Africa makes progress on financial governance despite recent setbacks

Africa makes progress on financial governance despite recent setbacks

Nigeria’s war on corruption suffered several body blows this month after Ibrahim Magu, the chief of its Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was suspended on suspicion of malfeasance, including collecting bribes and siphoning funds away from the EFCC. A dozen more staff members within the anti-corruption agency were subsequently…

Huawei’s Surveillance Tech in Kenya: A Safe Bet?

Huawei’s Surveillance Tech in Kenya: A Safe Bet?

By N. D. Francois When terror struck Nairobi almost one year ago, David Mwangi had yet to graduate from Kenya Police College. He and his colleagues watched the attack unfold live on television. Now an on-duty officer in Nairobi, the 26-year-old is bent on never letting such tragedy happen again….

Baby in Bunia is latest case as DR Congo battles Ebola

The Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo, now in its seventh month, has spread to another health zone, making it 19 locations in all with this new case reported in Bunia in the conflict-prone Ituri province. “The case of Bunia is the 6-month-old baby of a woman from Katwa…

Five dead, at least 130 missing from Djibouti migrant boats

More than 130 migrants went missing on Tuesday morning when two boats capsized off the coast of Djibouti. The International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations agency for refugees and migrants, said the boats capsized about 30 minutes after leaving shore because they were overloaded as they headed into…

Malek wins Golden Globe best actor for ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’

Egyptian American actor Rami Malek received a Golden Globe award Sunday night for best performance by an actor in a motion picture, drama, for his portrayal of music legend Freddie Mercury in the movie “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Malek also celebrated the film’s selection in the Best Motion Picture – Drama category….

Ethiopia’s satellite plans come with strings attached

Last month, Ethiopia officially announced plans to launch its first earth observatory satellite, with China footing 75% of the $8 million bill and providing technical assistance. Such comprehensive assistance is of course welcome news for Ethiopia’s burgeoning space program, but it’s an open question to what extent the government is aware…

Monica Gitau

Monica is a freelance journalist based in Kenya

Mauritania announces success at last in land mine removal

Mauritania has become the latest country to succeed in clearing its territory of land mines, completing a task that’s been decades in the making. The anti-personnel mines were left behind during the 1978-1979 conflict in Western Sahara. Their presence was identified in three regions of Mauritania covering about 68 square…

The future of Angola’s infrastructure development

By Zandre Campos As Angola seeks to diversify its economy, one of the key sectors that continues to grow is infrastructure development. The country has continued to strengthen its mutually beneficial relationships with allies, particularly China, which has invested in Angola’s infrastructure since the two countries established diplomatic relations in…