In an era of AI and blockchain, the simple text message seems distinctly old-fashioned. But text messaging’s USSD technology remains a key feature for African businesses. Here’s how a crackdown on customer information sharing suddenly makes USSD even more attractive. SPECIAL FEATURE | BIRD AGENCY | African businesses are continuing …
Read More »In the shadow of war, Sudan’s midwives nurture a new generation
As desperate civilians and expatriates flee the country, local midwives are stepping up and helping pregnant women bring new life into the world despite the intense clashes. SPECIAL FEATURE | BIRD AGENCY | In the heart of a war-torn Sudan, an ancient tradition is being rekindled amidst the chaos: midwifery. …
Read More »Kamala Harris’s promise to Africa
Weeklong trip highlights the continent’s rising strategic profile COVER STORY | Seth Onyango | Africa finds itself in the middle of a growing diplomatic vortex as the United States and its Western allies ramp up efforts to counterbalance the expanding clout of China and Russia. India, Turkey and Middle Eastern countries are …
Read More »Turkey is challenging China’s reign in African construction sector
China’s outright dominance of Africa’s infrastructure sector is under threat as Turkish construction firms begin to make inroads on the continent to deliver large-scale projects on budget and on time Nairobi, Kenya | BIRD AGENCY – Seth Onyango | Turkish construction firms are closing in on their Chinese counterparts in Africa’s …
Read More »Africa’s ‘over-the-top’ sports consumption
African football fans are keeping up with the World Cup 2022 games from their mobile devices on the back of rapid smartphone penetration, high-speed internet and increased VPN usage on the continent. Doha, Qatar | BIRD AGENCY | Sports content is being democratised in Africa with more bespoke over-the-top (OTT) …
Read More »Africa hauls in a record VC investment, despite a global funding squeeze
Africa startups have defied a slump in global venture capital funding, raking in a record US$ 4 billion in the nine months ending September, just US$ 500 million short of surpassing its total 2021 haul SPECIAL FEATURE | BIRD STORY AGENCY | Africa’s VC scene remained resilient in spite of …
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