Author: WAJ Editor

The Directorate of Mining in Turkana County of Kenya has halted gold mining activities near Nagetei Girls Secondary School following public outcry over environmental and safety concerns. On Monday, the county government announced the immediate suspension of mining operations in the area, citing non-compliance with environmental regulations and public safety risks. Acting Director for Mineral Resources Elim Areman stated that the decision was driven by numerous complaints from the local community about the dangers posed by the mining activities. “We found the mining activities were very close to the school, posing a serious threat to the local environment. This situation…

The World Cooperation Industries (WCI) Forum commenced in Istanbul on Wednesday, bringing together around 1,500 African businesspeople and representatives from Turkish small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The forum, running through Thursday, highlights the expanding trade relationship between Türkiye and Africa. Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat, speaking at the event, noted that since the launch of the Strategy for the Development of Commercial and Economic Relations with African Countries in 2003, trade between Türkiye and Africa has surged from $5.4 billion to $37 billion. In the first nine months of 2024 alone, the trade volume reached $27 billion. Bolat also highlighted…

Egypt and the UK have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening cooperation in sustainable food security. The agreement was signed by Egypt’s Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Alaa Farouk, and the UK’s Minister for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, Hamish Falconer. The MoU seeks to establish a strategic partnership between the two nations, focusing on the exchange of technical expertise and the implementation of a pilot program to enhance local wheat production and promote sustainable agriculture. Al-Mashat highlighted that the agreement reflects the…

At the Africa Defense Ministers’ Conference in Addis Ababa, former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn emphasized the need for African nations to engage in strategic discussions to establish unified positions on international platforms. According to local media reports, he argued that aligning policies and finding common ground could significantly enhance Africa’s influence globally. Hailemariam called for an “African Renaissance,” urging the continent to assert its rightful place in the world. He criticized past global systems for marginalizing Africa, questioning the benefits of globalization, especially given the continent’s reliance on foreign aid and raw material exports. By comparing Africa’s situation with…

Tanzania is playing a pivotal role in the expansion of economic cooperation between Iran and East Africa. The upcoming joint economic committee meeting, co-chaired by the Iranian Agriculture Minister and the Tanzanian Minister of Industry and Trade, highlights the deepening partnership between the two nations. Over 50 Iranian companies have confirmed their participation, signaling a significant boost in trade relations. One of the key developments in this relationship is the draft agreement on eliminating double taxation, signed by officials from both countries in mid-March. Tanzanian Ministry of Finance’s Acting Commissioner, William M. Moja, and Hossein Abdollahi from Iran’s Legal Office…

The world’s largest startup and investment event, Expand North Star 2024, continued to highlight groundbreaking innovations on its third day at Dubai Harbour, with attendees from around the globe, especially from Africa witnessing cutting-edge advancements in “Applied AI and Deep Tech”. Integrated with GITEX Global, the event, running until October 16, hosts over 1,800 startups and 1,200 investors managing assets worth more than USD $1 trillion. Mauritius introduced a satellite platform Day three of the event showcased next-generation solutions in robotics, AI, and deep tech, offering a glimpse into the future of these industries. In the space technology sector, Triggers-Reports…

TikTok recently announced that it removed more than 2.1 million videos in Nigeria during the second quarter of 2024 for breaching its community guidelines. This move is part of the platform’s ongoing efforts to improve content moderation and provide a safer environment for its users. According to the latest Community Guidelines Enforcement Report released on Tuesday, these videos represented less than 1% of all uploads in Nigeria during the period. The report highlighted that 99.1% of the removed videos were flagged and taken down proactively before any user complaints, with 90.7% of them removed within 24 hours of detection. These…

Zanzibar President Dr. Husein Mwinyi has highlighted the island’s growing reputation as a prime destination for international conferences, with a focus on promoting peaceful, inclusive, and religious events. Speaking at the international Islamic conference “Peace, Respect, Unity: Light Upon Light Global 2024,” Dr. Mwinyi extended an invitation for more international events to be held on the island. Addressing the attendees at the Aman Complex Stadium, Dr. Mwinyi emphasized Zanzibar’s stability and safety, which makes it an ideal location for hosting conferences and attracting tourists. The conference, attended by renowned Muslim scholars, including Dr. Mufti Ismail Menk from Zimbabwe, drew participants…

Foreign Minister Abdelatty stressed that recognizing the State of Palestine based on a two-state solution is essential for achieving regional security, stability, and peace, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Cairo emphasized that resolving the Palestinian issue would significantly benefit all people in the region. In a recent meeting, Abdelatty discussed Egypt’s view on regional developments and their impact on security and stability. He called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the unrestricted delivery of humanitarian aid. Additionally, Abdelatty highlighted Egypt’s efforts to reduce tensions and secure a ceasefire in Lebanon, urging the Israeli army to withdraw from…

The Chinese-owned Dinson Iron and Steel Company (Disco), the primary industry at the Manhize Industrial Park near Mvuma, Zimbabwe, has invested over US$2 billion to boost the country’s economic potential. This was revealed by Dinson Group Project Director Wilfred Motsi during the Mine Entra 2024 event in Bulawayo, where he discussed the economic benefits of steel sector development and value-addition. Dinson, a subsidiary of Tsingshan Group—the world’s largest stainless steel producer—aims to drive the growth of Zimbabwe’s steel industry. Tsingshan controls the entire production chain, from smelting nickel-chromium alloys to producing energy storage systems for global markets. Motsi highlighted that…

In response to Sierra Leone’s severe shortage of anesthesia providers, Mercy Ships, the Sierra Leone Ministry of Health, and the University of Sierra Leone have launched a Nurse Anesthesia Diploma Programme. The initiative, which began in April 2024, aims to improve surgical care by training specialized nurse anesthetists. Currently, Sierra Leone has just 0.1 anesthesiologists per 100,000 people, far below the World Health Organization’s recommendation. With 90% of surgeries conducted without a trained anesthetist, this program is seen as crucial for addressing the country’s healthcare challenges. The first cohort includes 20 experienced nurses receiving both practical and theoretical training, initially…

The ongoing civil war in Sudan is exacerbating existing tensions within the fragile administration of Chadian President Mahamat Déby. His late father, Idriss Déby, had a significant role in the earlier war in Sudan’s Darfur region, a conflict that spilled over into Chad. Mahamat Déby, who rose to power controversially after his father’s death in battle three years ago, claims to maintain a neutral stance in Sudan’s conflict. However, his government has inadvertently bolstered the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group, by allowing them to transport fuel, weapons, and stolen goods through Chad and evacuate wounded fighters. Additionally, Déby’s…

The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced on Monday that he is renewing an investigation into allegations of crimes committed in Congo’s conflict-ridden North Kivu province since early 2022. Eastern Congo has long been plagued by over 120 armed groups vying for control of the region’s gold and other resources, resulting in mass killings and one of the largest humanitarian crises globally, with over 7 million people displaced, many of whom are unreachable by aid. The most prominent rebel group, M23, gained notoriety over a decade ago after seizing Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo, which borders…

Augustina Tufuor, a 30-year-old entrepreneur from Ghana, founded Tropical Snacks to create all-natural plantain chips. Despite her success, she faced significant challenges in expanding her business due to financial constraints. Traditional banks required her to provide 20,000 Cedis as collateral and to hire a professional evaluator before considering her loan application. Additionally, the steep interest rates of over 36% made it nearly impossible for her to grow her business. Tufuor’s experience is reflective of the difficulties many women in sub-Saharan Africa encounter when trying to access finance, land, and technology. The International Trade Centre (ITC) reports that over 70% of…

A delegation of Canadian investors is currently exploring business opportunities in Zimbabwe, with a focus on sectors such as clean energy, manufacturing, information and communications technology (ICT), mining, agriculture, and education. This initiative aligns with the Second Republic’s efforts to engage with previously unfriendly Western nations, which are now showing a renewed interest in Zimbabwe. On Tuesday, the delegation, led by Paula Caldwell St-Onge, chair of the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business, met with Foreign and International Trade Minister Ambassador Frederick Shava, alongside Canadian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Alder Aristilde. Caldwell St-Onge expressed enthusiasm about the Canadian private sector’s interest in Zimbabwe,…

The Grand Egyptian Museum will partially open its main galleries on Wednesday, allowing 4,000 visitors to explore 12 halls dedicated to various aspects of ancient Egypt as part of a trial run, officials announced on Tuesday. This highly anticipated mega-project, located near the iconic Giza Pyramids, has incurred costs exceeding $1 billion and has been under construction for over a decade, with multiple delays attributed to factors including the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Al-Tayeb Abbas, assistant to the Minister of Antiquities, this trial run will help fine-tune operations ahead of the museum’s official opening, which has yet to be scheduled.…