Africa

The ambitious billionaire Elon Musk is making waves yet again. His satellite internet venture, Starlink, is setting its sights on a hefty R2 billion investment—roughly $112.7 million—in South Africa. This investment appears to be a strategic move to navigate the complexities of the country’s Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) requirements. But what does this mean for both Starlink and the South African landscape? Starlink has openly expressed its intent to forge partnerships with local South African businesses to…

The emergence of kush, a synthetic concoction derived primarily from marshmallow leaves, marks a troubling chapter in West Africa's battle against substance abuse. First surfacing in Sierra Leone during the early 2020s, this alarming trend quickly gained traction, infiltrating neighboring nations such as Liberia, Guinea, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and Senegal. What drives this rapid proliferation? Is it the ease of production or the allure of a cheap high that beckons many into its addictive embrace? Initially, kush might…

Recent statistics from Numbeo have revealed that Ghana stands at 12th among 23 African nations grappling with a high cost of living. This data prompts us to explore not just the numbers, but the real implications these figures hold for the everyday lives of Ghanaians. The Cost of Living Index in Ghana is reported at 30.6, broken down further into specific categories: rent is measured at 12.1, while essential groceries are sitting at 33.3. Interestingly, despite the high cost of living, Ghana has recorded five…

In the dynamic landscape of Nigerian politics, the Labour Party's 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has declared his unwavering commitment to his supporters. He recently proclaimed his intention to contest against President Bola Tinubu once more in the upcoming 2027 election. Such announcements stir a mixture of hope and skepticism among the populace. Could Obi’s steadfastness transform Nigeria’s political narrative? While some might regard his promise as mere rhetoric, others see a glimmer of possibility in his…

In The Gambia, the livelihoods of countless fishermen have plummeted into a crisis that deepens daily. The declining fish stocks have painted a bleak picture, exacerbated by soaring fuel prices and the relentless presence of foreign trawlers stripping the waters of vital marine life. Fish such as sardines and bonga, once abundant and processed in local factories, have seen their fate redirected to European and Chinese markets, primarily for aquaculture feeding. This shift threatens not only local economies but also the…

The Urgent Need for Quality in Cancer Treatment Drugs: A Study’s Eye-Opening Findings In a groundbreaking study recently published in The Lancet Global Health, researchers scrutinized nearly 200 distinct cancer drug products sourced from hospitals and pharmacies across four African nations. The findings were alarming: approximately one in six of these medications exhibited incorrect levels of active ingredients. This discrepancy raises serious concerns—patients may be receiving inadequate treatment, inadvertently paving…

The spotlight shone brightly on African nations during the prestigious 2025 World Travel Awards (WTA) Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony, which took place on June 28 at the exquisite Johari Rotana Hotel in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The event served not merely as a ceremony but as a gathering point for leaders in tourism and hospitality from across the continent, all coming together to celebrate remarkable achievements in travel, destination development, and service innovation. This year, a staggering 80 award…

Aliko Dangote, renowned as Africa's wealthiest individual, recently encouraged the continent to embrace a mindset rooted in bold aspirations and long-term vision. He believes that Africa holds the potential to transform into a “heaven” in a span as brief as five years. It’s a provocative thought—what if we actually could? This question resonates with many who are eager for change and growth. During his address at the 32nd Annual Meeting of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Dangote emphasized the…

In an ambitious endeavor with the potential to reshape the energy landscape, the British clean energy company Xlinks sought to connect Morocco's abundant renewable resources with the energy needs of the UK. Picture a network of high-voltage subsea cables stretching more than 3,800 kilometers from the Guelmim-Oued Noun region of Morocco all the way to Devon, in southwest England. This project was designed to generate enough electricity to power over 7 million UK homes—representing up to 8% of the nation’s energy…

After a prolonged hiatus, Starlink—the cutting-edge satellite internet service operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX—has resumed new subscriber activations not only in Nigeria but across several other African nations. This significant development comes as a much-needed remedy for the continent's ongoing digital challenges, where connectivity can often feel like a distant dream for many. To set the stage, let’s rewind to November 2024. Starlink’s expansion efforts in Nigeria came to an abrupt halt due to capacity issues…