insert_link Africa Somalia-Turkey maritime deal is a win for both countries, and not a power play for the Horn of Africa By Brendon J. Cannon, Khalifa University A recent defence deal between Somalia and Turkey has great significance for Somalia and the region’s security. The agreement, which covers both land and sea, aims to enhance defence cooperation between Turkey and Somalia. It includes the possibility of Turkey providing both training and equipment for a Somali navy. Its near-term impact should, however, not be exaggerated. Instead, it should be […] todayMarch 11, 2024 27
insert_link Africa Nigeria’s ancient Ilorin city – archaeologist uncovers over 1,000 years of history By Bolaji Owoseni, University of Cambridge Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, is a Nigerian city with a long and rich history. However, much of its distant past is not well known. Archaeology is now uncovering more of this history and the relationships of Ilorin to other ancient parts of the Yoruba world. Situated in north-central Nigeria and predominantly Yoruba-speaking, Ilorin gained prominence in the late 1700s. […] todayMarch 11, 2024 8
insert_link Africa Happy smiling African children: why school tourism in Zimbabwe shouldn’t be encouraged Children will often sing and dance for visiting tourists. Pascal Deloche/GODONG Kathleen Smithers, Charles Sturt University A large, air-conditioned bus draws up outside a school. Tourists, most from Europe and the US, disembark, cameras at the ready. Some have brought gifts: packages of pens and pencils. They distribute these to the children, who spontaneously begin singing and dancing. This scene and others like it play out in schools around the […] todayMarch 11, 2024 7
insert_link Africa Africa’s renewable energy sector is shattering gender norms By Bonface Orucho, bird story agency Africa's fast-evolving renewable energy landscape is catalysing a shift in gender dynamics, with more women seizing employment opportunities than in the traditional energy sector, according to a new report. According to the report, “more women are assuming positions as business creators, energy producers, distributors, and service providers,” challenging longstanding gender norms prevalent in the energy industry. The report, “Empowering Women in Clean […] todayMarch 8, 2024 23
Africa Nigeria is the second fastest-growing country in the world for software developers, Egypt seventh Conrad Onyango, bird story agency The latest data from GitHub, a global hub for software development, has listed the two African economies - Nigeria and Egypt - as among the world’s 10 fastest-growing countries for software development in 2023. It may come as no surprise that software development is on the rise in Africa. Vibrant startup hubs across the continent have become famous, with Silicon Cape, Silicon Savannah and Silicon […] todayMarch 8, 2024 15
insert_link Africa After Ivory Coast’s thrilling AFCON 2023 can Ghana’s Africa Games 2023 shape up? By Bonface Orucho, bird story agency After the eventful, action-filled AFCON 2023 tournament in Ivory Coast that concluded last month, West Africa is now hosting another sporting extravaganza, as Ghana hosts the 13th edition of the Africa Games. This promises a month packed with athleticism, passion, and continental unity, with surge in the number of participating countries. The pan-African multi-sport event, organized under the African Union's Sports […] todayMarch 8, 2024 22
insert_link Africa Women battle when trying to take climate change cases to court – South Africa and Nigeria study shows why Pedi Obani, University of Bradford Across domestic courts in Africa, climate cases have been decided in South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya, with some cases pending in Uganda. However, climate litigation is still fairly new. Climate lawsuits are an important way to access justice. This is particularly true for African women because, as research has shown, climate change affects women more than men in key areas including farming, […] todayMarch 8, 2024 9
insert_link Africa Bobi Wine: The People’s President – a gripping Oscar-nominated film about Uganda’s fight for freedom By Julia Cain, University of Cape Town Bobi Wine is a pop star in Uganda who uses his music for political protest and social activism. Born Robert Kyagulanyi, he became a member of parliament (MP) in 2017 and has gone on to lead a popular opposition movement in the face of state violence and repression. His political journey is now the subject of a documentary. Bobi Wine: The […] todayMarch 8, 2024 16
insert_link Africa Senegal avoids power vacuum with March 24 election plan Senegal's government has announced that the country's presidential election will take place on 24 March. The announcement, the BBC reports, follows tension in the country after President Macky Sall postponed the election last month, sparking widespread protests while Bloomberg News reports that the plan to hold the vote before Sall’s mandate expires on 2 April 2024 removes the risk of a power vacuum in the West African nation. todayMarch 7, 2024 12