The funeral rites of the late renowned Nigerian writer, Chinua Achebe, began Sunday with prayers at the Ecumenical Centre in the capital city of Abuja. The remains of the writer, whose most popular book is 'Things Fall Apart', were expected to arrive Sunday from the US, where he died 21 March at the age of 82.
Lire la suite : Chinua Achebe: Funeral rites of late Nigerian writer begin
UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed Mr. Albert Gerard Koenders of the Netherlands as the head of the recently-established UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).
Lire la suite : Koenders of the Netherlands head of UN peacekeeping mission in Mali
Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) seeks Burundi's participation in CAR peacekeeping mission - The Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) is urgently seeking Burundi's participation in the regional peacekeeping force for the Central African Republic (CAR), which is in turmoil following the recent violent change of government in the country.
Lire la suite : Peacekeeping mission in Central African Republic
FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Turkey - Nigeria has named a 30-man provisional squad for the 21 June to 13 July FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Turkey. The team includes six footballers playing professional abroad, 18 players from the team that finished third at the 2013 African Youth Championship in Algeria, and others.
Lire la suite : FIFA U-20 World Cup: Nigeria names 30-man provisional squad
Following are the results of the 22nd round of matches in Mauritania’s football championship played this weekend:
Nigerian banks prefer extending finance offers to high-net-worth individuals, including business moguls and top politicians, to buy private jets instead of giving such to commercial airliners, the private Punch newspaper reported on Sunday, quoting aviation sources.
Lire la suite : Nigeria banks 'dump' commercial airlines for private jet owners
Football - The first leg action in the playoff round of the 2013 CAF Confederation Cup kicked off across Africa this weekend.
Lire la suite : 2013 CAF Confederation Cup: Updated results of 1st leg matches
Inventor/Creator Fair, as part of the implementation of promotion of scientific culture program and transfer of technology and entrepreneurship of technologic basis: The province of Benguela will host from 2 to 4 August the Angolan Inventor/Creator Fair, as part of the implementation of promotion of scientific culture program and transfer of technology and entrepreneurship of technologic basis.
Lire la suite : Inventor fair: Benguela to host inventor fair
Davis Cup Euro/Africa Zone: Zimbabwe's dream of promotion to the Davis Cup Euro/Africa Zone went up in smoke after falling 2-1 to Egypt at Cairo's Smash Tennis Academy yesterday.
Lagos, Nigeria - The military has imposed a 24-hour curfew on parts of Maiduguri, capital city of Nigeria's northern Borno state which is one of the three states placed under emergency rule last week to stem the activities of the Islamic sect Boko Haram, the local media reported Sunday.
Lire la suite : Maiduguri: Parts of Nigerian state under emergency rule slammed with 24-hour curfew
Aviation unions strike Nigeria - The three aviation unions that threatened to shut the Nigerian airspace starting from Monday over the failure of the authorities to pay them higher wages have suspended their planned strike.
Lire la suite : Nigeria's aviation unions suspend planned strike
Gaborone, Botswana - Olebile Gladys Masire, wife of Botswana’s second President Ketumile Masire, has died.
Football - Only two matches were played on Friday as the first-leg of the play-off round of the 2013 CAF Confederation Cup competition got underway across Africa. Hosts ES Sétif of Algeria and FUS of Morocco got off to a good start in their Group B campaign.
Lire la suite : CAF Confederation Cup play-off round: Setif, FUS win home matches
Abuja, Nigeria - Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday met with Mr. William Ruto, the visiting Kenyan Deputy Prime Minister and Special Envoy of President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Lire la suite : Goodluck Jonathan meets Kenyan envoy on Somalia's security
Security - The Nigerian military has arrested a total of 65 Boko Haram terrorists who attempted to infiltrate Maiduguri, Borno State capital, while fleeing from various camps now under attack by the military's Special Forces.
Lire la suite : 'Nigerian troops capture 65 Boko Haram insurgents, kill 10'
Eight countries submit action plans to combat illegal trade in ivory - Eight countries, including three from Africa, identified as the most affected by the illegal trade in ivory, have submitted national action plans to the UN-backed treaty for the conservation of endangered species.
Lire la suite : Action plans to combat illegal trade in ivory
The Forum of National Human Rights Organizations, an umbrella of 16 NGOs in Mauritania, on Saturday urged the authorities to honor their commitments to victims of the events of 1989 events marked by the expulsion of thousands of Mauritanians living in Senegal and Mali.
Lire la suite : Mauritania to respect rights of victims of 1989 expulsions
Africa’s young people will be at the heart of social and political discourse during the African Union’s 50th anniversary celebrations starting in Addis Ababa on Sunday under the theme 'Pan Africanism and African Renaissance'.
Lire la suite : Africa: 'Youth Forum to address Africa’s transformational agenda'
Year-long celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the African Union (AU) kick off in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, on Sunday with a preparatory meeting of the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC), according to the official schedule released on Saturday by the AU Commission.
Lire la suite : Ethiopia: AU anniversary celebrations to kick off in Addis Ababa
The Nigerian troops deployed massively to combat the Islamic sect Boko Haram in the country's north-east since Tuesday's emergency rule declaration in the region have retaken 17 towns and villages allegedly controlled by the insurgents in Borno state, the private Leadership newspaper reported on Saturday.
Lire la suite : Nigeria: Advancing troops 'retake 17 towns from Boko Haram'
Accra, Ghana - The declaration of war against illegal miners, whose activities degrade the environment, pollute water bodies, cause deaths and trigger violence, was one of the main stories highlighted in the Ghanaian media this week.
The declaration of emergency rule in three States worst hit by violence - Adamawa, Borno, Yobe - which has now developed into a 'war situation' in those areas, was the major story in Nigeria this week.
Lire la suite : Nigeria: Emergency rule, war against terrorists highlighted
Disciplined use of force against Boko Haram - As thousands of Nigerian troops poured into the country's north-east to battle the Islamic sect Boko Haram, the US has called on the troops to apply 'disciplined use of force' in all operations.
Lire la suite : Nigeria: US urges 'disciplined use of force' in fight against Boko Haram
Bank of Central African States - The Bank of Central African States (BEAC) made a profit of 17.951 billion CFAF last financial year, down by 5.192 billion CFAF on the 2011 figure, says an official statement issued on Friday in the Congolese capital, Brazzaville.
Lire la suite : Congo: Profits of Bank of Central African States down in 2012
For the first time since the beginning of the insurgency in Nigeria of Boko Haram, the terror group on Thursday night struck in Daura, in northwest of Katsina State killing two soldiers and injuring one.
Lire la suite : Nigeria: Boko Haram strikes in top opposition leader's hometown, 2 soldiers killed
Lagos, Nigeria - As the war against terrorists in northern Nigeria hots up, advancing troops of the Special Task Force of the Nigerian military have destroyed some terrorists camps sited in the forests of Northern and central Borno State, one of the three States over which a state of emergency had been slammed.
Lire la suite : Nigeria: Advancing troops destroy Boko Haram camps, weapons
Press freedom in Africa - The global press freedom watchdog, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Thursday wrote to US Secretary of State John Kerry, asking him to include in his discussions at the African Union (AU) Summit the issue of press freedom in Africa.
Lire la suite : Africa: CPJ writes US Secretary of State, Kerry, on press freedom
Abuja, Nigeria - ECOWAS and America’s General Electric (GE) Corporation are to explore areas of cooperation, including in energy projects and infrastructure development, to boost regional trade integration, PANA reported Friday, quoting a press statement from the ECOWAS Commission.
Lire la suite : ECOWAS, America's GE partner on regional integration projects
UN Human Rights Office wants Nigerian rebels to face war crimes charges - UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on Friday said members of the violent sect, Boko Haram, and other extremist groups in Nigeria could face war crimes charges for deliberate acts leading to ethnic and religious cleansing.
Lire la suite : Justice: Nigerian rebels to face war crimes charges
Port Louis, Mauritius - Hundreds of Tamil Mauritians Friday demonstrated in Port-Louis to demand that Mauritius should boycott the Commonwealth Summit, to be held in September this year in Sri Lanka.
Lire la suite : Tamil Mauritians allege maltreatment of Tamils in Sri Lanka
Biodegradable plastic bags - The Malian government will ban the production, importation, possession, sale and use of non-biodegradable plastic bags, under a law passed in 2012, PANA reported from here Friday.
Lire la suite : Environment: Mali bans use of non-biodegradable plastic bags
Tripoli, Libya - Determined to stamp out arms and drug trafficking as well as stop illegal immigrants from entering the country, Libyan air force jets have continued to conduct air surveillance along the nation's southern and eastern borders, Yusuf al-Takouss, spokesman for the Air Force, told journalists Friday.
Lire la suite : Libyan air force jets on air surveillance along southern, eastern borders
New York, US - UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) President Nestor Osorio has called for a more effective and inclusive global governance system to ensure that the international community achieves the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and establishes an actionable post-2015 agenda.
Lire la suite : New York: UN official urges stronger global governance to achieve MDGs' target
Nigeria's airspace - Three aviation unions have threatened to shut the Nigerian airspace starting from Monday over the failure of the authorities to pay them higher wages.
Lire la suite : Aviation unions threaten to shut Nigeria's airspace Monday
Sustainable development - China will provide F CFA 32 billion (US$62.7 million) to assist the West African nation of Mali to maintain peace and implement its sustainable recovery plan, PANA reported.
Lire la suite : China gives Mali F CFA 32b for peace, sustainable development
Libya's Home Affairs Minister steps down - Libya’s Home Affairs Minister Achour Chawali sent his letter of resignation to Prime Minister Ali Zedan two weeks ago, but has continued to function in his official capacity.
Lagos, Nigeria - Some 31 persons were killed and 16 others injured in a freak accident that occurred when a tree fell on them at a market in Umuejinwaoke Umuadagu village in Nigeria's South-eastern state of Imo, the local media reported Friday
Lire la suite : Nigeria: Tree uprooted by rainstorm kills 31
Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) - The Director of Cabinet of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), Mr. Sone Winslow, has died, the association formally announced in a statement obtained by PANA here Friday.
CAF announces Ethiopia/Sudan friendly to mark 50th OAU/AU anniversary - The Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced that a friendly between Ethiopia and Sudan would be held in Addis Ababa, 25 May as part of activities marking the 50th anniversary of the OAU/AU.
South Africa - United Arab Emirates - The South African doctor who has been at the centre of a major diplomatic row between South Africa and the United Arab Emirates arrived in Cape Town on Friday morning, after being detained in Abu Dhabi for eight months on murder charges.
Lire la suite : South Africa: Detained SA doctor finally returns home
Justice - A Nigerian court has discharged the two journalists with the local Leadership newspaper who were arraigned by the federal government over alleged conspiracy and forgery of a presidential directive’s bromide.
Lire la suite : Nigeria: Court discharges 2 journos charged with conspiracy, forgery
Informal sector - The National Social Security Fund is about to launch a campaign to register three million domestic workers across the country. Employers have until May 31 to register their househelps, gardeners, drivers and herdsboys. The minimum monthly contribution will be Sh400.
Lire la suite : Social Security: NSSF should first target informal sector
NAHCON Nigeria - The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has inaugurated a committee which will screen air carriers for this year's Hajj operations.
Lire la suite : Hajj Commission of Nigeria inaugurates air carriers screening committee
Blackberry APP of the year - South African application (app) PriceCheck was named International App of the Year at BlackBerry Live, BlackBerry's annual international partner conference, in Orlando, Florida on Wednesday night.
Lire la suite : South African application wins Blackberry APP of the year
Mobile phone subscribers - Half the population of Rwanda now use mobile phones, latest figures from the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Agency (RURA) indicate.
Lire la suite : Communication: Mobile phone subscribers hit 6 million
Investment - Tanzania and Canada signed the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA) that aims at creating and maintaining favourable conditions for investment between the two countries.
Lire la suite : Canada, Tanzania sign pact to protect investment
'Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) not responsible for scarcity of news banknotes' - The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Thursday refuted the news making the rounds that it is responsible for the artificial scarcity of new naira experienced in some part of the country.
Nokia Lumia - Smartphones competition in the East African market among manufacturers has gone a notch higher after Nokia introduced two more of its Lumia range devices. Nokia East Africa General Manager Bruce Howe said the two Nokia Lumia 720 and Lumia 520 will retail at Sh29,000 and 16,000 respectively in Kenya.
Lire la suite : Smartphone: Nokia seeks share of smartphone pie
NNPC partner with military against pipeline vandalism - The NNPC has pledged to fast-track its strategic partnership with the Nigerian military to arrest the menace of pipeline vandalism in the country.
Finance - The federal government Thursday expressed concerned over the large number of companies that had refused to pay their taxes. Speaking at the opening of the African Tax Forum in Abuja, the Minister of State for Finance, Alhaji Yerima Ngama, regretted that about 350, 000 companies had evaded engaged in tax circumvention within the last few years.
Lire la suite : Tax evasion: FG decries tax evasion by companies
Economy - The Nigerian economy grew by 6.56 per cent in the first quarter (Q1) of 2013 helped by growth in the non-oil sector as the composite Consumer Price Index (CPI) which measures inflation rose to 9.1 per cent in April compared to the 8.6 per cent recorded in March.
Lire la suite : Inflation: Nigerian economy grew by 6.56 percent as inflation rises to 9.1 percent
Mining sector governance - Tanzania is still considered to be weak in the governance of its mining sector despite commendable improvements so far made, a new study indicates. The Resource Governance Index for 2013 prepared by Revenue Watch Institute (RWI) shows that Tanzania has performed well in safeguards and quality control due to conflict of interest disclosure requirement and satisfactory checks on the budgetary process.
Lire la suite : Mining: Dar es Salaam improves mining sector governance
Role of the diaspora on the economic and social development of the Central African country - Rwandan President Paul Kagame is due in London on Saturday to participate in a meeting organised by his compatriots who are based in Europe and North America, the local media reported Friday.
Lire la suite : London: Rwandan leader due in London for diaspora meeting
New York, US - The UN on Thursday welcomed the international community’s pledge of 3.25 billion euros to support a recovery plan for Mali, which is emerging from a recent crisis that saw its northern territory overtaken by extremists and hundreds of thousands of people uprooted by conflict.
Lire la suite : International: UN welcomes donors’ 3.25 billion-euro pledge to help rebuild Mali
Child mortality - Authorities in Niger Republic have expressed optimism that the West African country is on the path to meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) four, which focuses on reducing child mortality rates to two thirds by 2015.
Lire la suite : Health: Niger republic hopes to meet MDGs 4 on child mortality
Telecom operations management - In a further confirmation of its market leadership, Ericsson has been named the worldwide leader in telecom operations management by leading industry analyst firm, Gartner.
Lire la suite : Telecom: Ericsson named world leader in telecom operations management
Nairobi, Kenya - The arrest of at least nine activists who were trying to organise a peaceful demonstration in Equatorial Guinea is further evidence of the authorities’ determination to clamp down on free speech ahead of up-coming elections, Amnesty International said.
Lire la suite : Politics: 'Equatorial Guinea targets opposition ahead of polls'
UN chief ‘very concerned’ on security situation in northeast Nigeria - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday said he is 'very concerned' over the deteriorating security situation in parts of northeast Nigeria where a state of emergency has been declared.
Jonathan meets Cameroonian envoy on trans-border security - Two days after declaring emergency rule in three States in North Eastern Nigeria, President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday met with Mr. Ahmadou Ali, the Cameroonian Vice Prime Minister and envoy of the Cameroonian President, with both parties pledging to strengthen cooperation and collaboration on trans-border security.
The Coordination of Mauritanian Opposition (COD), an umbrella of a dozen political parties in Mauritania, on Thursday published a document setting conditions to be met by government before they will participate in the next legislative and local government polls, PANA reports.
Africa Energy Forum (AEF) - The Spanish city of Barcelona will June host the Africa Energy Forum (AEF), which is expected to bring together some 800 delegates to discuss Africa's power sector, organisers announced Thursday.
Brussels, Belgium - The European Union (EU) and Algeria are to sign a strategic accord on energy, according to a communiqué issued here Thursday at the end of a meeting of officials from EU member states.
Female genital mutilation - Practitioners of the Female Genital Mutilation (FMG) in 20 villages in Niger Republic on Thursday vowed to end the practice which has been in existence in their communities for several past generations.
Lire la suite : Society: Female genital mutilation to end in 20 villages in Niger
Libreville, Gabon - Caretaker President of the Central African Republic (CAR) Michel Djotodia met with President Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon on Wednesday, but details of their meeting were not disclosed.
Lire la suite : Gabon: Ali Bongo Ondimba receives CAR's caretaker president
The South African Cabinet has vowed to sanction those involved the landing of a private plane at the Waterkloof Air Force Base, which has sparked a national outcry. Revealing that the cabinet has 'endorsed' the preliminary findings of an investigation into what is now called 'Guptagate', Cabinet spokesman Phumla Williams said Thursday “those who are found to infringe and compromise regulations must face the full might of the law'.
Lire la suite : South Africa promises sanctions against 'Guptagate' offenders
Collaborative efforts will improve access to health service delivery - Nigerien mayor - Collaborative efforts among communities, religious and political leaders, as well as development partners with the government will help improve people's access, particularly women, to health service delivery in Niger, a government official has said
Family planning campaign - The rise in Niger Republic's population from 10,790,352 to 17,129.,076, as announced last month by the National Institute of Statistics (INS), should be seen as a wake-up call for stakeholders in the health sector to fast track family planning campaign, according to the UNFPA's Assistant Representative in the country, Hassane Ali.
Lire la suite : Society: 'Niger’s census figure, wake up call to fast track family planning'
Lagos, Nigeria - Below are fixtures for the first-leg of the play-off round of the 2013 CAF Confederation Cup competition, taking place from 17 to 19 May across Africa.
Lire la suite : CAF Confederation Cup: Fixtures for first-leg, play-off round
Study identifies economic opportunities in horticulture exports from developing countries - The export of high-value horticulture from developing countries into developed economies is a significant opportunity for economic development, but wages in the sector are insufficient to enable a decent standard of living for workers and their dependants, according to a new joint study by Oxfam and International Procurement and Logistics (IPL).
Lire la suite : Economic opportunities in horticulture exports from developing countries
Lagos, Nigeria - The kidnappers of the wife, daughter and driver of Nigerian Supreme Court Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour has demanded a ransom of 300 million naira (US$1.88 million) for their release, the local media reported Thursday.
Pproduct for traders, SMEs - Skye Bank Plc said it has launched a new business-friendly product known as the 'Skye Business Account,' to cater for the banking needs of small business units, traders and other market people.
Lire la suite : Banking: Skye Bank introduces product for traders, SMEs
Global maternal mortality rates - Indications emerged Wednesday that Nigeria accounts for 10 per cent of the world's maternal mortality, indicating that women were being shut out of the impressive economic growth.
Lire la suite : Health: Nigeria accounts for 10 percent global maternal mortality rates
Platinum award for excellence - Ecobank Nigeria Limited has been awarded the Delta State Football Association's Platinum Award for Excellence. The award is in recognition of the bank's constant support and contribution to the development of grassroots football in the state.
Lire la suite : Banking: Ecobank receives DFA platinum award for excellence
Mobile applications Nigeria - As the debate on the advantages of online platform over traditional advertising continues, Amaka Eze looks at the prospects brought to SMEs and Nigerians with mobile applications as a reliable and one-stop source for business addresses, contact information, and complete online directory
Lire la suite : Nigeria Economy: Boosting SME growth with mobile applications
Private sector on disaster risk reduction - The UN on Wednesday called on the world’s business community to incorporate disaster risk management in their investment strategies to avoid further losses, warning that economic losses from disasters had spun out of control.
Lire la suite : Business: UN tasks private sector on disaster risk reduction
New York, US - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday said that the UN was committed to ensuring a stable and prosperous future for Mali. Ban made the statement in a message to a donor conference in Brussels devoted to restoring the West African nation to the path of peace and security, good governance and long-term development.
Lire la suite : New York: Ban restates UN commitment to stable, prosperous Mali
Protection of copyright - An official of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called for the protection of copyright of citizens in the creative industry noting that their works are so far not adequately protected.
Lire la suite : Copyright: ECOWAS calls for protection of copyright in sub-region
New York, US - Ms. Margaret Vogt, Special Representative for the UN Secretary-General in the Central African Republic, on Wednesday said that a neutral security force was urgently needed to help restore the stability and counter the absence of law and order in the country.
Lire la suite : New York: UN envoy urges Security Council to bolster security in CAR
The African Development Fund (ADF) Wednesday said it held its 13 presentation workshops on the fund’s 'priorities and operational strategies' in Cote d'Ivoire with six West African sub-regional ministers in attendance.
Lire la suite : ADF holds workshop on priorities, operational strategies
Donors' conference on Mali - The international donors' conference aimed at assisting Mali 'rediscover' itself was held here Wednesday with participants raising 3.25 billion euros, the Malian interim president, Dioncounda Traoré, announced at the end of the roundtable.
Lire la suite : Belgium: Donors' conference on Mali raises 3.2 billion euros
Emergency rule Nigeria - The Nigerian military said on Wednesday it had begun a massive deployment of troops to secure the country's borders, a day after President Goodluck Jonathan declared emergency rule in three northern states to curb the activities of the rampaging Islamic sect, Boko Haram.
Lire la suite : Nigerian military begins massive troops deployment
Khartoum, Sudan - The European Union (EU) on Wednesday said that the killing last Sunday of Mohamed Bashar, a signatory to the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD), and several other members of the Justice and Equality Movement-Sudan, was detrimental to the peace process and to the people in Darfur.
Lire la suite : The European Union condemns killing of JEM members in Sudan
Tripoli, Libya - In protest against Monday's car bomb attack in Benghazi which killed three persons and injured scores of others, media houses in Libya will not function Thursday, PANA reports from here.
Lire la suite : Libya media protest Benghazi car bomb attack with news 'blackout' Thursday
Bamboo culture Rwanda - China is to give Rwanda CFA Franc 5 billion to support the African country in its bid to process and promote the bamboo culture.
Lire la suite : China gives Rwanda CFA Franc 5 billion to promote bamboo culture
Tripoli, Libya - The Libyan coast guards on Tuesday rescued 99 illegal migrants, mainly Africans, after their boat stalled off the coast of Zelitine, in Western Libya, Marine spokesman, Col. Omar Kassem, told newsmen here Wednesday.
Lire la suite : Libya: Marines rescue 99 illegal migrant off Libyan coast
Kigali, Rwanda - Six people were killed and dozens more injured when a four-storey building under construction collapsed in Nyagatare, 160 km away from the Rwandan capital, Kigali, Tuesday afternoon, police spokesman Theos Badege said Wednesday.
Lire la suite : Security: Six killed in Rwanda building collapse
Wednesday's forex rates in Zambia - Following are Wednesday's foreign exchange rates for the Zambian kwacha:
Lire la suite : Forex: Wednesday's forex rates in Africa 15/05/2013
Geneva, Switzerland - The world has made dramatic progress in improving health in the poorest countries and narrowing the gaps between countries with the best and worst health status in the past two decades, according to the World Health Statistics 2013.
Port Louis, Mauritius - Despite the decline in cigarette consumption per capita from 1,075 in 2009 to 750 in 2012, tobacco still kills 1,000 Mauritians every year, according to Mauritian Health Minister Lormus Bundhoo.
Lire la suite : Mauritius: Tobacco 'kills 1,000 Mauritians yearly'
Nairobi, Kenya - Kenyan telecommunications company Orange has joined seven telecoms firms that have partnered with the Global Network Initiative (GNI) in a two-year collaboration aimed at advancing freedom of expression and ensuring that privacy rights in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector are more effective.
Lire la suite : Kenyan telecoms firm joins global initiative on privacy rights
Food production - The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the international Slow Food organization agreed Wednesday to develop joint actions to improve the livelihoods of smallholders and others working in rural areas.
Lire la suite : FAO, Slow Food partner to bolster food production
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) announced on Wednesday the opening of a fourth camp in Burundi to better cope with the continuous arrival of refugees from the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) who are fleeing from armed groups or inter-ethnic rivalries in their country.
For several months, many of these Congolese have crossed the border into Burundi in the hope of finding refuge and safety, UNHCR said in a statement received by PANA here.
During the last quarter of 2012, UNHCR registered nearly 2,000 new Congolese asylum seekers in Burundi, according to the UN refugee agency.
From January to March 2013, the Congolese asylum seekers numbered more than 1,500, the statement said.
The new camp in Cankuzo, a remote province in eastern Burundi, can accommodate up to 13,000 people. It is expected to host at least 5,000 new refugees this year alone.
The camp, which was constructed at a cost of US$2.5 million, has a school, a health centre and a water supply system, according to UNHCR.
UNHCR already hosts more than 26,000 refugees in three camps in northern and southeastern Burundi .
In addition, UNHCR provides protection and assistance to 41,813 refugees of different nationalities, 6,130 asylum seekers, 35,712 returnees, 78,796 IDPs and 1.302 stateless people.
Pana 15/05/2013
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - International donors must help Mali to rebuild its ability to govern itself and stop its slide into economic ruin, if it is to “win the peace” following the French-led military intervention, international aid agency Oxfam said Wednesday.
Lire la suite : Oxfam says Mali needs reforms, smart aid to stop its slide
Namibian College of Open Learning (Namcol) - Due to the limitations and challenges inherent in the use of multimedia resources in Namibia, the Namibian College of Open Learning (Namcol) yesterday launched a collaborative learning portal known as Notesmaster Namibia.
Lire la suite : E-Learning: Namcol launches E-Learning portal
4G LTE broadband internet revolution. A lot of good things have been said about the marvels of the 4G LTE broadband internet revolution. It has been called both "the future platform for a truly mobilised workforce" and "the enabler of new mobile business models."
Lire la suite : Internet: 4G LTE technology to transform business
Neglected diseases - Tanzania plans to step up its efforts in wiping out the so-called neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) that continue to affect millions of people, especially the poor. Among the strategies, according to the National Institute of Medical Research (NMRI), include an urban-based programme to dispense drugs to cover more than seven million people.
Lire la suite : Health: Tanzania steps up war against neglected diseases
Mobile technology - Tanzanians have been challenged to ensure greater penetration of mobile technology to villages and rural communities that can stimulate economic growth, disseminate information and subsequently raise the standards of living.
Lire la suite : GALAXY S4: Samsung launches new generation phones
2014 World Cup qualifier fixture - The 1 June friendly football match between Kenya and Ghana has been cancelled at the request of the West African nation, following changes in the Black Stars' 2014 World Cup qualifier fixture.
Lire la suite : 2014 World Cup: Kenya, Ghana football friendly cancelled
The police and the State Security Service (SSS) have put the death toll from last week's attack on their personnel by a militian in northern Nigeria at 56.
Lire la suite : Nigerian militia ambush: 56 police, State Security Service personnel killed
Nigeria's main opposition party 'rejects' emergency rule in 3 states - Nigeria's main opposition party Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) on Wednesday rejected the state of emergency declared in three states in the northern part of the country to stem the Boko Haram crisis, saying the government's action 'lacks original thinking'.
Lire la suite : Nigeria: ACN 'rejects' emergency rule in 3 states