World Bank: African economies’ growth won’t be strong to dent poverty despite positive forecast
The East African Community region, in contrast, is expected to grow 5.3 per cent this year, due to strong growth in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. West Africa’s biggest economy, Nigeria, is forecast to grow 3.3 per cent this year, below its long-term average.
School: Senegal embarks on integration of deaf and hard-of-hearing with learners with hearing ability
Senegal lacks a national strategy for inclusive education, but it is developing one. Recent political instability in the West African nation has hindered progress. The challenges are compounded by a stigma that some in Senegal associate with disabilities. Some parents hide their children and prevent them from participating in society.
South African court greenlights Zuma to vie for presidency on Umkhonto Wesizwe Party
The Independent Electoral Commission had earlier ruled that Zuma could not run for office due to his criminal record, after it received an objection against his candidacy. South Africa’s constitution does not allow people who have been convicted of a crime and sentenced to more than 12 months in prison without the option of a fine to stand for elections as lawmakers.
98 people fleeing cholera outbreak die after an overcrowded ferry capsizes off Mozambique’s coast
The Nampula provincial authority released a statement attributing the accident to the “use of a vessel unsuitable for transporting passengers and overcrowding,” Radio Mozambique reported.
Forensic evidence show leading Chad opposition figure was likely shot at point-blank range
The opposition has called Dillo’s death an assassination, based on the ferocity of the military assault on his party’s headquarters. The yellow facade of the party headquarters was left pockmarked by heavy and small arms fire. A day later, it was bulldozed to the ground.
UK chanrity runner completes 16,000km in 352 as he reaches goal of running length of Africa
British charity fundraiser Russ Cook has reached the northernmost point of Africa, completing a year-long quest to run the length of the continent. Dozens of supporters cheered on Sunday as Cook reached a rocky outcrop in northern Tunisia.
French media giant Canal+ makes mandatory buyout offer for South Africa’s MultiChoice
The French media company has broad reach in French-speaking African nations, MultiChoice has a stronger presence in English-speaking countries, including South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya.
Dubai company’s staggering land deals in Africa raise fears about risks to Indigenous livelihoods
A raft of agreements between at least five African countries and Blue Carbon could give the company control over large swaths of land on the continent. In Kenya, Indigenous populations already have been evicted to make way for other carbon credits projects, according to rights groups like Amnesty International and Survival International.
Once a well-armed and formidable military, Sudanese army faces collapse at hands of RSF
As the war between the SAF and RSF grinds on, it is devastating Sudan’s economy, costing the country an estimated $80 million per day and shrinking the gross domestic product by up to 18 per cent. Economist Haisam Fathi told Radio Dabanga in December that the formal economy has come to a “near standstill.”
Economic turmoil: Zimbabwe introduces ZiG as its new currency to replace battered Zim dollar
The Zimbabwe dollar has come under sustained pressure in recent weeks, making it one of the world’s worst performing currencies. Since January, the Zimbabwe dollar lost over 70 per cent of its value on the official market, and was plunging even further on the thriving but illegal black market.