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OPINION | Why We Need African Energy Banks. Now

NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber, argues against those pushing for a halt to new investments in Africa’s oil and gas industry. The majority of those making these demands are based in industrialized nations that were built on fossil fuels, he argues. For more than a year, the African Energy Chamber has been pushing back against steadily building pressure …

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Africa’s most enduring political party celebrates milestone

The African National Congress of South Africa marks 110 years of its existence on 8 January 2012. The Congress, which led the struggle for freedom and democracy in South Africa, has been governing the country since its independence in 1994. Our Senior Contributing Editor Eric Singh**, who joined the ANC in 1951 and participated actively in the struggle against Apartheid, …

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Africa Cup of Nations kicks off

After multiple postponements and fears of an outright cancellation, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finally kicks off on Sunday. The TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Cameroon 2021 is a major event on the continent and this year’s edition is eagerly awaited following its postponement in 2021 due to the Covid crisis. The competition, tagged Cameroon 2021 and which will …

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What Africa needs to do to make AfCFTA succeed

It is projected that under the African Continental Free Trade Area, extreme poverty will significantly decline across the continent, writes Zion Adeoye, Managing Director for Centurion Law Group’s AfCFTA Desk, and he lists what Africa has to do to realise the potential of the trade agreement — Established in 2018, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) represents perhaps Africa’s …

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Merck Foundation recognizes best African women and young researchers

ABUJA, Nigeria, January 5, 2022/ — CEO of Merck Foundation, Senator Dr Rasha Kelej, and the scientific committee felicitated 13 winners of best African Women Researchers and best Young African Researchers of MARS Awards 2021 ceremony via videoconference for their valuable research work and contribution to empowering women and youth in STEM; Merck Foundation also announced the Call for Applications for …

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MEP Herzberger-Fofana pays tribute to Desmond Tutu

Dr. Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana, Member of the European Parliament representing Germany on the platform of the Green Party, pays tribute to Desmond Mpilo Tutu, the South African Anglican bishop and theologian known for his work as an anti-apartheid and human rights activist who died at the age of 90 on 26 December. —– The South African Archbishop of the Anglican Church passed …

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Germany: New Laws and other Changes in 2022

The minimum wage and Hartz IV rate will rise in the new year just as postage rates and the prices of petrol and diesel will go up. New regulations on plastic shopping bags and beverage cans and plastic bottles enter into effect as well. Here are some of the changes most likely to affect most people living in Germany —– …

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Interview: König Bansah talks about his life since arriving in Germany in 1970

Céphas Kosi Olatidoye Bansah, the Togbe Ngoryifia of the Hohoe Gbi Traditional Area, Ghana, has been living in Germany since 1970. After he was named chief of the 300,000-strong community of Ewe-speaking people in 1992, Bansah chose to continue living in Germany instead of returning home. The master agricultural machinery mechanic and master motor vehicle mechanic, who is better known …

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Archbishop Desmond Tutu: How best to honour his memory by Strive Masiyiwa

Desmond Mpilo Tutu, the South African Anglican bishop and theologian known for his work as an anti-apartheid and human rights activist, died at the age of 90 on 26 December. The clergyman, who in 1984 received the Nobel Prize for Peace, emerged as one of the most prominent opponents of South Africa’s apartheid system of racial segregation and white minority …

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Opinion: Why elections are failing in Africa

The year 2021 has been characterized by thirteen elections in Africa – in Uganda, Niger, Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Benin, Chad, Ethiopia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Zambia, Somalia, Cabo Verde, Gambia, and Libya. Of these 13 elections, only those in Zambia, Cabo Verde and São Tomé and Príncipe could be considered free and fair. Why are elections failing in Africa? …

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Maisha celebrates 25th anniversary in Frankfurt

Maisha – African Women in Germany e.V. recently celebrated 25 years of its existence in Frankfurt. Maisha, which means “life” in Swahili, is a self-help organisation of African women in Germany founded in 1996 by Virginia Wangare Greiner. The occasion, attended by members as well as friends and partners of the organisation, was a milestone for self-organisation in the African …

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Germany: Scholz promises easier naturalisation, more participation for people with migrant roots

In his first government declaration, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, following up on his election campaign promises, announced plans to make naturalisation easier and create more opportunities for more participation in society for people with a migration background. Germany is a country of immigration, now it must now become an even better country of integration, he added. —— Chancellor Olaf Scholz has …

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President Weah comments on Samuel Eto’o’s election as Cameroon football chief

President George Manneh Weah of Liberia has expressed his excitement at the election of football legend Samuel Eto’o as President of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT). Eto’o defeated Seidou Mbombo Njoya, who serves as Vice President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), on Saturday. The Liberian Leader, a football great himself who is the only African to have won …

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Applications open for African tech startup support grant

African tech startups raised a record-breaking $4.42 billion in funding in 2021, with the investment in African innovation almost doubling since 2020. With this increase in funding, comes an increased demand for hands-on support and access to markets from startups in Africa. Therefore, the Telecel African Startup Initiative Program (ASIP) powered by Startupbootcamp (SBC) AfriTech, has opened applications for its …

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French Ambassador talks about her impressions of Accra airport

The French ambassador to Ghana has praised the Kotoka International Airport (KIA), saying it’s of the standard of Dubai and Europe. Speaking about her first impression arriving in Ghana, Ambassador Anne Sophie Avé told a radio interviewer (Accra100.5FM’s mid-morning show Ayekoo Ayekoo) on 8 December that “the first impression is: Wow!” “When you arrive in Kotoka, you say: ‘Ok, where …

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Nigeria: 25,000MW Siemens power project to begin

The Nigerian government has announced that the Siemens AG power project which plans to grow the country’s power delivery to 25,000 megawatts will be revived in the first quarter of 2022. The Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu, made the announcement on Thursday, explaining that the German firm, Siemens AG, would begin operations in Nigeria soon and that activities to get …

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Eto’o elected head of Cameroon Football Federation

Former Cameroonian international Samuel Eto’o was elected president of the country’s football federation on Saturday. The four-time African Footballer of the Year defeated rival Seidou Mbombo Njoya, the fourth vice-president at the Confederation of African Football with 43 votes to 31. Seven candidates should have contested the elections, but five of them pulled out on the morning of the elections. …

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New curator of African Book Festival Berlin named

The Johannesburg-based writer, filmmaker and photographer Lidudumalingani is the new curator of the African Book Festival in Berlin. Taking place from 19th-21st August 2022, the event will once more bring together the stars of contemporary African literature in the German capital. In 2016, winning the Caine Prize for African Writing propelled Lidudumalingani to literary stardom. Shortly after he was awarded …

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WhatsApp launches Campaign against Fake News in Nigeria

WhatsApp, has announced the launch of #YouSaid, a campaign to educate people on how to verify information they come across before passing it on, to help reduce the spread of false news in Nigeria. The campaign offers tips for WhatsApp users to spot false news and take responsibility in minimising its spread, by encouraging people to think carefully and check …

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