In an era of AI and blockchain, the simple text message seems distinctly old-fashioned. But text messaging’s USSD technology remains a key feature for African businesses. Here’s how a crackdown on customer information sharing suddenly makes USSD even more attractive. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | African businesses are continuing …
Read More »Centi-millionaires fuel luxury property enclaves in Africa’s major cities
From Cape Town to Nairobi, new elite property zones are emerging in Africa’s major cities as local centi-millionaires spread their economic footprint across the continent. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | Affluent households are starting to make up a noticeable share of renters and buyers in major African cities, in …
Read More »Natural gas-fueled four-wheelers are popping up across Africa
Natural gas-powered vehicles are becoming increasingly popular across Africa thanks to supportive policies, infrastructure development and heightened investor appeal. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | Several African nations are taking advantage of their ample natural gas reserves to introduce gas-powered four-wheel vehicles to their roads. Nigeria, the African nation with …
Read More »UAE’s post-oil ambitions steer a multibillion-dollar push into African freight
Sheikdom ramps up multi-billion dollar investment in Africa’s freight industry, positioning itself as a logistics and trade behemoth in a post-fossil-fuel era. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | United Arab Emirates-based companies and funds are doubling down on a foray into Africa’s freight and logistics scene. Earlier this year, Emirati …
Read More »DR Congo and Zambia team up to play higher in the global supply chain
Africa’s vast mineral resources have always pointed to its potential as a market maker – and a global player in consumer goods. But division has kept producers and markets weak. An agreement between Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia shows how to change that, according to a new report. SPECIAL …
Read More »The ‘nuisance’ breaking new ground for African women in the energy value chain
‘I am a nuisance for a good cause,’ says Faustina Boakye. Of an age where many people are slowing down, Boakye is in the process of revving up as the former journalist-turned-climate activist gets busy plugging women into the energy value chain across the continent. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY …
Read More »Africa is steadily marching toward gender parity
Africa is making significant strides towards closing gender gaps across key areas: economic participation, education, health, and political empowerment, according to the World Economic Forum. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | Namibia is among a select group of nine nations globally that have successfully closed over 80% of their gender …
Read More »Africa’s top 10 major ports in race for greater share of global trade
A multi-billion port expansion spree is adding capacity and improving efficiency as African ports race for a bigger slice of the global maritime trade pie. Here, bird story agency lists ten of the most important African ports, in its latest bird’s TenX. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | The opening of …
Read More »He quickly taught himself a new language to help fight climate change
Frustrated by language constraints in the climate space, a Congolese activist embarked on a mission to learn English without taking any formal language classes. Two years later, he is the heart and soul of many a COP28 conversation – in his newly adopted language – as he passes on messages …
Read More »Ethiopia, Tanzania and Morocco ranked Africa’s top tourism performers 2023
The three countries have by far exceeded their pre-pandemic arrival numbers on robust tourism infrastructure expansion and aggressive destination promotion. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | The end of a civil war in Ethiopia, Tanzania’s president featuring in a historical tourism documentary and rising infrastructure and marketing investments in Morocco …
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