Author: Editorial Staff

KENYA Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) is set to embark on the construction of the largest wind farm in Africa, with a planned capacity of 1GW. The project, known as the Kenya Wind Farm, will be located in the northeastern region of Marsabit. According to a report by Bloomberg on Friday, KenGen is taking significant strides toward realising this ambitious clean energy initiative. The proposed wind farm will join the ranks of Kenya’s renewable energy infrastructure, supporting the nation’s commitment to achieving 100 percent renewable energy by 2030. The choice of Marsabit County as the project’s location is strategic, as it…

THE African Development Bank (AfDB) and the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) have joined forces to provide vital support to local agricultural businesses in West Africa. In a significant agreement, a dual currency line of credit, totalling $50 million and €50 million, has been established to bolster the region’s agribusiness sector. The agreement was formally sealed during a signing ceremony at the African Development Bank’s headquarters in Abidjan, with George Agyekum Donkor, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of EBID, and Solomon Quaynor, African Development Bank Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure, and Industrialisation, presiding over…

FOR centuries, Black women have been pioneers in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), breaking through racial and gender barriers to drive innovation and collaboration. While progress has been made in promoting equality, there’s still work to be done to support Black women in STEM. The upcoming Global Black Impact Summit (GBIS), scheduled from November 30 to December 1 in Dubai, is dedicated to celebrating the remarkable achievements of Black women in STEM and providing a platform for collaboration and professional growth. With the theme Black Excellence: Unleashing the Unexplored Potential for Global Unity, the summit features…

TSITSI Dangarembga, the renowned Zimbabwean author and literary pioneer, was honoured with the prestigious Africa Freedom Prize in Johannesburg on Thursday. The award is bestowed upon individuals who have demonstrated remarkable courage and unwavering commitment to advancing the causes of freedom, democracy, and human rights across the African continent. Dangarembga, celebrated for her groundbreaking literary works, has long been a revered figure in Zimbabwean literature. Her journey began with her critically acclaimed debut novel, Nervous Conditions, in 1988, followed by her Booker Prize-shortlisted work, This Mournable Body, in 2020. Tinashe Mushakavanhu, a research fellow specialising in Zimbabwean literature at the…

GOOGLE has unveiled the first cohort for its groundbreaking ‘Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First’ programme in Africa. This inaugural group comprises 11 innovative startups harnessing the power of cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence to tackle critical challenges faced not only on the continent but also globally. Over the next 10 weeks, these selected startups will embark on an enriching accelerator journey that offers them access to Google’s extensive AI expertise. The programme includes an array of valuable resources, such as $350,000 in Google Cloud Credits, mentorship from industry experts, technical guidance, and exclusive networking opportunities. The chosen startups for the programme…

SENEGALESE authorities have opted to uphold the ban on the social media app TikTok, demanding that the company engage in negotiations and sign an agreement that would facilitate the establishment of a mechanism for the removal of accounts that violate content guidelines. Communications minister Moussa Bocar Thiam announced during a press conference, ‘For the time being, the restriction is being maintained pending the conclusion of a comprehensive written agreement.’ He further revealed that discussions were underway between the government and TikTok representatives. The decision to block access to TikTok was made in August after the arrest of opposition leader Ousmane…

THE World Bank’s latest Africa Pulse report, released on Wednesday, paints a sobering economic outlook for sub-Saharan Africa. It forecasts a deceleration in economic growth, with the region’s GDP expected to expand by only 2.5 percent in 2023, down from 3.6 percent in 2022. The report emphasises the urgent need for sub-Saharan Africa to achieve stability, stimulate growth, and create job opportunities to prevent what the World Bank terms a potential ‘lost decade’ for the region. Andrew Dabalen, the World Bank’s chief economist for Africa, highlighted that the most vulnerable segments of the population continue to bear the brunt of…

IN a noteworthy achievement, Casablanca Finance City (CFC) has reinforced its standing as Africa’s leading financial centre, securing the 54th spot in the Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI). This three-place ascent in the rankings underscores CFC’s prominence in Africa’s rapidly expanding and competitive financial markets. Business Wire highlights CFC’s journey since its establishment in 2010, offering its members an appealing value proposition, including the ‘Doing Business’ incentive that fosters their operations across Africa. The CFC has also cultivated a robust membership community comprising over 200 companies spanning more than 70 countries, further enhancing its influence and reach. CFC’s enhanced ranking…

WHAT was once a beloved everyday treat for many of Ghana’s 33 million people, Kofi Brokeman, a popular streetside snack of roasted plantains and peanuts, has taken on a new name: Kofi Richman. The reason? Soaring prices, nearly doubling in some areas to 5 Ghanaian cedis ($0.43 cents) per slice. Lovelace Ayittey, a 59-year-old vendor who sells this snack on Lagos Avenue in the affluent East Legon enclave of Accra, is feeling the pinch. ‘The price of the plantain bunches has risen sharply from 10 to 50 cedis,’ she lamented to Al Jazeera. ‘I cut them the same size, but…

FRANCE’S Armed Forces Ministry says the 1,500 French troops stationed in Niger will start withdrawing from border areas this week. The French base in the capital, Niamey, will be decommissioned by the end of the year, following French President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement last month of an end to military cooperation with Niger’s ruling military junta. The withdrawal of troops and military equipment begins this week,” the Armed Forces Ministry said in a statement, confirming that the exit should be complete by the end of the year. ‘Coordination with the Nigerien army is essential to the operation’s success. All measures have…