East Africa grows its Space opportunity

By Conrad Onyango, bird story agency A futuristic solar-powered plane designed to fly between 60,000 and 80,000 feet above the earth, beyond regulated airspace, is set to take off in Kenya, adding to a growing number of high-altitude and space projects in East Africa. Aalto, a startup spun out by passenger aircraft giant Airbus in 2023, manufactures the solar-electric Zephyr HAPS aircraft and has indicated it will soon […]

July 18, 2024 17

Africa

How militia groups capture states and ruin countries: the case of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces

By Federico Manfredi Firmian, Sciences Po The rise of Sudan’s most notorious paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces, shows how armed groups can infiltrate state institutions – often with disastrous results for society. Sudan’s central government created the Rapid Support Forces in 2013 as dictator Omar al-Bashir’s private protection detail. The group has now become a predator seeking to gain control of Sudan. Sudan’s war […]

July 18, 2024 7

World

Joe Biden has COVID. Here’s what someone over 80 can expect

By Hassan Vally, Deakin University If US politics leading up to the 2024 presidential election was a Hollywood thriller, it would be a movie full of plot twists and surprises. The latest twist is President Joe Biden has COVID and is isolating at home. Biden’s doctor says his symptoms are mild and include a runny nose, cough and generally feeling unwell. His temperature, oxygen […]

July 18, 2024 14

Business / Economics

Another big splash for China in water contracts

This story is republished with permission from The Tender Bulletin NamWater has awarded a tender for the construction of the Outapi water treatment works extension and upgrade to China Jiangxi International in joint venture with Homefin Properties for N$112-m, two months after the same partnership landed a N$91-m contract for the construction of Ondangwa – Oshali water pipeline. The Outapi water treatment construction contract was awarded directly by […]

July 17, 2024 89

Science & Technology

Corruption hurts businesses but digital tools offer the hope of fighting it, say manufacturers in Ghana and Nigeria

Just_Super By Samuel Adomako, University of Birmingham; Joseph Amankwah-Amoah, Durham University; Shlomo Tarba, University of Birmingham, and Zaheer Khan, University of Aberdeen Technology has changed the way the world does business. Mobile and digital payment platforms, blockchain, cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) tools have all driven innovations in recent years. They allow businesses of all sizes to become more efficient and reach new markets. For […]

July 17, 2024 21

South Africa

South Africa’s 400 parliamentarians are about to get down to business: 4 essential reads

By Caroline Southey, The Conversation; Jabulani Sikhakhane, The Conversation, and Thabo Leshilo, The Conversation On 29 May 2024 South Africans went to the polls and delivered a strong message to their political leaders: we’re tired of the “same old same old”. They slashed the governing African National Congress’s share of the vote to just over 40%. And put their crosses next to a host of […]

July 17, 2024 18

South Africa

South Africa’s new parliament needs to do a better job of holding cabinet to account: legal scholar weighs the chances

By Hugh Corder, University of Cape Town South Africa has entered new territory with a government of national unity after the May elections. The parties representing more than 70% of the electorate will now be the dominant force in parliament. The parties that are not part of the unity government will doubtless continue to demand accountability by the executive. A particular challenge arises, however, for […]

July 17, 2024 13

Africa

Suicide bombings in Nigeria: tactic is back after a four-year break – security researcher offers 3 possible reasons

By Al Chukwuma Okoli, Federal University Lafia Nigeria’s first suicide bombing since 2020 took place in June 2024 with four coordinated attacks that killed at least 30 people. The attacks took place in Gwoza, a town in Borno State, north-east Nigeria. Gwoza was once the seat of the Islamic Caliphate declared by Boko Haram insurgents in 2014. Boko Haram is an extremist sect which aims for […]

July 16, 2024 18

Africa

Kenya’s digital divide: pastoralists are key to the country’s economy, but they’re being left behind

By Job Mwaura, University of the Witwatersrand Information and communication technologies (ICTs) hold great potential to expand African economies. They include mobile banking platforms, internet-enabled communication devices and e-government services. All of these can enhance financial inclusion and improve services for citizens. Kenya’s mobile money transfer platform, M-Pesa, for instance, has given millions of people access to banking services. And Rwanda’s e-government platform has […]

July 16, 2024 27

Contributed