Author: Kara Frederick

In a remarkable achievement that has attracted widespread commendation, Nigerian-born engineer Yinka Ogunbiyi has developed HaloBraid, an automated hair-braiding device designed to help professional stylists complete hairstyles up to five times faster while reducing the physical strain associated with hours of manual braiding. Ogunbiyi, a Harvard graduate and biomechanical engineer, recently demonstrated how the technology works, offering a glimpse into how automation could transform the hair and beauty industry, particularly protective hairstyles that often require several hours to complete. Unlike a machine that replaces the stylist entirely, HaloBraid is designed to work alongside professional hairdressers. The stylist first sections the…

The 2026 Youth Olympic Games, the first Olympics ever to be held on African soil, open Saturday in the Senegalese capital marking an historic moment for the continent. Signs proclaiming “Africa welcomes, Dakar celebrates” are abundant across Dakar, which is hosting some 2,665 young competitors aged 14 to 17 from around the world. The event marks the return of Russian athletes to the Olympics and also includes a refugee team. Overall, the athletes will compete across 25 sports and 153 medal events. “We’ve got people from around the world that maybe had a very different idea about Africa and they’re…

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reversed its decision to hold the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) every four years, announcing that the tournament will return to its traditional two-year cycle. The decision was unanimously taken by the CAF Executive Committee (EXCO), according to a statement by the continental football governing body. CAF President Patrice Motsepe had announced at the organisation’s Strategy Conference in Cabo Verde, held from October 7 to 9, 2026, that the committee would review its earlier decision to move the tournament to a four-year cycle. The reversal follows concerns that the proposed Africa Nations League,…

Olori Atuwatse III, wife of the Olu of Warri, has urged African governments, investors and business leaders to increase investment and strengthen local ownership of the continent’s creative industry, noting that Africa captures just $1 out of every $100 generated from global trade in creative goods. She said the continent must move beyond celebrating its cultural influence to ensuring that African creators and their communities get tangible economic benefits from their work. The Warri Queen spoke on the second day of the Elevate Africa Convening 2026 in Accra, Ghana, where stakeholders gathered to deliberate on the continent’s leadership, trade, cultural…

Liberia is set to assume the presidency of the United Nations Security Council in December for the first time in 65 years. President Joseph Nyuma Boakai is expected to preside over a high-level debate on maritime security on December 3, according to the Liberian government, which has also announced a schedule of national activities ahead of the country’s presidency. “The international order is being shaped now, and Liberia is at the table,” Boakai said at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where the government marked U.N. Day under the theme “Liberia on the United Nations Security Council: From Sustaining Peace at…

The cost of living varies significantly across Africa, with food, housing, transportation, and other essential goods and services shaping how much residents spend to meet their daily needs. In the 2026 Cost of Living Index, Seychelles ranks as Africa’s most expensive country, recording a score of 64.5. The Democratic Republic of the Congo follows with 50.2, while Senegal ranks third with 48.5. The index measures the relative cost of consumer goods and services across countries, with higher scores indicating more expensive living conditions. However, the figures do not necessarily reflect differences in income or purchasing power, which also influence how…

MultiChoice Nigeria is introducing new DStv and GOtv packages from November 5, with subscriptions starting at N6,000 monthly as the pay-TV operator seeks to attract budget-conscious viewers. The revised DStv line-up will feature Starter, Select, Sports and Premium, while GOtv will offer Easy, Starter, Select and Sports. DStv’s N6,000 Starter package includes Africa Magic+ and selected football matches, while the N11,000 Select tier adds films, series, children’s programmes and selected sports. The N21,000 Sports package will provide access to every Premier League and UEFA Champions League match, alongside WWE and UFC events. Premium subscribers will also receive additional coverage of…

Hello Chinese S3, a Chinese-language teaching programme jointly produced by the Centre for Language Education and Cooperation of China’s Ministry of Education and StarTimes, has concluded its season after 40 consecutive weeks on air. The programme combined Mandarin lessons with human-interest stories and coverage of China-Africa exchanges, aiming to make the language accessible to learners at different proficiency levels. In a press release, the programme coordinator and ST Guide Channel manager, Ms Liu, said Mandarin was increasingly serving as an important bridge for mutual understanding and career development. “The aim is to make Mandarin accessible and enjoyable, so that learners…

Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to South Africa, Eswatini and Lesotho, Femi Fani-Kayode, has arrived in Johannesburg ahead of his diplomatic engagements. Fani-Kayode arrived at the O. R. Tambo International Airport and was received by officials of the Nigerian High Commission and members of the Nigerian community. He departed Nigeria with members of his entourage, according to a travel update issued ahead of his arrival. The former minister was scheduled to meet members of the Nigerian community at The Michelangelo Towers in Sandton. His arrival marks the start of his diplomatic engagements with Nigeria’s missions and citizens in South Africa, Eswatini and Lesotho.…

The Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have reached an agreement on a series of measures aimed at easing the economic difficulties facing workers, including a ₦70,000 transport intervention and the payment of 19 months’ arrears owed to health workers. The resolutions were reached at a conciliation meeting held at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, following an earlier meeting convened on 22 October. The meetings were organised to address concerns raised by the NLC over the rising cost of living, the implementation of the National Minimum Wage, petroleum pump prices, workers’…