Examining the theories so far | KEVIN MARSH AND MOSES ALOBO | As the threat of a COVID-19 pandemic emerged earlier this year, many felt a sense of apprehension about what would happen when it reached Africa. For example, the Standard newspaper in Kenya reported on April 22 that “Anywhere …
Read More »Can MTN’s new CEO fix current troubles?
The South African telecom firm plans to refocus on Africa and mobile money | THE INDEPENDENT | MTN Group’s new CEO Ralph Mupita is expected to manage by capitalising on technological growth and demographic dividends within Africa to cement its position as the continent’s largest telecom services provider. He comes …
Read More »Africa can learn from China’s efforts to conserve wildlife
Nairobi, Kenya | Xinhua | Africa can learn from China’s efforts to conserve its wildlife resources, a pan-African wildlife conservation body said on Friday. Fred Kumah, vice president of external affairs at African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), told Xinhua in Nairobi that China has used a combination of conservation measures and community …
Read More »WHO decries rising burden of mental illnesses in Africa due to COVID-19
Nairobi, Kenya | Xinhua | The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday sounded alarm over a spike in mental ailments in Africa due to COVID-19 related social and economic disruptions. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO regional director for Africa, said the pandemic had worsened the continent’s mental health crisis amid lockdowns, job …
Read More »Africa should close inequality gap to realize COVID-19 recovery
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Xinhua | Africa should close the inequality gaps if the continent is set to realize recovery targets aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, Vera Songwe, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), said on Thursday. “If we do not find ways of closing …
Read More »Digital trade is next big thing in Africa
Interview with Wamkele Mene, Secretary General, African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat (AfCFTA) Wamkele Mene was recently appointed Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat. Because of COVID-19, free trade for countries that have ratified the agreement did not begin, as planned, on 1 July 2020. In …
Read More »Africa strives to contain wildlife poaching worsened by COVID-19
Kanungu, Uganda | XINHUA | As the world grapples with COVID-19, conservationists in Africa are striving to contain rising wildlife poaching, which has been worsened by the pandemic. When the pandemic hit the continent about seven months ago, many countries closed their borders and limited domestic movement. This brought the …
Read More »Germany targets Africa for trade, investment
Germany-Africa Business Forum (GABF) offers opportunities for cross-border collaboration Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Investment and business climate, available workforce and access to markets, and transport, energy and technological infrastructure are the key success factors to drive Africa’s development. Günter Nooke, the Africa Envoy to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, …
Read More »WHO hails Africa’s declining COVID-19 cases, urges caution to prevent 2nd wave
Nairobi, Kenya | XINHUA | The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday hailed declining COVID-19 positive cases in Africa but stressed the need to strengthen containment measures amid risk of a second wave in the continent. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional director for Africa, said the continent has escaped an implosion …
Read More »UNICEF urges safe reopening of schools in Africa to avert losses
Nairobi, Kenya | XINHUA | The UN children’s fund UNICEF on Tuesday called on governments across Eastern and Southern Africa to urgently and safely reopen schools, as the costs of continued school closures escalate across the region. According to UNICEF, only 13 out of 21 countries in Eastern and Southern Africa …
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