Nigeria

South Africa bets big on natural gas as it begins a belated push to revamp its energy supplies and slash emissions, bolstered by EU endorsement of investments in gas.

By Seth Onyango, bird story agency South Africa is emerging as an early beneficiary of the European Parliament’s vote last July to designate natural gas and nuclear projects as “green energy” investments. The vote was seen as an opportunity for natural gas-endowed states in Africa to continue ploughing billions from the sale of the commodity into their economies. The recent unveiling of a gas terminal project in South Africa led […]

25 January, 2024

South Africa

South Africa ramps up commercial solar installations to counter load shedding

By Conrad Onyango, via bird story agency South Africa is leading other countries in a radical shift towards more reliable energy sources as its business and industry owners contributed the highest addition of the 3.7-Gigawatt peak (GWp) in new solar capacity on the continent in 2023. The Africa Solar Industry Association (AFSIA) annual Solar Outlook 2024 released recently revealed that South Africa more than doubled its new solar installations, from […]

24 January, 2024

Africa

African startups turn to debt as equity powder dries up

By Conrad Onyango, via 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 […]

24 January, 2024

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 […]

23 January, 2024

Africa

Fintech and energy illuminate DR Congo’s nascent startup ecosystem

By Conrad Onyango, via bird story agency The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), one of the world’s most resource-rich countries, is carving out a new prosperity niche as it emerges on the global tech scene. Known for its green metals, cobalt and copper, and the world's second-largest rainforest, the newest member of the East African Community is having a moment in the startup ecosystem. In 2023 the country raised […]

23 January, 2024

Africa

Lagos bans single-use plastics

Nigeria's Lagos state will start implementing a ban on Styrofoam and other single-use plastics. The State's environment commissioner told the BBC that non-biodegradable plastics were a major pollution problem, and were clogging drains. State officials say they'll use a dormant 2009 law to fine or jail culprits. Lagos is one of Africa's most populous cities. International experts estimate Nigeria generates 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually.

22 January, 2024

Oshiwambo

Ova Sierra Leone ovena oumbada womupresident kwali nale, Ernest Bai Koroma afadukepo okuya moupongekwa.

Oo ali nale omupesident waSierra Leone okwa djamo moshilongo no kuya ko Nigeria oko aka ningilwa ekwafo louhaku pefimbo ataalela omatamaneko moshilongo eenghendabala dokuumbako epangelo omudo wadileko. Ernest Bai Koroma ota kulopotwa ali apewa omito yoku djamo moshilongo okudja komangu yopombada opo aka konge ekwafo laye louhaku pondje yoshilongo apewa epitikilo leehani dili 3. Nande ongaho vahapu moshilongo ota vapopi kutya, epitiko loku efa oupresident kwali nale adjemo moshilongo, ota […]

20 January, 2024

Africa

TB Joshua scandal: the forces that shaped Nigeria’s mega pastor and made him untouchable

By Nimi Wariboko, Boston University School of Theology TB Joshua was a world famous Nigerian televangelist, faith healer and Pentecostal pastor who established The Synagogue Church of All Nations. Three years after his death a BBC investigation alleges Joshua raped, tortured and abused several of his followers over a period of 20 years. There are allegations of child abuse at his Lagos compound and that he faked his miracles. […]

19 January, 2024

Africa

Explosions Rock Nigeria’s Oyo State: Two Dead, Dozens Injured

Nigeria's Oyo state faced a tragic incident as explosions originating from stored explosives in a private residence resulted in at least two fatalities and numerous injuries, according to the state governor on Wednesday. Witnessed by Reuters, the aftermath included collapsed houses and damaged cars, causing panic among residents. The blast occurred on Tuesday, prompting emergency services and security officials to initiate a search and rescue operation in Ibadan, Oyo state's […]

18 January, 2024