Author: Albert Nangara

• Nigeria produces more than 60 per cent of the entire world’s yams.
• Yam farming offers potential income-generating activities to Nigerian farmers who can grow this versatile tuber.
• The sale and trading of freshly harvested yam creates business opportunities for vendors at local produce markets.

Nigeria is a country known for its rich agricultural heritage and the abundance of natural resources it provides. One of these valuable commodities is yam, which has been cultivated in Nigeria for decades. Yams are an important staple crop that provide both food security and economic opportunity to many Nigerians. The production and sale of yams present an array of opportunities for farmers, entrepreneurs, consumers, and businesses alike.

The agriculture sector in Nigeria employs approximately 60 per cent of the labor force and contributes to over 40 per cent of the country’s GDP.

Nigeria is the leading producer of fresh yams. According to the UN’s food …

Zimbabwe’s potential to become the bread basket of Africa again may be possible. The country still possesses fertile soils and a favourable climate, and with the right support, the agricultural sector can be revitalized to once again become a major contributor to the country’s economy, providing food security for the nation and for Southern Africa. What is needed are investments in technology and infrastructure, support for smallholder farmers, encouraging private sector investment, and addressing climate change.

Zimbabwe has a long history of agriculture dating back to the 11th century when the Shona and Ndebele people began cultivating crops such as millet, sorghum, and corn. In the 20th century, the country became known as a major agricultural producer, particularly in the areas of tobacco, wheat, and maize (corn). The country’s fertile soils and favourable climate made it an ideal location for farming, and the government actively promoted and supported the agricultural …

• Digital technologies have enabled farmers to obtain crucial information on soil quality for nutrient levels, water levels, pests, and disease spread, captured from various sensors, satellites, and drones. 
• One key area where technology can play a role in driving smart agriculture in Africa is through the use of chatbots. 
• Chatbots have the potential to drive smart agriculture in Africa by improving crop yields, reducing costs, and increasing sustainability. 

In Africa, where agriculture is a major contributor to the economy and a primary source of livelihood for many communities, the implementation of smart agriculture systems has a significant impact on food security and economic development. Smart agriculture refers to the use of advanced technology and data analysis to improve crop yields, reduce costs, and increase sustainability in the farming industry. 

One key area where technology plays a role in driving smart agriculture in Africa is through the use of chatbots. 

The …

• One of the driving forces behind nation’s economic success is the Botswana Pula (BWP), the country’s currency.
• last year the local currency fell by 8.1 per cent against the US dollar, one of the single most important currencies for the local economy as it is the trading currency for rough diamonds.

Botswana, is known for its stable democracy, strong economy and of course economic transparency. The country has been rated as the least corrupt nation in Africa, a feat that is uncommon among neighbours that fall prey to bribery and graft. One of the driving forces behind nation’s economic success is the Botswana Pula (BWP), the country’s currency.

The Pula, which means “rain” in the Setswana language, was first introduced in 1976, replacing the South African Rand. It has since maintained a strong parity against major currencies, such as the US dollar and Euro, demonstrating strength in a region that …

The “New Scramble for Africa” is a term used to describe the increasing foreign presence and investment in Africa, especially in the resource-rich continent. This renewed focus on Africa has led to a renewed competition among various countries and global powers, including the United States, to secure access to Africa’s vast natural and economic resources.

A number of different factors, including the increasing demand for resources, the growth of African economies, and the global race for technological dominance has driven the new scramble for Africa. The United States has been particularly invested in this competition, seeing it as an opportunity to gain a strategic advantage in the global economy and geopolitics.

The United States has long been an important actor in the African continent, providing aid, military assistance, and economic investment. However, the US has recently become increasingly focused on securing access to the continent’s resources. This has been done …

• Indian buyers are progressively making room for thermal coal coming from Mozambique, a non-traditional destination.
• Close to 600,000 MT thermal coal was traded from Mozambique to India in November and 3.7 million MT have been traded to India so far in the year.
• The Mozambique coal, typically loaded from the Maputo port, has high sulfur content and comes in a near-powder form, making it unacceptable for sponge iron and metal industries.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has found coal burning for electricity generation will reach record levels this year.

According to a report released last week by the International Energy Agency (IEA), 2022’s global coal use will surpass the 2013 record. The IEA expects coal use to peak either this year or in 2023, then plateau until 2025, before declining again.

Rising natural gas prices and sanctions on Russia are largely driving demand for less expensive coal to …

• The Bikita mine, located 308 kms south of the capital Harare has the country’s largest lithium mines with reserves of 10.8 million tons of lithium ore.
• An export ban is designed to change the incentives for processing firms to relocate or add value to the source market
• A growing number of countries rich in natural resources that the rest of the world needs are introducing export restrictions of raw.

Zimbabwe has prohibited the export of raw lithium from its mines so it can cash in on value addition. Zimbabwe holds the biggest lithium reserves in Africa and the fifth biggest in the world.

The southern African country boasts of many lithium greenfield projects in places like Goromonzi, Mberengwa, Shurugwi, Zvishavane, Bikita and Mutoko.

According to Quartz, the Bikita mine, located 308 kms south of the capital Harare has the country’s largest lithium mines with reserves of 10.8 million tons of …

• Africa Startup League announced a Sh122.84 million innovation competition that will kick off in February 2023.
• The continental-wide contest is open for innovators, entrepreneurs, micro-enterprises, and early-stage start-ups to attain access to finance, as well as the much-needed expertise required to scale businesses.
• East African startups raised US$2.3 billion between 2019 and May 2022. The amount represents 23 per cent of the overall funds raised by African startups during the period.

Africa Startup League, a community-powered company builder for startups, has announced a Sh122.84 million innovation competition that will kick off in February 2023.

The Africa Startup League is a critical Humanity Node ecosystem infrastructure component and key decentralized gross domestic product of Africa (DGDPA) accelerant.

The continental-wide contest is open for innovators, entrepreneurs, micro-enterprises, and early-stage start-ups to attain access to finance, as well as the much-needed expertise required to scale businesses.

The model is a unique startup studio …

According to the World Bank Group, Sub-Saharan Africa is in the midst of a power crisis marked by insufficient generating capacity, unreliable supplies, high prices, and low rates of popular access to the electricity grid. The region’s capacity for generating power is lower than that of any other world region, and growth in that capacity has stagnated.

A friend of mine said if the current power situation continues in the direction, it is going, soon enough, he will take his family on a trip just to see ‘electricity’. This is a joke not too far from the truth. Southern Africa stands at the precipice of a major electricity crisis.

The energy crisis, most notably manifesting in the form of successive rounds of load-shedding, is an ongoing period of widespread national-level rolling blackouts as electricity supply falls behind electricity demand, threatening to destabilize the national power grid.

South Africa’s state power …

Zimbabwe’s capital markets register another delisting from Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) in favour of the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange (VFEX). Axia says its board has approved the listing of the company from the ZSE which will be followed by its listing on VFEX. This means more headache for Old Mutual fund managers and confusion for retail investors. Which company will delist next?

“The Directors of Axia Corporation Limited (the “Company”) wish to advise all shareholders and the investing public that the Board has approved the delisting of the Company from the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange, immediately followed by its listing on the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange (the “Transaction”).”

Axia Corporation Limited operates within the specialty retail and distribution sector and has three operating business units, namely TV Sales & Home (TVSH), Transerv and Distribution Group Africa (DGA). TVSH is a leading furniture and electronic appliance retailer with sites located countrywide. Transerv …