funding

Mogadishu (AX) — The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has sounded the alarm, urgently calling for the rapid deployment of an additional 8,000 peacekeepers. This plea is made against the backdrop of escalating Al-Shabaab attacks, which have cast a long shadow over years of stabilization efforts in Somalia. The situation is becoming increasingly precarious, jeopardizing the hard-earned progress of the nation. During a ministerial meeting held in Kampala on Thursday, IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu…

World Malaria Day, commemorated annually on April 25, serves as a poignant reminder of the pressing need for ongoing political commitment and investment in malaria prevention and control. This is especially critical in Africa, a region that accounts for a staggering 94% of global malaria cases and deaths. Just consider this: while we navigate the complexities of modern healthcare, one ill-defined mosquito continues its reign as a leading enemy to children and mothers, and indeed, entire communities. Recently, Uganda marked…

Mogadishu (AX) — The recent decision by the United States to abstain from a pivotal UN Security Council resolution has raised significant concerns regarding the future of the African Union’s Security Operations in Somalia (AUSSOM). As we approach a crucial vote in May concerning the mission’s funding, a sense of uncertainty permeates discussions surrounding the support, effectiveness, and overall strategy of AUSSOM in its mission to stabilize Somalia. At the heart of the U.S. abstention are serious reservations about the…

The Road Ahead: Kenya's Strategic Financing for Infrastructure Development In the bustling heart of Nairobi, in the shadow of the Kibera slums, children chase after a well-worn soccer ball, their laughter punctuating the air as they play on makeshift fields. Just a stone's throw away, the complexities of national infrastructure challenges loom large, but against this backdrop, hope and determination persist. This juxtaposition of joy and struggle symbolizes the broader narrative that is unfolding across Kenya. As of…

Sanctions on Al-Shabaab Operatives: US and Gulf States' Joint Offensive WASHINGTON - In a collaborative stride against terror financing, seven countries under the banner of the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center (TFTC) have sanctioned 15 operatives of the infamous group, Al-Shabaab, in Somalia. These individuals, now exposed as key players in sustaining Al-Shabaab financially, have been under scrutiny for several years. Why is this significant? Well, these operatives are integral in not just financially…

Harvard Takes a Stand: Rejecting Federal Demands and Facing Financial Fallout When hundreds of protesters filled the streets last week, their message was unequivocal: Harvard University must reject the Trump Administration's recent demands. The atmosphere was electric—a sea of impassioned students and faculty condemning what they viewed as unprecedented government intrusion into academic life. Little did they know, their university's courageous stand would provoke immediate, dramatic consequences. On Monday, just hours…

Africa Re partners with NEMA to Champion Disaster Risk Financing and Insurance in Abuja Workshop On a bright Wednesday morning in Abuja, something significant unfolded. Over seventy key stakeholders, including seasoned government officials, forward-thinking insurance experts, and dedicated development partners, gathered in one room. Their common goal: to fundamentally reshape Nigeria’s approach to disaster preparedness, mitigation, and response through strategic disaster financing and the active integration of insurance.…

U.S. and Partners Crack Down on Al-Shabaab’s Financial Operations with New Sanctions In a fresh effort to curtail the ongoing threat from Al-Shabaab, the United States, in coordination with the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center (TFTC), recently imposed sanctions against key operatives integral to the group's financial and operational structures. While such moves are hardly new, this latest action emphasizes the growing urgency felt by international partners to disrupt Al-Shabaab's extensive financial networks. Have…

In today's fast-paced world, where business is continuously evolving, cash remains a significant force in South Africa. However, it's not just about the coins and notes you hold in your hand. The landscape of financing is lush with an array of options ripe for the picking. Have you ever considered the plethora of government grants that are just waiting for innovative businesses to apply? Not to mention, the digital loan ecosystem is expanding, making the process of securing a business loan in South Africa a more accessible…

Imagine this: you are an aspiring entrepreneur in South Africa, armed with a groundbreaking idea but lacking the necessary funds to lift your dream off the ground. The quest to secure financing brings you face-to-face with a longstanding barrier—conventional banks. According to McKinsey, some banks hold onto antiquated requirements. They insist that SMEs must have an existing relationship, either through lending or transactional banking, to even think about funding. Inevitably, this leaves newly minted businesses out in…