AFRICA

Tanzania is moving forward with plans to use its extensive natural gas reserves as a substitute for gasoline in transportation. However, there are concerns about its long-term sustainability. Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT |  Tanzania has pushed East Africa into a new era of gas-powered mobility with the commissioning of …

North Kivu, DRC | THE INDEPENDENT |  The March 23 Movement (M23) rebels plan to re-occupy all positions that were held by the exiting East African Community Regional Force. The mandate of troops from Uganda, Kenya, Burundi and South Sudan deployed in North Kivu province in late 2022 was to …

Local manufacturing of vaccines is Africa’s ‘second independence’ says Africa CDC boss Lusaka, Zambia | RONALD MUSOKE | The African Union’s desire to ramp-up vaccine manufacturing on the continent has been boosted by a commitment in principle by GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, to inject US$1 billion into the process. Dr. Jean …

A new report from the International Energy Agency sheds light on the shifts in the energy job market, with clean energy outpacing global opportunities in fossil fuel sectors. While employment in fossil fuels is higher in Africa, the continent houses half of the critical mineral sector’s workforce, underscoring the continent’s …

Goma,  DR Congo | Xinhua | The East African Community (EAC) Regional Force has started to withdraw from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The Kenyan contingent, part of the EAC Regional Force, departed from the Goma airport in the eastern North Kivu province on Sunday morning, following the …

The last two decades have been tumultuous for African banking, with big international banks moving out of the continent and a bevvy of more nimble local banks stepping in to mop up opportunities in a fast-growing region. A technological revolution in the form of digital banking helped smaller banks spread …

A recent Afrobarometer survey shows shifting attitudes among Africans regarding gender-based violence. Experts suggest a more comprehensive approach could help shift the dial further. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | Public perceptions towards gender-based violence are shifting in Africa, according to a survey by Afrobarometer, a pan-African attitudes research company. …

A modest popsicle-making business in Umoja, Kenya is transforming options for women working in the neighbourhood. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | The rains may have started but residents of Umoja in Nairobi County are still able to enjoy a frozen treat from Azin Pops – and while they’re at …

Harare, Zimbabwe | Xinhua |  Zimbabwe’s Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Mthuli Ncube on Thursday proposed a “wealth tax” that targets the country’s super-rich with an intention to use the funds earned from the new measure to upgrade urban infrastructure. Presenting the 2024 national budget statement to …

As the globe gathers for COP28’s first-ever Global Stocktake, Africa demands that the world’s biggest polluters to fund the fallout of their actions. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | African nations are intensifying their push for substantial climate finance from the world’s biggest polluters as the 28th edition of the …