Ancient Senegal Site Reveals 2,000-year-old Iron-smelting Tradition
Archaeologists studying the Didé West 1 site in eastern Senegal’s Falémé Valley have uncovered evidence of a sophisticated iron-production tradition dating back more than 2,000 years. Research shows metalworkers in the valley operated furnaces between roughly 400 BCE and 400 CE, making the site one of the oldest known iron-smelting locations in Senegal. Scientists identified […]
Ghana Parliament Approves Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill
Ghana’s parliament has passed legislation that would significantly expand restrictions on LGBTQ+ rights, with individuals identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer facing prison terms of up to three years. The bill also criminalizes support for LGBTQ+ activities and introduces a requirement for citizens to report prohibited conduct to authorities, with a potential penalty […]
UK Prevails in Rwanda Migration Dispute
An international arbitration court in The Hague has ruled that the United Kingdom is not liable for approximately $126 million in payments Rwanda claimed were owed under a failed asylum deportation agreement. The scheme, established in 2022 under then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson, intended to send asylum seekers who arrived in the UK through irregular routes […]
DRC Moves to Tax Lithium as a Strategic Mineral
The Democratic Republic of Congo has approved a draft decree classifying lithium as a strategic mineral, a move that would raise royalties on producers from 3.5% to 10%. The decision coincides with Chinese miner Zijin Mining’s preparations to begin production at the Manono project in June—set to be the country’s first industrial lithium mine. The […]
South Africa Offers Discounted Power to Ferrochrome Industry
South Africa’s energy regulator Nersa has approved a discounted electricity tariff of $0.038 per kilowatt-hour for ferrochrome producers Samancor Chrome and the Glencore-Merafe joint venture. Utility company Eskom applied for the reduced rate in April, with a public hearing held in late May. The deal will run for five years for Samancor Chrome and three […]
How Infrastructure Gaps Limit Africa’s Global Music Reach
African music is enjoying unprecedented global popularity, driven largely by Nigeria’s Afrobeats and South Africa’s Amapiano, but industry veteran Tuma Basa says much of the continent remains underrepresented. The former YouTube director of Black music culture attributes this disparity to language advantages, strong diaspora networks, and the viral spread of dance culture on social media. […]
Regional Rice Industry Could Transform West Africa
For West Africa’s 360 million-plus people, rice is food, culture, and an economic lever. The region consumes vast quantities of the staple, yet local production meets only about 60% of demand, forcing countries to spend roughly $3.5 billion annually on imports. Experts argue that closing this gap could strengthen food security, conserve foreign exchange reserves, […]
AfDB Moves to Become Africa’s Top Derisking Guarantor
The African Development Bank plans to invest $125 million in African Trade and Investment Development Insurance, increasing its stake from 3% to 14% and making it the institution’s largest shareholder. AfDB President Sidi Ould Tah said the move is part of a broader strategy to mobilize Africa’s domestic capital and reduce dependence on shrinking international […]
WHO Reports Recovery of Five Ebola Patients
The World Health Organization has welcomed the recovery of five Ebola patients in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where authorities are battling an outbreak caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain. Unlike the more common Ebola Zaire variant, Bundibugyo has no approved vaccine or treatment and can kill up to half of those infected. WHO […]
Nigeria’s Former Vice President Secures Presidential Ticket
Former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar has secured the presidential nomination of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), positioning him for another challenge against President Bola Tinubu in the country’s next election. Atiku, who finished second in the 2023 vote, will be making his seventh bid for Nigeria’s highest office. The ADC had sought to unite […]
