insert_link Africa Africa’s 5G rollout gains speed By Bonface Orucho, via bird story agency Months after Egypt awarded its first 5G license to Telecom Egypt in a 15-year deal, the operator has partnered with Nokia to accelerate the rollout and deployment of 5G technology across the country. A statement from Telecom Egypt on July 15 described the partnership as one that would “revolutionize the country’s telecom landscape by introducing the transformative power of […] todayJuly 18, 2024 22
Africa East Africa grows its Space opportunity By Conrad Onyango, bird story agency A futuristic solar-powered plane designed to fly between 60,000 and 80,000 feet above the earth, beyond regulated airspace, is set to take off in Kenya, adding to a growing number of high-altitude and space projects in East Africa. Aalto, a startup spun out by passenger aircraft giant Airbus in 2023, manufactures the solar-electric Zephyr HAPS aircraft and has indicated it will soon […] todayJuly 18, 2024 15
insert_link Africa How militia groups capture states and ruin countries: the case of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces By Federico Manfredi Firmian, Sciences Po The rise of Sudan’s most notorious paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces, shows how armed groups can infiltrate state institutions – often with disastrous results for society. Sudan’s central government created the Rapid Support Forces in 2013 as dictator Omar al-Bashir’s private protection detail. The group has now become a predator seeking to gain control of Sudan. Sudan’s war […] todayJuly 18, 2024 6
insert_link Africa Military spending in DRC and South Sudan rose fastest in the world: society ends up paying the price By Nan Tian, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute Global military expenditure is dominated by the United States and China, with 49% of total spending between them. According to the most recent report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, global military spending reached US$2.4 trillion in 2023, a 6.8% increase on 2022. Africa’s military expenditure is comparatively low. In 2023, African countries spent a total […] todayJuly 18, 2024 7
insert_link Africa Zimbabwe Commits to Backing New Currency with Reserves Zimbabwe's central bank governor reassured Reuters on Wednesday that the government remains committed to backing its new currency, called Zimbabwe Gold or ZiG, with reserves. This commitment, he stated, aims to build trust among the population. ZiG marks Zimbabwe's sixth attempt at a local currency in 15 years, launched in April following periods of hyperinflation under former leader Robert Mugabe. todayJuly 18, 2024 13
insert_link Africa TotalEnergies Sells Minority Stake in Nigerian Onshore Oil JV for $860 Million TotalEnergies has sold its 10% stake in the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited to Mauritius-based Chappal Energies for $860 million says Reuters. CEO Patrick Pouyanne announced in February that TotalEnergies planned to exit the venture due to numerous oil spills caused by theft, sabotage, and operational issues, which resulted in costly repairs and high-profile lawsuits. todayJuly 18, 2024 9
insert_link Africa Namibia denies visa extension for King of Buganda In a surprising turn of events, the government has declined the visa extension request for Ronald Mutebi II, the King of the Buganda tribe of Uganda. King Mutebi, who travelled to Namibia for medical treatment in April, will not be allowed to extend his stay beyond the maximum 90 days set by the Immigration Control Act of 1993, as confirmed by Penda Naanda, the Executive Director of the Ministry of […] todayJuly 17, 2024 29
insert_link Africa ‘Extinct’ trees found in Tanzania sparks hope for ecosystem recovery Conservationists in eastern Tanzania have found two specimens of a rare tree feared to be extinct. Millettia sacleuxii was only known from six specimens in forest reserves that have almost disappeared. Thousands of seeds have been collected and seedlings raised, and these are due to be planted out as part of a reforestation project in the Nguru Mountains. The two surviving Millettia “mother trees” were found near an area that […] todayJuly 17, 2024 28
insert_link Africa Kenya protests show citizens don’t trust government with their tax money: can Ruto make a meaningful new deal? By Eric Magale, University of Pretoria and Mario Schmidt, Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology Each year, the Kenyan government tables a finance bill outlining measures for funding the national budget. In the past, these bills have scarcely attracted public attention. This changed dramatically in 2023, with President William Ruto’s first budget following his election victory the year before. Ruto inherited an economy battling […] todayJuly 17, 2024 31
