Know Afrika

  Unrest Surrounding the Latest Elections in Congo On December 20, 2023, Congo held presidential and legislative elections. Significant logistical challenges and accusations of fraud marred the event. Widespread anomalies, the opposition claims, including delays, vote extensions in some places, and results manipulation. Their supporters' anger and dissatisfaction have been stoked by this, resulting in public demonstrations calling for a rerun. The divisive vote makes the already difficult security situation in Congo worse, especially in the eastern region rich in resources. The nation, which is a significant supplier of cobalt and other industrial minerals and metals, has long struggled with instability and military wars. The nation could become even more unstable as a result of the current political turmoil, worsening the humanitarian situation that many Congolese are now experiencing. A Request for Moderation in the Face of Uncertainty With almost 79% of the votes counted, Presid...

  Tribe Called Judah’ was released in Nigeria on December 15, 2023. Funke Akindele’s latest release became a massive hit. It became Nollywood‘s first film to gross ₦113 million in its opening weekend. With Barny Emordu as the Director of Photography, the film created history at the box office. Funke Akindele, a Nigerian filmmaker, actress, director, producer and politician, managed to generate a huge profit because of ‘A Tribe Called Judah’.  ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ amassed a whopping N400 million within its initial 12 days of release. It became the highest-grossing movie of 2023. This film is also among the top five highest-grossing Nigerian movies of all time.  The Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN) revealed the achievement of the film on Tuesday. The film claimed the top spot as the highest-grossing Nollywood movie of 2023. The film collected sixty million Nigerian naira in just two days after its release.  A Tribe Called Judah  A Tribe Called Jud...

  As Temba Bavuma’s South Africa and Rohit Sharma’s India prepare for their highly anticipated two-match Test series at the legendary SuperSport Park Cricket Stadium in Centurion, the cricket world is a hive of anticipation. We offer thorough analyses of the teams, important players, and action locations as cricket fans get ready for this titanic match. The Captivating History This match is particularly important because it is the first time that veterans like Jasprit Bumrah, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli will be playing for the Indian Test team again following the devastating World Cup final defeat. The storyline intensifies the drama and resolve as the Men in Blue attempt a dramatic return. The Dominance of South Africa at Home The Proteas have a stellar record at home, having not drawn a Test match since 2016. They pose a serious threat to Rohit Sharma’s squad with 24 wins and 8 losses from 32 games. With a combination of new and experienced players, the Indian squad sees a chan...

  The United Arab Emirates has dispatched an aircraft to the Republic of South Sudan carrying 100 tons of food supplies to meet the critical humanitarian needs of Sudanese refugees in the region. The dispatch of aid to the Republic of South Sudan, facilitated through the World Food Programme for distribution among refugees, is a significant component of the UAE’s broader humanitarian efforts, according to Sultan Al Shamsi, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for International Development Affairs. These initiatives extend to Sudan’s neighboring nations, and the UAE intends to improve the humanitarian response of local populations receiving refugees. The help includes critical goods such as food, necessities, and medical services, demonstrating the UAE’s ongoing commitment to assisting nations in difficult times. HE “Since the beginning of the crisis, the UAE has been actively involved in improving the humanitarian situation for the people of Sudan,” Al Shamsi added. The constructi...

  Colonel Mamady Doumbouya's declaration of a three-day national mourning period in the aftermath of the Conakry fuel depot explosion expresses the nation's tremendous anguish. The sad occurrence resulted in 18 deaths and more than 200 injuries, requiring the military commander to emphasize citizen care during this difficult time. Colonel Doumbouya intended to unify the country in mourning for the lives lost and those affected by the disaster in his broadcast address. The explosion reverberated across Conakry's bustling business district, causing severe material damage and disrupting economic activities. The tragedy left obvious marks on prominent establishments such as Galaxie Communication and the Guinean Advertising Office. The consequences of the explosion were felt even at Conakry's ostensibly safe central prison, highlighting the magnitude of the disaster and the significant hurdles that will face restoration efforts. International solidarity has poured in from a ...

  "A Tribe Called Judah" is scheduled to premiere internationally this Christmas, which will be a big step forward for the Nollywood sector when it enters the UK. Starring Funke Akindele as Jedidah Judah, Jide Kene Achufusi as Emeka Judah, Timini Egbuson as Pere Judah, Uzee Usman as Adamu Judah, Tobi Makinde as Shina Judah, and Olumide Oworu as Ejiro Judah, the film made its Nigerian premiere on December 15, 2023.   The most recent release by Funke Akindele has been a huge hit, making history as the first movie in Nollywood to generate ₦113 million on its first weekend of release and more than ₦122.7 million overall. The movie, which was helmed by Barny Emordu, is currently the highest-grossing film of 2023 and has created box office history. "A Tribe Called Judah" co-director Adeoluwa Owu revealed on Instagram that the film will make its UK premiere over the Christmas season, with Independent Film Exhibition Consultancy (IFEC) handling nationwide distribution begin...

  For more than two decades, Chinese researchers have been working on drought-tolerant rice and have made tremendous progress. They created a drought-tolerant rice cultivar to increase food production in Africa. This follows the Shanghai Agrobiological Gene Center's introduction of a water-saving and drought-resistant rice strain in Burundi and Kenya a few years ago. According to Liu Zaochang, the center's Africa program director, this rice variety could be certified for market next year. "We are most likely China's first rice breeders for Africa." We are marketing many rice types to 11 African countries, including Botswana, where rice has not been cultivated in nearly 50 years." Chinese scientists, according to Liu, crossbred widely planted hybrid rice types with those known to thrive in desert soils to create drought-resistance.  He believes it has the potential to outperform hybrid rice in terms of yield and thrive in substandard settings. "It saves l...

  The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has successfully navigated potential hurdles by securing an accord with European clubs housing Super Eagles players. The agreement ensures the timely release of invited players for the final camping in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), gearing up for the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), scheduled from January 12 to February 11, 2024. In the buildup to the much-anticipated AFCON tournament, concerns emerged about the willingness of European clubs to release their star players for pre-tournament training. This concern was particularly pronounced as the training days did not align with the FIFA open window, raising fears of potential conflicts with ongoing league commitments. In the buildup to the much-anticipated AFCON tournament, concerns emerged about the willingness of European clubs to release their star players for pre-tournament training. This concern was particularly pronounced as the training days did not align with the FIFA op...

  Former Big Brother Naija competitor Chichi and well-known Nigerian actress, model, and performer Phyna—who won Big Brother Naija Season 7—become entangled in a disagreement centered around an issue surrounding wig rentals. Phyna was made fun of by Chichi for the wig-renting claim made by DBeauty Mogul, a merchant. The dealer accused Phyna of failing to return a "rented" wig within the stipulated rental time. But Phyna rejected them as clout chasers and denied any connection to the vendor. Chichi stepped in, escalating the argument. Chichi encouraged her fans on the platform X (formerly Twitter) to purchase wigs from her company, WigsByElla, highlighting the product's high quality and reasonable price. She also cautioned against wearing wigs borrowed from others, alluding inadvertently to Phyna. In response to someone accusing Chichi of being obsessed with Phyna on social media, Chichi defended herself by highlighting Phyna's role in wig rental and pricing. When Phyn...

  Algeria's ties with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have become stronger in recent months. Following a period of silent crises that isolated Algeria in the Middle East area, the UAE has made attempts to repair relations and enhance communication with Algeria. His Excellency Yousef Saif Sebaa Al Ali, the UAE Ambassador to Algeria, recently handed his credentials as the UAE's non-resident Ambassador to His Excellency Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the interim leader of Burkina Faso. His Excellency Captain Ibrahim Traoré received greetings from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the third president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan invited Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to the UAE earlier this year in order to improve bilateral relations. Algeria hailed the UAE in an effort to re-establish relations with Arab countries. Abdelmadjid Tebboune submitted a letter to the President of the UAE on bilater...

  The United States has actively engaged East African nations in promoting its vision for the regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) in military contexts. This initiative, embodied in the "Political Declaration on Responsible Military Use of Artificial Intelligence and Autonomy," aims to establish ten guiding principles for the development, regulation, and limitations of AI in defense. Despite its global resonance, the document has gained limited support from African nations, with Liberia, Malawi, Morocco, and Libya currently endorsing it. Released on November 9th, the declaration has garnered support from fifty countries, but the minimal representation from Africa underscores regional reservations. Signatories commit to adopting robust and transparent norms for AI military applications and maintaining ongoing dialogue on development, deployment, and responsible use. Striking a Balance Between State Sovereignty and Collective Responsibility The declaration affirms nations...

  South Africa’s Springboks sealed its fourth Rugby World Cup title, beating the All Blacks 12-11 in front of 80,000 plus people packed stadium in Paris. It now reigns as the second team in history to have won back-to-back World Cups. Springboks’ attention to detail and not letting the rain get in the way brought the team to glory and the nature of how they played. Matt Dawson, BBC Sports columnist, lauded South Africa saying it won the World Cup by beating the best nations. He said it was truly remarkable. “To get out of a difficult pool, which included Ireland and Scotland, and then defeat hosts France in the quarter-final, England in the semi-final, and New Zealand in the final, is some achievement.” Springboks Best Deliverance Siya Kolisi and Du Toit delivered a performance in defense, put out New Zealand’s flames for good. It was an edge game with blistering line speed, optimum focus and like the commentators described it – astounding precision. South Africa took advantage in ...

  Elon Musk, the world's richest person and CEO of X (previously Twitter), is attempting to improve the political neutrality of Grok, an xAI conversational generative artificial intelligence chatbot. This idea follows Grok revealing political views similar to those shown in OpenAI's ChatGPT. Elon Musk quickly said that his firm is taking immediate measures to achieve better political neutrality in their AI chatbot after a user on X (Twitter) did a Political Compass Test, indicating Grok's political preferences agreeing with OpenAI's ChatGPT. David Rozado, a research scientist, conducted the study and discovered that ChatGPT and xAI's Grok produced equivalent results across a variety of political queries. Rozado offered a graphical illustration of the findings, demonstrating the alignment of the two bots. Grok, xAI's first AI model, was unveiled on November 5th. This AI chatbot, positioned as a serious competitor to well-known programs such as ChatGPT, Bard, and ...

  Mercy Aigbe, a Nigerian actress, director, fashionista, and businesswoman, wanted to leave the industry due to sexual harassment. Mercy Aigbe, widely renowned for her Yoruba indigenous films, has shared her experience with the rest of the world. Mercy Aigbe has received a lot of attention recently because she converted to Islam. She converted to Islam after marrying filmmaker Kazeem Adeoti in 2022. She received a lot of attention after sharing her tale of sexual harassment. In an interview with 'Your Views,' a TVC discussion show, the Nigerian actress stated that she had hurdles in the industry and rose to the top via consistency. "I once met a producer in Surulere, and I expressed to him how much I would love to act," the actress explained. Following the last audition, I was cast in a minor role. I told him it wasn't the role I was auditioning for, and he said I should be close to him (the producer). He attempted to touch me. "If that's what it takes t...

  Masdar, a renewable energy company owned by the United Arab Emirates government, has unveiled a 10-gigawatt expansion initiative for the African continent. This ambitious plan is poised to catalyze the energy transition in six Sub-Saharan nations. Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC, operating under the name Masdar, is committed to fostering the development of clean energy initiatives throughout Africa. The 10-gigawatt growth initiative aligns with the Africa Green Industrialization Initiative, a program designed to stimulate the growth of environmentally sustainable industries across the region. Launched on December 2, the Africa Green Industrialization Initiative (AGII) aims to expedite the advancement of green industries and businesses throughout the African continent. The United Arab Emirates has continuously extended assistance to Africa in its energy-related undertakings. Furthermore, the UAE has promised to support clean energy projects in Kenya, Angola, Burundi, Djibouti...

  Egypt's space exploration odyssey has reached a critical juncture with the launch of the MISRAT-2 satellite, which was made possible by a major partnership with China. The CEO of the Egyptian Space Agency (EgSA), Sherif Sedky, expressed sincere appreciation to China for helping to advance Egypt's space program in Africa. China's strong cooperation and support are largely responsible for Egypt's rising prominence in space exploration. Sedky emphasized how this collaboration has improved Egypt's capacities and set the stage for more significant developments throughout the continent. The launch of the MISRAT-2 satellite marks a turning point in Egypt's and Africa's history. With its high-resolution pictures and advanced technology, it promises unmatched capabilities that will transform a number of industries. The satellite is positioned to be a versatile tool for advancement, from following agricultural practices and water conservation measures to closely mon...

  Popular Nigerian musician Portable, whose real name is Habeeb Olalomi Oyegbile, has addressed the recent uproar caused by his unannounced exit from a Celestial Church praise event. After Olatosho Oshoffa, the Shepherd-in-charge of the Celestial Church of Christ International Headquarters in Ketu, Lagos, expressed dissatisfaction of Portable's performance, Portable has reiterated his intention to take part in the church event. "We have to proceed with the performance at the Celestial church," the singer declared. You have already given me N5 million as payment. Together, we'll make it happen, and I'll perform." A controversy erupted when well-known Fuji musicians Pasuma and Portable were announced as the special guests for an upcoming praise night event at one of the Celestial Church of Christ International Headquarters branches in Ketu, Lagos State. The public responded negatively to the performers selected for the celestial praise night, which caused the C...

  As the need for net zero initiatives grows on a worldwide scale, the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) becomes increasingly important in guiding Africa's transition to sustainability. With Africa accounting for less than 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions and facing severe climate change impacts, President and CEO Samaila Zubairu emphasizes the significance of using a tailored negotiation approach. titled "Roadmap to Africa’s COP: A Pragmatic Path to Net Zero," the white paper from AFC outlines the potential and difficulties facing the continent. Zubairu promotes "innovative" financing schemes that make use of local money, such as insurance and pension funds. The utilization of credit enhancement methods and de-risking mechanisms is imperative in drawing in institutional investors and encouraging local investments. Zubairu highlights the importance of strong public-private partnerships in order to maximize impact, emphasizing the critical role that data play...

Oladipupo Oladimeji, also known as Oladips, has been in the news recently due to internet rumors circulating about his death. His close friend Qdot vigorously refuted the allegations and insisted that the rapper was still alive, in stark contrast to these stories. Confusion that followed sparked a social media frenzy in which many people criticized Oladips. Oladips tried to rectify the matter by stating on Instagram that he had not planned any hoax pertaining to his own demise. Oladipupo Oladimeji's management first revealed his death on November 15, 2023, via an Instagram statement claiming that the Nigerian rapper had passed away on November 14, 2023. But Oladips was still alive, as Qdot later disclosed on social media. The public began to speculate that the entire incident may have been a PR gimmick to support his just released record, "Superhero Adugbo." Oladipupo Oladimeji insisted that he had not purposefully participated in any such acts, notwithstanding these susp...