Afrika Digest

24/02/2024

The governor of Nigeria's Lagos state has unveiled a series of measures to ease the soaring cost of living after protests broke out. Nigeria is suffering an economic crisis with soaring inflation, leaving many people struggling to afford food. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, whose state includes the 20 million people of Lagos, listed measures including a three-day working week for civil servants, a 25% reduction in public transport prices, and the opening to price competition of 42 Sunday markets. He also announced that 50,000 pregnant women would be exempted from health charges each year. Lagos is becoming one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. Are there any lessons that other states can learn from Lagos? Have your say!

24/02/2024

Guinness World Record confirms Afua Asantewaa's unsuccessful sing-a-thon attempt

24/02/2024

Nigeria and Cameroon played out a goalless draw in their 2024 Women’s Olympic football tournament third round, first leg encounter in Douala on Friday.

Nigeria and Cameroon played out a goalless draw in their 2024 Women’s Olympic football tournament third round, first leg encounter in Douala on Friday. The nine-time champions of Africa took…

24/02/2024

After more than six months behind bars, 34-year-old Mohamed Sy has just been granted his freedom. Sy is one of hundreds of detained opposition members and activists suddenly released after weeks of political upheaval in Senegal. He was jailed in July on charges including calling for insurrection. Senegal has released a total of 344 detainees in the past week, and more than 200 other cases are under review. Rights organizations say nearly 1,000 opposition members and activists have been arrested throughout the country since March 2021.

23/02/2024

Global anti-money laundering watchdog the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) said Friday that it had removed the United Arab Emirates and Uganda from its "grey list" of countries subject to increased monitoring, while Kenya and Namibia were added. Countries on the grey list have "strategic deficiencies" in their efforts to counter money laundering and terrorist financing. A total of 21 nations are currently on the list.

22/02/2024

Popular Ghanaian socialite and musician Hajia4Reall has pleaded guilty to laundering the proceeds of a series of romance scams and will pay over $2 million in restitution fees. The United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York says Hajia4Reall, whose real name is Mona Faiz Montrage, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to receive stolen money, a charge which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Montrage controlled bank accounts that received over $2 million in fraudulent funds from a romance scam run by a criminal organization. It targeted elderly single Americans and tricked them into thinking they were in romantic relationships with fictitious identities. Do you think she should take the full blame for the scam, or did the victims also play a role?

22/02/2024

22/02/2024

22/02/2024

Nigerian pastor Harrison Ayintete says it's the responsibility of believers to financially support their pastors. In a tweet on X, Harrison stated that Christians need to financially support their pastors and backed up his belief with verses from the Bible. "Jesus was financed by the women he ministered to," he wrote. What do you make of Pastor Ayintete's statement that believers have an obligation to pay their pastors salaries?

22/02/2024

The Commentator after Victor Osimhen scored against Barcelona 🗣️

“Victor Osimhen is back in the Napoli side and back in the goals.”

Back in the goals indeed. 😁

22/02/2024

Napoli and Barcelona played out a thrilling 1-1 draw in the Champions League Round of 16 tie, with Victor Osimhen’s late goal rescuing a point for the Italian side. Barcelona dominated…

22/02/2024

Did you know that a 2021 study shows that an estimated 600 million Africans lack access to electricity? On this week's 77 Percent Show, we asked young people how they cope when the power goes off.

21/02/2024

The Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde, has resigned. President Felix Tshisekedi has accepted the resignation, and the government, led by Lukonde, is requested to continue its duties until a new government is formed. Lukonde will now engage in legislative duties, having been elected to parliament in the country's general elections in December. Lukonde assumed the role of prime minister in 2021, succeeding Sylvestre Ilunga Ilunkamba, who resigned after facing a vote of no confidence from legislators. What impact do you think this resignation will have on Tshisekedi's new mandate?

21/02/2024

Zimbabwe’s former President Robert Gabriel Mugabe would have been 100 years today!

What do you remember the most about him?

21/02/2024

The UN has imposed an arms embargo, travel ban, and asset freeze on six rebel leaders in the Democratic Republic of Congo, following violence in the country's east. The sanctions include the military spokesman of the M23 rebel group, a general in the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), two senior leaders in the Ugandan armed group Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), the leader of the National Coalition of the People for the Sovereignty of Congo (CNPSC), a Mai-Mai group, and a commander in the armed group Twirwaneho. What impact do you think these sanctions will have on the ongoing tensions in the region?

21/02/2024

The US has issued a warning to Rwanda and Congo, urging them to halt an escalating conflict between the neigboring nations. The warning comes amid worsening violence in Congo's eastern region, which borders Rwanda. US Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood delivered the warning at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council called by France. He urged Rwanda and Congo to resume diplomatic talks for a sustainable peace solution. What do you make of the US intervention?

21/02/2024

Uganda football team playing against Wycombe Wanderers in England in 1956. They insisted on playing barefoot arguing that they felt comfortable playing that way.

At first this was rejected by English Football Association on safety grounds because the pitch was too slippery.

In the end a compromise was reached , which involved all Ugandan players wearing boots except the goalkeeper and the wingers. They were beaten 10-1 during this match.

Among the players was Okot P'Bitek who can be seen in the third photo lining up with his fellow players before the match. He was a talented footballer.

Thirsty for education, he slipped away from the team and headed to the city of Bristol where he secured a chance to pursue a Diploma in Education. So as the Ugandan team prepared to return home from England, he was nowhere to be found.

From Bristol , he headed to Wales to study law at the University of Aberystwyth, before proceeding to Oxford to study social anthropology.

21/02/2024

Ghana’s Black Sherif on the runway at London Fashion Week ‘24.

Singer.
Model.
Talent.

🇬🇭🚀🇬🇭

21/02/2024

Why do you think there are still wrangles in the Guinean government over two years after the military seized power in a coup? Do you think the citizens have any regrets? The military junta, which seized power in a coup in September 2021, has dissolved the government. The presidency hasn't disclosed the reason for the dissolution or said when a new government will be put in place. Ministers in the dissolved government have been ordered to surrender their passports and official vehicles. Their bank accounts have additionally been frozen, and all the country's banks have been sealed.

14/02/2024

Nigeria has requested Interpol's assistance in apprehending three individuals accused of stealing $6.2 million from the country's central bank by forging the signature of former President Muhammadu Buhari. It is alleged that these suspects collaborated with former central bank chief Godwin Emefiele, who is currently facing trial on multiple charges, including illegally obtaining the stolen funds. Emefiele has denied all accusations and is currently on bail. This case marks a significant corruption charge against a high-profile official since President Bola Tinubu took office. Prosecutors also claim that Emefiele unlawfully authorized the release of the money from the central bank vault.

14/02/2024

🗣Just to let you know that CAF unveils the official team of the tournament for the 2023 AFCON.

Thoughts?

14/02/2024

Nigerian musician and record producer Pheelz has described his recent collaboration with American R&B star Usher as a “dream come true.” According to reports, Pheelz was featured on the song…

14/02/2024

In Guinea Conakry, the most powerful labor unions have notified the government that they will declare a nationwide strike if the government does not announce measures to fight against the high cost of living and to alleviate hardships for the people of Guinea. The government recently increased the price on the importation costs of basic food items in the country, which has led to an unprecedented price increase in markets across the country. What do you make of this?

14/02/2024

As fighting in DRC intensifies and takes its toll even on children, South Africa will send 2,900 troops as part of its contribution to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) force deployed to tackle armed groups in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, according to the president's office. The one-year deployment will cover the period between Dec. 2023 and Dec. 2024, and will cost around 2 billion rand ($105.75 million). The 16-member state (SADC) approved the eastern Congo mission in May last year to help Congo, the world's top supplier of cobalt and Africa's top copper producer, address instability and deteriorating security in its restive eastern region.

14/02/2024

Debates and speculations have been raised as to why the AFCON 2023 finals fixture Nigeria vs Ivory Coast did not live up to the expectations of many with Cote d’Ivoire…

14/02/2024

Liberia's President Joseph Boakai has appointed retired brigadier general, Geraldine George, as acting minister of defence.

This is the first time a woman is serving in the post.

Her promotion comes after Prince Charles Johnson III resigned from the position following protests by the wives of soldiers on Monday who blamed him for low wages and poor living conditions in military barracks.

He's denied the allegations.

14/02/2024

Happy Valentine’s Day from Yvonne Jegede ❤️

13/02/2024

Thousands of jubilant fans flooded the streets of Ivory Coast’s main city Abidjan, on Monday to celebrate the country's Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) victory. Wearing the orange and white colors of the Elephants, supporters cheered and danced at the team's victory parade. Waving to the crowds and displaying their medals, the players headed to the Felix-Houphouet-Boigny stadium for the culmination of public celebrations of their 2-1 win against Nigeria. Despite early setbacks in the competition, including two group game losses and a mid-tournament coach switch, Ivory Coast came back to win against Senegal and Mali in the knockout stage. Interim coach Emerse Fae made history by winning the tournament without starting as head coach. Borussia Dortmund forward Sebastien Haller, who won a battle against cancer just over a year ago, scored crucial goals in the semifinal against Congo and in the final against Nigeria. Ivory Coast midfielder Seko Fofana said he hoped everyone would savor the moment after such a challenging journey.

13/02/2024

Retro:
The president of the National Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has hinted that the new minimum wage proposal can reach as high as N1 million per month if inflation and other economic indicators continue to worsen in the country.

Ajaero made this disclosure in a statement yesterday while featuring in an interview on Arise TV.

According to the NLC president, the new minimum wage must reflect the economic conditions of the country, adding that as long as the Dollar keeps rising against the Naira the demands for a higher minimum wage will be inevitable.

Ajaero noted that the initial N200,000 minimum wage proposal is no longer tenable, citing the soaring price of food items and inflationary pressure in the economy.

“This N1 million may be relevant if the value of the Naira continues to depreciate; if the inflation continues to depreciate. The demand of Labour is equally dependent on what is happening in the society.”

Source: Nairametrics

13/02/2024

More African countries are likely to join Chad, Zambia, Ethiopia, and Ghana in seeking to restructure their debt under the G20 “Common Framework for Debt Treatments,” according to the United Nations. Many young people in debt-ridden African nations feel their leaders have mishandled finances to their detriment. What's your opinion on your country's debt management?