GITEX AFRICA 2024 powers cross continental quest for AI future

70 percent surge in year-on-year growth at Africa’s largest tech and start-up show in Morocco supercharges the epic African race to define its own digital dynasty Africa’s meteoric rise as an emergent international force in digital transformation coupled with the epic AI opportunity sweeping the globe is set to propel a new era of public-private…

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Food production reduced over land squeeze: Experts

Writes Nhau Mangirazi A new study has exposed how land grabs in various forms have led to doubling land prices globally since 2008, thereby placing unprecedented strain on farmers and rural communities. The report early this week by the International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food) warned that pressures are exploding, including for…

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School authorities applaud the launch of ‘Easy Build School Block Scheme’

Writes Panashe Gwesu Over 100 school authorities across Zimbabwean provinces applaud Barmlo Construction’s Powerhouse Initiative, the idea of zero interest building credit facility known as the “Easy Build School Block Scheme,” which was launched by Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Hon Dr Torerayi Moyo today in Harare. Speaking on the sidelines of the event,…

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UNDP CPD Mid-Term Meeting 2024: Attainment of SDGs targets lagging behind

The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, His Excellency Edward Kallon, in his remarks at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Zimbabwe Country Programme Document (CPD) Mid-Term Stakeholders Consultative Meeting today, Thursday 16 May 2024, bemoaned the slow progress towards the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets. “As we approach the mid-point of the…

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PAP holds training workshop for journalists in the Southern African region

The Pan-African Parliament (PAP), the legislative arm of the African Union, is scheduled to hold a three-day training workshop tailored for journalists in the Southern Africa region. The workshop will take place from the 16th to the 18th of May 2024 in Cape Town. The purpose of the training aligns with the broader objectives of…

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The Arab-Africa Trade Bridges Program Announces the Membership of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire

Arab Africa Trade Bridges Program (AATB) General Secretariat Announces Cote d’Ivoire as New Member of AATB Program The Arab Africa Trade Bridges Program (AATB) General Secretariat is pleased to announce the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire as a new member of the program. This strategic addition marks a significant step towards enhancing trade, economic cooperation, and…

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Unfair trade practices: Dr. Runyowa gives perspectives from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce

Following an upsurge in unfair trade practices in the market, Dr. Douglas Runyowa, the Chief Director for Commerce and Consumer Affairs in the Ministry of Industry and Commerce shared perspectives on protecting consumers. Below are some of the questions posed to Dr. Runyowa and his reactions: 1.0     How does the Ministry’s Mandate augur well with…

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African Heads of State endorse Nairobi Declaration on Fertiliser and Soil Health

Writes Sally Nyakanyanga Africa African Heads of State and Government endorsed the Nairobi Declaration on Fertiliser and Soil Health during the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit, which was held last week in Nairobi, Kenya. This move by African leaders and relevant stakeholders seeks to enhance the promotion of soil health for sustainable food systems…

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ZESN on recalls: Place citizens at centre of representative democracy

When considering recalls, the Zimbabwe Elections Support Network (ZESN), has urged lawmakers and politicians to place the citizens at the centre of representative democracy. These sentiments were shared in a ZESN-published Position Paper on Recalls, Subsequent By-elections, and Lessons Learnt which seeks to examine democratic accountability and governance. The paper also facilitates debates on the…

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Africa Requires $277 Billion Annually to Achieve 2030 SDGs: IAE 2024 Panel

A panel discussion at the IAE 2024 forum – organized by Energy Capital & Power – emphasized the need for Africa to leverage its solar potential to drive sustainable solutions Boasting 60% of the world’s best solar resources, Africa’s solar power potential presents multiple opportunities for investors seeking long-term, scalable financial prospects. A panel session…

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33rd Session of the CCPCJ: Zimbabwe reiterates commitment to crime prevention

In his address to the Thirty-third Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) running in Vienna, Austria from 13 to 17 May 2024,  the Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Ambassador Raphael Tayerera Faranisi, said Zimbabwe is committed to upholding crime prevention, strengthening criminal justice and promoting the rule…

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AHFoZ Conference on Health slated for September

The Association of Healthcare Funders of Zimbabwe (AHFoZ) will host its Annual “All Stakeholders Conference on Health”,  from 4-7 September 2024, at the Elephant Hills Resort in Victoria Falls. This prestigious event will bring together medical aid societies, healthcare professionals, policymakers, suppliers, medical aid member representatives, and all stakeholders from across the country and beyond,…

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Altice Dominicana and iBASIS ink Voice & Mobile Services deal

Successful outsourcing model extended after a four-year partnership Collaboration expanded to mobile services amid inbound roaming growth   iBASIS, the leading provider of communications solutions for operators and digital players worldwide, and Altice Dominicana, one of the leading mobile networks in the Dominican Republic, announced today that they have renewed their successful outsourcing agreement for…

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Accountability.fish blasts “unprecedented” Chinese proposal at Indian Ocean Tuna Commission

Calling a move to curtail stakeholder participation at a meeting on 13 May 2024 of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) an “unprecedented and unnecessary infringement on the right of stakeholders to submit data and have it be openly considered”, accountable marine governance advocates Accountability.Fish has called on Commission parties to reject the proposal. The…

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PAPSS Hosts its Inaugural Bank Chief Executive Officers Consultative Forum

Participants at the Forum agreed to take collective ownership of the success and the future of PAPSS given its significant and hugely positive impact on the facilitation of cross-border payments and the development of intra-African trade Promoters of the Pan-African Payment & Settlement System (PAPSS), namely African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank or “the Bank”) (https://www.Afreximbank.com), African…

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African CSOs share position on Clean Cooking in Africa Summit

African civil society organisations (CSOs)   This statement, authored by African Civil Society Organizations, is intended for the attention of organizers and participants of the IEA Clean Cooking in Africa Summit, scheduled to take place on Tuesday, May 14th, 2024, in Paris, France. We present this statement with a profound sense of duty and responsibility…

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African food systems are better understood as food baskets not value chains

Writes Charles Dhewa Value chain is one of the major notions associated with industrial agriculture where the food production process is viewed as a chain of activities from production to consumption. However, when applied to African indigenous food systems, the value chain notion is found wanting because the majority of commodities that make up African…

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UNICEF calls for USD 84.9 million to respond to El Nino emergency in Zimbabwe

UNICEF’s appeal will provide emergency support to 866,000 children UNICEF is urgently appealing for USD 84.9 million to fund its emergency response aimed at assisting children and women affected by the El Nino crisis in Zimbabwe. This funding will provide life-saving interventions to 1.34 million people, including 866,000 children, amidst a complex humanitarian crisis exacerbated…

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Unfair Criticism of the Catholic Church: A Call for Respect and Understanding

Writes Tarcisious Marondedze The Catholic Church has faced criticism from various quarters, including some Pentecostal churches and self-proclaimed pastors. While constructive criticism can be beneficial, unfair and misleading attacks harm not only the Catholic Church but also the broader Christian community. This article addresses the unfair criticism of the Catholic Church by fake pastors and…

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AUDA-NEPAD, JICA Report highlights importance of building resilient healthcare systems

Driving healthcare innovation and accessibility in Africa A new report led by the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), highlights key steps healthcare ventures, investors and policymakers can take to foster growth, innovation, and resilience within Africa’s healthcare sector. 28 early- and growth-stage African healthcare ventures have been supported by the Home-Grown Solutions Accelerator over the…

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Old Mutual Zimbabwe, Audacious Women Empower Women With Financial Literacy Skills

Old Mutual Zimbabwe, a distinguished diversified financial services group, recently hosted an impactful financial literacy training session for women at the Zimbabwe Agricultural Showgrounds. The event was a testament to the group’s unwavering commitment to championing financial education for previously marginalized groups. In collaboration with Audacious Women, a women-only organization established in 2021, Old Mutual…

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We won’t force ZIG acceptance, market forces to lead: Justice Minister

Writes Elvis Dumba Banket – The government will not force businesses to transact in the newly introduced local currency, Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) but will allow market forces to determine the utilisation of the local currency. This was said by the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Hon Ziyambi Ziyambi Hon Ziyambi said the government…

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Paris Summit expected to Close Clean Cooking Funding Gap for African Women

The Paris Summit is expected to build on ground-breaking clean cooking initiatives launched at COP28 and the African Development Bank’s Adesina (www.AfDB.org), Tanzanian President Hassan, Norway Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and International Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol will co-chair the event. Development partners gathering in Paris on 14 May are expected to pledge…

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Engineer Edzai Kachirekwa makes it on 100 Africa’s Most Influential Persons Awards List

Engineer Edzai Kachirekwa, the Chief Executive Officer of Zimbabwe’s trailblazing energy entity, Power Giants, has been nominated as one of 100 Africa’s Most Influential Persons, under the Business Executive’s innovative new awards scheme of the same title. The awards scheme has been designed to identify and publicly recognize 100 people across Africa whose personal and professional…

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SADC Extraordinary Heads of State and Government Summit to tackle El Nino’s humanitarian impacts

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) will on 20 May 2024 hold a virtual Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government to discuss the humanitarian situation in the region, following the ongoing El Niño induced drought that has negatively impacted the lives and livelihoods of an estimated 58 million people. The Extraordinary Summit will…

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NetOne, First Lady bankroll Maria Theresa ZimSmart Community E-Commerce and E-Health Centre

The people of Chiweshe in Mashonaland Central Province witnessed the opening of the Maria Theresa ZimSmart Community E-Commerce and E-Health Center, inaugurated by Her Excellency Dr. A. Mnangagwa, with financial support from leading government-owned mobile telephony giant, NetOne. “This center offers a ray of hope for the community, symbolizing a transformative leap towards digital inclusion….

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Tshepang Mabaila pledges 10,000 Pula from Clap and Tap concert for the sole bush crash survivor.

Writes Nkeletsang Morapedi The Mabaila Foundation has donated 10,000 Pula from the proceeds of the recently held clap and tap musical concert to help towards psychotherapy of the 8-year-old survivor of the bus crash. The 8-year-old met her predicament during the easter holidays as she and 45 other passengers were on a pilgrimage to St…

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Climate change has a profound impact on children: UNICEF

As Zimbabwe faces the effects of climate-induced El Niño, UNICEF is taking proactive steps to highlight the profound impact of climate change on children. Under our climate campaign “Invest in Climate, Invest in Children!” we are launching a petition to urge government entities, development partners, and the private sector to prioritise children in their climate…

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AfDB President Calls for Media Transformation to Uplift Africa’s Global Narrative

The President of the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org), Dr Akinwumi Adesina, delivered an impassioned plea for more balanced media coverage of Africa and its development, noting it was critical for changing false narratives. Adesina said this on Thursday in a keynote speech to the All Africa’s Media Summit in Nairobi, attended by nearly 300…

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Refuting False Narratives about Apostle B. Java’s Encounter with Prophet Angel

Writes Natalie Hove The recent viral image depicting the two religious leaders, Apostle Batsiranai Java and Prophet Uebert with a misleading caption suggesting an apology from the Apostle has been exposed as a malicious fabrication. The meeting between Apostle Java and Prophet Angel was not about seeking forgiveness, as falsely claimed by misinformed individuals. The…

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No compromise on sovereignty, equal status: TRNC President tells UN envoy

Writes Mehmet Kemal Firik The president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) reiterated the uncompromising position of the Turkish Cypriot side to the UN representative on Wednesday regarding sovereign equality and equal international status for official negotiations with the Greek Cypriot side in Cyprus. In a meeting held at the presidential office, Ersin…

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Ghana Gears up on Cyber Resilience in the Digital Economy

With Africa losing US$4 billion annually to cybercrime, the aggressors of the digital realm are gaining the upper hand. GITEX AFRICA 2024 (www.GITEXAfrica.com), the continent’s largest tech and startup exhibition, taking place from 29-31 May in Marrakech, Morocco, provides a platform for leaders and executives of Africa’s tech ecosystem to share insights on cybersecurity’s crucial…

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Minister Marian Chombo links dreaming innovator to professional guidance

Writes Elvis Dumba Zvimba – A rural-based scholar’s dream of contributing to the agricultural revolution of the country through his irrigation innovation is slowly turning into reality after Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Hon Marian Chombo linked the scholar to Chinhoyi University of Technology engineers and Ministry of Higher and…

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SADC Inter-Ministerial Task Force deliberates on addressing border challenges between Zambia and DRC

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) held an Inter-Ministerial Task Force Meeting of Ministers of Trade, Transport, Infrastructure and Security Portfolios from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and from the Republic of Zambia on the Resolution of the Perennial Challenges Affecting the Kasumbalesa and other Border Posts on 09 May 2024 in Kinshasa, DRC….

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AUDA-NEPAD and Norad Partner to Accelerate Soil Health for Sustainable Food Systems in Africa

The African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD) and the Government of Norway have joined forces to launch a transformative partnership aimed at enhancing soil health for sustainable food systems across Africa. The partnership marks a significant milestone in addressing the pressing issue of soil health on the continent. This ambitious 3-year Programme is designed to support…

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African leaders commit to tripling domestic production and distribution of fertilisers

The Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit (AFSH) organized by the African Union concludes with the adoption of a 10-year action plan that aims to increase investments in the local production and distribution of both organic and inorganic fertilizers, ensuring they reach 70% of small-holder farmers across the continent. The plan reasserts the 2006 Abuja…

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Zimbabwe Cabinet principles on ZMC Act worrisome: SAEF

The Southern African Editors Forum (SAEF) has noted with serious concern, the Zimbabwe Cabinet principles on the amendment of the Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) Act and the proposed Media Practitioners Bill that are meant to effect media co-regulation and professionalise the media in Zimbabwe. SAEF is of the view that the cabinet principles, if applied…

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SADC participates in Zimbabwe’s UNSCR Action Plan on women, peace and security

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat joined the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe at the launch of the Zimbabwe National Action Plan for implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on Women, Peace and Security Agenda on the 3rd May 2024 in Harare, Zimbabwe. The launch was attended by high-level…

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The Disappearing Rains of Zimbabwe

OWN CORRESPONDENT Zimbabwe, like many other African nations, heavily relies on agriculture as a major source of livelihood and economic activity. The country’s agricultural sector is primarily rain-fed, meaning it depends on regular and adequate rainfall for successful crop production. However, Zimbabwe has experienced a series of prolonged droughts and erratic rainfall patterns over the…

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