Africa Business News

New Zealand has tightened work visa rules in response to unsustainable migration levels. Low-skilled applicants now have to fulfil English-language requirements and are allowed to stay on for three years - down from five previously. Immigration Minister Erica Stanford says getting their immigration settings right is critical to this government's plan to rebuild the economy. Employers are responsible for ensuring that migrants meet the specified requirements before offering them a job. Authorities have also decided to axe earlier plans to add 11 roles, such as welders, fitters and turners, to the list of occupations that would qualify for a fast track to residency.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/africa-business-news--4166630/support.

A Brazilian Supreme Court judge has opened an inquiry into Elon Musk after the multi-billionaire said he would reactivate accounts on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, that the judge had ordered to be blocked. Mr Musk posted on the platform that the restrictions had been lifted because the court order was unconstitutional. He also called for Justice Alexandre de Moraes to resign or be impeached. Justice Moraes wrote that Mr Musk had launched a disinformation campaign against the Supreme Court. The platform's Global Government Affairs team says the company was not allowed to say which accounts were affected.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/africa-business-news--4166630/support.

A Brazilian Supreme Court judge has opened an inquiry into Elon Musk after the multi-billionaire said he would reactivate accounts on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, that the judge had ordered to be blocked. Mr Musk posted on the platform that the restrictions had been lifted because the court order was unconstitutional. He also called for Justice Alexandre de Moraes to resign or be impeached. Justice Moraes wrote that Mr Musk had launched a disinformation campaign against the Supreme Court. The platform's Global Government Affairs team says the company was not allowed to say which accounts were affected.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/africa-business-news--4166630/support.

Zimbabwe has introduced a new gold-backed currency called ZiG - the name stands for Zimbabwe Gold". Central bank governor John Mushayavanhu said the ZiG would be structured and set at a market-determined exchange rate. The ZiG replaces the Zimbabwean dollar, the RTGS, which had lost three-quarters of its value so far this year. Zimbabweans have 21 days to exchange old, inflation-hit notes for the new currency. Mr Mushayavanhu said the new currency was being rolled out with immediate effect and banks must convert current Zimbabwe dollar balances to the ZiG.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/africa-business-news--4166630/support.

Zimbabwe has introduced a new gold-backed currency called ZiG - the name stands for Zimbabwe Gold". Central bank governor John Mushayavanhu said the ZiG would be structured and set at a market-determined exchange rate. The ZiG replaces the Zimbabwean dollar, the RTGS, which had lost three-quarters of its value so far this year. Zimbabweans have 21 days to exchange old, inflation-hit notes for the new currency. Mr Mushayavanhu said the new currency was being rolled out with immediate effect and banks must convert current Zimbabwe dollar balances to the ZiG.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/africa-business-news--4166630/support.

Sierra Leone's president has declared a national emergency over rampant drug abuse. Kush, a psychoactive blend of addictive substances, has been prevalent in the country for years. President Julius Maada Bio called the drug a death trap and said it posed an existential crisis. One of the drug's many ingredients is human bones - security has been tightened in cemeteries to stop addicts digging up skeletons from graves. With a bandage around his ankle, one recovering addict told the BBC the drug has a tight grip on him.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/africa-business-news--4166630/support.

Sierra Leone's president has declared a national emergency over rampant drug abuse. Kush, a psychoactive blend of addictive substances, has been prevalent in the country for years. President Julius Maada Bio called the drug a death trap and said it posed an existential crisis. One of the drug's many ingredients is human bones - security has been tightened in cemeteries to stop addicts digging up skeletons from graves. With a bandage around his ankle, one recovering addict told the BBC the drug has a tight grip on him.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/africa-business-news--4166630/support.

The Federal Government announced that testing has commenced on the 700 megawatts Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant ahead of the evaluation of electricity from the facility to the national grid. It also stated that the $1.3bn project had been connected to the national grid, in contrast to claims in some quarters that the plant was not connected to the grid. The Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant provides flood control, irrigation water and fish breeding facilities and its construction partners include a consortium of Chinese firms (Sinohydro Corporation Limited and China National Electric Engineering Company).

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/africa-business-news--4166630/support.

The Federal Government announced that testing has commenced on the 700 megawatts Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant ahead of the evaluation of electricity from the facility to the national grid. It also stated that the $1.3bn project had been connected to the national grid, in contrast to claims in some quarters that the plant was not connected to the grid. The Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant provides flood control, irrigation water and fish breeding facilities and its construction partners include a consortium of Chinese firms (Sinohydro Corporation Limited and China National Electric Engineering Company).

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/africa-business-news--4166630/support.

The Federal Government is to launch three new national identity cards in May this year and has a target of providing them for about 104 million citizens across the country. The three new national identity cards planned by the National Identity Management Commission include a bank-enabled National ID card, a social intervention card, and an optional ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card. The Technical Adviser, Media, and Communications to the Director-General of NIMC, Ayodele Babalola, says Nigerians would start getting the three national ID cards within one or two months of the launch. He added that Digital/virtual versions of all cards will be available for individuals who prefer digital formats, albeit with limited functionalities. Additionally, ECOWAS cards will be issued on an as-needed basis in collaboration with the Nigerian Immigration Service.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/africa-business-news--4166630/support.