Africa has a combined SACCO membership of more than 43 million, holding about USD 24.5 billion in assets Kampala, Uganda | ISAAC KHISA | In an ever-evolving financial landscape, Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOs) are emerging as impactful entities, harnessing influence grounded in community trust and convenience to bring about …
Read More »UNDP, African leaders launch Timbuktoo Initiative
The one-billion dollar fund aims to support the African startup ecosystem ANALYSIS | AGENCIES | The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched on Jan.17 the bold and ambitious “timbuktoo” initiative together with African countries. In a special session of the World Economic Forum at its 24th Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, …
Read More »NAM’s ambition and its members scattered positions
Can Museveni align them? COVER STORY | THE INDEPENDENT | President Yoweri Museveni has this week taken over the leadership of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) for the next three years to 2027. President Museveni’s tenure comes at a time of great uncertainty; for him personally and on the international scene. Personally, …
Read More »Airtel Africa CEO to retire
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Airtel Africa plc has announced the retirement of the Chief Executive Officer, Olusegun “Segun” Ogunsanya, with effect from July 1, 2024. Mr. Ogunsanya, who joined Airtel in 2012, ran the Nigeria Operations of the Telecommunications and Mobile Money Company for nine years before he was …
Read More »Africa Pharma gets shot in the arm
Host country agreement singed as Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation gets underway ANALYSIS | AGENCIES | Africa’s efforts to build a resilient and self-reliant pharmaceutical industry for the continent advanced significantly on Dec. 18 as the African Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation and the Rwandan Government signed the host country agreement paving the way for …
Read More »Visa-free regimes to boost African tourism
As more countries tear up visa requirements, major African markets are beginning to record rising numbers in Intra-Africa tourism, a trend expected to extend through 2024 SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | African countries are set to record an increase in tourism numbers in 2024, as more countries continue to open …
Read More »African Catholic Bishops reject Vatican’s call for blessing same-sex couples
Kinshasa, DRC | THE INDEPENDENT |Catholic Bishops throughout Africa have rejected the Vatican’s recent proposal to bless same-sex couples. Despite their unwavering commitment to the Pope and the Gospel, Catholic Bishops in Africa united under the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), have collectively responded to a …
Read More »Top 10 African trends, developments to watch in 2024
SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | There are 54 countries and over 1.4 billion people in Africa, which means there’s a lot happening at any given time – and a great deal more, over 365 days. Here are the 10 topics and themes that we think will play a key role …
Read More »Top 10 Tallest buildings in Africa
SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | Africa’s city ecosystem is attracting billions of dollars in new projects, making them home to some of the world’s glitziest and tallest buildings. 1. The Iconic Tower, Egypt With its towering height of 385m (1266ft), the Iconic Tower is a masterpiece of contemporary architecture. …
Read More »Banks respond to rising mass affluence in Africa
Demand for goods and services expected to surge as continent’s middle class spend hits US$2.5 trillion by 2030 COMMENT | MARGARET SOI | The purchasing power of Africa’s middle class is expected to grow significantly in the coming years: the continent’s middle class is expected to spend US$2.1 trillion by …
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