insert_link Africa New study pushes for protection of one of Africa’s ‘least understood treasures’ by Ryan Truscott on Mongabay Aerial view of the NGOWP team’s mekoro along the Cuando River. Image by Kostadin Luchansky/National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project. A new study reveals the extent of a tropical water tower in Angola, which performs the same role as snow-capped mountains in the Northern Hemisphere. The Angolan Highlands Water Tower contains peatlands and freshwater lakes that supply major rivers in the region, and the wildlife-rich Okavango Delta […] todayNovember 15, 2023 9
insert_link Africa bird’s TEN X SERIES: Top 10 Tallest buildings in Africa Africa’s city ecosystem is attracting billions of dollars in new projects, making them home to some of the world’s glitziest and tallest buildings. 1. The Iconic Tower, Egypt With its towering height of 385m (1266ft), the Iconic Tower is a masterpiece of contemporary architecture. Its sleek, modern design incorporates cutting-edge engineering, symbolising Egypt’s innovative approach to high-rise construction and design aesthetics. 2. Great Mosque of Algiers Tower, Algeria Standing tall […] todayNovember 15, 2023 10
insert_link Africa African nations are increasingly favouring green bonds over emissions trading to power their transition to green energy. By Conrad Onyango, bird story agency African countries are now favouring raising funds for projects that have positive climate and sustainability outcomes over emissions trading as green bond issuances soar across the continent. While legislative plans to regulate the sale of carbon credits are proliferating the continent, this race has been beset by controversies, with critics claiming it allows companies to continue polluting without reducing their emissions. Green bonds are becoming […] todayNovember 15, 2023 6
insert_link Africa Projects funded by the World Bank Group’s private sector arm fuel armed conflict – it’s time to reform the system Brian Ganson, Stellenbosch University; Anne Spencer Jamison, Copenhagen Business School, and Witold Jerzy Henisz, University of Pennsylvania To what extent does private investment help developing countries to reduce conflict and violence and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals? This is a hotly debated issue. Most international institutions such as the World Bank Group take the stance that the problem is not enough private investment. So they mobilise public resources to […] todayNovember 14, 2023 8
insert_link Africa India to Africa to the UK: Diasporas don’t influence politics in predictable ways Former UK home secretary Suella Braverman (left) with prime minister Rishi Sunak. Both are of Indian-African descent. WPA Pool/Pool Melissa Tandiwe Myambo, University of the Witwatersrand Leading politicians in the UK, including the prime minister, Rishi Sunak, are of African Indian descent. Other high profile examples include the country’s two most recent home secretaries – Priti Patel, who served from 2019 to 2022, and her successor Suella Braverman, whose tenure […] todayNovember 14, 2023 1
insert_link Africa Growing African vegetables on buildings can save space and feed cities – new study The Eco Green Wall is an example of a sustainable living wall system. Karen Botes Karen Botes, University of Pretoria As cities grow, more people need food. However, space for farming is limited in cities. Building facades can offer a solution for growing food. We asked landscape architect Karen Botes to tell us about her research – cultivating traditional African vegetables on walls. What are ‘living wall systems’ and why […] todayNovember 6, 2023 5
insert_link Africa Africa’s Fashion Sector Primed for Global Leadership By Bonface Orucho via BirdAfricaNoFilter Africa’s young, innovative, and growing population, a rising middle class, rapid urbanization, and increased government support are some of the factors fueling the African fashion sector, according to a new UNESCO report. The report, 'The Fashion Sector in Africa: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities for Growth,' unveiled on October 26 during the 13th edition of the Lagos Fashion Week, shows that “the continent holds all the cards […] todayNovember 2, 2023 14
insert_link Africa Guyana Deserves to Develop its Oil and Gas, and so does Africa At a time when both African and Caribbean nations are making great strides towards developing recently discovered oil and gas reserves, countries whose development was driven by hydrocarbons are accelerating efforts to transition to a renewable energy future. This transition has seen wealthy nations establish a ‘green agenda,’ one which does not take into consideration Africa’s economic needs. The African Energy Chamber (www.EnergyChamber.org), therefore, strongly calls for an end to […] todayNovember 2, 2023 3
insert_link Africa Some African governments are spending millions to spy on their citizens – stifling debate and damaging democracy Tony Roberts, Institute of Development Studies Governments around the world use surveillance technology to monitor external threats to national security. Some African governments are also spending vast sums on mass surveillance of their own citizens. They are using mobile phone spyware, internet interception devices, social media monitoring and biometric identity systems. Artificial intelligence for facial recognition and car number plate recognition is another digital surveillance technology in their growing toolkit. […] todayNovember 2, 2023 8