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 7
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 6181
insert_link Africa MTN and Yango forge transformative partnership to empower partner drivers in Côte d’Ivoire Yango partner drivers to benefit from unlimited data packages Yango has joined forces with MTN to improve the working conditions of its partner drivers. The international ride-hailing company has teamed up with MTN, a leading telecommunications company, to offer drivers free data packages for the Yango Pro app. This collaboration represents a monumental stride in the shared vision of both organizations to innovate and elevate service offerings; underscoring MTN’s belief […] todayDecember 1, 2023 20
insert_link Africa World Health Organization (WHO), partners urge stronger action to accelerate childhood vaccination in Africa With one in five children in Africa still missing basic, life-saving vaccines, World Health Organization (WHO) and partners are calling for accelerated action to reach all children and put the continent back on track to achieve the Immunization Agenda 2030 goals towards reducing illness and deaths due to vaccine-preventable diseases. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic reversed immunization gains, with the number of zero-dose children rising by 24% in […] todayNovember 30, 2023 1
insert_link Africa Low emissions and economic survival – countries in the global south aren’t getting a fair deal By Olabisi D. Akinkugbe, Dalhousie University In 2015, more than 140 countries signed up to the goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. For countries in the global south this is a huge task. On the one hand they have committed to low emissions. On the other their economic survival depends on using resources that produce high emissions. International economic law scholar Olabisi D. Akinkugbe unpacks the issue of climate […] todayNovember 30, 2023 9
insert_link Africa Climate action for Africa in 2023: three big developments By Nicholas P. Simpson, Overseas Development Institute 2023 is highly likely to be the hottest year ever recorded. And climate change is to blame for one-quarter of the global population being exposed to dangerous levels of extreme heat. We need signs that countries are taking steps to address this. Specifically, we need climate action that helps us adapt and that cuts greenhouse gas emissions, if we want to minimise the […] todayNovember 30, 2023 4
insert_link Africa Uganda confirms anthrax outbreak Uganda's Health Ministry has confirmed an outbreak of Anthrax in the central district of Kyotera. So far the death toll has gone up to 17. Isabel Nakirya reports. todayNovember 29, 2023 19
insert_link Africa Congo’s waters are hotspot for endangered sharks & rays, reveals data from artisanal fishers By Molly Herring via Mongabay An African wedgefish (Rhynchobatus luebberti) landed by artisanal fishermen and sold in Songolo (Critically Endangered, IUCN Red List). Credit: Godefroy De Bruyne A new shark census off the coast of the Republic of the Congo relied on hard-earned trust between researchers and artisanal fishermen. The team found endangered sharks and rays on potential nursery grounds, including juveniles and two species thought to be gone from the […] todayNovember 29, 2023 27
insert_link Africa Zimbabwe emerges as global leader in blueberry exports In a noteworthy development, Zimbabwe is making strides in reclaiming its status as Africa's breadbasket, with a recent report by East Fruit Analyst highlighting a remarkable increase in blueberry exports. Contrary to prevailing challenges, this positive trend shows a potential economic turnaround for the country. According to the East Fruit Analyst report, Zimbabwe has outpaced global competitors in blueberry exports, experiencing an impressive 63% annual growth over the past five […] todayNovember 28, 2023 17