Ndiho Media,LLC.

South Africa is on the verge of forming a national coalition government for the first time. Partial election results indicate that the ruling African National Congress may lose its parliamentary majority after 30 years. This would require the ANC to form a coalition with other parties, marking a significant shift in the country’s post-apartheid history. VOA’s Paul Ndiho spoke with Ndumiso Cingo, a Strategic Partnerships Manager at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, to gain more insight.

This is an inspiring story about a Kenyan entrepreneur who battled leukemia for 15 years and used her experience to launch her leather handbag brand, “EvaWambui Handbags.” Despite adversity, she turned her passion for handbags into a successful business. She taught herself how to design and make handbags in Kenya and now exports them to the United States and beyond. Her brand is gaining attention and generating a buzz. VOA’s Paul Ndiho interviewed Eva Wambui, the creative designer and founder of “EvaWambui Handbags,” who aims to inspire other women worldwide facing life-threatening challenges.

Earlier this month, a team of 12 Ghanaian STEM students participated in the 2024 VEX Robotics Championship in Dallas, Texas. This competition is the largest robotics competition in the world, featuring teams from across the globe. Team Ghana was proud to represent their country, among the few African teams at the event. Recently, VOA’s Paul Ndiho interviewed 12-year-old Shadrach Dakurah from Bountiful Technologies STEM Robotics, AI, and Computing Academy in Accra, Ghana, about the competition. 

Vice President Kamala Harris and Kenyan President William Ruto participated in a moderated discussion about strategic partnerships and digital inclusion in Africa at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The event emphasized the growing commercial partnerships between the two countries, the active businesses strengthening trade and investment relations, and the agreements solidifying these connections.

U.S. President Joe Biden welcomed Kenyan President William Ruto to the White House on Thursday for a state visit. Both leaders pledged to usher in a new era of partnership on technology and security.

“Kenya and the United States stand together, committed to each other, committed to our people, and committed to building a better world,” Biden said, noting the two countries are celebrating 60 years of partnership.

Ruto responded, “Today, as we celebrate our past, we are optimistic about our future. Through this state visit, we will have the opportunity to discuss and have a conversation about building global partnership and leadership.”

Ruto’s trip marks the first state visit for an African president to the White House since 2008.

Governments worldwide are working on AI regulations as the technology advances. Although there are concerns about job loss, misinformation, and privacy, AI has the potential to change industries and create opportunities. Amidst these discussions, African analysts advocate for a problem-driven approach to AI policy creation that could propel the continent to the forefront of this technology. Jacques Bonjawo, a renowned author, Computer Scientist, and tech entrepreneur, joins us in the studio. His pioneering work and leadership in African AI initiatives make him a key figure in this conversation.

Kenyan President William Ruto inaugurated Vivo Fashion Group, a female-led retail fashion store, in Atlanta, Georgia. Vivo has allied with Kenyan retail brands to export products made in Kenya to the United States. The opening of Vivo’s first store in the United States is a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit of women, who have been instrumental in showcasing the potential of Kenyan entrepreneurship. Anna Njoroge, owner and C.E.O. of Ythera Beauty, spoke to VOA’s Paul Ndiho.

Anne Rweyora, Co-Founder and CEO of Smart Havens Africa is one of Uganda’s most successful social entrepreneurs and a beacon of hope for women’s empowerment. She has constructed over 100 homes, providing shelter and a pathway to homeownership for low-income families, a testament to the power of social entrepreneurship.
Anne founded Smart Havens Africa, a social enterprise in 2018 in Kampala, Uganda. The company provides low-cost, eco-friendly, affordable housing solutions for low-income families, especially women. Despite frequent hardships, Anne’s ability to succeed as a social entrepreneur has significantly impacted her community.

Little Hands Go Green is a nonprofit organization in Uganda that teaches kids about the environment and how to care for it. They do this by organizing fun activities like planting fruit trees nationwide. The goal is to help children develop a love for nature and become responsible stewards of the environment, which will positively impact the environment for many years. Joseph Masembe, the CEO and Founder of Little Hands Go Green spoke with VOA about their work and the importance of promoting environmental awareness for future generations.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump, aged 77, has been found in contempt of court by Judge Juan Merchan for repeatedly violating a partial gag order. This order aims to prevent Trump from using his extensive media platform to attack witnesses and court members and influence the trial. In addition to the fines already imposed, Trump now faces the possibility of jail time for any future violations. This trial marks the first criminal prosecution of a former U.S. president. It is one of four pending cases, including a long-delayed trial on charges that Trump attempted to overturn the results of the 2020 election, which he lost to Biden.