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The fake news epidemic: How disinformation is undermining Africa’s future

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In the past, the most dangerous weapons in Africa were guns, machetes, and propaganda leaflets. Today, all it takes is a well-crafted lie shared on WhatsApp to sow fear, fuel tribal tensions, manipulate elections, or mislead a nation during a health crisis. Welcome to Africa’s new epidemic — fake news . While the continent battles issues like poverty, unemployment, and corruption, another silent but equally destructive threat is creeping through our societies: disinformation and misinformation . From viral videos to deepfake audios, fake health tips to political smear campaigns, Africa’s information space is under siege. And it’s not just an abstract problem. The consequences are very real — and deeply personal. When a message becomes a weapon In Zimbabwe, a doctored video clip of a politician “confessing” to election rigging spread like wildfire just days before voters went to the polls. In Nigeria, false claims that saltwater could cure Ebola led to multiple hospitalisations and even...

The future of mobile money in Africa: what you need to know in 2025

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Mobile money has transformed Africa’s financial landscape, providing millions with access to banking services without the need for traditional bank accounts. As we enter 2025, the mobile money ecosystem continues to evolve, driven by innovation, regulatory shifts, and increasing financial inclusion. Here’s what you need to know about the future of mobile money in Africa. 1. Expansion of cross-border transactions One of the most significant trends shaping mobile money in 2025 is the expansion of cross-border payments. With initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), more mobile money providers are facilitating seamless international transactions. This is expected to boost trade and financial integration across the continent. 2. Integration of artificial intelligence and blockchain Financial technology companies are increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain to enhance secur...

Best business loans & grants available for African entrepreneurs in 2025

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Starting or expanding a business in Africa requires capital, but securing funding can be a major challenge. Fortunately, in 2025, several business loans and grants are available to support African entrepreneurs. Whether you are launching a startup, growing your small business, or investing in new technology, this guide will help you find the best financing options. Why business funding matters for African entrepreneurs Africa is a rapidly growing market full of opportunities. However, access to capital remains a barrier for many entrepreneurs. Traditional banks often require high collateral, and interest rates can be discouraging. This is why business loans and grants from governments, international organizations, and private investors are crucial in helping African businesses thrive. Let’s explore some of the best funding opportunities available in 2025. 1. The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) entrepreneurship programme Funding type: Grant Amount: $5,000 seed capital Who can apply: Entr...

Who really wrote Bob Marley's Buffalo Soldier

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Why Journalists May Face Extinction in the Age of AI

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The media landscape is undergoing a seismic shift, one that threatens to render the traditional role of journalists obsolete. As artificial intelligence (AI) technology continues to advance at an unprecedented pace, it brings with it an array of tools capable of producing news content rapidly and efficiently. This evolution raises pressing questions about the future of journalism and the role of human journalists within it. While there is no doubt that journalism plays a crucial role in society, the reality is that AI could lead to the extinction of the profession as we know it. To begin with, AI possesses the remarkable ability to process vast amounts of data in mere seconds. In an age where information overload is a common concern, this capability allows AI systems to sift through countless sources, identify trends, and generate news stories almost instantaneously. For example, organisations like the Associated Press have already employed AI to automate the reporting of financial ea...

Unlocking the Future: Why AI is your ultimate companion for success?

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In a world where technology is evolving at lightning speed, artificial intelligence (AI) stands out as the beacon of revolutionary change. From enhancing productivity to transforming industries, AI is not just a tool; it’s a partner in our journey towards a smarter, more efficient future. But what is the ultimate reason that every person should embrace AI? The answer lies in its unparalleled ability to amplify human potential. As we stand on the brink of a new era, the integration of AI into our daily lives is becoming increasingly apparent. Whether it's the personalised recommendations on your streaming service, the virtual assistants that help manage your schedule, or the advanced algorithms that predict market trends, AI is seeping into every facet of our existence. It’s not just about machines taking over; it’s about augmenting human capabilities to achieve more than we ever thought possible. AI’s versatility is its greatest strength. It can sift through vast amounts of data, u...

Finding Passion and Purpose: Richard Branson's Entrepreneurial Journey

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Richard Branson is a British entrepreneur and adventurer who is best known as the founder of Virgin Group Ltd. He has been involved in various business ventures and has made a significant impact in industries such as music, aviation, telecommunications, and more. Branson's entrepreneurial journey began at a young age and has been marked by his innovative approach, risk-taking, and passion for adventure.  Sir Richard Branson His entrepreneurial spirit was evident from a young age. As a student, he showed a keen interest in business and started his first venture at the age of 16. He began by selling records through mail-order catalogs, which eventually laid the foundation for his future business endeavors. Driven by his love for music and his desire to share it with others, Branson took a leap of faith and opened his first record store, Virgin Records, in London. This marked the beginning of his empire, which would later expand to encompass various industries such as airlines, teleco...

Taking Calculated Risks: Jack Ma's Journey with Alibaba

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Jack Ma, the co-founder of Alibaba, is widely recognized for his ability to take calculated risks and build an e-commerce empire. Throughout his journey, he embraced uncertainty, ventured into uncharted territories, and ultimately achieved immense success. His vision for Alibaba was rooted in embracing uncertainty. In the early 2000s, when e-commerce was still a relatively new concept in China, he saw the potential it held. With a belief that the internet could transform business, Ma founded Alibaba in 1999, taking a leap of faith during a time when the internet was still in its infancy. To achieve his vision, Ma ventured into unvebtured territories. He expanded Alibaba's services beyond traditional e-commerce, exploring new avenues and business models. One significant venture was the launch of Taobao in 2003, an online marketplace that revolutionized the way people bought and sold goods in China. This bold move directly challenged established players in the market, but it paid off...

Side Hustles: Your Financial Safety Net in an Uncertain Job Market

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 Here is a question: What if you could lose your job today, do have savings to continue paying for your bills or you would go broke? In today's uncertain job market, statistics have revealed a startling reality: if you were to lose   Pic: Pexels your job today, you could find yourself facing bankruptcy within a mere 48 days. The inability to pay bills and meet financial obligations can quickly become a distressing reality. However, there is a solution that can shield you from this financial crisis - a side hustle. In this article, we will explore the benefits of employees having side hustles to protect themselves from bankruptcy. Additionally, we will highlight the advantages of maintaining a side hustle while still employed. So, why should you have a side hustle? Increased Financial Security: One of the most significant advantages of having a side hustle is the added financial security it provides. In the event of a job loss, the income generated from your side hustle can hel...

Don Lemon Agrees to $24.5 Million Separation Deal with CNN

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Former CNN prime time host Don Lemon has reached an agreement to part ways with the network.  According to exclusive sources, Lemon, 57, has agreed to a separation deal with CNN for approximately $24.5 million, which is the full pay from his final contract extending 3.5 years from his ousting.  Lemon's departure from CNN comes after he moved from his popular primetime show to the mornings, which led to controversy surrounding his comments about Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley.  This separation deal marks the end of Lemon's 17-year tenure with CNN, following his dismissal in April 2023.  Lemon's departure from CNN has garnered attention and sparked discussions about his controversial remarks and behavior during his time at the network (Photo credit: Getty images)

Shakira's $15 million tax fraud scandal: Trial avoided!

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Colombian pop star Shakira reached a settlement on Monday to avoid a trial in Barcelona over charges of failing to pay 14.5 million euros ($15.7 million) in Spanish income tax between 2012 and 2014, Reuters reported.  Shakira argued that the situation was triggered by personal reasons. As part of the agreement, Shakira acknowledged the charges and agreed to pay a fine of half the owed amount, which totals more than 7.3 million euros. Additionally, to avoid a three-year prison sentence, she accepted another fine of 438,000 euros. This information was disclosed by the judge during the trial's first hearing. In a statement released by her Spanish communication agency, Shakira explained that her decision to reach a deal was motivated by personal, emotional, and sentimental reasons unrelated to legal matters. She expressed her readiness to defend her innocence but prioritized her career and children. Shakira stated, "I have realized that winning is not a victory if the price is sac...

Two Men Wrongfully Convicted of Killing Malcolm X Awarded $26 Million

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In order to resolve legal claims brought by two men who were wrongfully convicted of murdering civil rights activist Malcolm X in 1965, New York City will pay $26 million. This is according to reports by CNN, Washing Post and many other news agencies. When a court found that Muhammad Aziz and Khalil Islam h ad suffered from "severe miscarriages of justice" throughout their time in the US legal system, the men were both found not guilty of the murder last year. Following their hurried arrest and trials following the death of the civil rights leader, the New York Times reported that both men were imprisoned for more than two decades. 2009 saw Mr. Islam's death. To clear the men of their crimes, a 22-month inquiry headed by former Manhattan district attorney Cy Vance Jr. and their attorneys. According to the assessment, the FBI, the NYPD, and city prosecutors purposefully withheld crucial information from the men's defense attorneys that would have most certainly...

5 Ways Artificial Intelligence Can Help With Your Business.

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 Artificial intelligence is also known as AI is an increasingly popular topic in the business world. With the capabilities of AI increasing, it can offer businesses an advantage over their competitors. For example, AI can help companies manage their inventory, reduce their risk, and create better customer experiences. Here, you will see how AI can boost your business. AI can help your business in a lot of ways. By implementing AI into your company, you can automate and streamline the processes of your company. It can also improve the efficiency of your company. AI can help by analysing the data that you have collected and helping you make better business decisions. AI can also help your company by automating tasks that are repetitive, tedious, and time-consuming. If you want to implement AI in your company, you’ll need to make sure that you have the proper amount of data. AI can help your business with forecasting, which is a very important part of any company. AI can help pred...

Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Law: Can AI replace Judges?

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T he world of law is changing rapidly. Thanks to advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and other new technologies, it is becoming easier for people to find relevant legal information, understand that information, and use it to solve problems - from filling out simple forms to answering complicated questions. If you are an avid reader of technology news, you might think that AI will soon take over the legal profession. After all, lawyers are already using AI to help them sort through massive volumes of documents, analyze data, and even draft contracts - tasks that would be too time-consuming or difficult for humans alone. Is there more in store for us? Are we on the cusp of AI judges? And if so, what might that mean for the future of law as we know it today? To answer these questions, let us take a look at how AI is currently being used in the judiciary. What is AI? Artificial intelligence - or AI - refers to computer systems that can perform tasks that normally require human int...

How to Start a Business With No Money: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners.

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Starting a business with no money is possible. But you have to have the right mindset, plan, and skills.  Here,  you have all the tips you need to get your start-up off the ground, even if you're broke. You'll learn how to save money without compromising your lifestyle, how to choose the right type of business for your needs, and what other resources are out there for people who are just starting out. How to Start a Business with No Money Starting a business with no money isn't easy. But it's possible. You just need the right mindset, plan, and skills. We're not talking about lending money to yourself or starting a business that you can fund with your own personal funds (although both methods are viable). We're talking about people who literally have no money to spend on their start-up ventures. The first thing you should do is figure out how much you can save each month. Figure out your monthly expenses and subtract them from your monthly income to see ...
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   Why you should use business automation Business automation is the process of making a company run efficiently with machines. In 2022, we may see more humans working for machines than for people. And it's about time: Robots are far more efficient than humans and can run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. What's more, they're just as if not more intelligent than humans, and are capable of learning on their own. So what benefits will businesses get from business automation in 2022? -Improved job security   -Increased employee safety   -Reduced stressors on employees   -Fewer mistakes made by employees   -Increased company profits   -Better quality products made with less human error or oversight Workers will have longer vacations because robots will take over most of the grunt work that is currently performed by humans. Machines are incapable of feeling fatigue or exhaustion, meaning they can work tirele...

The 9 Best African Countries to Invest in 2022

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It is no surprise that Africa is one of the fastest-growing markets in the world. With a population of over one billion people, there are plenty of opportunities to be had. As incomes continue to rise, more and more people are beginning to buy new products. Now with improved mobile connectivity, Africa has become an attractive market for e-commerce startups. With these nine countries at the forefront of growth in 2022, it's worth exploring where you might want to invest your time and money this decade. 1. Nigeria Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa with a population of 199 million. With an internet penetration rate of just over 20 per cent, Nigeria has one of the world's lowest rates and the potential for future growth is huge. With a population that owes its purchasing power to booming industries like agriculture, oil production, and telecommunications, Nigeria has the advantage of being able to tap into these key drivers of economic growth. Some experts are...