What’s Going On: Nigeria Unveils New Naira Notes, Power Shortage In Kenya & More
Notable headlines from across the continent
“What’s Going On” Tallies Notable News Headlines From Across The Continent — The Good, The Bad, And The Horrible — As A Way Of Ensuring That We All Become A More Sagacious African Generation. With This Column, We’re Hoping To Disseminate The Latest Happenings In Our Socio-Political Climate From Across The Continent, Whilst Starting A Conversation About What’s Important For Us To All Discuss. From Political Affairs To Socio-Economic Issues, ‘What’s Going On’ Will Discuss Just That.
Nigeria Unveils New Naira Notes, Effective From January, 2023
Earlier in the week, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria unveiled the new currency notes for the Naira. The newly designed Naira notes is a move that is said to help curb inflation and money laundering. Launched on Wednesday, the new denominations of 200 ($0.46), 500 ($1.15) and 1,000 Naira ($2.30) are the first time Nigeria’s currency has been redesigned in 19 years. However, analysts say the new notes would yield little or no results in managing inflation or in the fight against corruption in the absence of institutional reforms.
Last month, it was announced that the deadline for old notes to either be used or deposited at banks is slated for Janauary 31, 2023. With inflation at a 17-year high of 21.09% that is driven by soaring food prices, the President shared that the new notes will help bring the hoarded currencies back into the banking system and as well as help the central bank regain control of the money being used in the country.
During the unveiling, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria Godwin Emefiele also shared that more than 80 percent of the 3.2 trillion zNaira ($7.2bn) in circulation in Nigeria are outside the vaults of commercial banks and in private hands. The new paper notes designed in Nigeria and featuring enhanced security are set to help the central bank to design and implement better monetary policy objectives.
Ebola Cases In Uganda Reduces Drastically
In the last two weeks, Uganda has recorded a drop in the number of new Ebola cases. The development is a major sign the East African country is having a measure of success in efforts to combat its latest outbreak of the deadly hemorrhagic fever disease more than two months after it was declared. Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng said on the local NTV news service late on Wednesday that the country is experiencing a downward trend in the number of cases now being recorded. W
The World Health Organisation (WHO), as well as aid groups, are also relentlessly providing Uganda with assistance and materials to cope with another outbreak. According to the Ugandan Health Ministry, the country has so far recorded 141 cases and 55 deaths. The virus circulating in Uganda is the Sudan strain of Ebola, for which there is no proven vaccine, unlike the more common Zaire strain, which spread during recent outbreaks in Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Kenya Faces Loss After Electrical Shortage
This past week, Kenyans have experienced a blackout in most parts of the country after interruptions at the Kenya Power & Lightning Company (K.P.L.C). This comes barely three weeks after a similar blackout making business owners face losses. In a statement released by K.P.L.C on Thursday, the company experienced a system disturbance and refused to give more details The outages have been consistent since January causing a pain to business owners such as hospitals and manufacturers to experience losses by switching to generators despite the high fuel prices.
Kenya Power has been facing various challenges such as ageing electricity cables that are prone to break down causing shortages. The outage came hours after Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung’u triggered the company’s board to table before the annual general meeting (AGM) an ordinary resolution for the removal of Ms Yeda. The Kenya Electrical Trades & Allied Workers Union (KETAWU) has constantly demanded the removal of Ms Yeda from the board arguing that she has been behind the company’s shortage of critical materials such as poles, meters and transformers through delayed approval of the company’s procurement plan.The workers union stated her as an enumbrance to transformation of the transformation and stability of the company.
Ghana And Zimbabwe Hit Record Tax Increase
The finance ministers of Ghana and Zimbabwe have been delivering their annual budgets amid the cost-of-living crisis that has hit the whole world. Now, they have both announced an increase in Value Added Tax (VAT), which you pay when you buy goods. In Ghana, Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta – who is under pressure to resign because of the deepening economic crisis – pushed it up from 12.5% to 15%. But in some good news for Ghanaians, the finance minister cut the tax on all electronic transactions from 1.5% to 1%, barely a year after its introduction. In Zimbabwe, the tax on foreign currency transactions has been halved to 2% while a banking tax for the purchase of wheat has been dropped to keep bread prices low.
Featured Image Credits/
Fanti Carnival Returns to Lagos This Easter with a Vibrant Celebration of Afro-Brazilian Culture
The historic Fanti Carnival is set to make its grand return on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, bringing the...
The historic Fanti Carnival is set to make its grand return on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, bringing the streets of Lagos Island alive with colour, music, and culture. With roots dating back to 1890, the Lagos Fanti Carnival is one of Nigeria’s oldest and most vibrant cultural traditions, celebrating the deep ties between Nigeria and Brazil through a dynamic fusion of Afro-Brazilian heritage and modern creativity.
This year’s edition is supported by the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, in partnership with Robert Taylor Media and the Brazilian Descendants Association of Lagos. Together, they aim to honour the legacy of the Afro-Brazilian community in Lagos — descendants of formerly enslaved returnees who shaped the city’s culture, religion, and architecture.
The carnival procession will kick off at 12:00 PM, starting from Old Defence Road and will end at the JK Randle Centre, with accreditation beginning at 10:00 AM. Attendees can expect a stunning showcase of traditional costumes, Afro-Brazilian drumming, dance, and performances from local creatives reinterpreting heritage for a new generation.
Whether you’re drawn to the dazzling pageantry, the live performances, or the chance to connect with a rich cultural history, the Fanti Carnival is an unmissable event this Easter.
Tickets are now available, and more information can be found via the official Fanti Carnival website or their social platforms.
Keep reading...
Vlisco’s “The Garden Of Sisterhood” Campaign Comes To Life in New “MAYANGA” Video
A celebration of creativity and cultural
Dutch textile brand Vlisco recently unveiled its latest campaign ‘The Garden Of Sisterhood,’ as part of its women’s month celebration. The campaign, which looks to extend Vlisco’s rich legacy in African fashion and its ongoing celebration of creativity and cultural storytelling, takes inspiration from Congolese musical icon Fally Ipupa’s latest single, “Mayanga.” The song’s accompanying music video was shot in the Ivory Coast, and seamlessly balances Ipupa’s signature soulful Rumba music with intricate floral motifs and soft, elegant colour palettes that celebrate the strength and individuality that blossoms through community.
In addition to Fally Ipupa, Vlisco also tapped up Ivorian fashion designer Loza Maléombho and Nigerian director Daniel Obasi to contribute to ‘The Garden Of Sisterhood’ campaign. Maléombho’s unique designs and Obasi’s striking storytelling helped contribute to actualising Vlisco’s distinct aesthetic and vision of merging heritage, creativity and fashion.
In a statement discussing the collaboration with Vlisco, the Congolese superstar described it as a beautiful experience. “They understood my vision of working with talented artists and honouring the beautiful women who wear Vlisco fabrics. By creating exclusive designs for me and the remarkable women in the cast, Vlisco really brought our artistic vision to life, harmoniously fusing music and fashion,” he said.
Similarly, Marlou van Engelen, the creative director of Vlisco, expressed that it was an honour working with Fally Ipupa. “His song ‘MAYANGA’ perfectly reflects our admiration for the women who shaped us, inspire us, and mean so much to us. For us, it’s not just about fashion; it’s about the stories told through our beautiful prints. And I believe the best stories are always told together,” she said in a statement.
View this post on Instagram
Keep reading...
NATIVE PREMIERE: Rigo Kamp Runs Ahead Of The Pack With The Visuals For “Marathon”
Rigo Kamp’s Marathon video is an intimate Afro-juju revival that pays homage to Sir Shina Peters and stamps...
Last Friday, Rigo Kamp, a NATIVE uNder alum and one of the architects of an equal parts nostalgic and refreshing sound released his self-titled debut EP, delivering a propulsive fusion of Alte, R&B, Funk, and Soul-infused rhythms.
Featuring previously released singles “Morning Sun” and “Summer”, the six-track eponymous EP executively produced by Odunsi The Engine sees Rigo lean heavily into his element as a sonic alchemist, jumping from silky falsettos to gritty grooves without losing an ounce of cohesion, and ultimately stamping the Abuja-born, Lagos-based singer-songwriter as a mad scientist of sound.
Just last November, Apple Music named Rigo Kamp as its Up Next artist, an acknowledgment that underscored his potential and confirmed what the tastemakers and underground scene already knew. Weeks later, he delivered an exhilarating live set for Spotify Fresh Finds in Lagos, proving he’s just as compelling live as he is in the studio.
On “Marathon”, the refreshing opener to the Rigo Kamp EP, Rigo borrows the bounce and swagger of Afro-Juju legend, Sir Shina Peters’ golden-era, fusing nostalgia with re-imagination to birth a vintage performance that feels like a private party for two, where it’s just Rigo, and you.
Get an exclusive first look at the video for Marathon here:
Listen to the Rigo Kamp EP:
Keep reading...
