ANALYSIS | SARA BYALA | A new book called Bottled: How Coca-Cola Became African tells the story of how the world’s most famous carbonated drink conquered the continent. It’s a tale of marketing gumption and high politics and is the product of years of research by critical writing lecturer Sara Byala, …
Read More »How Africa is cleaning up its debt mess
IMF tracking shows that no African state has sought comprehensive debt relief in over a year indicating a trend of growing fiscal hygiene across the region. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | Countries in Africa are showing signs of improving fiscal management, as they navigate through a cascading set of global …
Read More »Afcon’s decision to play 24 countries is paying off
It’s also having dramatic repercussions ANALYSIS | Chuka Onwumechili | By the end of the group stage, the 34th Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) was one of the most exciting and memorable Afcon tournaments in recent memory. This was particularly true of the performances of the continent’s best players on the field. …
Read More »Africa-China collaboration on TVET
A new type of South-to-South joint program promotes standards through mutually accredited joint programs COMMENT | XIAOYAN LIANG & COSAM JOSEPH | A common challenge faced by Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions is their inability to adapt curriculum and program standards that align with the evolving needs of …
Read More »Malaria victory that’s a blueprint for Africa
Cabo Verde has achieved a WHO-certified malaria-free status, showcasing the power of strategic health planning. The achievement inspires African nations as more countries pursue malaria elimination BIRD STORY| BONFACE ORUCHO | Cabo Verde, a country that comprises a group of Islands of the West African coast in the central Atlantic Ocean, has …
Read More »Four top trends to watch in 2024 African energy sector
ANALYSIS | AGENCIES | As Africa heads into 2024, the renewable energy sector is set to see innovation that will transform the way energy is accessed, stored and deployed across Africa. Paul van Zijl, Group CEO at Starsight Energy, discusses 4 key trends that he thinks will profoundly shape the industry …
Read More »Harnessing SACCOs for insurance expansion
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 …
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