NEWS ANALYSIS

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 …

Africa’s carbon credit market is experiencing a significant surge in investor interest, thanks to a surge in fresh investment from the Gulf. But more regulation, stricter auditing and greater transparency is required, according to industry insiders. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | Africa is a prime target for new multimillion-dollar …

ANALYSIS | THE INDEPENDENT |  With Christmas day around the corner, you and your friends are already loosening the belt and buckle to the dining table for lots of food. As you cheer with your friends and relatives, you are reminded to ensure that you don’t waste food if you …

Higher inflation will reign in Christmas spending after a post-Covid splurge last year, but Cameroonians and Zimbabweans will still be extremely generous with Christmas gifts, decorations and food this year, according to an annual report SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | African households will focus on gifts and decorations as …

NANCHANG | Xinhua | Despite external pressure and internal difficulties, China’s economy has achieved a recovery and made solid progress in high-quality development in 2023, noted the annual Central Economic Work Conference held last week. Among various factors propelling growth, consumer spending is playing an increasingly important role, accounting for …

BRUSSELS | Xinhua |  More than two months into the Israel-Hamas conflict, violence in the Middle East has no end in sight and Europe as a neighbor is still struggling to unify around a call for ceasefire in Gaza. The European Union (EU) summit ended December 15  without a much-expected …

An expert unpacks the reactions of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda ANALYSIS | MICHAEL BISHKU | The reactions of some east African countries to the ongoing conflict in Gaza have been less dramatic than South Africa’s. South Africa’s parliament has passed a resolution calling for the closure of its embassy in Tel …

Visiting transparency body says government should give citizens more information Kampala, Uganda | RONALD MUSOKE | Representatives of civil society organisations working in Uganda’s extractives sector (oil, gas and mining) want money and more freedom to check on the government’s pledge to be transparent and accountable to Ugandans. That is what …

JERUSALEM | Xinhua |  Mohamed Ghraib, a Palestinian taxi driver, is waiting for his business at the Israeli side of the Qalandia checkpoint 15 km away from Jerusalem, but not much luck has come to him so far. “Before the Israel-Hamas conflict, at this time of the day and this …