African countries - The African Mirror

Apr

2024

Contaminated cough syrup in Africa no longer available – WHO

A contaminated batch of Benylin Paediatric Syrup is no longer available in the African countries where it was sold, the World Health Organization said. Earlier this month, Nigeria recalled a batch of the children's cough and allergy medicine after tests found that it contained unacceptable levels of the toxin, diethylene glycol. Five other African countries have also pulled the product from shelves - Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and South Africa, where the drug was made. The recalled batch of Benylin syrup was made by Johnson & Johnson (JNJ.N) in South Africa in May 2021, although Kenvue (KVUE.N) now owns the brand after…

Apr

2024

By SETH ONYANGO, BIRD STORY AGENCY

AGOA-AfCFTA to offer a trade highway to the US until 2041

NEWS

FORTY African nations could have duty-free access to U.S. markets until 2041, as Congress considers a bipartisan bill extending the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Senators Chris Coons (D-Delaware) and James Risch (R-Idaho) tabled a revised AGOA Renewal and Improvement Act of 2024 in Congress, which now explicitly integrates it with the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). This alignment incentivises more African countries to join the regional trade agreement by linking AGOA's trade benefits directly to membership. "The President is authorized to designate a country as an eligible AfCFTA country if — that country has signed and ratified…

Apr

2024

By SETH ONYANGO, BIRD STORY AGENCY

Interstate deals fuel drive for African single roaming regime

NEWS

GROWING interstate deals to end roaming fees are boosting efforts for a unified roaming regime in Africa, essential for a connected digital market. Benin and Ghana are the latest African countries to slash communication costs for their citizens roaming between the two countries. The new rates apply from July 1 and align with a protocol introduced by the ECOWAS region in March to encourage regional economic integration. The announcement follows a Southern African Development Community's (SADC) initiative last year involving Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana, to lower roaming costs. Cross-border travellers on the continent often shoulder exorbitant internet and mobile…

Apr

2024

By FELIX NJINI

US must boost Africa ties to secure key minerals

NEWS

THE U.S. must boost commercial ties with African countries to curb reliance on China for supplies of critical minerals, a Washington-based think tank said. "U.S. economic and national security depends on securing a reliable supply of critical minerals, including from Africa," the United States Institute of Peace said in a report. The U.S. is almost 100% reliant on "foreign entities of concern," mainly China, for key critical minerals, it said, and must come up with its own sources of supply to avoid being shorthanded and vulnerable to China's export curbs. Western mining companies are lagging behind Chinese rivals in the race to…

Mar

2024

By LOUIS DE KOKER

Kenya’s greylisting for weak action on money laundering and terrorism financing: what that means and what must happen next

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS

KENYA and Namibia are the latest African countries to be placed on the Financial Action Task Force’s grey list over their weak measures against money laundering and terrorism financing. Being on the grey list is typically seen as an indictment of a country’s ability to identify and effectively redress financial crimes. It warns investors to be cautious in dealings with the country. Financial crimes researcher Louis de Koker, who has recently studied the economic consequences of greylisting, answers questions on the move. Why is Kenya on the grey list? In February 2024 Kenya was greylisted by the Financial Action Task…

Mar

2024

By ESTHER MUSEMBI, BIRD STORY AGENCY

Ten influential women in African politics

NEWS

WITH more than a third of African countries headed to the polls in 2024, African women are showing increasing interest in holding leadership positions, including the presidency. Their stories inspire resilience, determination, and visionary leadership, serving as beacons for future generations of female leaders across the continent. The following is a selected list of some influential women in African politics: 1. Sahle-Work Zewde, President of EthiopiaA distinguished Ethiopian diplomat, Zewde made history in 2018 by becoming the first female Ethiopian president. Before her presidency, she held prominent roles within the United Nations, including serving as Special Representative of the Secretary-General…

Mar

2024

By CONRAD ONYANGO, BIRD STORY AGENCY

Congo and Togo record Africa’s highest increase in happiness levels

NEWS

THE Republic of Congo and Togo are among the countries that have seen happiness levels amongst their citizens increase the most over the past 12 years. The two African countries are listed among seventeen countries globally that recorded increases in average life evaluations of a full point or more. The World Happiness Report 2024 ranks the Republic of Congo in fourth place globally (with 1.40 points) for the biggest increase in happiness levels, after Serbia (1.84 points), Bulgaria (1.57 points) and Latvia (1.47 points ), mostly thanks to increases among their youth populations. Togo closed the world’s top 10 most…

Mar

2024

By BONFACE ORUCHO, BIRD STORY AGENCY

Special Economic Zones are propelling Africa’s green hydrogen drive

NEWS

WHEN Egypt, a prominent player in green hydrogen development in Africa, recently announced seven new upcoming projects worth US$40 billion to be rolled out over the next decade, it noted that the projects would be positioned in one location: a special economic zone (SEZ). The new projects announced by Egypt's cabinet in February, together with ongoing developments not only in Egypt but around the continent, reaffirm Africa's place as a potential key supplier of green hydrogen, particularly to Europe. A 2023 report from the European Investment Bank predicts Africa could produce over 50 million tons of green hydrogen annually by…

Mar

2024

By HALEY MCEWEN

US Christian right has taken aim at LGBTIQ+ rights, sex education and abortion in Africa – new book

LITERATURE

A new book – The US Christian Right and Pro-Family Politics in 21st Century Africa – reveals the role played by some right-wing US Christian groups in trying to spread their social and moral influence in African countries. Sociologist Haley McEwen, who specialises in the subject, answers five questions about her book. HALEY MCEWEN, Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Gothenburg What do you want readers to take away? I hope that readers can better understand the reasons why lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) rights, abortion and sexuality education have become so highly politicised in African countries (and other…

Feb

2024

By CONRAD ONYANGO, BIRD STORY AGENCY

bird TenX: 10 African countries with highest diaspora remittance inflows

BUSINESS

AFRICA’S growing diaspora community is increasingly becoming an important pillar for the growth and stability of local economies as the never-ending search for "greener pastures" sees Africans in the diaspora sending home almost double the amount that flows to Africa as foreign aid. Employment and education are among the biggest factors pushing Africans abroad, be that within Africa's borders, or "overseas". Many of those who leave Africa's shores end up being successful and send money home to sustain relatives or to build homes and even businesses. Over the years, remittances sent back to the continent have increased significantly in recent…