While American tech giants such as Apple, Google and PayPal compete and fail to agree on the standards for digital wallets, a financial technology platform proudly developed in Africa is set to expand across the Continent. Safaricom, the Kenyan wireless services company that operates the M-Pesa network, recently issued a major corporate announcement. Vodacom, a South…
The glamorous stage where the English National Ballet performs is worlds away from the grinding poverty of the Kuwinda slum in Kenya. Yet that stage appears to be where one former Kuwinda resident is destined to be seen. Sixteen-year-old Joel Kioko is a phenomenon in the ballet world. Like many male dancers, he came to…
Venice Biennale is an arts organization in Venice, Italy that organizes a prestigious bi-annual contemporary art exhibition. Art collectors and dealers flock to the event and it helps artists get discovered and make sales. This year is a landmark year for Nigeria, with a special pavilion for Nigerian artists included. This is the first time in…
In a political move that would only appease his most ardent voter base, United States President Donald Trump removed the country from the Paris Climate Agreement; in doing so, Trump unequivocally affirmed his personal belief about climate change being a hoax. Trump’s decision has been widely criticized in diplomatic circles, by other nations, and in…
A legislative proposal being considered in the Egyptian Parliament would require citizens to acquire a license if they wish to access Facebook and other online social networks. The social media license would be issued by the government only after the Egyptian citizen has furnished his or her national ID number, email address and the usernames…
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…
FOLD 2017 accomplished its mission. As a Festival of Literary Diversity, the second-annual event brought together established and emergent writers of varied backgrounds in a space that fed their souls, created dialogue and provided down-to-earth guidelines and information about writing and publishing. Held recently in Brampton, Ontario, a city known for its culturally diverse population, FOLD…
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…
Both Bruno Mars and Cardi B have already had big years with a lot of important award wins and records set. At the 2017 Soul Train Awards, they added more feathers to their caps. The ceremony aired Sunday on BET and BET HER and was hosted by Erykah Badu. Throughout the night, Badu had a…
It was a historic Miss Universe competition Sunday evening as 92 contestants from points across the globe all vied for the prestigious crown. First ever representatives came from the countries of Cambodia, Laos and Nepal, and this year’s edition featured the largest number of entrants seeking the Miss Universe title. In the end, 22-year-old Demi-Leigh…
It’s official, groundbreaking, and the ring is a stunner! Britain’s Royal Palace announced Monday morning that Prince Harry and American actress Meghan Markle are engaged. The news came straight from the office of Harry’s father Prince Charles, according to People magazine. The statement also mentioned that the beautiful couple had become engaged earlier in the…
In recent years, the Black Friday shopping extravaganza of the United States has reached across the Atlantic to entice African retailers and consumers. In Nigeria and South Africa, supermarket chain Shoprite experienced heavy store traffic, and even Coscharis Motors, an auto dealership in Lagos, offered Black Friday deals for prospective buyers. A driving force behind…
