Author: James Wambua

• March 3rd-7th expo underscores Dubai’s pivotal role as a global business hub.
• It also highlights the vibrant dynamics of the wood industry, setting the stage for future advancements and opportunities.
• Exhibitors are showcasing state-of-the-art products and technologies, including CNC machining centers, drilling and fitting insertion machines, panel dividing saws, and more.

The Dubai International Wood and Wood Machinery Exhibition (Dubai WoodShow 2024) explores the nexus of innovation, investment, and global collaboration within the wood and woodworking machinery industries across economies.

As the 20th edition of this event unfolds, it not only underscores Dubai’s pivotal role as a global business magnet but also highlights the vibrant dynamics of the wood industry, setting the stage for future advancements and opportunities.

Dubai WoodShow 2024: A global meeting of wood industry leaders

The expo, which was inaugurated by His Excellency Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, president and CEO of Dubai Chambers, is attracting …

• Customers of Liquid C2 can expect heightened security measures, access to advanced cloud technologies, and a commitment to securing their digital assets.
• Businesses are increasingly turning to Gen AI to drive operational efficiencies, says Thomas Kurian, CEO, Google Cloud.
• This alliance builds on a November 2023 agreement where Liquid C2 and Google Cloud agreed to bolster cybersecurity and cloud services in Africa.

In a deal that is poised to transform the digital economy of Africa, tech company Liquid C2 has struck a deal with global technology giant Google Cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) powerhouse Anthropic.

This strategic partnership is set to deliver a suite of advanced cloud, cybersecurity solutions, and cutting-edge generative AI (Gen AI) capabilities to African businesses, heralding a new era of digital innovation and security across economies.

Liquid C2, a pan-African technology group, is at the forefront of this initiative, promising its customers enhanced security measures, …

• Acquisition at undisclosed value deepens the US firm’s HR infrastructure, and fuels direct and indirect global expansion and reach.
• PaySpace offers payroll engines and HR services across 44 countries in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa markets.
• PaySpace is serving more than 14,000 customers, including multinationals Heineken, Coca-Cola Beverages, and Puma Sports SA.

American Global HR payroll engine provider Deel is acquiring African-based payroll and HR services firm, PaySpace, a move that will see the former solidify its position as one of the biggest entities in the human resource management segment internationally.

This acquisition, which has been done for an undisclosed amount, marks one of the company’s largest acquisitions to date, the company said even as it edges closer to having a presence in over 100 countries.

CTECH estimates the transaction to be valued at approximately $100 million. This news comes on the heels of the firm’s …

• African white diamonds are highly prized for their brilliance and rarity.
• Botswana, South Africa, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) lead in diamond production across Africa.
• The push for ethical diamonds is gaining momentum as watchdogs demand transparency, fair labour practices, and environmental stewardship.

The allure of white diamonds has captivated humanity for centuries, symbolizing luxury, purity, and unparalleled beauty.

Among the world’s most coveted treasures, African diamonds stand out, not only for their exceptional quality but also for the rich, albeit complex, history of their origin.

We set out to explore the facets of white diamonds from Africa, delving into their market cost, sizes, mining practices, ethical considerations, and their role in luxury jewelry and investment portfolios.

Diamond Mining in Africa

Africa’s geological wealth is unparalleled, with countries such as Botswana, South Africa, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) leading in diamond production.…

• UNEA-6 yielded 15 resolutions, two decisions, and a ministerial declaration, underscoring the commitment of member states to collaborative action.
• These resolutions span a broad spectrum of environmental concerns, from the management of metals, minerals, chemicals, and waste.
• They also touch on environmental recovery in conflict-affected areas, water resource management, sustainable lifestyles, and the rehabilitation of degraded lands and waters.

The sixth session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-6), which concluded last week in Nairobi, Kenya, marked a leap in the journey toward united global environmental governance.

Under the banner of addressing the triple planetary crisis—climate change, nature loss, and pollution—UNEA-6 brought together over 5,600 participants from 190 countries.

This assembly, held at the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) headquarters, was not just a meeting; it was a chance to the global community’s resolve to forge effective, inclusive, and sustainable solutions to the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.

UNEA-6 settles

• Kigali-based Future Light Football Academy offers more than just a chance to excel in sports; it provides youth with a lifeline away from the dangers of life on the street and back to school and family life.
• To further drive their reach, impact, and sustainable growth in Rwanda, the sports academy is seeking partners from sports clubs to corporate organizations.
• Founded by Bram Vlaanderen, a Dutch lawyer based in Dubai with a big heart for Rwanda, and Eric Iracyadukunda, a Rwandese professional football player, the academy has the potential to turn into a center of excellence for youth development.

In the city of Kigali, Rwanda, amidst the towering skyscrapers and bustling streets, lies a beacon of hope and opportunity for the youth. Future Light Football Academy, a burgeoning center of sports excellence, stands as a testament to the power of dreams and determination.

Founded by Bram Vlaanderen, a Dutch …

• Borana region is home to an estimated 1.2 million people, half of whom are women.
• These communities rely heavily on pastoralism for their livelihoods, making them particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
• In March 2023, over 3.3 million livestock perished due to lack of water, leaving more than 67,000 households without means of economic support.

For decades, millions of people in Ethiopia’s Borana region have borne the brunt of the loss of livelihoods as climate change-induced disasters cause the death of their livestock, leaving them vulnerable to economic difficulties.

This story is, however, set to change following the African Development Fund’s $46.02 million grant to the Borana region to improve water access and sanitation in the area.

This funding, designated for Phase 2 of the Borana Resilient Water Development for Improved Livelihoods Program, is a vital investment in the well-being and future of the region’s pastoral communities.…

• Smart Africa Digital Academy (SADA) seeks to bridge the digital skills gap in African countries, enhancing employability and meeting the evolving talent requirements of Africans.
• Since its inception, SADA has provided training to over 7,000 beneficiaries across 35 African countries, covering a wide range of digital transformation topics.
• Smart Africa’s goal is to transition the continent into a knowledge economy by ensuring affordable access to broadband and promoting the use of ICTs.

The World Bank is partnering with Smart Africa to accelerate the expansion of the Smart Africa Digital Academy (SADA) from a national to a regional focus as part of the Western Africa Regional Digital Integration Program (WARDIP). This partnership aims to advance regional integration of digital markets through a $20 million grant for 5 years.

The focus of this partnership is to expand the existing national-level SADA initiative to a regional level as part of WARDIP. This expansion …

• Zimbabwe is the worst hit in Africa with food inflation at 26% YoY, followed closely by Egypt at 18%, Malawi at 9%, and Guinea at 7%.
• The persistent weakness of the Zimbabwe dollar has been a driving force behind the steep price growth throughout 2023.
• Real food inflation, calculated as the difference between food inflation and overall inflation, provides a dire picture of the strain on households’ budgets in these countries.

The economies of Zimbabwe, Egypt, and Guinea are facing significant challenges due to soaring food inflation, placing them among the top 10 countries globally most affected by this roiling crisis.

According to the World Bank’s February 2024 update, Zimbabwe leads the pack in Africa, with food inflation at a staggering 26 per cent year-on-year, followed closely by Egypt at 18 per cent and Guinea at 7 per cent.

Real food inflation, calculated as the difference between food inflation …

• Weeklong UNEA-6 talks in Nairobi will focus on negotiating resolutions on critical issues such as nature-based solutions, highly hazardous pesticides, land degradation, drought, and the environmental aspects of minerals and metals.
• UNEA-6 talks will see countries consider a total of 19 resolutions aimed at spurring more ambitious multilateral environmental action.
• The UN Environment Assembly plays a crucial role in setting priorities for global environmental policies and developing international environmental law.

Ministers of environment and leaders from over 180 nations gathering in Nairobi for the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) are calling on the urgent need for environmental multilateralism to tackle the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature loss, and pollution.

This year’s assembly, taking place between February 25 and March 1st, will focus on negotiating resolutions on critical issues such as nature-based solutions, highly hazardous pesticides, land degradation, drought, and the environmental aspects of minerals …