Tourism drives Sustainable Development Goals: G20 Leaders

Tourism’s key role in advancing sustainable social and economic development has been highlighted in the G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration. The meeting of the G20 economies (New Delhi, India, 9-10 September) recognized the “opportunity to build a better future [through] development models that implement sustainable, inclusive and just transitions globally, while leaving no one behind”….

Read More

Open letter to President Emmerson Mnangagwa

Writes Itai Rusike (Executive Director of Community Working Group on Health) Now that the elections are over, the people of Zimbabwe expect the fulfilment of the election manifesto, in which you promised massive improvement in health infrastructure; more health personnel; accessible and affordable medicines; free medical care for cancer patients; at least one hospital per…

Read More

Parliamentarians have a mammoth task of contributing to climate action

The recent Africa Climate Summit, through the Parliamentarians Dialogue that was held on 4 and 6 September 2023 revealed the role and potential contribution of parliaments to climate action. It also served as a platform for parliamentarians to discuss various implementation pathways from the perspective of legislatures for the delivery of the commitments made during…

Read More

Promote local literature through vernacular

It appears that mother languages like Shona, and SiNdebele, literature is vanishing into the background. Yesteryear, we could tune in to Radio 2 to listen to Kuverenga Kwemabhuku by Simon Pashoma Ncube. He was good with the mother tongue. The eloquence and confidence in his voice made listeners enjoy literature. It was some sort of…

Read More

Shawn Michael Homera urges PWDs to value education

Writes Marlvin Ngiza 25-year-old Shawn Michael Homera, who recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science Honour’s degree in Mathematics at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) has advised young people with disabilities to set education as their priority saying that life with some academic qualifications offers better opportunities. The graduate revealed that education is a vibrant…

Read More

Journalists Honoured for their Contribution to Social Justice

Journalists have been honoured for their contribution to raising awareness on the need for southern Africa to promote social accountability in national and regional development. The journalists were honoured at the 3rd Regional Dialogue for Non-State Actors on the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020-2030 held in a hybrid format across six countries namely…

Read More

Non-State Actors Welcome Move to Strengthen Engagement with SADC

Non-state actors in southern Africa have welcomed plans by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to develop a robust engagement mechanism aimed at enhancing coordination and harmonization of efforts to drive the regional integration agenda. Currently, engagement between Non-State Actors (NSAs) and the SADC Secretariat is based on various Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with different…

Read More

Marian Chombo pledges economic transformation of Mashonaland West Province

Writes Elvis Dumba Chinhoyi – The newly appointed Mashonaland West Provincial Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Hon Marian Chombo has said she is ready to work with the people to economically transform the province. “We are going to work together with the people of Mashonaland West to transform this province economically so…

Read More

SADC Parliament key for regional integration

The establishment of a regional parliament for southern Africa will ensure broader participation of citizens in the regional integration agenda. A senior official at the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF), Joseph Manzi, said this at the 3rd Regional Dialogue for Non-State Actors on the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020-2030, currently underway in a…

Read More

ITC, African Union Commission partner to make African small business voice heard

(Addis Ababa/Geneva) – The African Union Commission (AUC) and The International Trade Centre (ITC), a United Nations Agency, unite to advance the priorities of African micro, small, and medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) at the 2nd annual African Union MSME Forum. Over 150 participating MSMEs from across the continent and a range of sectors (such as agriculture,…

Read More

National Biodiversity Economy report launched

The National Biodiversity Economy report was launched in Harare today. The Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry with support from the African Wildlife Foundation commissioned a National Biodiversity Economy study on the 15th of June 2021 to provide insight into the contribution of biodiversity to the economy of Zimbabwe and inform a planning…

Read More

Korea and the African Development Bank strengthen drive towards Africa’s food security

The Government of Korea and the African Development Bank Group are intent on strengthening their partnership to support African countries in achieving food security in five years and boost the continent’s capability to produce its own vaccines and other pharmaceutical products. Speaking on Monday during a meeting with Korea’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural…

Read More

World Bank publishes new Country Policy and Institutional Assessment report for Africa

WASHINGTON, September 12, 2023 — Despite new international challenges, poor harvests, and the price shocks of 2022, many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa saw improvements in their social inclusion policies and their structural policies—both of which are reflected in the latest Country Policy and Institutional Assessment (CPIA) scores for 39 countries in the region. The CPIA…

Read More

Make Pan African Parliament vibrant, avoid political bickering: APPN

The African Parliamentary Press Network (APPN) has called on the need to restore the vibrancy of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), the legislative arm of the African Union (AU); and guard against political bickering. The APPN reminded stakeholders about Article 17, Clause 1 of the Constitutive Act of the AU that states, “In order to ensure…

Read More

RISDP 2020-2030: SADC belongs to the people

The aspirations of citizens in southern Africa are clearly spelt out in the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020-2030. These ambitions are “a peaceful, inclusive, middle to high-income industrialized region, where all citizens enjoy sustainable economic well-being, justice and freedom.” While significant progress has been made in achieving the goals, the Southern African Development…

Read More

Inclusive Water Resources Management to headline 10th SADC River Basin Organisations workshop

The Southern African Development Community (SADC), in collaboration with the Limpopo Watercourse Commission (LIMCOM), and with the technical support of the Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWPSA), is scheduled to convene the 10th SADC River Basin Organisations/Shared Watercourse Institutions (RBOs/SWIs) Workshop on 2-4 October 2023. The workshop will be held in a hybrid format, and…

Read More

All set for Zimbabwe’s international humanitarian law moot court

All is set for Zimbabwe’s international humanitarian law moot court with finals earmarked for the High Court on Friday where competitors will battle it out for the coveted first prize. In her remarks, Tamalin Bolus, the Legal Advisor of the International Committee of the Red Cross at the Pretoria Regional Office, said Zimbabwe is privileged…

Read More

Newly-elected Zvimba Council chairperson urges unity in service delivery

Writes Elvis Dumba Murombedzi – The newly-elected Zvimba Rural District Council Chairperson, Councillor Spencer Magaya, has urged councillors and council staff to unite in pursuit of improved service delivery in the local authority. Magaya was recently elected the council chairperson after polling 38 votes against Chrispen Saidi who got eight votes. “We should be united…

Read More

Teenage cyberbullying: A toxic side effect of online socialisation

Online harassment is common and associated with various risk factors and negative outcomes, reports MedicineÒ Studies indicate that teenage cyberbullying is on the rise across the globe. Constant engagement with social media is exacerbating this condition further. A recent survey of teenagers from Romania identifies the associated risks and mitigation opportunities, thus paving the way…

Read More

How Can We Use AI to Address Global Challenges Like Climate Change?

Writes Bernard Marr As climate change continues to pose an enormous threat to our planet, we must explore innovative solutions that can help mitigate its impact. One of the most promising tools in our arsenal is artificial intelligence (AI), which has the potential to revolutionize our approach to addressing global challenges. Let’s take a look…

Read More

Initiatives to use biotechnology for adaptation: Climate change in Zimbabwe

Writes Dr. Deckster Tony Savadye, CEO and Registrar of the National Biotechnology Authority of Zimbabwe Zimbabwe, like any other country in the world, has experienced climate change. The country has been experiencing frequent droughts, the emergence of new diseases and pests, and also increase in temperatures. The adverse effects of climate change have therefore affected…

Read More

Nairobi Declaration seals Africa Climate Summit: Leaders pursuing green and inclusive growth

Writes Baboloki Semele Nairobi, Kenya: After three days of extensive deliberations around the devastating impacts of Climate Change across the continent and globally, African political and business leaders in Kenya have adopted the Nairobi Declaration to raise US$23 billion for green growth, mitigation and adaptation to address climate challenges in Africa. The declaration was announced…

Read More

COP28 President-Designate urges real and actionable commitments to address climate change

Writes Baboloki Semele Nairobi, Kenya: COP28 President-Designate, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber has called on leaders from both the public and private sectors to go to COP28 with real and actionable commitments to address climate change. Speaking on the margins of Africa Climate Week in Nairobi, Kenya, Al Jaber noted that the globe needs to rapidly…

Read More

Literacy a top developmental priority: UNESCO

Writes Marlvin Ngiza The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has endorsed better recognition of all stakeholders that have been committed to improving universal literacy saying it is crucial for the development of societies. However, there are concerns that literacy challenges still persist due to the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, conflicts, and economic…

Read More

Nearly US$3 trillion needed to implement Africa’s NDCs

Writes Baboloki Semele Nairobi, Kenya: Nearly US$3 trillion is needed to implement Africa’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). This figure was discussed at the eleventh Conference on Climate Change and African Development (CCDA11) during a session on climate finance, moderated by Harsen Nyambe of the African Union Commission. There is a substantial financial gap in climate…

Read More

Regional Dialogue for Non-State Actors to focus on SADC’s development

With a focus on accelerating the Southern African Development Community (SADC)’s development through the socially accountable generation and use of public resources, non-state actors under the economic bloc will convene a dialogue under the auspices of the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan(RISDP) 2020-2030. Taking place from 13-14 September 2023, there will be parallel, integrated regional…

Read More

Afreximbank signs MOU to support the development of Nigeria’s Anambra State

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank)  has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Nigeria’s Anambra State Government to collaborate on state development efforts through the provision of project preparation and advisory services, including a potential debt financing programme of up to US $200 million. Under the terms of the MOU signed by Mrs. Kanayo Awani,…

Read More

Africa urged to accelerate climate action and ensure a just transition

Writes Baboloki Semele Nairobi, Kenya: 07 September 2023: The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Acting Executive Secretary, Antonio Pedro has challenged African leaders to accelerate climate action through effective strategies to ensure a just transition. Mr. Pedro said this in his closing remarks during the three-day 11th Conference on Climate Change and Development in Africa…

Read More

Africa missed opportunity to turn tables on climate crisis: ActionAid

Africa has lost an opportunity to call out climate injustice and stop fossil fuel pollution, says ActionAid International as the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi ended. As governments, multilateral organisations, private sector players, and civil society from across Africa end their meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, for the 2023 Africa Climate Week and the summit, ActionAid…

Read More

African Union Commission aware of Pan African Parliament’s financial incapacitation

Staff Writer His Excellency, Mr. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) was made aware of the financial incapacitation of the Pan African Parliament resulting in the latter’s inability to convene the statutory Committee Sittings in August as well as the plenary session in October/November due to the inadequacy of the budget…

Read More

COMESA Climate Change Programme holds GEF-CBIT Project Steering Committee for ETF

The COMESA Climate Change Programme held its inaugural Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting for the Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded Capacity Building Initiative for enhanced Transparency (COMESA-CBIT) Project that is supporting 4 COMESA Member States (Eritrea, Comoros, Seychelles and Zambia) capacity for enhanced transparency in climate change Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) as defined in…

Read More

Books donation: Marian Chombo hits ground running in fulfilment of election promises

Writes Elvis Dumba Mutorashanga – Zvimba North Constituency Legislator who was accorded a second term by the electorate after a landslide victory in the country’s last month harmonized elections has already started fulfilling her elections pledges in the constituency. Hon Marian Chombo donated a variety of textbooks to Windsor Primary School near Mutorashanga as she…

Read More

AGRF 2023: Kikwete urges transformative policies to ensure food security

Africa has a real opportunity to transform its food systems, reduce its import bill, and create wealth, HE. Dr. Jakaya Kikwete, the former president of the United Republic of Tanzania and Africa Food Prize (AFP) chair has said. He made the remarks at the 2023 African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) during a session titled ‘Parliamentary…

Read More

New maps show EACOP fossil fuel mega-project has a far larger footprint than previously estimated

East African Civil Society Organizations challenge the proposed project at the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi this week NAIROBI (September 5, 2023) — As the Africa Climate Summit concludes tomorrow, plans for the largest new oil infrastructure projects on the continent continue unabated, despite alarms from civil society, global observers, and investors alike. The East Africa…

Read More

Africa Climate Summit: “Africa’s Green Minerals Strategy” a catalyst for industrialisation

Nairobi, Kenya — September 5, 2023 — The African Minerals Development Center (AMDC), in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Open Society Foundation, has successfully concluded a high-level dialogue session at the Africa Climate Summit 2023. This significant event, held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Kenya, brought together…

Read More

Loss to CCC will not hinder developmental projects: ZANU (PF) councillors

Writes Chimeno Azriel ZANU (PF) local Authority aspiring councillors who lost in the just-ended harmonised elections have vowed to continue serving the residents of Kadoma despite their loss to the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC). The youthful aspiring ZANU (PF) candidates accepted the defeat and promised to continue to serve the people of Kadoma in…

Read More