insert_link Africa The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Tshisekedi appoints new Prime Minister Democratic Republic of Congo President, Felix Tshisekedi has appointed Judith Tuluka Suminwa as the country’s next prime minister, the first female to hold the role in the world’s second-biggest copper producer. Bloomberg News reports that Suminwa was previously a minister of State for Planning, the Presidency said on X Monday. She replaces Sama Lukonde, who’s been in office since 2021. todayApril 2, 2024 2
insert_link Africa Why children are prime targets of armed groups in northern Nigeria Kola Sulaimon/AFP via Getty Images Hakeem Onapajo, Nile University of Nigeria Due to growing insecurity, Nigeria is gradually becoming one of the most dangerous places to live. The 2020 Global Terrorism Index identified the country as the third most affected by terrorism. There was a sharp increase in Boko Haram’s targeting of civilians by 25%, and killings by herdsmen increased by 26%, compared with the previous year. The two countries […] todayApril 2, 2024 7
insert_link Africa E-bikes could cut smog, energy use and congestion globally — but will they? By Charles Pekow Can simply adding an electric motor to a human-powered bicycle significantly reduce urban smog, traffic congestion and energy consumption — and even help curb climate change? Yes, but many bumps in the road must be overcome to get there. Today’s electric bicycles come in a range of two-wheeled e-bikes and three-wheeled e-trikes, varieties to meet consumer and business needs, with many millions already sold. The […] todayApril 2, 2024 7
insert_link Africa Making short films is a powerful way to learn job skills: 5 ways it prepares students for work Making short films can change the way people learn. ASphotowed/iStock/Getty Plus By Wendy Smidt, Cape Peninsula University of Technology and Zayd Waghid, Cape Peninsula University of Technology The world of work is changing all the time. Technology is driving innovation and productivity, leading to the creation of new industries and employment opportunities. This means people need new skills to meet the demands of an ever-changing economy. While […] todayApril 2, 2024 5
insert_link Africa The Gambia may allow female genital mutilation again – another sign of a global trend eroding women’s rights By Satang Nabaneh, University of Dayton The Gambia’s ban on female genital mutilation (FGM) since 2015 is under threat. Proposed changes before parliament could permit medicalised female genital cutting and allow it for consenting adults. This potential reversal has thrust the country into the global spotlight as the latest example of the backlash against gender equality. The Gambia’s criminalisation of FGM was not the first in west […] todayApril 2, 2024 8
insert_link Africa Cost of living relief on the cards as Kenya, Nigeria currencies gain ground By Conrad Onyango, bird story agency Squeezed by painfully high prices for over a year, households in Kenya and Nigeria are beginning to get some relief as their national currencies strengthen against the US dollar and the cost of living starts to come down. In 2023, the shilling and naira were ranked among the worst-performing currencies in the world, according to data from Bloomberg and World Currency […] todayApril 2, 2024 10
insert_link Africa Locals slam Zimbabwe for turning a blind eye to Chinese miner’s violations By Tatenda Chitadu At the end of November last year, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Sinomine Resource Group chair Wang Pingwei walked into a lithium processing plant, construction hats firmly on. With a crowd of policymakers, company workers and press looking on, they hailed the mining group’s $300 million investment into processing plants. The facilities will process the ore that the company unearths at its Bikita mine and […] todayApril 2, 2024 12
Africa Somalia plugs 5G into its economic rebound By Seth Onyango, bird story agency Somalia has received its first 5G installation, cranking up a series of reforms to revamp its economy after joining the East Africa Community (EAC). Hormuud Telecom Somalia Inc., its largest telco, rolled out faster internet speeds last month, signalling budding growth in the country's digital services industry. "As Somalia strides towards stability, the launch of 5G services by Hormuud Telecom emerges as […] todayApril 2, 2024 8
insert_link Africa Africa begins licensing crypto as verified transactions hit US $117 billion By Conrad Onyango, bird story agency Regulators in Africa are taking steps to bring crypto entities under official oversight as treasuries seek to blunt fiscal risks amid a surge in demand for digital assets. Authorities in South Africa and Nigeria, the continent's most 'crypto-ready' countries, are leading the continent's efforts to place crypto dealers under a licensing regime to protect consumers against money laundering and terrorism-related risks. […] todayApril 2, 2024 9
