North Kivu, DRC | THE INDEPENDENT | Fighting between March 23 Movement rebels and Armed Forces of Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) soldiers is raging in Masisi territory has started hours after the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) started to withdraw from North Kivu province. On Sunday, the first batch …
Read More »Tanzania pushes East Africa into an era of gas-fueled vehicles. But can it last?
Tanzania is moving forward with plans to use its extensive natural gas reserves as a substitute for gasoline in transportation. However, there are concerns about its long-term sustainability. Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Tanzania has pushed East Africa into a new era of gas-powered mobility with the commissioning of …
Read More »M23 to re-occupy EACRF positions in North Kivu ahead of SADC troops arrival
North Kivu, DRC | THE INDEPENDENT | The March 23 Movement (M23) rebels plan to re-occupy all positions that were held by the exiting East African Community Regional Force. The mandate of troops from Uganda, Kenya, Burundi and South Sudan deployed in North Kivu province in late 2022 was to …
Read More »Gavi gives Africa’s vaccine project US$1 bn pledge
Local manufacturing of vaccines is Africa’s ‘second independence’ says Africa CDC boss Lusaka, Zambia | RONALD MUSOKE | The African Union’s desire to ramp-up vaccine manufacturing on the continent has been boosted by a commitment in principle by GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, to inject US$1 billion into the process. Dr. Jean …
Read More »Half of global jobs in the critical minerals sector are in Africa, a new report shows
A new report from the International Energy Agency sheds light on the shifts in the energy job market, with clean energy outpacing global opportunities in fossil fuel sectors. While employment in fossil fuels is higher in Africa, the continent houses half of the critical mineral sector’s workforce, underscoring the continent’s …
Read More »EAC Regional Force begins withdrawal from DR Congo
Goma, DR Congo | Xinhua | The East African Community (EAC) Regional Force has started to withdraw from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The Kenyan contingent, part of the EAC Regional Force, departed from the Goma airport in the eastern North Kivu province on Sunday morning, following the …
Read More »Crypto: The next big adoption challenge for African banks?
The last two decades have been tumultuous for African banking, with big international banks moving out of the continent and a bevvy of more nimble local banks stepping in to mop up opportunities in a fast-growing region. A technological revolution in the form of digital banking helped smaller banks spread …
Read More »African attitudes towards Gender-Based Violence are evolving
A recent Afrobarometer survey shows shifting attitudes among Africans regarding gender-based violence. Experts suggest a more comprehensive approach could help shift the dial further. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | Public perceptions towards gender-based violence are shifting in Africa, according to a survey by Afrobarometer, a pan-African attitudes research company. …
Read More »This modern popsicles business offers women in the hood a lifeline
A modest popsicle-making business in Umoja, Kenya is transforming options for women working in the neighbourhood. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | The rains may have started but residents of Umoja in Nairobi County are still able to enjoy a frozen treat from Azin Pops – and while they’re at …
Read More »Zimbabwe mulls wealth tax targeting the rich
Harare, Zimbabwe | Xinhua | Zimbabwe’s Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Mthuli Ncube on Thursday proposed a “wealth tax” that targets the country’s super-rich with an intention to use the funds earned from the new measure to upgrade urban infrastructure. Presenting the 2024 national budget statement to …
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