The impact of digital transformation on Africa’s music industry
Hello Venturer,
Interesting things are happening across Africa; good, very good, and not-so-good things, and it is our mission to keep you abreast of these things. First, let me share some good news; COVID-19 vaccinations are in full swing across Nigeria and Africa. Have you been vaccinated?
As I write this, over 320,000 people have been vaccinated in Nigeria. This is great news, considering the initial scepticism and hesitancy that greeted the news of the vaccine's arrival in the country. Ghana has administered over 470,000 doses, while Rwanda has administered 345,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines. So far, Africa has administered 7.7 million doses of the vaccine.
Now, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it is important you know this - while the world is making great strides in terms of women empowerment and gender parity, Egypt is doing the moonwalk. Under a newly proposed law, women in Egypt cannot travel without the permission of a male guardian. If you think that is shocking, wait till you see the other regressive ideas included in the proposed bill. We have a short explainer video that addresses it.
It is ironic that while the rest of the world celebrated the progress and achievement of women on International Women's Day not so long ago, women in Egypt are fighting to maintain their rights today. It is our hope that this proposed repressive law does not see the light of day.
Hadassah Egbedi
Writer & Multimedia Content Creator
The impact of digital transformation on Africa’s music industry
Africa’s music industry has become one of the top-rated music industries globally and continues to grow at a steady and consistent rate. From Nigeria's Burna Boy to Ghana's Shatta Wale, Africa is home to some of the world's biggest music sensations, thanks to ever-evolving digital technology. In an interview with Ventures Africa, Joseph Eshio Oghanyan, Lead Digital Strategist and Talent Business Consultant discussed the future of the industry and the role of digital technology in its advancement. Read here.
One Year On: Lockdown learnings that can help businesses thrive beyond the pandemic.
In March 2020, all Visa offices around the world switched swiftly to remote working for the first time in the company's 60-year history. What initially started as a short-term two-week precaution became the new normal. To date, about 21,000 Visa employees are yet to resume work in physical offices globally. In this article, Andrew Torre, Visa’s regional president for Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, share learnings from one year of unparalleled change that can help businesses post-covid. Read here.
Namibia stops tax on sanitary products.
Namibia is the latest among a few African countries to abolish tax on sanitary products, following Kenya, Zambia, Rwanda, South Africa, and Tanzania. Although Tanzania reinstated taxes on sanitary products after the government realised that retailers did not lower their prices. Why the clamour and need to abolish period taxes? Period poverty is real. Read here.
Kenya’s new business regulatory toolkit will promote ease of doing business.
In conjunction with the United Kingdom, Kenya has launched a Business Regulatory Toolkit to help local and foreign businesses access information on business regulations in the country. The toolkit will help entrepreneurs understand changing regulatory requirements and also give advice on what regulations are applicable to them at different stages of development. Read here.
Investing in Africa’s Engineers to build resilience against change in climate.
Over the last couple of years, there have been significant events that raised valid questions around the impact of shifting weather patterns and climate change on the African continent. In March 2019 tropical Cyclone Idai made landfall near the Mozambican port city of Beira, ravaging the coastline and inland communities. Sadly, the United Nations estimated that Cyclone Idai and the flooding that followed it claimed the lives of more than 600 people, injured an estimated 1,600 and affected more than 1.8 million people. Read here.
Ethiopia continues to reject international interference in the Tigray region conflict.
Ethiopia has rejected US interference in its internal affairs, particularly concerning the reawakened conflict in the Tigray region. In a meeting with a US commission recently, Demeke Mekonnen, Ethiopia’s deputy prime minister said, “Our people and government do not want any interference in the law enforcement operation on Ethiopia´s territory.” This is the second time Ethiopia has refused international interference in the Tigray region crisis. Read here.
Standard Chartered advocates for women empowerment in the workplace.
Standard Chartered Bank recently organised a power-packed stakeholder for its Corporate, Commercial and Institutional Banking female clients. Tagged, ‘#choosetochallenge Women’s Roundtable. It attracted over 100 corporate clients from various sectors including manufacturing, technology, corporate real estate, FMCGs, oil and gas and many more. Read here.
Glenfiddich unveils opulent new addition to the Grand Series.
Glenfiddich has unveiled Grande Couronne, the newest addition to its Grand Series. The maverick whisky brand continues to challenge conventions with the unexpected marriage of two luxury worlds. Grande Couronne is a 26-year-old whisky matured in American and European oak casks at the Glenfiddich Distillery in Dufftown, Scotland, before an extended finish of up to two years in meticulously sourced French Cognac casks. Read here.
The VA Pod: Herstory
This week on Herstory: Samia Suluhu Hassan is Tanzania’s first female president following the unexpected death of former President John Magufuli and Kenya's constitutional court dismisses a petition to strike down the Female Genital Mutilation Act, which outlaws the traditional practice of female circumcision. Listen here.
Egyptian women kick against repressive new law.
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Remember to stay safe!
In light of the coronavirus pandemic, we hope that you’re keeping safe. Please observe social distancing, ensure to wear your face mask in public, regularly and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based sanitiser. Also, stay home if you feel unwell with symptoms like fever, cough and difficulty breathing.