has never been better. Sasai, Africa’s first all-in-one super app developed by Cassava Fintech International,…

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Stop ongoing degradation of wetlands: ZLHR

By Kumbirai Mafunda On World Wetlands Day, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) calls upon policymakers, local and central government to take concerted and coordinated efforts to develop and implement action plans to stop the ongoing degradation of wetlands and protect, preserve and restore them. World Wetlands Day, which is commemorated every year on 2…

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Why agriculture should be guided by a comparative analysis of economic drivers

By Charles Dhewa Detailed comparative analysis of existing economic drivers in a community avoids cases where, for example, development organizations focus on small grains when indigenous chickens and goats may be major economic drivers in particular communities. Existing commodities, economic drivers, knowledge and information have to be discovered and captured using appropriate frameworks and tools…

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ARTUZ on Education Act Amendment bill

Steering Committee Appointed to Operationalize GEMS Fund

By Staff Reporter Following a strategic decision to establish the Government Employees Mutual Savings (GEMS) Fund in order to mobilise mutual savings for government employees, the Government has appointed a Steering Committee aimed at monitoring and ensure that the GEMS Fund achieves its objectives. In a statement yesterday, the Public Service Commission (PSC) communicated that,…

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Africa50 launches Africa Forward podcast series

Africa50, in partnership with US based Foreign Policy magazine, has launched an exciting new podcast series called Africa Forward. Africa Forward tells the largely untold story of how infrastructure is transforming the lives of people in Africa. The four-part series, which begun on Tuesday 26 January 2021, brings major African infrastructure projects to life. It highlights…

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COVID-19 Agency: What Africa and its Diaspora Should Do and How

By Professor Arthur G. O. Mutambara Clearly, it is not sufficient to merely articulate the lack of collective agency facing the African continent and its diaspora with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic. We must proffer solutions that address both ‘what’ should be done and ‘how’ it could be accomplished. The Work to be Done on…

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Corruption is killing people: Transparency International

By Transparency International On 28 January 2021, we released our Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2020, and the results make one thing clear – corruption kills people.    COVID-19 is not just a health and economic crisis, but also a corruption crisis. Our research shows that countries where corruption is more pervasive are less able to provide health care for their citizens and…

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AfDB’s Adaptation Benefits Mechanism helps to climate-proof Ivorian smallholder farms’ cocoa yields

A new project by the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) and the International Agroforestry Agency [ICRAF (www.WorldAgroForestry.org)] would bring relief to two Ivorian smallholder cocoa farmers’ communities in Soubre and Vavoua currently grappling with declining yields caused by climate change and worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Without help, some 800,000 Ivorian smallholder farmers, who produce the largest…

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2020: Worst year in tourism history with 1 billion fewer international arrivals

By UNWTO Global tourism suffered its worst year on record in 2020, with international arrivals dropping by 74% according to the latest data from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Destinations worldwide welcomed 1 billion fewer international arrivals in 2020 than in the previous year, due to an unprecedented fall in demand and widespread travel restrictions….

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UN Agencies Recognise Women’s Critical Role in Science and Technology

By Joyce Mukucha As the International Day of Women and Girls in Science is just around the corner, the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), UN Women, and other UN agencies have urged for commitment to bring and recognize the critical role women and girls play in science…

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Afreximbank tops Bloomberg’s Africa Capital Markets League Tables

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), has been ranked as Africa’s #1 mandated lead arranger in sub-Saharan Africa, according to Bloomberg’s 2020 full-year “Capital Markets League Tables”. This assessment of the Bank’s transactions recognizes the institution’s leadership role in mobilizing capital from both within and outside of the continent from a diverse range of investors and stakeholders for…

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Novartis renews WHO medicine donation pledge with aim of ending leprosy

A renewed partnership agreement signed by Novartis and the World Health Organization (WHO) will drive the global push towards making leprosy history. The five-year extension of the partnership – which was first signed in 2000 – will see Novartis continue to donate multidrug therapy (MDT) medicines to treat leprosy up to the end of 2025….

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Muchenje wants reinstatement as NetOne CEO through back door: High Court

By approaching the High Court seeking resolution of employment disputes and unfair labour practices, embattled former Chief Executive Officer of NetOne, Lazarus Muchenje wants to be reinstated to his former position through the back door, Justice Esther Muremba has ruled. Muchenje had approached the High Court on the basis that the letter of termination of…

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AfCFTA: A key to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa

By Chido Pamela Mafongoya The long-awaited trading within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) finally began on 1 January 2021, marking a very important milestone for African trade. The AfCFTA creates a single continental market for goods and services, with the aim of increasing intra-African trade by reducing tariffs by approximately 90 percent and harmonising…

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Huawei rubbishes rumours of flagship brand sale

By Chris Donkin Huawei issued a strenuous denial of media reports claiming it was in talks to sell its flagship smartphone brands to a consortium backed by the regional government in Shanghai. In a statement, a representative for the smartphone manufacturer said the claims were unsubstantiated: “There is no merit to these rumours whatsoever. Huawei…

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As Climate Threats Rise, Now’s the Time to Adapt

With global economic activity stymied by COVID-19 and with air travel falling dramatically, you might think this would limit global warming. You’d be wrong. In December a little-known report warned that we’re on track for a 3 degree rise in temperatures, even if existing commitments are met, smashing efforts to limit global warming to 1.5°C…

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Afreximbank disburses US$250 million to Trans Niger Oil and Gas Limited

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has disbursed US$250 million of the US$1.1 billion that supported the acquisition by Trans Niger Oil and Gas Limited (TNOG) of a 45% stake in OML 17 onshore oilfield. With this US$250-million Reserve Based Lending facility, Afreximbank was the largest lender, underwriting about a quarter of the financing that enabled TNOG to…

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Climate Action 2021 Summit Launches ‘Decade of Action’

By Joyce Mukucha As the world is trying to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, the crisis is still hindering progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Thus the 2021 Climate Action Summit (CAS) has launched a ‘Decade of Action’ aimed at delivering action and inspiring change to help societies build better as well as assist…

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ICTs a vehicle for educational advancement in the midst of COVID-19

By Joyce Mukucha The COVID-19 crisis has imperiled progress and impacted a large number of countries and is turning out to be even worse than the critical economic, strategic, and political clashes happening around the world. The outbreak has and still is impacting all industries, including the Information & Communication Technology (ICT) sector. Despite the…

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Residents bear the brunt of negative impacts of COVID-19: CHRA

By Joyce Mukucha The Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) is bemoaning the challenges being faced by residents in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic in high-density suburbs and other localities across the city. In an interview with Spiked Online Media, CHRA Programmes Manager, Reuben Akili said most of the challenges residents were encountering during these…

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African businesses participating in awards celebrating India’s independence day

Top influential business people and leaders will be attending the Paris Appreciation Awards season 2 starting from 26th January Republic day of India and ending on August 15th independence day of India. The Paris Appreciation Awards 2021 and World Media Network (www.WorldMediaNetwork.UK) is about shining a light on the most innovative businesses globally by promoting success, innovation, and ethics in the Indian,…

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Finding strengths in local food markets amid the pandemic

By Charles Dhewa Since March 2020 when COVID19 first showed up in Africa, mass food markets have continued to play their critical functions although policy support has continued to be directed to processing companies and supermarkets. In 2021, COVID19 did not just confirm the importance of a strong immune system but has also revealed the strengths…

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Rosemary’s story: Passion for saving lives remains undimmed by COVID-19

By The Global Fund For Rosemary Wanjiru, a community health volunteer in Nairobi’s Soweto Village, fighting TB in the time of COVID-19 has meant making impossible choices. For instance, she was torn between keeping herself and her family safe at home or going out to see patients, who desperately needed her help. The mother of…

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New Report: African media shows western sources dominate how the Africa story is told

One-third of all African stories in news outlets on the continent are sourced from foreign news services according to a new report from Africa No Filter (www.AfricaNoFilter.org). The ‘How African Media Covers Africa’, highlights the fact that stories about Africa continue to be told through the same persistent and negative stereotypes and frames of poverty, disease, conflict,…

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Mauritania a signatory of Establishment Agreement of Fund for Export Development in Africa

The Islamic Republic of Mauritania has signed the Agreement for the Establishment of the Fund for Export-Development in Africa (FEDA), a development impact-oriented subsidiary of Afreximbank. The agreement was signed on 6th January 2021 by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr. Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, on behalf of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania….

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WCoZ Commends Teachers’ Unwavering Support During Covid-19 Pandemic

By Joyce Mukucha The Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe(WCoZ), a non-partisan national network of women’s rights organisations and activists striving for the rights of women and girls has applauded teachers for showing great commitment and creativity in ensuring that education continues to take place as well as guaranteeing that no learner is left behind during the…

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China overtakes the U.S. as top foreign-investment destination; new investors rise in India

By Devin Banerjee, CFA China only big economy to see growth China’s GDP rose by 2.3% in 2020, according to new official data, making it the only major global economy to expand during the coronavirus pandemic. Recovery was led by growth in demand for exports, with fourth-quarter economic activity expanding 6.5% year-over-year, and the country returned to work after…

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Old Mutual celebrates Partnership Award winners

The positive power of partnerships was celebrated at the second annual Old Mutual Partnership Awards ceremony at a recent event that honoured all those partners who have worked with Old Mutual to positively impact the lives of stakeholders, customers and communities across the continent. The Partnership Awards initiative gives Old Mutual the opportunity to recognise…

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U.K. Africa Investment Conference: Africa is the world’s next business frontier

African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) President Akinwumi A. Adesina said on Wednesday that Africa remained fertile ground for investment, but much hinged on the continent’s ability to boost its healthcare sector. Adesina spoke during the Africa Investment Conference, a virtual one-day event organized by the UK Department for International Trade, which brought together UK and African…

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Women bemoan COVID-19 adverse impacts

By Joyce Mukucha In the wake of the ongoing novel coronavirus global pandemic, the Women in Agriculture Union (WAU) has bemoaned the adverse implications of COVID-19. The pandemic is negatively impacted the agriculture sector, productivity and supply chain with women farmers being worst hit. The WAU chairperson and founder who is also a woman farmer,…

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British Foreign Secretary tours Econet facility in Nairobi

The British Foreign Secretary, Mr Dominic Raab, has visited an East African Data Centre in Nairobi owned by Econet subsidiary Liquid Telecom. The Foreign Secretary announced the visit on his Twitter handle in a message in which he also unveiled British support for developing countries to shift to clean energy and transport: https://twitter.com/dominicraab/status/1351894900543991810?s=21 Mr Raab…

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LG mulls quitting smartphone market

Speculation of the future of LG Electronics’ troubled smartphone division intensified, with The Korea Herald reporting a review was underway to define if it would downsize, sell or withdraw from the market completely. A representative told the newspaper a “cold judgement” on the best choice needed to be made following continued “fierce” market conditions in the smartphone…

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China’s evolving Xi-nomics at the cost of its Giant Tech Companies

By Our Correspondent The Chinese regulators had launched an anti-monopoly investigation into the nation’s biggest tech company, Alibaba and its affiliate fintech Ant Group in the month of November last year. The nation’s increased scrutiny is being seen as a sense of worry by other tech giants of the country, since the Chinese President Xi…

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Top Tips of How to Build Organizational Culture in Remote Teams

Bernard Marr Even though there were companies such as Google, Salesforce, Zillow, and others that thrived with remote teams before COVID-19, many companies still resisted telecommuting until the pandemic forced the majority of companies to shift to that reality basically overnight. Now that more companies experienced remote workforces first-hand, there are signs that remote working will…

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U.K Africa Investment Summit: Renewable energy drives economic growth

Renewable energy will be a critical driver of Africa’s post-COVID-19 growth recovery and economic prosperity, panelists in a 2021 UK Africa Investment Summit event said Wednesday, as they called for a stronger partnership between the United Kingdom and Africa. The panel, themed UK & Africa: Partnering in Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure Development, covered a discussion of British innovation…

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Managing Data To Drive Competitive Advantage

By Bernard Marr  One of the most important lessons we’ve learned from the pandemic is just how important technology is to building robust and thriving businesses. Organizations that have prospered in the last nine months have done so by leveraging cloud computing, high-speed networks, artificial intelligence (AI), and the internet of things (IoT) to push…

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AfDB, EIB Joint Partnership Action Plan to fast-track development in Africa

The African Development Bank (AfDB) (www.AfDB.org) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) today signed a joint partnership action plan highlighting their strengthened cooperation and mutual development priorities and a strong shared emphasis on boosting public and private sector investment in Africa. The Joint Action Plan enables both institutions to grow a shared pipeline of bankable…

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Hydrogen Transition Summit Set for February 2021: Climate Action

Considering that an increasing number of nations are including hydrogen as a key aspect of their transition strategies, with some already having dedicated hydrogen plans, Climate Action, a UN foundation is geared to host a professional virtual Hydrogen Transition Summit designed for the audience to network, connect and explore new opportunities within hydrogen, industry, transport,…

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Masiyiwa reflects on the significance of the first female, black US Vice President

Billionaire businessman and philanthropist Strive Masiyiwa, a father of five daughters, says the historical swearing in of the first female and black US Vice President Kamala Harris is a great inspiration for millions of girls and women across the world. Masiyiwa, the founder and chairman of the pan-African Econet Group, writes: There are people who…

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