insert_link Africa New e-mobility policies are pushing EV fleet expansions in Africa By Bonface Orucho, bird story agency African countries are welcoming a new era of more robust e-mobility policies as countries seek to scale their electric vehicle (EV) fleets after successful tests and pilots. According to Lusanda Madikizela, the head of Zero Emission Transport at C40 Cities in South Africa, better policies provide confidence for investors, manufacturers and operators. “Manufacturers need policy certainty so they can adjust specifications... financiers […] todayApril 16, 2024 72
insert_link Africa Africa’s wildebeest: those that can’t migrate are becoming genetically weaker – new study By Joseph Ogutu, University of Hohenheim Wildebeest – large African antelopes with distinctively curved horns – are famous for their great migrations on the grasslands of eastern and southern Africa. One hundred and fifty years ago, they migrated in huge numbers across the continent, in search of grazing and water and to find suitable areas for calving. Migration is crucial to sustain their large populations. But their […] todayApril 15, 2024 68
insert_link Africa Local manufacturing of drones is on the rise in Africa By Bonface Orucho, bird story agency Rising demand for unmanned aerial vehicles used in various commercial applications is fueling the growth of the local drone manufacturing industry as startups and governments ramp up production within the continent. Following South Africa's successful test flight of the Milkor 380, a groundbreaking unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capable of carrying up to 1300 kilograms among other unique capabilities, the landscape is […] todayApril 11, 2024 21
insert_link Environment Fossil beetles found in a Botswana diamond mine help us to reconstruct the distant past By Sandiso Mnguni, University of the Witwatersrand When most people think of fossils they probably picture bones. But there’s much more to the global fossil record: plants, shells, minerals and insects. The study of fossil insects is called palaeoentomology. Palaeoentomologists like myself seek out and study fossil insects that were trapped in mud which later became rock sediments, and those found in amber (tree resin). Very few deposits […] todayApril 11, 2024 22
insert_link Africa More African founders secure $1M+ Funding in new trend By Seth Onyango, bird story agency Start-ups in Africa are increasingly hauling in US$1 million or more in funding, even as the investment climate on the continent cools off. Data from Africa: The Big Deal, shows ventures raising over US$1 million thrive due to their bankability, suggesting a selective but keen interest from investors amidst a cautious investment backdrop. "While the amount raised quarterly is […] todayApril 10, 2024 7
insert_link Africa Interstate deals fuel drive for African single roaming regime Seth Onyango, bird story agency Growing interstate deals to end roaming fees are boosting efforts for a unified roaming regime in Africa, essential for a connected digital market. Benin and Ghana are the latest African countries to slash communication costs for their citizens roaming between the two countries. The new rates apply from July 1 and align with a protocol introduced by the ECOWAS region in March […] todayApril 10, 2024 8
insert_link World Jihadism in Mozambique: southern African forces are leaving with mixed results By Thomas Mandrup, Stellenbosch University The Southern African Development Community (SADC) military mission in Mozambique (Samim), which was deployed on 15 July 2021 to fight the Islamic insurgents terrorising the northern Cabo Delgado province since 2017, is scheduled to end by June 2024. Mozambican security forces will then take full responsibility for security. We asked military science and defence expert Thomas Mandrup, who has published a paper […] todayApril 8, 2024 19
insert_link Africa Africans showcase the continent’s athletic supremacy at the World Cross-Country Championships By Stephen Granger, SPNA If you want to get a sense of the level to which African runners dominate distance running right now, look no further than the World Athletics Cross Country Championships, held this year in Belgrade, Serbia. From Kenya to South Africa, Uganda to Ethiopia, different cross-country athletes from the continent recorded remarkable performances. Formerly known as the International Cross Country Championships, the annual event […] todayApril 8, 2024 19
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 13