Author: prtimesafrica

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, January 25, 2024/ — Shaping our physical environment, creating a sense of identity and place, and supporting economic development are but a few of the functional purposes of architecture. Architects play a critical role in providing places for people to live and work, improving the quality of human life and supporting the aesthetics within a designed environment. This year’s Global Black Impact Summit (GBIS) { https://GlobalBlackImpact.com/}  – taking place in Dubai on February 27, 2024 – will explore the achievements of Black architects and designers, whose work serves as a symbol of culture, society, and development.

Architects shape the world we live in, casting an emotional impact on people and changing our perception of space. Serving as the first Black architect to become a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in 1923, the work of Paul R. Williams resulted in his bestowment of the institution’s prestigious Merit Award for his design of the MCA building in Beverly Hills, California. Williams’ impressive oeuvre encompasses the design of the homes of Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, and Lon Cheney, to name a few.

Centered around the theme, ‘Black Excellence: Unleashing the Unexplored Potential for Global Unity’, this year’s summit underscores the value of innovation, inspiration, and authenticity. Known for her lavish use of form, straddling the line between openness and utility, Norma Merrick Sklarek’s notable works include the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo and the Terminal One station at the Los Angeles International Airport. In addition to becoming the first woman licensed as an architect in New York and California, Sklarek became the first African American woman member of the AIA and the first to co-own an architectural firm.

As a medium, architecture provides designers an opportunity to express their artistry on a larger scale than other traditional artists. The accessibility and visibility of their work offers a greater influence on a wider population and for much longer a term. As such, the transcontinental scope of architect and designer, Pascale Sablan, includes notable buildings such as the Museum of the Built Environment in Saudi Arabia and the Bronx Point project in New York. Her work on commercial, cultural, and residential buildings has resulted in Sablan becoming the recipient of numerous awards including the 2018 Pratt Alumni Achievement Award, Emerging New York Architect Merit Award, and the NOMA Price for Excellence in Design.

Renowned for his innovative and sustainable architectural style, Burkinabe-German architect, Diébédo Francis Kéré became the first African to receive the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize. Kéré’s portfolio, which includes civic infrastructure and temporary installations, is notable for its innovative use of local resources and participatory design methods. His work includes the Gando Primary School in Burkina Faso, the National Park of Mali, and the Serpentine Pavilion in the UK. Kéré’s focus on social initiatives has been celebrated for embodying the values of the communities where he works, driven by a commitment to environmental understanding and service to humanity.

Architectural excellence and the influence of Black designers in the field will be a focus-point during this year’s GBIS event, which will highlight the contributions, achievements, and influence of Black architects from all over the world. The Summit will unite participants under the common goal of celebrating and supporting innovation and inclusivity in the realm of architecture, promoting equal opportunities and inspiration to Black creatives and trailblazers.

Global Black Impact Summit 2024

The Global Black Impact Summit is an annual event – organized by Energy Capital & Power – that seeks to celebrate the achievements of the Black community, promote excellence, and explore untapped potential across various fields. This year’s summit is set to be a transformative experience, featuring influential speakers, engaging panel discussions, and networking opportunities that encourage attendees to reach new heights.

MOGADISHU, Somalia, January 18, 2024/ — A United Nations-contracted cargo plane today crashed while landing on an air-strip in El-Barde in Somalia’s South West State.
The aircraft was transporting humanitarian supplies for the World Food Programme when it veered off the runway. Initial reports indicate there was one fatality and two people injured.
The United Nations in Somalia expresses its condolence to the family and colleagues of the victim, and wishes a speedy recovery for the injured.

The United Nations is working with the contracted airline company and federal and South West State authorities to investigate the incident.

SOURCE

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, January 18, 2024/ — According to a recent Kaspersky survey[1] (www.Kaspersky.co.za), over half of employees surveyed in the Middle East, Turkiye and Africa (META) region feel the lack of digital skills when working on computers and other digital equipment. If they had higher digital skills, employees think they would earn 41% more, on average. Specifically, respondents in Egypt said they would earn 53% more money with higher digital skills, in the UAE – 44% more. Respondents in Saudi Arabia indicated their salary would increase by 36% if they had better digital skills, in Turkiye – by 35%, and in South Africa – by 36%.

Employees understand the importance of acquiring new digital skills and honing their existing ones. In the Middle East, Turkiye, Africa region in general, 79% of employees tried to uptake paid or free digital literacy trainings on their own. In Egypt this number stands at 75%, in Saudi Arabia – at 70%, in the UAE – at 91%, in Turkiye – at 81%, and in South Africa at 76%.
The lack of digital skills may not only impede one’s career and deprive them of income, but also produces serious risks for the cybersecurity of the organisation where this person is employed. The ‘human firewall’ is one of the key defenses from cyber incidents. Employees can open a phishing link or download ransomware on a corporate device and it’ll produce financial and reputation losses for the company. This is why workers on any levels — from top managers to interns — should receive proper IT and cybersecurity training.

Brandon Muller, Technical Expert for the MEA region at Kaspersky, commented: “While digital skills today are the linchpin for career advancement, employers should not forget about the synergy between individual upskilling and organisational cybersecurity. When companies invest into IT and cybersecurity trainings for their staff, they not only boost their reputation as employers who care about the prosperity of their employees, but also contribute to increasing the cyber protection of organisational infrastructure. Special solutions, such as Kaspersky Automated Security Awareness Platform, help to effectively achieve both these goals.”
To help your employees to improve their digital skills, Kaspersky experts recommend:

• Conduct regular checkups to understand what digital skills are most needed for business.
• Organise cyber literacy courses and trainings for employees so they could improve their skills – use Kaspersky Automated Security Awareness Platform (https://apo-opa.co/3Hp9vE0), an online learning tool that would help to train employees about relevant topics in cybersecurity.

Make sure employees know about trending cyberthreats like phishing, scam, ransomware attacks and how to recognise and avoid them.

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, January 18, 2024/ — The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) (www.AfDB.org) agreed on Wednesday that the Bank should take a stake of USD 10.50 million in the capital of Seedstars Africa Ventures S.L.P. venture capital fund to enable it to invest in innovative African businesses with strong growth potential.
The Bank agreed to invest USD 7 million from its ordinary resources and USD 3.5 million from the European Union Boost Africa programme. The investment will allow Seedstars Africa Ventures (SAV) to raise funds, expand its presence in Africa and attract other investors.
Seedstars Africa Ventures is an early-stage venture capital fund investing in high-growth companies active across Sub-Saharan Africa.
The fund focuses on businesses that have strong potential, are generating income and tackling key challenges in the market. It mainly targets sub-Saharan Africa, especially markets less well covered by traditional investors, and enjoys a particular focus on French-speaking countries such as Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin and Cameroon. However, it also has investments in Ghana, Uganda and Tanzania.

As a venture capital fund of USD 75 million, Seedstars Africa Ventures targets the start-up and launch phases of businesses tackling key constraints in the market. Initial investments are around the EUR 250,000 mark, followed by additional capital injections of €5 million to support their growth.
SAV focuses on financial inclusion and the technologies that equip businesses (fintech and insurtech); retail sales and logistics platforms that target the online and mobile consumers market; health-related technologies; pre-paid, off-grid energy; and more generally, the adoption of technology in businesses, particularly in the food-processing industry and value chains.
It is estimated that the fund will help create 9,000 full-time jobs, 50% of them for women, and have a significant economic impact.
The fund’s objectives are in line with those of Boost Africa, which aims to invest in innovative start-ups that are growing strongly and having a positive social impact. Its investment strategy will strengthen that of the African Development Bank, which links entrepreneurship, investment and economic growth to poverty reduction and sustainable development. It will also contribute to the Bank’s operational priorities – the High 5 – by supporting start-ups operating in key sectors, such as agriculture, health, industrialization and off-grid energy. Finally, the investments will contribute to strengthening regional integration and improving the lives of people in Africa.

 

LAGOS, Nigeria, January 17, 2024/ — As we head into 2024, the renewable energy sector is set to see innovation that will transform the way energy is accessed, stored and deployed across Africa. Paul van Zijl, Group CEO at Starsight Energy (https://StarsightEnergy.com/), discusses 4 key trends that he thinks will profoundly shape the industry over the next year.

Batteries will provide benefits far beyond backup for behind-the-meter projects

One of the most significant shifts in solar technology revolves around the integration of battery energy storage systems (BESS) – especially for behind-the-meter solar (also known as onsite solar). Traditionally, batteries were seen primarily as backup storage when paired with a solar system, ensuring a steady power supply during cloudy days, nighttime or when the grid is unavailable. However, in 2024, the focus is vastly shifting towards load management, where batteries play a dynamic role in optimising energy consumption.
As the trend for the deployment of batteries across the continent grows, cutting-edge management systems will become a key part of solar installations with an integrated battery component. These systems use advanced algorithms to predict energy demand patterns. This allows for the strategic use of battery storage – discharging it during expensive peak times and charging it using solar energy or the grid during off-peak – to reduce the costly demand charges that come with variable tariff structures. Along with enhancing the efficiency of solar systems, integrated battery storage solutions can also contribute to grid stability by reducing strain during high-demand periods.
When it comes to front-of-the-meter (or offsite) storage, BESS is also set to play a bigger role in the deployment of utility-scale renewable energy technology like wheeling – where power is generated at an offsite location (like a solar or wind farm) and transported using the available power network to different off-takers.
In South Africa for example, the national energy provider Eskom announced the deployment of around 343 MW in BESS projects as part of an overall 500 MW BESS initiative aimed at addressing the country’s long-running electricity crisis. The systems will be in remote areas (with limited access to Eskom’s network) but still close to renewable energy plants built by independent power producers (IPPs).
This collaboration between the public and private sectors supports more widespread deployment of utility-scale power and the adoption of renewable energy projects. By adding battery storage components to the national grid, businesses and consumers can gain quicker access to reliable electricity while the power utility can address peak energy demands more easily. This also ensures that the increasing amount of power generated from utility-scale solar projects can be stored and consumed outside of daylight hours to avoid stranded grid capacity.Data, banking and tourism: The rise of sustainable off-grid solar solutions

Off-grid renewable energy solutions, including stand-alone systems and mini-grids, offer a unique opportunity to expand modern energy access services. The distributed nature of these systems allows them to be tailored to local conditions, tap into available renewable resources, deliver diverse energy services, and utilise local capacity to ensure long-term sustainability.
We will see a rise in these solutions as more and more commercial and industrial businesses realise the value of effectively moving off-grid. This will be prevalent in three industries:Data centres: Africa is a global hub for data centres. According to research from African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM), there is around 250 MW of installed data centre capacity across Africa – with the demand for centres in Africa expected to exceed supply by 300% by 2030. These powerhouses of technology rely heavily on a steady and safe electricity supply. From operating to maintaining their vast cooling systems, large data centres simply can’t afford the risk of a grid collapse or any possible power interruptions. Power autonomy is the name of the game here, making battery storage a necessity from the get-go.

Banking: While the prevalence of mobile financial services continues to soar on the continent, there is still a tangible need for brick-and-mortar banks and ATMs in countries where access to these services remains essential. These sites need to remain operational should there be any sort of grid collapse or catastrophic power failures – making an off-grid solution a non-negotiable component of the future of banking in Africa.

Tourism: With the rise of conscious consumerism and eco-tourism, sustainability is fast becoming the differentiating factor for discerning travellers choosing their next holiday destination. Luxury lodges in popular destinations in East and Southern Africa are fast moving towards fully off-grid solar battery operations to offer their guests uninterrupted access to power while boosting the lodge’s green credentials in the process.
As more and more businesses become aware of the benefits of off-grid solar, it is likely that we will see an even greater adoption of this technology in the coming year.

Seamless access to renewables through a reimagined aggregation model

We will certainly see a shift towards aggregated solutions, wherein energy providers will consolidate diverse technologies and services into comprehensive packages in 2024. This trend is driven by the recognition that a holistic approach to energy solutions is not only more convenient for consumers but also more effective in optimising energy production and consumption.
his can be done in several ways. For example, trading of electricity in South Africa allows a service provider of solar energy to buy and sell, excess wind energy without having to invest substantial capital expenditure amounts. Similarly, instead of having gas-powered energy compete with renewable energy, the aggregation model will also allow providers of such services to aggregate their energy solutions and provide the client with a holistic offering. The goal is to provide consumers with a seamless and integrated final product that maximises the benefits of renewable energy across various aspects of their daily lives. The real value for customers lies in a collaboration of providers who can meet their specific needs and power the entire energy lifecycle.

Tackling complexities through an increasingly consolidated sector

As the solar industry matures, a trend towards consolidation will become increasingly evident in 2024. Larger energy companies will consider merging or acquiring smaller players, creating more robust and diversified entities. This consolidation is driven by the desire to achieve economies of scale, increase market share, and foster innovation by pooling resources and expertise.
Consolidation in the industry is not limited to manufacturers but extends to service providers, research and development firms, and energy management companies. By joining forces, these entities can tackle the complexities of the evolving energy landscape more effectively, driving down costs and accelerating the adoption of alternative energies across the continent.
This trend is fostering the emergence of holistic service providers capable of providing end-to-end solutions that address the diverse needs of businesses, consumers and communities. Our recent market-milestone merger between Starsight Energy (https://StarsightEnergy.com/) and SolarAfrica (https://SolarAfrica.com/) is a case in point. Customers in Eastern, Southern and Western Africa can access our comprehensive mix of cost-effective solutions that provide power security and carbon reduction. These include solar energy, battery storage, wheeling, and energy management, among others.
The future is bright. If 2023 was anything to go by in terms of transformation for the energy sector, 2024 will be marked by accelerated innovation and a collective commitment to harnessing the full potential of renewable energy that holds the promise of a more resilient, more sustainable, and more tightly connected energy future for Africa.

BRUSSELS, Belgium, January 17, 2024/ — The Council today decided to add one individual to the list of those subject to restrictive measures against ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaeda and persons, groups, undertakings and entities associated with them.
The measures target Ahmed Khaled Müller, a member of Al-Shabab in Somalia. The sanctioned individual has participated in combat operations and committed terrorist acts on behalf of Al-Shabab. The latter operates in the Horn of Africa region, is responsible for numerous terrorist acts in Kenya, Somalia, as well as neighbouring countries, and is affiliated with Al-Qaida.
With this new listing and the de-listing of a deceased individual today, a total of 15 persons are subject to a travel ban and an asset freeze, and five groups to an asset freeze. In addition, EU persons and operators are forbidden from making funds or economic resources available to the listed persons and groups.
Today’s decision reconfirms the EU’s resolve in countering the continued terrorist threat posed by Al-Qaeda, ISIL(Da’esh) and their regional affiliates. The EU remains committed to taking decisive action against those who continue to threaten international peace and security by planning, financing and committing terrorist attacks, and by spreading their deadly terrorist propaganda around the world.

 

LICHINGA, Mozambique, January 17, 2024/ — Early in the morning, queues begin to form outside the Lichinga health centre in Mozambique’s northwest Niassa province, as staff prepare to treat patients.
Nearby, health workers offer HIV tests and information about family planning options – a crucial commitment to service provision as communities across the region grapple with violence, insecurity and a series of health crises.
The initiative is particularly welcome for women and girls in Niassa province, where more than 40 per cent give birth before the age of 19 and where already high HIV prevalence rates are nearly double for women, at over 10 per cent, than they are for men.
Since 2017, Niassa and the neighbouring provinces of Cabo Delgado and Nampula have faced mounting attacks by non-state armed groups, with millions of people fleeing their homes in search of safety. This has come alongside repeated climate shocks – from flooding to drought and powerful cyclones – and ensuing public health emergencies such as malaria and cholera outbreaks.
The ongoing instability and decimated health facilities have rendered pregnancy and childbirth increasingly life threatening, while conflict and displacement are also putting women and girls at greater risk of gender-based violence and trafficking.

Ensuring services amid crisis
Despite the crisis, the Lichinga health clinic and UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, are committed to providing communities with critical health care and gender-based violence response services.
“In five years, the health services have changed, capacities have increased and family planning has started to work,” said Pascoal Vilanculos, who heads the public health department in Lichinga. “With the support of UNFPA now we can do family planning with long-acting methods, and early pregnancies have decreased in the district.”
In Mozambique, only around one quarter of women are using modern contraception – and even fewer in rural areas. This is chiefly due to a lack of services and access that has led to high rates of unintended pregnancies and maternal deaths from pregnancy and childbirth complications and unsafe abortions.
To help fill this gap, UNFPA is distributing contraceptives and raising awareness through mobile teams and clinics across northern Mozambique. In Niassa, health providers from all 16 districts have received training on long-term family planning methods, such as the Pill, implants and intrauterine devices.

Supporting people living with HIV
Through the Lichinga centre, community leaders and volunteers have also spoken to around 2,500 adolescents and young people from the region, discussing cultural barriers to sexual health and the stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS.
“We do this because it’s about our health and our future, and the well-being of our families, of those we love,” explained Filipe Jorge, 20, a youth community activist.
“When young people test themselves and the result is positive, I work [with them] on accepting their serostatus. As a community, it’s our duty to embrace them.”
Young advocates and activists encourage others to make informed decisions about their bodies and take charge of their reproductive health. They also work with health officials to ensure people can choose the contraceptive options that meet their needs.
“We use this approach in schools to make young people aware of family planning and of HIV and AIDS. That’s why we have a condom distribution campaign,” explained José Manuel, director of the provincial health service.

Promoting bodily autonomy
The health centre’s programmes are part of a project funded by the Government of Sweden in Cabo Delgado, Niassa and Nampula provinces, with a particular focus on meeting the needs of vulnerable populations such as LGBTQI+ individuals and people with disabilities.
A collaboration with Rádio Moçambique and Radio Comunitária de Cuamba also produced over 360 broadcasts that discuss sexual and reproductive health services and gender-based violence. Presented in local languages such as Ciyao and Cinyanja and Emakhuwa, the outreach efforts reached around 1.6 million people in Niassa province alone.
“Girls’ sexual and reproductive rights are being guaranteed – they choose what to do with their own bodies, as it should be everywhere,” added Mr Manuel.