South Africa: Unemployment rate rises to 32.9% in Q1 2023
South Africa’s unemployment rate rose to 32.9% in the first quarter of 2023, up from 32.5% in the previous quarter, according to data released by Statistics South Africa on Monday. The country’s economy has been struggling with low growth, rising inflation and high levels of debt. The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns have also had a significant impact on the country’s economy and job market. The latest figures show that the number of employed people decreased by 1.1 million from the previous quarter, while the number of unemployed people increased by 199,000.
Greece: Burundi-born ex-police officer seeks to be Greece’s first Black lawmaker
A Burundi-born former police officer is seeking to become Greece’s first Black lawmaker in the upcoming parliamentary elections. Benjamin Abtan, who moved to Greece in 2015, has been campaigning for equal rights and the rights of refugees and migrants in the country. Abtan is running as a candidate for the centrist party “To Potami” which translates to “The River”. The election is scheduled to take place on July 7. If Abtan is successful, he will become the first Black member of the Greek Parliament.
Ivory Coast: Entrepreneur pours love and patriotism into fine chocolate
An entrepreneur in Ivory Coast is making waves in the chocolate industry by producing high-quality chocolate with a patriotic twist. Bénédicte Kacou, who is the owner of chocolate shop “Mon Choco”, uses only locally-sourced raw materials to produce her chocolates. Kacou’s chocolates are inspired by the country’s rich culture and history. For example, she has created a collection of chocolates that pay tribute to the country’s first president, Félix Houphouët-Boigny. Despite facing challenges including high taxes and difficulty in accessing finance, Kacou remains focused on growing her business and promoting “made in Ivory Coast” products.
Sudan: Bombardments escalate as military factions battle in capital
Air strikes and artillery fire have escalated in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, as rival military factions battle for control of the city. Witnesses say that a hospital in the city was damaged in the bombardment. The conflict has been ongoing for over a month, with both sides accusing the other of instigating violence. The situation has led to a humanitarian crisis, with thousands of people fleeing the city and seeking shelter in neighboring countries. The United Nations has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for the protection of civilians in the affected areas.
Nigeria: Chef seeks world record with 100 hours of non-stop cooking
A Nigerian chef is attempting to set a new world record for the longest non-stop cooking marathon. Joshuah Kingsley, who runs a catering company in Lagos, is aiming to cook for 100 hours straight. Kingsley began his cooking marathon on Friday and is hoping to break the current world record of 96 hours, set in Iran in 2017. The event is being held to raise awareness of the country’s growing food insecurity crisis. According to the World Food Programme, around 17 million Nigerians are experiencing food insecurity due to poverty, conflict, and other factors.
Kenya: Equity Group Q1 2023 pretax profit up 10%
Kenya’s Equity Group Holdings has reported that its pretax profit for the first quarter of 2023 increased by 10% compared to the same period last year. The bank’s profit was KSh 10.9 billion ($101 million), up from KSh 9.9 billion ($92 million) in the previous year. Equity Group attributed the increase to growth in its loan book, which grew by 9%, as well as an increase in non-funded income. The bank also reported that its total assets increased by 5% to KSh 1.11 trillion ($10.3 billion). Equity Group is Kenya’s largest bank by market value and has operations in several African countries.
African Boulevard News – (2023-05-16)
