Africa Africa plays big in a list of top global startup ‘ecosystem contenders’ By Conrad Onyango, bird story agency Africa has the potential to almost double its representation in a prestigious ranking of the world's top 100 startup hubs as cities from its unranked countries control the list of top contenders to watch out for, according to a global index. Currently, only 13 African countries feature in the Startup Blink’s Startup Ecosystem Report 2024, in a list […] todayJune 17, 2024 9
insert_link Africa France reducing military presence in West, Central Africa to 600 troops: sources By Daphné BENOIT France is planning to reduce its military presence in West and Central Africa to around 600 troops in line with President Emmanuel Macron's plans to limit the French military footprint in the region, three sources told AFP. In February 2023, Macron announced "noticeable reduction" of French troop presence in Africa, as anti-French sentiment is running high in some former colonies and countries […] todayJune 17, 2024 8
insert_link Uncategorized Africa’s stadium boom can be used to build prosperity beyond sports By Bonface Orucho, bird story agency Africa continues to strategically fortify its sports infrastructure, especially stadiums, not only to nurture its abundant talent but also to harness the lucrative economic potential of the sector. Morocco is currently on track with the development of a massive 115,000-seater stadium as it prepares to host the 2030 World Cup, jointly with Spain and Portugal. Last month, the country’s National Agency for […] todayApril 8, 2024 5
insert_link Business / Economics Namibia may tap its trillion dollar oil & gas windfall to fuel renewables ambitions. By Bonface Orucho, bird story agency Namibia has been advancing extensive oil and gas exploration, and making substantial discoveries. Portuguese oil and gas company recently announced another discovery of “a significant column” of light oil in high-quality reservoirs. A press statement from Galp on March 15, confirmed the find at the Mopane-2X well in the larger Orange Basin, off the Namibian Coast, adding to its oil discovery […] todayMarch 20, 2024 19
Africa Wet weather and disease hit African cocoa farmers, push up prices Cocoa farmers across West Africa are monitoring the progress of several plant diseases that are ruining crops on a vast scale and pushing up the global price of cacao, the raw material for making chocolate, to record levels. Ivory Coast and its neighbour Ghana, together supply more than half of the world’s demand for cocoa. On his farm, 250 km northwest of Ivory Coast's commercial capital Abidjan, Olivier Gnakomene realised […] todayMarch 6, 2024 11
insert_link Africa Ivory Coast President pardons dozens jailed for treason Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara has pardoned and ordered the release of 51 people convicted of treason and other state security charges. The beneficiaries of the presidential clemency include military and civilian figures convicted of offenses committed during the post-electoral crisis and for endangering state security. Among those pardoned are General Dogbo Blé Brunot and Koné Kamaraté Souleymane. Souleymane was Guillaume Soro's head of protocol when he served as Prime Minister […] todayFebruary 24, 2024 8
insert_link Africa Former Banyana Banyana captain scores major first at AFCON 2023 By Joel Omotto, bird story agency At the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), there has been a distinct female voice in the commentary box. For those who don't know, it's the voice of Amanda Dlamini, the former South African football national team captain and the first woman to commentate a game at the men’s AFCON. In yet another major score for women at this tournament, Dlamini’s […] todayFebruary 8, 2024 6
insert_link Africa U.S. remains committed to Africa US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has begun a four-nation tour of the continent in Cape Verde. Blinken will also be going to Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Angola. The AFP news agency reports that he told his audience in Cape Verde that “we are all in when it comes to Africa". The US has contributed around $150 million to Cape Verde through various programs, including expanding the capital's port, road […] todayJanuary 23, 2024 5
insert_link Africa The Brave Warriors look to rebound against Mali after 4-0 loss to Bafana Bafana Following a 4-0 defeat by South Africa’s Bafana Bafana last night, Namibia’s Brave Warriors will face Mali on Wednesday at the African Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. One Africa Television sports journalist, Terence Mukasa, reports. todayJanuary 22, 2024 16
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.
