Munich/Pforzheim, February 11, 2021 – Photovoltaics (PV) is booming in Europe, with around 18.7 gigawatts (18,700 megawatts) of new capacity installed last year. In addition to rooftop and ground-mounted solar module installations, the development of new areas of production – such as on façades, artificial bodies of water and fields – is key. Agrivoltaics involves the use of agricultural land …
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New private airline launches in Nigeria
A new airline begins commercial operations in Nigeria on Friday, 12 February. The Enugu-based United Nigeria recently received approval to commence operation and was handed an Air Operators Certificate (AOC) by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), having fulfilled all mandatory regulatory requirements. The airline will conduct its inaugural flight on Friday, taking off from the domestic wing of Murtala …
Read More »Germany: Several states announce reopening of schools
According to the resolution of the Corona Summit, a meeting between Chancellor Angela Merkel and the premiers of the 16 federal states on the management of the pandemic, on Wednesday the lockdown measures in force will be extended in principle until 7 March. Among the key other decisions made at the meeting was that individual federal states should decide on …
Read More »Germany extends lockdown until March: Details of resolution
The federal and state governments have agreed to extend the existing shutdown measures in Germany. On Wednesday, Chancellor Angela Merkel and the premiers of the 16 federal states reached decisions on the further course of the pandemic’s management. Highlights of the resolution of the Corona Summit at a glance: Lockdown extended until 7 March Corona infection numbers are falling, but …
Read More »Faki Mahamat re-elected head of AU Commission
Moussa Faki Mahamat was re-elected the chairperson of the African Union Commission on Saturday during the two-day virtual summit of the organisation. The Chadian diplomat won the support of 51 of 55 member states in a secret ballot to win a second term as AU executive head at the 34th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and …
Read More »Why we declared cryptocurrency illegal in Nigeria – Central Bank
The Central Bank of Nigeria has reacted to criticisms trailing its declaration that the use of cryptocurrencies in Nigeria contravenes existing laws. The apex bank had issued a statement on Friday warning banks and other financial institutions to desist from transacting cryptocurrencies and dealing with entities who do same. According to the CBN in a new statement on Sunday, cryptocurrencies …
Read More »Minorities should be more visible in German media – Integration Plan
As part of its “National Action Plan on Integration”, the Federal Government wants to promote diversity in the media. The package of measures adopted by the federal cabinet on Wednesday (3 February) includes, as one of its core projects, training “for differentiated and factual reporting on the topic of migration and integration”. Other projects are intended to ensure that more …
Read More »Awards for Berlin’s Business Owners with Migration Background – Nomination Opens
For the second time, Berlin is awarding prizes to entrepreneurs with a migration background operating in the city, which is also a federal state. The prize Vielfalt unternimmt – Berlin würdigt migrantische Unternehmen, first awarded in 2019, gives public recognition to the achievements of minority entrepreneurs who are contributing greatly to the economic development of the city. There are three …
Read More »President Biden’s first foreign policy speech and its implications for Africa
President Joe Biden’s first foreign policy speech on 4 February was high on ideals but low on priorities for Africa and the developing world. It reminded me of the idealistic vision of Jimmy Carter when he came to power in 1976. Carter’s rhetoric was loaded with idealism of a world cooperating for global peace, without appreciating the limits of American …
Read More »Angry reactions as Nigeria bans buying, selling of cryptocurrency
Following a directive banning cryptocurrency trading by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigerians have expressed strong displeasure of the decision of the federal government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari. In a circular dated 5th February 2021, the CBN notified banks and other financial institutions against doing business in Crypto and other digital assets. According to Wikipedia, a …
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THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.