Skip to main content

Posts

Empowering Communities Through Circular Energy Solutions

  By Annick Mekolle and Denis Daranuta As students specializing in Circular Economy, my colleague Denis Daranuta (from Moldova) and I (from Cameroon) are passionate about tackling waste challenges with practical, sustainable solutions. For our project work, we chose to address a critical issue:  waste management and energy access in African communities . The Problem: Waste and Energy Poverty In Cameroon and across Africa, unmanaged waste overwhelms communities, creating health risks and environmental damage. Sadly, governmental action often falls short, leaving households to rely on polluting fuels like firewood, charcoal, or expensive LPG. But what if we could  transform organic waste into clean, affordable cooking gas—right at home? Biogas: A Circular Solution Biogas technology offers a promising way to: ✔  Reduce waste  by converting food scraps and organic matter into energy. ✔  Cut costs  by slashing reliance on bottled gas or charcoal. ✔  Im...
Recent posts

Motherhood & Ambition: We Want to Hear Your Story

Motherhood looks different for every woman — and so does ambition. Some of us are deep in the diapers-and-deadlines phase, others dream of becoming moms one day, and some are growing businesses with toddlers in tow. One thing we all have in common? We’re navigating it all with heart, grit, and a deep desire to make it work. That’s why I’m launching a story-driven project to spotlight the real, raw, and inspiring ways motherhood (or the journey toward it) impacts careers and entrepreneurship. Whether you're a full-time mom, a business owner, or someone preparing for future motherhood, your voice matters — and we want to hear it. We’ve created 3 short, safe-space surveys to collect stories from different stages and experiences: Are you a mother navigating career or work-life balance? Tell us how motherhood has shaped your choices, dreams, and daily hustle. Take the survey for mothers Are you an aspiring mother? We’d love to hear your hopes, fears, and thoughts about how mother...

Trump’s 2025 Tariffs on Africa: A Trade Earthquake or a Wake-Up Call?

  Trump's Reciprocal Tariffs: What They Mean for Africa—and How the Continent Can Respond Strategically On April 2, 2025, former U.S. President Donald Trump delivered a powerful message from the White House Rose Garden: the "one-sided trade deals" era was over. As part of his administration’s push for what he termed “fair and reciprocal trade,” Trump announced sweeping tariffs on goods imported from multiple countries—including 23 African nations. The Numbers: A Breakdown of Africa’s Tariff Burden Here’s a snapshot of the newly imposed tariffs on African countries: South Africa – 30% Nigeria – 14% Kenya, Ghana, Morocco, Liberia – 10% each Zimbabwe – 18% Lesotho – a staggering 50% Mauritius – 40% Botswana – 37% Tunisia – 28% Cameroon, DRC – 11% each Zambia, Malawi – 17% each (Full list available at the bottom of this article.) The economic impact could be considerable. South Africa's citrus industry alone could lose up ...

A Smart Guide for Budget-Conscious Startups

  Balancing Product-Centric and Customer-Centric Strategies: A Smart Guide for Budget-Conscious Startups Launching a startup with limited capital is no easy feat. Every decision counts, and striking the right balance between focusing on your product and understanding your customers can determine your success. Some startups go all-in on building the perfect product, while others prioritize customer feedback above all else. But the real magic happens when you blend both approaches strategically. Here’s how you can do it without breaking the bank. 1. Build a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) with a Customer Lens Many startups fall into the trap of overengineering their product before truly understanding customer needs. Instead of spending months (or years) perfecting features, focus on developing an MVP—a simple version of your product that solves a key problem for your target market. How to do it right: Identify the core problem you’re solving. Build only the essential features tha...

Common CV Mistakes to Avoid

A great CV can open doors, but a poorly written one can close them just as quickly. Avoid these common mistakes to ensure your CV stands out for the right reasons. 1. Using a Generic CV One of the biggest mistakes job seekers make is submitting the same CV for multiple positions. Tailoring your CV to match each job description increases your chances of being noticed by hiring managers. 2. Poor Formatting A cluttered, disorganized CV is difficult to read. Common formatting mistakes include: Overusing different fonts, colors, or graphics Lack of consistent spacing and alignment Using small or unreadable fonts 3. Including Too Much or Too Little Information Avoid excessive details, such as listing every job duty instead of focusing on achievements. Ensure your CV isn’t too short—leaving out key skills and experiences can hurt your chances. 4. Grammatical and Spelling Errors Errors in grammar or spelling can create a negative impression. Always proofread your CV, and consider using grammar...

Essential Elements of an Attractive CV

A well-crafted CV is your ticket to landing job interviews and securing career opportunities. To make a strong first impression, your CV should be structured, clear, and tailored to the job you’re applying for. Below are the essential elements that make an attractive CV: 1. Contact Information Your contact details should be placed at the top of your CV and must include: Full name Professional email address Phone number LinkedIn profile (if applicable) Personal website or portfolio (if relevant to your industry) Avoid using unprofessional email addresses, and ensure your contact information is up to date. 2. Professional Summary This is a concise paragraph (3-5 sentences) that highlights your key skills, experience, and career objectives. It should be tailored to the job you are applying for and focus on what makes you a strong candidate. Example: " Results-driven marketing professional with five years of experience in digital marketing and brand strategy. Skilled in SEO, content ...

Empowering Africa Through STEM: A Playground for Entrepreneurs and Innovators

  Africa’s future is being shaped by Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), and the potential is nothing short of thrilling! From tech startups shaking up industries to renewable energy solutions and AI-driven innovations, STEM is the ultimate game-changer. If you’re an entrepreneur or innovator, this is your golden ticket to solving real problems and building global businesses. Let’s dive in! 1. EdTech: Making STEM Education Exciting & Accessible Let’s face it—traditional STEM education in Africa has been a challenge. Outdated curriculums, lack of resources, and limited access to quality education have held back young innovators. But guess what? EdTech startups are stepping in to change the game! Opportunities for Entrepreneurs: Create STEM-focused online platforms offering courses in coding, AI, and engineering. Develop affordable, mobile-first STEM learning apps that reach remote areas. Partner with schools and governments to integrate digital learning int...

Subscribe

/