Sub-Saharan Africa
The future of Africa is often regarded in a strangely unimaginative and pessimistic way. Yet Africa today is full of diversity, economic potential and innovative development.
However, the continent faces numerous challenges. As a liberal foundation, we believe that sustainable development depends on strong democratic institutions. Through our activities, we therefore promote liberal policies such as human rights, the rule of law, innovation, digitalisation and free trade.
From our offices in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Harare, Dar es Salaam, Nairobi, Abidjan and Dakar, we support partners in several African countries in advocating liberal values and implementing democratic structures.
News
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Inspiring Women 2022
People have their own sets of expectations towards women, especially when it comes to leadership roles. It is not easy and I realised that all over the world, women are facing common challenges that men do not face in the same leadership roles. Our communities expect so much from women but at the same time, they need us to be careful and follow their rules. Our societies think that if a woman becomes a leader or politician, she should not dress in a certain way and she should communicate in a certain way, something that is not expected from men.
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Tsitsi Dangarembga – A Case of Freedoms and Reforms on Trial
Tsitsi Dangarembga and Julie Barnes are accused of unlawfully demonstrating against corruption, calling for media and political freedom. They are further charged with attending an illegal public gathering and contravening COVID-19 regulations. Fungisai Sithole, Project Manager at the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom office in Harare, Zimbabwe, attended the trial at the Rotten Row Magistrate Court in Harare.
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THE CLASH OF SYSTEMS: African Perceptions of the European Union and China Engagement
“The African survey participants hold up a mirror to European policy on Africa and expose Europe’s sometimes still paternalistic and romantic view of Africa. Europe's belief in the superiority of its own values contrasts with the pragmatic view of Africans on the performance and behaviour of the two partners (the EU and China)," says Stefan Schott, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation in East Africa Project Director.
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Calling young innovators: Pitch your idea on a global stage
With her innovative research in these cells, Emmie Chiyindiko impressed the judges at the Falling Walls Lab Cape Town, co-hosted by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation and the University of Cape Town. ‘Falling Walls Labs’ are events held around the world in which budding innovators have just three minutes to pitch a groundbreaking idea that stands to change the world for the better. The winners of these international labs come together in Berlin, Germany each year.
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The Journey from OAU to AU: Security Remains a Key Concern in Africa
The Malabo extraordinary summit is going to afford the continental body the opportunity to re-look what it once adopted in 2020 to silence the guns. The African Union Peace and Security Council expressed its grave concern over the persistence of conflict in the continent. As the continent seeks to rebuild itself, there are worries that this has been triggered by several factors like the trend of civilians acquiring arms for protection during situations of conflict.
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The Effects of Low Vaccinations Numbers in the Region
Meanwhile, low vaccination rates in the region have also hit vaccine makers in Africa who hoped to use demand for vaccines to generate orders. In May, a South African factory in Gqeberha said that it was on the verge of shutting down the production line it had set up to manufacture a version of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine because it had not received a single order for its product. “International agencies” are being blamed for not placing orders.
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Behind Zimbabwe’s Currency Woes
The Z$750 000 note shocked many as a bigger banknote, but the Z$100 billion-dollar note in 2008 stole the show, which remains named as the Guinness record world's highest denomination banknote notwithstanding the ensuing introduction of a Z$100 trillion dollar note. The 100 trillion-dollar note became part of Zimbabwe’s former central bank chief Gideon Gono's failed efforts at saving an economic Armageddon characterised by a feisty inflation and deficits...
Social Media
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Speaking in his home language Colrerd presents his product, which is translated into English. This so all of Africa can hear about his innovation, which broadcast across eighteen community radio stations in Malawi, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Namibia and Zambia. On the Freedom Pioneers of Africa programme, listers give their thoughts on initiatives presented by upcoming innovators and whether the initiative would work in their environments. Colrerd also received feedback on his work from our resident Global Connector, Bianca Praetorius. Bianca is a startup pitch coach who offers insights into all things technology, digitisation and innovation. LISTEN HERE: 👉 https://iono.fm/e/1198863 #Innovation #Electricity #Water #Freedom #Entrepreneurship #FNFreedomToCreate
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Colrerd Nkosi is a young Malawian who innovated with basic materials to generate and connect his village to electricity. Using a bicycle dynamo and an old refrigerator compressor, Nkosi at the age of 21, was able to bring electricity in his village. Since then, more households continue to be connected. The households pay $1 per month for maintenance. The money has helped in expanding the grid. Only 10 percent of the Malawi population is connected to electricity. Speaking in his home language Colrerd presents his product, which is translated into English. This so all of Africa can hear about his innovation, which broadcast across eighteen community radio stations in Malawi, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Namibia and Zambia. On the Freedom Pioneers of Africa programme, listers give their thoughts on initiatives presented by upcoming innovators and whether the initiative would work in their environments. Colrerd also received feedback on his work from our resident Global Connector, Bianca Praetorius. Bianca is a startup pitch coach who offers insights into all things technology, digitisation and innovation. LISTEN HERE: 👉 https://iono.fm/e/1198863 #Innovation #Electricity #Water #Freedom #Entrepreneurship #FNFreedomToCreate
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Inspiring Women 2022 | Reflections of ACT Wazalendo's Shadow Minister of Health, Dr. Nasra Nassor, following a recent FNF - International Academy for Leadership (IAF) programme with Women In Politics!
