Akon Adds Job Training To His African Solar Lighting Business
June 2, 2015 Senegalese-American R&B star Akon, 42, plans to open a solar academy this summer in Mali, adding job training to the repertoire of his solar power lighting company in Africa. The Akon Lighting Africa initiative brings solar power to rural communities around the continent. The solar academy will be a professional training center and a first
5 problems President Buhari vows to tackle
June 2, 2015 On Friday the 29th of May, General Muhammadu Buhari was sworn in as the fourth president of Nigeria’s fourth republic. Nigerians and the rest of the world watched as the man on who lays the burden of change pledged his absolute service to his country. In his inaugural speech, President Buhari vowed
How Bad Is Nigeria’s Oil-Industry Pain?
June 2, 2015 In the escalating duel between U.S. and the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) oil production, few countries’ oil industries have been hit as hard as Nigeria, highlighting a challenge for the petroleum cartel ahead of its meeting on Friday. The West African nation has lost business in its main market
Number of African Countries Facing Severe Food Shortages Doubles
May 31, 2015 Violence, natural disasters and extreme weather conditions have impeded progress, U.N. agencies say. The number of African countries facing severe food shortages has doubled over the past two decades, as extreme weather conditions, natural disasters and insurgencies disrupt farming across the continent, aid agencies said on Thursday. As many as 24 countries
Life In The Diaspora: Economic Power Of African Immigrants In Minnesota
May 31, 2015 Minnesota’s diverse population of African immigrants has untapped potential to increase the state’s exports by tens of millions of dollars, according to research released Friday. African immigrants in Minnesota earn close to $2 billion annually, but a disconnect with policymakers is holding them back from contributing more to the state’s economy, economist
African business leaders must make decisions that promote development
May 27, 2015 African businessman and philanthropist Tony Elumelu has called on business leaders to make decisions that will increase economic and social wealth, and promote development in the communities and nations in which they operate. Mr. Elumelu, the Chairman of Heirs Holdings and the Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, stated this in a
Raising children in Africa: Every day is an adventure
May 27, 2015 Last week my eight-year-old daughter bounced into our kitchen in Nairobi and shouted at the top of her voice, “If it’s yellow let it mellow, if it’s brown flush it down!” “Urgh,” I exclaimed, failing to suppress my prudish reaction. She, in turn, looked at me in shock. “But Mummy, you are
Children Sold as Slaves in West Africa
May 27, 2015 Mike Sheil traveled to West Africa to photograph the lives of children trafficked as slaves and forced into marriage. He was sent by Anti-Slavery International, a British charity, to Benin, where children are sold into slavery, and Gabon, where many of them end up. Benin is one of the poorest countries in
Burundi crisis: Thousands flee country amid fears of violent backlash – while President Pierre Nkurunziza plays football
May 26, 2015 Fears that the armed youth wing loyal to besieged Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza is readying itself for battle has pushed tens of thousands of people into flight across the country’s borders. The President, whom renegade generals attempted to overthrow in a botched coup last week, has vowed to crack down on growing
16 things only people who live away from their families will understand
May 26, 2015 One of the most important things in life is family and living apart from them can be a real killer. Whether it’s due to a new career, love or the need to live somewhere where the sun shines for more than one day, sometimes we have to live apart from those we