insert_link Business / Economics Investment in African women-founded and led startups remains a bright spot in a global ecosystem drained of funding. By Conrad Onyango, via bird story agency Africa’s women-led startups retained their sparkle through 2023, against the backdrop of one of the darkest periods for global startup funding, raising US$200 million, 7% growth over the previous year, according to a report from Africa: The Big Deal. In 2022, these female-founded ventures had grown by 4%. The amount remains significantly lower than the US$ 2.7 billion raised […] todayFebruary 9, 2024 4
insert_link Africa World NTD day: What are neglected tropical diseases and how is Africa successfully eliminating them? Edith Magak, via bird story agency As the world observes the 5th annual Neglected Tropical Diseases Day on January 30, 2024, Africa’s commitment and progress in combating these devastating forgotten diseases is one of its greatest achievements. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), out of the 50 countries globally that have eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease as a public health problem, 21 are in Africa. […] todayJanuary 30, 2024 10
insert_link Business / Economics As equity deals continue to decline and volumes dry up worldwide, African startups are increasingly relying on venture debt to stay afloat. By Conrad Onyango, bird story agency In 2022, when funding from venture capitalists began to dry up in Africa, Treepz, a shared mobility startup, was faced with a difficult decision... throw in the towel or grow the business without new investors. As part of their decision to keep going, they changed their core business model. “Towards the end of 2022, we knew the funding draught would happen in Africa. We […] todayJanuary 24, 2024 3
insert_link World UN wants $4.2 billion for Ukraine aid in 2024 By Robin MILLARD Geneva, Jan 15, 2024 (AFP) - The United Nations said Monday it will need $4.2 billion to provide humanitarian aid in Ukraine in 2024, and to help millions of refugees who have fled the war-torn country. While the Gaza war has dominated headlines in recent months, Russia's war in Ukraine is set to enter its third year in February. The UN hopes to reach 8.5 million […] todayJanuary 15, 2024 4
insert_link Africa Isaac Sesi’s GrainMate moisture meter: An affordable solution for countering Food loss in Ghana’s farming communities By Sefakor Fekpe, bird story agency Isaac Sesi picks up a small bucket of maize to demonstrate the latest iteration of his moisture-measuring device. Powering the device with batteries, he presses a button. A white screen shows the types of grain to select for the test; he selects the maize category and then presses another button to take the reading. Sesi is demonstrating the latest model of the GrainMate moisture […] todayJanuary 15, 2024 14
insert_link Namibia Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr: We Should Think Creatively About Climate Financing for African Women By Kate Okorie, via bird story agency Approval and funding for the eagerly anticipated Loss and Damage Fund on the first day of the United Nations climate change conference, or COP28, in Dubai, was widely lauded. The Fund will assist developing countries battling climate crises. Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, Sierra Leonean politician and finance professional currently serving as Freetown's mayor and Co-Chair of C40 cities, called for the fund to be distributed […] todayDecember 8, 2023 12
insert_link Namibia Nedbank funds “Green Urbanists” Nedbank Namibia, through their Go Green handed over a total of N$645 000.00 to the Namibia Nature Foundation and six “Green Urbanism” projects. Recipients include the Namib Desert Environmental Education Trust, which aims to improve tertiary-level students' environmental engagement, knowledge and agency, the Urban Agriculture Training Programme, at the COSDEF Centre in Swakopmund, which will provide food security and jobs by training 60 unemployed women and youth to grow vegetables and […] todayDecember 5, 2023 3
insert_link Namibia Closing Event Marks Success of ‘Museum Outreach Programme’ in Namibia The culmination of the 'Museum Outreach Programme,' a joint initiative by the Goethe-Institut and the University of Namibia, was celebrated at the closing event held on November 17, 2023. The project, spanning 46 months, received funding from the European Union with EUR 200,000 (approximately 4 million Namibian Dollars) and the Goethe-Institut with EUR 64,000 (approximately 1.3 million Namibian Dollars). The overarching goal of the initiative was to fortify civil society […] todayNovember 21, 2023 6
insert_link Business / Economics Celebrating Excellence: Old Mutual Foundation Applauds Outstanding Student Achievements at the 2023 Namibian Scholars’ Investment Challenge The Old Mutual Foundation takes immense pride in honouring the exceptional achievements of the teams who have illuminated the investment landscape at the 2023 Namibian Scholars' Investment Challenge (NSIC). At the 2023 NSIC Awards Ceremony, the Old Mutual Foundation came together to celebrate their exceptional achievements in a competition jointly presented by the Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX) and Future Media. The NSIC, a platform for both university and secondary school […] todayNovember 2, 2023 2
Paying it forward: Kenyan coastal doctor Bashrahil Mohammed Mafudh has made it his life’s work to care for the most vulnerable in his community, at no cost.
