Author: Ohene Anochie

As the clock ticks down to the 2024 CAF Awards ceremony, the spotlight is on who will claim the coveted title of Africa’s Footballer of the Year. The prestigious event is set to take place on Monday, December 16, at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech, Morocco. Achraf Hakimi: Morocco’s Hope for Glory Moroccan star Achraf Hakimi has emerged as a frontrunner for the title. The PSG defender enjoyed a stellar year, winning the French league and reaching the UEFA Champions League semi-finals. His achievements extend to the international stage, where he secured a bronze medal with Morocco at…

Three prominent African politicians vying for the chairpersonship of the African Union (AU) laid out their visions for addressing critical challenges, including regional security, political stability, and inter-African trade, during a high-stakes debate on Friday. The candidates, Raila Odinga from Kenya, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf from Djibouti, and Richard Randriamandrato from Madagascar, engaged in a two-hour discussion in Addis Ababa, emphasizing the need for unified leadership and proposing reforms to strengthen the 55-member bloc. The debate comes ahead of the February election to replace current Chairperson Moussa Faki, who has completed two terms. A major point of consensus among the candidates…

The unrelenting civil war in Sudan has forced tens of thousands to flee into neighboring Chad, with the country now hosting over a million Sudanese refugees the largest influx in its history. Since the conflict between the Sudanese Army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces erupted in April 2023, more than 11 million people have been displaced within and outside Sudan. Chad has taken in over 700,000 refugees, with an additional 60,000 arriving in October following intensified fighting in the Darfur region and the retreat of seasonal floodwaters. Nearly 90% of the refugees are women and children, many of whom…

Rwanda has officially entered the race to bring Formula One back to Africa, President Paul Kagame announced on Friday. Speaking ahead of the FIA Prize-Giving Ceremony in Kigali, Kagame revealed the country’s plans to host the prestigious event. “I am happy to formally announce that Rwanda is bidding to bring the thrill of racing back to Africa by hosting a Formula One Grand Prix,” he said, addressing the FIA General Assembly. A Return to Africa Formula One has not held a race in Africa since the 1993 South African Grand Prix at the Kyalami Circuit near Johannesburg. F1 CEO…

Ghana’s iconic Kente cloth has been officially inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, marking a historic recognition of the vibrant, handwoven textile’s cultural and historical significance. The listing, under UNESCO’s 2003 Convention for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage, celebrates Kente as a symbol of Ghanaian creativity and identity. Originating from the Asante and Ewe communities, Kente is globally renowned for its bold colors, intricate patterns, and deep symbolic meanings. Ghana’s Tourism Minister, Andrew Egyapa Mercer, hailed the recognition as a testament to the country’s dedication to preserving its cultural heritage. “This achievement places Ghana at the…

The islands of Comoros, Madagascar, and Mayotte are on high alert as Cyclone Chido barrels toward Africa’s east coast, threatening to bring destructive winds, heavy rains, and potential flooding. Preparedness in Comoros, Madagascar, and Mayotte In Comoros, schools were ordered to close as authorities anticipated Chido’s arrival early Saturday. The cyclone is expected to pass the northern tip of Madagascar before heading toward the French territory of Mayotte. France’s National Weather Service has issued a red alert for Mayotte, its highest warning level, starting Friday night. In Madagascar, northern areas like the Diana region are on high alert,…

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved a $108 million loan to support Zambia’s efforts to enhance economic governance and implement vital reforms across public sectors. The funding is part of the Fiscal Sustainability and Economic Resilience Support Program, aimed at building a more resilient and diversified Zambian economy. The program will focus on boosting domestic revenue generation through measures such as introducing a digital “smart invoice” system and registering 12,000 VAT-liable taxpayers. Zambia will also deepen its participation in the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes. To promote agro-industrial growth, the initiative will…

In this edition of Business Africa, we spotlight three nations making strides toward industrial transformation: Burundi’s ambitious 2040 vision, Burkina Faso’s push for industrial sovereignty through crowdfunding, and Nigeria’s growing potential in the leather and footwear industry. Burundi Aims for Industrialization by 2040 Amid Challenges Burundi has set its sights on becoming an emerging industrial economy by 2040. During a roundtable held on December 5th and 6th, President Evariste Ndayishimiye emphasized the need for balanced partnerships to achieve industrial growth while maintaining sustainable development. Despite the optimism, Burundi faces hurdles such as low economic growth and high inflation.…

European Union ministers have approved the full integration of Bulgaria and Romania into the Schengen Area, the EU’s border-free travel zone, by lifting land border checks starting January 1, 2025. The move was announced on Thursday by Hungary, which currently holds the EU presidency. The decision marks the final step in the inclusion of both nations in Schengen, following their partial admission in March, which allowed air and sea travel without ID checks but maintained land border controls due to opposition, mainly from Austria. Concerns had been raised over the countries’ efforts to curb unauthorized migration. “Interior ministers have…

A mysterious flu-like illness that has claimed dozens of lives in southwestern Congo in recent weeks is likely malaria, according to initial laboratory findings. Dr. Jean-Jacques Muyembe, director-general of the National Institute for Biomedical Research in Kinshasa, revealed that nine out of 12 samples collected tested positive for malaria. However, the poor quality of the samples has prompted continued investigations to confirm if the outbreak is indeed an epidemic. “It is likely malaria because most of the victims are children,” Dr. Muyembe said. The World Health Organization (WHO) echoed this assessment, with its director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, stating that…