Do it for the Kids

Good Morning, Chop Family!

Make sure you are nice to your spouse today, since it’s National Spouses Day💑.

But if you don’t have a spouse, don’t worry, it’s also National Bubble Wrap Day, so grab a big roll of bubble wrap and get to poppin!

📈 AROUND THE GLOBE

Deadly Mozambique Floods: Southern Africa's devastating floods just got worse. Of the 13 people reported dead from the floods in Mozambique, three were killed by crocodiles, swept into populated areas by rising floodwaters.

The Limpopo River flows from South Africa through Mozambique on its way into the Indian Ocean, and as water levels surge, crocodiles are appearing in Xai-Xai and other submerged towns. Aid missions have been hampered by the rising waters, and the death rate is expected to rise.

BUSINESS

Africa is the world’s biggest and most prolific baby factory. The African birthrate is double that of its Western counterparts. In Africa, the birth rate is about 4 births per woman. In Europe and America, the rate is hovering around 1.4-1.6 births per woman.

But producing kids comes with a big responsibility. You need to care for them, clothe them, provide medicine, and feed them. Malnutrition in Africa is a major problem. A third of all children under five years of age suffer from chronic malnutrition.

This is a sad state of affairs, but it also opens up a huge opportunity to help cure this scourge. The baby food market is a billion-dollar industry that isn’t fully developed across the continent.

Part of the problem is funding and support for homegrown Africans who want to produce products locally to fill market gaps. The United Nations and various other NGO’S have established several programs to combat hunger and malnutrition, but these have limited success.

The real solutions should empower local businesses to build factories and produce the much-needed food regionally. The key is cutting through the rigours, confusion, and expensive redtape that is notorious across African municipalities.

African policies need to be business-friendly and should streamline the process. Why make interested parties run through a gauntlet of inefficiency, delay, and corruption?

These are solvable problems. No need for Western Aid and charity. The solutions are already on the soil; they just need help to get established, and if they do, they will flourish, and the children will benefit.

⚡ POLITICS & GEOPOLITICS

Trump Wants to Solve Africa’s Water Crisis (Again)

President Trump has offered to mediate the dispute over Nile River waters between Egypt and Ethiopia, promising “fair and transparent negotiations” over Ethiopia’s massive dam. Egypt and Sudan said yes immediately. Ethiopia? Crickets.

Here’s the problem: It has been tried already. Washington-led mediations began during Trump’s first term but effectively collapsed in 2020 when Ethiopia withdrew. Trump even threatened military action against the dam back then, so calling him neutral is... optimistic.

The stakes are high. Ethiopia’s $5 billion dam powers a nation of 120 million with barely any electricity. Egypt depends almost entirely on the Nile for fresh water and sees the dam as an existential threat.

During Trump’s first term, the U.S. proposed an agreement acceptable to Egypt but not Ethiopia, and President Trump echoed Egyptian threats of using military force to destroy the dam.

TECH

🔍 African Tech Sees Record Layoffs in 2025

Africa’s tech ecosystem recorded 2,421 layoffs in 2025, the highest annual total in five years, as companies slash costs and pivot toward profitability over rapid growth in a tougher funding environment. The strategic restructuring reflects a broader shift from unchecked expansion to sustainable unit economics and deeper runway management.

SMALL CHOP

🎶 Africa at the 2026 Grammys

African artists showed up strong in the 2026 Grammy nominations, especially in the newer African and global categories. Nigeria led the pack, but the love was spread across the continent. The Grammys will be held on Feb 1st in Los Angeles.

Who made the list:

• Burna Boy (Nigeria) – Multiple nods, including Best African Music Performance and Best Global Music Album, continuing his run as Africa’s most consistent Grammy presence.

• Davido & Omah Lay (Nigeria) – Nominated for Best African Music Performance for their collaboration “With You.”

• Ayra Starr (Nigeria) – First-time nominee, earning a nod for Best African Music Performance alongside Wizkid.

• Wizkid (Nigeria) – Back again as a featured artist, extending his Grammy résumé.

• Tyla (South Africa) – Nominated for Best African Music Performance, building on her breakout global year.

• Eddy Kenzo (Uganda) – Returns to the Grammys with a nomination in the African category.

• Youssou N’Dour (Senegal) – Recognised in Best Global Music Album, reminding everyone that legends still matter.

• Angélique Kidjo (Benin) – Yet another Grammy nomination, reinforcing her status as one of Africa’s most decorated artists.

DISH OF THE DAY

PostPartum healing soup. Childbirth is exhausting (so I hear), and it takes a lot out of women. So, today’s dish provides that nutrition and soothing after childbirth.

Nkui is a spicy, aromatic soup from western Cameroon, traditionally made with a mix of rare forest spices, roots, and herbs, often cooked with meat or fish.

What makes it special isn’t just the flavor, it’s the purpose. Nkui is widely known as a postpartum healing soup, believed to boost strength, circulation, and recovery after childbirth.

Till next time,

Chop Team