Recurrent shocks, including a prolonged 2020/23 drought, disrupted Somalia's growth, devastating crops, livestock, and exports. Many fled their homes in search of food and water. The severe drought, coupled with global commodity price surges, intensified inflation, hampering household consumption. Consequently, GDP growth slowed to 2.4% in 2022 from 3.3% the previous year. Somalia’s economic outlook is improving as effects of these shocks wane, but it remains subject to significant risks. […]

Philippine culture was on full display during the event organized by the Philippine Embassy in Pretoria to mark the 30 years of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and South Africa. As a fitting tribute to the countries’ diplomatic milestone, Philippine dance troupe KALOOB Philippine Music and Dance Ministry performed on 26 November 2023 at the University of Pretoria’s Aula Theatre. The event was attended by over 700 guests from the […]

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) calls for an immediate end to the fighting in and around Kai Gai, near Leer town in Unity State. The Mission takes note of reported attacks early on 28 November by pro-government forces and armed youth against a base operated by the Sudan People's Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLM-IO). UNMISS can confirm that thousands of civilians have fled from the affected areas […]

A new cholera outbreak in Ethiopia’s Somali region is exacerbating suffering for thousands of children and families recently displaced by floods, with 772[1] confirmed cases and 23 deaths from the deadly disease recorded in just two weeks, Save the Children said. In the worst hit district of Kelafo in the Somali region, Save the Children teams are reporting a huge spike in cholera cases among children under five, who account for […]

Deadly torrential rains and floods have affected more than two million people in several areas of Somalia, with over 100 killed and 750,000 displaced from their homes, the authorities and humanitarian partners said on Thursday in the capital, Mogadishu.   The crisis began with the start of the deyr rainy season in October and comes six months after the country emerged from a historic drought that brought it to the brink of widespread […]

H.E. Maktoum Bin Butti Al Maktoum Director of MOFA Dubai Office met with H.E. Mahamat Maouloud Izzadine, Consul General of Chad in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, and received his credentials. Maktoum welcomed the Consul General and hailed the political, economic, commercial and investment relations that bind the two friendly countries, wishing him success in his duties.Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs&International […]

AI deep learning model to monitor tree health, long-term survival and carbon sequestration; Commitment to plant and maintain up to six million trees in Kenya in support of climate action, human health and community resilience. As part of its flagship AZ Forest programme, AstraZeneca has made a pledge to plant up to six million trees in western Kenya. The new project, announced at COP28, builds on the company’s recently expanded […]

Amini (https://Amini.AI), a Nairobi-based climate tech startup focused on solving Africa’s environmental data gap through artificial intelligence and satellite technology, has raised $4 million in a seed funding round. The round was led by Salesforce Ventures (https://apo-opa.co/3T5hoW9), Salesforce's global investment arm, and Female Founders Fund (https://FemaleFoundersFund.com), a seed stage venture fund that invests exclusively in female-founded companies. Amini’s successful raise follows a $2 million pre-seed funding round that closed in […]

The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) approved the Country Strategy Paper (CSP) 2023-2028 for Malawi on 16 November 2023. The strategy focuses on two priority areas: improving economic infrastructure to develop the industrial sector by investing in energy, transport, water, sanitation, and hygiene, and supporting economic diversification through investments in agriculture value chains. “The primary objective of the CSP 2023-2028 is to promote inclusive and […]