Month: June 2026

Zimbabwe turns to its precious metals and critical minerals to shield itself from the US war

Chinedu Okafor,Africa Business Insider First Published 15 June 2026 02:00 PM. Zimbabwe intends to leverage its projected mineral export revenue, estimated at $6.5-$7 billion for the current fiscal period, as a strategic buffer against economic instability stemming from geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran. Zimbabwe plans to use its projected $6.5-$7 billion mineral export revenue as a buffer against economic instability due to US-Iran geopolitical tensions. Rising global gold prices, improved platinum group metals outlook, and increased lithium exploitation are expected to boost fiscal performance. Mining is a crucial…

Global Wood & Wood Products Market hits $962 Billion

….As Innovation in Smart Manufacturing and Material Surges The global woodworking industry is entering a new era of transformation, driven by rapid advances in artificial intelligence, robotics, and advanced material innovation; technologies that are redefining how wood products are designed, processed, and delivered at scale,according to a recent official statement issued in Dubai,by the event organizer,Strategic Marketing & Exhibitions. This transformation the statement noted, is unfolding alongside strong market growth. The global woodworking machinery market projected to reach $6.1 billion by 2027 reflecting rising demand from construction, furniture, and industrial…

Africa’s Business Heroes Unveils 2026 Top 100 Entrepreneurs

Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH), the flagship philanthropic initiative of the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Philanthropy, has unveiled its 2026 Top 100 entrepreneurs, selected from more than 24,000 applications from all 54 African countries according to an official statement. For the first time in ABH’s history,the statement disclosed, the competition has expanded its first round of finalists from a Top 50 to a Top 100 cohort, creating more visibility and opportunity for entrepreneurs across regions, sectors, and business models. The expansion,it noted, reflects the growing depth, competitiveness, and commercial maturity…

Why Roads Fail — and How ECOROADS Transforms Weak Soils into High-Performance Road Foundations

Ecoroads article,first published,May 25,2026 Road failure is rarely caused by the pavement surface itself. In most cases, deterioration begins deep beneath the roadway, within the base, sub-base, and subgrade layers that support the entire structure. Even the most carefully engineered pavement design will eventually fail if it is built on weak, unstable, moisture-sensitive, or poorly compacted base. Traditional road construction practices often attempt to overcome poor soil conditions by excavating unsuitable materials and replacing them with imported aggregates, crushed stone, cement-treated materials, or another structural fill. These approaches are frequently…

The Hidden Lifeline On a Side of Every Country Road

EcoRoads Article,first Published,June 9,2026 Why proper roadside drainage is the unsung foundation of safe, durable rural infrastructure , and what happens when it fails. Water: The Road’s Quiet Adversary Drive along any well-maintained rural road and you might not think twice about the shallow ditches lining each side, the gentle crowning of the pavement, or the culverts hidden beneath at every low point. Yet these unassuming features are working constantly — diverting, channeling, and dispersing the single greatest enemy of rural infrastructure: water. In urban settings, extensive storm sewer networks…

Ensuring accuracy of School textbooks content in Ghana

Dagbon Team engages NaCCA Story: Mohammed A. Abu The Director General of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) in Ghana, Professor Samuel Ofori Obuobisa Bekoe, has expressed his gratitude to the Dagomba Community for choosing to engage with the Council rather than pursuing alternative options. The Director-General commended the team from Dagbon for taking this approach to formally engage NaCCA. He bemoaned the practice whereby some writers in the system publish books and falsely claim NaCCA approval when no such approval was granted, and indicated that NaCCA is…

IICCI-WeFaa announce Global Launch of Al-Qalb Global Halal Certification

In a landmark event poised to redefine international trade standards, Dr. Mohammad Seraj Ansari, Global President of the Indo-OIC Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry(IICCI) and World Economic Forum for Asia-Africa (WeFaa), officially announced the global launch of Al-Qalb Global Halal Certification Private Limited according to an official statement issued in New Delhi,Monday. The launch,the statement said, was  attended by Director Mohammad Soheb Alam and a distinguished assembly of international dignitaries, marks the transition of Al-Qalb Global Halal from a strategic visionary project to a fully operational global certification authority.…

India to Host WCEF2026,strengthen resilience in turbulent Times

The World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) will be held for the first time in South Asia this year an official statement issued in Gandhinagar/Helsinki, Teusday,has disclosed The event,the statement said, will take place in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India, from 15th to 18th September,2026. The tenth edition of WCEF,it notes, places India at the forefront of scaling circular economy solutions that address the challenges of a resource constrained world. WCEF2026,it added, will be organised jointly by the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), supported by the Ministry…

Climate Change Impact in Dagbon: The Shea Factor

By: Mohammed A. Abu Introduction Climate change refers to long-term shift in the Earth’s average temperatures and weather patterns. While the Earth’s climate has changed naturally throughout history, the current, rapid warming is primarily driven by human activities with fossil fuels said to be the worst offender which releases heat-trapping greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Climate change has since impacted sources of livelihood of many in Dagbon and the wider Northern Savannah Zone (NSZ) making climate action mitigation and adaptation strategies non-negotiable. Climate change impact researchers have since unearthed how…

What is the climate impact of the Climate Investment Fund?

By:Karoline Teien Blystad and Bjornar Baugerud Climate and Impact Director                            Head of Climate Investment Fund The Climate Investment Fund,managed by Norfund,has received many headlines linked to large amounts of avoided emissions.But how do you calculate how much emissions the fund’s investments actually avoided? If the world is to succeed in limiting the climate crisis, we are running out of time to phase out fossil energy. The good news is that renewable energy is now competitive. The bad…