insert_link Africa Africa inches closer to manufacturing anti-HIV rings By Conrad Onyango, bird story agency After approval for the use of vaginal rings by nearly a dozen countries, Africa is inching closer to local manufacturing of the world’s first fully woman-controlled HIV prevention device. South Africa will be the first country on the continent to make and distribute the dapivirine vaginal ring (DVR) following a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between South Africa’s pharmaceutical manufacturer and medtech company, Kiara Health, […] todayDecember 4, 2023 17
insert_link Africa Dr. Imtiaz Sooliman emerges 2023 Daily Trust African of the Year Dr. Imtiaz Sooliman, a South African altruist, has emerged as the 2023 Daily Trust African of the Year. Dr. Sooliman, a medical doctor who gave up his career to pursue the field of humanitarian aid, which for him transcends the boundaries of race, religion, culture, class and geography, was chosen out of nine finalists drawn from a list of 736 nominations received at the end of the first phase of […] todayDecember 4, 2023 12
insert_link Africa Unveiling environmental activism: Ina-Marie Shikongo’s artistic resistance against threats to the Okavango Delta By Kate Okorie, via Bird Story Agency "This piece is for Ken Saro-Wiwa," said Ina-Marie Shikongo, pointing to a textile collage shaped like an inverted dome hanging above the grey sofa where she was seated, surrounded by other artwork referencing the earth's warming climate. In a world often muted by diplomacy, Shikongo stands out as a defiant burst of unapologetic activism. Since 2020, the Namibian climate activist has used her […] todayDecember 4, 2023 32
insert_link Africa Women’s Rights’ Coalition issues a strong appeal to African Governments for swift action against continued women’s rights violations In a firm and unequivocal declaration, the SOAWR Coalition, a consortium of over 70 women's rights organizations in 33 African countries dedicated to advocating for women’s rights in Africa, launched a Call for Action and Accountability in harmony with the objectives of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. The Coalition expresses profound concern about the delayed realization of the promise of gender equality made to African women and girls by the AU […] todayDecember 4, 2023 9
insert_link Africa Missla Libsekal: A global ambassador bridging cultures through African contemporary art By Esther Musembi and Fiske Nyirongo, via bird story agency Dressed in two shades of black and flipping through Kenyan writer Binyavanga Wainaina’s How To Write About Africa; Ethiopian writer, curator, researcher and activist Missla Libsekal was in her element as she took a break from her work on Art X Lagos, one of the continent's premier art events. "These kinds of events offer Africans on the continent and in […] todayDecember 4, 2023 5
insert_link Africa African countries lost control to foreign mining companies – the 3 steps that allowed this to happen By Ben Radley, University of Bath Within a few years of independence, African governments asserted sovereignty over their metal and mineral resources. Prior to this, the resources were exploited by European mining corporations. Since the 1990s, transnational corporations have once again become the dominant force as owners and managers of major mining projects. Ben Radley has researched economic transformation in central Africa, with a particular focus on resource-based industrialisation. He […] todayDecember 4, 2023 9
insert_link Africa Ghana wants to restrict imports on 22 products – an economist explains how, why and what else must be done By Adu Owusu Sarkodie, University of Ghana Ghana’s Ministry of Trade and Industry has tabled in parliament a proposed ban or restrictions on imports of certain goods, including rice, sugar, poultry, fruit juices and animal intestines (tripe). The proposed legislation empowers the trade minister to issue licences to potential importers of goods. Critics of the policy say it will give too much power to the minister and create room for […] todayDecember 1, 2023 5
insert_link Africa Zambia’s foreign debt tragedy – what needs to happen to resolve the crisis By Danny Bradlow, University of Pretoria Three years after defaulting on its foreign debt, Zambia is still trying to reach agreement with all its creditors on how to manage this situation. This has left the southern African country in a state of development finance limbo. It is handicapped in raising the funds needed to generate jobs, build infrastructure, provide health, education and social services and deal with climate change. Its president, […] todayDecember 1, 2023 5
insert_link Africa Paying it forward: Kenyan coastal doctor Bashrahil Mohammed Mafudh has made it his life’s work to care for the most vulnerable in his community, at no cost. By Velma Pamela via bird story agency The first thing that the new arrivals at Kairat Medical Centre receive is breakfast. “We start by giving them Uji because most of them have travelled a long distance and haven't had breakfast, so they need the energy,” explained Amina Omar, project manager at a groundbreaking medical scheme hosted by the medical centre. The other thing the new arrivals tend to notice is […] todayDecember 1, 2023 6101
