Streaming Services Plug Into Africa’s Access to Mobile Phones
When Netflix first launched in Africa in 2016, early predictions suggested it was likely run into unique problems it had not faced elsewhere, from users’ spotty internet connectivity to questions over its pricing. Five years later, the streaming giant is starting to tweak its Africa playbook by adapting to local market realities on the continent. […]
Opening New Doors in Kenya’s Automobile Industry
Kenyan startup Komboa has launched a peer-to-peer (P2P) car-sharing platform, which allows users to rent private vehicles. Komboa, which launched on desktop in June and will soon have its own app, was built to challenge the traditional model of owning a car, by allowing users to rent for the long-term. “We are firm believers in the sharing […]
World Food Programme Wins 2020 Nobel Peace Prize
The WFP, a United Nations entity, was created in 1961 and today provides food to over 100 million people a year. The organization tweeted its “deepest thanks” for the honor, adding: “This is a powerful reminder to the world that peace and #ZeroHunger go hand-in-hand.” It praised its staff who it said “put their lives […]
African States Bemoan a Biased Rating System
At the end of July, the credit rating agencies drew anger when a number of African sovereigns were either downgraded or placed under review for downgrade. While many countries in the West are being lauded for their unorthodox policies and breaking every rule in the book, African nations are being penalised. Credit Rating Agencies play […]
Nigeria’s New Tycoons are Younger, Not Afraid to Collaborate and Disrupt Existing Systems
The change-makers in Nigeria’s new digital economy are turning today’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities. They are the tenacious new wealth creators in a country that celebrates its 60th anniversary in October. According to a 2019 report by the Center for Global Development, Nigeria overtook South Africa as the leading investment destination with 55 active technology […]
Nigeria’s Former Finance Minister Makes it to the WTO Final Two Spot
The selection of a new director general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) is entering its final stage. The final two – from an initial list of eight candidates – are Nigeria’s former finance minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and South Korean trade minister YooMyung-hee. Both are female which means that if members of the WTO can […]
Contactless: The Perfect Boost For Small Businesses
Although COVID-19 has severely impacted our communities, the financial fallout has not been evenly distributed. It is a sad reality that small businesses and many South Africans they employ have struggled the most in this era of social distancing, lockdowns and enforced isolation. Cash flow is an important part of SME health at the best […]
How an Award-winning Egyptian Artist Uses Photography to Tell Personal Stories
Nourhan Refaat Maayouf has always had a penchant for storytelling through art. At a young age, she started expressing herself through drawing, before developing a passion for photography. As her love for taking photos grew, the 26-year-old Egyptian artist taught herself the craft, placing special focus on staged photography and storytelling. Since pursuing a career […]
Mozambique Showcases Mega Gas Potential
By Grace Goodrich Since initial exploratory drilling in 2007 by U.S. operator Anadarko, Mozambique has uncovered vast natural gas volumes within its offshore basins and now carries the potential to be the fourth largest natural gas exporter globally. Over the past decade, major operators have started developing the requisite infrastructure to exploit the reserves, generate exports […]
The Triple Humanitarian Crisis and Why Kenya Deserves An A + in its Response
The United Nations Deputy Secretary General, Ms Amina Mohammed recently commended “Kenya’s exemplary role in its response to COVID-19 and in advancing Agenda 2030”. On Monday, 28 September 2020, the President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta hosted a national conference on COVID 19. I was invited to speak about Kenya’s response, and without equivocation I restate […]
