Governments in Africa are pushing for local processing in a bid to turn their vast critical mineral reserves into factories, skills and long-term jobs. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | Across Africa, governments are tightening export rules and changing mining laws to make sure they keep more value within their …
Read More »How Morocco is redrawing Africa’s avocado trade map
Morocco’s avocado surge is reshaping Africa’s export map, with North Africa overtaking East Africa in a trade long dominated by Kenya. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | Africa exported roughly 430,000 tonnes of avocados in 2025, but the balance of power moved north. Preliminary 2025 data show a decisive shift …
Read More »Turkey set to deepen ties with Africa
Through trade, defense, and infrastructure, Turkey is building an enduring influence across Africa. From ports to schools, Ankara is embedding systems that could shape Africa’s economic and geopolitical future. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | Turkey is courting African countries with a strategy aimed at expanding its footprint on a …
Read More »African telescopes are driving frontier space discoveries
After years of investments, African telescopes are emerging as global leaders in frontier astronomy. From South Africa’s MeerKAT capturing the universe’s most distant gigamaser to Ghana’s radio observatory joining precision networks, the continent is proving it can drive discoveries once dominated by traditional northern-hemisphere facilities. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY …
Read More »Africa’s one-dose cure brings sleeping sickness elimination within reach
A single-dose oral treatment for sleeping sickness is pushing Africa closer to eliminating one of its most persistent tropical diseases. After decades of complex and often dangerous therapies, a three-tablet, one-day cure could allow health workers to diagnose and treat patients in a single visit. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY …
Read More »How Chimamanda Adichie’s hair stylist went natural
Nigeria’s growing natural hair industry includes enterprising professionals like Happiness Okorie, who recently styled Chimamanda Adichie’s hair. For years, Okorie had suffered from burns on her scalp due to using harsh relaxers. Then one day, she said ‘no more!’. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | Happiness Okorie’s dream came true …
Read More »Africa moves to regulate digital credit
After years of rapid expansion driven by mobile money, Africa’s digital credit market is entering a regulatory phase. Governments across the continent are formalising loan apps through licensing and conduct standards to curb abuses without stalling access to credit. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | Regulators are reasserting control over …
Read More »Car sales surge across Africa
New cars are hitting Africa’s roads faster than ever as local production rises and Chinese brands heat up competition with attractive prices.Morocco is speeding production at over 1 million units surpassing South Africa at nearly 600,000 units. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | After years of shortages, high prices and delayed …
Read More »Swapping antibiotics for cannabis in chicken feed
As demand for organic chicken rises in Morocco, researchers in the country are launching a study to examine the potential use of cannabis as a healthier alternative to antibiotics in poultry farming. Earlier studies have suggested that cannabis by-products could reduce mortality, improve the meat quality and gut health …
Read More »Smartphone upgrades are surging across Africa
Africa’s mobile phone market is experiencing a surge as consumers in the continent’s biggest cities increasingly opting for higher-spec devices previously considered out of reach. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | Africa is witnessing a mobile phone upgrade cycle moment. The obvious trend has been that of feature phones losing …
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