UN Security Council Should Renew South Sudan Arms Embargo
Amid Renewed Fighting, Enforcement Needs to be Bolstered As hostilities escalate across South Sudan, the United Nations Security Council should renew its arms embargo on the country. The council should also act to prevent additional weapons from reaching the warring parties and foreign forces from adding to the violations. In recent months, government forces have […]
Rising Food Prices Deepen Nigeria’s Poverty Crisis
Authorities Should Strengthen Social Security Several West African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, and Gambia, proudly compete over who makes the best “jollof rice,” rice cooked in spicy tomato sauce. But in Nigeria, this cultural staple is becoming a luxury because of soaring inflation, while government support remains slow and inadequate. Last month, SBM Intelligence, […]
Africa’s $103B AI Opportunity: Can the Continent Catch the Wave?
According to a recently released McKinsey report, generative AI can unlock a staggering $103 billion annually for Africa if deployed at scale. The report estimates that over 40% of institutions on the continent are already exploring AI tools. Examples include Kenya’s use of the technology to develop personalized educational curricula and South Africa’s application to small business […]
Ramaphosa to Meet Trump as Pretoria Seeks to Repair Relations with Washington
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will meet US President Donald Trump on May 21 in a bid to resolve a worsening diplomatic standoff. According to a statement by South Africa’s Presidency, Ramaphosa and Trump will discuss “bilateral, regional, and global issues of interest” during the meeting. Tensions flared between the two countries after Trump accused South Africa […]
Tidjane Thiam Makes Comeback as Opposition Leader
Tidjane Thiam has made a political comeback as the leader of Ivory Coast’s opposition PDCI party, days after resigning over dual nationality issues. Though elected party president in December 2023, his French citizenship made him ineligible under party rules. Consequently, he renounced his French citizenship and quit as party leader. Thiam is now back as party leader […]
Nigeria and South Africa Lead FT’s 2025 List of Africa’s Fastest-Growing Companies
The Financial Times’ 2025 ranking of Africa’s Fastest-Growing Companies reveals a continent dominated by Nigerian and South African businesses, which account for over 60% of the top 130 firms. Nigerian firms like Omniretail, PalmPay, and Remedial Health lead the pack with staggering growth rates, followed by Zambia’s eShandi, Mauritius’s Africaworks, and South Africa’s Paymenow. While the companies […]
From Exit to Expansion: Brazil’s Oil Giant Eyes Nigeria Again
Brazil’s oil giant Petrobras is plotting a return to Nigeria’s energy scene, signaling a dramatic shift from its 2020 exit. According to Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima, the company’s renewed interest is fueled by economic reforms under the Tinubu administration and growing bilateral ties. Petrobras, a key stakeholder in major fields like Agbami and Egina, exited Nigeria […]
From El Chapo to Jesus: Exploring the Origins of Kenya President’s Nicknames
Kenya’s President William Ruto has earned a dizzying array of nicknames—ranging from “Hustler” and “Chicken Seller” to “El Chapo” and “Deputy Jesus.” Once endearing, many of these monikers now reflect public frustration over unmet promises and rising taxes. The most biting, like “Zakayo” and “Vasco da Ganya,” mock his policies and frequent travels. The former refers […]
Why Iran and Ethiopia Forged a Security Alliance
Ethiopia and Iran have inked a major deal that will see their national police agencies cooperate on security and intelligence. For Iran, it’s a chance to cement influence in the Horn of Africa. It has already proven its value to the Ethiopian government, supplying drones that helped the Ethiopian military turn the tide of the Tigray […]
Wildlife Crime Goes Small: The Illegal Trade in Insects
In two separate incidents, four men—two Belgians, a Vietnamese, and a Kenyan—were recently convicted in Kenya for attempting to smuggle over 5,300 ants, including the prized giant African harvester species. Although the Belgians claimed to be hobbyists, the group faced steep fines or jail time, highlighting Kenya’s zero-tolerance stance on wildlife trafficking. The case sheds light […]