Key climate finance decisions have again been deferred, leaving African countries without the tools to deliver on ambitious goals. Geopolitical fractures were on full display at the mid-year United Nations (UN) climate talks in Bonn. Negotiations ended with many agenda items deferred to November’s UN COP31 conference in Antalya, Türkiye, and little consensus on how…
The Promise is a public statement of solidarity, bringing together prominent figures from across society to reaffirm support for refugees and the right to seek safety. Launched on 28 July, as the Refugee Convention marks its 75th anniversary, it aims to build a diverse coalition for refugee protection through to the Global Refugee Forum in…
By blocking many Africans from participating and attending, the US has made a mockery of FIFA’s apparent commitment to universal access. The 2026 FIFA World Cup final this Sunday between Spain and Argentina is the culmination of what should have been the biggest celebration of diversity in football history. Forty-eight teams (compared to the usual…
A Night of Hope. Aweys Addow, who was 19 years old when the flag was hoisted, was present to witness the event at Ficho Goberno, the former site of Mogadishu’s mayoral residence. At 12:00 hours (midnight) on 1 July 1960, Addow was among hundreds of jubilant Somalis who came out to celebrate the birth of…
In June, The New Times argued that open skies should become Africa’s next great economic reform. Few would disagree. More flights, greater competition and easier movement of people are indispensable to trade, tourism and investment. The economic case has long been settled. The more pressing question is why, over two decades since African states adopted…
Algeria’s long-awaited return to the FIFA World Cup ended in disappointment on Tuesday evening as Lionel Messi produced another unforgettable performance to guide defending champions Argentina to a 3-0 victory in their Group J opener in Kansas City. The scoreline may appear comfortable, but for large periods Algeria competed admirably against one of the tournament…
Globally, agriculture faces mounting pressures. These are driven by climate change, land degradation, labour shortages, supply chain disruptions and the demand for food from a growing population. At the same time, productivity is uneven. For example, maize yields in the US often exceed 10 tons per hectare. These high yields are driven by mechanisation, improved…
From AI-powered transit systems to digital twins and flood-proof parks, cities are embracing technology at an unprecedented scale. But as innovation accelerates, experts warn that inclusion, trust and security will determine who truly benefits. At a sprawling urban expo in Baku, visitors paused before giant digital screens flickering with flood simulations, subway control systems and…
When Nelson Mandela stood before parliament in February 1996, he made a commitment that should have been one of the defining economic reforms of the democratic era. “For us, it is not a matter of whether, but of when, these controls will be phased out,” he said of exchange controls, echoing a similar pledge made…
MTN South Africa’s Zoltan Miklos MTN South Africa and US-based Pivotal Commware have completed joint field trials showing how 5G millimetre-wave (mmWave) repeater technology can significantly expand broadband reach for fixed-wireless access customers. The trials, initiated in 2024, tested Pivotal’s “Pivot” 5G repeaters at three locations in Vanderbijlpark in Gauteng and Seshego in Limpopo. The…
