Author: James Wambua

In Africa, a staggering 1.2 billion people lack access to clean cooking facilities. Lack of clean cooking facilities is one of the main causes of deforestation in Africa. AfDB funding is a major step along the road to saving the lives of 600,000 mainly women and children each year. The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has pledged $2 billion over the next decade towards clean cooking initiatives in Africa, marking a huge stride in the effort to save the lives of 600,000 people, predominantly women and children, each year. This commitment aims to address the health hazards associated with traditional…

Across Africa, gender inequality in marriage, divorce, custody, and property rights is perpetuated by sex discrimination embedded in both legal systems and customary laws. Discriminatory family laws have profound impacts, increasing the risk of sexual and gender-based violence for women and girls. Laws in Cameroon, Nigeria, Senegal, South Sudan, Sudan, and Tanzania still allow child marriage. Discrimination against women and girls remains widespread in family laws across Africa, according to new research by Equality Now. An analysis of 20 African countries reveals that gender inequality in marriage, divorce, custody, and property rights is perpetuated by sex discrimination embedded in both…

With Yeeo—a web app—individuals have the privilege of saving their time and cost of printing cards, which often end up being dumped and ensure their money is invested elsewhere. Yeeo’s business strategy brings together environmental conservation and this vision to help enterprises save billions spent on card printing. Dubai-based Yeeo has already secured intellectual property rights in 179 countries around the world. As I navigated through the bustling crowd of delegates from around the world at the Startups Showcase during the AIM Congress 2024, I felt a gentle tug on my jacket. It was Abdullah AlShetiwi, a determined look in…

About a fifth of children under 17 have received unsolicited online requests to discuss sex or sexual acts. Up to a third of children aged 12-17 in Ethiopia and Mozambique are sharing personal information with strangers online. An estimated 13 per cent of 12-17-year-olds in Kenya and Mozambique reported being threatened or blackmailed to engage in sexual activities online. A third of 9-17-year-olds in South Africa and over a quarter of 12-17-year-olds in Mozambique went on to have face-to-face meetings with individuals they initially met online. Fresh reports from two of Africa’s leading child rights groups have uncovered a shocking…

Four innovators from Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire, and Uganda, selected from a shortlist of 16, vie for the £50,000 (over $62,000) Africa Prize. Their innovations encompass recycling in construction, AI tools for healthcare and farming, and reengineered waste collection, addressing crucial societal needs. The three runners-up will each receive £15,000 (over $18,000), while a £5,000 (over $6,000) prize titled ‘One to Watch’ will be awarded to the most promising business among the shortlist. Since 2014, the Africa Prize has empowered nearly 150 entrepreneurs across 23 African countries, creating over 28,000 jobs and positively impacting more than 10 million people with their…

Over 68% of the world’s population will be living in urban areas in 2050 up from the current 55%. However, poor living conditions are worsening with about 1.1 billion people worldwide residing in informal settlements or slums. Furthermore, another 318 million people are either homeless or at risk of homelessness globally. As the world grapples with the unprecedented pace of urbanization, the role of city planning has never been more critical. As populations surge, housing shortages bite harder, and the impacts of climate change manifest in increasingly severe ways, the traditional paradigms of city planning are being challenged like never…

Inaugural event promises to be a cornerstone in the region’s wood and woodworking machinery industry As construction projects continue to increase, the demand for woodworking machinery is expected to escalate Saudi WoodShow is showcasing an impressive line-up of exhibitors, including renowned companies such as Al Arak Wooden Manufacturing Company  Thousands of delegates are converging in city of Riyadh for the Saudi International Wood and Woodworking Machinery Exhibition (Saudi WoodShow) is all set to close tomorrow, May 14. Organized under the banner of WoodShow Global, this inaugural event promises to be a cornerstone in the region’s wood and woodworking machinery industry.…

Russian Investment Forum at AIM Congress 2024 highlighted Russia’s robust economic standing. Various Russian regions showcased unique investment opportunities, from the Far East’s oil and gas sector to Tatarstan’s diverse industries. Discussions also revolved around innovation and technology, with an emphasis on Abu Dhabi’s potential as a global technology hub. Amidst the grandeur of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), the Russian Investment Forum emerged as a unique centre of opportunities during the 2024 AIM Congress. Under the International Partners’ Track, this forum brought together luminaries from Russia’s business landscape to showcase the nation’s unique investment propositions and affirm…

At AIM Congress 2024, ministers worldwide share insights and strategies for unlocking global investment potential and navigating the prevailing economic challenges. Ministers highlight diverse approaches to investment attraction, ranging from leveraging emerging markets and fostering SMEs to offering incentives like tax exemptions and creating investment-friendly regulations. The global forum showcases a collaborative effort to drive economic growth, regional collaboration, and private sector involvement. In a bustling convergence of minds at the ADNEC in Abu Dhabi from May 7th to 9th, the 2024 AIM Congress unveiled a remarkable event that captured the attention of global leaders—the Ministerial Roundtable on Investment. This…

UN Tourism calls for funding for women-led startups within the Middle East’s burgeoning tourism sector. UAE is increasingly becoming a regional leader in FDI inflows, underscoring Ab Dhabi’s emergence as a prime investment hub. Speakers at AIM Congress push for halal tourism, as well as initiatives to harness technology to elevate visitor experiences. In the heart of Abu Dhabi, the AIM Congress 2024 witnessed a stirring convergence of global leaders, international organizations, and entrepreneurs, catalyzing discussions on pivotal issues shaping the tourism landscape. Amidst the bustling ambiance of ADNEC from May 7th to May 9th, UN Tourism left an indelible…