Category: African Development - Page 2

Coca Cola Inaugurates Its ‘Mega’ Factory In Ethiopia

5Jun

By Chukwuebuka FestusNo Comments

African Development, Economy, Ethiopia, News

Coca Cola Inaugurates Its ‘Mega’ Factory In Ethiopia

Coca Cola has inaugurated its new 'mega factory' in Sebta City in Ethiopia. The $100 million factory, located 25 km from the capital, Addis Ababa, is equipped with state of the art machinery and will create 30,000 job opportunities. Senior government officials were in attendance at the inauguration "Coca-Cola is 60-years-old and plays an irreplaceable role as a factory in Ethiopia. Today, the establishment of this factory in this city is a testament to the development activities in Ethiopia," said Melaku Alebel, Ethiopian minister of Industry. The factory has a daily production potential of 70,000 racks of 24 bottles. This level will bring the group's total manufacturing capacity in the country to 100 million cases per year and will make the country a strongh...

Vietnam Develops ‘World’s First’ African Swine Fever Vaccine For Commercial Use

2Jun

By Chukwuebuka FestusNo Comments

Africa, African Development, Agriculture, News

Vietnam Develops ‘World’s First’ African Swine Fever Vaccine For Commercial Use

Vietnam said on Wednesday it had successfully developed a vaccine to administer to pigs to fight African swine fever, with the aim of becoming the first country to commercially produce and export it. African swine fever, one of the most devastating livestock diseases, was first detected in Vietnam in February 2019 and forced the country to cull around 20% of its hog herd last year. It originated in Africa before spreading to Europe and Asia and has killed hundreds of millions of pigs globally. African swine fever is harmless to humans. “This is a milestone of the veterinary industry,” deputy agriculture minister Phung Duc Tien said in a statement. “With immunity lasting six months, the vaccine will be a shield for hog-raising industry and pig production globally.” Read ...

World’s Largest Civilian Hospital Ship “Global Mercy” In Senegal

31May

By Chukwuebuka FestusNo Comments

African Development, News, Senegal

World’s Largest Civilian Hospital Ship “Global Mercy” In Senegal

The Global Mercy, the world's largest civilian hospital ship, made its debut in Africa in the port of Dakar where it will stay for four weeks to train health professionals, an AFP journalist noted on Monday. Senegalese President Macky Sall formally welcomed the Global Mercy on Monday morning at a ceremony attended by Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo and Comoros President Azali Assoumani. The giant ship - measuring 174 meters long and 28.6 meters wide and comprising 12 decks - arrived Friday in the port of Dakar and will stay there for four weeks until the end of June, before returning in 2023 to offer surgical care to poor populations. Its arrival coincides with a new tragedy that has shaken the country and highlighted the shortcomings of Senegal's health system. ...

Sudan Lifts State Of Emergency Imposed Since Coup

30May

By Chukwuebuka FestusNo Comments

African Development, Armed Forces, News, Security, Sudan

Sudan Lifts State Of Emergency Imposed Since Coup

Sudan's military government has lifted a state of emergency which it imposed after seizing power in a coup six months ago and recommended freedom for people detained under an emergency law. The decision by Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, head of Sudan’s ruling sovereign council, came hours after the Security and Defense Council, Sudan’s highest body that decides on security matters suggested. The news came the same day as the U.N. envoy for Sudan regretted the killing of 2 anti-coup protestors in Khartoum Saturday. The two were killed in during protests in Khartoum’s Kalakla neighborhood. One was shot dead by security forces and the other suffocated after inhaling tear gas, according to the Sudan Doctors Committee, which is part of the pro-democracy movement. "Calling...

26May

By Chukwuebuka FestusNo Comments

African Development, Justice, News

Zambia Moves To Abolish Death Penalty

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has announced he is making moves to abolish the death penalty in the country. He termed it a "big decision" by the government. “We will work with parliament to run this process as we transition away from the death penalty and focus on the preservation, and rehabilitation of life while still delivering justice for all,” he said on the eve of Wednesday’s Africa Freedom Day. “This is important. We believe in it. Africa Freedom Day is a symbol of our collective commitment to secure a better future for all.” Read Also: Court Sentences Ex-Burkina Faso President to Life Imprisonment To mark Africa Freedom Day the Zambian President has pardoned 2045 inmates, including 2012 ordinary inmates and 33 elderly inmates. He also commuted s...

Ronaldinho Visits Tunisia To Promote Tourism

22May

By Chukwuebuka FestusNo Comments

African Development, Economy, News, Tunisia

Ronaldinho Visits Tunisia To Promote Tourism

Former Brazilian football icon, Ronaldinho is currently in the North African country of Tunisia where he is promoting the country’s tourism. The former Barcelona midfield maestro who arrived the country on Thursday, is on a mission with the Tunisian Tourism office to promote the country’s rich attractions which was a main stay of its income accounting for 10% of the GDP before the Coronavirus pandemic. With the visit and promotions, the Brazilian football legend has become the new face of the Tunisian tourism campaign. The former player toured the streets of the town of Sidi Bou Said in the eastern part of the North African country. He was accompanied by local rapper Karim Gharbi who had invited him. Read Also: Buhari says Nigerian Health Workers Culpable for Medical Tou...

20 Million Farmers In Africa To Benefit From $1.5 billion Emergency Food Facility

21May

By Chukwuebuka FestusNo Comments

Africa, African Development, Agriculture, News

20 Million Farmers In Africa To Benefit From $1.5 billion Emergency Food Facility

The African Development Bank has approved a $1.5 billion emergency food production facility for 20 million farmers on the continent. This is aimed at reducing the looming food crisis driven by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the bank announced on Friday. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is further disrupting a global and liberalized food system that was already undermined by COVID and the unfolding climate crisis. Read Also: Kwara State to Partner AfDB on Infrastructure Devt., Women Empowerment The funding is meant to assist Africa overcome a shortage of at least 30 million metric tonnes of food due to the disruption of global food supplies caused by the conflict in Europe, especially for wheat, maize and soybeans imported from Russia and the Ukraine. The facility was designe...

White Student Filmed Urinating On Black Student’s Property In South Africa

17May

By Chukwuebuka FestusNo Comments

African Development, Human Rights, News, South Africa

White Student Filmed Urinating On Black Student’s Property In South Africa

A white student in South Africa has been suspended from university after he was accused of urinating on the property of a black student at Stellenbosch University, the institution confirmed. The university has said the incident will be investigated and further action including expulsion and criminal charges may be taken, depending on the outcome of the investigation. Scores of students protested at Stellenbosch University on Monday demanding swift action against the first-year student. The university – like many on social media who have seen the widely circulated video – has said the incident appears to have been racially motivated. Read Also: Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta Condemns Racism, Says No Community is Superior In a statement, Stellenbosch University spokesper...

Slavery Still Exists In Mauritania – UN Envoy

15May

By Chukwuebuka FestusNo Comments

African Development, Child Abuse, Human Rights, News, Violence

Slavery Still Exists In Mauritania – UN Envoy

A UN human rights expert has called on the authorities in Mauritania to take urgent measures to implement an anti-slavery law which was passed in 2015. Following a visit to the West African country, Tomoya Obokata - the UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery - said some progress had been made in abolishing the practice but warned much more needed to be done. He said people were still being born into slavery and people affected by the practice needed help to seek justice and achieve equality. Read Also: UN Watchdog Reports Continued Human Rights Abuses in Burundi Mr Obokata said people were now more willing to discuss the issue openly. But he said caste-based slavery and chattel slavery – where one person owns another – were still happening. He warned tha...

Thousands Protest Against Military Rule In Sudan

13May

By Chukwuebuka FestusNo Comments

African Development, Armed Forces, News, Sudan

Thousands Protest Against Military Rule In Sudan

Thousands Protest Against Military Rule In Sudan Sudanese demonstrators are back on the streets to protest against the military in power and ask for the implementation of a civil government. Large crowds could be seen around the presidential palace in Khartoum responding to calls from several dissident groups on May 12. This is the most important turnout since the holy month of Ramadan. "All we are asking now is for the military council to step down and hand the state over to a civilian government in order to save the state, because Sudan is now collapsing, there is no justice, there is no freedom, and there is no peace.", says Abd El-malik Ibrahim a protester in Khartoum. Read Also: Guinea To Move To Civilian Rule In Three Years Activists have often...