insert_link Africa Hand counting and delays in DRC elections amid fraud claims In the Democratic Republic of the Cong votes are being counted by hand in parts of the capital city, Kinshasa, in a general election marred by delays and claims of fraud. The BBC reports that for the first time since 2006, voting has been extended to a second day in some parts of the country. todayDecember 21, 2023 39
insert_link Africa Ambassador Naanda supports Africa’s bid for a UN Security Council seat Ambassador Penda Naanda, the executive director of the Ministry of International Relations led the Namibian delegation to the 10th High-Level Seminar on Peace and Security in Africa, in Oran, Algeria. Speaking at the seminar, Naanda said that Africa is ready to take a permanent seat in the council to take back the continent's power. todayDecember 21, 2023 102
insert_link Africa Mozambique: EIB Global and Moza Banco provide €20 million to grow women-led businesses The EIB Global and Moza Banco initiative, as part of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, will offer financing for small and medium-sized businesses in Mozambique, with a focus on businesses owned or run by women. Women are less likely to be able to access appropriate finance for their business, and the EIB-Moza Banco facility will address that financing gap. The project will support economic growth, […] todayDecember 21, 2023 38
insert_link Africa Cameroonian girls combat menstrual stigma through school clubs and education By Brenda Kiven, via bird story At 12 years old, a shy Wendy Musi had never heard of a menstrual cycle. The fourth child and one of two girls in a family with six boys, menstruation was simply not a topic discussed at home. Then, one day, Wendy’s world changed. When she got to school, she felt pains in her lower belly. When her French language teacher failed to […] todayDecember 21, 2023 38
insert_link Africa Gavi approves $1.8B African vaccine manufacturing accelerator for self-reliance By Bonface Orucho, bird story agency Recent approval by the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi) of a US$1.8 billion African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA), a financing instrument that will support sustainable vaccine manufacturing in Africa is being hailed as a game changer for the continent. “The targeted US$1 billion from Gavi to African manufacturers is a game changer for the continent and advances our efforts towards vaccine self-reliance,” said Jean Kaseya, Africa […] todayDecember 21, 2023 46
insert_link Africa World’s tallest wood building signals growing investor confidence in sustainable construction practices By Seth Onyango, via bird story agency Wooden buildings like the engineered timber construction planned for the world's tallest wood building in Zanzibar may only be starting to appear in cities worldwide but that is not stopping investors from betting on wood becoming a key building block in African construction. "About 200 years ago, everyone was building with timber, then it shifted to cement, steel, and stones. Now people […] todayDecember 21, 2023 58
insert_link Africa Ukraine prepares to ship grain to Nigeria Ukraine is preparing to ship 25,000 tons of grain to Nigeria. It is part of the Black Sea grain deal, an initiative set up last year to lessen a global food crisis due to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Tesem Akende reports from Jos. todayDecember 20, 2023 35
insert_link Africa DRC takes measures for transparent elections Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo have pledged that internet access will not be cut off at any point during Wednesday's elections. The announcement, according to the BBC, comes as social media users express fear of both blackouts and vote rigging. More than 40 million voters are casting their ballots on Wednesday to elect a president from 19 candidates. todayDecember 20, 2023 10
insert_link Africa The Democratic Republic of Congo votes in general election Voters in the Democratic Republic of Congo are deciding the nation's future in today’s elections, which will potentially impact the global energy transition. President Felix Tshisekedi is expected to win a second term, with a survey indicating 49.3% support, while businessman Moise Katumbi is the closest rival at 28.1%. The poll was conducted in partnership with a French Consultancy, Congolese NGO Ebuteli, and New York University’s Congo Research Group. todayDecember 20, 2023 3