Priscilla _Ibadin

Climate campaigners rally legal, youth, and mental health champions to power climate action

by EnvironmentNews

In a powerful virtual gathering held under the banner “Africa Unmuted: Powering Climate Action for COP30”, leading voices from law, youth leadership, and mental health advocacy converged to map out integrated strategies for Africa’s climate future.

The webinar, hosted on April 4, 2025, spotlighted bold, interdisciplinary solutions designed to amplify African perspectives. Speakers emphasized the urgent need for legal empowerment, youth-led innovation, and community-based mental health approaches to climate resilience.

Environmentalist and public interest advocate Priscilla Ibadin underscored the importance of robust legal frameworks in advancing climate justice.

She called for widespread legal reforms that prioritize public interest litigation, access to justice, and indigenous knowledge systems. “Law is not just a system of control—it can be a powerful tool for resistance and restoration,” she stated.

Climate advocate Justin Tanyi championed youth leadership as central to Africa’s climate agenda. He called for deeper investment in youth capacity building, digital advocacy, and eco-entrepreneurship. “Young people are not the future—they are the now. Their ideas and energy are reshaping climate discourse across the continent,” he said.

Public health researcher Mureithi Melvin drew critical connections between climate change and mental health, citing increasing cases of anxiety, depression, and trauma caused by environmental shocks. He introduced Mental Health Literacy (MHL) as a strategic tool to build emotionally resilient communities. “A climate-smart Africa must also be a mentally strong Africa,” he urged.

The meeting called for cross-sector collaboration to ensure African voices influence global climate policies and for inclusive systems that recognize the interconnectedness of environmental justice, youth empowerment, and mental health well-being.

SCF_6711

AfriLabs and MSwitch Partner to Unlock Global Remote Work Opportunities for African Talent

by NewsTechnology

In a move to accelerate digital employment opportunities for African talents, AfriLabs and MSwitch Creative Hub have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), formalizing their partnership at a press conference in Abuja, Nigeria, on March 21, 2025. Through this partnership, AfriLabs, the largest pan-African network of over 500 technology innovation hubs across 53 African countries and MSwitch Creative Hub, a key player in bridging the gap between African talent and global opportunities, will connect highly skilled African professionals with remote job placements, leveraging technology to ensure sustainable employment and economic empowerment.

Expanding on this mission, AfriLabs has also entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cybersecurity INC USA to enhance recruitment, training, and job placements through their platform, Remoting.Work . In collaboration with MSwitch and Cybersecurity INC USA, the initiative is set to create 2,000 jobs immediately, scaling to 250,000+ jobs in 18 months across industries such as customer service, digital marketing, software development, cybersecurity, healthcare, and more.

Speaking on the partnership, Ajibola Odukoya, Chief Operating Officer of AfriLabs, emphasized the significance of enabling Africans to participate in the global job market while remaining in their home countries:

“Africa holds immense talent, yet many professionals leave the continent in search of opportunities elsewhere. At AfriLabs, we are tackling this challenge by bringing world-class opportunities directly to Africa. By enabling professionals to work remotely for international companies while staying in their local environments, we are fostering homegrown innovation and strengthening local economies. We are thrilled to announce that, in the pilot phase of this initiative, over 200,000 businesses have already signed up, with at least half a million jobs to be filled across the continent. Nigeria, as a leading tech hub, is a crucial starting point, and this is only the beginning—we are scaling across Africa.”

As part of this initiative, MSwitch Creative Hub will take the lead role in providing critical infrastructure and training to ensure African talents are equipped with the necessary skills to excel in the global digital workforce. Fully equipped co-working spaces, 24/7 electricity, high-speed internet, and industry standard tools will be established to maximize productivity for remote professionals.

Zainab Salami, Co-Founder and Executive Director of MSwitch Creative Hub, highlighted the partnership’s impact on tackling youth unemployment and positioning Africa as a global digital powerhouse:

“With over 53% of young Nigerians between 15-24 either unemployed or underemployed, this initiative is a game-changer. By bridging the gap between talent and opportunity, we are not only addressing unemployment but also positioning Nigeria and Africa as a hub for digital and creative excellence. This initiative will attract global employers, provide structured training for African professionals, and create sustainable career pathways, ensuring that our continent remains competitive in the global digital economy.”

The AfriLabs, MSwitch and Cybersecurity INC USA partnership, is redefining Africa’s participation in the digital economy. With international employers increasingly looking to Africa for tech talent, this initiative ensures that African professionals can thrive in remote work roles while contributing to their local economies.

Dr. Martin Bekker from the University of Witwatersrand,

Study this, not that – The Future of Work

by News

The Academy of Science of South Africa’s Scholarly Publishing Unit hosted its first online Lekgotla webinar on Artificial Intelligence (AI) titled Study This, Not That! The Future of Work on 13 March 2025. Chaired by Dr. Martin Bekker from the University of Witwatersrand, the webinar explored the impact of AI on career choices and the value of various skills in the evolving job market. With over 300 participants in attendance, the event featured insights from leading experts in education and technology.

Professor Ivy (Ige) Gledhill from the University of Witwatersrand opened the session by discussing the evolution of AI and its effect on the meaning and dignity of work in society. She emphasized the need to understand AI’s role in reshaping industries and employment landscapes.

“The future of work is changing at an unprecedented pace,” said Dr. Bekker. “Technological advancements that were groundbreaking five years ago are now considered standard. Large Language Models (LLMs) have introduced new complexities and ethical considerations, raising questions about their impact on society and the workforce.”

Werner Cloete, co-founder and CEO of Calling for Education NPC, presented Sensing Purpose in an AI-Driven World, highlighting the importance of purpose-driven education. He introduced the Called to Impact program, which equips and empowers young people, transforming lives in South African communities.

Professor Kobus Oosthuizen from Boston City Campus and North-West University presented Beyond Skills: Cultivating Practical Wisdom for the AI Era. He emphasized the importance of developing uniquely human skills that AI cannot replace and posed the thought-provoking question: “Will AI shape Africa, or will Africa shape AI?”

Professor Boitumelo Diale from Sol Plaatje University explored AI curriculum development and its intersection with education, technology, and career pathways. She underscored the pressing need for AI integration in curricula to prepare students for the future workforce. Additionally, Professor Jonathan Jansen from Stellenbosch University highlighted the role of AI in higher education and its integration into university learning models.

By prioritizing technological literacy, emotional intelligence, lifelong learning, remote work proficiency, and creativity, workers can ensure they remain valuable assets in an AI-driven future.

The recording and slides can be accessed from here: https://research.assaf.org.za/items/e4b0ac38-cc28-4cad-afce-4f82d8a5905e

Clive Bredenkamp

Bank to accelerate property transactions

by BusinessNews
The property transfer process is an intricate web of communications and approvals, historically bogged down by legacy systems and paper based interactions. Thanks to the digital transformation and solutions that automate cumbersome processes, property transfers happen much faster and far more efficiently than ever. One of the most compelling advantages of this evolution is the substantial financial impact for banks. Every single day shaved off the property registration timeline can translate into savings and early revenue recognition in excess of R10 million per day, says Clive Bredenkamp, Proptech IT Executive at e4.
H.E. Nam Sangkyoo, the Deputy Ambassador at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Kenya, pours rice for a beneficiary at a distribution site in Kakuma refugee camp. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed a contribution of 21,000 metric tons of rice from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) of the Republic of Korea (valued at US$ 14.2 million) doubling the contribution from 2023. This substantial donation allows WFP to continue providing essential food assistance to over 565,000 refugees and school-going children in Dadaab and Kakuma camps.

Republic of Korea donates 21K metric tons of rise for refugees based in Kenya

by EnvironmentNews

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed a contribution of 21,000 metric tons of rice from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) of the Republic of Korea (valued at US$ 14.2 million) doubling the contribution from 2023.

This substantial donation will allow WFP to continue providing essential food assistance to over 565,000 refugees and school-going children in the Dadaab and Kakuma camps.

“The Republic of Korea’s contribution arrives at a critical time when WFP’s resources are severely stretched and the needs rising fast,” said Lauren Landis, WFP’s Country Director in Kenya. “This generous donation will make a tangible difference in the lives of thousands of people, providing them with much-needed sustenance during these challenging times.”

The number of registered refugees and asylum seekers in Kenya has risen to more than 760,000 – a 60 percent rise in the last five years. The rise in needs has outpaced resources forcing WFP to effect deep ration cuts in recent months.

“The Republic of Korea remains committed to supporting Kenya in its efforts to address food insecurity and malnutrition, particularly among vulnerable populations like refugees and asylum seekers,” stated H.E. Nam Sangkyoo, Deputy Ambassador, Embassy of the Republic of Korea, the Deputy Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Kenya. “We recognize the challenges faced by WFP in providing adequate food assistance, and we hope this contribution will help alleviate some of the burden.”

The Republic of Korea has been a steadfast supporter of WFP’s operations in Kenya, contributing a total of 64,500 metric tons of rice since 2018, valued at approximately US$ 53 million. This makes the Republic of Korea WFP’s Kenya second-largest donor.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of WFP’s initial assistance to the Republic of Korea and the 40th anniversary of the country’s graduation from WFP’s support. Between 1964 and 1984, WFP’s food assistance played a crucial role in the development of the Republic of Korea, which was recovering from the devastating effects of the Korean war in 1950s and the big flood in 1963. Today, Republic of Korea is one of WFP’s top 10 donors, and Korean contributions are being delivered to the most vulnerable people all around the world.