AFRICA

With a surge in funding, R&D and private sector investment, Africa is primed for a transformative leap towards vaccine autonomy. A recently announced US$1.8 billion shot in the arm puts vaccine self-sufficiency within reach. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | Recent approval by the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi) of a US$1.8 …

‘I am a nuisance for a good cause,’ says Faustina Boakye. Of an age where many people are slowing down, Boakye is in the process of revving up as the former journalist-turned-climate activist gets busy plugging women into the energy value chain across the continent. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY …

CAIRO, EGYPT | Xinhua | A suspected drone was downed off the coast of Egypt’s Red Sea resort city of Dahab on Tuesday, according to security sources. Speaking to Xinhua on condition of anonymity, the two sources confirmed that explosions were heard in the city. Earlier, local Al-Qahera TV news …

They may be small in stature but they’re gigantic in performance and spirit and they’re having a massive impact, both worldwide and in Africa, where they are changing the lives of young women. Four former female running greats from Africa are ploughing back what they gained from the sport and …

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 …