AFRICA

For couples in Africa who are unable to have children, surrogacy has been a little-publicised option. Nigerian Toyin Lolu Ogunmade is changing that SPECIAL FEATURE | BIRD NEWS AGENCY | For many couples, especially newlyweds, the birth of a baby not only spices up their lives but also brings a …

Accra, Ghana | Xinhua | The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) secretariat based in Accra, the capital of Ghana, late Friday launched a guided trade initiative for seven member countries. The seven countries which have signaled their readiness to start trading under AfCFTA were Tanzania, Mauritania, Kenya, Egypt, Cameroon, Rwanda, …

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania | Xinhua | The 10th East African Petroleum Conference and Exhibition (EAPCE) is expected to attract more than 1,000 participants from across the world, the East African Community (EAC) said in a statement Friday. The EAC statement issued by its headquarters in Tanzania’s northern city of Arusha …

United Nations | Xinhua | The UN Security Council on Friday voiced serious concern over the Sept. 30 coup in Burkina Faso that ousted President Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, particularly given the serious regional security challenges in the country’s Sahel region. The second military takeover in Burkina Faso in eight months is …

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania | Xinhua | The Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) on Friday announced the resumption of full cross-border passenger train services between Dar es Salaam in Tanzania and New Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia. A statement issued by the TAZARA headquarters in Tanzania’s commercial capital Dar es Salaam said passenger …

Lusaka, Zambia | Xinhua |  Zambia and Namibia have signed a memorandum of understanding on the construction of a natural gas pipeline project, a Zambian senior official said Friday. The deal was signed on Thursday on the sidelines of the 10th session of the Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation between …

United Nations | Xinhua | A Chinese envoy on Thursday called on the international community to help African governments strengthen their capacity to manage natural resources, therefore tackle the illegal trafficking of natural resources and reap the resources dividend more effectively. In some conflict areas in Africa, a continent with rich …

Overall oil production to reduce by two million barrels per day starting November Lagos, Nigeria | Xinhua | The African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO) announced Thursday it supports the recent decision by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and some non-OPEC oil-producing countries to cut overall oil production by two …

As the world reels from global food supply chain disruptions and extreme weather, this eco-village in Uganda is helping inculcate the importance of sustainable agriculture to local communities, teaching farmers how to grow for a healthier planet. Jinja, Uganda | BIRD STORY AGENCY |   A fresh, earthy aroma fills the air …

In Nigeria’s Rivers State, engineering company Egoras is successfully refurbishing e-waste into affordable appliances, creating a new market for recycled and upcycled products. Lagos, Nigeria | BIRD STORY AGENCY | It was the first day of the much-anticipated Egoras Trade Fair in Port Harcourt, Southern Nigeria. The company had announced it …