With pomp, circumstance, fanfare, some political rhetoric, and lots of promise, the people of Kenya welcomed the maiden ride of the Standard Gauge Railway, now known as SGR, the first high-speed rail project in Eastern Africa. The historic event started in the port city of Mombasa, 472 kilometers away from the capital city of Nairobi. President…
With a total population of nearly 100 million people, Ethiopia is the second most populous country in Africa. The country’s long history of conflict, drought and famine meant that its huge population has been long considered somewhat of an economic burden rather than a valuable resource. However, the Ethiopian government is now hoping that it can turn the…
The final day of May 2017 will mark a new age of economic progress for the Republic of Kenya; this is when President Uhuru Kenyatta will climb aboard the new Standard Gauge Railway, which people will know as SGR, for a maiden ride from the port city of Mombasa to the bustling metropolis of Nairobi. The…
Brand Africa, a high-level business forum organized in the wake of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, recently published its ranking of the most admired brands in the Continent. In the consumer electronics category, South Korean market leader Samsung has become one of the most admired brands, and this recognition has more to…
In 2017, Nigerian poet Romeo Oriogun stunned readers with his complex, urgent poetry full of brimming emotion, stark imagery, and biting questions. In a unanimous vote, this young poet was awarded the 2017 Brunel International African Poetry Prize. This prestigious £3,000 major poetry award, sponsored by Brunel University and Commonwealth Writers, is given to poets who have not…
Since 1998, the World Bank and its World Economic Forum have been publishing the “Africa Competitiveness Report,” which is released every two years after members of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund meet to issue forecasts for global economic growth. In 2017, the report presents a positive outlook for the Continent, and this…
The World Health Organization (WHO) hasn’t exactly been viewed in the most positive light as of late and many have accused the organization of failing to respond quickly and effectively enough to the most recent Ebola outbreak—a charge that WHO officials eventually admitted to. There was also the questions as to whether the organization was…
Let’s be honest; when you hear the name Dolce & Gabbana, you know you’re going to see elegance that is almost spellbinding with exquisite old world tradition blended in. On Friday, her final day in Italy, First Lady Melania Trump donned a vivid floral D&G coat when she met with Emanuela Mauro, wife of the Italian…
Representation and inclusivity matter. Playing with dolls, particularly Barbie, is a large part of childhood for many, but the doll and its clothing haven’t been very representative of all people. Barbie has made some strides recently by introducing dolls with different body shapes, different skin tones, and even dolls with disabilities. One Muslim woman from…
Donald Trump’s campaign for the US presidency contained few specific foreign policy suggestions; Africa was hardly mentioned at all. Since taking office in January, Trump has been heavily embroiled in political scandal, and has had difficulty achieving his major goals as rapidly as he had hoped. Africa has been mentioned very little in these first…
