Author: zeroone

Compiled by Carême Kouamé Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), 29th November 2021 -/African Media Agency (AMA)/- I remember my first COVID-19 patient. She was 16 and I was called to see her after she had been admitted to hospital. Alone in her hospital room, she looked scared. Though I tried to hide it, I was too. I was, after all, knowingly entering the same room as a COVID-positive person. At that time, we knew little about this highly contagious virus, and a vaccine was months away—at best. What we did know, however, was encouraging for young people. Early data indicated that while…

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Compiled by Carême Kouamé Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), 29th November 2021 -/African Media Agency (AMA)/-I am Murielle. Former beauty queen. Executive. Mother of three. If there is one thing that characterises me at first sight, it is elegance. I’m always dressed to the nines, perched on high heels. I am the kind of woman you meet in the big African capitals. I should also mention that I am in my fifties. I’m not saying any of this out of pride. I tell you this so that you understand what follows Here is my story. Not long ago, I was like some…

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ABUJA, Nigeria, November 26, 2021 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/- The Africa Water and Sanitation Week Conference ended today with the issuance of The Windhoek Multi-Stakeholder Resolutions for Accelerating Water Security and Access to Safely Managed Sanitation and Hygiene in Africa. The Conference was convened virtually by the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) and the African Union Commission (AUC) and hosted by the Government of Republic of Namibia.The Conference provided a platform to over 3000 registered participants for dialogue and knowledge exchange to advance the water and sanitation agenda in Africa. On water governance, the statement calls for the strengthening of policy,…

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EVENT:  Please join us on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, for a digital press briefing with Katrina Fotovat of the U.S. Secretary of State’s Office of Global Women’s Issues on the topic of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV.) Ms. Fotovat will discuss the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to preventing and responding to GBV, including through the recently released, first-ever U.S. National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality, the forthcoming update of the U.S. Strategy to Prevent and Respond to GBV Globally, and the development of the first-ever domestic U.S. National Action Plan to End GBV. After brief opening remarks, Ms. Fotovat…

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JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, 26th November, 2021 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/- The COVID pandemic has changed the way businesses sell and market their products and services to customers, and there is likely no return to the old normal. Prior to the pandemic, enterprise marketing efforts were largely focused on in-person activities, such as conferences, exhibitions, trade shows and activations. Fast-forward eighteen months and the overwhelming majority of marketing activities now take place in the digital realm.According to Dumisani Moyo, Marketing Director at SAP Africa, this raises some fundamental questions. “The role of marketing has changed forever, and marketers now have to get to grips…

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NIARI, Republic of the Congo, 26 November, 2021,-/African Media Agency (AMA)/- In the Republic of Congo, onion farmers in the province of Niari and its surrounding areas are set to reap the benefits from the cold storage facility project by Agri Resources Congo. The installation of the new cooling system has begun within the company’s concession in Moulende (close to Dolisie).  Beginning of construction works November 2021 The first of its kind in this region, the new facility will have the capacity to store up to 500 tonnes of green onion and other fresh vegetables. The site will cover the requirements for the…

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With the dire humanitarian situation in Tigray, Ethiopia, continuing to deteriorate, it is critical to establish a regular flow of humanitarian aid into the region, the Deputy Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General said on Wednesday.  NEW YORK, USA, November 25, 2021,-/African Media Agency (AMA)/-Yesterday, almost 40 trucks with humanitarian supplies, including food, left the Afar capital of Semera for Tigray – the first convoy to do so since 18 October.   Meanwhile, trucks containing fuel and medical supplies are still waiting for clearance in Semera. Around 500 trucks of humanitarian supplies are required per week, Farhan Haq informed journalists at a regular press briefing.  Seven million food insecure In November 2020, heavy fighting between central Government troops and those loyal to the Tigray…

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The 10th edition of the ATDA 2021 kicks off at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Benguerir, Morocco More than 15 African countries will be represented by their institutions, including Ministers of the Digital Economy and the Post Office CASABLANCA, Morocco, 23 November 2021 /African Media Agency (AMA)/ – The ATDAs will launch their opening on November 25, 2021 in the prestigious Mohammed VI Polytechnic University of Ben Guérir, partner of this 10th edition. Co-organized by the press group Cio Mag, the reference of digital in Africa and the CNDP (National Commission for the Control of Personal Data Protection) in Morocco, this 10th edition…

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By Titilayo Adewumi, Regional Sales Director: West Africa at SAP  LAGOS, Nigeria, 23rd November, 2021 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/- Africa’s population is expected to triple by 2100, with a substantial percentage of that growth concentrated in West Africa. Nigeria alone will be home to nearly 800 million people by the turn of the century, making it the second most populous country on Earth based on current estimates. The vast majority of population growth across the continent will be concentrated in urban areas. WEF data indicates that more than 80% of Africa’s population growth between now and 2030 will be in cities, with Lagos…

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LAGOS, Nigeria, November 22, 2021 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/- The Ford Foundation, Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) and the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) are partnering to address and reduce sexual violence, and its deep-rooted drivers, across West Africa with a focus in Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal.Together, they are launching Kasa!, an initiative that will leverage the growing focus on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in the region and boost feminist action and advocacy to reduce it. As one of the most prevalent human rights violations in the world, sexual violence undermines the health, dignity, security and autonomy of women…

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TPAY MOBILE company Payguru partners with leading Turkish virtual POS provider to enable first-ever digital wallet top-ups via DCB LAGOS, Nigeria, 23 November 2021 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/- Payguru, a TPAY MOBILE FZ-LLC company, today announces the launch of a new use case for Direct Carrier Billing (DCB) in partnership with Iyzico, the leading provider of virtual Point of Sale solutions (POS) in Turkey. Turkish consumers will be able to top up “Pay with Iyzico”, the most popular mobile wallet in the country, by DCB – improving financial access for consumers who do not have credit or debit cards. Despite Turkey having an unbanked population…

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Lomé, Douala, and Paris, November 22, 2021,-/African Media Agency (AMA)/- According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 66 million women suffer from depression and anxiety disorders in Africa, and 85% of them do not have access to treatment. Indeed, only one in five African countries has a mental health policy, and most of them devote less than 1% of their health budget to treating mental disorders. Thus, in societies where mental health is taboo, health care personnel are insufficient, and resources are limited, the importance of finding contextualized solutions appears to be an urgent necessity. In this context, the Bluemind Foundation unveils the…

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ANAMBRA STATE, Nigeria, November 19, 2021 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/-For the Prime Business Africa Policy Briefing Series,  member of the Editorial Board, Ambassador Ejeviome Eloho Otobo, writes on Pressure points in China-Africa relations on Monday November 22. Otobo is also on the Board of Newstide Publications Limited, publishers of Prime Business Africa.The Policy Briefing Paper is a must-read for policymakers, private sector executives doing business with China as well as scholars in international relations, with particular interest in Africa-China relations.  In its strategic move to redefine the media industry and engender socio-economic development of the continent through effective journalism practice, Prime…

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The international community must step up support to Madagascar, where more than one million people in the south are facing severe hunger, the top UN aid official there said on Thursday in a renewed appeal for solidarity and funding.  NEW YORK, USA, November 19, 2021,-/African Media Agency (AMA)/-The impacts of the most acute drought in over 40 years, combined with sandstorms and pests, have made it nearly impossible for people in the Grand Sud to grow their own food for at least three years now.  “The world cannot look away. People in Madagascar need our support now, and into the…

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Brussels Airlines keeps its focus on the African continent BRUSSELS, Belgium, 18 November, 2021 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/- Today, Brussels Airlines presents a new brand identity, confirming its position in the market as Belgium’s home carrier and the Africa expert of the Lufthansa Group. Updated colours, a new logo and aircraft livery are the visual token of the airline’s new chapter, stating its readiness for future challenges and reemphasizing on the importance of the Belgian brand. A chapter with a strong focus on customer experience, reliability and sustainability while keeping a competitive cost-structure.As a consequence of the COVID-19 crisis, Brussels Airlines accelerated…

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Although progress has been made in Somalia’s electoral process, it has been slow and uneven, the UN Special Representative for the country said in a briefing to the Security Council on Wednesday. NEW YORK, USA, November 18, 2021,-/African Media Agency (AMA)/-James Swan welcomed completion of the indirect elections for the Upper House of Somalia’s Federal Parliament, which began in July, and the start of those for the lower chamber, known as the House of the People. While 14 women will be among the 54 Senators in the Upper House, representing 26 per cent of parliamentarians there, Mr. Swan said this…

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ABUJA, Nigeria, November 17, 2021 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/- The African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the Government of Namibia will convene a virtual joint 8th Africa Water Week (AWW-8) and 6th AfricaSan Conference from November 22-26, 2021. The Africa Water and Sanitation Week will provide a platform for dialogue and sharing of knowledge on advancing the water and sanitation agenda in Africa. Participants will also agree on action plans to further the pursuit of the water and sanitation related targets of the SDGs. These will follow from the week-long discussions on opportunities for solutions to overcome sector challenges and make…

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JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, 17th November 2021 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/- For most organisations operating on the African continent, the past 18 months have forced unprecedented change in how they operate at every level of their business. From dealing with the initial impact of the pandemic, subsequent lockdowns and enabling a hybrid workforce, to digitising customer-facing and back-office processes and dealing with disruptions in the supply chain – organisations have had their hands full. “The pace of change and the extent to which organisations have had to adapt are forcing business leaders to completely reimagine how their organisations operate,” says Tracy Bolton, chief…

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BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, 17 November 2021 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/- Bybit, one of the fastest growing cryptocurrency exchanges with operations around the world, is the new global main sponsor of the Argentina national football teams, including the men’s international football side captained by Lionel Messi. Through this two-years agreement, Bybit’s brand will have maximum visibility in all Argentine Football Associations (AFA) assets, and its logo will be present in the training apparel of all the national football teams. Within its global growth strategy for the coming years, the Latin American market is one of the focuses of Bybit, which was founded in 2018…

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Visitors can explore Africa’s rich and diverse culture via food, music and designSeven acclaimed chefs, led by curator Alexander Smalls, bring concept to lifeDining hall celebrates the variety and potential of the continent’s cuisines DUBAI,UAE, 16 November 2021 /African Media Agency (AMA)/ – African dining hall Alkebulan has made its debut at Expo 2020, showcasing African food and culture through a colourful culinary lens. Capturing the essence of Africa, it transports visitors on a journey into the continent’s cultural diversities and gastronomy scenes, bringing together people, communities and nations.  Alkebulan (pronounced al-kee-boulan) – the oldest name for Africa and translating…

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JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, 15th November, 2021 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/- As changing consumer habits and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to drive adoption of digital services in Africa, banks in particular are under pressure to extend their services into the digital realm.One recent study found that 96% of banks operating in the African continent have digital transformation at the top of their agendas.For one of South Africa’s largest and most innovative banks, a rapidly growing customer base hungry for its banking services led to an ambitious and award-winning digital transformation project built on SAP’s powerful S/4HANA platform.“As a business we believe…

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DURBAN, South Africa ,16 November 2021-/ African Media Agency (AMA)/- Brand Africa today launched “Brand Africa | Africa’s Best Places,” the pan-African initiative to recognize and rank the best places for tourism, investment and citizen mobilisation in Africa. The goal of the initiative is to inspire pride, raise the standards and grow the competitiveness of African places – countries, cities and destinations. The inaugural awards and rankings of the “Brand Africa | Africa’s Best Places” will be celebrated and published on 1 September 2022.  The “Brand Africa | Africa’s Best Places” initiative builds on the inaugural Brand Africa Forum in 2010 which convened African…

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CAPE TOWN, South Africa, 16 November, 2021 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/- African blockchain disruptors and early-stage startups have joined CV Labs Global Incubation Program Batch_03. The African contingent of incubatees is reflective of Crypto Valley Venture Capital’s (CV VC) global investment strategy, to invest in blockchains’ wider applicability to solving problems and creating new markets, beyond crypto.  The incubation program is a precursor to CV VCs’ public-private partnership with the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), which intends to see CV VC build the first-ever, blockchain-focused Accelerator for Africa. The goal of this Accelerator is to invest in 100 startups from the African…

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Children in the Central African Republic (CAR) have suffered a spike in grave violations since the end of 2020, according to a new UN report on the situation in the country, issued on Monday. NEW YORK, USA, November 16, 2021,-/African Media Agency (AMA)/-The report on children and armed conflict in CAR highlighted that between 1 July 2019 and 30 June 2021, 1,280 children suffered one or more grave violations, with girls accounting for more than 40 per cent of all victims.   While most were committed by armed groups, five per cent were attributed to the national armed forces, FACA. “The security situation in the Central African Republic has rapidly worsened in recent months and children are paying a high price…

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New four-year commitment will help UNICEF procure COVID-19 tests, treatments, and vaccines; mitigate the pandemic’s disruption of routine immunization; and support the procurement of other essential health supplies SEATTLE, STOCKHOLM, COPENHAGEN, 12 November 2021 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/- The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), and UNICEF today announced a $150 million financial guarantee to help UNICEF procure vaccines and other health-related supplies for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).This financing, effective through 2025, will help sustain national immunization programs, including COVID-19 vaccination campaigns, and enable the timely procurement of essential health supplies while domestic financing is mobilized.…

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By Cathy Smith, Managing Director at SAP Africa LAGOS, Nigeria, 12 November, 2021 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/- As we continue rebuilding following the economic and social damage caused by the pandemic, there is ample opportunity for optimism. I am encouraged by the continent’s rich history of innovation and ingenuity. After all, Africa is the cradle of humankind, where stone tools were first invented (2.6 million years ago in modern Ethiopia), papyrus was invented by the Egyptians more than 5 000 years ago, and where the world’s first university – in 859 – was created in Morocco. Today, Africa is more prosperous than…

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“On 22nd October, the below alert was issued to you with an incorrect reference to Somaliland. We have corrected this and ask that you make the correction on your published article to reflect the corrections. These include Somaliland instead of Somalia in the headline. Thanking you in advance and apologies for the inconvenience. MOGADISHU, Somalia, 11 November 2021 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/- Start Network has made £150,000 available to help over 10,000 people affected by ongoing civil unrest in Somalia provinces of Baidoa, Gaalkacyo, and Beledweyneare. Start Network which is made up of a consortium of NGOs including ACTED, Concern, Relief International, Save the Children and…

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Johannesburg, Lagos, Nairobi, 10 November 2021 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/- Young people in North Africa are unlikely to befriend, date or marry someone from sub-Saharan Africa. This revelation was made in the ‘One Africa?’ report which unpacks narratives about Pan-Africanism and continental integration. The research polled 4500 people aged 18 to 35 in Egypt, Morocco, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, and Zimbabwe to find out what they think about being African, personal, and professional relationships with other Africans, and if they would travel or relocate within the continent. Most young Africans have a positive outlook on the continent – 68% are highly…

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Fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has forced at least 11,000 people to flee to neighbouring Uganda since Sunday night, representing the largest refugee influx in a single day for more than a year, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said on Tuesday. NEW YORK, USA, November 10, 2021,-/African Media Agency (AMA)/-Women and children comprise the majority of those who have crossed the border to escape clashes between militia groups and the Congolese armed forces in Rutshuru Territory, in the DRC’s North Kivu province. Rushing to escape Shabia Mantoo, UNHCR spokesperson in Geneva, said some 8,000 asylum seekers crossed at Bunagana…

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A year-long conflict in the Tigray region of Ethiopia has reached “disastrous proportions”, the UN political chief told the Security Council on Monday, warning of “grave uncertainty” surrounding the future of the country and stability of the whole Horn of Africa region. NEW YORK, USA, November 09, 2021,-/African Media Agency (AMA)/-Fighting began in early November last year, when forces of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) attacked a federal army base in the region, leading the Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to order a military offensive against the rebels, which has left thousands dead. Last week, the UN human rights office reported that…

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