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Addressing Maternal and Child Health Inequities in Africa Access to healthcare remains a significant challenge in Africa, heavily influenced by educational attainment and financial resources. Inefficiencies and inequities within health systems continue to lead to alarming health outcomes across the continent. A Stark Reality: Preventable Deaths The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reports a staggering loss of approximately 50 mothers, 140 newborns, and 300 children under five every hour, primarily due to preventable causes. Jean Kaseya, speaking at the International Maternal and Newborn Health Conference, emphasized that these deaths stem not from a lack of solutions but from…

Moniepoint Expands Footprint in Africa’s Food Service Economy Through Orda Acquisition Moniepoint Inc. has announced its strategic acquisition of Orda Africa, aiming to enhance its foothold in Africa’s burgeoning food service sector, a market estimated to be worth approximately 50 billion dollars. Integration of Orda into Moniepoint’s Ecosystem Orda Africa, a prominent cloud-based restaurant management platform based in Nigeria, will be integrated into Moniepoint’s Moniebook platform. Launched in 2025, Moniebook serves as a comprehensive point-of-sale and business management solution, providing businesses with unified financial and operational tools. This integration will streamline operations for restaurant owners by merging payments and bookkeeping…

Understanding Nigeria’s Electricity Crisis: The Need for Systemic Reform The Current Landscape of Nigeria’s Power Sector Recently, Nigeria’s electricity sector has drawn global attention at CeraWeek in Houston, Texas, where experts underscored that the nation’s enduring power crisis is rooted in systemic failures rather than a mere lack of energy resources. The prevailing narrative focuses on the inefficiencies that pervade the energy system, rather than the availability of resources. Deep-Seated Issues Concealing Energy Abundance Silvia Macri, the Associate Director at S&P Global Energy, highlighted that despite Nigeria’s substantial natural gas reserves, the nation still grapples with unreliable power. This paradox…

Africa Technology Expo 2026: The Premier Platform for Digital Innovation in Africa The Africa Technology Expo (ATE), heralded as The CES of Africa, is poised to transform into a two-day enterprise-focused event on June 26th and 27th, 2026, in the bustling city of Lagos. This landmark expo will serve as a convergence point for key decision-makers, including senior executives, regulators, and technology professionals. The goal is to foster business opportunities and explore the future of Africa’s digital landscape. The Impact of Africa Technology Expo Building on the success of previous iterations, ATE has established itself as a vital platform for…

The Importance of Valuing People in the Workplace In large organizations, employees often feel they are merely a number—a title on an organizational chart or a line item in a budget. Many have experienced that moment of realization when they understood that the company valued productivity over individual contributions. This feeling of being unseen can significantly impact trust, engagement, and overall well-being. A survey highlighted by Gallup shows that only one-third of U.S. employees feel genuinely engaged in their work, underlining the critical need for organizations to foster a more supportive environment. The Role of Recognition in Employee Engagement Recognition…

The Perception Tax: Understanding Africa’s Untapped Market Potential A significant cost often overlooked by businesses in Africa is what is termed the **Perception Tax**. This concept highlights the financial and strategic burdens faced by companies that make decisions based on assumptions rather than informed intelligence about the African markets. Defining the Perception Tax The **Perception Tax** serves as a penalty for ignorance. Unlike traditional taxes, this one is wholly avoidable. It arises when decision-makers lack credible, detailed market insights and rely on broad narratives that often mischaracterize Africa. The Mechanism Behind the Perception Tax The tax operates under a detrimental…

Surge in Africa as a Key Bunkering Hub Amid Global Shipping Shifts As shipping lines reconsider routes in response to geopolitical tensions, Africa’s coastal regions are emerging as critical players in the global bunkering market. The continent is witnessing a significant rise in demand from ship-refuelling companies, marking a pivotal shift away from traditional hubs in the Middle East. Changes in Shipping Routes Since late 2023, shipping lines have been avoiding the Suez Canal and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait due to escalating Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. Further complicating matters, recent U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran, along…

Nigeria’s Mineral Development and China’s Strategic Involvement: The Madini Protocol Overview of the African Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG) Dele Alake, Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, has proudly taken on the role of chairman for the newly-formed African Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG). This coalition of African Ministers aims to promote collaboration across countries to harness critical mineral resources effectively. The Push for the Madini Protocol At the forefront of AMSG’s agenda is the introduction of the Madini Protocol, a blockchain-based platform designed to enhance cooperation in the region’s minerals sector. Critics warn, however, that this initiative may serve as a…

The Transformative Journey of Tony Elumelu: A Visionary Leader in African Development Understanding the Convergence of Policy and Personal Decision In pivotal times, history is not merely a series of events but a canvas shaped by vision and decisive action. This notion rang true for Tony Onyemachi Elumelu (TOE), the Chairman of UBA Plc and Heirs Holdings, whose journey dramatically changed the landscape of African entrepreneurship. In 2010, a regulatory policy from the Central Bank of Nigeria, under the leadership of Lamido Sanusi Lamido, mandated his resignation as Managing Director of UBA after a decade at the helm. This unexpected…

Celebrating Eid: A Reflection on Tradition and Modernity Introduction to Eid Following the joyous festival of Eid, observed by Muslims around the world after a month of fasting, many individuals take a moment to reflect on the essence of this celebration. For the Indian diaspora, Eid is not merely a feast; it is a compelling reminder of community, family, and cultural heritage. The Spirit of Eid: A Historical Perspective Historically, Eid has been a vibrant celebration. During the time of the Prophet Muhammad, it was marked by public joy, devotion, and an active communal spirit. Early accounts highlight gatherings that…