Can Mauritius Sidestep the Endless Delays that Plague Other Smart Cities in Africa?
Touted as “Africa’s first integrated, international hub for the media and creative industries,” the envisaged MediaCity Mauritius will be based within the Beau Plan smart city. The MediaCity project was conceived as a hub of creativity, innovation, and learning on the continent with both the infrastructure and technology to support this. One component of MediaCity […]
Nigerian Billionaire Barely Managing to Operate Africa’s Biggest Tomato Processing Plant
Aliko Dangote’s 1,200-tonne a day plant is producing at 20% of capacity because farmers don’t have enough resources to boost acreage. The factory was meant to reverse Nigeria’s dependence on imports of tomato paste from China and increase local production. But by 2017, the company had to idle the plant after pests destroyed vast swathes […]
Capitalising on Africa’s Value Chain whose Endpoint is the Exclusive Shelves of Europe’s Luxury Emporiums
The skins of goats that once browsed the leaves of shrubs and trees in Nigeria’s oldest city are washed in anti-fungal solution and packed for export across West Africa, through Morocco and on to factories in Tuscany and northern Italy. In Italy, the skin is treated again and turned into suede before being manufactured into […]
Ever Given Finally Released by Suez Canal Authority
The container ship that blocked the Suez Canal earlier this year has departed Egypt’s Great Bitter Lake to fanfare and a signing ceremony for a compensation agreement between its owners and the Suez Canal Authority (SCA). No party involved has disclosed details of the compensation agreement, other than the inclusion of a new tugboat for […]
Somalia Makes Money Moves towards a Cashless Society
This week, the International Bank of Somalia (IBS) introduced a first into Somalia’s financial services: a Visa card. The international card will not only offer Somalis a quick and convenient access to money, but it is proof that despite prolonged conflict, the country’s financial sector has remained resilient. Visa’s collaboration with IBS Bank will enable […]
An Infrastructure Dream has Turned into a Political Nightmare
The United Nations Security Council tackled a bitter regional dispute on Thursday over a massive dam built by Ethiopia on the main tributary of the Nile River. Thursday’s open session comes after Egypt and Sudan turned to the 15-member body as Ethiopia began this week the second stage of filling GERD. The government in Addis […]
Hurdles to Juba’s Development Goals
South Sudan is struggling with how to advance, fund and staff a potentially lucrative oil sector that could provide a much-needed economic foothold in the impoverished country. After South Sudan’s independence, most of what used to be Sudan’s largest oil fields became located in South Sudanese territory. The new nation has lacked the expertise and […]
What can You get with Zimbabwe’s New Dollar Bill?
The central bank announced the introduction of a new 50-dollar note, the country’s highest denomination, worth only around US$0.60. Insufficient to pay even for a loaf of bread, the bill’s entry into circulation has revived memories of the hyperinflation the southern African nation experienced over a decade ago. As price growth spiralled out of control, […]
Huge S.A. Expansion Confirmed For “School Of Rock” Award-Winning Education Franchise
The South African music education industry is set to greatly benefit from an announcement around the expansion of the world-renowned School of Rock. Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban will each see the School Of Rock opening its doors in those cities as part of a new master franchise agreement in South Africa. Leigh Spaun […]
