The African Development Bank, with financing from the Italian Technical Cooperation Fund, has provided a €990,000 grant to help smaller agro-processing enterprises boost production and quality control. The project will enable the businesses to better tap into national and regional markets and capitalize on the opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area. The Confederation of Business Associations of Mozambique is the implementing agency. “We are pleased to receive this grant from the African Development Bank and the Italian Technical Cooperation Fund, which will benefit about 300 agro-processing and agribusiness Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) associations in Mozambique, particularly…
Author: Akaolisa Emmanuel
Access Bank’s Herbert Wigwe wins Banker of the year for second consecutive year. Standard Bank Group, Africa’s biggest bank, rewarded for its COVID-related and women empowerment programmes; Access Bank’s Herbert Wigwe wins Banker of the year for second consecutive year; Innovation and resilience featured highly in this year’s entries; Organisers highlighted that economic recovery will only happen with greater equity investments on the continent; African Banker Icon highlights the need for higher savings rates to drive investments in Africa. Winners of the 2021 edition of the African Banker Awards were announced today at a virtual awards ceremony. The Awards, since…
In speaking to the youths at the Progressive Youth Congress you gave what could be said to be an honest appraisal of your political party, APC’s time in power; the past, the present and even more interesting, the future. Part of the lessons from your speech was to wake the youths to action, prepare them for the future (a future that keeps dragging) and offer hope. As regards hope, the hope is currently with the elites, of which you are part of. Let’s say you are trying already, but more can be done. You all can offer back to the…
What do adversaries and threat actors think as they dive deep into your organisation’s defenses? Cyber criminals come in many different flavours, but the majority of them are in it for one thing: financial pay-off. They want the money that comes with offering their tools or services, selling stolen data, extortion like ransomware or plain fraud. And they all have one thing in common – your organisation is on their radar. Which is why Anna Collard, SVP Content Strategy and Evangelist at KnowBe4 Africa says it is critical to understand how cyber criminals operate, the tools they use and the…
This represents the first ever Tier 2 Sustainability Notes by a financial institution in Sub-Saharan Africa Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (“ETI”), the Lomé based parent company of the Ecobank Group, was hosted today by the London Stock Exchange for a market opening virtual ceremony to celebrate the successful listing of the Tier 2 Sustainability Notes on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) main market. This represents the first ever Tier 2 Sustainability Notes by a financial institution in Sub-Saharan Africa. This Tier 2 issuance is the first to have a Basel III-compliant 10NC5 structure outside of South Africa in 144A/RegS format and…
Political progress and stability sees South Sudan open up energy sector for investment JUBA, South Sudan, June 23, 2021/ — The Ministry of Petroleum (MoP) of the Republic of South Sudan, is honored to announce the launch of the country’s first Oil Licensing Round. The MoP has identified new exploration blocks with potential hydrocarbons and has compiled crucial data to provide to interested investors, operators and counterparties. According to the new analysis commissioned by the Ministry, approximately 90% of South Sudan’s oil and gas reserves remain unexplored, providing unprecedented opportunities to international investors. The Oil Licensing Round aims to attract…
There are plans to appoint a select committee to investigate the deadly January 6 attack on the US Capitol after Senate Republicans blocked the creation of an independent commission to probe the insurrection. The decision to appoint a select committee to investigate the attack means that House Democrats will channel their various efforts examining the events surrounding January 6 into one place. It was one of several options Pelosi had been considering after Senate Republicans filibustered legislation creating an independent commission that had passed in the House. Trump’s role of inciting comments about the presidential election in the lead-up to…
Taking place in Cape Town, African Energy Week 2021 ensures Africa-focused events benefit African tourism and associated sectors. African concerts, sporting events, and even oil and gas events are beginning to take shape in 2021 after a significant period of inactivity due to COVID-19 restrictions. African cities including Cape Town in South Africa and Dakar in Senegal have created amazing hospitality and tourism industries that have brought in millions of visitors each year and fueled millions of dollars in economic output. While most foreign event firms like London based Hyve group/Africa Oil Week have deserted the continent for ‘greener pastures’…
With the signing of Memphis Depay by Barcelona football club, it is clear that the club means serious business this coming season and a bid to also maintain its culture of attacking football. Considering they signed Aguero few weeks back after he left Manchester City, to a team which already has a lot of attacking options in the likes of; Messi, Griezman, Dembele, Fanti, to name a few and now Depay. The Dutchman has started all three games for the Netherlands in Group C in the ongoing EURO 2020(1) competition as they have overcome Ukraine, Austria and North Macedonia to…
Through informative conference sessions, productive networking events, and interactive workshops, African Energy Week (AEW) 2021 will unite global financiers with African renewable opportunities The promotion of renewable developments, the value of private participation and the role of natural gas remain key discussion points at AEW 2021. Africa’s energy transition, motivated by the need to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and the alleviation of energy poverty by 2050, remains a top priority and critical point of discussion in 2021. With international treaties such as the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change influencing the…
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the establishment of five new universities with specialization in technology and health to bridge the great deficit in the doctor-patient ratio as well as in medical research and production of pharmaceutical products. The President also approved a take-off grant of N4 billion each for the Universities of Technology and N5 billion each for the Universities of Health Science from the funding resources of TETFund to ensure early take-off of the institutions. There was a release of approximately 18 billion Naira. The Minister of education who was represented by the Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministry…
A young carpenter has said that he will never forgive his dad for giving him tribal marks. Speaking to friends in his workshop at Sabo, Kaduna, the Yoruba man by tribe wished he had a choice in deciding whether he will be having tribal marks or not . Tribal mark is common among many cultures in Nigeria, especially among the Yorubas and the Hausas. It is used to show a person’s tribal heritage or even family line in some areas. The marks are inscribed by burning or cutting the skin, and are usually done at very tender age. The young…
Fans of Nigeria’s superstar musician, Olamide, are finally relieved from their anxious waiting of his much-anticipated album. The musician has been on the low for quite a while now, not even a single was heard from him. But he assured his fans and music lovers around the world that he was up to something big. From what we gathered through the reactions of those who were at the listening party, simply put, the album with the name Uy Scuti was worth the wait. The album is trending on Nigeria’s twitter space at number one. Other big guns in the industry…
Merck Foundation together with Zimbabwe First Lady also announce 6 new Awards for Media, Fashion, Film, and Music fraternity with the aim to break infertility stigma and support girl education Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, in partnership with The First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Ambassador of Merck Foundation More than a Mother, H.E. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA handed over 30,000 children storybooks to the Ministry of Primary & Secondary Education for the school students of Zimbabwe. The storybooks are titled: “Tudu’s Story”, “Educating Rujeko Story” and “Make the Right Choice Story”. Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej,…
Financed by the Azerbaijan International Development Agency (AIDA), 11,709 patients were given vision screening and 1,032 cataract treatment surgeries were conducted Within the framework of the Second Generation (2nd Phase) of the Alliance to Fight Avoidable Blindness (AFAB), the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and the Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development (ISFD) have executed cataract surgery campaigns in the city of Djibouti and its surrounding rural localities. The campaign, which was held during April and May 2021, was conducted in collaboration with the National Program for Control of Blindness-Djibouti and the “Institut Ophtalmologique Tropical de l’Afrique (IOTA)”-Mali. Under these campaigns, financed…
Daily testing capacity of African countries rose from 13,200 at the beginning of the epidemic to 105,000 In March 2020, Africa had its back to the wall, helpless in the face of the magnitude of a virus that appeared in Asia and quickly spread to the entire planet. Only two African countries were then able to test for the novel coronavirus: Senegal, with its Pasteur Institute, and South Africa, the most industrialized country on the continent. But Africa is recovering. Countries have begun to develop testing laboratories. Strongly supported by the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org), they have achieved a logistical…
President Joe Biden has signed a bill establishing June 19 as a federal holiday in the United States of America to commemorate the end of slavery in the union. The holiday will be known as Juneteenth, a blend of the words June and nineteenth. Also known as Emancipation Day, Juneteenth brings people from all around the country in festivities together just like July 4, US independence day. Though the bill is just being signed officially by the Biden administration, it has been celebrated since the year 1865. Biden’s signing makes Juneteenth the first approved holiday since Martin Luther King Jr…
The Fallen Zambian Leader, Kenneth Kaunda, was a Pan Africanist and Humanist of the Finest Hue, says Anambra Government as It Plans Prayers in Different Churches Kenneth Kaunda, who led Zambia to independence in 1964 and remained its president till 1991when he lost a multi-party election, was among the finest Pan-Africanists and humanists ever produced on the African continent, according to the Anambra State Government. Kaunda died on Thursday, June 17, in a military hospital in Lusaka, age 97. In a message to the Zambian High Commission in Abuja today signed by Governor Willie Obiano, the State Government compared Kaunda…
According to researchers from NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the earth is currently retaining double amount of heat more than it did 15 years ago. This is causing an increase in global temperature, ice is melting and there are higher sea levels. The study revealed that there has been a great shift in the balance of energy absorbed by the planet from the sun and the energy that is given back into space from the earth. This matter of energy between the sun, earth and space requires a delicate balance that determines the climate down here. Apart…
This weekend marks the beginning of the much-awaited World Rugby Sevens Repechage in Monaco. With three African nations representing the continent on the big sporting stage in Monaco this weekend, we extend our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all teams and their coaches and supporting staff. Twelve women’s and ten men’s teams will be competing in a round robin this weekend to secure their spot in the world’s biggest sporting event, the Olympics being held in Tokyo from 26th to 31st July. The women’s competition will feature Argentina, Colombia, France, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Madagascar, Mexico, Papua New Guinea,…
The feature will work like a spam filter and help users focus on important messages The world’s most trusted and accurate Caller ID and telephone search engine, is rolling out a new feature to further augment the user experience. The new feature Smart SMS has been introduced based on user feedback and is designed to cater to the evolving needs of our consumers. It offers a host of new services to make day-to-day communication a lot more convenient. Smart SMS is powered by state-of-the-art machine learning models that adapt based on the feedback you give it. It supports users with…
The program seeks to enhance the power sector’s financial sustainability, governance and operations. The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank have approved an €83 million loan to finance the second phase of Egypt’s Electricity and Green Growth Support Program. The funding is part of the Bank’s budget support to the Egyptian government to strengthen its electricity infrastructure, which is expected to bolster the private sector and accelerate recovery from the Covid-19 crisis. The program seeks to enhance the power sector’s financial sustainability, governance and operations. It will also advance the provision of clean, reliable energy to drive green…
Here are 3 definitions of who a politician is by Merriam Webster dictionary A person experienced in the art or science of government A person engaged in party politics as a profession A person primarily interested in political office for selfish or other narrow usually short-sighted reasons The summary is that all that is needed to become a politician is to present yourself to lead or represent people through the machinery of government. A farmer who campaigns for ward elections is automatically a politician. We have often accused our politicians of being corrupt and highly inefficient. They are seen as…
It was joy galore on the 12th of June 2021 for the families and friends of the Ikechukwus and Yakubus as Mr Henry Ikechukwu wedded his beautiful wife, Helen Yakubu. The wedding took place at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Glory Tabernacle, Asokoro, Abuja. The union itself had a unifying message to Nigerians in this time of very tense socio-political atmosphere as it brings a northern girl from Akwanga, Nasarawa state and a southern boy from Nkanu-west in Enugu state together in holy matrimony. They seem to be saying to Nigerians that we can actually live together and love…
Ronaldo is stringing more records to his name at the ongoing EURO 2021 football tournament. Without kicking the ball, his appearance alone makes him the only player to have featured in 5 different EURO tournaments. He made his first appearance in the year 2004 in a match between Portugal and Greece. After he scored yesterday against Hungary, he also becomes the top goal scorer in European football. He is now the oldest player to score for Portugal at a major tournament, at 36 years, 130 days he has broken the record set by Pepe at World Cup 2018 (35 years,…
Carousel Finance SA will provide educational institutions with 300 thousand licenses of the MyOffice Education Russian office software free of charge over the course of 10 years A Russian developer of office software for document collaboration and communication, announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of the Republic of Guinea to supply 300 thousand MyOffice educational licenses for the needs of all schools in the country over 10 years. The supply agreement was signed in the capital of Guinea, Conakry, with the support of Djene Kaba Condé, First Lady of the Republic of Guinea, and her…
International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva made the following statement at the conclusion of her virtual participation in the G7 Leaders’ Summit: “I would like to thank Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the UK authorities for setting up a forward-looking agenda for the G7 summit, focusing on the most pressing challenges facing the world today. First, bringing the pandemic to an end everywhere. The IMF has been warning about dangerously diverging recoveries—and most recent data confirm that this trend not only continues, but deepens. Together with the World Bank, the WHO, and the WTO, IMF staff recently proposed a…
The just concluded French Open is surely going into memory lane as a special one. It wouldn’t be out of place to say it came with a total package of drama. Thriller, action, comedy and even tears, have been part of the grand slam this year. It began with our earlier report on Naomi Osaka, women’s world number 2, who after wining her first-round match declined attending the customary post-match conference, citing mental toll and the harsh posture of journalists in the conference room. She was fined the sum of $15,000 for not attending the conference. Few days after this,…
Cameroon beat Burundi 81 – 3 in the ongoing Rugby Africa tournament. After this resounding victory, the Indomitable Lions will face the Stallions of Burkina Faso, on the afternoon of 13th June. The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon beat the Swallows of Burundi by the score without appeal of 81 to 3 at the 4 Aout stadium of Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), Before the start of the match, the two national teams observed a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the terrorist attack that took place on the night of 4th June to 5th June 2021, in the village of…
Hello Sir. President, I am writing this letter inspired by your ban or rather, suspension of twitter in Nigeria. A lot of issues and questions have been raised and are still being raised in relation to the ban. Was it necessary? Good or bad? Are the accusations sincere? Was it the most honorable way of tackling the danger of the rascality of uncensored social media? What is the balance between the positive and negative aspect of twitter? Does it have economic impact on Nigeria and the citizens? None of this is actually the reason for this letter. It is the…
