insert_link Africa Nigeria Agrees on New Minimum Wage Amid Cost of Living Crisis As per Reuters, Nigeria's main labor unions agreed on a new minimum wage of US$44 a month on Thursday after talks with the government, ending months of deadlock and the threat of strikes. Africa's most populous nation is grappling with the worst cost of living crisis in a generation, stoking fears of protests similar to those in Kenya. Nigeria's two biggest union federations, the Nigerian Labour Congress and the […] today19 July, 2024
insert_link Africa Windhoek ranks 7th in Africa for high crime rates According to the latest crime index statistics by Numbeo, Namibia has the sixth-highest crime index in Africa as of mid-2024, with a score of 63.7. Windhoek ranks as the seventh highest city on the continent with a crime index of 67.6. Socio-economic challenges such as unemployment, inflation, and high living costs, combined with poverty and economic inequality, have contributed to the high crime rate. Meanwhile, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo, the […] today18 July, 2024
insert_link Africa ZAPU skeptical of Zimbabwe Government’s role in Gukurahundi hearings The Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU) is skeptical of the government's involvement in the ongoing Gukurahundi hearings, citing concerns about transparency and impartiality. In a statement to Future Media, ZAPU spokesperson, Brian Ncube expressed reservations, pointing out the historical implications of current leaders in the atrocities under review. "As ZAPU, we view the government's role in the Gukurahundi hearings with skepticism," said Ncube. "We have consistently advocated for justice for […] today18 July, 2024
insert_link Africa 7th SADC Industrialisation week to be held in Harare The 7th SADC Industrialisation Week, aimed at driving regional economic growth, is scheduled for 28 July to 2 August 2024 in Harare, Zimbabwe. This public-private engagement platform aims to foster new opportunities for intra-African trade, develop cross-border value chains, and identify investment prospects across Southern Africa. Elijah Mukubonda, spokesperson for the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade. today18 July, 2024
insert_link Africa UN urges Central Africa to protect human rights in prison The United Nations has called on authorities in the Central African Republic to guarantee human rights in prisons, where torture and malnutrition are common, said a report published Thursday. Thousands of prisoners are currently being held in overcrowded places of detention across the country, with limited access to food, water, sanitation and basic healthcare, said the report. Some had been in pre-trial detention for nearly six years, the […] today18 July, 2024
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 […] today18 July, 2024
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 […] today18 July, 2024
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 […] today18 July, 2024
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 […] today18 July, 2024
