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Paul Ndiho

Produced by Paul Ndiho

October 04, 2024
Tech Report: Zambian fintech company marks entry into international markets

One of Zambia’s leading financial technology companies, PremierCredit, is marking its debut in Zimbabwean, South African, and Kenyan markets by rebranding as eShandi. Originally starting as a micro loan and financial education company, eShandi is now a major player in southern Africa’s financial markets. VOA’s Paul Ndiho spoke to one of the company’s co-founders and Chief Visionary Officer, Chilufya Mutale, who reflected on eShandi’s growth and new important milestone.
October 01, 2024
Virginia residents give back to Ugandan communities

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. Joyce Wanda joined VOA’s Paul Ndiho on the set of Africa 54 to expand on how they are giving back through a variety of community infrastructure projects.
October 01, 2024
International Scholars Program empowers African students with STEM studies

The International Scholars Program, formerly known as the Kenya Airlift Program, is empowering African students with interests in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics, STEM, by providing access to education opportunities in North America. For more, VOA’s Paul Ndiho spoke with Bob Mwiti, the founder and managing director of the International Scholars Program.
September 27, 2024
Nigeria digital content creator turns fruits and vegetables into art

Zainab Zakari, a Nigerian digital content creator with over 50,000 followers on Instagram, has become an internet sensation for her creations where she turns fruits and vegetables into art. For more, VOA’s Paul Ndiho spoke with Zakari.
September 25, 2024
Analyst explains West Africa security implications following departure of U.S. servicemen from Niger

U.S. service members last week completed Washington’s military withdrawal from Niger as part of an agreement between the two nations — developments happening amid ongoing fighting in West Africa against Jihadist groups with ties to al-Qaida. For insight on the military agreement between the U.S. and Niger and how it impacts regional security, VOA’s Paul Ndiho spoke with Edgar Githua, an international security and diplomatic expert at Strathmore University in Nairobi, Kenya.
September 23, 2024
Kenya president meets anti-gang violence police force in Haiti

Kenyan President William Ruto over the weekend was in Haiti where he met authorities from the Caribbean nation and police from the East African nation who are based in Port-au-Prince as part of a United Nations anti-gang violence task force. For more, VOA’s Paul Ndiho spoke with Edgar Githua, an international security and diplomatic expert at Strathmore University in Nairobi, Kenya.
September 18, 2024
US-Africa leaders and entrepreneurs meet in New York City

Several U.S. leaders and entrepreneurs this week are scheduled to meet their African counterparts in New York City for the U.S.-Africa Business Week where they will discuss how to improve trade and investment between the two regions. For more, VOA’s Paul Ndiho spoke with Gbenga Omotayo, the executive director of the U.S.-Africa Trade and Business Network.
September 16, 2024
Analysis: West African junta leaders ditch ECOWAS passports

Mali’s junta leadership announced Sunday that, its country, along with Burkina Faso and Niger will introduce a new biometric passport as part of their newly formed confederation, the Alliance of Sahel States, after all three withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States. ECOWAS has reiterated concerns that such a plan will jeopardize the freedom of movement and common market of the 400 million people living within the bloc’s borders. VOA’s Paul Ndiho spoke to VOA Bambara’s Managing Editor, Modibo Ndebele, for the latest on how the junta leaders are planning to implement the new passports.
September 09, 2024
Uganda energy minister says oil production will not impact communities, environment

Uganda’s energy and mineral development minister, Ruth Nankaburwa Ssentamu, says there is oil in the country and that Total and Sinok companies will facilitate the production, pending the completion of the refinery and pipelines currently under construction. Responding to concerns by communities and environmentalists about displacement and pollution due to the oil production, Ssentamu tells VOA's Paul Ndiho that the government has taken the necessary steps to address the concerns
September 05, 2024
Tech Report: Vocational training for Ghanaian youth

Rising unemployment among young people continues to be a severe challenge for developing nations in Africa, as many lack the necessary skills to join competitive workforces. However, a continental-wide education strategy, dubbed Agenda 2030 - 2063, is focusing on developing technical and vocational training for youth. Speaking with VOA’s Paul Ndiho, Brooke Thompson, the founder of the Africa Center for Technical Training, showcases how she’s leading the charge to educate Ghanaian students with the necessary skills they can use to join high-skill workforces.
September 03, 2024
Ugandan diaspora organization honors former VOA journalist Shaka Ssali

Shaka Ssali, the former host of VOA’s flagship weekly program Straight Talk Africa, was recently awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to media in Africa. The Ugandan North American Association, or UNAA, honored the veteran journalist during their annual convention. VOA’s Paul Ndiho reports from National Harbor, Maryland.
August 30, 2024
Analysis: Gabon marks one year since military coup d’etat

Gabon is marking one year since the August 30 military coup that ousted President Ali Bongo. The bloodless military coup ended 55 years of the Bongo family’s rule. As the military now looks to begin elections for a new president, will the people of Gabon look to the Bongo family once again? VOA’s Paul Ndiho spoke to Henry Muguzi, coordinator of the African Election Observers Network, based in Kampala, Uganda for the answers.
August 29, 2024
Tech Report: Tanzania’s government embraces pro-tech agenda

In Tanzania, where over 60 percent of the population is under the age of 25, a young and tech-hungry population is driving the growth of the country's tech hub. A supportive government has also fostered an environment where tech startups can thrive. VOA’s Paul Ndiho spoke to Norman Karamaga, the co-founder of Chaja Africa Limited, based in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, for a firsthand account into how the government is working hand in glove with Tanzania's technology sector.
August 29, 2024
75 years on, African countries call for increased support for the Geneva Convention

The four Geneva Conventions, the treaties that govern humanitarian treatment in war, are celebrating their 75th anniversary. As the world commemorates their creation on August 12 , 1974, Africa’s leaders are emphasizing their significance. The Foreign Minister of Sierra Leone Alhaji Timothy Musa Kabba, a former child soldier, has called for increased international support for the Geneva Conventions, highlighting their role in rehabilitating himself and thousands of others after the civil war. VOA’s Paul Ndiho has more.
August 27, 2024
Analysis: What’s driving Africa’s ‘Gen Z protests’?

Hundreds of young people have protested across Nigeria this month over high inflation and economic recession, which have cost the economy millions of dollars. Similar protests by young activists, dubbed Gen Z, have also occurred in Kenya and Uganda as the world’s youngest working-age demographic looks to enter into the job market. For an overview of Gen Z protests’ that are sweeping Africa VOA’s Paul Ndiho spoke to Yetunde Odugbesan-Omede, a professor of global affairs and politics at the State University of New York’s (SUNY) Farmingdale State College.
August 23, 2024
Tanzania high speed train to cut travel between commercial and capital cities

A new electrified commuter railway in Tanzania has been inaugurated to modernize travel. The 440-kilometer line, built by a Turkish company, connects the commercial hub Dar es Salaam and the capital Dodoma and is part of a more extensive 2,561-kilometer Standard Gauge Railway network. Tony Miella, a tech entrepreneur based in Dar es Salaam, says the railway system will offer safe and reliable transportation to Tanzania's growing population. Miella shared his thoughts with VOA's Paul Ndiho.
August 19, 2024
African Education Program reaches the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro

Julie-Anne Savarit-Cosenza, the co-founder and executive director of the African Education Program in Zambia, recently completed a climb to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Dubbed "Summits with a Purpose Trek to Kilimanjaro," she and her colleagues embarked on this adventure to raise funds for the program's 20th anniversary and its positive impact in Kafue, Zambia. After reaching the highest point of Kilimanjaro, Julie-Anne spoke with VOA's Paul Ndiho about the experience and the program's mission.
August 14, 2024
Tech Report: Changes in the uses of African technology

Technology vastly improved the lives of countless people in Africa from communication and transport to healthcare and connectivity. Young Africans are utilizing technology to drive significant change across various sectors. VOA’s Paul Ndiho spoke with Dr. Teju Baba, a distinguished West African physician, podcaster, and author of ‘50 African Pioneers', for a look at the changing use of technology on the continent.
August 09, 2024
African youth use technology and social media to rally for political change

Political experts observing developments in Kenya and Nigeria say young Africans are using technology and social media as tools to challenge authorities and advocate for better governance. VOA’s Paul Ndiho spoke with Teju Baba, a West African podcaster and the author of 50 African pioneers, a book focused on spotlighting trailblazing people from the continent.
August 08, 2024
International organization invests in startups for African youth

Analysts believe Africa’s growing youth population allows it to address its long-term development issues and harness creativity and innovation to drive economic transformation. Mthoba Chapi, a regional communication officer for the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, says the organization is launching an initiative to encourage investment in African startups.

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