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<p>The annual Ubumuntu Arts Festival would’ve this year been celebrating its 5th year in production. In response to the current COVID-19 crisis, it’s shifted from its usual home at the Kigali Genocide Memorial Amphitheatre, to an online live experience, to take place in mid-July. But the organisers of this event felt that there was a more immediate response needed to reach out to those who may be troubled or frightened in the face of an uncertain future. Founder, Hope Azeda joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


Annual Arts Festival goes digital amid the COVID-19 crisis

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<p>With news on the markets being dominated by the fall of oil prices, we take a look at what kind of impact this will have on East Africa&#8217;s biggest economy, Kenya. George Bodo, Director at Callstreet Research and Analytics Ltd joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


COVID-19: How the oil price crash impacts Kenya’s economy

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<p>As we approach the fourth industrial revolution, Blockchain has been identified to have the potential to disrupt existing economic and business models. Despite this, unexpected patterns among the cryptocurrency traders have been sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic. Norbert Haguma, CEO AfricaGen spoke to CNBC Africa on how the pandemic is reshaping the crypto industry.</p>


How COVID-19 is reshaping the crypto industry


<p>Report by Riley de Leon</p>



<p><strong>Key Points:</strong></p>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Zipline has begun delivering Covid-19 test samples via drone in Ghana’s two largest cities, Accra and Kumasi.</li></ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>It is the first time in history that autonomous drones have been used to make regular long-range deliveries into densely populated urban areas.</li></ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>The start-up also has been working with the FAA to accelerate their launch of U.S. operations so it can distribute test kits and personal protective equipment via drone.</li></ul>



<p><a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/videos/2020/04/22/african-health-start-up-zipline-on-the-forefront-of-covid-19-fight/">Zipline</a>, the California-based drone-delivery start-up that delivers critical medical supplies in countries like <a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/news/2020/04/20/ghana-lifts-lockdown-on-key-regions-as-covid-19-cases-reach-1042/">Ghana</a>, has begun delivering <a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/covid-19/">Covid-19</a> test samples in the country’s two largest cities — Accra, the nation’s capital, and Kumasi, the country’s second-largest city.</p>



<p>The service began Friday, when 51 test samples were collected from patients at rural health facilities and transported to the company’s distribution center in Omenako, <a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/videos/2020/04/20/moodys-changes-ghanas-outlook-to-negative-b3-rating-affirmed/">Ghana</a>. Over the course of four separate flights, the company delivered those 51 samples to the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research in Accra for testing and analysis.</p>



<p>The company will also be delivering Covid-19 test samples collected at regional hospitals near its Mapong distribution center to the Kumasi Center for Collaborative Research. The first such delivery took place on Saturday, April 18. The company said it expects to operate this new daily service for the duration of the government’s Covid-19 response efforts, marking the first time in history that autonomous drones have been used to make regular long-range deliveries into densely populated urban areas.</p>



<p>It is also the first time that drones have been used in this way to deliver Covid-19 test samples.&nbsp;The new delivery service allows the government to more closely monitor and respond to the spread of the disease in some of the countries most remote areas.</p>



<p>“Zipline is dedicated to helping Ghana in its fight against the Covid-19 pandemic,” said CEO Keller Rinaudo. “Using contactless drone delivery to transport Covid-19 test samples will allow the government to respond to the pandemic and help save lives more quickly.”</p>



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<p>Since its launch in October 2016, the company’s autonomous drones have flown more than 2 million miles and delivered more than 60,000 vaccines, units of blood and other medical products in Ghana, <a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/videos/2020/04/21/rwandas-tech-innovators-quick-to-fill-the-market-demand-gap-amid-covid-19/">Rwanda</a> and India.</p>



<p>Before the Covid-19 outbreak, Zipline planned to launch U.S. operations in the fall of 2020, delivering to health facilities and homes. As the outbreak has worsened, the company has been working with the FAA on the necessary approvals needed to operate commercially, and says that they could do so within weeks of receiving said approval. According to a company statement, their emergency efforts in the U.S. would focus on the distribution of scarce resources like test kits and personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves and masks, as well as Covid-19 vaccines once they become available.</p>



<p>Zipline ranked No. 39 on the 2019 Disruptor 50 list. The 2020 Disruptor 50 list will be revealed this June.</p>



<p>This article was first published on CNBC <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/20/zipline-begins-drone-delivery-of-covid-19-test-samples-in-ghana.html">https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/20/zipline-begins-drone-delivery-of-covid-19-test-samples-in-ghana.html</a> and is republished with its permission.</p>



<p>For more coverage on COVID-19 visit: <a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/covid-19/">https://www.cnbcafrica.com/covid-19/</a></p>


Zipline launches drone delivery of COVID-19 test samples in Ghana

Zipline begins drone delivery of COVID-19 test samples in Ghana

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<p>Tech health start-ups have seen a jump in not only investor appetite but also in the ease of operation with many economies looking at them for go to solutions in the wake of the coronavirus. But how has this translated into business sense for them? Israel Bimpe, Head of National Implementation at Zipline joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


African health start-up Zipline on the forefront of COVID-19 fight

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<p>At the end of the last decade investor appetite in alternative energy had picked up pace but just like most industries, this has been affected by the current COVID-19 pandemic. Amidst all this, could this be an opportunity for the industry? CNBC Africa spoke to James Carter, Lawyer at DLA Piper Global Law Firm for more.</p>


Is COVID-19 the opportunity for alternative energy?

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<p>Africa’s biggest supermarket chain, Shoprite Holdings recently announced it is closing one of its branches in Kenya and laying off over 100 workers due to a reduction of shoppers. Elsewhere, the International Finance Corporation is set to acquire a minority stake in retail chain Naivas International Limited for $15 million. For more updates in Kenya’s retail market and how it’s coping with the pandemic, CNBC Africa spoke to Ken Gichinga, Chief Economist at Mentoria Economics.</p>


The impact of COVID-19 on Kenya’s retail industry

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<p>Investors in Cytonn high yielding resolutions real estate projects will have to wait three months longer if they are to recoup investments according to a company statement, CNBC Africa spoke to the company&#8217;s COO, Shiv Arora for more.</p>


Cytonn extends maturities on its real estate fund by three months due to COVID-19 crisis

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<p>A number of small businesses in Ethiopia are protesting the way Facebook is handling their business pages with some being pulled down from the social media site.</p>


Outcry as small businesses in Ethiopia have their pages pulled down by Facebook

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<p>Yesterday the price of West Texas Intermediate Crude fell below zero for the first time in history, meaning the sellers were ultimately paying buyers to take the oil. The COVID-19 pandemic has cut global oil demand by almost a third, and now it shows in the US oil market, but what does this all mean for Africa? International Relations Expert, Emery Nzirabatinya joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


COVID-19: What the oil price crash means for African economies

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<p>Rwanda is catching up with the global trends with services like e-government, online financial transactions and e-commerce considered as an important developmental and trade facilitation tool needed, especially during the COVID-19 crisis. CNBC Africa&#8217;s Fiona Muthoni spoke to Alex Ntale, CEO of ICT Chamber on strategies to sustain e-Commerce momentum in post COVID-19 Rwanda.</p>


Rwanda’s tech innovators quick to fill the market demand gap amid COVID-19

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<p>Media owners in Rwanda are seeking for a government stimulus package to help keep the sector afloat, while giant media houses in Kenya are announcing pay cuts for their staff even as the industry grapples with the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. CNBC Africa spoke to Eugene Anangwe, CEO of TV47 Kenya, for more.</p>


COVID-19 & its impact on the East African media environment

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<p>The G20 recently agreed to suspend debt service payments for the world’s poorest countries to support them in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Economic Analyst, Ted Kaberuka joins CNBC Africa to discuss this measure that will be effective on May 1.</p>


COVID-19: What the G20 debt relief agreement means for Africa

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<p>Dr. Edoh Kossi Amenounve, President of the African Securities Exchanges Association and CEO of BRVM, joined CNBC Africa to give an update of how the market is fairing during this period and measures put in place to ensure market operations continue normally.</p>


How have African markets been faring amid the coronavirus pandemic?

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<p>Cloth masks have been officially recommended by the CDC to help slow the spread of the highly contagious COVID-19 and now Rwanda has required the use of face coverings in public spaces and in multi-family compounds. On the 17th of April a statement was released by the Rwandan FDA, listing a selection of approved companies to manufacture personal protective equipment and product development firm, Fab Lab was on it. CNBC Africa is joined by the GM, Danny Bizimana for more.</p>


This Rwandan company is helping to produce PPE to fight COVID-19 spread


<p>A cabinet meeting, held via video conference and chaired by Rwandan President Paul Kagame, has resolved to extend the country’s existing <a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/east-africa/2020/04/15/rwandan-frank-nsonga-on-how-he-battled-covid-19-and-won/">COVID-19</a> lockdown for another eleven days, meaning it will now end on 30 April.</p>



<p>This is the second time the government has extended the <a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/east-africa/2020/04/09/im-bank-rwanda-reduces-interest-rates-by-0-5-to-cushion-customers-from-covid-19/">lockdown period</a>.</p>



<p>For more coverage on COVID-19 visit: <a href="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/covid-19/">https://www.cnbcafrica.com/covid-19/</a></p>



<p>The following statement provides more details:</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="721" height="1024" src="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG-20200420-WA0000-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-368469" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG-20200420-WA0000-1.jpg 721w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG-20200420-WA0000-1-211x300.jpg 211w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG-20200420-WA0000-1-696x988.jpg 696w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 721px) 100vw, 721px" /></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="743" height="1024" src="https://www.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG-20200420-WA0001-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-368470" srcset="https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG-20200420-WA0001-1.jpg 743w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG-20200420-WA0001-1-218x300.jpg 218w, https://cms.cnbcafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG-20200420-WA0001-1-696x959.jpg 696w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 743px) 100vw, 743px" /></figure>


Rwanda extends COVID-19 lockdown until 30 April

Rwanda extends COVID-19 lockdown until 30 April. shutterstock_520198060

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<p>Since coronavirus has spread across the globe, we have started witnessing its grave impact on the global economy, particularly, on business entrepreneurship. CNBC Africa spoke to Fatema Dewji, Director of Marketing at MeTL about how businesswomen are being affected by COVID-19 and how they can navigate the effects of the pandemic.</p>


Rwanda

Annual Arts Festival goes digital amid the COVID-19 crisis

COVID-19: How the oil price crash impacts Kenya’s economy

How COVID-19 is reshaping the crypto industry

Zipline begins drone delivery of COVID-19 test samples in Ghana

African health start-up Zipline on the forefront of COVID-19 fight

Is COVID-19 the opportunity for alternative energy?

The impact of COVID-19 on Kenya’s retail industry

Cytonn extends maturities on its real estate fund by three months due to COVID-19 crisis

Outcry as small businesses in Ethiopia have their pages pulled down by Facebook

COVID-19: What the oil price crash means for African economies

Rwanda’s tech innovators quick to fill the market demand gap amid COVID-19

COVID-19 & its impact on the East African media environment

COVID-19: What the G20 debt relief agreement means for Africa

How have African markets been faring amid the coronavirus pandemic?

This Rwandan company is helping to produce PPE to fight COVID-19 spread

Rwanda extends COVID-19 lockdown until 30 April

How can female entrepreneurs navigate the effects of COVID-19?

News Tips

Advertise With Us

Rwanda

Annual Arts Festival goes digital amid the COVID-19 crisis

COVID-19: How the oil price crash impacts Kenya’s economy

How COVID-19 is reshaping the crypto industry

Zipline begins drone delivery of COVID-19 test samples in Ghana

African health start-up Zipline on the forefront of COVID-19 fight

Is COVID-19 the opportunity for alternative energy?

The impact of COVID-19 on Kenya’s retail industry

Cytonn extends maturities on its real estate fund by three months due to COVID-19 crisis

Outcry as small businesses in Ethiopia have their pages pulled down by Facebook

COVID-19: What the oil price crash means for African economies

Rwanda’s tech innovators quick to fill the market demand gap amid COVID-19

COVID-19 & its impact on the East African media environment

COVID-19: What the G20 debt relief agreement means for Africa

How have African markets been faring amid the coronavirus pandemic?

This Rwandan company is helping to produce PPE to fight COVID-19 spread

Rwanda extends COVID-19 lockdown until 30 April

How can female entrepreneurs navigate the effects of COVID-19?

News Tips

Advertise With Us

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