Africa: Start-Ups Powering Up Africa’s Solar Energy Ecosystem

[ad_1] They are increasingly offering advanced energy solutions to the majority of people across Africa facing blackouts, brownouts and poor electricity supply Often referred to as the "Sun continent," Africa receives more hours of bright sunlight than any other continent. But even with 60 per cent of the world's solar resources, Africa has only one per cent of solar generation capacity, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). Due to energy production and infrastructure challenges, many African countries regularly deal […]

January 26, 2024

Africa

Africa: Matchmaking for Green Cities? Accelerating Climate Finance in Urban Areas

[ad_1] By Liam O Connor, Francisco Martes Porto Macedo and Omar Siddique BANGKOK, Thailand, Jan 23 2024 (IPS) - Asia and the Pacific is home to 54 per cent of the world's urban population, who are disproportionately vulnerable to the impacts of climate change (ESCAP, 2023; IPCC, 2022). Why then, do climate action projects in cities commonly face delays in implementation? Crucial new developments in mitigation and adaptation including: renewable energy, public transport, and nature-based solutions, are needed to safeguard […]

January 25, 2024

Africa

Africa: PPPs’ Private Gain At Public Expense

[ad_1] Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — At high cost and with dubious efficiency, public-private partnerships (PPPs) have increased private profits at the public expense. PPPs have proved costly in financing public projects. PPPs' high costs Eurodad has shown high PPP costs mainly due to private partners' high-profit expectations. Complex PPP contracts typically involve high transaction costs. Worse, contracts are often renegotiated to favour the private partners. They also take advantage of lower government borrowing costs compared to private borrowers. Most PPP […]

January 24, 2024

Africa

Africa: Blinken Expresses U.S. Commitment to Boosting Africa Partnerships

[ad_1] State Department — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday the United States is committed to growing its partnerships across the African continent and increasingly sees African countries "leading on issues of global consequence." Speaking to reporters alongside Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara after talks in Abidjan, Blinken said the discussion included growing commercial ties to create jobs and growth in both the U.S. and Ivory Coast, as well as investing in public health initiatives and addressing regional […]

January 24, 2024

Africa

Africa: Meta – Protect LGBT People From Digital Targeting

[ad_1] Beirut — New #SecureOurSocials Campaign Urges Transparency from Facebook, Instagram Meta should do more to protect the safety of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people and all its users, in particular on Facebook and Instagram, Human Rights Watch, Social Media Exchange (SMEX), INSM Foundation for Digital Rights, Helem, and Damj Association said in the #SecureOurSocials campaign opened today. The campaign, building on the work of various human rights organizations, is based on a February 2023 Human Rights Watch […]

January 23, 2024

Africa

Africa: Scared of Sharps? This Map Shows the Way to Delivering Painless Vaccines

[ad_1] Seoul — If the fear of sharps makes a visit to the doctor dreadful, you need not dread it anymore. A South Korean company's invention of an innovative micro-needle patch could make you look forward to your next doctor's visit. The micro-needle patch (MAP) is a painless, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly way to administer vaccines and drugs in place of solid injections, its developers say. The MAP system has the combined advantages of conventional patches and syringes. It has […]

January 23, 2024

Africa

Africa: Students Do Better and Schools Are More Stable When Teachers Get Mental Health Support

[ad_1] When it comes to mental health at school, typically the focus is on helping students, especially as they emerge from the pandemic with heightened levels of anxiety, stress and emotional need. But as school officials seek to put resources toward student well-being, another school population is possibly being overlooked: teachers. Teachers are experiencing high levels of stress, anxiety and work-related trauma in the classroom - much of it stemming from student behavioral problems. The pandemic exacerbated this issue, impacting […]

January 23, 2024

News

Rwanda: FERWABA Calls for More Investors in Local Basketball

[ad_1] Underlining the importance of ongoing investments in local basketball teams, local Basketball governing body (FERWABA) Vice-President Richard Nyirishema emphasized the need for supporting the league's growth. Nyirishema made the call on Friday, January 19, when business mogul Gael Karomba, also widely known as Coach Gael, and Rwandan artiste Bruce Melodie made their partnership with United Generation Basketball (UGB). The collaboration seeks to exemplify the mutual benefits that such alliances can bring to both the music and sports sectors. Addressing […]

January 22, 2024

News

Ethiopia: Ambassadors Striving to Attract Investment, Promote Tourism

[ad_1] Addis Ababa — Ethiopian ambassadors are reportedly exerting efforts to further attract investment and promote the country's tourism potential. The ambassador stated that many investors are expressing interest in working in Ethiopia as a result of the lobbying and promotion they have been undertaking. Ethiopia's ambassador to Canada, Fitsum Arega said big and capable Canadian companies have the desire to develop and invest in exploiting gold and potash in Ethiopia. For instance, "recently one company with half a billion […]

January 19, 2024

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