Africa’s e-learning market has seen substantial growth due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, with the use of e-learning applications and platforms surging as schools and universities are forced to deliver lessons virtually..
Read More »Young African professionals making it big in Germany
When the coronavirus pandemic spread in early 2020, economies around the world closed down and most people were relegated to remote work. But for the young African professionals taking part in the latest AFRIKA KOMMT! programme, the pandemic brought the additional challenge of being in a foreign country and taking part in a highly competitive programme. According to Ilka Wiskemann, …
Read More »Remembering Theodor Michael, one year on
Theodor Michael, the grand old man of the Black community in Germany, died at the age of 94 on 19 October 2019. Michael, who was born on 15 January 1925 as the youngest of four children to a father from Cameroon and a German mother, was one of the oldest living Germans of African descent at the time of his …
Read More »Theodor Michael: ”Develop the courage to struggle and never to give up”
Theodor Michael, who died on 19 October 2019, in this interview* conducted in September of 2003 at his home in Cologne talked about his eventful life and he gives counsel to people of African descent in Germany — What does it mean to be an elderly Afro-German reflecting on the time you were growing up? Theodor Michael: We Blacks were …
Read More »COVID-19: Opportunity for continental free trade to unlock Africa’s full potential
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement was initially scheduled to enter into force in July 2020. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the commencement of the implementation of the continental deal has been postponed until January 2021. NJ Ayuk*, international legal practitioner and founder of one of Africa’s most successful law chambers, explains why the global health …
Read More »NGO alliance calls for suspension of debt repayments by African countries
“In many African countries, debt service payments take up more place in the budget than investments in education, health or social security. Not only do they lack the financial leeway to effectively tackle the corona crisis in their countries, but in the worst case, they are even threatened with national bankruptcy”
Read More »Why Kenyan Diaspora Startup Bill 2020 is weak in practice
After Senator Johnston Arthur Sakaja’s recent brush with the law over flouting Covid-19 restrictions, the legislator has got back to doing what legislators do best. Drafting bills. His latest brainchild is the Kenyan Diaspora Startup Bill 2020. The bill has good intent but is weak in practice, argues David Monda. The Kenyan Startup Bill 2020 is an innovative bill that …
Read More »Germany: Group campaigns for more jobs for Blacks in Berlin’s tech industry
Employees of African origin in Berlin’s tech companies have started a group to promote diversity in the sector. Called “Black in Tech Berlin”, the group networks and shares ideas to bring change in the industry, where Black people are underrepresented. It counts six hundred members and was founded by Kave Bulambo, who is originally from the DR Congo but grew …
Read More »Germany: Business magazine for the African community launched
A new magazine, published bimonthly and bilingual in English and German to serve self-employed Africans in Germany, was launched at a colourful ceremony on Saturday in the western German city of Dortmund. The African Merchant (TAM) would support African entrepreneurship by focusing on opportunities and challenges of self-employment in Germany, Dr Rosalyn Dressman, publisher of the new magazine, said at …
Read More »Ghana: Why the Public University Bill Endangers Academic Freedom
The Public University Bill has been the cause for heated debate in Ghana, especially in academic circles. Germany-based journalist and scholar Tina Adomako explains how the new bill could herald the end of freedom of speech and research in government-owned institutions of higher learning in the country. While the global coronavirus pandemic has challenged educational institutions and universities around the …
Read More »Africa loses $89 billion yearly to theft by multinationals – UN report
“Illicit financial flows rob Africa and its people of their prospects, undermining transparency and accountability and eroding trust in African institutions”
Read More »Kenya’s president woos French investors in Paris, signs major contracts
Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta is currently on a visit to Paris to sign major agreements with French companies on water, infrastructure and energy and attend events to further Franco-Kenyan economic and political ties.. President Uhuru Kenyatta kicked off his 5-day official visit to France on Wednesday evening at Elysee Palace where he was received by his host, French President Emmanuel …
Read More »New Launch Date: Magazine for African Entrepreneurs in Germany
The publication of the magazine is a response to the increasing numbers of Africans entering self-employment as a defensive response to difficulties in accessing jobs commensurate with their qualifications and experience. Many are also establishing businesses to respond to market opportunities.
Read More »Facebook to open new office in Lagos, Nigeria
"All across Africa we’re seeing immense talent in the tech ecosystem, and I’m proud that with the upcoming opening of our new office, we’ll be building products for the future of Africa, and the rest of the world, with Africans at the helm. We look forward to contributing further to the African tech ecosystem.”
Read More »Why Senegal’s President Macky Sall is right about African debt relief by NJ Ayuk
NJ Ayuk, founder of one of Africa’s most successful law chambers, supports the Senegalese leader's call on the G20 to help African countries balance their obligations to international creditors with their obligations to their own citizens in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. He explains why debt relief is crucial to Africa's recovery from the economic fallout of the global health crisis
Read More »African makes history as first elected member of Cologne’s City Council
On Sunday 13 September, millions voters went to the polls in towns and cities across North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany’s most populous state, to vote for Lord Mayors, Mayors, Councillors and the Integration Councils. Many candidates of African origin participated at the elections. Results are now coming in. Dr John Emeka Akude, a Nigerian-born political scientist, was elected member of the …
Read More »What East Africa teaches rest of continent about economic growth – SAP boss
As Africa starts its recovery efforts against the immense challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Pedro Guerreiro, Managing Director for Central Africa at SAP – the global leader in enterprise software, takes a closer look at the continued economic success story of the East African region and argues why it is an example for how the rest of the …
Read More »ECOWAS postpones single currency launch, adopts gradual approach
The Economic Community of West African States has postponed the planned launch of its single currency, the Eco. The body agreed to maintain a gradual approach for the launching of the currency. ECOWAS explained that a new date for the launch would be announced later. This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the 57th Summit of …
Read More »AfDB to help Africa ‘build back boldly but smartly’ post-Covid, Adesina pledges
“Covid-19 also opens up new opportunities and a greater sense of urgency to build Africa’s manufacturing capacity, industrial development, and critically-needed industrial value-chains that must be supported by enabling infrastructure and policies"
Read More »Ecobank wins the Award for Innovation in Financial Services
The leading pan-African banking group Ecobank has won the Award for Innovation in Financial Services at the 2020 edition of the prestigious African Banker magazine Awards. The Awards, which reward banking excellence in Africa, were announced at a virtual ceremony held on 26 August. The African Banker’s judging process sought to recognise the African banks that have demonstrated original and …
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