South Africa Scraps Controversial Tax Hike Following Pressure
South Africa has dropped its controversial proposal to increase value-added tax (VAT) by 1% over two years, following pushback from various political parties and civil society groups. The planned VAT hike, intended to address a $4.02 billion budget deficit, would have directly impacted households already struggling with rising costs. The National Treasury, which had initially […]
Kenya’s Ruto Seeks Stronger China-Kenya Ties During Visit
William Ruto, the president of Kenya, has pledged to strengthen ties with Beijing. Ruto, on a five-day trip to the East Asian country, cited the global trade tensions stirred by US tariffs as justification for this move. He highlighted Kenya’s desire to learn from China’s governance and economic development transformation, and thanked Xi Jinping, China’s […]
Ramaphosa and Trump Discuss Strengthening Bilateral Ties in First Call
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and US President Donald Trump have discussed the importance of strengthening bilateral ties between their countries. According to Ramaphosa, who revealed the conversation on social media, both leaders also discussed the Ukraine war and agreed on the urgency of ending it. Tensions had erupted between Washington and Pretoria over a […]
DRC and M23 Rebels Pause Fighting Amid Talks in Qatar
After a round of direct peace talks in Doha, Qatar, the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the M23 rebels have agreed to a ceasefire, offering hope for a potential end to the latest wave of violence. The truce marks the first real push toward peace, particularly since previous indirect negotiations […]
Africa’s Most Unusual UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Africa is home to some of the most breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Sites, each telling its own story of Earth’s rich history. However, some of these are unusual and deserve to be accounted for. Egypt’s Wadi Al Hitan, also called Whale Valley, is one such site. It offers a window into the past with 37- […]
ECOWAS Begins Relocating Key Institutions from AES States
ECOWAS has begun the process of relocating key institutions from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger after the three countries formally withdrew from the regional bloc earlier this year. The move, discussed in an extraordinary ECOWAS meeting in Ghana, signals a significant shift in the bloc’s operations and future relations with the breakaway Sahel nations. According […]
Nigeria’s FX Market Thrives in Q1 2025 with Record Inflows
Nigeria saw a significant boost in foreign exchange (FX) inflows in the first quarter of 2025, recording a net inflow of $15.2 billion. This development reflects the success of ongoing market reforms and increased investor confidence. FX inflows totaled $28.92 billion, reflecting an 18.7% increase compared to Q1 2024, while outflows rose by 32.7%. Despite […]
Tundu Lissu’s Court Appearance Marred by Arrests of Opposition Leaders
Tanzania’s opposition party, Chadema, has condemned the arrest of two senior officials, John Heche and John Mnyika, ahead of a crucial court appearance for Tundu Lissu, the party’s leader, who faces a treason charge. Lissu, who could face the death penalty, has been an outspoken critic of the government and its electoral practices. His party […]
France and Madagascar Forge New Economic Partnership During Macron Visit
French President Emmanuel Macron is on a trip to Madagascar, the first official visit by a French president to the Indian Ocean country in 20 years, aiming to strengthen bilateral relations. The visit aims to bolster economic cooperation between the two countries, with plans to ink key agreements on energy, infrastructure, digital technology, and tourism. […]
Tanzania Clamps Down on Imports from Malawi and South Africa Amid Trade Dispute
Tanzania has banned agricultural imports from Malawi and South Africa in response to restrictions on its exports. Tanzania’s Agriculture Minister, Hussein Bashe, confirmed the ban, stating it was to protect local business interests. The trade dispute began several years ago when South Africa banned the importation of Tanzanian bananas, with Malawi’s recent move to block […]
