1A Drop-off in the Number of Non-immigrant Visas Issued to Nigerians

The
United States embassy has announced an immediate indefinite suspension of
interview waivers for visa renewals for applicants in Nigeria. Known as
“drop-box,” the interview waiver process allowed Nigerian applicants who met
certain eligibility criteria to renew their visas by submitting their passports
and supporting documents for review without going through a new in-person
interview each time. With the new waiver suspension, all applicants—first time
and recurring—will now be required to appear for in-person interviews at US
embassies in Nigeria. The suspension also comes one month after news that Trump
administration has been considering new immigration measures to impose visa
restrictions on countries whose citizens have a track record of overstaying beyond
the validity of their short-term US visas. Nigeria accounted for the third
highest number of US visa overstays last year. The proposed measures included
reducing visa validity periods, making it tougher for citizens from countries
like Nigeria to receive visas at all and the long-term possibility of outright
bans.
SOURCES: QUARTZ
AFRICA
2African Countries Leaning towards Anti-NGO Measures

In a dozen countries across Africa, governments have enacted
laws or policies that “improperly constrain” nongovernmental
organizations and imperil civil society, the democracy watchdog Freedom House
says in a new report. “Freedoms Under Threat: The Spread of Anti-NGO
Measures in Africa” looks at efforts since 2004 to restrict civil society,
especially groups working on human rights and governance issues. Curbs on NGOs
have “a serious impact on the capacity of organized civil society, and
citizens, to hold governments to account and to protect human rights,”
said Godfrey M. Musila, author of the report. . He added that governmental
limits “are of course accompanied by other measures to restrict other
kinds of freedoms” and to bolster control by the state or strongmen.
Measures such as complicating registration or limiting foreign workers and
financial aid have been implemented in a dozen countries: Algeria, Burundi,
Egypt, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia,
Uganda and Zambia. The report says anti-NGO measures are pending or possible
in Egypt, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Sudan and Zambia.
SOURCES: VOA
3Sudan’s Way Forward

Sudan’s military leaders have announced an agreement with the
opposition alliance for a three-year transition period to a civilian
administration. The Transitional Military Council (TMC) said the alliance would
have two-thirds of the seats on a legislative council. However, the two sides
are yet to agree on a sovereign council – the top tier of power, where both
want a majority. At a joint news conference, Lt Gen Yasser al-Atta said a final
agreement on power sharing would be signed with the opposition alliance – the
Declaration of Freedom and Change Forces (DFCF) – within 24 hours. That would
include the forming of a sovereign council which will rule the country until
elections. “We vow to our people that the agreement will be completed fully
within 24 hours in a way that meets the people’s aspirations,” he said.
Gen Atta said the DFCF would have two-thirds of the seats on a 300-member
transitional legislative council, while the rest would be taken by parties not
members of the alliance. The agreement for a three-year transitional
administration including a parliament dominated by opposition groups is a major
step towards civilian rule. A cabinet will also be appointed by the opposition
Declaration of Freedom and Change Forces. But the question of who will be
ultimately in charge remains unanswered.
SOURCES: BBC
4Goldman Sachs Group is Expanding in South Africa

The US investment bank seeks to tap into fast economic growth on
the continent. The lender is partnering with Investec on equity trading, which
will allow both firms to extend their trading operations from Johannesburg to
the rest of Africa. Goldman Sachs, which has had a presence in South Africa for
20 years, will also offer fixed-income products, including foreign exchange and
South African government securities, to corporate and institutional investors
in the country. The firm already provides advisory, wealth- and asset
management services to corporations, investment firms, government institutions
and individuals in South Africa. The expansion comes after South African
elections in which President Cyril Ramaphosa led his African National Congress
to victory on pledges to reignite economic growth, streamline his cabinet and
stamp out corruption. Colin Coleman, who has headed the sub-Saharan African
division of Goldman Sachs since 2000, is a supporter of Ramaphosa and his drive
to attract more investments into Africa’s most industrialized economy.
SOURCES: BUSINESSTECH | IOL
5Emboldened Female African Designers Call for a Fashion Overhaul

Africa has become a hub for designers unafraid to create fashion
statements embellished in colors as bold as the continent’s sunsets and in
prints as culturally rich as its people. Their designs are cat-walking across
runways both at home and around the world from New York to London to Tokyo.
Despite its budding international fame, the African fashion industry has long
ways to walk before “made in Lagos” rings the same as “made in Paris.” For the
meantime, the paucity of internal and external investment is a barrier
frustrating attempts to move forward. In recent times, African fashion has not
just dipped its toes but fully plunged into the world’s fashion scene. Anisa
Mpungew, a Tanzanian designer and creator of Loin Cloth & Ashes, says
“Africa is not afraid of patterns and colors, that’s the one thing we do in our
sleep, so we use it to be louder amongst our foreign friends.” According to the
African Development Bank, the Rwandan government established a “foundation to
establish garment factories and boost the textile and fashion industries.” As
governments across the continent follow Rwanda’s steps and begin to esteem the
fashion industry, they need to invest in the skills and qualifications of their
people. Fashion programs such as LISOF School of Fashion in South Africa and
Vogue Style School of Fashion and Design in Ghana need to be in abundant
supply, not scarce, across Africa. Furthermore, governments across the African
continent should set quotas on the import of second-hand clothing from the
West.
SOURCES: SHE
LEADS AFRICA
6The Best Books about Sudan Available in English

Most Sudanese literature is in Arabic and so, to many readers,
the country remains an enigma. The volume and quality of translators has
increased in recent years but their rarity still poses an immense challenge to
reach an international audience. Aside from the odd writer working in a
European language, much of what is available is written by people passing
through; academics, adventurers, diplomats, and aid workers. Altogether, it
adds up to a collage that is incomplete and warped. A new generation of
writers has since grown up in the shadow of repression. Despite these
difficulties writers have continued to work and publish, both within the
country and abroad. In a climate where newspapers are regularly censored,
journalists detained and print runs seized, books have remained cherished items
to be passed around with reverence.
SOURCES: THE
GUARDIAN
7[WATCH] Bringing the Glam Squad to Ghana’s Metro Savvy Man

Male grooming is a growing industry. In Ghana, a new business
venture is making the most of that trend. A company called Shave Masters has
set up a mobile barber service, looking after clients in the comfort of their
own home. Owners say they save the clients in Accra valuable waiting time by
taking services to their doorsteps. An entrepreneur who’s running a mobile
barbering saloon is getting lots of attention on Social media and people have
been asking a lot of question about this new business model. Emmanuel Kojo
Ampomah is a passionate young man who always strives for excellence in
everything he does. At the heart of his passion is the drive to develop young
people and make a positive impact in society through innovation.
SOURCES: REUTERS
AFRICA
8Zambia Arrests Minister Who Cost the Country UK Aid

Emerine Kabanshi was arrested “for abuse of authority of
office”, according to a statement from Zambian anti-corruption and anti-money
laundering agencies. Kabanshi was community development and social services
minister when Britain alleged corruption in the disbursement of social grants.
She was released on bail and will appear in court at a date yet to be fixed.
Britain froze aid payments to Zambia last September, highlighting concerns of
alleged fraud and corruption by the government of President Edgar Lungu.
Britain’s development ministry said it earmarked $63.1m in aid for Zambia in
the 2017/2018 fiscal year, but did not indicate how much was withheld over
graft.
SOURCES: BUSINESS
DAY LIVE
9Is Angola’s Former First Family Under Threat?

One of the daughters of former Angolan President José Eduardo
dos Santos says she “fled” her country after being threatened by the Angolan
secret service. In a message to Angolan journalists, Welwitschia dos Santos
said she left Angola for the UK after a former minister of dos Santos was,
according to her, “kidnapped”. Welwitschia dos Santos, an MPLA MP, is in the
UK, as is Isabel dos Santos, the eldest daughter of the former president. But
unlike her half-sister, she continues to criticize the current president Joao
Lourenço, whose resignation she is demanding.
SOURCES: AFRICA
NEWS
10Netflix’s Bad Swahili Subtitles Leave Viewers Shook

Netflix, the world’s leading internet entertainment service, has
just introduced Swahili subtitles to its TV and film services in Kenya. But
just a few days later, it’s evident that the translators at Netflix have a very
poor grasp of Swahili. The streaming service has come under fire in Kenya for
botching Swahili subtitles on its TV and film services. In an article, Nairobi
News says the subtitles indicate “the translators at Netflix have a very
poor grasp of Swahili”, the most common language spoken in East Africa.
Netflix has more than 148 million paid memberships in more than 190 countries,
enjoying TV series, documentaries and feature films across a wide variety of
genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere,
on any internet-connected screen. Members can also play, pause and resume
watching, all without commercials or commitments.
SOURCES: NAIROBI
NEWS