Since April 2023, a war has been raging in Sudan between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy, RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. The UN reports that over 10 million people, about a fifth of Sudan’s population, have been forced from their homes due to the war. Among them is Sudanese journalist Shakoor Nyaketo, who fled to Qatar via Ethiopia and Kenya. VOA’s Paul Ndiho spoke to Nyaketo about the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a U.S. government agency, has invested over $10 billion in programs in 24 African countries. Two-thirds of its portfolio is dedicated to African partner countries committed to good governance and investing in their people.
The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is helping countries seize economic opportunities and fight poverty by delivering clean water, improving transportation, enhancing agriculture, and increasing access to reliable electricity. Last month, MCC signed a $480 million compact to help millions in Sierra Leone access affordable and reliable electricity. Alice Albright, Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), is here in the studio to shed some light on these programs.
A leading fintech company, PremierCredit, in Zambia, has expanded into new markets and rebranded to eShandi, marking a significant milestone in its journey to empower African individuals and businesses. Originally a microfinance institution in Zambia, eShandi has expanded to Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Kenya. The company’s portfolio includes various financial products and services, from digital loans to mobile banking. Its primary focus is on promoting financial literacy to ensure informed borrowing decisions. I spoke to Chilufya Mutale, the co-founder and the group’s Chief Visionary Officer, who expressed excitement about crossing a million customer subscriptions and what’s in store for eShandi.
In this edition of Straight Talk Africa, Vincent Makori explores how Artificial Intelligence is evolving in Africa and discusses with his guests whether it can fuel economic growth. He is joined by VOA Africa technology reporter Paul Ndiho, Dr. Rose Nakasi, lecturer at Makerere University, head of Makerere AI Health Lab and fellow at Google AI for Global Goals, and Ambassador Philip Thigo, Special Envoy on Technology for Kenya.
In rural Eastern Uganda, John and Joyce Wanda, residents of Arlington, Virginia, have dedicated themselves to providing quality education and healthcare to children in their community through The Arlington Academy of Hope. With the support of donors from around the world, these 540 boys and girls not only excelled academically but also gained the opportunity to pursue secondary and university education, a testament to the impact of the Arlington Academy of Hope in Bududa, District in Eastern Uganda. Joyce Wanda, co-founder of Arlington Academy of Hope, is joining me in the studio to learn more.
Founded in 2018 as the Kenya Airlift Program, the program aims to offer bright, talented Kenyans access to STEM graduate programs in North America and bridge the gap between global education opportunities and local ambition. This year, the Kenya Airlift Program has grown and evolved, rebranding as the International Scholars Program (ISP) to serve a broader international audience. Since its inception, the program has facilitated millions of dollars in unsecured funding for tuition, living expenses, relocation, scholarships, and grants, a testament to our collective success and growth. The program has over 2,000 members, placing more than 500 students in top North American universities. Joining me in the studio is Bob Mwiti, founder and managing director of The International Scholars Program (ISP)
Nigerian Artist and digital content creator Zainab Zakari is generating a buzz in Northern Nigeria and becoming an internet sensation with her creations. She is a master of her craft—she takes Fruits and vegetables and turns them into works of art, and her story is inspiring. As a self-taught fruit carving artist, Zainab Zakari discovered her passion for this unique art form at a young age. Her ability to transform fruits and vegetables into intricate works of art and use technology and social media is truly remarkable. For instance, she can turn a watermelon into a bouquet of fresh roses or a stunning piece of art. I had the pleasure of speaking with Zainab Zakari about her creative process.
Jihadist groups with ties to al-Qaeda or Islamic State have led an insurgency, resulting in the deaths of thousands of civilians and the displacement of millions in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. The violence has also been a significant factor in military coups since 2020. Last week, the previous two U.S. service members left Niger as part of America’s military withdrawal following the country’s July 2023 coup and agreement reached between the two countries. VOA’s Paul Ndiho spoke with Edgar Githua, an international security and diplomatic expert at Strathmore University in Nairobi, Kenya.
Kenyan President William Ruto arrived in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, over the weekend. The Kenyan police force is currently engaged in battling gangs that have brought the country to its knees. Ruto disembarked and walked past armed officers on a small patch of red carpet flanked by Haitian officials. He then proceeded to a Kenyan base at the airport, where he met with the police force, a key player in the mission to restore security. Kenya was the first nation to send troops as part of a more significant effort by the U.N. to provide international support to Haiti, which has been mired in conflict and political turmoil since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021.
By Paul Ndiho
Across Africa, smart cities are emerging as the future of urban development. These technology-driven cities aim to improve infrastructure, create economic opportunities, and enhance the quality of life for millions of people. But what sets them apart from traditional urban areas, and how is Africa positioning itself to lead in this global trend?
By Dall-E AI
In an interview with Vincent Makori on Straight Talk Africa on VOA, I discussed these issues with John Paul Okwiri, CEO of Konza Technopolis, Kenya’s flagship smart city project. Together, we explored how intelligent cities are reshaping Africa’s urban landscape and the transformative potential they hold for the continent’s future.
“Konza Technopolis is not just a city,” Okwiri explained. “It’s part of Kenya’s Vision 2030, which aims to move the country from a low-income to a middle-income economy by the end of the decade. Konza is designed to be a knowledge-based economy, driven by research, development, and technology. This is a shift from Kenya’s traditional reliance on agriculture and tourism.”
Konza Technopolis is unique in its master-planned approach, built from scratch on greenfield land between Nairobi and Mombasa. The project focuses on three key clusters: ICT (Information and Communication Technology) services, life sciences, and engineering. These sectors are expected to fuel innovation and commercialization, transforming Kenya into a technology hub for Africa.
Okwiri says, “Konza is different from any other city in Kenya because it focuses on these technology clusters. We are not just building a city; we are creating an environment where innovation thrives, where research and development can be commercialized, and where Kenya can transition into a knowledge-based economy.”
Africa’s Advantage in Smart City Development
As urbanization accelerates across the continent, Africa’s smart cities are rising out of necessity as governments look for ways to accommodate growing populations. Unlike Western countries, which must often retrofit existing infrastructure, African nations have the opportunity to build intelligent cities from the ground up.
“We’ve had an advantage,” I explained. “In the Western world, they already had infrastructure, so they’re doing more gentrification. They can’t build intelligent cities from scratch because of existing structures. But here in Africa, we don’t have that legacy infrastructure, so we can leverage new technologies to build entirely new cities.”
This has been the case in cities like Cape Town in South Africa, Eko Atlantic in Nigeria, New Cairo in Egypt, and Konza Technopolis in Kenya. These cities are designed to be tech-driven, with intelligent infrastructure embedded in their foundations.
“The intellectual balance of power has shifted in our favor,” I added. “We have internet access, the best engineering schools, and the best architecture schools. Africans are part of the global community now, learning from examples around the world, from Beijing to Washington. They’re bringing that knowledge back home to build smart cities that can compete globally.”
Konza Technopolis: A Glimpse into the Future
Okwiri emphasized the importance of innovation in Konza’s design: “Konza is about ensuring that Kenya can move towards a technology-driven economy. We are focusing on research and development to create new technologies and commercialize them. Our goal is to move away from agriculture and tourism and toward a future where innovation drives the economy.”
The city’s National Data Center, already operational, is a critical component of this plan. “Data is the oil of today,” Okwiri said. “By utilizing data, we can create more innovations and commercialize them, ensuring Kenya’s economic future is driven by technology rather than traditional sectors.”
One of Konza’s anchor tenants, the Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, is designed to foster research and development in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields, further solidifying the city’s role as a technology hub.
“Konza is about creating opportunities for young people, for entrepreneurs, and for researchers,” Okwiri continued. “We are building a city where the commercialization of knowledge can happen, ensuring that Kenya is a leader in the smart city revolution.”
The Road Ahead for African Smart Cities
Africa’s smart cities, from Lagos to Kigali, are not just about technology—they are about creating a better future for the continent. These cities represent a new vision for urban living, prioritizing sustainability, innovation, and the seamless integration of digital services. The rise of Konza Technopolis is just the beginning.
“We are tapping into the best technology and ideas from around the world,” I concluded. “Smart cities in Africa are our opportunity to leapfrog into the future. We’re not just following trends—we’re setting them.”
With projects like Konza, Africa is positioning itself as a global leader in innovative urban development, ensuring that its cities are intelligent, sustainable, inclusive, and prepared for the future.
Ndiho Media,LLC. 