ACCRA, GHANA – There is a need to create a science culture among the citizenry to boost public confidence in such emerging modern biotechnology sciences as genome editing, a workshop here has revealed. In his opening remarks at the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) In-country Training Workshop for Genome Editing Communicators today in Accra, Ghana…
Writes Joseph Waring China’s smartphone market staged a comeback in 2023, with shipments rising and 5G models accounting for 83 percent of the total, data from the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT) showed. Shipments increased 6.3 percent year-on-year to 289 million units, compared with a 22.6 percent decline in 2022. The government…
Product knowledge of genome editing provides transformative technology in the field of biotechnology, unlocking unprecedented possibilities for solving complex challenges in various sectors, ranging from agriculture and environmental conservation and healthcare. These were remarks by Mrs. Anna Tinarwo, the Chief Director of Devolution and Development Planning in the Office of the President and Cabinet, who…
Genome editing is one of the latest tools that has been developed by scientists to effect changes in organisms of agricultural, medical, and economic importance. The advent of genome editing has increased the available tools and the effectiveness of developing new productive and better-adapted organisms of economic importance. Genome Editing (GEd) involves the deliberate introduction…
OWN CORRESPONDENT Sensibo, the leading Climate Tech IoT company combining smart heating and cooling devices with a more sustainable world, announces the launch of an AI Assistant, powered by OpenAI’s ChatGPT, into Sensibo’s smart heating and cooling products. The AI Assistant understands complex requests from the users and reacts to their intentions. Instead of the…
A science module on communicating genome editing – a powerful tool that holds immense potential in revolutionizing the field of biotechnology to optimize African agriculture, is under review in Harare this week. Addressing participants in his welcome remarks today, Dr. Leonard Madzingaidzo, the Chief Executive Officer of the Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre…
Experts and agricultural researchers have advocated the adoption of technologies and innovation to produce intensive agriculture and bridge the yield gap between Africa and other continents so as to ensure food security in the continent. The researchers, from different research groups including the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), WorldFish,…
Staff Writer Founder and CEO of pioneering immigration tech startup Shirah and edutech platform Studendly, Ms. Bukky Abaniwonda, is set to embark on a pivotal visit to Zimbabwe from January 14th -January 24th, 2024. Ms. Abaniwonda, a Canadian registered immigration consultant, has successfully facilitated over 2500 individuals and businesses through Shirah and Studendly, empowering them…
TELA Maize will lead to a substantial reduction in pesticide use, benefiting humans, livestock, and the environment
Writes Chris Donkin SpaceX launched six Starlink satellites with the capability to provide mobile coverage directly to standard smartphones, a service the company asserts will improve global connectivity and help eliminate dead zones. In a series of posts on social media platform X the aerospace company revealed the birds, alongside several other satellites, were blasted…
Leading Zimbabwean-American actress and playwright, Danai Gurira was yesterday featured in New African magazine’s annual listing of the 100 Most Influential Africans of 2023. The list celebrates the achievements and contributions of Africans from various fields and sectors, who have made a positive impact on the continent and the world. The list features a diverse…
In the heart of Kigali, Rwanda, Govindaraj, a Senior Scientist in Crop Development at HarvestPlus, and Telesphore Ndabamenye, the Director General of the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), found themselves engaged in a crucial conversation. The purpose of the meeting was to deliberate on the future of bean farming and scaling in…
Writes Tafadzwa Muranganwa An innovative carbon credit initiative involving the production of biochar has been established in Rushinga, Zimbabwe, marking a strategic entry into the carbon trading markets. This pioneering artisanal biochar project is a collaborative effort between HempConnect, a local carbon removal company, and the Organic Farming Academy (OFA), focusing on utilizing baobab shells…
Deputy President Mashatile delivers a public lecture on the 30 years of diplomatic relations between South Africa and Singapore titled “Celebrating a journey of mutual respect, strategic partnership, and cooperation”, at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in the National University of Singapore. The Deputy President’s visit to the country is aimed at…
The African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPA) is holding training to create awareness among in-country regulators drafting and implementing policies and regulations critical for shaping communication and advocacy narratives on genome editing. In a speech on behalf of Mr. Willard Munango, the Deputy Chief Secretary for the Office of the President and Cabinet, Mrs. Anna Tinarwo,…
The Village of Hope Children’s Home received a generous donation from DFA Zimbabwe as the latter plays its part in closing the digital gap in the country. In his speech at the unveiling of the donation to Village of Hope Children’s Home, Mr. Simon Chimutsotso, the Chief Executive Officer of DFA Zimbabwe said his company’s…
Writes Toyin Omozuwa (Press Secretary to the DG/CEO NABDA) Vice-Chancellors, Chief Executives, Deans of Faculties of Agriculture and sciences, academic and research leaders in selected institutions, as well as policymakers, regulators, and senior researchers, gathered on 7 December 2023, at the Abuja Continental Hotel for a Two-Day Workshop on Strengthening Institutionalised Capacity in Genome Editing…
NetOne Cellular Pvt Ltd has demonstrated steadfast commitment to delivering top-tier services to customers in Zimbabwe and beyond by upgrading its network. “Upheld by our core values of Accountability, Agility, Innovation, Integrity, and Excellence, we continuously strive to address everyday challenges faced by our customers with innovative solutions. In line with this dedication, we are…
In this rapidly modernizing World, the slow blending of technology with AI Development is painting a new reality that is quite unimaginable. Apart from this collaboration, AI is catching up with agriculture too much and taking it to the next level. Regions like Africa, where agriculture is the cornerstone, face the scope of development. In…
The Government of Zimbabwe has put in place Policy frameworks which have created a conducive environment for clean energy infrastructure to be put in place in response especially to clean energy and adapting and mitigating against climate change. Tariro Chipepera, the Director for Community Development in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium…
The Kenyan government has been working in partnership with private sectors to develop new technologies to ensure that farmer’s harvest were well preserved during storage to avert losses. Hermetic Storage Technology Bags are able to preserve stored grains while restricting the existence of cereal pests by depleting oxygen levels. The air-tight bags prevent air or…
The Elizabeth Glaser Paediatric Foundation (EGPAF) quality improvement project is resulting in increased advanced HIV screening in Malawi in line with the vision of ending AIDS by 2030. Dr. Eddie Matiya, the EGPAF Project Manager for Advanced HIV Disease (AHD) in Malawi, in his poster presentation at the ongoing 2023 International Conference on AIDS and…
Huawei concluded another global patent cross-licensing agreement, adding Japan-based Sharp to a growing list of long-term deals the Chinese company said aid competition and reduce device costs. In a statement, Huawei noted the deal covers cellular standard essential patents, including 4G and 5G, with the company’s head of IP Alan Fan adding: “We are delighted…
Giant mobile telephony company, NetOne Pvt Ltd’s “Pinda Manake ne NetOne” Christmas promotion demonstrates the institution’s commitment to spreading joy, transforming lives, and making a positive impact in marginalised communities. The “Pinda Manake ne NetOne” Christmas promotion brings to the fore NetOne’s eagerness to plough back some of the fruits of its enterprise back to…
Innovative HIV Prevention Product for Women That Promotes Choice – Dapivirine Vaginal Ring (DVR) – Gains Momentum Across Africa; With Use Approved in 11 African Countries, Women Can Access the Ring Now in a Growing Number of Implementation and Pilot Studies Across 6 of the 11 Approved Countries · Botswana, Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia,…
Nhau Mangirazi in Lusaka, Zambia Africa has the potential to boost skills for drug development that fight diseases that are curable to reduce economic impact. This follows a deal between the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) and the H3D Foundation that announced a new three-year phase of their partnership, aiming to boost…
The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) is seeking a downward review of mobile phone network roaming and interconnection charges in efforts to deepen regional integration, trade and growth of the ICT sector. To this effect, the COMESA Secretariat and the European Union (EU) have signed a Grant contribution agreement worth 8 million Euros for the Enhancement of…
Catherine Murombedzi, a health science journalist, takes readers through a glimpse into future TB detection using Artificial Intelligence (AI). The recently ended Union World Lung Health Conference in France, (15 to 18 November 2023) brought together researchers, medical doctors, communities, and stakeholders to brainstorm on lung diseases. Challenges, success stories, and strategies were shared with…
By Lloyd Rabaya With technology improving on a daily basis, Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei, Seeds for the Future program beneficiaries have lauded the company for the frontage they received while participating in the competitions. In Zimbabwe, there has been a gap between the school and the industry, but Huawei is on the drive to fill…
Own Correspondent In a thrilling turn of events, OneMoney, the trailblazing provider of telecommunication services, is all set to transform your Christmas season into an enchanting wonderland. Prepare yourself for an extraordinary promotional event that will add a sprinkle of euphoria to your festivities, leaving you in awe of the joys that lie ahead. At…
Business Reporter In yet another validation for Zimbabwe’s trailblazing energy entity, Power Giants, its top directors scooped the much coveted prestigious accolades at the just-ended Annual National Iconic Entrepreneurs Awards and the Professional Excellence Awards (2023) held in the capital, Harare. Power Giants Transmission Director, Engineer Edzai Kachirekwa who is also the Afro Eurasia Energy…
Bacteria that benefit plants are thought to be a critical contributor to crops and other ecosystems, but climate change may reduce their numbers, according to a new study by an international team of researchers. They published their findings in Nature Food. The collaboration, including Francisco Dini-Andreote, professor of plant science at Penn State, characterized the abundances…
Anti-microbial resistance (AMR) poses an increasingly serious threat to public health and sustainable food production, necessitating an effective response involving all sectors of government and society, stakeholders attending the World AMR Awareness Week in Zimbabwe have said. Addressing delegates during the official opening ceremony of the 5th Continental World Antimicrobial Awareness Week for Africa in…
Leading mobile telephony company, NetOne, has demonstrated its deep commitment to sustainability, and responsible governance by sponsoring a fitness marathon. Addressing journalists in the capital city yesterday, Mr. Learnmore Musunda, the company’s General Manager, speaking on behalf of Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Raphael Mushanawani, said NetOne recognizes the vital importance of achieving the goals…
The Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) has recounted the efforts it made towards implementing its mandate, saying it has reached over 11 million farmers in Nigeria. The Country Director of AGRA, Rufus Idris, disclosed this during the just concluded Africa–Wide Agricultural Extension Week (AAEW) in Abuja. Idris, while receiving an award for AGRA’s…
Dr. Bayisa Bedada, the State Minister of the Ministry of Innovation and Technology of Ethiopia has encouraged African countries to accelerate economic transformation through knowledge-based and innovation-led initiatives. He made the remarks today at a stakeholder validation meeting of genome editing communication and advocacy training materials and curriculum underway in Addis Ababa from 15 to…
A three-day workshop kicked off in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia today to validate genome editing training materials and curriculum that will be used at the continental level to communicate new breeding tools and create awareness of the technology meant to optimize African agriculture. In his welcome remarks, Dr. Kassahun Tesfaye, the Director General of the Ethiopian…
In a collaborative endeavor to enhance disaster preparedness, CARE International in Zimbabwe and Caritas Zimbabwe, in partnership with the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) of Zimbabwe, have successfully deployed an automated weather station at Cloudland in Ward 33, situated within the Vumba area of Mutare District. This initiative which was spearheaded through the Strengthening Disaster Preparedness…
The designation of Ghana as the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) collaborating center for Africa, focusing on plant breeding and associated technologies for food and nutrition, is being seen as a pivotal moment in the application of genetic modification in Africa. In a recent press statement, the IAEA announced its collaboration with the Biotechnology and…
Africa was centre stage in the 2023 Ashden Awards with four of the five global South winners being African low carbon innovators and one receiving an Outstanding Achievement Award. Three more were from the UK. Winners from Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, and Cameroon were celebrated for driving radical progress in tackling the biggest climate challenges –…
Funding strengthens institutional capacity and the uptake of genome editing through strategic partnerships, alliances, and linkages with the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) spearheading biotechnology in eight countries in Africa. Genome editing, with its immense potential to revolutionize various aspects of human life, holds an important place in the realm of scientific discoveries. The GE…
There is a need for strategic partnerships, alliances, and linkages with institutions of higher learning and national research institutes for the successful implementation of genome editing tools that require strong institutional capacity, a senior government official has said. This was said today in Harare by Deputy Chief Secretary in The Office of the President and…
Business Reporter Energy and power development firm, Power Giants, has received a feather in the cap after its top directors were nominated for prestigious accolades, an acknowledgement of the company’s top-notch operational standards. Power Giants Transmission Director, Engineer Edzai Kachirekwa was nominated for the Top Five Innovators of The Year 2023 Award while the Managing…
Kenya’s government opened a local smartphone assembly plant in collaboration with a group of operators including Safaricom, launching a pair of affordable 4G handsets to boost uptake of the network technology in the country. Safaricom stated the smartphones will be available nationwide with a price tag starting at KES7,499 ($50) and it plans to launch…
Fusion energy specialist, ENG8, has demonstrated an electrical energy output five times greater than the energy used in this ground-breaking, independent validation at Culham Innovation Centre in Oxfordshire, one of the top five leading fusion centres in the world, and home to the UK’s Atomic Energy Authority. During each of the three tests, lasting approximately…
