In a cosy workshop in Eldoret in western Kenya, Jackton Onyango Otieno, a down-to-earth, 62-year-old mushroom expert is completely engrossed in the delicate art of preparing a proper mushroom substrate. Around him is huddled a group of eager youths, taking in his every word. Judging by the regular smiles, Otieno’s energy and passion for sharing his expertise is infectious and he clearly finds joy in sharing his expertise and nurturing the next generation of mushroom enthusiasts. Despite the sense of jollity in the workshop, however, there’s a deadly serious reason why Otieno is keen to disseminate his knowledge as widely…
Author: Bird Agency
A young Kenyan health investor witnessed long delays for patients requiring specialist healthcare diagnoses and reporting. So he came up with a solution. By Magdalene Mwaniki In 2019, Kenneth Njeru was a travel management expert who had started developing an interest in the stock market. While his interest in stocks and investment grew, he also discovered the potential of the medical sector as an investment opportunity. There was one big problem, however- no stocks were available to trade on his local stock market, the Nairobi Stock Exchange. So, a week before his 21st birthday, he registered a company. “I started…
Africa is bringing a new weapon to the war on HIV and Aids, according to health officials. It comes in the form of a rubber and silicone ring being made available to women and girls. A number of African nations are boldly embracing a game-changing approach to the fight against new HIV transmissions — a vaginal ring. Thee innovative ring, developed by International Partnerships for Microbicides, is made from a blend of rubber and silicone. By placing the power of prevention directly in the hands of women, the rings could revolutionise the battle against new HIV infections, particularly when used…
Digital skills are empowering young Africans, bridging the skills gap, and shaping the future of work. “Digital learning has given me everything I ever wanted in life… I am a graphic designer, a web developer, and a programming expert,” proudly declares Elvis Warutumu, a Nairobi-based digital creator. Warutumu, in his mid-20s, not only tutors digitally but also mentors over 5000 digital learners directly enrolled in his courses. “With my procurement degree, it would have been almost impossible to secure solid employment in Kenya… But hours of learning on different platforms have given me more than just a job,” Warutumu explains.…
Africa’s first Critical Minerals Summit sees global powers lining up to secure mineral supplies for the energy transition. By Conrad Onyango At least ten global powers are training their eyes on Africa’s critical mineral supplies, according to the organisers of an upcoming event in South Africa. Europe, the U.S., the U.K., Canada, Australia, China, Japan, South Korea and countries from the BRICs have lined up as delegates in Africa’s inaugural Critical Minerals Summit slated for mid-October in Cape Town, as the world scrambles for rare earth and “transition” minerals. Organisers of the summit, Energy Capital & Power (ECP), have described…
Across Africa, governments and the private sector are investing millions of dollars in desalination plants as renewables and new technology drive costs downwards. Africa’s growing need for fresh water and increasingly abundant and cheaper renewable energy sources together offer a growing opportunity for desalination, according to the founder and managing director of Terra Energy, a consulting firm specializing in market research, business development, and training in sustainable energy. “Desalination is an energy-intensive process and energy costs account for the majority of a plant’s typical operating expenditures,” said Mohamed Alhaj, noting that energy consumption translates to 44% of total water costs…
Patel Zain turned his life around through soccer free-styling. Now he is working to do the same across the communities he serves, building a sports enterprise empowering communities through nourishment, training, and mentorship. Bonface Orucho, Bird Story agency In the dark alleys of Greyville and the rough neighbourhoods of Eldorado Park, Newclare, and Westbury, Patel Zain’s early life was ensnared in a web of violence, drug abuse, and crime. As he explained in an interview with bird story agency, his rough childhood experiences had a strong influence on the choices that led to his involvement in drug trafficking and crime.…
Foreign investors have long eyed opportunities in Ethiopia — Africa’s second-most populous country — especially within its financial sector. In Africa, lenders in Kenya, South Africa and Egypt are front runners. Ethiopia has entered the final stage of its first stock exchange launch, as the country’s Capital Market Authority begins to on-board foreign investment banks from the second week of February. The regulator announced that it will start issuing investment bank licenses from February 12, 2024, the first time in the country’s history and after six ‘rigorous’ months of developing guidelines to govern the financial sector players. Ethiopia Capital Market…
An app developed by tech startup, Vambo Technologies, co-founded by Chido Dzinotyiwei and Isheanesu Misi, will empower users to seamlessly communicate, learn, and create content in various African languages, fostering cultural inclusivity and breaking linguistic barriers. By Phendu Kuta When Chido Dzinotyiwei moved to South Africa from Zimbabwe as a child, language became both an obstacle and an opportunity for change. Her primary concern as an adult was children struggling with their mother tongue in new environments, facing challenges in pronouncing names, and finding it difficult to connect with the languages spoken in their surroundings. Fast forward to today, the…
Family has been a theme at AFCON tournaments since the early 60s, and the ongoing 2023 competition has brothers and cousins playing alongside each other in search of that elusive family-won title. By Joel Omotto In the history of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), a number of closely-related players have graced the tournament with six siblings winning the trophy. Ethiopians Italo and Luciano Vassallo won it together in 1962, Congolese brothers Albert Bwanga and Robert Kazadi were part of the 1974 winning team, Cameroonians Andre and Francois Biyik claimed the crown in 1988 while Egyptians Hossam and Ibrahim Hassan…