Since Sudan’s devastating war erupted in April 2023, over a million people have fled to neighbouring Egypt seeking refuge. Both countries have laws banning female genital mutilation (FGM), but despite this, Sudan and Egypt have some of the highest rates of FGM globally. A timely new study, Female Genital Mutilation Amongst Sudanese Migrants in Greater Cairo: Perceptions and Trends, by Equality Now and Tadwein for Gender Studies, provides valuable insights into how migration and exposure to new cultural environments and social networks are influencing FGM practices amongst Sudanese families in Egypt.

In-depth interviews revealed positive attitudes toward abandoning FGM. Younger, educated individuals and women with personal experiences of FGM harm voiced some of the strongest opposition to continuing the practice, while men often cited FGM’s negative impact on marital intimacy as a key reason for discontinuation. 

However, FGM is viewed by some as a means of maintaining cultural identity and status, and as essential for social acceptance. Many interviewees thought families who embraced FGM in Sudan would likely continue it in Egypt. (Press release)

Edelman Africa launched its Regional Advisory (ERA) team, comprised of senior industry veterans and communications advisors spread across North, East, West, Central and Southern Africa to assist existing and potential clients build their businesses and navigate the continent.

This move, together with Edelman’s established network of vetted partners that span the entire African continent and offer on-the-ground tactical support across all 54 countries, positions Edelman Africa as the most connected communications advisory on the African continent and the leading provider of communications advisory across the regions.

To build upon Edelman Africa’s already established teams in both Southern and East Africa, the regional advisory team will be co-led by two external advisors handpicked for their decades of experience across their respective regions: Kwame Senou, Executive Director of The Holding Opinion and Public (THOP) in Cote d’Ivoire and Kamal Taibi, Founder & CEO of Stratëus Group in Morocco. (Press release)

A high-net-worth individual (HNWI) is someone with liquid assets of at least $1 million after accounting for their liabilities. Liquid assets held by HNWIs include cash and investments that can be easily liquidated or converted to cash, including stocks. HNWIs need and receive tailored financial and money management services due to their net worth.

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and Google are deepening their collaboration to help unlock the promise of digital transformation in the African continent. Together, they are rolling out a series of training programs aimed at equipping young Africans and government officials with practical skills in critical emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, robotics, and cloud computing.

The goal is simple: empower more Africans with the tools to make data-driven decisions, shape future-ready policies, and drive inclusive, sustainable growth across the continent.

This collaboration builds on a shared commitment to digital capacity building in Africa. Initiatives like the World Robot Olympiad Africa, which reached nearly 9,000 students across 14 countries, and demonstrated the power of hands-on learning to inspire innovation. Now, ECA and Google are extending that impact by focusing on digital skills training for policymakers and government leaders.