Japan is reshaping its relationship with Africa by transitioning from traditional aid to strategic venture capital investments, targeting sectors such as fintech, mobility, and climate technology. As global investors rethink conventional VC models that often overlook Africa’s unique challenges, Japanese firms are stepping in with approaches tailored to local realities. Their model incorporates capacity building and technology sharing. Backed by major commitments announced at TICAD 9—including billions in financing and large-scale skills development—Japan’s private and public players are now steadily expanding their footprint across the continent. Firms such as Samurai Incubate, Kepple Africa Ventures, and Uncovered Fund are leading the…
Author: Montage Africa
By Kwabena Adu Gyamfi Africa is being faced with a rare and worrying convergence. Ethiopia has confirmed its first-ever outbreak of the Marburg virus, what many have described as a deadly relative of Ebola, while across the continent, cholera is surging at its fastest pace in 25 years. Both health crises are serious on their own, but together they reveal a deeper challenge: African health systems are under immense pressure. In rural parts of Ethiopia, families are grappling with fear and confusion as news of Marburg spreads. The virus, highly contagious and often fatal, has prompted emergency teams from the…
In a major step for sustainable technology, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has announced its first production of 1,000 tons of fully traceable artisanal cobalt. This is a pivotal development for the mineral, which is essential for powering electric vehicles and other electronics. The DRC, responsible for over 70% of global cobalt reserves, has an informal artisanal mining sector, often linked to significant ethical and environmental challenges. With global cobalt demand projected to surge 40% by 2030, manufacturers are now demanding proof of ethical sourcing. This new traceable supply directly addresses that pressure, marking a crucial move toward formalizing the…
By Rédaction Africanews and AP As world leaders meet at the COP30 summit in Brazil, the urgent need to hit a global target of protecting 30 percent of the world’s ocean by 2030 has been brought into stark focus by an international science mission which has just returned with new evidence from the depths of the Indian Ocean. Sharks – the ocean’s apex predators – observed at depths from 300 metres and 900 metres down in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Comoros – a nation emblematic of many small island states bearing the brunt of climate destabilisation and…
As we approach World Diabetes Day on November 14, civil society organisations warn that the cost of inaction on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes is already being paid for in lives, livelihoods and lost potential. The Healthy Living Alliance (HEALA) is calling on the South African government to increase the Health Promotion Levy (HPL) on sugary drinks from 11% to 20%, to help curb sugary drinks consumption and reduce the financial burden on the health system from rising non-communicable diseases. “Diabetes is now the second leading cause of death in South Africa,1 yet every year we allow preventable diseases to…
A seismic shift is underway in Nigerian pop music, as a new vanguard of artists rises to global prominence alongside the established “Big Three” of Davido, Wizkid, and Burna Boy. This fresh class, led by the dynamic trio of Rema, Tems, and Asake, is expanding the very sound and scope of Afropop. Rema’s high-energy hits, including the multi-platinum “Calm Down (Remix),” have taken him from viral freestyles to sold-out arenas worldwide. Tems has captivated international audiences with her soulful vocals, becoming a Grammy-winning and highly sought-after collaborator. Completing this new trifecta, Asake has taken the scene by storm with an unparalleled hit-making…
The Dangote Group has agreed on a $1 billion deal with Zimbabwe to establish an integrated industrial complex, marking a major boost for the country’s Vision 2030 industrialization agenda. The investment spans cement production, mining, and energy, including a cement factory with a limestone quarry, a coal mine, and a power station to support operations and strengthen the national energy supply. This integrated approach is strategically designed to bolster Zimbabwe’s manufacturing capabilities while simultaneously tackling its persistent energy and infrastructure deficits. The project aims to reduce reliance on imports, expand local manufacturing, and generate thousands of jobs, particularly for youth. By fostering…
A groundbreaking chemical analysis has provided definitive proof that ancient Egyptians consumed opium, confirming what textual and archaeological evidence has long suggested. Researchers from the Yale Ancient Pharmacology Program analyzed organic residue from a 2,500-year-old alabaster vase from the Babylonian Collection using a novel, nondestructive technique. Their examination revealed the presence of key opium biomarkers, including morphine and noscapine. This discovery moves beyond confirming ritual or medicinal use, strongly indicating that opium was also used recreationally across different levels of society. The vase is inscribed in Akkadian, Elamite, Persian, and Egyptian and dates to the reign of Xerxes I. Its discovery…
Damian Burnett, Sales Director at VAS-X Modern customers no longer compare their experience with one telecoms operator against another, they benchmark their engagements against the best digital interactions they’ve had anywhere. This means that if your self-service portal isn’t intuitive, easy to use and available 24/7, your customers will notice and they might even be inspired to go elsewhere. In fact, a 2017 McKinsey & Co study found that the telecoms companies that implement a comprehensive, analytics-based approach to managing their customer base – which means that they’re using customer data to improve how they address customers needs and provide better experiences –…
By Rédaction Africanews with agencies Government officials in Cameroon updated the death toll in last month’s post-election protests, saying on Wednesday that 16 people died and more than 800 others were arrested. Data from two United Nations sources estimate that at least 48 civilians were killed during the demonstrations, while opposition groups put the toll at 55. There has been widespread international criticism of the violent crackdown by security forces on the protesters. Human Rights Watch on Wednesday accused the police and gendarmes of using lethal force, committing killings, and arbitrarily detaining hundreds of people. The NGO said many protesters…