Abdullahi Okelo in Dar es Salaam in Tanzania tries to fully concentrate as he holds his tool, keen to start his practical work on automobile engine assembly before his tutors’ final assessment. Okelo’s dedication is driven by his deep passion for mechanical engineering and years of struggle to develop his engineering skills in a bid to earn a living.  “I am thrilled to be a student at the Luban Workshop, especially to be taught by the best tutors. This is…

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who chaired the virtual Shangai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit on Tuesday, said Iran was going to join as a new member of the organisation. Modi also welcomed the signing of a memorandum on Belarus’ commitment to SCO membership, as reported by ANI, a partner of TV BRICS. “I am happy that Iran is going to join the SCO family as a new member today. In this regard, I extend my best wishes to President Ebrahim…

For much of the past 20 years, the Chinese economic engagement with Africa could be summarised in two words: investment and trade. During this period, China’s trade figures with African nations have been remarkable. For instance, in 2022, China-Africa trade surged to a record high of $282 billion, highlighting how China’s business cooperation with the continent of Africa continues to rise.   Statistics from the General Administration of Customs of China show that in the first four months of 2023, rising…

As a child, I was captivated by machines and their inner workings. I yearned to design contraptions that could solve real-world problems and improve people’s lives. So when it came to selecting my major for university education, I knew that mechanical engineering was the right choice.   As for university, I decided to study at Assosa University in Ethiopia, because of the university’s reputation for excellence in mechanical engineering and the vibrant culture of the city it’s located in. For a…

Over the past few years, the development of Rwanda’s infrastructure and economy has greatly benefitted from the significant investment from China, according to insiders. The two countries have strengthened cooperation in various fields, particularly in the area of investment.   “The collaboration in investment has led to numerous benefits for both countries, such as increased economic growth, job opportunities, and improved access to resources and capital,” Emmanuel Bugingo, chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Security in the Chamber…

The India-Russia Business Forum was held on Wednesday on the sidelines ofthe St. Petersburg International Economic Forum ( SPIEF). The participants discussed the efforts the governments of India and Russia are taking to overcome transport and logistics problems, prospects of setting up a joint banking and financial structure to support the bilateral trade potential, andhigh-priority areas of cooperation between India and Russia. The talk was moderated by Ksenia Komissarova, Editor-in-Chief of the TVBRICS Media Network.“Last year was the 75th year since…

BRICS foreign ministers met in Cape Town on Thursday 1 June. One of the current issues on the agenda is working out the criteria for accepting new members into BRICS. In addition, work will continue on preparations for the August 15th summit of the association. The Chairperson of the meeting, Naledi Pandor, South Africa’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, said that the partnership of the ‘Five’ is to drive inclusion of Africa and the global South in a more just and…

The implications of South African Reserve Bank (SARB) decisions on workers and black South Africans are significant, considering the history of financial exclusion and discrimination that has affected the majority black population in South Africa. The lingering effects of apartheid-era policies continue to impede the economic advancement of black individuals and businesses. Of particular concern is the indifference of the central bank towards the plight of marginalised communities.  On May 25th, the SARB’s monetary policy committee (MPC) raised the repo rate for the tenth…

A seminar on knowledge sharing in South-South cooperation was held at the UN premises in Beijing on 15 May. ChinAfrica sat down with one of the speakers David Kaatrud, director of Programme – Humanitarian & Development Programme & Policy Department, World Food Programme (WFP), to hear his opinion on global food security situation and the role of South-South cooperation in addressing food security challenges. Edited excerpts of the interview follow.   ChinAfrica: What is the general situation we are facing today regarding food security in…

In the dense forest of the Daxiangling Mountains in Sichuan Province grows the favourite food of giant pandas – various bamboo species including arrow bamboo. The slopes are usually covered with snow from the end of November to the end of March the following year. As in the wild, giant pandas generally live at relatively high altitudes and prefer cool places with rich food resources, rugged terrain and abundant water, making the mountain range an ideal habitat for them.   The…