The inaugural Africa No Filter Summit, held in Nairobi, was a captivating rendezvous for the continent’s creatives. Over three days, this remarkable event showcased the ingenious strategies employed by Africans, especially youths, to counter stereotypes and reshape an empowered narrative for the continent. By Seth Onyango and Bonface Orucho Nairobi’s skies, a canvas of moody grays, occasionally part to let the sun toss a warming glance at the vibrant city below. This is the backdrop for a gathering of some of the continent’s most creative minds as Nairobi this week hosted the inaugural Africa No Filter Summit. Here, journalists, content…
Author: Bird Agency
With Kenya and Ethiopia in the lead, increased investment in the geothermal sector will double Africa’s geothermal capacity by 2050 and see the continent exceed the total installed capacity in Europe, according to a recent report. By Bonface Orucho The latest report from Norwegian energy research firm Rystad Energy sheds light on the prospects of geothermal energy to play a crucial role in meeting Africa’s increasing energy demands in the coming decades. “This growth will take the continent from being the sixth largest geothermal power generator in 2023 to the third largest in 2030,” Daniel Holmedal, a senior supply chain…
Visiting monarch expresses remorse over past British atrocities in Kenya but falls short of an apology that many believe is due for a full historical reckoning, at a time when most African states are asserting themselves not as a footnote in British history. By Seth Onyango King Charles III voiced deep regret over the UK’s colonial actions in Kenya, yet a definitive apology remains elusive amid pressing demands for historical redress. Amid the pomp of his state visit, Charles drew attention to the egregious acts committed by Britain during Kenya’s independence struggle. He acknowledged the “abhorrent and unjustifiable acts of…
Kenya will scrap visas for all African visitors by year-end, in the first decisive push towards greater continental integration by a major African economy By Seth Onyango Barrier-free travel in Africa has received fresh impetus after Kenya vowed to abolish visa requirements for all Africans by 2023. President William Ruto, championing the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA), asserted that visa barriers hold Africans back. “By the end of this year, no African will be required to have a visa to come to Kenya,” he said. Kenya, a part of the East African Community (EAC), has already implemented a…
When nine-year-old Phillista went missing in 2021, a local organisation teamed up with her family and police to bring her home. AI was key. By Gitonga Njeru Phillista Waithera’s mother said she had begun a new life after the return of her daughter thanks to the novel use of technology. The 11-year-old was first reported missing in Nairobi in July 2021 when she was just nine years old. At the time Waithera went missing, there were many other reported cases of missing children in the country. Based on media reports at the time, children aged between 0 to 13 years…
With growing numbers of mineral processing plants being built on the continent – the latest, a US$250 million cobalt beneficiation facility in the DRC – African experts are calling for global supply chain diversification. By Bonface Orucho The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is on track to establish a new cobalt beneficiation facility in 2024, a facility which is expected to enhance the economic value of exported minerals, and boost revenue. The Eurasian Resources Group (ERG) announced a groundbreaking deal with China’s BGRIMM Technology Group during the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF III) in Beijing, with…
Kigali has taken internet delivery into the Stratosphere with a high-speed internet test in partnership with Japan’s Softbank. The successful test shows that even in the most remote areas, high-speed, affordable internet is possible. By Seth Onyango Rwanda is positioning itself as an early contender in a cosmic tug-of-war in which tech titans are lining up to beam high-speed internet across remote parts of Africa. Rwanda’s interest was made abundantly clear when the country announced on October 20 that it had transmitted a video stream to Japan over HAPS 5G, using an unmanned vehicle positioned in the Stratosphere. According to…
Tech startups in Africa led by women are attracting an increasing share of funding. Experts believe that with increased mentoring, this gender gap can be narrowed further. By Bonface Orucho Funding to female-led tech startups in Africa is surging, defying previous regressive trends. According to Africa: The Big Deal’s latest Q3 2023 report, woman-led startups now command 19% of total equity funding—the highest since Q1 2021. This marks the fourth consecutive quarter of growth, according to the Africa startup database and insights provider, and is a substantial increase from a year ago, when the amount was only 4% in Q4…
As a young boy, Musa Otieno discovered the power of soccer to transform lives. Now, the retired footballer is using his early life lessons to help others. By Velma Pamela He could be living the life that many fans believe retired international footballers have earned – a life of luxury, touring the world and spending holidays at high-end destinations. Instead, Musa Otieno, the most-capped Kenyan international soccer player ever and former player for South African football club Santos, is way too busy. While his role as a coach hardly looks like slowing down, he is also giving hope to vulnerable…
Kenya’s shipbuilding abilities are giving the country a competitive edge as East Africa rushes to take advantage of booming trade around its inland waterways. By Bonface Orucho Kenya is emerging as a significant shipbuilder in the East African region as the country taps into rising demand for inland water logistics on Lake Victoria and across the region. The country this month commissioned its first domestically-built modern inland cargo ship, the MV Uhuru II, built by the military-controlled Kenya Shipyards Limited, with help from Dutch partner Damen Shipyards. President William Ruto emphasized that the ship serves as a “catalyst for economic…
