Africa

The landscape of South African politics underwent a seismic shift one year ago. In the wake of the national and provincial elections, no single party emerged with the definitive majority that has long characterized the nation's governance. The year 2024 will be remembered as a historic turning point; for the first time since the dawn of democracy in 1994, the African National Congress (ANC) found itself without its traditional parliamentary dominance. This unprecedented scenario paved the way for a coalition government,…

In an unsettling turn of events, the authorities at Roberts International Airport in Liberia were compelled to suspend all inbound flights after a private jet, tasked with transporting President Joseph Boakai, faced a frightening near-crash-landing situation. During its landing sequence, one of the jet’s tires reportedly blew out, forcing the aircraft to screech to an abrupt halt mid-runway. The Liberian airport authorities were swift to issue a statement regarding this alarming incident. They confirmed the details but…

The recent repatriation of stolen artifacts has garnered attention, thanks to the diligent efforts of the Egyptian embassy in Paris and the cooperation of French authorities. These invaluable pieces of history were poised for illegal sale, a fate they narrowly escaped. This incident is a testament to the tireless work being done on behalf of Egypt’s cultural heritage. It’s not just about returning physical objects; it’s about reclaiming a nation’s identity, woven into the very fabric of its history. Would you believe that,…

In a significant move that reflects South Africa's strategic intentions, the government has unveiled a proposal to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States. This initiative is outlined in a ministerial statement signed by Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, the Minister in the Presidency. The plan aims for South Africa to acquire between 75 to 100 petajoules of LNG annually, positioning the nation as a growing player in the global energy landscape. Ntshavheni has expressed optimism about this deal, citing…

The Western Cape High Court delivered a harrowing verdict recently, sentencing Kelly Smith, the mother of six-year-old Joshlin, to life imprisonment. Alongside her, co-defendants Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn also received the same sentence. This chilling case took a tragic turn when Joshlin went missing from her home in Saldanha Bay in February 2024. In a poignant moment, the presiding judge ordered the names of all three convicts to be entered into the national Child Protection Register. This measure serves as a…

The Africa Carbon Support Facility: A Step Towards Sustainable Growth In a world increasingly aware of its environmental footprint, the Africa Carbon Support Facility (ACSF) emerges as a beacon of hope for African nations. Currently in its design phase, this initiative boasts two pivotal components aimed at reshaping the landscape of carbon trading on the continent. How can a simple concept like carbon credits catalyze monumental change? Let's dive deep into this transformative endeavor. The first component of ACSF is…

Today's announcement of the third cohort for the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship by CcHUB is nothing short of inspiring. It showcases a significant step toward inclusive innovation in education, with an impressive equal representation of male and female founders. This balance highlights the pivotal role women are playing in revolutionizing learning in Nigeria and throughout Africa. The inventive solutions put forth by these startups aim to bridge the critical gaps in education, empowering a brighter future for…

When South Africa assumed the presidency of the Group of Twenty (G20) last year, it marked a pivotal moment for both the nation and the continent at large. The government initiated an ambitious year-long campaign, aiming not only to showcase South Africa's unique attributes but also to advocate for an African agenda on the global stage. As the world prepares for the G20 summit on November 22nd and 23rd, Johannesburg will host leaders from 19 of the largest economies, alongside representatives from the European Union and the…

In a pivotal moment for African development, Sidi Ould Tah, the former Mauritanian finance minister, has been elected as the new president of the African Development Bank (AfDB). This noteworthy achievement follows a keenly contested election held during the Board of Governors' meeting in Abidjan, where Tah triumphantly emerged victorious after three challenging rounds of voting. In the end, he garnered a remarkable 76% of the votes, signaling a robust endorsement from his peers. As the news reverberated across the…

The ambitious $31.4 million initiative spearheaded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to revitalize Lesotho's poultry industry has been abruptly terminated. This five-year endeavor, launched as part of the American Food for Progress program, aimed to cultivate a staggering 28,000 poultry enterprises across the nation, with projections to increase meat production by 40% and egg production by 30% by the year 2028. Yet, fewer than two years since its inception, the Sustainable Transformation of Enterprises…