Author: James Wambua

Denmark, the UK, Spain and France have announced their contributions to the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa. Another new donor–Japan–joined in December 2024 with a $5M contribution. Also joining the list of donors is SEFA, which is a multi-donor Special Fund that provides catalytic finance to unlock private sector investments. The race to light up millions of homes in Africa under Mission 300 initiative has received a shot in the arm after a number of countries including Denmark, the United Kingdom, Spain and France have announced their contributions to the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa. Another new donor–Japan–joined in December…

Rwanda and South Africa are at odds over the escalating conflict in the eastern DRC, with President Kagame accusing South Africa of distorting facts and threatening confrontation. South Africa defends its military presence as a peacekeeping effort, while Kagame claims SAMIDRC is a belligerent force aiding anti-Rwandan militias. The crisis risks further destabilizing the region, with diplomatic efforts needed to prevent escalation. Tensions between Rwanda and South Africa have escalated following a public spat between President Paul Kagame and President Cyril Ramaphosa over the ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Kagame accused South Africa of distorting…

Africa is the global epicenter of terrorism, with regions like the Sahel facing a devastating toll in lives lost and the rise of extremist groups. Addressing this crisis requires human rights-centered strategies, regional cooperation, and innovative funding mechanisms. Global action and support for African-led solutions are crucial to combating terrorism and securing the continent’s future. Terrorism in Africa is growing at a frightening scale compared to other regions globally, with the continent accounting for nearly 59 per cent of all terror-related deaths worldwide. According to UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, there is urgent need to strengthen counter-terrorism measures especially in…

AU Heads of State have been urged to incorporate newly agreed Kampala Declaration’s commitments into national policies and budgets. To succeed however, economies must confront climate change, economic instability, and rapid tech evolution head-on to build a resilient agricultural sector. By prioritizing resilience, inclusivity, and innovation, the declaration sets a bold precedent for tackling the continent’s most pressing challenges. The lush shores of Lake Victoria provided a fitting backdrop as African leaders, policymakers, and agricultural stakeholders gathered from January 9th to 11th, 2025, at Kampala’s Speke Resort. The occasion? The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Extraordinary Summit, which culminated…

Abu Dhabi is gearing up to invest in Kenya’s critical sectors including ports, logistics, agriculture and energy. President William Ruto says the landmark deal will more than triple Kenya’s exports of meat products, fruits, vegetables, cut flowers, tea and coffee to the UAE. Agreement also targets the services sector with Kenyan providers in education, transport, construction, and engineering now poised to have a better access to opportunities in the UAE. Kenya-UAE economic relations are set to enter a new phase following the signing of a deal by authorities in the United Arab Emirates to invest heavily in the East African…

Mukuru Wallet is set to allow millions of users in Zimbabwe to send and receive money locally and internationally via mobile phones. The service provides convenience and cost savings, such as paying for utilities, buying airtime, DStv bills and insurance. Launch of Mukuru Wallet comes after the company received a Deposit-Taking Microfinance Institution licence from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. Financial services platform Mukuru has launched a mobile wallet in Zimbabwe just weeks after the company received a Deposit-Taking Microfinance Institution (DTMFI) licence from the country’s central bank. With more than three-million customers in Zimbabwe, Mukuru wallet is poised to…

The partnership will help provide essential medicines, train healthcare workers, and ensure the delivery of maternal, newborn, and child health services. It will also focus on treating severe malnutrition, bolster vaccination drives, and strengthen outreach to underserved communities. The plan, dubbed SHARE Project, aims to create a robust healthcare framework by enhancing disease surveillance systems. In Sudan, the World Bank, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have joined forces to address the country’s dire healthcare crisis. The trio has signed an $82 million agreement to deliver critical health services to over 8 million vulnerable…

The UAE will host the third World Local Production Forum from April 7–9, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, focusing on advancing health equity, global health security, and sustainable development. The event, organized in partnership with the WHO, will gather over 4,000 participants to discuss innovation, technology transfer, and strategies for resilient healthcare systems. Forum highlights the UAE’s leadership in healthcare innovation and its commitment to fostering sustainable health solutions. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is set to host the third edition of the World Local Production Forum (WLPF) from April 7 to 9, 2025, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre…

A staggering $16.2 million from the Bank of Uganda (BoU) was wired into suspect accounts in Japan, audit shows. Uganda’s Auditor-General fingers systemic flaws and possible criminal intent in the November 2024 cyber heist. Parliament has now forwarded the file for further investigantion by Uganda’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations (CID). In a high-stakes digital heist, hackers infiltrated Uganda’s treasury systems, siphoning off a staggering $16.2 million (approximately USh60 billion) from the Bank of Uganda (BoU). The theft, first reported in November 2024, sent shockwaves across the country, prompting a forensic audit by the Auditor-General. The findings of this audit have…

The US has imposed sweeping sanctions on Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commander Mohammad Hamdan Daglo, known as Hemedti, for gross human rights violations in war torn Sudan. Also hit are seven RSF-owned companies operating in the UAE for their role in fueling the ongoing conflict. These measures underscore the US’s commitment to promoting accountability and supporting Sudan’s quest for peace and democracy. The US has intensified its efforts to hold perpetrators of Sudan’s humanitarian crisis accountable by sanctioning RSF leader Mohammad Hamdan Daglo, widely known as Hemedti. Accused of orchestrating systematic atrocities, Hemedti now faces sanctions for his direct involvement…