Accra Extends a Hand to African Americans
Ghana has a message for African Americans in the wake of George Floyd’s death: “Africa is your home.” Officials in Ghana’s capital Accra are inviting Americans to live and invest in the West African nation. SOURCE: CNN
Extending Solar Footprint Across Africa
The neighbouring countries of Namibia and Zimbabwe are the immediate targets for expansion for South African peer-to-peer solar leasing startup Sun Exchange after it announced its US$4 million Series A round last week. Launched in 2015, Sun Exchange enables almost anyone, anywhere in the world, to buy remotely-located solar cells that power schools, businesses and […]
Small Scale Miners Affected by Kenya’s Pandemic Response
In a country like Kenya, artisanal and small-scale mining represents a significant proportion of gemstone mining. Taita Taveta County is the largest producer of gemstones, with artisanal and small-scale mining accounting for over 60% of its annual production. Gemstone mining is a source of employment and an important foreign exchange earner for both the national […]
Closing the Net on South Africa’s Biggest Bank Saga
A number of people have been arrested by police investigating one of South Africa’s most notorious corruption scandals, the looting and collapse of VBS Mutual Bank. VBS, which held the savings of many disadvantaged people and local municipalities, collapsed with more than $150m in debts in 2018. Much of the money had been siphoned into […]
Debt Relief for African States
China will exempt some African countries from repaying zero-interest rate loans due at the end of 2020, state television reported on Wednesday, quoting President Xi Jingping’s speech at a summit. Under the framework of the China-Africa cooperation forum, China will further extend loan payment forbearance for some countries including African countries, Xi told the China-Africa […]
Way Forward for South African State Airline
After months of wrangling and internal disputes, cash-strapped South African Airways (SAA) finally has a business rescue plan, but it’s going to cost the state nearly $600m for the plan to work. The funds will cover creditors along with voluntary severance packages. Under the terms of the plan, which government and creditors are yet to […]
HRW Wants Transparent Probe on Somali Strikes
Human Rights Watch said Tuesday the U.S. has “not adequately investigated” two U.S. airstrikes in Somalia this year that killed seven civilians. The global non-governmental organization called on the United States to conduct “thorough, impartial, and transparent” investigations into a Feb. 2 strike that killed a woman at her home and a March 10 attack […]
Burkina Faso Hit Hard by Drought and Desertification
Just east of capital Ouagadougou, once fertile land is now dry. The area used to support generations of farmers, but families now can only scrape a living. Under a burning sun, Julienne Rouamba works on the land she farmed for almost two decades. But gathering pebbles is all the land is good for now, desiccated […]
Buffering Africa’s Internet Connection
From video-chatting to working from home, one thing that has kept many people functioning during the coronavirus pandemic is a good internet connection. The online world became part of everyday lives, with ordering, banking, educating or building businesses taking place remotely via computers and smartphones. But in Africa, only four in 10 people have access […]
Kenyan Doctor Helps Expectant Moms During Lockdown
When the Kenyan government announced a dusk to dawn curfew in March, cases of pregnant women either dying or delivering distressed or stillborn babies started emerging. The crackdown by police on those who flouted the curfew meant that many women were too afraid to seek medical attention. However, one young doctor decided to fill the […]
