Blog - Afrikan Heroes

MultiChoice Encourages African Applications for 2024 Earthshot Prize of £1 million

November 7, 2023

Global environment-saving initiative, The Earthshot Prize, is calling innovators, entrepreneurs, community leaders and activists who are working to find cutting-edge solutions to climate change to submit their entries to the 2024 edition of the competition. The Earthshot Prize, a global environmental prize to discover, accelerate, and scale ground-breaking solutions to repair and regenerate the planet, is awarded annually to five winners, each receiving a R20 million (£1 million) prize grant to scale their projects.

MultiChoice, the official African broadcast partner and member of The Earthshot Prize Global Alliance, is issuing a call for entries from African organisations who are doing scalable and impactful work aimed at repairing and regenerating the planet to enter into any of the five categories of the Earthshot Prize: Protect and Restore Nature, Clean our Air, Revive our Oceans, Build a Waste-Free World and Fix our Climate.

As an official nominator, MultiChoice has established an entry portal (https://apo-opa.info/49sNl0G) and asks that all submissions be submitted by 30 November 2023. Representatives from MultiChoice will then review these entries and officially nominate selections directly to The Earthshot Prize.

Last year, a total of 108 entries from Africa were received and two have made it to the final stage of the 2023 leg. These include ABALOBI and Freetown the Treetown who were chosen from over 1,300 nominees.

Since its inception, five African organisations have been selected as finalists namely, Reeddi Capsules (from Nigeria), Pole Pole Foundation (from the Democratic Republic of Congo), ROAM , Sanergy and Mukuru Clean Stoves (from Kenya). In 2022 Mukuru Clean Stoves won the Clean Our Air Earthshot. Mukuru Clean Stoves is a start-up providing cleaner-burning stoves to women in Kenya to reduce unhealthy indoor pollution and provide a safer way to cook.

In addition to the R20 million (£1 million) prize, winners also benefit from a global network of professional and technical support to scale their work. This includes access to resources across numerous professions and sectors including manufacturing, retail, supply chains, legal advice, digital technology, business strategy and government relations via The Earthshot Prize Global Alliance.

Each year, The Earthshot Prize launches a global search for breakthrough solutions, with a worldwide network of more than 350 nominating individuals and organisations from 66 countries tasked with ushering the process through.

At MultiChoice, we are driven by our purpose to Enrich Lives, therefore the future of the African continent, its natural resources, and our communities require that we work together with our partners to create a world where everyone thrives for generations to come. It is for this reason that we are not only urging African innovators to enter the environmental prize, but we have also partnered with The Earthshot Prize to help accelerate and spotlight the ingenuity and ambition of innovators, activists and scientists across Africa who are working to address the climate crisis on the African continent and around the world.

Enter at https://apo-opa.info/49sNl0G by 30 November 2023. For more information please visit https://apo-opa.info/3Mz6ELU.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry

Egypt’s FinTech MNT-Halan Adds New $130M, Latest in Four Oversubscribed Bond Issuances

In a significant financial move, MNT-Halan, an Egyptian microfinance lending and payments company, recently announced that it successfully raised $130 million through a securitised bond issuance. This achievement adds to the $400 million the company has secured through securitisation this year alone. The latest, initiated through Cl Capital, follows four earlier this year from CIB Egypt.

MNT-Halan is known for offering a range of financial services, including small- and micro-business lending, payments, consumer finance, and e-commerce solutions, making it Egypt’s first privately held technology unicorn with a valuation exceeding $1 billion. The company has managed to secure substantial financing this year by securitising its loan book, which has now reached an impressive $650 million and continues to grow at a rate of 4% to 5% every month.

According to a statement released by the company, MNT-Halan has ambitious plans to securitise a total of $550 million by the end of December, demonstrating its commitment to further expansion and growth in the Egyptian market. The recent $130 million securitisation was facilitated through the support of the local investment bank CI Capital.

One of MNT-Halan’s significant strengths is its substantial customer base, with over 1.5 million active monthly users, as noted in the company’s statement. This impressive customer engagement further underscores its position as a leading financial technology company in Egypt.

All securitizations have received a Prime 1 rating for the short-term tranches, while the longer-term tranches have been assessed with ratings ranging from A to A+ by MERIS (Middle East Rating & Investor Service). In addition to CIB and CI Capital, several regional and local financial institutions have participated in this initiative. These institutions include Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait, Al Baraka Bank Egypt, Arab African International Bank, Arab African Investment Management (AAIM), MIDBANK, Misr Real Estate Asset Management Company, The Saudi Investment Bank, Bank ABC, Arab International Bank, Banque Misr, and بنك التعمير والإسكان HD Bank.

CEO Mounir Nakhla said, “We are seeing very strong demand for off-balance sheet funding as we enter 2024. This is primarily a result of the high quality of our underwriting. This gives us great comfort as our loan book of US$ 650 million is growing at 4–5% month-over-month. We are excited to continue launching new digital financial products in Egypt and beyond.”

A Closer Look at MNT-Halan’s Versatile Offerings

MNT-Halan’s journey began in 2018 as a ride-hailing service for two- and three-wheeled vehicles, but it has since evolved into a versatile super app. The company’s offerings extend beyond ride-hailing to include a consumer-facing app, a merchant app, distributed loan and payment processing software, as well as a range of payment solutions. Through these platforms, MNT-Halan seamlessly connects customers, vendors, and micro-enterprises, offering services like ride-hailing and logistics.

MNT-Halan’s impressive accomplishments have not gone unnoticed by regulators, as the Financial Regulatory Authority has granted the company micro, consumer, and nano finance licenses. This allows MNT-Halan to provide financial services to both enterprises and individuals across Egypt. Additionally, the company has secured the distinction of being the first entity to receive the Central Bank of Egypt’s independent electronic wallet license. This authorization enables MNT-Halan to digitally distribute, collect, and transfer money through mobile applications, further enhancing its position in the Egyptian financial technology sector.

MNT-Halan’s recent financial success, innovative approach, and regulatory recognition underscore its pivotal role in serving the unbanked population and driving financial inclusion in Egypt. With further plans for growth and development, the company is poised to make a significant impact in the Egyptian and international financial technology landscape.

JOBJACK’s Data-Free Platform Gains Momentum with $2.5 Million Investment

Charles Rapulu Udoh

Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer, who has several years of experience working in Africa’s burgeoning tech startup industry. He has closed multi-million dollar deals bordering on venture capital, private equity, intellectual property (trademark, patent or design, etc.), mergers and acquisitions, in countries such as in the Delaware, New York, UK, Singapore, British Virgin Islands, South Africa, Nigeria etc. He’s also a corporate governance and cross-border data privacy and tax expert.
As an award-winning writer and researcher, he is passionate about telling the African startup story, and is one of the continent’s pioneers in this regard

JOBJACK’s Data-Free Platform Gains Momentum with $2.5 Million Investment

South African recruitment startup JOBJACK has secured ZAR45 million (US$2.5 million) in pre-Series A funding, a significant milestone aimed at revolutionizing entry-level recruitment in the country. Founded in 2018 by Christiaan van den Berg and Heine Bellingan, JOBJACK is an online platform designed to assist job seekers in their quest for entry-level employment opportunities. The platform offers a user-friendly CV creation process and allows applicants to apply directly from their mobile phones, with the added benefit of being data-free for MTN and Vodacom network users.

The JOBJACK platform has garnered a remarkable following, with nearly two million job seekers having registered so far, and this number continues to grow by approximately 2,000 new registrations daily. The ZAR45 million funding secured in this round will be instrumental in expanding JOBJACK’s operations and further developing its network in South Africa, all while connecting job seekers with life-changing employment prospects. The funding round was spearheaded by NEXT176, with participation from the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, who are both deeply committed to supporting innovative solutions for job seekers.

Christiaan van den Berg, co-founder and co-CEO at JOBJACK, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “These funds allow us to continue our momentum of onboarding employers and, not only streamlining their entry-level recruitment but to drive accessibility and affordability for the job seekers that need it most.”

Ona Meyer, program manager for youth employment at the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, shed light on the foundation’s mission, saying, “This partnership will allow JOBJACK to further scale its current response plan, streamlining the recruitment process and increasing access and affordability for job seekers. We are encouraged by the growth trajectory of JOBJACK’s business model to serve those looking to enter the entry-level job market.”

The impact-focused investors, including the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, are poised to contribute significantly to JOBJACK’s mission of transforming the entry-level job market in South Africa. Tramayne Monaghan, chief ventures officer at NEXT176, expressed the organization’s commitment to supporting transformative businesses, saying, “Our mission is to build and invest in disruptive businesses that are not only sustainable but also possess the power to change lives. Jobjack’s innovative approach to redefining entry-level recruitment in South Africa perfectly aligns with this vision. In addressing jobseekers’ pain points, we believe in the ripple effect of JOBJACK — how changing one life can set in motion a chain reaction of positive change resulting in a brighter, more inclusive future for South Africans.

Kenya’s Maisha Meds Secures $5.25 Million to Extend Vital Healthcare Platform Across Africa

Charles Rapulu Udoh

Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer, who has several years of experience working in Africa’s burgeoning tech startup industry. He has closed multi-million dollar deals bordering on venture capital, private equity, intellectual property (trademark, patent or design, etc.), mergers and acquisitions, in countries such as in the Delaware, New York, UK, Singapore, British Virgin Islands, South Africa, Nigeria etc. He’s also a corporate governance and cross-border data privacy and tax expert.
As an award-winning writer and researcher, he is passionate about telling the African startup story, and is one of the continent’s pioneers in this regard

Benin Welcomes Starlink: Affordable High-Speed Internet Access Now Available

Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite Internet service, is making its debut in Benin, marking a significant milestone in its expansion across Africa. With the ambitious goal of providing global high-speed connectivity, Starlink offers the people of Benin an opportunity to access reliable Internet, even in the most remote regions of the country.

The service, priced at a monthly cost of 30,000 FCFA (approximately $48.66), comes with a one-time hardware fee of 400,000 FCFA (about $650), along with shipping and handling charges of 15,000 FCFA. Users will also need to pay an additional 3,125 FCFA per month to ARCEP for access to the necessary electromagnetic spectrum.

Starlink’s arrival brings new possibilities for Benin’s digital infrastructure, aiming to bridge the existing gaps in the high-speed Internet landscape. With 10.14 million subscribers to mobile Internet services and 24,641 fixed Internet subscribers, Benin takes another step towards more robust and accessible connectivity.

This initiative aligns with SpaceX’s broader mission to expand technological opportunities in underserved regions of the world, thus contributing to reducing the global digital divide. Starlink relies on a constellation of low Earth orbit satellites, enabling reliable and fast Internet access, even in geographically isolated areas.

Starlink’s expansion in Benin represents a significant advancement in the global quest for universal Internet connectivity, opening new avenues for education, business, and economic development in the country while also contributing to the digital transformation of Africa.

MainOne Expands Data Center Footprint in Cote d’Ivoire

Charles Rapulu Udoh

Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer, who has several years of experience working in Africa’s burgeoning tech startup industry. He has closed multi-million dollar deals bordering on venture capital, private equity, intellectual property (trademark, patent or design, etc.), mergers and acquisitions, in countries such as in the Delaware, New York, UK, Singapore, British Virgin Islands, South Africa, Nigeria etc. He’s also a corporate governance and cross-border data privacy and tax expert.
As an award-winning writer and researcher, he is passionate about telling the African startup story, and is one of the continent’s pioneers in this regard

Kenya’s Maisha Meds Secures $5.25 Million to Extend Vital Healthcare Platform Across Africa

Maisha Meds, a prominent digital healthcare organization in Africa, has secured a substantial $5.25 million in funding for the third phase of its expansion, courtesy of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Development Innovation Ventures (DIV). This financial support aims to propel Maisha Meds’ efforts in broadening the reach of its mobile software platform to encompass 7,500 pharmacies and clinics across the African continent, thus making subsidized malaria care accessible to nearly one million patients.

The essence of Maisha Meds’ platform lies in its capability to connect remote pharmacists and healthcare providers with affordable, top-notch medicines while incentivizing adherence to best practices in malaria care. Furthermore, the platform extends its benefits to patients by offering discounted testing and treatment, rendering essential healthcare services more accessible and cost-effective for them.

Receiving a Stage 3 grant, which represents DIV’s highest level of funding, is a testament to Maisha Meds’ capacity to expand its proven solutions that address critical global challenges. Maisha Meds initially implemented its platform in Kenya, effectively improving malaria care, and is now poised to extend its influence to other African nations.

In conjunction with the financial support from USAID DIV, Maisha Meds has also garnered backing from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. These additional resources will empower Maisha Meds to broaden its reach and enhance its overall impact.

The startup was founded in 2017 and stands at the forefront of digital healthcare in Africa, dedicated to offering cost-effective, high-quality healthcare services to underserved rural communities. The organization’s mobile software platform acts as a vital link between pharmacists and clinicians, ensuring access to reasonably priced, top-quality medicines while encouraging the adoption of best practices in malaria care.

Moreover, Maisha Meds is working diligently to expand its platform to encompass other healthcare services, including family planning and HIV prevention, further solidifying its commitment to improving the well-being of African populations.

Africa Investment Forum to Discuss Business of Sports With Rugby Africa President

Charles Rapulu Udoh

Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer, who has several years of experience working in Africa’s burgeoning tech startup industry. He has closed multi-million dollar deals bordering on venture capital, private equity, intellectual property (trademark, patent or design, etc.), mergers and acquisitions, in countries such as in the Delaware, New York, UK, Singapore, British Virgin Islands, South Africa, Nigeria etc. He’s also a corporate governance and cross-border data privacy and tax expert.
As an award-winning writer and researcher, he is passionate about telling the African startup story, and is one of the continent’s pioneers in this regard

MainOne Expands Data Center Footprint in Cote d’Ivoire

November 6, 2023

MainOne , an Equinix Company, West Africa’s leading connectivity and data center solutions provider announces the launch of their expanded open access, carrier-neutral, Uptime Tier III standards Data Center, AB1.2, in VITIB, Grand Bassam, Cote d’Ivoire, in November 2023.

From the landing of its submarine cable to the launch of the initial data center in 2019, MainOne, An Equinix Company, has consistently delivered world-class connectivity, colocation, and interconnection services to support the technological requirements of customers in Cote d’Ivoire. This expansion aims to further empower digital transformation, foster innovation, and support the ever-increasing demand for data processing, storage, and connectivity in Cote d’Ivoire and Francophone West Africa.

Etienne Kouadio Doh, MainOne’s Country Manager in Cote D’Ivoire, proffers his view on the anticipated launch of the new data center by explaining that, “With this launch of our new data center in Cote d’Ivoire, we are entering an exciting phase of transformation for businesses as it delivers a great opportunity to welcome more customers into our rich digital ecosystem, interconnected to the major digital players in the region and delivering 100% uptime connectivity to internet. We expect this state-of-the-art facility to become a catalyst for digital innovation, providing a robust infrastructure for enterprises to thrive, and further reinforcing Cote d’Ivoire as the digital hub for the Francophone West African region.”

This expansion serves as an opportunity to accommodate more customers in Cote d’Ivoire, providing them with a bouquet of enterprise-grade digital solutions with access to global services and internet exchanges, including the Amsterdam Internet Exchange (AMS-IX) hosted at the data center. This state-of-the-art infrastructure will deliver advanced security systems, cutting-edge technologies, global certifications, in-country expert support and the region’s largest interconnected ecosystem to guarantee peak performance. Following the company’s acquisition by Equinix, customers will also gain access to over 240 data centers in 32 countries across the world through secure and dedicated interconnection services at our data center via the Equinix platform.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry

AU Calls for Investment in Education and Skills Development Through a New Social Contract

Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat

Considered the future of Africa, youth can contribute to economic transformation of the continent but need skills to be employable, a challenge that should be addressed through investment in education and skills development.

Addressing the 5th Session of the Committee on Social Policy, Poverty and Gender, the African Union Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (ESTI), Mohammed Belhocine, highlighted that a new social contract anchored in education and skills development was the key to unlocking Africa’s potential and fulfilling the aspirations of its people.

“The success of a new social contract requires that Africa harness its population demographic dividend, especially the women and youth, whose energy, creativity, and courage must drive its development agenda,” said Mr. Belhocine, in an address, delivered on his behalf by Ms. Sophia Ashipala, AU Head of the Education Division.

He said a paradigm shift in the approach to education and skills development is required to move beyond traditional models and embrace innovative methods that harness technology, creativity, and experiential learning.

In addition, there is a need to close the gender gap in education and skills development.

“Empowering women and girls through education is not just a moral imperative but an economic one,” he noted, adding that, “When women have equal access to education and opportunities, they contribute significantly to economic growth and social development.”

Mr. Belhocine noted that Africa is in a paradox. The continent was the cradle of humanity and the site of unparalleled diversity with a youthful population, had abundant natural resources, with a vast potential for growth and prosperity, yet the same continent was grappling with numerous challenges, including poverty, inequality, and social disparities.

According to the African Development Bank, Africa’s youth population is expected to double to 830 million by 2050, making education and skill development even more critical. The World Bank estimated that sub-Saharan Africa had the highest youth unemployment rate globally, reaching over 20% in some countries.

According to UNESCO, out of the 500 million children in the 5-19 age group, close to 100 million are out of school in sub-Saharan Africa.

“This is a tragedy we must urgently address. We must ensure that every child in Africa has access to quality education, regardless of their background or location,” said Mr. Belhocine, adding that, “We must invest in programs that equip African youth with the skills necessary to thrive in the modern job market. This includes digital literacy, vocational training, and entrepreneurship education. By doing so, we not only unlock economic potential but also foster innovation and self-reliance.”

Mr. Belhocine urged governments, civil society, and the private sector to collaborate to invest in education and skills development and that inclusivity should be our guiding principle in ensuring that education and skills development reach the most marginalized and vulnerable communities.

He called for the recognition of the potential of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) as multi-functional tools and an enabler for achieving continental development goals. For STI to play its pivotal and critical role in Africa’s socio-economic transformation, there must be renewed investments in education.

“Building a new social contract for Africa through education and skills development is not just an aspiration; it is a commitment we must all make,” Mr. Belhocine said, adding that, “It is a promise to the youth of Africa that their dreams are within reach, and it is a pledge to create a continent where no one is left behind.

Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) acting Director of the Gender, Poverty and Social Policy Division (GPSPD), Sweta Saxena, noted that education can be a lever on which Africa can build a new social contract because it is linked to all the SDGs.

With the impending deadline towards the SDGs, Africa is set to miss most of its SDGs targets, Ms. Saxena said, citing that some progress has been made in achieving 15 of the 17 SDGs, especially on health and education, but there has been regression on climate change, people institutions and justice institutions.

She said the only silver lining Africa has been progress on making data available but this too fell short of the mark to make informed decisions. The multiple crises of the COVID 19 pandemic, the Ukraine war and the impact of climate change have stalled progress on SDGS and this has increased poverty and unemployment on the continent.

Citing that one of three children were not at school in Africa, Ms. Saxena said this calls for a rethink on creating a new social contract that can help reap the benefits of a young population. Half of Africa’s population will be below the age of 25 by 2050.

“We need to build a new social contract that can reorder and reprioritise what we want, give equal access to opportunities for all so that everyone can live to their full potential and contribute to society in a meaningful manner,” said Ms. Saxena, adding that this was possible with the prudent use of limited resources and also a symbiotic relationship between government and the people

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry

Africa Investment Forum to Discuss Business of Sports With Rugby Africa President

The newly elected President of Rugby Africa (www.RugbyAfrique.com), the continental governing body for rugby in Africa, Mr Herbert Mensah, will discuss the business of sport in a one-to-one fireside chat at the 2023 Africa Investment Forum (AIF) (www.AfricaInvestmentForum.com) on Thursday, November 9 in Marrakech, Morocco.

Championed by the African Development Bank and seven other founding partners (Africa50, Africa Finance Corporation, Afreximbank, Development Bank of Southern Africa, European Investment Bank, Islamic Development Bank and Trade and Development Bank), the Africa Investment Forum is Africa’s investment marketplace to accelerate transactions to close Africa’s investment gaps.

Founded in 2018, the Africa Investment Forum has mobilized nearly $143 billion in investment interest. The event brings together heads of state, business leaders, decision makers and investors to advance critical investment transactions to closure. Previous attendees include President Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, President Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa, and President Nana Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana.

The sports industry in Africa is experiencing rapid growth, with the potential to generate jobs, improve public health, foster social inclusion and drive economic growth. According to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), the industry was valued at $7 billion in 2018 with an expected growth of $12 billion in 2027. Despite the potential, investment across Africa remains limited, with only 1% of startup financing directed towards the sport sector.

Rugby Africa President, Herbert Mensah, continues to emphasize the business potential of rugby across Africa. Since his election, President Mensah has called for a change of mindset from African governments and international organizations to increase investment in rugby across Africa. In June, President Mensah delivered a keynote speech on treating rugby as a lucrative business venture at the Bloomberg New Economy Gateway Africa 2023 event in Marrakech, Morocco.

Watch the video on the Bloomberg Website: https://apo-opa.info/466rOcr

The annual three-day Africa Investment Forum Market Days event will commence on Wednesday November 8 to Friday November 10 under the theme “Unlocking Africa’s Value Chain” in Marrakech, Morocco.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry

More African Countries Threatened by Climate Change

The Economic Commission for Africa ECA Offices for North and West Africa convened an expert group meeting on Wednesday, November 1st, in Accra (Ghana) under the theme “Transition to Renewable Resources for Energy and Food Security in North and West Africa.”

The meeting took place within the context of the second joint Intergovernmental Committee of Senior Officials and Experts (ICSOE) for North and West Africa. Participants examined the impact of climate change in both sub-regions, discussed practical measures for countries to adapt and safeguard their energy and food security, while advancing their development and made some important recommendations.

Experts, researchers, development practitioners, and representatives from 22 North and West African countries attended the meeting, and discussed three critical issues:

The impact of climate change and its implications for economic and social development strategies.

Energy security and climate change challenges, and especially the pivotal role of renewable energy in meeting the needs of the populations.

How intra-African trade can facilitate and accelerate the energy and agricultural transition, especially by contributing to food security and the emergence of sub-regional value chains in the agriculture sector.

“In North Africa, it is estimated that water scarcity could affect up to 71 percent of GDP and 61 percent of the population, compared to 22 percent and 36 percent for the rest of the world. However, alternatives remain: by relying on renewable resources, we can not only address these challenges but also accelerate sustainable economic development and social development in the region, along with poverty reduction, job creation, and social equity,” said Zuzana Brixiova Schwidrowski, Director of the ECA office for North Africa.

“Food insecurity is unfortunately a structural challenge in Africa, affecting 20% of the continent’s population compared to the global rate of 9.8%. In this context, three imperatives are evident: increasing agricultural and cereal productivity, mobilizing more domestic resources, and expediting the implementation of the AfCFTA, which serves as our cornerstone for poverty reduction and the acceleration of structural transformation,” said Ngone Diop, Director of the ECA office for West Africa.

Despite its limited contribution to global warming, Africa is significantly affected by this phenomenon: Currently, 17 out of the 20 countries most threatened by climate change are located in Africa and climate change already impacts 2 to 9 percent of national budgets across the continent[1]. According to the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), North Africa and West Africa are particularly vulnerable with 1.5°C to 3°C expected temperature increases which poses significant threat to populations’ health, productivity and food security.

In response to this situation, African countries have to redirect a growing portion of their public finances towards mitigation efforts and the protection of their populations, thereby depriving themselves of resources needed to finance development, safeguard development gains and implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

These constraints underscore Africa’s crucial need to develop innovative growth models capable of preserving and enhancing the well-being of their populations while adapting to climate change and contributing to its slow down.

These models should include appropriate land and water management within the framework of sustainable agriculture, the use of renewable energy to meet national energy needs in a variety of sectors including transportation, industries, heating, cooling, etc., and the establishment of financing models that can address such needs.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry

Second Confucius Institute Opens in Botswana

Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST), in collaboration with Yanshan University (YSU) from China, launched a second Confucius Institute on Tuesday in Palapye in the country’s Central District.

Speaking at the ceremony, Otlogetswe Totolo, vice chancellor at BIUST, said that because China is advanced in science, engineering, and technology, knowing the Chinese language and culture will improve students’ ability to pursue further education in China, giving them a competitive advantage in international companies.

“Many of our civil and environmental engineering students have benefited from understanding the Chinese language and culture, and gained employment in the construction industry, where Chinese companies have a significant footprint,” said Totolo.

For his part, YSU President Zhao Dingxuan said the new Confucius Institute will fully combine advantages of the two universities, adopt the “Chinese vocational skills” training mode, actively promote international Chinese education, and build a bridge for deepening exchanges and mutual learning between the two sides.

Botswana opened a previous Confucius Institute at the University of Botswana in collaboration with Shanghai Normal University in 2008.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry