Author: NBM CORRESPONDENT

The just-concluded Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit raised Sino-African friendship a notch higher, with Chinese and African leaders agreeing to a new blueprint for high-level cooperation in the new era and vowing to make serious efforts to advance modernization and build a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future. Sino-African friendship is steeped in a rich history of mutual exchanges and has been flourishing, thanks to the intensive strategic cooperation between the two sides. As the largest developing country and the continent with the largest number of developing countries, China and Africa have the same historical mission: to achieve robust…

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When Grace Mwende settled for an MA in project planning and management after a BSc in Geology, it did not seem like the right course to run with. Geology is the study of chemicals and physical properties of earth materials such as minerals, natural gases and water. It also touches on earth hazards, which include earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and even floods. It is a field largely dominated by men thus only focused lady graduates end up benefiting.  Interestingly, Ms Mwende did not step back. It is common for people to overlook such courses but to her, what was important is…

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Starting and running your own business takes hard work and a can-do attitude. Typically, entrepreneurs are the kinds of people who can identify and solve problems innovatively, are willing to take risks and learn from mistakes. But many entrepreneurs also have a set of skills that anyone can learn, and use in work and life. Examples include adaptability, problem-solving, collaboration, communication, creative thinking, innovation and resilience. South Africa’s Department of Basic Education sees these skills as an important part of the school curriculum, especially since about 60% of South Africans aged 16-24 don’t have work. The department’s 2016 Entrepreneurship in…

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AstraZeneca, a biopharmaceutical company, has partnered with Tricog Health, AI-driven healthcare solutions provider, and the Kenya Cardiac Society (KCS) to conduct a study evaluating the effectiveness of an AI-based Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) model in screening for heart failure. Launched in May 2024, the study will enroll 10,000 patients and leverage Tricog’s AI electrocardiogram (ECG) algorithm to analyze ECG data—a low-cost and widely available tool—to identify individuals at risk of heart failure (HF). The algorithm can quickly and accurately identify individuals at risk of heart failure, even in the absence of overt symptoms This comes at a time when…

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Dr. Davy Kiprotich Koech, a genius in the field of immunology and molecular medicine, who made significant contributions to the understanding of HIV/AIDS and other emerging tropical diseases in the 1980s and 1990s, has died after a long illness, his family said on Friday, September 6. He was 73 years old. His work earned him international recognition, including a nomination for the Genius Laureate of the American Biographical Institute in 2006, and a place among the 500 Greatest Geniuses of the 21st Century. At 28, Dr. Koech became the youngest medic to lead the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), an…

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Africa Practice (AP), a consulting firm, and Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), a nonprofit organisation tackling climate change, have partnered to address climate challenges and promote sustainable energy solutions across Africa. The partnership, officially announced by Richard Kiplagat, Director at Africa Practice, at the Global Africa Hydrogen Summit taking place in Windhoek, Namibia, will support energy transition in Africa by accelerating the reduction of methane emissions from the oil and gas sector. It will also ensure that new green hydrogen projects achieve their potential as climate solutions. “Green hydrogen is poised to be a significant catalyst for Africa’s sustainable development. This…

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The 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) is ongoing in Beijing. Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony on September 5 and deliver a keynote speech. In his speech, Xi will outline new ideas and propositions for building a high-level community with a shared future between China and Africa and announce new actions and measures for practical cooperation. At the summit, China and Africa will unveil a new positioning of their relations and a series of major measures for advancing modernization, thus creating a new blueprint for their partnership. China and Africa have consistently demonstrated…

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An outsourcing and technology company, VFS Global has released an “Integrated Sustainability Report” on gender diversity and workforce inclusivity. The company recorded a marked increase in employee training hours globally, totalling 338,023 hours last year, an 86 per cent increase over the previous year. In Kenya, women account for half of the total workforce of 76 employees. From key initiatives like full pay for maternity leave of three months to celebrating women in the workforce, it has invested in community outreach initiatives to pave the way for a more inclusive future across Africa. Commenting on the report, Carold Kotie, Operations…

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Absa Bank Kenya is enhancing its Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) offering in the market, aiming to provide more personalized solutions, strategic insights, and proactive support to its clients. The bank has launched a new Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) campaign themed “Invested in Your Story” that emphasizes moving beyond simply delivering competitive solutions and services to a deeper understanding of clients’ needs and a dedication to their long-term success. This new approach to corporate and investment banking acknowledges the common human insight that banks frequently lack empathy in their client engagements and interactions, with broad sentiment indicating that banking…

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In this issue, we dive deep into how Elon Musk’s Starlink is shaking up the digital market in Kenya. With its competitive pricing and faster internet speeds, Starlink is challenging Safaricom’s long-standing dominance. What does this mean for the future of connectivity in Kenya? Should Safaricom, a major player in the market, be concerned about this new entrant? Also Featured in This Issue: Tala Survey Shows Consumer Confidence on the Uptick Learn about the positive trends in consumer confidence and what they mean for the Kenyan economy. Israeli Government Eyes 25-Year Farming Deal in Kenya Explore the potential impact of…

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