OpEd – Africa Guardian

Harnessing Africa’s Cultural Richness for Global Creative Impact

November 19, 2024

Africa: Our Distinctiveness is Our Superpower OP|ED Africa’s business landscape is far from predictable, but the opportunities for growth are vast for those who approach the challenges with creativity and resourcefulness. Beyond the continent’s hurdles lies a wealth of inspiration—an expanding consumer base, abundant resources, a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem, and an ever-evolving culture of innovation. The challenge for businesses,…

Overcoming Challenges in Product-Market Fit for African Companies

November 9, 2024

By Edson Baraukwa | Africa Guardian As digital technology and analytics transform global industries, many large African companies in finance, telecom, insurance, and retail are investing in digital platforms to meet the evolving needs of today’s consumers. Modern consumers expect more than just products; they seek seamless, integrated solutions. This shift is rewarding companies that excel in digital consumer…

Unified Currency for South Africa, China, and India Lacks Justification, Says Think Tank

September 20, 2024

By Edson Baraukwa | Africa Guardian The Free Market Foundation (FMF) argues that South Africa has little in common with its BRICS partners, deeming discussions of a unified currency impractical. The idea of a “BRICS currency” has gained traction in recent years amid broader efforts to promote “de-dollarisation” and reduce dependence on the U.S. dollar. This push has been…

Boosting Female Teachers in Africa Will Keep Girls in School Longer

September 9, 2024

By Elizabeth Antidius Shumbusho | Africa Guardian Investing in female teachers and principals is one of the most effective ways to enhance educational opportunities for African girls, according to a joint report by the African Union and UNESCO, titled Educating Girls and Ending Child Marriage in Africa. The report, released during the first Pan-African Conference on Girls’ and Women’s…

How Enterprise and Supplier Development Programmes Can Propel Your Business Forward

September 1, 2024

Our Correspondent | Africa Guardian Many large South African corporations have implemented Enterprise Development Programmes (EDPs) and Supplier Development Programmes (SDPs) to support and uplift small, medium, and micro-enterprises (SMMEs), especially those owned by individuals from previously disadvantaged groups. These programmes play a crucial role in fostering business growth and enhancing economic inclusion. Understanding EDPs and SDPs EDPs are…

How Philanthropy Can Accelerate Health Innovations in Africa

September 1, 2024

OP|ED Harnessing Philanthropic Power to Transform Health Outcomes As a professional in the philanthropy sector, I am heartened by two significant trends that are shaping the future of health innovations in Africa. Firstly, there is a noticeable shift in international health assistance towards directly supporting African scientists and institutions. In 2023, over 55% of major donations from non-African funders…

African Leaders Urged to Present a Unified Voice in China Engagement

August 25, 2024

Edited By Edson Baraukwa | Africa Guardian The upcoming Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), set to take place in Beijing next month, marks the ninth installment of what has become the largest of the “Africa + 1” summits. The last gathering was hosted by Senegal in 2021. Spanning 24 years, FOCAC has emerged as a key platform for South-South…

Empowering Entrepreneurs to Shape a Sustainable Future: Taynita Harilal and Africa’s Circular Economy

August 23, 2024

OP|ED In South Africa, a transformative tech startup is redefining the entrepreneurial landscape. ECAfrica, founded by the visionary Taynita Harilal, is revolutionizing the support system for African entrepreneurs through its innovative platform and commitment to social impact. As a PhD candidate in Entrepreneurship, Harilal combines academic insight with practical experience to drive this ambitious venture. Addressing the Challenges Faced…

A Window of Opportunity to Build Critical Mineral Security in Africa

October 11, 2023

Commentary by Gracelin Baskaran China is a few decades ahead of the United States in its commercial diplomacy efforts on the African continent. Chinese foreign direct investment (FDI) increased from $75 million in 2003 to $4.2 billion in 2020. The value of trade between China and Africa has risen from $10 billion in 2000 to a record $25 billion…

Africa represents opportunities to tech investors – Expert

September 20, 2023

Africa indeed presents numerous opportunities for funding investors. The continent’s economic landscape is evolving, and it offers a wide range of investment possibilities across various sectors. Kristin Wilson, Portfolio Consultant & Strategy Lead, Spurt said this at the Inspire Africa Conference on Monday 18 September. She was joined on a panel with Lavanya Anand, SR, Investment Manager, Africinvest Group…

Navigating Crippling Anxiety: A Comprehensive Approach

September 18, 2023

By Edson Baraukwa | Africa Guardian In the vibrant tapestry of human existence, it is an inherent responsibility to acknowledge and embrace the diverse facets of being human. Sometimes, we inadvertently construct invisible barriers around ourselves, gradually solidifying over time, making it an immense challenge to break free. Furthermore, these barriers can create a solitary confinement, a pit where…

The Africa We Want is Within Reach

September 17, 2023

ByHage G Geingob On 9 September 2023, we commemorated African Union Day, a momentous occasion that reflects the journey we have undertaken since the historic Sirte Declaration of 9 September 1999. It is was a day to celebrate our unity and progress, born from the legacy of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), established on 25 May 1963, whose…

Africa must heavily invest in infrastructure- Biteko

September 16, 2023

DEPUTY Prime Minister Doto Biteko has underlined the importance for African governments to invest heavily in power, transport and communication infrastructure to have its 2063 agenda 2063 realised. The deputy PM said Tanzania is determined and strategically positioned to connect Africa to various infrastructure to spur development and economic growth. Officiating at the four-day AU Specialised Technical Committee on…

Africa: Unfair Debt Policies Hindering Attainment of SDGs

August 17, 2023

By Gift Briton Experts have called for remodeling of the global financing structures including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank, noting that their debt policies are unfair and disadvantageous to most African countries. According to Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), African countries pay up to eight times more for…

Extra BRICS Shouldn’t Be Used to Build a Wall Against the West

August 11, 2023

Analysis By Peter Fabricius As interest in joining BRICS soars, an expansion must be about more than the ‘West versus the Rest’. This year’s Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa (BRICS) summit will have a distinctive African flavour. Hosted by its only African member, the meeting has an African theme and will be attended by many African leaders as part of an outreach…

Africa’s illusive unity in diversity and sustainable development

August 10, 2023

By Professor Maurice Okoli The latest political situation unfolded in Niger, the unexpected removal of democratically-elected President Mohamed Bazoum late July and the deepening differences in perception across Africa explicitly shows Africa’s level of political illusions and, practical reality towards attaining unity dimension in Africa. In a nutshell, Africa remains sharply divided. Tracking down the Africa’s unity propagated by…

Suffering In Silence – The Mind-Body Illness Connection That Many Keep A Secret

August 2, 2023

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” It states that “there is no health without mental health.” This is an apt reminder of the importance of mental well-being, in conjunction with physical well-being, and how these should be prioritised.1 According…

For a bright future, invest in Africa’s young

August 2, 2023

Bill Gates Last month, I visited Nigeria for the first time in five years, and, everywhere I went, perhaps more than on any of my previous trips, I felt the immense energy and boundless potential of its rising generation. I met with young scientists and researchers working on innovative solutions to some of the country’s most difficult challenges in…

How financial indiscipline challenges Tanzania’s youth

July 31, 2023

Financial challenges are heavy on the youth and a major cause being indiscipline and a lack of financial management undertaking Dar es Salaam. Youth is a stage of life when a person is expected to build the foundation of a bright future through hard work and smart saving of money in order to start accumulating wealth. That’s because it’s…

Crime against logic in Tanzanian public discourse

July 30, 2023

The intellectuals and people in power of the Tanzanian society should not forget that they have an obligation not only to take care of themselves and their immediate families, but also to protect the Tanzanians of the future. By Jackson Juma Coy We live in an era of post truths where alternative facts are misrepresented as facts. In the…

Africa Countries Should Walk the Talk on Continental Integration

July 23, 2023

Bereket Sisay The 5th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union, Regional Economic Communities and Regional Mechanisms, held in Nairobi from 13 to 16 July, adopted a resolution aimed at accelerating the continent’s integration, both politically and economically. In particular, due emphasis was placed on advancing the implementation of the African Union’s long-awaited flagship project – the African Continental…

Charting a New Course for Africa’s Food Systems: A Global Rally and Transformation Investment Call to Action from Tanzania

June 27, 2023

| AGRF-2023, OpEd

A warm and hearty hello from Tanzania, often fondly referred to as the vibrant heart of Africa! With immense pleasure and pride, I invite global citizens, organizations, and thought leaders to convene at the monumental Africa’s Food Systems Summit 2023 (AGRF 2023 Summit). Scheduled to unfold between the 5th and 8th of September 2023, this transformative event will be…