Monaco, Principality of Monaco | THE INDEPENDENT | With an astonishing time of 12:35.36, Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei today added the track 5,000m to the 5,000m road and 15km world records he holds. World 10,000m world champion Cheptegei ran incredibly 11 consistent laps, closing in a time of 59.64 as he set …
Read More »Africa strives to tackle food security challenges brought by COVID-19 pandemic, locust invasion
Kampala, Uganda | XINHUA | As African countries continue to battle the unrelenting COVID-19 pandemic, they are making gains on the frontline against massive swarms of the desert locusts that have been threatening the region’s food security. Experts in different countries attribute the gains against the voracious migratory pests to …
Read More »Rwanda to replace all its passports with East Africa e-passports
Kigali, Rwanda | XINHUA | Rwanda’s immigration department on Thursday announced it will replace all passports with the East Africa e-passports after June 27, 2019. “All passports issued before June 27, 2019, will be phased out, and replaced by the Rwanda East African electronic passport after June 27, 2021,” the …
Read More »Congo-born Serge Ibaka takes a knee as Raptors plot NBA title defence
Toronto, Canada | THE INDEPENDENT | One of Africa’s top sporting sons, basketball player Serge Ibaka has not forgotten his roots despite the current focus on helping his Toronto Raptors put up a strong defence of their NBA title. Ibaka, who hails from Brazzaville in Congo, has become a key figure …
Read More »Pay-as-you-go solar energy reaps rewards in Africa
Pay-as-you-go off-grid solar energy is bringing electricity to millions across Africa. Ian Lewis reports Falling costs and improved sales networks mean that small-scale solar power for households or micro-businesses is taking off across Africa. Crucially, this is fast becoming a self-sustaining sector that can generate its own revenues, and allowing numerous companies of …
Read More »COVID-19: African Union agency to support SMEs across the continent
Johannesburg, South Africa | XINHUA | The African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) on Tuesday launched a program to help Africa’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to adapt business operations in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic. AUDA-NEPAD, in partnership with Ecobank Group, launched the MSME Academy which will give …
Read More »China, Africa Union experts meet to plan COVID-19 fight
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | XINHUA | High-level African and Chinese experts and officials on Tuesday called for further strengthening China-Africa ties in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa. They made the call during a high-level virtual China-Africa joint response to COVID-19 pandemic meeting, which brought together senior experts …
Read More »African conservationists urge enhanced protection of lions amid threats
Nairobi, Kenya | XINHUA | African countries need to strengthen protection of lions and other iconic carnivores amid threats to their survival linked to poaching, habitat loss and diseases, conservationists said on Friday ahead of World Lions Day to be observed on Aug. 10. Edith Kabesiime, wildlife campaign manager at …
Read More »Kenya sets up transport, logistics network to cut business costs
Nairobi, Kenya | XINHUA | Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday established a framework for the management, coordination and integration of public port, railway and pipeline services under the Kenya Transport and Logistics Network (KTLN). In an Executive Order issued in Nairobi, Kenyatta said the network brings together Kenya Ports Authority …
Read More »Global efforts intensify to curb spread of COVID-19 as cases in Africa top 1 mln
Nairobi, Kenya | XINHUA | Working as a motorbike taxi rider in Kenya’s capital Nairobi, Joseph Musau knows at least three acquaintances who have contracted COVID-19. It was not until recently did he realize that COVID-19 was spreading at a faster speed in his country, where it took three months for …
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