Viewpoint by Youba Sokona The following are extensive extracts from keynote remarks by Youba Sokona, South Centre’s Senior Adviser on Sustainable Development, at the Global Conference on Scaling-up Energy Access and Finance in Least Developed Countries in Beijing, China. The United Nations Office of the High Representative for Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and […]
UN Study Urges a More Gender-Equal Digital Space
Flays Feminization of Voice Assistants By Rita Joshi BERLIN | PARIS (IDN) – “I think if we wake up 20 years from now and we see the lack of diversity in our tech and leaders and practitioners [that we see today], that would be my doomsday scenario,” said Li Fei-Fei, co-director of Stanford University’s Human-Centered […]
79-Nation ACP Moving into a New Era of Global Partnerships
By Reinhard Jacobsen BRUSSELS (IDN) – To bring “Asia and the Americas into closer bonds of friendship” with the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States and “strengthen South-South solidarity”, Secretary-General Dr. P. I. Gomes is keen to “build bridges with India on technical cooperation” and initiate a “new partnership” with Peru. He was […]
The Electric Vehicle Revolution Is Underway in Africa
By Giles Kirkland An automotive expert and blogger, Giles Kirkland says he has a passion for new technologies. LONDON (IDN) – In 2016, a businessman called Francis Romano imported an electric car Nissan Leaf to Nairobi, Kenya. However, the car was held up at the Customs for an intriguing reason: they had never seen an […]
Why African Retailers Should Shift to Data-Driven Business
Viewpoint Toros Esim The writer is Head of Digital Retail and Regional Director of Digital Strategy for the Middle East & Africa at Orange Business Services. Views expressed are the writer’s. JOHANNESBURG (IDN) – In a continent the size of Africa, comprising more than 50 countries, it can be very tempting to make sweeping generalisations […]
Female Solar Engineers Light Up Remote Villages in Zanzibar
By Kizito Makoye KENDWA, Tanzania (IDN) – As darkness falls, Natasha Mahmood and her brother huddle around the weak flame of a paraffin lamp, rushing to finish their homework before their mother blows it out to save fuel. “I often try to get it done early. But that’s not always the case. My teacher sometimes […]
Era of Dissent & Defiance Inspired by 2011 Popular Arab Revolts
Viewpoint by James M. Dorsey James M. Dorsey – a senior fellow at Nanyang Technological University’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, an adjunct senior research fellow at the National University of Singapore’s Middle East Institute and co-director of the University of Wuerzburg’s Institute of Fan Culture – offered this viewpoint to IDN. SINGAPORE (IDN) […]
Kenya ‘Hanging at the Edge of a Debt Trap’
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – Lending institutions fear that Kenya’s foot may be stuck on the debt pedal with the latest loan of USD 750 million from the World Bank to be paid over 30 years. Several experts and players in the financial sector do not think all is well. […]
Thousands in DR Congo Trek to Opposition Icon’s Reburial
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK | KINSHASA (IDN) – The father of Democratic Republic of Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi, opposition icon Etienne Tshisekedi, was laid to rest on June 1 in his homeland more than two years after he died in Belgium during a political stalemate over the country’s long-delayed elections. Thousands […]
Volunteering Kicks Up a Notch in Kenya
By J W Jackie RENO, Nevada, USA (IDN) – One of the biggest cross-nation collaborations currently, is between the European Union and Kenya. This unusual pairing provides Kenya with the resources to implement development strategies with a Sh8 billion line of credit (USD 78.922.800,00) from the European Investment Bank (EIB). While the loan is earmarked […]