GCR affirms Afreximbank’s A- rating

Credit rating underpinned by Afreximbank’s strong status as one of the largest Multilateral Development Banks within the African region The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Africa’s foremost multilateral trade finance institution, announces that Global Credit Rating (GCR) has affirmed its international scale long-term and short-term issuer ratings of A- and A2, respectively, with a stable outlook. In addition,…

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COVID-19: The Union’s Wave Money platform to support people with MDR-TB

In Union-managed areas of Myanmar, COVID-19 is causing disruption to the provision of care and support to people with tuberculosis (TB) and multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB). Despite the pandemic, The Union is continuing to provide DOT (Directly Observed Treatment) and home visits to people with MDR-TB. Home visits are also an important means by which Union…

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ZIMCODD promotes social and economic justice system from a youth perspective

By Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development The Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) is hosting its annual Social and Economic Justice Activist Academies (SEJAAs) from the 24th to the 31st of August 2020. The National Social Economic Justice Activism Academy is being currently conducted in Nyanga with 25 participants drawn from all provinces….

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ZNOART urges law enforcement agencies to take corruption cases seriously

By Joyce Mukucha and Anyway Yotamu The Zimbabwe National Organisation of Associations and Residents Trusts (ZNOART), a resident pressure group said it is deeply concerned over the matters of corruption which is allegedly being spearheaded by mostly council and government officials across the country that have been exposed which is now in the public limelight…

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First Lady commissions medical equipment and refurbished ward to Sally Mugabe Central Hospital

First Lady Auxilia Mnangagwa today officially handed over medical equipment and commissioned a refurbished ward at the Sally Mugabe Central Hospital in Harare. The initiative came into being as a result of the contribution to the COVID-19 Mitigation Efforts through a partnership between two Telecoms giants – NetOne and TelOne. The collaboration saw the two…

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African water and sanitation projects critical to preparedness for COVID-19-like pandemics

By Wambui Gichuri Wambui Gichuri is the Acting Vice President, Agriculture, Human and Social Development and Director, Water Development and Sanitation at the African Development Bank (https://www.AfDB.org/)As the prevalence of COVID-19 accelerates across Africa, over 40% of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa do not have access to clean water and are unable to heed the…

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COVID-19 hampering the fight against GBV: Katswe Sistahood

By Joyce Mukucha Katswe Sistahood has bemoaned the negative effects of the Covid-19 induced lockdown which disturbed the implementation of their fight against gender-based violence(GBV) under the Start Awareness Support Action (SASA)! Faith Initiative. The organisation revealed that drug abuse amongst youths and the prevalence of teenage pregnancies were on increase during the unprecedented times…

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African Risk Capacity Limited Appoints 2 World-class Professionals as Non-Executive Directors

The African Risk Capacity Limited (ARC Ltd) Governance Committee has  appointed two new Non-Executive Directors (NEDs), Ms. Sarata Kone-Thiam and Ms. Lade’ A. Araba, to join its Board of Directors thereby completing the Board complement of seven individuals in line with structure. The new directors are joining a group of other industry experts led by Mr….

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Masiyiwa announces completion of Cape Town to Moanda fibre optic link

Pan-African businessman Strive Masiyiwa has expressed his delight at the completion of the landmark fibre link from Cape Town to the DRC’s western port city of Moanda. Masiyiwa wrote: Cape Town to Moanda! Now unless you are from the DRC (or an Africa enthusiast like me) you have probably never heard of this place called…

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Afreximbank wins Debt Deal of the Year Award at The African Banker Awards 2020

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Africa’s foremost multilateral trade finance institution, was today announced winner of the Debt Deal of the Year Award at the 14th Annual African Banker Awards 2020 held virtually. The awards recognize institutions and individuals driving growth and development in Africa and creating new economic opportunities for citizens and communities across the…

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Digital finance enabling financing of SDGs, providing a lifeline during COVID-19

Unleashing potential of digital finance could have transformational impact on sustainable development says group of financial, business, government and development leaders convened by the UN Secretary-General The unprecedented social and economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has put a spotlight on the role of digital finance in providing relief for millions around the world,…

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COVID19 has worsened the plight of agricultural value chain actors with disabilities

By Charles Dhewa For more than 10 years, Samson Mundodzi a gifted blind farmer from Nyazura in Manicaland province of Zimbabwe used to be accompanied to Mbare market for selling his commodities. Like all other farmers, Samson would have his commodities loaded onto long distance buses that passed through his home and get to Mbare…

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Afreximbank provides $400m to the Export Trading Group to drive agricultural productivity and resilience

Three-year revolving global credit facility will strengthen African agricultural networks and bolster the continent’s food security The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Africa’s foremost multilateral trade finance institution, has approved a $400-million revolving global credit facility agreement for the Export Trading Group (ETG), one of the largest and fastest-growing integrated agricultural conglomerates in Africa. The agreement will enable…

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Anzisha Prize launches mini-documentary series by educators on African entrepreneurship success stories

Educators can now share the journeys of very young African entrepreneurs in the #ItStartsWithYou series that highlights key moments that led to their success Today sees the launch of a new mini-documentary and case study series about very young African entrepreneurs designed to enable high-school and university educators to engage students meaningfully about entrepreneurship as…

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UN Secretary-General to spotlight digital finance in COVID-19 recovery, SDGs

The unprecedented social and economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has put a spotlight on the role of digital finance in providing relief for millions around the world, supporting businesses and protecting jobs and livelihoods UN Secretary-General António Guterres will join Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator, and Maria Ramos, until recently CEO of ABSA Group, as Co-Chairs of his…

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ZB launches the #ZBHelloWorld three-fold campaign that includes the Diaspora Service Hub

One of the country’s leading financial bank ZB Financial Holdings has launched a product “Kesto” a diaspora service hub that provides tailor-made solutions to Zimbabweans living abroad as well as Visa-enabled cards during a spectacular and engaging virtual launch held on Friday 21 August 2020. ZB Financial Holdings Group CEO Ron Mutandagayi said, “ZB has…

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Ride4Rangers cyclists launch a fundraising campaign in support of Tusk Trust

A team of British Amateur cyclists has started the Global 30,000KM Bike ride with Land’s End to John O’Groates Adventure to protect African Rangers and Wildlife. 50+ African Travel professionals doing a joint bike ride Land’s End to John O’Groats Thousands of people around the globe doing their own ‘virtual’ bike ride for Rangers 874…

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Betty Kaseke soldiers on with community development despite damaging rumours

The philanthropy in the “Iron Lady” as Betty Kaseke has come to be known because of her ability to conquer criticism and character assassination has refused to die as she focuses on community development through the Betty Kaseke Foundation. Carrying the poise of a beauty queen that she is, Betty Kaseke yesterday through her foundation,…

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ZHRC on Protection of Human Rights Defenders

ZHRC Statement on Protection of the Rights of Human Rights Defenders in Zimbabwe 1.      Introduction Section 232 (b) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment No. 20 Act, 2013 provides that the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) is one of the five Independent Commissions Supporting Democracy. The common objectives of Independent Commissions are provided for in section…

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Masawara companies come together to help the Chikomba community

Companies in the Masawara Group, which is comprised of the Zimnat Insurance Group, Cresta Group of Hotels, Minerva Risk Advisors, BIC, Dandemutande and Grand Re-Insurance, have come together to “Make Life Better” for the Chikomba East community. As part of the “Simukai Development Project” which is a village initiative started by Hon Dr Sekai Nzenza…

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Kudzanai Vere pens a masterpiece on entrepreneurship

By Lovemore Chazingwa Title: Exceed Beyond The Ordinary: A Step By Step Guide On How To Become A High voltage Entrepreneur Vol. 1. Author: Kudzanai Vere Publisher: Transformational Mindset Institute Category: Business Date Published: April 2020 ISBN: 9781779250995 In rolling out high brick by brick insight into entrepreneurship, Kudzanai Vere shares with his reader personal…

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Saving lives, economies, and livelihoods campaign launches in Africa

H.E. Amira Elfadil Mohammed, Commissioner for Social Affairs, African Union Commission; H.E. Dr Amani Abou-Zeid, Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy; and Dr. John Nkengasong, Director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) launched the “Africa Against COVID-19: Saving Lives, Economies and Livelihoods” campaign during the Africa CDC weekly press briefing on…

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EcoSure launches Pamwepo/Sisonke cover for churches and social groups

ECOSURE, a micro-insurance brand from Cassava Smartech, has unveiled a new package called EcoSure Pamwepo/Sisonke in an effort to ensure that churches and other social groups have access to affordable insurance cover. This comes as Zimbabwe’s hyperinflationary environment has significantly wiped out people’s disposable incomes as prices of goods and services continue to rise on…

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Zimbabwean Youths Stand In Solidarity with Marginalized South Korean Church

Zimbabwean youths have joined hands with youths across the world to stand against human rights violations and the discrimination of vulnerable groups through penning a joint support letter to the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General and the UN affiliates. Among the 155 youth groups from 62 countries were the Young Peoples Program, Zimbabwe United Nations Association…

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New research will improve early warning of devastating mega storms

For the first time, researchers can predict how extremely large West African storms may behave when, for example, they approach a cityBy Future Climate for Africa and Researchers at the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) Ground-breaking scientific research will make it easier to predict the path of some of the world’s most powerful…

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4 Hard-To-Ignore Reasons Why You Should Use AI To Make More Intelligent Products

By Bernard Marr Thanks to the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and advances in sensor technology, a whole host of everyday products are getting smarter. We have smart TVs and smartwatches. We have smart running shoes – or rather, smart insoles – that gather data on your running performance. You can even get smart nappies that send…

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The Glue Virtual Platform, a first by a Zimbabwean

Dr. Jenfan Muswere, the Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services has hailed the groundbreaking innovation by Zimbabweans who conceived and developed the Glue Virtual Platform. Speaking during the launch today, Dr. Muswere said as a brainchild of Zimbabwean born Professor Richard Chinomona, the Glue Virtual Platform is a proudly African product that…

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New Higherlife Foundation programme to help childbirth

Philanthropist and pan-African businessman Strive Masiyiwa is mobilizing funds to support the maternal, child-birth sections of Zimbabwe’s largest referral hospitals. Masiyiwa’s action follows recent media reports of seven babies that were reportedly stillborn in one night at one of the country’s largest referral hospitals, after urgent treatment was said to have been delayed due to…

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AU Commission inaugurates AfCFTA permanent secretariat as a launchpad for Africa’s economic transformation

The African Development Bank Group provided a $5 million institutional support grant to the AU towards the establishment of the AfCFTA secretariat At a ceremony on Monday to commission the permanent secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo and Moussa Faki Mahamat, chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission,…

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ZRBF PROGRESS provides stockfeed for 2250 Households in Beitbridge District

By Anyway Yotamu In Beitbridge District, 2 250 households are receiving supplementary subsidized livestock feed from the Program for Growth and Resilience (PROGRESS) under the Zimbabwe Resilience Building Fund (ZRBF) in the wake of the drought being experienced in the country. The intervention is being implemented as part of adaptive programming to the resilience-building efforts…

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Communities plunged into vulnerability

By Habakkuk Trust The prevailing harsh economic conditions coupled with the devastating impacts of climate change have plunged communities into the doldrums of vulnerability.  Growing food insecurity is the norm in most rural areas as the Government’s Food Insecurity Mitigation Program seems to fail to cope with increasing vulnerability in rural households. The situation which…

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To Stay Ahead of the Next Insect Outbreak, Harness Available Data Intelligence

Recently, the UK contributed £17 million to support the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to continue their efforts to combat the desert locust surge in East Africa and improve early warning and forecasting systems.  Because of contributions like this and other contributions that have been made by countries including Germany, Saudi…

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What Is The Artificial Intelligence Revolution And Why Does It Matter To Your Business?

By Bernard Marr As a species, humanity has witnessed three previous industrial revolutions: first came steam/water power, followed by electricity, then computing. Now, we’re in the midst of a fourth industrial revolution, one driven by artificial intelligence and big data. I like to refer to this as the “Intelligence Revolution.” But whatever we call it – the fourth…

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Zimbabwe’s RBZ Farm Mechanisation Scheme and its Contribution to the Public Debt Burden

By Zimcodd Over the last two decades, Zimbabwe has experienced several unprecedented socioeconomic and political shocks and stresses. Consistent shortages of food, pharmaceuticals, fuel, run-away year-on-year inflation rate of 737.26% (June 2020), a 95% unemployment rate, and poverty are some of the indicators of Zimbabwe’s current macroeconomic crisis. With an estimated domestic debt burden of…

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Harnessing the power of needs assessments in African countries

By Charles Dhewa Needs assessments are some of the most under-rated and under-utilized resources in African countries.  Development agencies that often start some work in communities with a baseline study often do so for purposes of getting donor money as opposed to fully informing and guiding their interventions. In some cases, the baseline study is…

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