Economic Growth

AGOA-AfCFTA to offer a trade highway to the US until 2041

By Seth Onyango, bird story agency Forty African nations could have duty-free access to U.S. markets until 2041, as Congress considers a bipartisan bill extending the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Senators Chris Coons (D-Delaware) and James Risch (R-Idaho) tabled a revised AGOA Renewal and Improvement Act of 2024 in Congress, which now explicitly integrates it with the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). This alignment […]

15 April, 2024

Africa

Africa‘s most populous countries eye private investors to tackle housing challenge

By Conrad Onyango, bird story agency A wave of government housing policies is set to change the urban landscape across the continent, in line with a report from the African Development Bank (AfDB). “The public sector is recognizing the link between housing and economic growth, and that not only can good housing contribute to the twin goals of economic growth and poverty alleviation, but that the opposite […]

9 April, 2024

Business / Economics

Ondangwa Town Council gala dinner raises over N$500 000

The Ondangwa Town Council has raised over N$ 500 000 in cash, and pledges during the Ondangwa Trade and Industrial Exhibition gala dinner held on Saturday. Future Media's Maria Namupala reports.

8 April, 2024

Africa

Zambia’s arts and creative sector is thriving

By Bonface Orucho, bird story agency Zambia’s recent unveiling of a National Arts and Revised Film Policy is evidence of the growing interest in increasing investment and fostering the growth of the arts and creative sector. Besides committing to invest close to US$100 million in the arts and film sector between 2024 and 2028, the policy commits to improving artists' welfare in a bid to promote talent by […]

8 April, 2024

Local

Perseverance drives real estate in the coast

While celebrating their achievements and rewards for 2023 in the real estate industry at the annual Bank Windhoek Coastal Estate Agent Awards, estate agents said hard work and perseverance are essential for their business. The award ceremony took place on Friday, 5 April 2024, in Swakopmund. Estate agents and agencies received recognition from Bank Windhoek and its conveyancing partners, Dr. Werder Kauta and Hoveka CC. The estate agents’ […]

8 April, 2024

Africa

Twin rate cuts set Mozambique apart as African currency rally

By Seth Onyango, bird story agency Mozambique’s central bank has decisively cut its benchmark lending rate to 15.75% from 16.5%, setting a precedent as the first African country to slash rates twice in 2024. The move highlights Maputo’s aggressive push for economic growth amid a wider trend of cooling inflation and currency stability against the US dollar across Africa. Rate cuts in the southeastern African nation, prompted […]

8 April, 2024

Africa

Young Kenyans are not finding work: how universities can do a better job of training entrepreneurs

By Renson Muchiri Mwangi, KCA University; Judy N. Muthuri, University of Nottingham, and Mohsen Gul, University of Cambridge Kenya’s long-term development blueprint, Vision 2030, envisions an empowered youth driving economic growth. The focus on its young population (aged 15–34) is apt given that the median age of the country’s population of 55 million is around 20 years. This has led to a succession of policies and strategies […]

8 April, 2024

Entertainment

South Africa’s conservation model: why expanding the use of biodiversity to generate money is a good idea

By Hayley Clements, Stellenbosch University; Alta De Vos, Stellenbosch University, and Matthew Child, University of Pretoria South Africa’s government is calling for public comments on an updated version of its existing biodiversity economy plan. The National Biodiversity Economy Strategy aims to conserve biodiversity while also contributing to job creation and economic growth. It proposes to do this by promoting sustainable use of the country’s natural resources. The […]

5 April, 2024

Africa

Cultural wealth can drive economic growth in African cities

By Bonface Orucho, bird story agency With the right policies, African cities hold immense potential to drive significant economic growth by capitalizing on their rich cultural heritage and harnessing the creativity of their youthful populations, according to a new report. “Africa’s urban landscapes are not just repositories of heritage and tradition; they are dynamic centres of innovation, awaiting the right policies to support unlocking their full potential,” the […]

25 March, 2024