Africa has an enormous ocean area at its disposal. There are almost 20 million square kilometres of ocean, seas and inland water that could be developed into environmentally sustainable blue economies. The G20 group of 19 of the world’s largest economies and the African Union also view the blue economy as key to developing the…
Yokohama City, Japan & Johannesburg, South Africa — As funding for sexual and reproductive health rights was on a “cliff edge,” parliamentarians now needed to play a “visionary” leadership role because “financing strong, resilient health systems for all their people rests with governments,” said Dr. Alvaro Bermejo, Director General of the International Planned Parenthood Federation…
Terence Tao, one of the world’s foremost mathematicians, who is often called the “Mozart of Math,” would rather not talk politics. “I do scientific research,” Tao said. “I vote, I sign a petition, but I don’t consider myself an activist.” But after the July suspension of $584 million in federal grants at UCLA, which he…
Monrovia — The largest pledge ever by the Gates Foundation for research work into “chronically underfunded areas” of women’s health was announced by the foundation on Monday. The foundation’s commitment is U.S.$2.5 billion for health research and development, and will support more than 40 innovations, particularly those affecting women in low- and middle-income countries. “Investing in…
Seattle — Investments Through 2030 to Catalyze Innovation in Maternal, Menstrual, Gynecological, and Sexual Health for Women Globally The Gates Foundation today announced a $2.5 billion commitment through 2030 to accelerate research and development (R&D) focused exclusively on women’s health. It will support the advancement of more than 40 innovations in five critical, chronically underfunded…
Monrovia — As global financial aid continues to decline, experts warn of the increasing risks posed to low-income countries and urge regional stakeholders to look inward to fund much-needed development. Speaking at the African Transformation online briefing on Tuesday, the Manager of Resources and Partnerships at the African Development Fund (ADF), Valerie Dabady, said the…
Google has outlined a wave of AI support across Africa, representing $37 million in cumulative funding — including previously committed but unannounced funding — to research, talent development, and infrastructure. The funding package includes funding and partnerships that aim to strengthen AI research, support African languages, improve food systems, expand digital skills, and build research…
Harare — In recent years, major international donors such as the European Union (EU), the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), USAID, and other bilaterals (such as BMZ, Sida, the Netherlands among others) have significantly reduced development funding to global majority countries. These shifts are occurring in the midst of rhetorical commitments to localization and…
Southern Africa’s venture capital sector closed off 2024 with R13.35 billion in active investments across 1 325 deals. For the third consecutive year, ICT-focused start-ups continued to attract the lion’s share of venture capital (VC), accounting for nearly two-thirds of total investment. This, as data shows Southern Africa’s VC sector closed off 2024 with R13.35…
Rapid growth in venture capitalist investments in Southern African – with early stage tech start-ups taking the lion’s share of the VC pot – is a sign of the region’s growth potential. This is especially true given the slowdown in venture capital funding commitments globally. This is according to Nicola Gubb, interim executive director of…
