Njangi Metrics

The continent is finally taking control of its own money. Here's why you should care. Picture this: You're a small business owner in Lagos trying to pay your supplier in Nairobi. Under the old system, your money would take a bizarre journey. First, it converts to US dollars. Then it bounces through correspondent banks in New York or London, racking up fees at every stop. Days later, your supplier finally receives Kenyan shillings—minus a chunk lost to conversion fees and intermediary charges. The whole process is slow, expensive, and frankly, ridiculous. But there's a new player in town that's flipping this colonial-era system on its head: the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System, or PAPSS. What Exactly Is PAPSS? Launched on January 13, 2022, by the African Union and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), PAPSS is Africa's answer to a problem we've tolerated for far too long. According to reports from the system's official communications, it...

  By Annick Mekolle  With a Master’s degree in Circular Economy, I conducted research driven by a strong passion for tackling waste challenges through practical, sustainable solutions. For my project work, I 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. ✔  Improve health  by minimizing indoor air pollution f...

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 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 ...

  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...

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...