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Foreign Fintech Firms Ramp up Investments into Kenya’s Microfinance Space

Kenya's microfinance banks are increasingly the target of foreign fintech firms seeking to sidestep stringent regulatory perimeters for digital lenders, amid African banks' digital transformation efforts

Art & Culture

New Inspiring Architectural Designs Across Africa

"African architects are making waves by bringing an appreciation of local materials, construction techniques and design, to their buildings. This is not only inspiring other young African architects but also giving Africa its own design 'moment'." - Diébédo Francis Kéré

African Cultural Knowledge

Nearly 800 Years Later, the Fires of the Benin Bronze Casters Still Blaze

For bronze caster, Alex Agbonmwenre, the return of the Benin Bronzes is about far more than the return of looted artefacts. It is also a reminder that the craft, which found a patron in Benin 800 years ago, has continued through an unbroken lineage of master craftsmen, ever since. And those master craftsmen can be found today, in Igun Street, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Fashion & Beauty

Nigeria: Two Nigerian Brothers Chase Their Shoe-Making Dreams

Across the continent, shoemakers are winning fans, accolades and awards. Two Nigerian brothers, chasing their childhood dream, have taken things one step further.

Fashion & Beauty

Mauritius: A New Wave of African Print Design and Fashion Hits the Island

Michael Olawole's passion for African designs has unleashed a wave of African print fashion on the East African island nation of Mauritius. What does this say about Mauritius' relationship with the mainland?

Visual Art

Doual’Art: Thirty Years of Showcasing Cameroon Contemporary Art

In 1991, Marylin Douala Manga Bell and her husband founded Cameroon's first-ever contemporary art center. Since then, she has been a key enabler of local talent growth - and the emergence of Cameroon's contemporary artists on the world stage. Now she wants to ensure that their legacy has a more local focus..

Energy & Transport

Tanzania’s Huge Green Energy Pivot

In spite of enormous hydrocarbon potential, Tanzania is planning to plug more than 6,000 megawatts of renewable power - more than its current total power capacity - into its national grid, as president Samia Suluhu Hassan mounts rapid economic reforms to woo investors to the East African state.

Fashion & Beauty

Rihanna Charms Africa with Fenty as SA Men Lead in Grooming

Rihanna's Africa launch of her luxury beauty line is no accident; grooming is big business and men's grooming is where it's at.... male beauty parlours springing up across the continent, are adding to a multi-billion-dollar sector fuelled by increasing awareness about personal care and hygiene.

Markets & Investments Politics & Economy

New wealth hubs for Africa on the rise

Prospects for Africa’s internet economy and growing demand for top skills is seen supercharging the investment migration industry across Africa and is also fueling a new set of wealth hubs on the continent, according to a report.

Markets & Investments Politics & Economy

African Users Account for 70% of World’s 1 Trillion Dollar Mobile Money Transaction Values

Africa now accounts for 70% of the world’s 1 trillion dollar US dollars mobile money value. The value of Africa’s mobile money transactions edged up 39 per cent to 701.4 billion US dollars in 2021 –– its closest to the trillion-dollar mark –– up from 495 billion US dollars in 2020, highlighting the future of African banking is mobile.