Page 4 - Africa

Ramaphosa calls on Brics to help in industrialisation of African continent

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on its BRICS partners to extend assistance in the industrialisation of the countries on the African continent. He said the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACTFA) has been unlocking massive opportunities for trade, investment and industrial growth and the continent seeks partnerships that would unlock the dynamism and potential of its 1.3 billion people. "The success of ACFTA requires a substantial investment in infrastructure. We, therefore, call on fellow BRICS countries to partner with us to build the roads, ports for imports and exports, rail, energy and telecommunications networks that will enable Africa to industrialise and trade with other countries across the world," Ramaphosa said at the BRICS Business Forum in the Russian city of Kazan. Making a plea to the grouping to extend support to women-owned and small businesses, he said, "Africa is home to a population that is young, digitally connected and increasingly ...

Prez Biden slowly losing Africa; Harris or Trump unlikely to fare better

Whenever the US gets kicked out of a country, moreover, it not only leaves an opening for Russia but also becomes less effective at fighting terrorists in the region

Prez hails Malawi's Indian community as 'living link' between two nations

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday hailed the Indian community in Malawi as a "living link" between the two nations, praising their contributions to the African country's society and economy while urging their participation in India's developmental journey. Murmu arrived here earlier in the day on the final leg of her three-nation visit to Africa. Addressing the Indian diaspora at a reception here, the president said the "Indian community in Malawi is a living link between the two countries", her office shared in a post on X. "She appreciated their contribution to the society and economy of Malawi. She urged them to take part in the developmental journey of India," it said, sharing some photographs of the event. Murmu also emphasised the Indian government's commitment to the welfare of its nationals living abroad. "The welfare of our countrymen living outside India is the top priority of our government. We are committed to working with our partners across the world to address th

Prez Murmu arrives in Malawi on last leg of three-nation visit to Africa

President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Malawi on Thursday on the final leg of her three-nation visit to Africa, during which she will hold talks with the country's top leadership and interact with trade and industry leaders. It is the first visit to the African nation by an Indian Head of State. "In the final leg of her three-nation visit, President Droupadi Murmu landed at the Kamuzu International Airport, Lilongwe, Malawi," her office said in a post on X. She was received by Malawi's Vice President Michael Usi at the airport. She was accorded a ceremonial welcome. Children greeted the President and a traditional cultural performance was presented before her. "This is the first-ever State visit from India to Malawi," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a post on X. Murmu is visiting Malawi from October 17-19 at the invitation of the Malawian President Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera. During her visit, Murmu "will hold bilateral meetings with Malawi's leadership; interact with key

President Murmu interacts with Indian community in Algerian capital

The Government of India and the Indian society have always valued and appreciated the contribution of the Indian community in enhancing India's position, prestige and standing abroad, President Droupadi Murmu said here in the Algerian capital. Murmu reached here on Sunday evening on the first leg of her three-nation visit making it the first-ever visit by an Indian Head of State to deepen India-Africa ties. President Murmu is slated to meet Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on Monday. She is also likely to visit the King Abdulla Science and Technology Centre built by an Indian firm Shapoorji Pallonji. Earlier, soon after her arrival at the capital Algiers on Sunday evening, she interacted with the Indian community. President Droupadi Murmu graced an Indian Community Reception in Algiers. The President said that the Indian community in Algeria was a bridge taking forward India's interests and soft power, said a post from Rashtrapati Bhavan on X. With the collective efforts of

Solar power companies growing fast in Africa, where 600 mn without power

Companies that bring solar power to some of the poorest homes in Central and West Africa are said to be among the fastest growing on a continent whose governments have long struggled to address some of the world's worst infrastructure and the complications of climate change. The often African-owned companies operate in areas where the vast majority of people live disconnected from the electricity grid, and offer products ranging from solar-powered lamps that allow children to study at night to elaborate home systems that power kitchen appliances and plasma televisions. Prices range from less than USD 20 for a solar-powered lamp to thousands of dollars for home appliances and entertainment systems. Central and West Africa have some of the world's lowest electrification rates. In West Africa, where 220 million people live without power, this is as low as 8 per cent, according to the World Bank. Many rely on expensive kerosene and other fuels that fill homes and businesses with fumes a

Sahara's green miracle: Desert blossoms after unprecedented heavy rainfall

The unusual rainfall in the Sahara was caused by the northward shift of the Intertropical Convergence Zone, bringing equatorial-like downpours to the region

Developing nations seek help as leaders call for investment in clean energy

Giving his final major speech on climate change at a forum attended by clean energy business leaders, US President Joe Biden celebrated his $369 billion signature climate law

President Biden to visit Africa in Oct; will stop in Germany, then Angola

President Joe Biden will make his long-awaited visit to Africa when he travels to Germany and Angola in mid-October, the White House announced Tuesday. Biden had promised during a summit of African leaders he hosted in Washington in late 2022 to visit Africa the following year. His visit was to be the capstone of an administration effort to shore up ties with the continent, partly to counter growing influence there from China, a US rival. Several Cabinet members and Vice President Kamala Harris, as well as first lady Jill Biden, visited African nations in 2023, but the year passed without a visit from Biden. Now, with just a few months left in office after he ended his reelection campaign, Biden plans to travel to Berlin and Luanda, Angola, from October 10-15, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced while Biden was in New York. He delivered his final address as president to the UN General Assembly earlier Tuesday. Biden will be the first US president to visit ...

Mpox: How Africa's scientists are protecting the world from contagion

Meet eight Africa-based scientists and doctors using cutting-edge genomic tools, data-sharing platforms and shoe-leather epidemiology to identify, track, and counter the spread of emerging pathogens

Gold mining town in Congo becomes mpox hot spot as new strain spreads

Slumped on the ground over a mound of dirt, Divine Wisoba pulled weeds from her daughter's grave. The 1-month-old died from mpox in eastern Congo in August, but Wisoba, 21, was too traumatised to attend the funeral. In her first visit to the cemetery, she wept into her shirt for the child she lost and worried about the rest of her family. When she was born, it was as if God had answered our prayers we wanted a girl, Wisoba said of little Maombi Katengey. "But our biggest joy was transformed into devastation. Her daughter is one of more than 6,000 people officials suspect have contracted the disease in South Kivu province, the epicentre of the world's latest mpox outbreak, in what the World Health Organisation has labelled a global health emergency. A new strain of the virus is spreading, largely through skin-to-skin contact, including but not limited to sex. A lack of funds, vaccines and information is making it difficult to stem the spread, according to alarmed disease experts. Mp

Severe flooding across globe linked to climate-fueled rain storms

Different meteorological phenomena are behind the series of storms, according to climate scientists

Two years of Project Cheetah: Triumphs, trials and road ahead this year

Several promising births, fewer but painful losses, growing optimism and some criticism marked the second year of the internationally acclaimed Project Cheetah, which looks ahead with renewed hope and ambition amid many challenges. As the grand initiative completes two years on Tuesday, authorities are speeding up efforts to bring in a new batch of cheetahs from Africa to the Gandhisagar Wildlife Sanctuary, which will be their second home in India, and setting up a conservation breeding centre in the Bunni grasslands in Gujarat. They also aim to establish a larger cheetah habitat, spanning the territorial divisions of Neemuch (about 1,000 sq km) and Mandsaur (500 sq km) in Madhya Pradesh, along with the Bhainsrorgarh Wildlife Sanctuary (208 sq km) and Chittorgarh (around 1,000 sq km) in Rajasthan. In a major boost to the project, 13 cubs were born on Indian soil in the second year, though two of them did not survive. Namibian cheetah Aasha gave birth to three cubs in January. Anoth

Two years of Project Cheetah: India awaits Kenya's approval for new batch

The MoU process to bring a new batch of cheetahs from Kenya is in progress, with India having finalised its part and awaiting approval from the African country, a senior official has said. Cheetahs for the breeding centre being built in Gujarat's Bunni grasslands will also be brought from Kenya, SP Yadav, the director general of the International Big Cat Alliance, told PTI editors during a recent interaction here. As part of the first-ever intercontinental translocation of the big cats, 20 cheetahs have been brought to the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh so far -- eight from Namibia in September 2022 and 12 from South Africa in February 2023. Since they arrived in India, eight adult cheetahs -- three females and five males -- have died. Seventeen cubs have been born in India, with 12 surviving, bringing the total number of cheetahs, including cubs, in Kuno to 24. Currently, all are in enclosures. The grand initiative completes two years on September 17. The 'Action Plan for .

WHO grants first mpox vaccine approval to enhance response in Africa

The World Health Organisation on Friday said it has granted its first authorisation for use of a vaccine against mpox in adults, calling it an important step toward fighting the disease in Africa and beyond. The pre-qualification of the vaccine by Bavarian Nordic A/S means that donors like GAVI the Vaccine Alliance and UNICEF can buy it. But supplies are limited because there's only a single manufacturer. This first pre-qualification of a vaccine against mpox is an important step in our fight against the disease, both in the context of the current outbreaks in Africa, and in future, said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The UN health agency chief called for urgent scale-up of procurement, donations and rollout to get the vaccine where it is needed most, along with other response measures. Under the WHO authorisation, the vaccine can be administered in people aged 18 or above in a two-dose regimen. The approval says that while the vaccine is not currently licensed fo

US backs 2 permanent seats for African nations on the UN Security Council

The United States announced Thursday that it will support the addition of two new permanent seats for African countries on the powerful U.N. Security Council and a first-ever non-permanent seat for a small island developing nation. U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield made the announcement in a speech to the Council on Foreign Relations, calling it a follow-up to U.S. President Joe Biden's announcement two years ago that the U.S. supports expanding the 15-member body. While Africa has three non-permanent seats on the Security Council, that doesn't allow African countries to deliver the full benefit of their knowledge and voices, she said. That is why, in addition to non-permanent membership for African countries, the United States supports creating two permanent seats for Africa on the council, Thomas-Greenfield said. It's what our African partners seek, and it's what we believe is just. However, a senior U.S. administration official, who spoke on condition of ...

Mpox deaths rise by 107 in one week, Africa CDC calls toll unacceptable

African countries recorded more than 100 mpox-related deaths in the past week, the continental health body said Thursday as it described the rising toll as not acceptable. Dr Jean Kaseya, director-general of the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, said 107 new deaths and 3,160 new cases had been recorded in the past week, just a week after his agency and the UN World Health Organisation launched a continental response plan. In the one week, we lost 107 (people). It's too much. It's not acceptable, Kaseya said as he emphasised the need for stronger cross-border surveillance. Mpox belongs to the same family of viruses as smallpox but causes milder symptoms like fever, chills and body aches. People with more serious cases can develop lesions on the face, hands, chest and genitals. In testing for the disease, men recorded the highest positivity rate at 63%, while children under the age of 15 were at 41%. Kaseya said there was need for increased testing and resources to .

Africa's doses fall short amid Mpox spread while rich nations have plenty

A small fraction of those doses could help curb what is now the biggest mpox outbreak on record in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighboring countries, disease experts say

Higher price of mpox vaccine to pose key hurdle in Africa order talks

But with a shot significantly pricier than many other vaccines commonly used for immunisation in Africa, costs remain a key barrier to getting more orders in place

ISA partners with MIGA to fund Solar Energy projects in Sub-Saharan Africa

MIGA and ISA will work together to launch solar power and distributed energy projects in eligible developing countries