🔅 Adapting to Climate Change in Kenya, & Road Safety in Africa
Plus: Mozambique's Hydropower Deal, Sierra Leone's Political Drama, and Tanzania's Rail Revolution
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île de Gorée, Senegal
Money Matters
🟢 Nigerian SE: 71,669.91 (+0.18%)
🟢 Johannesburg SE: 73,892.30 (+0.14%)
— Ghana SE: 3,130.60 (+0.00%)
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*Data accurate as of the close of markets across the continent
Brief & Bright: Africa's Top Five
Surviving Climate Change: How Kenya's Pastoralists Are Adapting to Extreme Weather
Climate change is no joke, but Kenya’s pastoralists have been facing it head-on for centuries. These nomadic communities have been herding animals across the drylands for over 10,000 years, but recent extreme weather events are pushing them to their limits. Droughts, floods, and failed rains have killed millions of animals and left millions of people without enough food. While some think that pastoralism is outdated and should be replaced with modern farming methods, others argue that it’s actually the key to survival in the face of unpredictability. NGOs have been trying to help, but their top-down, one-size-fits-all solutions often miss the mark. The truth is pastoralists have their own knowledge and skills for dealing with the harsh conditions of the drylands. And while climate change may be the biggest challenge they’ve faced yet, their resilience and ability (click here to learn more) to adapt may just be their saving grace.
Africa's Growing Road Safety Crisis
Picture this: Africa's roads are getting busier by the minute, and it's not just the traffic jams that are causing headaches. According to the latest WHO Road Safety report, Africa's road traffic deaths have revved up by 17% in the last decade, while the rest of the world is putting the brakes on fatalities. It turns out more folks can afford cars these days, but the roads and rules haven't quite caught up. In the land of boda bodas and piki pikis (that's motorbike taxis for the uninitiated), these two-wheelers are zipping around, filling gaps in public transport, but also, unfortunately, leading to more accidents. In Kenya, they even had to open special hospital wards just for motorcycle crash victims. The real kicker? Helmets. These lifesavers are legally required, but let's just say the 'safety standards' are a bit loose. Picture helmets patched up with staples and tape, giving papier-mâché a run for its money. The FIA Foundation is stepping up to open a helmet-testing centre in Rwanda, which is kind of like a crash test for your headgear. Then there's the cost issue. For the average motorbike taxi driver in Kenya, even the cheapest helmet is like deciding between a full tank of gas or head protection- a tough call for many riders.
Mozambique's Mega-Dam Deal: Power Play on the Zambezi
Mozambique is making waves in the energy world with a splashy $5 billion deal to build the Mphanda Nkuwa hydropower project. Led by France's EDF and featuring a Franco-Japanese consortium, this project is all about harnessing the mighty power of the Zambezi River. The goal? To juice up Mozambique with 1,500 megawatts of power and light up the region as a beacon of renewable energy. And here's a twist: Mozambique isn't just planning to keep all that clean, green energy to itself. Nope, it's looking to export some of that electric love to its neighbours. They've already got the Cahora Bassa Dam supplying power to South Africa, and now they're doubling down with this new project. The first turbine won't start spinning until 2031, but when it does, it's going to make a splash.
Sierra Leone's Political Drama: Corruption, Courts, and a Presidential Runner-Up
Sierra Leone's Court of Appeal just ordered the arrest of opposition candidate Samuel Kamara, the man who almost grabbed the presidential crown not once but twice, for a bit of suspected shady dealing. The charge? A "less-than-transparent" transaction involving government shares in a mining company back when Kamara was living it up as the finance minister. Kamara has also been juggling a 2021 indictment for alleged graft during his foreign minister days. His legal team tried to hit back with the classic "lack of evidence" defence, but the judges have told him to cough up around $727,000 or prove he's innocent. In the backdrop of all this drama, let's not forget last week's attempted coup, adding yet another layer of intrigue to Sierra Leone's already complex political landscape.
All Aboard the African Express: Tanzania, Burundi, and DRC's Rail Revolution
Picture this: a $696 million rail project winding through Tanzania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, all thanks to a hefty financial nod from the African Development Bank. This isn't just any train track; it's a game-changer, linking neighbours to Tanzania's rail network and opening up VIP access to the port of Dar es Salaam. Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan is in the driver's seat, pedal to the metal on mega infrastructure projects. She's keeping the dream of her predecessor, John Magufuli, alive, turning Tanzania into East and Central Africa's new trade hub. 🚄
Food for Thought
“One who possesses much wisdom has it in the heart, not on the lips."
— Ugandan Proverb