Key Highlights: Burkina Faso’s Capt. Ibrahim Traoré (shown) has led sweeping reforms since last year’s coup. He and his ministers emphasize that abolishing the costly, donor-funded election commission is a sovereign step, replacing it with a leaner, nationally controlled system. Sovereignty and Reform Since seizing power in September 2022, Capt. Traoré’s junta has pursued a…
Kenya has been thrown into turmoil by yet another Court of Appeal ruling. The appellate court on May 9, 2025, passed a ruling stating that the deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu had no authority to impanel a bench for petitions arising from the October 2024 impeachment of the Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. According to Article…
On June 22, 2025, Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah confirmed this sequence. He told worshippers: “On December 4, 2024, only five months later, everything that was in the finance bill was passed quietly…until 97 per cent of it passed”. This admission sparked a viral narrative that nearly the entire Finance Bill 2024 “sneaked through” Parliament after the protests. Ichung’wah argued the government held off on the taxes to let public anger subside, then implemented them via separate bills. He insisted Kenyans had been misled about the worst provisions (e.g. the high-value taxes were actually on imports only).
Democracy, in its true essence, transcends the mere act of holding elections. While periodic voting is often heralded as the hallmark of democratic governance, it represents only one dimension of a much broader framework that includes constitutional principles, rule of law, institutional checks and balances, and the protection of fundamental rights. The vitality of democracy lies in its ability to sustain governance practices rooted in accountability, transparency, and inclusivity even outside electoral cycles. This section explores the multifaceted nature of real democracy, examining key elements such as freedom of speech, judicial independence, respect for human rights, and media freedom, while contrasting these ideals with realities observed in African nations like Cameroon and global benchmarks from Western democracies.
Historical Foundations and Contemporary Implications of Monopoly Economies in Africa Monopoly economies, characterized by the dominance of a single entity or institution over an industry or sector, have played a significant role in shaping Africa’s economic structure. These monopolistic systems often emerge from historical conditions rooted in colonial exploitation and post-colonial governance strategies aimed at…
Foreign Tech Firms’ Data Collection Strategies in Key African Sectors The rapid expansion of foreign technology firms into African markets has led to systematic targeting of specific industries for data collection, with fintech, agriculture, e-commerce, and healthcare emerging as primary sectors of interest . These industries are not only pivotal to Africa’s economic development but…
The Influence of Private Companies and Foreign Lenders on Overpriced Electricity in Africa Private companies have emerged as dominant players in Africa’s energy sector, contributing to both progress and challenges. Conglomerates like Dangote Group and Anglo American Platinum illustrate divergent strategies: while Dangote focuses on rapid expansion, Anglo American emphasizes entrenched operations. These contrasting approaches…
1. The Nature of ConsciousnessPerhaps the greatest mystery of all is how subjective experience arises from physical processes in the brain. Scientists have identified areas involved in awareness, but the “hard problem of consciousness” — why and how brain activity gives rise to feelings and thoughts — remains unsolved. 2. How Memories Are Stored Long-TermWhile…
The Expanding Footprint of the Global Thrift Industry in African Markets The global thrift industry has established a significant and growing presence in African markets, with Kenya and Nigeria emerging as leading importers of secondhand clothing. In 2023, Kenya imported secondhand clothes and textiles worth Sh38.5 billion ($298 million), marking a 12.45% increase from the…
Every year on July 7, the world comes together to celebrate Kiswahili Language Day, a globally recognized event that honors one of Africa’s most influential languages. Established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2021, this day acknowledges the cultural, historical, and linguistic significance of Kiswahili, a language spoken by over 200 million people across Africa and beyond.
