Held in Ivory Coast in January and February 2024, the finals witnessed some early surprises and an incredible performance by the host nation. Despite Ivory Coast losing two out of three group-stage games, including a 4-0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea, they managed to scrape into the knockout phase. This led to the dismissal of head coach Jean-Louis Gasset. Assistant Emerse Fae took charge as interim manager and remarkably guided the team to the final.

In the final, Ivory Coast faced Nigeria, who had beaten them 1-0 in the group stage. Despite Ivory Coast’s struggles in the group stage, they emerged victorious in the final, defeating Nigeria 2-1 on February 10, 2024. William Troost-Ekong gave Nigeria a first-half lead, but Franck Kessie equalized just after the hour mark. Sebastien Haller, who had taken a break from football due to a cancer diagnosis in 2022, scored the winning goal with nine minutes left in normal time.

This victory marked Ivory Coast’s third Africa Cup of Nations title and their first since 2015. They became the first host nation to win the championship since Egypt in 2006. Ghana, Cameroon, and Egypt remain the only nations to have won the tournament more times.

Speaking of tournament history, Egypt stands out as the most dominant nation in the Africa Cup of Nations, winning seven titles, including the inaugural competition in 1957. Six other nations have won the trophy more than once, resulting in a total of 15 winners throughout the tournament’s history.

The 1994 Super Eagles started building in 1990, and their success was a result of hard work and team building over the years. The team worked together to achieve common goals, starting from the 1990 Nations Cup. The team had a mix of players coming in and out during preparations, but everyone was committed to putting in their best. Team spirit and a willingness to sacrifice for the collective goal were crucial. Unity, dedication, and determination were key elements.

Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro addressed the factors contributing to Nigeria’s 2-1 defeat in the Africa Cup of Nations final. Peseiro cited nervousness among his players, contrasting it with the Ivory Coast team, which played without pressure. He acknowledged the opponents’ quality and speed but highlighted his team’s discomfort, leading to a high number of lost balls and a 61% to 39% possession advantage for the Elephants. Despite the shortcomings, Peseiro praised his players for their efforts in reaching the final and giving their best in the tournament.

The current Super Eagles team should use setbacks, such as defeat in the just concluded matches as learning opportunities. Assessing and correcting mistakes ahead of the next AFCON is crucial for improvement.

The post AFCON 2023: Triumph and Resilience appeared first on African Leadership Magazine.

The 51-year-old’s appointment means white men will not be the majority on the nation’s high court for the first time in 233 years.

President Joe Biden called it a “historic moment for our nation.”

“This milestone should have happened generations ago… but we are always trotting on a path towards a perfect union. Nevertheless, America today is taking a giant step towards making our union more perfect,” Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said.

“People sometimes talk about standing on the shoulders of giants; well, Judge Jackson will go down in history as an American giant upon whose shoulders others will stand tall. And our democracy will be better off for it.”

Jackson picked up support from three Senate Republicans during a gruelling and brutal confirmation process, delivering Biden a bipartisan 53-47 approval for his first Supreme Court nominee.

It is a huge moment for the president, who chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee in the 1980s and 90s, meaning he has the unprecedented distinction of naming and overseeing a Supreme Court justice appointment.

Crucially, it has allowed Biden to show the Black voters who rescued his floundering 2020 primary campaign that he can deliver for them following the recent defeat of voting rights legislation.

At 42 days, the confirmation will be among the shortest in history, although longer than it took to seat Donald Trump’s last court pick during his presidency, Amy Coney Barrett.

The post US Senate confirms First Black Woman, Ketanji Brown-Jackson to the Supreme Court appeared first on African Leadership Magazine.

The leaders who spoke at a strategy meeting held in Abuja on Wednesday stated that for democracy to endure it must yield basic public goods to its citizens.

They spoke at the formal inauguration of the West African Elders Forum, an initiative of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) with support from OSIWA, which seeks to limit electoral violence and promote democratic stability in West Africa. The Forum has former presidents in the sub-region as members.

Other former Presidents who participated in the virtual event are Pedro Pires, Cabo Verde, Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberia, Amos Sawyer, Liberia, Ernest Bai Koroma, Sierra Leone as well as former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar and Mrs. Aminata Traore, former Senegalese Prime Minister.

Former President Jonathan who is the Chairman of GJF described the West African Elders Forum as an initiative aimed at leveraging the rich resources of eminent personalities in West Africa to promote peace and support processes that enhance sustainable democracy.

He stated that the vision “is to harness the experience and wisdom of our region’s eminent leaders to advance the course of political stability and the quest for economic progress and prosperity in our countries.”

The leaders thanked former President Jonathan for initiating the Forum and promised to lend their support to its engagements and programmes.

Speaking in support of the initiative former President Obasanjo noted that the leaders need to work individually and collectively “to deal with post-pandemic development like governance to build an inclusive society within our respective societies in West Africa.”

Similarly, former President Sirleaf said: “Many of us have been involved in mediations and interventions either as individuals or sometimes as part of institutional arrangements to achieve the objective of good governance, peace and security. But we have lacked a collective African effort and this is what this group will bring.”

In his own intervention, former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar observed a pattern of rising insecurity not only in our sub-region but the world over. “We have seen the efforts of ECOWAS in establishing democracy in the subregion. I am happy that President Goodluck Jonathan has deemed it fit to establish this forum of eminent personalities to alleviate the problems we encounter in establishing democracy and also in fighting insecurity.”

Also speaking, former Sierra Leonean President Ernest Bai Koroma said: “The more progress we have made, the more challenges we are experiencing,   even in the areas of governance. That is why I believe an initiative like this is very timely because of the trend that we are experiencing in elections and post-elections.”

Speaking further, former President Jonathan said: “It is evident that as former heads of state, we have not relented in our individual efforts in maintaining stability in Africa and expanding the democratic space. We have worked towards fostering free and fair elections as well as the peaceful transfer of power from one administration to another.

“But with this Forum, we can collectively work as a team to reduce political violence and electoral conflicts in West Africa.  This is consistent with the goal of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation to support democratic transitions and manage political emergencies within the continent.

The former President noted that over the last few decades, the West African region has demonstrated leadership and political will by setting the pace in transforming a regional group of states into a ‘secured community’ on the continent.

“Regrettably, the peace and stability of the region is being eroded because of many reasons including political contestation for power, the spread of terrorism and the negative effects of the Covid 19 pandemic.

“We recognize the efforts of the United Nations Office for West Africa, the African Union, ECOWAS, the various states and other development partners aimed at promoting peace and stability in this region.

“With this Forum we are to collectively exert our goodwill towards preserving the peace in our nations, some of them fragile, and prevent them from descending into anarchy.  It is my hope that through the Forum, we will be able to leverage your collective knowledge, years of experience, passion and deep understanding of the issues to contribute to ongoing efforts towards limiting violence and instability and protecting the integrity of democratic processes within the region.

“As Elders, we will encourage current leaders to embrace the concept of democracy. That leaving behind a lasting legacy of people-oriented leadership that positively impacts the lives of ordinary citizens is crucial.

“We have played and are currently playing key roles in promoting peace and stability within the region. We are all united by our common passion and commitment to see the region progress.”

The post West African Leaders Call For Strengthening Of Democratic Institutions appeared first on African Leadership Magazine.

Tusker Brand Manager, Kennedy Mutula, present at the official travel kit handover to the Kenya National Paralympics Committee, commended the team for their commitment and preparation for the upcoming games in Tokyo this month.

“We applaud the Kenyan Paralympics team for their meticulous preparations through the qualifying stage and finally as they set out to Tokyo to represent us at the Paralympic Games. As Tusker, we felt it was necessary for Kenya’s Paralympians to dawn their national attire that speaks to the support they have back home. We hope this kit adds that extra bit of motivation as they travel to conquer the world as this year’s games” he said.

Kenya’s travelling contingent consists of 54 athletes and officials who will represent the country in its 22nd competition since its initial participation in the 1972 Paralympic Games.

Mutula appreciated the efforts put in place by Kenya Paralympics National Committee (KNPC) to provide platforms that all Kenyans can express themselves with. He believed that such platforms will enable the team to don the country’s national stripes and represent it well at the games.

The post Kenya Paralympics Team Receives Kit from KBL for 2020 Tokyo Games appeared first on African Leadership Magazine.

In an award ceremony that possessed categories such as honours for long and distinguished service, meritorious, silver jubilee and mid-career, the individuals celebrated this year include the 2020 recipients who could not be honoured due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking during the event in Gaborone on Friday, June 4, 2021, the Minister of Basic Education, Mr Fidelis Molao, disclosed that it was a historical moment for the country as it was the first time a virtual event of that nature was held.

“We managed to reach out to all of our regions and sub-regions and had the opportunity to live stream on Youtube for all teachers across the country to observe,” he said.

Mr. Molao noted that the ministry had to work seriously against the disruptions of the Covid-19 pandemic which refused the celebrations in 2020. Commending the efforts of everyone involved, he revealed that it was the kind of teamwork that would propel the ministry forward in transforming education in Botswana. He further admonished the teachers and implored them to reflect on their achievements as they celebrated their day and to continue improving on the important work of raising future generations.

The post Education Ministry in Botswana Award 170 Teachers appeared first on African Leadership Magazine.

In an age where the scramble for the newest high–tech gadgets such as smartphones, tablets, televisions, Bluetooth speakers and earphones etc. is only increasing, one cannot help but ask the question as to what happens to broken, outdated and malfunctioning gadgets, regarded as e-waste, which has outlived their purpose and serves no need for use to the currency of technology? Statistics from the UN–affiliated Global E-waste Monitor report show that nearly 54 million metric tons of e-waste were generated around the world in 2019, and this includes everything from phones, tablets and computer parts to larger appliances like refrigerators and old fax machines. According to the United Nations, together all the waste weigh ‘more than all the commercial airliners ever made. To cap the equation, this forms part of 11.2 billion tonnes of solid waste which is produced on Earth which, according to the United Nations contribute to about 5 percent of all global greenhouse emissions. The numbers are alarming, and it is to this extent that recycling as a subject is forming a key part of the discussion in the world, especially as it relates to reducing and helping to cure the effects of climate change.

In Africa, it is estimated that only 4 percent of waste is being recycled – which is a far cry from the African Union vision that ‘African cities will be recycling at least 50 percent of the waste they generate by 2023. And, from the statistics above, only a fraction represents the amount of e-waste recycled on the African continent which is inadequate when compared to a number of the high-tech gadgets existing on the continent. In Nigeria alone, it is estimated that more than 90 million people use enabled gadgets with smartphones representing a lot of that number. Inevitably, it becomes important to look into how Africa improve can improve its e-waste recycling capacity at some point, and, graciously enough, Rwanda has the answer for the continent.

Generally, 13 countries have passed national legislation regarding e-waste regulation in Africa, according to the Global E-Waste Monitor report, but Rwanda is doing the most with that channel as it has developed the first official recycling and refurbishing facility in the country which has been in operation since July 2020. The State of the Art facility, which is the product of a public-private partnership between the government and Dubai-based Enviroserve has become a source of pride for Rwanda as it possesses the capacity to process up to 10,000 metric tons of e-waste per year.

The Lesson for Africa

Since its inception, according to the Managing Director, Olivier Mbera, Enviroserve has repaired and refurbished more than 5,000 computers, which were sold to public schools and it has also process more than 4,000 tons of e-waste while creating more than 600 jobs. Through this, the Rwandan government, already known for its activity towards green growth, has demonstrated further an admirable commitment to climate resiliency, investing in cleans energy access and sustainable e-waste management which supports it goal of reaching 48 percent of its population with off-grid energy solutions.

It must be realized, however, that Rwanda’s success with Enviroserve which is positioning the country to lead the discussion of e-waste management on the continent was not built in a day, just like Rome, as the policy discussions around how to manage its e-waste began as far back as 2008, with formal approval of an e-waste policy finally arriving in 2016. This policy provided guiding principles in dealing with e-waste and roles and responsibilities for institutions in the country. Legal instruments were then created in the form of law, regulations and adequate infrastructure to handle the increasing generation of e-waste.

One main benefit which comes with handling E-waste management better with such State of a Art facility is the creation of a circular economy, which is the act of putting all waste to use again through recycling. Aptly putting the need to consider such approach in light of e-waste management, Mbera noted that ‘E-waste is often looked at as a problem’, but as Rwanda has demonstrated, it is also a resource if the continent can just put a little more effort into waste management through which he states that ‘we could achieve great things.

The Opportunity for Gold

It has been mooted that, perhaps, the biggest opportunity for sub-Saharan nations lies in extracting the valuable raw materials and metals present in such a large amount of waste from electronics. The UN estimates as much as 7 percent of the world’s gold deposit to be in e-waste, and not only gold, but other materials such as silver and platinum which are resident in electronic devices which can be extracted and used to generate revenue or income for businesses. In a world that is tech-driven, one cannot but imagine the number of resources that go into the production of electronic items. It is an opportunity to key into.

Rwanda, through Enviroserve, has furthered the initiative on waste recycling and management, in effect, providing a blueprint for other African governments and countries to follow. It becomes necessary to consider the proposition given the benefits within which also includes the guarantee of a clean and safe environment. African leaders should encourage and engage in policy discussions on issues of waste management generally and look into relevant approaches to scale up recycling to go far above the poor 4 percent mark that has been attached to the continent. Building facilities such as Enviroserve should be part of the continent’s visionary look into a future that will only ever know an increase in the rate of high tech gadgets and appliances.

The post Rwanda: Leading Africa’s E-Waste Recycling and Management with Enviroserve appeared first on African Leadership Magazine.

The beneficiaries are among 112 persons under 40 years of age, selected as Young Global Leaders by WEF, from across 56 countries.

The two Nigerians, Dr. Abasi Ene-Obong, founder, 54gene and Obi Ozor, the founder of Kobo360, joined the ranks of past Nigerian winners, Ambassador Debo Adesina, former Editor-in-Chief of the Guardian Newspapers and current Nigerian Ambassador to Togo, and Mr. Simon Kolawole, CEO of Cable Newspapers Ltd.

While announcing the winners, the WEF confirmed that the African YGLs will benefit from the Aliko Dangote Fellowship, made possible by the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF).

To underscore his nomination, WEF said Dr. Abasi Ene-Obong, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, 54gene, has quietly been making waves at the head of one of Africa’s foremost health technology companies, working in the field of gene technology. 54gene was created in 2019 and its stated mission is to understand the genetic factors that lead to disease in Africa.

The African genome has been understudied and misunderstood, according to 54gene, which addresses a vital gap in research and new healthcare solutions. 54gene’s work is included in Time Magazine’s list of the 12 innovations that will change healthcare in 2020.

Ene-Obong was also listed as one of the 30 most innovative entrepreneurs on the African continent in 2019 by Quartz Africa. Prior to 54gene, he worked in a range of pharmaceutical companies and research organisations. He gained a doctorate from the University of London, holding a PhD in Cancer Biology. He also has a Master’s in human molecular genetics from Imperial College London and a Master’s in Business Management from Claremont Colleges, California. As Africa starts punching its weight in science and technology, Ene-Obong is sure to lead the charge for gene-based innovation.

On his own part, Kobo360 floated by Obi Ozor, is a logistic technology company that aggregates end-to-end haulage operations to help cargo owners, truck owners, drivers, and cargo recipients achieve an efficient supply chain framework.

With only a click of a button, cargo owners can simply request for any truck of their choice and have their goods picked up and delivered to the required location through an all-in-one robust logistics ecosystem. Kobo360 raised $30 million USD in 2019, backed by Goldman Sachs, an impressive feat for a startup.

Since its inception, 73 Young Leaders from Africa have benefitted from the fellowship. The aim of the fellowship is to increase the quality and quantity of young African leaders by supporting the engagement of African YGLs in the community, such as those from small enterprises or the non-business sector. The fellowship, WEF added, supports YGLs from Africa to participate in global YGL and Forum events.

The YGL award, according to WEF, “is to recognise and create a platform for a dynamic community of exceptional people with the vision, courage, and influence to drive positive change in the world.”

“We are excited to welcome 112 Young Global Leaders for the Class of 2021. From a gender justice and human rights activist to a multi-award winning artist and advocate for indigenous literacy, to a celebrated leader from the world’s youngest country as well as leaders from business, civil society, healthcare and government.” 

Chief Executive of Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), Zouera Youssoufou, congratulated Ene-Obong and Ozor for this accomplishment and urged them to continue raising the Nigerian and African flags.

She said ADF was pleased to have worked with 54gene and Kobo360 at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 when CACOVID partnered with various organisations for collaborative efforts to complement the government’s intervention to fight the pandemic.

“We are very pleased to see Dr. Abasi Ene-Obong and Obi Ozor recognised in this way given the remarkable work they and their young team have been able to accomplish recently and especially in this past year. 54Gene and Kobo360, have been an integral part of the national rapid response to the COVID-19 pandemic displaying exemplary professionalism, efficiency, dedication, and patriotism. Truly inspirational and further proof that Nigerian and African youth are capable of anything given the right opportunities”, Zouera enthused.

Many of the past winners have gone ahead to prove their leadership and enterprising ability in their various fields of endeavour to justify the essence of the award and the genuineness of their nomination.

Giving a breakdown analysis of the winners, the WEF said among the 56 countries represented in the award, eleven leaders hail from Africa and their work brings the promise of a brighter outlook at a difficult time. “They join a group of Nobel Prize recipients, Pulitzer winners, Heads of state and chief executive officers committed to improving the state of the world”, it noted.

The Forum of Young Global Leaders was founded in 2005 by Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, to create a world where leaders take responsibility for a sustainable future while meeting increasingly complex and interrelated challenges. There are 1,400 members and alumni from more than 120 countries to date.

The post WEF Confers Two Young Enterprising Nigerians with Aliko Dangote Fellowship appeared first on African Leadership Magazine.

Three classes were granted permission and these include Grade 7, Form 4 and Form 6.  The permission to reopen the schools was commissioned with strict instruction for the institutions to follow the World Health Organization (WHO) Covid19 guidelines as all resuming schools had students wearing their facemasks, observing social distancing as well as sanitizing their hands and checking temperature before entering the various classes. Alongside students, teachers were also wearing facemasks and observing social distancing to ensure everyone was on a safer side.

In keeping with the guidelines, many groups of schools have given the assurance that all writing students were safe as they are putting in maximum efforts to make sure everyone observes the protocols that have been put in place.

Many schools in provinces across the country have resumed and commenced preparations for the resumption of most of their students in the coming weeks with the hope that activities would continue in order to restore normalcy to society.

The post Schools Begin to Resume in Zimbabwe as Coronavirus Cases Decrease appeared first on African Leadership Magazine.

Wizkid won the award alongside Beyoncé and her daughter, Blue Ivy, while the Best Music Video award is given to the artist, video director and video producer.

Nominated for a second consecutive year, Burna Boy, whose real name is Damini Ogulu, won with his Twice As Tall album which is seen as many to be iconic. The 29-year-old beat four others including the Malian band, Tinariwen.

The 63rd Grammy Awards ceremony billed as “music’s biggest night”, was done differently this year because of the coronavirus pandemic as there is no audience, and performers have been separated onto five stages, arranged in a circle inside the Los Angeles Convention Center to maintain social distancing.

This sets Africa on the global stage with a representation of the rich flow of Afrobeats which the continent is blessed with. In winning the Grammys, Burna Boy and Wizkid join other notable African artistes like Sade Adu and Angelique Kidjo to stand on the grand stage.

The post Nigeria’s Burna Boy and Wizkid Feature On the Global Stage as They Win Grammys appeared first on African Leadership Magazine.

Winner: Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General, WHO

Runner up: Strive Masiyiwa, Founder, Econet Group, Zimbabwe (Co-winner)

2. African Political Leader of the Year 2020

Winner: H.E. Nana Akufo-Addo, President of Ghana 

Runner-up: H.E. John Magufuli, President of Tanzania (Co-winner)

3. African Female Leader of the Year 2020

Winner: Tiguidanke Camara, Chairman & CEO, TMG Group, Guinea

Runner-up: Vera Songwe, Executive Secretary, UNECA (Co-winner)

4. African Educationist of the Year 2020

Winner: Professor Samuel Edoumiekumo, Vice-Chancellor, Niger Delta University

Runner-up: Dr Patrick Awuah Jr. Founder, Ashesi University, Ghana (Co-winner)

5. African Industrialist of the Year 2020

Winner: Nicky Oppenheimer, Chairman, Oppenheimer Generations, South Africa

Runner-up: Abdulsamad Rabiu, Chairman, BUA Group, Nigeria (Co-winner)

6. African Philanthropist of the Year 2020 

Winner: Mo Ibrahim, Founder, Mo Ibrahim Foundation, Sudan – Winner

Runner-up: Ayo & Helen Oritsejafor, Founders, Eagle Hand Foundation, Nigeria (Co-winner)

7. ALM Young Person of the Year 2020

Winner: Sadio Mane, Footballer, Senegal

Runner-up: Eder Pale, Founder & CEO, Mozhandlings, Mozambique (Co-winner)

8. African Agricultural Champion of the Year 2020

Winner: Onyeka Akumah, Co-founder, FarmCrowdy, Nigeria

Runner-up: Noel Doyle, Chief Executive, Tiger Brand, South Africa (Co-winner)

9. African Climate Champion of the Year 2020 

Winner: Graca Machel, the former first lady and climate activist, Mozambique

Runner-up: Agnes Matilda Kalibata, President, Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (Co-winner)

10. Africa Peace & Security Leader of the Year 2020 

Winner: H.E. Goodluck Jonathan, former president of Nigeria

Runner-up: General Vincent Nundwe, Army Commander, Malawi (Co-winner)

11. African Energy Leader of the Year 2020

Winner: Kwameh Kyei, MD/CEO, Unity Oil Company Ltd, Ghana

Runner-up: Nkechi Obi, MD/CEO, Techno Oil, Nigeria (Co-winner)

12. African Public Health Champion of the Year 2020

Winner: Dr John Nkengasong, Director General, Africa CDC, Cameroon

Runner-up: Jean-Jacques Muvembe, Ebola Vaccine, Congo (Co-winner)

13. Africa Disruptor of the Year 2020 

Winner: Kamal Yakub, Founder, Uber for Tractors, Ghana

Runner-up: Ken Njoroge, Co-founder & Group CEO, Cellulant Corporation, Kenya (Co-winner)

The post African Leadership Magazine Persons of The Year 2020 appeared first on African Leadership Magazine.