Livelihoods at stake as Lake Victoria’s papyrus swamps come under pressure: Photos

Livelihoods at stake as Lake Victoria’s papyrus swamps come under pressure: Photos

By Patrick Newcombe, via MongaBay The papyrus swamps at the edges of Lake Victoria in East Africa have for generations provided a livelihood to communities living here. While some harvest reeds to make into mats, baskets, and handicrafts, others catch the plentiful fish that nurse in the shelter of the reedbeds. The swamps are also home to birds that have become specialized to live amidst the papyrus reeds in a […]

February 7, 2024 35

Africa

Sall throws Senegal’s democratic credentials into doubt

By Douglas Yates, American Graduate School in Paris (AGS) Senegal’s President Macky Sall announced in early February that presidential elections, originally scheduled for 25 February, would be postponed indefinitely. The announcement has raised fears of popular protests, violent repression, a once democratic president transforming into an authoritarian ruler – and possibly even another coup d’état in west Africa. There has been a flurry of coups in the region […]

February 7, 2024 17

Africa

Women fishers in Makoko, Lagos’s ‘floating slum’, are struggling as breadwinners: education and funding would make a difference

Makoko women fish traders waiting to buy fish from fishermen. Yasuyoshi Chiba / AFP / Getty Images Ayodele Oloko, University of British Columbia Makoko, a coastal fishing community in Lagos, Nigeria, was established by fishermen in the 19th century. It is considered the world’s largest “floating slum”. There are conflicting figures about its population but it is home to about a million inhabitants living in poor and informal housing built […]

February 7, 2024 8

Africa

Africa’s billionaire club hits $82.4 billion

Aliko Dangote from Nigeria is Africa's richest person for the 13th year in a row, says Forbes magazine. Even though Nigeria's economy is struggling, Dangote's wealth went up by $400 million last year to $13.9 billion. The Forbes list has 20 billionaires from Africa, worth a total of $82.4 billion. According to the BBC, South Africa, and Egypt have the most billionaires on the list. Johann Rupert from South Africa […]

February 6, 2024 151

Africa

World Bank investigates Tanzanian tourism project allegations

The World Bank says is investigating allegations of human rights violations committed by Tanzanian authorities during the implementation of a $150 million tourism resource management project. Daniel Kijo reports.

February 6, 2024 38

Africa

Senegal postpones elections

There's an uneasy calm in Senegal after opposition protesters clashed with police outside the National Assembly after lawmakers passed a contentious bill to extend President Macky Sall's tenure and delay the elections after he called off a planned election with just three weeks to go. Nabil Ahmed Rufai reports from Accra.

February 6, 2024 11

Africa

‘Made in Africa’ gets a boost as cross-border trade gathers pace

By Conrad Onyango, via bird story agency African leaders are beginning a push for increased consumer consciousness of ‘Made in Africa’ products as cross-border trade opens new opportunities for economic growth. Inaugurating South Africa’s first trade shipments under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), President Cyril Ramaphosa urged over 12 African trade ministers attending the 13th AfCFTA Council of Ministers meeting in Durban, to bolden their push […]

February 6, 2024 15

Africa

2024 U.S.-Africa Business Summit: Partnering for sustainable success; celebrating MCC’s 20 years of poverty-reducing development

The Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) is proud to announce that the 2024 U.S.-Africa Business Summit will take place in Dallas, Texas May 6-9, 2024, with the theme "U.S.-Africa Business: Partnering for Sustainable Success." CCA’s signature event, the U.S.-Africa Business Summit, is the premier platform focused on U.S.-Africa trade, investment, and commercial engagement that annually brings together African Heads of Government, Senior U.S. and African Government Officials, and […]

February 6, 2024 28

Africa

bird TenX: Africa’s 10 busiest airports based on total passenger traffic

By Seth Onyango, via bird story agency 1. Cairo International Airport (Egypt) – 20m Cairo International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Egypt and serves as the primary hub for EgyptAir, Nile Air, and several other airlines. The airport has four terminals, one of which is dedicated to seasonal Hajj flights. The airport is located about 15 km from the city centre and offers various […]

February 6, 2024 6