Author: James Wambua

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Clean Air Flagship was launched to save lives and slow climate change by boosting cooperation and reducing pollutant emissions. UNEP and CCAC’s Used Heavy Duty Vehicles and the Environment report provides a roadmap to reducing the sector’s emissions through standardizing, monitoring, and greening strategies The launch of a significant cost of inaction study supports the economic case to act on short-lived climate pollutants to limit hazardous global warming and climate disasters. Government Ministers and partners of the UNEP-convened Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) have this week put in place a raft of integrated climate and clean air initiatives designed…