Kenya’s President Ruto Includes Opposition Members in Cabinet Nominations
Kenya’s President William Ruto has nominated four senior members of the opposition ODM party to his new broad-based government. He nominated John Mbadi for National Treasury, Opiyo Wandayi for Energy and Petroleum, Ali Hassan Joho for Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs, and Wycliffe Oparanya for Co-operatives and MSME Development. The four nominees are allies […]
Nigeria’s Lawmakers Approve Minimum Wage Hike Following Labor Negotiations
Nigeria’s Senate has approved a bill to increase the monthly minimum wage from $18.92 to $44.16. The bill, which requires President Bola Tinubu’s assent, also shortens the review period for future wage increases from five years to three. This decision follows a prolonged dispute between the government and major unions, the Nigerian Labor Congress (NLC) […]
Niger’s Problems Persist One Year On From Coup
A year after Niger’s dramatic coup, life has worsened as security and economic crises persist. The coup, justified by the junta to address these crises, has led to severe consequences. For one, several key international partners imposed sanctions and suspended crucial support, which previously made up nearly 40% of Niger’s budget, in response to the […]
US Troops to Complete Niger Withdrawal by Early August
The United States has announced that its remaining troops stationed at Niger’s Agadez drone base will withdraw by early August. General Kenneth Ekman, the US commander for Africa, announced this development on Wednesday, stating that the withdrawal is well ahead of the scheduled deadline of September 15. The US began the withdrawal of its troops […]
Malawi’s Fuel Woes Ease as First Train Arrives in 20 Years
Malawi received its first fuel train in 21 years, signaling an end to fuel shortages and marking the start of regular fuel deliveries to the East African country. The fuel deliveries will happen via a refurbished rail line from Nacala port in Mozambique with the first train, carrying 580,000 liters of diesel, arriving in Lilongwe […]
Migrant Boat Disaster Off Mauritania’s Coast Leaves 15 Dead
A migrant boat disaster near Mauritania’s capital, Nouakchott, has left at least 15 people dead and over 195 missing, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). So far, the Mauritanian coastguard has rescued 120 individuals, including unaccompanied children, with efforts ongoing to rescue the missing persons. The boat had departed from Gambia a week […]
Russia and Tanzania Move Away from Dollar in Trade
Tanzania and Russia are advancing towards conducting trade using their national currencies, moving away from the US dollar. Andrey Avetisyan, Tanzania’s ambassador to Russia, announced the development to the Russian newspaper Sputnik, revealing that both nations’ banks are working on the transition. This shift, discussed during the Valdai Discussion Club conference in Tanzania, aims to […]
Ghana’s Supreme Court Affirms Criminalization of Gay Sex
Ghana’s Supreme Court has upheld a six-decade-old law criminalizing gay sex, amidst pending decisions on potentially harsher penalties. The seven-member panel dismissed the lawsuit challenging the law, initiated by law lecturer Prince Obiri-Korang in 2021, who argued that it violates privacy rights as enshrined in the Ghanaian constitution. While dismissing the lawsuit, the presiding Justice […]
Kenyan Farmers Deploy Sustainable Farming to Fight Soil Acidity
Kenyan farmers are abandoning industrial farming methods for sustainable practices to combat increasing soil acidity. According to the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), 63% of Kenya’s arable land is acidic. Because of this, farmers across the country are seeing a drop in crop yields. Experts, like soil scientist Priscilla Wakarera, believe this […]
Namibia Introduces Visa Requirement for Western Travelers
Namibia will soon require visas for visitors from countries that mandate visas for Namibians, including Canada, the US, the UK, and Germany. This new policy, effective April next year, aims to ensure fairness in diplomatic relations, as stated by Namibia’s immigration ministry. Michelle Nehoya, a Namibian who spent nearly $500 on a yet-to-be-approved visa to […]