Africa Renewal: February 2021

Economic Development

An image of Digital Fingerprinting.

African countries embracing biometrics, digital IDs

New digital technologies have enabled countries to leapfrog outdated tools and progress to modern innovations.
An image of Félix Antoine Tshilombo Tshisekedi.

New AU chair DRC’s President Felix Tshisekedi sets ambitious agenda for 2021

Top priorities are COVID-19, the AfCFTA, peace, climate change, integration, gender equality and promoting African culture.
An image of bank notes.

Tackling illicit financial flows to secure Africa’s future, curb conflict

Annual US$88.6 billion illicit capital flight loss needs to be seen as missed development opportunities.
An image of Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, the first-ever elected female Mayor of Freetown.

Sierra Leone: Innovative water project will improve lives of Freetown residents

Mayor Aki-Sawyerr of Freetown says the newly launched Freetown-Blue Peace water project will significantly improve the living conditions of city dwellers and the socio-economic situation of especially market women.
 Mr. Mendes, 35, the owner of Frutos da Lagoa, a semi-intensive fish farm.

‘It is time to make the African Dream a reality’ - Mario Mendes

Mr. Mendes, 35, owner of Frutos da Lagoa fish farm in Angola’s northwest, hopes African Continental Free Trade Area will expand his market base.

Health

An image of An image of Wavel Ramkalawan, political leaders and health workers took the COVID-19

COVID-19: African countries scramble for vaccines

Rich countries hoard available and future vaccines, as poor countries wait.
A child having safe drinking water.

South Sudan: Improving access to clean water for communities

In Maridi, clean water frees up women’s time and improves community health.

Partnerships for Development

Freetown/Blue Peace Initiative, which will deliver 40 water kiosks and 25 public toilets

UN, Swiss government new financing model to tackle water and sanitation challenges in Sierra Leone

Project in the capital Freetown blends public and private financing, could be replicated in other African countries.

coronavirus

Omicron-fuelled COVID-19 surge in Africa plateaus

Omicron-fuelled COVID-19 surge in Africa plateaus

So far 30 African countries have detected the Omicron variant.
World Health Organization
By WHO

Gender

An image of a woman holding her baby.

Breaking the silence that led to surge in teenage pregnancies

In an environment where most families view sex as a taboo subject, parents are often in denial about their children being sexually active.

Culture and Education

Podcast