A set of documents filed in an Israeli court have revealed the extent to which one of its billionaires went to secure mining rights in the resource rich Democratic Republic of Congo. In the affidavit filed by tycoon Dan Gertler, it is reported that $360 million in cash was lent to a company that used…
A new wave of violence has erupted in South Africa with the government deploying military troops to restore calm and order. At least 6 people have died. The disturbances have intensified as former President Jacob Zuma began a legal challenge to his 15-month prison term sentence in the country’s top court. Images of burning buildings…
It’s no secret that the startup scene in Kenya, like much of Africa, is on an upward trajectory but what many living in the country may not know is who exactly is a beneficiary of the funding that fuels this growth. A rising middle class and a younger, more educated demographic are some of the…
In 2017, one president shocked the world when he issued an order banning all public servants in his country from traveling abroad. But that head of state was not from Singapore, New Zealand, Switzerland, South Korea or any developed nation where prudent utilization of public funds and accountability reigns supreme. He was from Tanzania. And…
Makthar Diop, the World Bank’s vice president for infrastructure, has been appointed to head the International Finance Corporation (IFC), becoming the first African to lead the Washington based lender’s arm for the private sector. Diop will take over at the IFC at the beginning of March, World Bank President David Malpass said in a statement…
Guinea is battling a new outbreak of the deadly Ebola disease which has so far claimed the lives of four people with several others testing positive. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that the number of new cases recorded so far may be a sign that the deadly hemorrhagic fever is resurging again in the…
One woman has died of the deadly disease of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo raising fears of a fresh outbreak of the deadly haemorrhagic fever. The National Institute of Biomedical Research confirmed in a statement that the death had been identified three days after samples taken from a patient with symptoms who had…
Kenya’s government has taken the fight against COVID-19 to a new high with the installation of new tech, the first of its kind on the continent, at its international airport, JKIA. The sophisticated system consists of automated cameras with inbuilt thermometers that measure the temperatures of dozens of people in the socially distanced queue, displaying…
In the precolonial era, music was a strong symbol of unity between men, women and children. African customs are littered with plenty of diverse, indigenous entertainment which expanded past their communal boundaries as most of the continent bar Ethiopia and Liberia came under imperial rule. They provided relief, united, and motivated freedom fighters alike from…
The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) has announced that kidnappings by pirates in the Gulf of Guinea hit a record high in 2020, with well-armed and violent gangs defying regional navies and venturing further out to sea. Pirates in the West African region kidnapped 130 seafarers in 22 separate incidents accounting for all but five of…
Netflix has appointed Zimbabwean billionaire Strive Masiyiwa to its board, becoming the firm’s first African director as it eyes new markets for future growth. Masiyiwa is the founder and executive chairman of Econet Global, a telecommunications company that operates across Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. Econet offers phone broadband and satellite service, and is…
The U.S. State Department has issued a new temporary rule that could require tourists and business travelers from 24 countries, most in Africa, to pay bonds of up to $15,000 to visit the United States. President Donald Trump’s outgoing administration said the temporary final rule, which takes effect December 24 and runs through June 24,…
A total of 90 individuals, groups, organizations and public-private initiatives have been shortlisted for the 2020 Frontline Heroes Awards, organizers African Silent Heroes in partnership with Fikiria Consulting announced. From sporting icons Samuel Eto’o and Didier Drogba to government entities like Tunisia’s Ministry of Industry’s Director of Innovation and Technological Development, Kingdom of Morocco and…
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned that Africa is suffering from the impacts of climate change, and worse is yet to come for the continent’s food supplies, health and economy. According to the U.N. climate agency, temperatures have been rising in Africa at a comparable rate to other continents but the region is exceptionally…
This week will be a seminal moment in South Africa’s fight against the devastating Covid-19 pandemic and depending on how we conduct ourselves, the next seven days could have a lasting socio-economic impact. From an economic standpoint the return of over 8 million people to work will be a massive relief for many businesses who…
Courtesy: Bet Moran In this week’s special, we critically examine why betting in Kenya is adored by millions of youths, hated by the government that collects billions from the sector and how it may well survive the recent crackdown efforts. Is it too big to tame? When the betting ship sailed into the country in…
July 4, 2018 By Brenda Kerubo Kenyan fashion design house Naneulashan designs is located in the capital, Nairobi. A flashy store in the middle of Kilimani at Adlife Plaza and a prime location for well-paying customers. The designer, Carol Pulei is the owner of the store that sells office and casual men’s wear as well…
July 10, 2018 By Brenda Kerubo Terry Wangechi is very excited to join University, a dream come true for the 20 year old girl who plans to study political science. You see, Wangechi is part of the first cohort of Food for Education- an organization that works to improve nutrition and education outcomes for children…
July 5, 2018 Residents of Rulindo district, Northern Rwanda are upbeat about a smart village that was established in the area last year, offering digital literacy and government services. The Tumba Smart Village was initiated by Solektra and the Ministry of ICT to promote digital literacy, financial inclusion and access to government services among many…