More than USD 29 million has been mobilised to support Madagascar’s response and recovery following tropical cyclones Fytia and Gezani through a combination of pre-arranged financing solutions facilitated by the African Risk Capacity (ARC) and partner institutions. This financing was activated through three complementary instruments established in advance: Madagascar’s sovereign parametric insurance coverage, replica insurance supporting humanitarian partners and additional resources mobilised through the Regional Emergency Preparedness and Access to Inclusive Recovery (REPAIR) programme. Together, these mechanisms have enabled a coordinated financial response to the cyclones’ impact. The two cyclones affected more than half a million people and displaced at…
Author: Montage Africa
By Rédaction Africanews with AFP Thousands took part in one of Zanzibar’s largest communal Iftar meals at the island’s Amani Stadium, where Muslims and non-Muslims gathered to break the fast at sunset during Ramadan. “We have just managed to showcase to the whole world that Zanzibar is a destination of peace, unity and love,” said Arif Abbas Manji, the head of the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism. That the event drew so many people was also an intentional goal for the organisers. “We aim to break a few records in terms of the number Iftar. The record, apart from Mecca and…
By Wahany Johnson SAMBOU Macky Sall to succeed United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres? Not everyone in Senegal likes the idea. Victims of the violence in 2021 and 2024 under the former president’s regime are strongly opposed. So are some of ruling majority, including this Member of Parliament for PASTEF. “The UN must not become a laundering place for blood crimes and economic crimes,” says Guy Marius Sagna, “and the former president of Senegal, Macky Sall, committed and encouraged blood crimes and economic crimes in Senegal.” Sall’s supporters deny the accusations and are downplaying the opposition to their leader’s candidacy.…
Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo regained the world half-marathon record as he claimed victory in Lisbon on Sunday. The 25-year-old won in 57 minutes and 20 seconds to take 10 seconds off the record set by Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha in Valencia in 2024. Kiplimo was the previous record holder, having clocked 57:31 on the same Lisbon course in 2021. The three-time world cross-country champion also ran 56:42 in Barcelona last year but that performance was not ratified by World Athletics because of illegal pacing assistance. “I’m so happy to break the world record,” said Kiplimo. “After the first 10km, I thought the world record was…
Step up and showcase your impact! World Travel Market (WTM) Africa is urging responsible tourism stakeholders to submit their entries for the Responsible Tourism Awards before the 20 March deadline. Free to enter and open to companies of all sizes, including emerging startups and individual entrepreneurs, the awards spotlight initiatives solving real challenges and shaping the future of tourism in Africa. Winners will be announced on 14 April in the Host City of Cape Town at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) during WTM Africa 2026. “Established in 2004, these prestigious annual awards remain a leading platform for championing…
Often, I am the only woman in the room – sometimes, the only African woman. This is not a complaint, but a statement of fact. It is my starting point, and it has offered me an unexpected advantage: being the only one sharpens your awareness. You notice what others overlook. Early in my career, I believed that dedication and results alone would be enough to transform this industry. But I have since realized that progress demands more than just individual determination -it requires intentional, collective action. Years later, the landscape has shifted: more women attend conferences, more enter junior roles,…
Julie Muriuki, Adjunct facilitator and consultant at Nia Delta In February 2026, African heads of state came together at the African Union Summit and issued a presidential declaration to accelerate local manufacturing of health products, medicines, and technologies across the continent. This commitment, rooted in economic sovereignty, pandemic preparedness, and resilience marked more than a policy statement: it was an acknowledgment that Africa’s future depends on decisions grounded in evidence, science, and data. Yet making good policy work in practice requires more than political will. It requires leaders who understand how to use data wisely, partner with science communities effectively, and translate…
By Africanews with AP Sacks of dried cocoa beans sit unsold in homes and warehouses in the Ivorian village of Kouamé-Kouassikro, near Bouaflé, while farmers hold receipts instead of cash. A sharp fall in cocoa prices over the past year has left beans rotting in some West African warehouses, while global chocolate makers scramble for supplies and consumers seek their fix. Ivory Coast, the world’s leading cocoa producer, had to purchase an excess supply of cocoa beans from farmers in January and this week slashed the price by more than half for 2026. Agricultural worker’s unions in west Africa say…
At least 23 people have been killed in Nairobi after heavy rain overnight caused severe flooding in Kenya’s capital city. Police said about 30 people had been rescued but many others drowned after being swept into rivers – some have been electrocuted. Kenya’s military has been deployed to help people trapped inside their cars as police described widespread damage to properties as well as road closures. Several flights bound for Nairobi Airport had to be cancelled or diverted to the coastal city of Mombasa. “The torrential rains have led to significant flooding, unfortunately resulting in 23 fatalities so far, the…
By Kwabena Adu Gyamfi with AP There is something quietly devastating about watching food rot. For cocoa farmers in parts of Ghana and Ivory Coast, that is not a hypothetical, it is a reality some have faced in recent months, as beans they harvested have sat unsold, buyers unwilling or unable to take them at a price that makes the effort worthwhile. It is a jarring turn for a crop that, not long ago, seemed to be having a moment. Last year, cocoa prices surged to historic highs, briefly crossing $10,000 per tonne on global markets, a figure that made…