AFRICA

Natural gas-powered vehicles are becoming increasingly popular across Africa thanks to supportive policies, infrastructure development and heightened investor appeal. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | Several African nations are taking advantage of their ample natural gas reserves to introduce gas-powered four-wheel vehicles to their roads. Nigeria, the African nation with …

  NAIROBI, KENYA | Xinhua | Interest rates on Kenya’s government securities have closed 2023 at a historic high, putting the country in a tough position as it seeks to ramp up borrowing to fund a budget deficit. The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) said in its data released Friday …

Privatised 20 years ago, the Maputo Port’s success offers a model for African ports seeking efficiency and growth, with growth likely to continue, according to investors. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | Two decades after Mozambique privatised its only international harbour, the Port of Maputo is recording remarkable progress, both …

Sheikdom ramps up multi-billion dollar investment in Africa’s freight industry, positioning itself as a logistics and trade behemoth in a post-fossil-fuel era. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | United Arab Emirates-based companies and funds are doubling down on a foray into Africa’s freight and logistics scene. Earlier this year, Emirati …

ABUJA, NIGERIA | Xinhua | Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, enters the New Year amid internal and external difficulties challenging its “Renewed Hope,” with President Bola Tinubu vowing to tame stubborn inflation. The country is battling its highest inflation rates in nearly two decades. The latest data, from the National Bureau …

CAIRO, EGYPT | Xinhua | The Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources announced on Thursday that 29 agreements with a total investment of about 1.2 billion U.S. dollars for oil and natural gas exploration in the country have been signed in 2023. The ministry said in a statement that …

NAIROBI | Xinhua | Kenya Airways (KQ), the country’s national carrier, said Thursday it has expanded its codeshare partnership with South African Airways (SAA), the flag carrier airline of South Africa, to include direct flights from South Africa to South America. Kenya Airways said customers will now experience a seamless …

Africa’s vast mineral resources have always pointed to its potential as a market maker – and a global player in consumer goods. But division has kept producers and markets weak. An agreement between Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia shows how to change that, according to a new report. SPECIAL …

LUSAKA | Xinhua | Zambian health authorities on Thursday announced that measures have been heightened to contain the outbreak of cholera which has now spread to 12 districts in the country. Minister of Health Sylvia Masebo said a multisectoral approach headed by the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit has been …

HARARE, ZIMBABWE | Xinhua | Road traffic accidents killed 92 people and injured 460 others during the period of Dec. 15 to 27 in Zimbabwe, police said on Wednesday. This is compared to 102 deaths and 289 injuries in road traffic accidents during the period Dec. 15 to 26 last …