Researchers Embrace Artificial Intelligence To Tackle Banana Disease In Burundi
By Aimable Twahirwa A group of scientists involved in finding solutions to minimize the impact of a devastating banana virus in Burundi have developed an Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool for monitoring the disease. United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) research shows that the Banana Bunchy Top Disease (BBTD), caused by the Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV), is […]
A Tale of Defiance from British Rule
On Sept. 14, a statue of Malawi’s anticolonial hero, John Chilembwe, will occupy one of the world’s most famous public art commissions in London’s historic Trafalgar Square. The statue, named ‘Antelope’ will be on Trafalgar Square’s fourth plinth, which showcases a different piece of artwork every two years. This piece will be the fourteenth contemporary […]
Creating Online HR Solutuions for All
When Ryan Paterson and his co-founder Thomas Schmider launched their investment fund Getihu back in 2018, it picked what was at the time a trail less trodden when it came to the type of startups it would back. Getihu would operate in the B2B SaaS space, and the firm’s first investment was in Hi5, a […]
Portugal Looks to Africa to Save its Tourism Industry
Tourists are returning to Portugal, but according to official figures, there is a shortfall of between 40,000 to 50,000 workers to meet the demand. As a solution, the government is setting up protocols to help businesses recruit in Portuguese-speaking countries. Portuguese-speaking African countries (PALOP) are an attractive market for the sector and in the Algarve, […]
Abuja Fines Media Houses that Aired a Doccie about Bandits
Nigeria’s broadcast regulator has fined four broadcasters, including Multichoice Nigeria Ltd, $12,000 each for airing a BBC documentary on activities of bandit gangs in north-western Nigeria. The National Broadcasting Commission said the documentary “glorified the activities of bandits and undermines national security” and contravened the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code. Earlier on, the BBC […]
Balancing Local Production vs Chinese Demand
South Africa’s total wool exports are worth approximately $300 million per year, and about 80% of that goes to China. Local sheep farmers and industry groups are now calling on Beijing to lift the ban. The ban has caused losses worth some 734 million rand, or $43 million, said Leon de Beer, general manager of […]
Africans Left Out in Breakthrough HIV Medication
Activists have been part of international Aids conferences since they stormed the stage at the last one held in Montreal, in 1989, insisting to the doctors and scientists that there must be no discussion without them. By the Durban conference in 2000, the protests were huge as the death toll mounted in Africa and Asia. […]
A Tool for the Modern African Farmer
In recent years the largest countries in sub-Saharan Africa have spent between 14% and 26% of combined annual public expenditures on agriculture. This reflects the fact that governments have prioritised access to fertiliser for rural smallholders. The purpose of the programmes is to support smallholders so they can supply the growing food needs of the […]
What To Know about Kenya’s Polls
On August 9, 22.1 million registered Kenyans will go to the polls to elect the country’s fifth president and successor to the incumbent Uhuru Kenyatta. He is backing leading candidate Raila Odinga, his former archrival who is running for the presidency for a record fifth term. The other main challenger is Deputy President William Ruto, […]
DRC Locals Say UN Peacekeepers have Outstayed their Welcome
Since July 25, anti-UN protests have raged on in the DRC’s eastern region, with 36 people — including four peacekeepers — dead and 170 wounded as of Wednesday, the DRC government told CNN. Protesters are demanding the withdrawal of UN forces from the central African country for failing to rein in rebel groups in the […]
