Stung by price pressure, some cab operators in Africa are pushing to electrify their fleets, while others adopt hybrid and LPG-powered versions SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | Consumers love cheaper rides and there’s always a driver willing to take less per ride. To cushion themselves from losses, many taxi …
Read More »Hail the great Kéré, jewel in the crown of African architecture
Celebrated Burkinabé architect Francis Kéré has won the 2023 Praemium Imperiale prize, compounding his meteoric rise as one of the world’s most fêted architects. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | Burkinabé maestro Diébédo Francis Kéré has bagged the prestigious Praemium Imperiale honour to become 2023’s most fetéd African architect. The …
Read More »Africa’s fashion industry eyes a US$69 billion market
Africa’s fashion industry is tapping an apparel market that will be worth US$69 billion in 2023, driven by a surge in women’s spending power, innovative design scene and production efficiency in textiles. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | Africa’s bright and dynamic fashion industry is finding itself if the spotlight, …
Read More »Africa ‘most open’ for travel, Burundi top
Global mobility report unveils unexpected leader in open-border policy — Africa, with Burundi as the most visa-friendly nation in the world for international travel. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | African states are leading the global travel sector’s recovery, boasting 12 out of the top 20 most open countries for …
Read More »Ethiopia’s second telco license likely to ignite global investor interest
The prospect of a second private telecoms licence in Ethiopia comes after a massive previous bid by regional giant MTN failed Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | BIRD AGENCY | Ethiopia’s July 1 unveiling of a tender for a second new telecommunications license opens Africa’s second-largest market to more competition and comes …
Read More »How the cookie crackdown plays to Africa’s text messaging strengths
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) …
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