AFRICA

A surge in construction activity in Africa is drawing a new breed of investors eyeing mass timber – and the carbon-trapping forests needed to support it – as a sustainable building alternative to traditional concrete and steel. Wooden buildings like the engineered timber construction planned for the world’s tallest wood …

CAIRO | Xinhua |  Despite the multiple economic challenges it faced in 2023, Egypt continued to play an active peacemaking role in maintaining security and stability in the Middle East. Surrounded by crises and conflicts in its neighboring countries and regions, including Libya, Sudan and the Gaza Strip, Egypt acted …

KIGALI, RWANDA | Xinhua | There is a new sight on the streets of Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda: new electric vehicles whizzing among the old gasoline-powered vehicles. The Kigali city authorities in partnership with BasiGo, a Kenyan based company launched the pilot electric buses in public transport earlier …

NAIROBI, KENYA | Xinhua | Kenya’s economy grew 5 percent in 2023, up from 4.8 percent in 2022 despite continued challenges, the World Bank said in a report released recentlyy. According to the World Bank’s 28th edition of Kenya Economic Update (KEU), the improved growth was buoyed by a strong …

Vote counting continues in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) after episodes of irregularity reported in the general elections held on Dec. 20. KINSHASA, DRC | Xinhua | Vote counting continues in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) after episodes of irregularity reported in the general elections held …

Africa is blessed with an abundance of cultural and natural sites, with many recognised by UNESCO. These sites often represent major tourism opportunities. Here, bird story agency lists the top ten African countries with the highest number of protected World Heritage Sites. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY  |  A UNESCO …

KAMPALA | Xinhua | China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) Uganda Limited said on Friday that it welcomed Uganda’s recent license granting for the company to construct the liquidized petroleum gas (LPG) facility on the shores of Lake Albert in western Uganda. Earlier this week, a cabinet meeting chaired by …

Madagascar, known to many through the celluloid fantasies of Hollywood, finds an authentic voice in Marie Kolo SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | Our national anthem is not, I like to move it,” declared Marie Kolo, her words echoing a deep-seated desire to uplift the true image of her country, …

Africa is making significant strides towards closing gender gaps across key areas: economic participation, education, health, and political empowerment, according to the World Economic Forum. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | Namibia is among a select group of nine nations globally that have successfully closed over 80% of their gender …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The agreement by close to two hundred countries that they should transition away from burning the fossil fuels that are warming the planet overshadowed the call for nuclear energy. With most of the delegates at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) settling down, parties …