Essential Listening for Anyone with an Interest in Africa
In the latest edition of African Business podcast, Abebe Aemro Selassie speaks about the outlook for African economies in the wake of the pandemic. Selassie is the director of the African department at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), a position he has held since 2016. In this capacity, he oversees the IMF’s operations and engagement […]
Ghanaian Project Teaches the Economic Benefits of Letting Trees Stand
Wellington Baiden calls his lush, 85-hectare forest a “green supermarket” — it produces fish, wood products, seedlings, fruits, and essential oils. Baiden grows a range of trees, some fast-growing, many indigenous and endangered trees – as well as aromatic plants that produce natural oils used in perfumes. While forestry is usually a long-term project, where […]
A Lifeline For Many Zimbabweans Faces Shutdown
Mobile financial services are, in most African countries, born out of crises. In 2011, Zimbabwe had gone through a volatile decade of economic crises – hyperinflation, currency instability and a collapse of the formal financial system. Consumers, mostly employed in the informal sector, had a widespread mistrust of the formal banking system. In came Econet, […]
South African Cities Given the Light to Buy Electricity from Other Producers
South Africa will allow municipalities to source their own power rather than buying electricity solely from the state-owned utility, potentially easing a dispute with its second-biggest city, Cape Town. Earlier this year, a judge ordered further negotiations between the City of Cape Town and the energy ministry after the municipality sued the government because it […]
Liberia Bemoans Plans to Hike Data Costs
Liberia, one of Africa’s smallest economies, has seen a rapid growth in mobile users over the last decade, but its regulators are stuck in an ongoing pricing battle with two of the region’s largest telecoms companies in the world. French giant Orange and Lonestar Cell MTN, a subsidiary of South Africa’s MTN Group have told […]
Shane Eagle Premieres Otherworldly Visual Album Xenergy: The Final Saga
Hip hop artist Shane Eagle has made massive industry strides since first appearing on reality TV show The Hustle in 2015, dropping his critically lauded debut album Yellow in 2017, starting his own record label (Eagle Entertainment), and ultimately establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with in the burgeoning hip hop scene. Now with his latest visual […]
Why We’re Uniting in Support of African Girl Leaders to beat AIDS & Shift Power
The International Day of the Girl Child on 11th October is a call for us to reflect on our responsibilities. Twenty-five years ago, governments adopted the historic Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action. Seventeen years ago, African governments committed to the Maputo Protocol affirming the rights of women and girls. Adolescent girls are leading […]
ONE and Black Girls Rock! Partner to Raise Awareness about Education for Girls in Africa
In honour of International Day of the Girl Child, ONE and Black Girls Rock! have announced a partnership to help raise awareness about access to education for girls in Africa. Poverty is already a key factor in girls’ access to education, and now COVID-19 related school closings are exposing girls to heightened risks and increasing […]
Why Kenya Is Ready For Sustainable Finance
Written by Faizal Bhana, Director – Middle East, Africa and India, Jersey Finance. The warm response to Kenya’s first green bond earlier in the year was a breath of fresh air in a market that has struggled to spur investor interest over the last few years. Property Developer Acorn Group successfully raised Ksh4.3 billion out […]
Data Breaches Becoming More Common
By Cybersecurity expert and J2 Software CEO John Mc Loughlin Another day, another data breach. South African businesses are becoming more susceptible to cyberattacks and seem to be easy targets for criminals. Data breaches are now a common phenomenon with Nedbank, Momentum, Lombard Insurance, Experian and Stefanutti Stocks making headline news. Who is the next […]
