Standard Bank First African Bank To Offer Access To China’s Cross-Border Interbank Payment System
In a first for the continent, Standard Bank Corporate and Investment Banking is the first authorised bank to offer transactions through China’s Cross-Border Interbank Payment System (CIPS). The bank was recently granted license to offer CIPS transactions at this year’s Lujiazui Forum. The Forum was created as a high-level global platform for government officials, world […]
Onafriq Partners With PAPSS To Launch Cross-Border Payment Services In Ghana
Onafriq, in collaboration with the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), announced the launch of a new cross-border payment service that will initially pilot outbound transactions in Ghana. This launch operationalises the partnership established in 2022, aimed at promoting intra-African cross-border trade and enhancing financial inclusion. The service improves financial interoperability by making transactions faster, […]
Faith Kipyegon Inches Closer to Sub-Four-Minute Mile in Record Run
In a thrilling spectacle at Paris’ Stade Charléty, Faith Kipyegon came closer than ever to making history by attempting to break the elusive four-minute mile. Supported by 13 pacers, a custom Nike suit, and high-tech shoes, she clocked a blistering 4:06.42—the fastest women’s mile ever run. Although the time won’t be officially recognized because it involved male […]
What Africa Teaches the World About Well-Being
What does it truly mean to live a good life? According to psychological scientists like Victor Counted, the answer lies in “flourishing”—a richer, more holistic concept of well-being that goes beyond wealth. Drawing from data across 40 African nations, Counted’s research reveals that many Africans thrive in meaning, social ties, and character, even amid economic hardship. […]
How to Spend the Perfect Weekend in Cairo
A weekend in Cairo is less a getaway and more a whirlwind friendship with one of the world’s most chaotic and captivating cities. And in three days, you can experience the city enough to gain a bit of familiarity with it. During your visit, you will wander through ancient mosques, sip coffee in alleyway cafés, and feast […]
Cape Town Ranked Among World’s Top 5 Cities for Urban Hiking
Cape Town has climbed to the No. 4 spot on a new global ranking of the world’s top hiking cities, surpassing cities like Sydney and Edinburgh. As urban hiking surges in popularity, the city’s 281 scenic trails—averaging 4.7 stars each—are proving irresistible to travelers seeking both nature and urban culture. The ranking, compiled by SportsShoes.com, blends […]
South Africa’s “Secret Garden” Gets Protected Status in Conservation Breakthrough
South Africa’s precious Renosterveld has gained a major conservation victory with the declaration of Haarwegskloof as a provincial nature reserve. Once mistaken for dull shrubland, Renosterveld reveals breathtaking biodiversity each spring, with vivid blooms and rare insects thriving among its soils. Some of these—geometer moths, scarab beetles, and bombyliid and tabanid flies—cannot be found anywhere else […]
From Jackfruit Tacos to Tofu Samosas: A Global Guide to Plant-Based Adventures
Looking to eat green while seeing the world? From Nairobi’s soulful, farm-sourced dishes to Chiang Mai’s spiritually rooted “jay” cuisine, there are many cities across the world where plant-based travelers can feast with purpose. Each destination blends tradition and innovation—think Berlin’s edgy vegan currywurst, Kigali’s cassava leaf stews, and Mexico City’s jackfruit tacos. Cities like Johannesburg […]
Africa’s Galápagos: Why São Tomé Steals the Spotlight on Any Cruise
São Tomé and Príncipe, often called Africa’s “Galápagos Islands,” may be small and remote, but they leave a lasting impression. On a luxury cruise that included stops in Angola, Benin, and Ghana, the author found São Tomé to be the true hidden gem. With lush tropical forests, rare endemic wildlife, and charming cultural encounters, the island […]
A Window to Prehistoric Africa: Dinosaur Center Opens in South Africa
Step into Africa’s deep past at the newly opened Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Center, built at the very site where the world’s oldest dinosaur embryos were unearthed. Located in South Africa’s Golden Gate Highlands National Park, the center offers an immersive journey through the region’s paleontological and cultural heritage. Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille called it a […]
