May 2020

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Unclogging Africa’s cities
Many of Africa’s fast-growing cities are taking steps to reduce congestion and pollution, but the problem is becoming increasingly urgent. Ian Lewis reports Africa may not be the first continent that springs to mind when thinking about smog-cloaked cities. But that could change, if urban centres grow as fast as forecast without sufficient checks on pollution or traffic. The continent’s urban popu
Ian Lewis • SepSeptember 16^th, 2020
Technology boosts Kenyan pastoralists
Kenya’s pastoralists often receive less for animals sold at local markets than they are worth, but new digitisation processes could help them to achieve a fairer price. Tom Collins reports In a roadside bar in Nairobi, the smell of roasted meat wafts into the air as commuters make their way home from work. Served with cold beer and other accompaniments like the maize paste ugali, the dish is cla
MayMay 15^th, 2020

Kenya slumps into first recession in two decades
Kenya’s economy slumped into a recession for the first time in almost two decades after GDP contracted for a second straight quarter in September 2020.Economic output shrank 1.1% in the third quarter, and 5.5% in the second quarter, according to a report released by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) on Wednesday.The contraction was driven by a severe decline in the hospitality
Tom Collins • JanJanuary 28^th, 2021
Ecobank’s Ellevate Programme empowers African businesswomen
Pan-African bank Ecobank has launched its Ellevate Programme to support businesses in Africa developed, managed and owned by women. It is also targeting those with a high percentage of female board members, more than 30% female employees and who market their products mainly at women. Such initiatives are much needed given limited access to financing for female-led businesses across the continent.
Neil Ford • JanJanuary 4^th, 2021

Time to unite behind an African candidate to lead WTO
With three African candidates running for the post of director-general of the WTO and the continent’s exports held back by an unequal system of trade, Africa faces some tough decisions. JP Singh outlines the issues The year 2020 is a remarkable moment for African commercial diplomacy. Three of the eight candidates nominated to be the next director-general of the World Trade Organisation are from
AugAugust 28^th, 2020
Southern Africa’s tourism industry desperate to reopen
The coronavirus pandemic has decimated tourism across Southern Africa. Tendai Marima reports on how the industry has been affected in Zimbabwe and Botswana Clouds of white mist swirl into the sky and return to earth as a fine spray as locals walk past the closed Zimbabwean entrance to the Victoria Falls, usually one of Africa’s most popular tourist attractions. After a season of drought, the Zamb
JulJuly 9^th, 2020