Nigeria: Breaking Barriers

Universal Health Coverage (UHC) has it foundation in the 1948 World Health Organisation (WHO) Constitution, which declares health as a fundamental human right and commits to ensuring the highest attainable level of health for all. Despite the ongoing public health efforts, the mission of upholding this basic human right falls short if people cannot afford

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DRC: Incumbent President inaugurates new financial center amidst elections

The new Kinshasa financial center, a product of Turkish-Congolese cooperation, was inaugurated by Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi ahead of the presidential elections, with construction commencing in November 2022. The project, totaling $290 million, features four 21-storey towers, a convention center, and 90,000 m² of land, aiming to streamline operations for the Ministry of Budget and

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Africa: How Govt Payments to the Vulnerable Can Multiply to Create Economic Growth for Everyone

The economic fallout of COVID-19 left people around the world facing a significant threat to their livelihood. As governments scrambled to mitigate the pandemic’s impact on their populations, many decided to use direct payments to support vulnerable citizens. More than a sixth of the world’s population received some sort of cash transfer in 2020. These

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Sudan: Bipartisan Call in Both Houses of Congress for Naming a U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan and Increased Diplomatic Engagement

U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, introduced a joint, bipartisan resolution calling for a high-level special envoy to work towards ending the conflict in Sudan. The Senate resolution has been introduced, to be followed by introduction in the House of Representatives by

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Ethiopia: Ethio-Russian Manufacturing Partnership Beacon of Success, Says Minister of Industry

Addis Ababa — The Ethio-Russia partnership in manufacturing is a beacon of collaborative success, Minister of Industry, Melaku Alebel said. Russian business delegation led by Russia’s Head of Federal Agency on Mineral Resources, Eugeny Petrov is here in Ethiopia to explore investment opportunities. The delegation held bilateral meeting with Minister of Industry, Melaku Alebel today.

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Madagascar: Rajoelina Inaugurated As President of the Republic of Madagascar

His Excellency Andry Nirina Rajoelina, President of the Republic of Madagascar was inaugurated on 16thDecember 2023 following his re-election in the First Round of the Presidential Election which were held on 16thNovember 2023 in Madagascar. The inauguration ceremony was attended by multitudes of Malagasy citizens and esteemed foreign dignitaries including Heads of State and Government

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Guinea: Reporters Without Borders denounces censorship of private media

Lieutenant Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, in Conakry, September 6, 2021,   –   Copyright © africanews CELLOU BINANI/AFP or licensors Last updated: 15/12 – 17:10 Reporters Without Borders The NGO Reporters Without Borders (RSF) on Thursday asked the Guinean authorities dominated by the military to “urgently” an end to the series of restrictive measures taken against certain private

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Mozambique: Debts

London — Lawyers for Lebanese billionaire Iskandar Safa and his Privinvest group of companies on Friday at the High Court in London argued that Mozambique had conceived the idea of building a tuna fishing fleet long before Privinvest arrived in the country and that it was the then President, Armando Guebuza, who had approached Privinvest

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Pics of the day: December 15, 2023

News In this handout photo released by El Gouna Film Festival, Austrian-Egyptian actress Amira El Sayed holds up her hands to show messages   –   Copyright © africanews -/AFP By Rédaction Africanews Last updated: 15/12 – 17:48 DR Congo Africanews focuses on the most striking images of the day’s news. Related articles 01:02 Pics of the

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Kenya: Rainforest Alliance to Support Kenyan Coffee to Meet Global Standards

Nairobi — A Non-Governmental Organization ( NGO) has partnered with some cooperative societies affiliated to Gusii Coffee farmers Cooperative Union ( GCFCU) to boost coffee production and farmers earnings. Rainforest Alliance Regional Director,- Kenya/ Tanzania, Marion Nduta said the NGO has launched Gusii Regenerative Agriculture landscape ( GURAL) coffee project to aid certifying the coffee

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Ethiopia: Anti-Doping Authority Ramps Up Testing for Paris Bound Athletes

Ethiopia’s anti-doping efforts are kicking into high gear earlier than expected as the country looks to curb violations and ensure integrity at the 2024 Summer Games in Paris. The Anti-Doping Authority of Ethiopia announced enhanced testing and control measures for Olympic hopefuls, starting January, months ahead of schedule. The intensive initiative aims to identify and

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Liberia: Liberia

By Tina S. Mehnpaine Catherine Rodriguez, Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy near Monrovia, has called on the Joseph Boakai administration to prioritize the fight against corruption as it is paramount to the Liberian people. She added that many Liberians are eager to see those involved in or accused of corruption or human rights violations

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Africa: U.S. Celebrates Milestones in African Relations On U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit Anniversary

US officials discuss unprecedented achievements and future collaborations in transformative U.S.-African Relations In a significant milestone marking the first anniversary of the US-Africa Leaders’ Summit held in December 2022, Special Assistant to President Joe Biden and Senior Director for African Affairs, Judd Devermont, highlighted to journalists the extraordinary achievements in US-African relations over the past

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Africa: COP28 Ends With Agreement On Fossil Fuels, but Reservations Remain

United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, says limiting global heating to 1.5°C will be impossible without the phase-out of fossil fuels. The United Nations conference on climate change ended in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Wednesday, with an agreement on transitioning away from fossil fuels, the substances that cause climate change. While many have lauded the

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Africa: COP28 Agreement to Move Away From Fossil Fuels Sets Precedent but Falls Short of Safeguarding Human Rights

COP28 in Dubai has agreed on the need to move away from fossil fuels for the first time, at the end of a climate summit marred by restrictions on civil society, and the United Arab Emirates’ blatant contempt for human rights, Amnesty International said. The headline COP28 agreement on the Global Stocktake to ”transition away”

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Africa: Venture Capital Firms Funding Generative Artificial Intelligence Ignoring Duty to Protect Human Rights

Surveys with the 10 largest venture capital funds and two largest start-up accelerators investing in Generative AI companies revealed hardly any were taking steps to safeguard human rights. Leading venture capital (VC) firms are failing in their responsibility to respect human rights, especially in relation to new Generative AI technologies, warned Amnesty International USA (AIUSA)

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Nigeria: #CAFAwards2023

Host Morocco also had a remarkable night; winning in five categories. Nigeria made history in Marrakech, Morocco, on Monday night, sweeping the Men’s and Women’s CAF Player-of-the-Year Awards. This marks a remarkable feat, as no other nation has ever won both coveted prizes in the same year. Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala rewrote history, becoming

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West Africa: Good Governance Can Counter Coups, Tinubu Tells Ecowas Leaders

Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Bola Tinubu, on Sunday, has called on West African leaders to prioritise good governance and collective prosperity as an essential tool to prevent authoritarian takeovers of power and unconstitutional changes of government in the region. He said this while addressing the high-powered regional gathering

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Belarus and Equatorial Guinea sign agreements and Minsk seeks allies

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, a faithful ally of Moscow, arrives in Malabo to meet his counterpart, the President of Equatorial Guinea Teodoro Obiang Nguema   –   Copyright © africanews cleared Last updated: 9 hours ago Equatorial Guinea Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko signed cooperation agreements during a visit to his Equatorial Guinean counterpart on Saturday as

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Nigeria: Daily Trust Investigation of Illegal Kidney Trade Highlights “Depravity and Criminality”

The following is a statement issued by Muhammad Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health & Social Welfare, Federal Republic of Nigeria, posted on his official X /Twitter account, @muhammadpate This investigative reporting by @daily_trust reveals the depth of depravity and criminality prevalent in sections of our society. We Acknowledge and feel the pain experienced

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Zimbabwe and Botswana introduce visa-free travel deal

Zimbabwean President elect Emmerson Mnangagwa prepares to address a press conference in Harare ,Friday, Aug, 3, 2018.   –   Copyright © africanews Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi/Copyright 2018 The AP. All rights reserved. Last updated: 09/12 – 14:51 Zimbabwe Zimbabwe and Botswana have embarked on a bilateral deal to eliminate passport requirements for each other’s citizens, fostering a new

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Kenya: Ex-Govt Officials Among Those Vying for 4 Minority Shareholder Board Seats at KPLC

Nairobi — Former top government officials are among those vying for four slots reserved for minority shareholders on Kenya Power’s Board of Directors. They include former ICT permanent secretary (PS) Jerome Ochieng, ex-Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO) Chairman James Rege, and Engineers Board of Kenya CEO Margaret Ogai. Others are former Kenya Power managing

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Kenya: 12 EdTech Startups Land Sh183 Million Boost to Improve Learning Outcomes in Ihub, Mastercard Foundation Deal

Nairobi — Nairobi-based business incubator, iHub Kenya, has entered into a deal with Mastercard Foundation, a private Canada-based charity, to help startups grow and expand their offering in digital learning solutions. Managing partner Nissi Madu said iHub Kenya signed up 12 educational technology (EdTech)startups in six months which underwent an acceleration programme to enable them

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South Africa: Parliament Passes Key Bills

The National Assembly on Tuesday passed several Bills, including the National Prosecuting Authority Amendment Bill, the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill, and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate Amendment Bill. The Bills were passed during the House’s plenary sitting. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Amendment Bill The NPA Amendment Bill amends the

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South Africa: Mchunu Reaffirms Commitment to Deliver Quality Water Services

Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu has reaffirmed the department’s commitment to continue efforts to ensure that citizens receive quality water services. This comes as the department released the 2023 full Blue Drop and No Drop reports on drinking water quality, provision and wastewater management in the country. The reports were released simultaneously with the

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Guinea Bissau: Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Embalo Dissolves Parliament After Coup Attempt

Harare — A Monday proclamation signed by Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embalo dissolved the country’s parliament, citing the unsuccessful coup attempt on December 1, 2023. This move raises additional concerns about political stability in the country and the wider coup-hit West African region, RFI reports. The presidential order alluded to the “seriousness” of a gunfight

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Uganda: COP28

Uganda has made strides in achieving its renewable energy targets by signing a Memorandum of Understanding that will see a UAE company construct a 150MW solar energy plant in the eastern part of the country. The agreement signed during the ongoing climate change summit(COP28) in Dubai, UAE will see Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC

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Africa: U.S. Restricts Visas for Uganda, Zimbabwe Officials

Harare — On Monday, the United States announced a new visa restriction policy for officials in Zimbabwe and expanded its policy on visa restrictions for Ugandan officials to include individuals it believes are responsible for undermining democracy and suppressing disadvantaged communities in Uganda, Reuters reports. When announcing the visa restrictions, U.S. Secretary of State Antony

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Rwanda: Kicukiro, Gasabo Crowned Wheelchair Basketball Champions

Kicukiro (men) and Gasabo (women) were crowned champions of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities Wheelchair Basketball competition that took place at STECOL in Masoro on Saturday. The one-day competition, which brought together teams from the Wheelchair Basketball Championship, was organized by the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) on the occasion of celebrations of the

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Africa: Tackling Health Impacts of Climate Change and Scaling Up Digital Climate Action in the Spotlight at COP28

Dubai — Delegates at COP28 in Dubai on Saturday called for stronger and more resilient global health systems, which are indispensable to protecting populations from the negative impacts of climate change on health. Ahead of the first ever ‘Health Day’ at a UN climate conference, delegates signed onto a new declaration on climate and health

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Liberia: Senate Debates Daft Bill to Legitimize Tuition Free Policy At Public Universities

Monrovia — The policy, established through an executive order declaring tuition-free education at all public universities and colleges in Liberia, could stand alone as a legacy initiative of President George Weah’s Coalition for Democratic Change government only if it is legitimized. The House of Representatives has passed the bill and sent it to the Senate

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Angola: Angolan President Reiterates Openness to Cooperate With Us

Washington — Angolan President João Lourenço on Thursday reiterated his country’s openness to cooperate with the United States of America in various areas, particularly agriculture. Speaking at the opening of talks with the US president Joe Biden, the Angolan president expressed his country’s openness to establish strategic partnerships in other areas of interest, such as

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Africa: FIFA Rankings

World football governing body, FIFA on Thursday, 30 November officially published its latest men’s national team global rankings. The latest rankings showed a big improvement for Comoros who made a significant move up the rankings with 30.88 points that moved them nine places up to 119th. The progress of the Comoros contrasts with the decline

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Africa: Jwaneng Galaxy

Upon the conclusion of the group stages draw last month in Johannesburg, fans of the African game had almost concluded who would advance to the knockout stages of the tournament – purely based on club pedigree and experience on the continent. Match Day 1 of the group stages concluded on Sunday and with most clubs

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EU: drop in migrant departures from Tunisia

Migrants stand in the reception center of Lampedusa, Sicily, on September 14, 2023.   –   Copyright © africanews Valeria Ferraro/Copyright 2023 The AP. All rights reserved. Last updated: 29/11 – 12:02 Belgium The European Union has “good cooperation” in migration matters with Tunisia, European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson said on Tuesday, indicating that departures

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Nigeria: Measles

A total of 700,000 children have been vaccinated in the 2023 measles campaign across the 16 local government areas of Kwara State. The executive secretary, Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Nusirat Elelu, disclosed this at the 40th Media Parliament of the state council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Ilorin, the

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Africa: WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award in Public Health

Lusaka, Zambia — In recognition of his unwavering dedication to advancing global health and his transformative leadership during unprecedented crises, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), was bestowed with the prestigious 2023 CPHIA Lifetime Achievement Award in Public Health. This accolade was presented at the  International Conference on Public Health

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Malawi slammed for sending workers to Israel amid Gaza conflict

Opposition parties and human rights organizations in Malawi have voiced strong criticism against President Lazarus Chakwera and his administration for dispatching 221 young Malawians to engage in agricultural work in Israel. This decision, implemented on Saturday, comes in the wake of Israel’s recent aid contribution of $60 million (£47 million) aimed at supporting Malawi’s economic

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Egypt’s Soilless Farming: Rooting for a Sustainable Future

Amidst water scarcity and diminishing arable land, some individuals in Egypt are transitioning to soilless farming. However, experts caution that the high initial costs and certain crop limitations may impede widespread adoption in the African nation. Soilless agriculture, also known as hydroponics, involves cultivating plants using nutrient-rich water outside the traditional soil, typically within controlled

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South Africa: Citizens See Gender-Based Violence As Most Important Women’s-Rights Issue to Address

Nearly half of citizens say violence against women and girls is common in their community. South Africa is no stranger to gruesome cases of gender-based violence (GBV). In 2013, 17-year-old Anene Booysen was brutally attacked, raped, and disembowelled in Bredasdorp (September, 2013). In 2017, 22-year-old Karabo Mokoena went missing, and her body was later found

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Struggles Persist in Remote Areas as DR Congo’s Election Approaches

As Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Felix Tshisekedi seeks re-election, the promises made during his initial term to alleviate poverty in remote areas seem unfulfilled. Despite implementing certain social policies, many areas, like the village of Camp Pay in the Kwilu province, continue to face challenges. Unfulfilled Promises and Lingering Struggles Local voices in

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South Africa: Health Workers Picket for Palestine Outside Red Cross Children’s Hospital

Organisers call for immediate ceasefire More than 300 health workers gathered outside the Red Cross Children’s Hospital in Cape Town on Tuesday to show support for the people of Palestine. The picket took place during morning rush hour traffic. Drivers of ambulances, taxis and other vehicles hooted their support for the picket. Protesters waved Palestinian

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Boakai declared winner of Liberia presidential election: electoral commission

Political veteran Joseph Boakai was on Monday declared winner of Liberia’s presidential election, beating incumbent George Weah, the National Electoral Commission (NEC) said after completing the ballot count. Boakai won with 50.64 percent of the vote, against 49.36 percent of the vote for former international football star Weah, Davidetta Browne Lansanah, president of the commission

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Egypt: Sisi Renews Egypt’s Rejections of Attempts to Displace Palestinians Internally or Externally

President Abdel Fattah El Sisi renewed Egypt’s position in rejection of any forced internal or external displacement of Palestinians, and decried, in particular, attempts to evict them from their homeland to Egyptian lands in Sinai. This came during his meeting on Saturday 18/11/2023 with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, in the

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Rwanda: British Prime Minister Promises Emergency Legislation After Rwanda Migration Policy Blocked by UK Court

Harare — British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged to present emergency legislation verifying Rwanda’s status as a secure nation. This comes shortly after the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom declared that the government’s scheme to transfer Rwandan asylum seekers back to their country of origin, was illegal. Human rights organisations welcomed the Supreme Court’s

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Kenya: President Ruto Urges Universities to Strengthen Research, Innovation

Nairobi — President William Ruto has asked universities to strengthen research and innovation to provide solutions to security threats facing the country. He argued that research and innovation remain the cornerstones of progress. The Head of State emphasized on the need for universities to invest on research and help the Government in addressing challenges ocassioned

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Mozambique:

Maputo — The Mozambican government, through the National Standardization and Quality Institute (INNOQ), is introducing a Conformity Assessment Programme (PAC) to put an end to the entry and circulation of substandard and counterfeit products in the country. According to the Minister of Industry and Trade, Silvino Moreno, speaking at the opening of a seminar regarding

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Nigerian rapper, Oladips is dead

Nigerian pop star, Oladipupo Olabode Oladimenji, popularly known as Oladips, has died. According to a statement posted on his Instagram page, he passed away at exactly 10:14 pm on Tuesday. In the late hours of yesterday, videos made the rounds on social media of the Lalakukulala crooner seeming to have collapsed as his friends surrounded

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Kenya: Kenya’s President Ruto, Sudan Leader Abdel Burhan Bury Hatchet, Agree to Support Sudan Peace Talks

President William Ruto of Kenya and Sudanese leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan reached an agreement to endorse the Jeddah peace process aimed at resolving the conflict in Sudan, reports The East African. This development marked a substantial easing of tensions between the two leaders and demonstrated a shared commitment to promoting peace in the region. The

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Zimbabwe election campaign: opposition leader kidnapped and found dead

Citizens Coalition For Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa (C-L),   –   Copyright © africanews ZINYANGE AUNTONY/AFP or licensors Last updated: 14/11 – 11:44 Zimbabwe An opposition activist in Zimbabwe has been found dead after being abducted while campaigning ahead of by-elections, his party announced on Monday. This is the third incident in recent weeks denounced by

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Nigeria: Blackout Looms As Nigerian Electricity Workers Join Labour Unions’ Strike

The NUEE members’ strike could throw the country into darkness, given the workers’ critical roles in electricity distribution in the country. The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has directed its members to commence full mobilisation to ensure compliance with the directive of the Nigerian labour unions to embark on a nationwide strike. The NUEE

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Kenya: Kenyan Firm to Lead Construction of U.S.$210 Million Smart City in Kinshasa

Nairobi — A Kenyan-grown financial consultancy firm, AVLC Group, has been picked by MC Telecom, a Kinsasha-based firm, to offer lead consultancy services in the construction of a multi-billion-shilling smart city in the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The state-of-the-art project dubbed Kasangulu Smart City covering an imposing 40 hectares of prime land

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Rwanda: Peacekeeping

Rwanda National Police (RNP), on Friday, November 10, completed the rotation of its Formed Police Unit Three (FPU3-1) contingent serving under the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Central African Republic (MINUSCA). ALSO READ: South Sudan: Rwandan peacekeepers in Malakal join government officials in novel peace, hygiene campaign The maiden Rwanda FPU3-1 contingent of 180

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Liberia: Fast Growing Journalist Siaway Miapue Wins Liberia’s 1st Young Journalist Award

Monrovia — The Youth Media Action (YMA) with support from USAID and Internews Liberia has awarded Journalist Siaway T. Miapue its maiden “Young Journalist of the Year 2023,” at its first-ever award program in Liberia. The award attracted 23 emerging young journalists with five young journalists bagging awards including Emmanuel Kollie of ELBC as second

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Liberia: Ruling CDC Accuses Election Coordinating Committee Head of Being in Opposition Unity Party ‘War Room’ but ECC Denies, Describes Circulating Video As Fake

By J. H. Webster Clayeh Monrovia — It is just a few days before the run-off Presidential election, and the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) is accusing the head of the Election Coordinating Committee (ECC), Oscar Bloh, of being in a videotape with staunch members of the opposition Unity Party (UP) in what seems

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