Zimbabwe: President Signs Law to Curb Civic Space
Nongovernmental Organizations Face Threat of Deregistration, Criminal Prosecution On April 11, 2025, Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa signed a law on nongovernmental organizations that sharply curtails the rights to freedom of association and expression, Human Rights Watch said today. The Private Voluntary Organisations Amendment Act empowers the government to deregister and seize the assets of nongovernmental […]
Nigeria and South Africa Sign Landmark Mining Cooperation Deal
Nigeria and South Africa have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance mining cooperation, focusing on investment, knowledge exchange, and technology transfer. Signed in Abuja, the agreement aims to strengthen ties under the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission framework. The partnership will cover areas such as capacity building in geological methods, mineral exploration, and processing […]
AfDB President Calls for End to Raw Material Exports
Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), has urged African nations to stop exporting raw materials and instead focus on producing value-added goods. According to him, Africa’s dependency on raw material exports will only entrench its poverty and underdevelopment, while pivoting to value addition will improve its fortunes. Despite the continent’s vast […]
Trump Administration Plans Major Diplomatic Cuts Across Africa
The United States is considering reducing its diplomatic presence abroad by shutting down 10 embassies and 17 consulates. Africa is set to bear the brunt of this plan as most of the planned closures are in countries on the continent. For instance, six of the 10 embassies scheduled for closure are on the continent, including […]
South Africa’s Finance Minister Warns Against Opposing VAT Hike
South Africa’s Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has warned that failing to raise the value-added tax (VAT) rate by 0.5% in May would severely harm state finances, risking cuts to government spending or increased borrowing. The proposal to raise VAT has sparked a dispute within the coalition government, with the Democratic Alliance challenging its legality in […]
Seven Nations Bid for 2030 and 2034 Commonwealth Games
Fears that Glasgow 2026 could be the last Commonwealth Games have been eased as seven countries have expressed interest in hosting future editions in 2030 and 2034. Scotland, which stepped in after Australia withdrew for financial reasons, is planning a scaled-back 2026 event with fewer sports and venues to reduce costs. The development led to […]
Egypt Records Sharp Drop in Suez Canal Revenue in 2024
Egypt’s Suez Canal revenue saw a dramatic drop in 2024, plummeting nearly two-thirds from an all-time high of $10.25 billion in 2023 to $3.99 billion. The decrease is primarily due to regional instability, including the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and threats from Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The Houthis began threatening maritime traffic in the […]
Farmers Reject Zimbabwe’s Dollar Bond Offer for Land Seizures
Many White Zimbabwean farmers who lost their land during the country’s controversial land reform program over 20 years ago have rejected an offer of dollar bonds from the government as compensation. The 10-year bonds, valued at $308 million, were deemed “unacceptable” by Deon Theron, who represents some of the farmers seeking restitution for the 4,500 […]
Tanzania’s Heritage Diet Shown to Boost Health, Challenging Western Diets
Tanzanian researchers have suggested that traditional African diets, such as those in the country’s Kilimanjaro region, should be included in global healthy eating guidelines, alongside the Mediterranean and Nordic diets. The researchers made this suggestion based on a recent study during which they found that diets based on plantains, cassava, and fermented banana drinks had […]
Keyshia Cole Cancels Long-Awaited South African Concert
Keyshia Cole’s highly anticipated “Live in South Africa” concert has been officially cancelled, leaving South African R&B fans heartbroken. The show, initially scheduled for September 2024, was postponed to January 2025 due to “unforeseen circumstances.” Following the fire incident in Los Angeles, the concert was rescheduled again, this time to April. Despite optimism following a […]
