Trump Axes Decade-long Africa Electricity Initiative
United States President Donald Trump has ordered the dismantling of Power Africa, a USAID-operated initiative launched in 2013 to boost electricity access across the continent. According to reports, nearly all programs under the initiative have been slated for termination, and most staff have been let go. However, some remaining projects, particularly those linking US companies […]
Africa’s Top 10 Currencies in February 2025
Strong currencies offer numerous fiscal advantages, including lower inflation, increased investments, improved trade opportunities, and strong buying power. Africa is home to some countries with the strongest currencies in the world, thanks to its many fast-emerging economies. According to the latest Forbes currency converter, the Tunisian Dinar leads the pack at 3.14 per US dollar, […]
Former African Leaders Appointed to Lead DR Congo Peace Talks
The East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have appointed a trio of former African leaders to facilitate the blocs’ new peace process for the DR Congo conflict. The three elder statesmen—former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, and former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo—will work to achieve […]
Nigeria Marks its Strongest GDP Growth in Three Years
In the fourth quarter of 2024, Nigeria’s GDP surged by 3.84% year-on-year, marking its strongest growth in three years. This rebound was largely driven by a 5.37% expansion in the services sector, pushing full-year growth to 3.40%, up from 2.74% in 2023. Although this impressive performance falls short of President Tinubu’s ambitious 6% target, it […]
Unknown Bat-linked Illness Claims 50 Lives in Congo
A mysterious illness, linked to bat consumption, has claimed over 50 lives in northwestern Congo. The outbreak began in Boloko village five weeks ago when three children died within 48 hours of eating a bat, sparking concerns about a new zoonotic threat. Patients exhibit hemorrhagic symptoms such as fever, vomiting, and internal bleeding, which initially […]
Botswana and De Beers Strike New 10-year Diamond Deal
Botswana has signed a landmark 10-year diamond sales agreement with mining giant De Beers, concluding years of negotiations. Under the deal, the government’s share of diamond sale revenue through the Debswana company, co-owned with De Beers, will rise to 30% for the first five years and 40% for the next five. There is an option […]
AU and Somalia Finalize Troop Numbers for New Security Mission
Somalia and the African Union have agreed on specific troop contributions for the new AU Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). The plan allocates soldiers from Uganda, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, and Egypt, while hundreds of police personnel from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Egypt will support operations in key cities. In total, 11,900 personnel, including […]
London Court Fines Nigeria’s Gas Company $380M for Undelivered LNG
London’s High Court and Court of Appeal have directed the Nigeria LNG (NLNG) company to pay $380 million to global commodity traders Vitol and Glencore for failing to deliver 19 contracted LNG cargoes between 2020 and 2021. The shipments were meant for Taleveras, a trading firm that had pre-sold some cargoes to Vitol and Glencore. […]
UK Pauses Bilateral Aid to Rwanda Amid DRC Rebel Support Concerns
The UK government has suspended aid to Rwanda and cut high-level engagement with its government over Kigali’s backing of the M23 rebel group in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In addition, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) threatened sanctions, paused export licenses for the Rwanda Defence Force, and suspended military training for its soldiers. […]
Carragher’s Afcon Comments Spark Row Over African Football Prestige
Former English footballer Jamie Carragher’s offhand remark that the Africa Cup of Nations isn’t a “major tournament” ignited a fiery social media debate about African football’s true value. Speaking after Liverpool’s win, Carragher suggested that Mohamed Salah would need a Champions League title to win the Ballon d’Or, a comment that irked fellow pundits Micah […]