Author: WAJ Editor

The Commercial Bank of Ethiopia and Visa, the credit card service company, finalized a partnership agreement on Friday to enhance their collaboration. Abe Sano, the bank’s president, and Chad Pollock, Visa’s East Africa Director, signed the agreement, which spans five years. Under this arrangement, the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia will utilize Visa services when eligible, and its employees will receive capacity-building training. The specifics of what the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia will provide in return have not been disclosed. Abe Sano highlighted the agreement’s importance for CBE clients, particularly regarding international transactions. He noted, “This strategic agreement is essential for…

The South African Weather Service has issued a Level 8 warning for ongoing adverse weather, as snowfall continues to cover the N3 highway, especially between Warden and Tugela Plaza in KwaZulu-Natal, leaving many motorists stranded for hours. The N3 highway, which connects Johannesburg and Durban, was severely impacted, with multiple sections closed and even detours becoming impassable, according to officials. Emergency services were working to assist those trapped in their vehicles, but the extent of the situation and the condition of those affected remained unclear, said N3 Toll Concession operations manager Thania Dhoogra. “Emergency services have been working tirelessly overnight…

Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, announced on Saturday that he will not run in the 2026 presidential election and will instead support his father. Kainerugaba, who heads the Ugandan defense forces, previously indicated he might seek the presidency, but stated, “Almighty God told me to focus on His Army first,” and fully endorsed Museveni for the upcoming elections. At 80, Museveni has been in power since 1986 and has not yet confirmed whether he will pursue a seventh term. Kainerugaba asserted that “no civilian will lead Uganda after President Museveni” and suggested that the next leader…

The government of Congo-Brazzaville has announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with a Chinese company to initiate a hydroelectric project and dam in the region, set to begin next year. The MOU, signed with China Overseas, aims to develop the Sounda hydroelectric project, which is expected to cost approximately $9.4 billion. Officials indicated that the project will have a capacity ranging from 600 MW to 800 MW, with construction projected to finish by 2030. In 2011, China financed the construction of the Imboulou Dam and powerhouse, located north of Brazzaville, which has a capacity of 120 MW, making it the…

Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa has canceled his planned trip to the United States for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) this Friday, amid reports of distrust among his close associates. Mnangagwa was set to join other world leaders in New York for the annual event, which he has consistently attended. Security personnel who had already traveled to prepare for the visit have reportedly been called back. This cancellation follows a helicopter crash at Masvingo Airport last weekend under suspicious circumstances, which Mnangagwa was supposed to be on board. This incident has raised concerns. On Friday, presidential spokesman George Charamba announced…

A helicopter belonging to the Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) crashed shortly after taking off from Masvingo Airport on a significant day for Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was celebrating his 82nd birthday organized by the Zanu PF Youth League. The helicopter was headed to Harare when it went down soon after departure. Fortunately, only crew members were on board, with one sustaining minor injuries, and no fatalities were reported. The Zimbabwe Youth Action Platform (ZYAP) has labeled the incident a “treasonous attack” and is calling for the death penalty for those responsible. In a media briefing in Harare, ZYAP…

According to the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC), the value of investment projects surged by over 60 percent to $1.61 billion in the quarter ending June 2024. The agency’s latest quarterly report showed that this increase reflects a rising interest in investing in the country, which saw 198 projects initiated during this period. In the same quarter last year, TIC recorded 129 projects valued at $1 billion. The report also noted a significant rise in job creation, with 96,278 new jobs added compared to just 14,631 in the corresponding quarter the previous year. TIC’s executive director, Mr. Gilead Teri, emphasized the…

A Kenyan court decided on Friday that Meta, Facebook’s parent company, can be sued in Kenya regarding the termination of several content moderators by a contractor. Last year, the moderators filed a lawsuit against Meta and two local contractors, claiming they were fired from Sama, a firm hired to manage Facebook content, for attempting to form a union. They also alleged that they were subsequently blacklisted from reapplying for similar positions at another company, Majorel, after Facebook switched contractors. Efforts to reach an out-of-court settlement failed in October 2023. The Court of Appeal’s ruling confirmed an earlier decision from a…

Two Nigerian airports have been honored by Airport Council International (ACI Africa) for their outstanding commitment to airport emergency management and resilience. The awards were presented during the gala at the 33rd Annual General Assembly of ACI Africa held in Johannesburg, South Africa. The organizers recognized these airports for meeting industry standards and fostering a supportive environment for users. Mr. Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser to Barr. Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, identified the two airports as Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja and Port Harcourt International Airport. According to the announcement, both airports received plaques in…

On Friday, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced that Sierra Leone has requested a new 38-month Extended Credit Facility (ECF) worth about $253 million. The IMF indicated that its staff and Sierra Leonean authorities have reached a preliminary agreement on the economic policies and reforms that the facility could support, pending approval from the IMF’s Executive Board. “The new ECF arrangement aims to restore stability by enhancing debt sustainability, addressing fiscal imbalances, reducing inflation, and rebuilding reserves,” the IMF stated. Furthermore, the program is designed to promote inclusive growth through reforms and contribute to anti-corruption efforts, according to the announcement.

South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Sihle Zikalala announced that South Africa’s Green Hydrogen National Programme (GHNP) has attracted over R800 billion in projects since it became part of the Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPs) in 2022. Speaking at the Green Hydrogen Devac conference in Sandton, Johannesburg, he noted that approximately 20% of these investments are now at the bankable feasibility stage. Zikalala emphasized that only 1% of the country’s land is needed to support the green hydrogen economy, which will create jobs and enhance the national economy. This land is largely unsuitable for agriculture or human habitation,…

The FESTAC AFRICA Festival 2024, themed “Celebrating the Heartbeat of Africa: Culture, Unity, and Innovation,” drew participants from over 62 countries to Kisumu, Kenya. The event welcomed artists, entrepreneurs, and cultural ambassadors from across Africa and the diaspora. This week-long celebration of African music, art, fashion, cuisine, and entrepreneurship provided a unique opportunity for cultural exchange and business networking, with TV BRICS as the media partner. The festival’s opening ceremony featured speeches from notable leaders. Yinka Abioye, Chairman of FESTAC AFRICA, highlighted the festival’s importance for the continent, expressing a vision for increased collaboration and celebrating Africa’s rich heritage and…

Researchers from the Faculty of Engineering at Stellenbosch University (SU) have partnered with Roam, an electric mobility company based in Nairobi, to test the Roam Air electric motorcycle, primarily designed for urban environments.This initiative marks the first time an electric motorcycle developed in Africa will travel approximately 6,000 km powered solely by solar energy. The Roam Air is set to depart Nairobi on September 29 and is expected to reach Stellenbosch by October 18, in time for SU’s Electric Mobility Day. “Roam has donated two electric motorcycles for our research and testing,” said Professor Thinus Booysen, founder of SU’s Electric…

Zimbabwe has received a donation of 1,000 tonnes of maize meal from Rwanda in response to President Mnangagwa’s appeal following a drought caused by El Niño, which has impacted both Zimbabwe and much of Southern Africa. This support is crucial as the Zimbabwean government works to implement its strategy to mitigate food shortages and ensure national food security. During the handover ceremony in Harare, Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe expressed appreciation for Rwanda’s timely assistance. He stated that the maize meal will be distributed to vulnerable communities hit hardest by the drought, addressing urgent food needs. Minister…

On Thursday, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to establishing a strong financial system and a business-friendly environment to attract more foreign direct investment. This statement was made in Abuja as Coca-Cola Company announced its plan to increase its investments in Nigeria to $1 billion over the next five years. The announcement was made during a meeting between the President and Coca-Cola’s global leadership team, including Mr. John Murphy, the president and chief financial officer, and Ambassador Segun Apata, chairman of the Nigerian Bottling Company. Tinubu praised Coca-Cola for its long-standing partnership with Nigeria and its role in…

Two weeks after the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit, Tanzania has announced plans to propose several priority projects to secure funding from the financial commitments made by China during the summit. Ambassador Samwel Shelukindo, the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, stated that Tanzania will submit projects that have already been evaluated and studied for feasibility. “This will help reduce the time needed to secure funding for their implementation,” he noted at a meeting with Permanent Secretaries from 12 ministries. This initiative highlights Tanzania’s dedication to utilizing international partnerships to further its development…