Welcome to Africa Now, your weekly newsletter for Africa, presenting the most important developments in the continent - news that matters.
Commentary
Why Russia is interested in Kenya and how Ruto’s US anti-dollar message fits in
Despite an aggressive de-dollarisation campaign, the greenback still controls the biggest share of global trade. Click here to read...
The Strategic Partnership between Eritrea and Russia
In this extremely poor Eritrea nation located in the Horn of Africa, with a population 3.6 million, what factors could attract to strengthen cooperation in the spheres highlight by the Russian President Vladimir Putin. Click here to read...
Why politics matters for Africa’s development
Sixty years ago, on May 25, Africa led the world in creating the first-ever pan-continental political body with the establishment of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). Click here to read...
News
Guinea-Bissau votes to elect legislature more than a year after president dissolved parliament
Bissau-Guineans voted Sunday in a highly anticipated election to fill Guinea-Bissau’s national legislature, more than a year after the West African nation’s president dissolved parliament. Click here to read...
Elections in Guinea-Bissau: The eternal search for stability
More than 890,000 voters are called upon to elect a new parliament in Guinea-Bissau this Sunday. The elections are taking place in a deeply divided country where basic democratic rights are facing enormous pressure. Click here to read...
Zimbabwe presidential and parliamentary polls set for August 23
President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced on Wednesday that Zimbabwe will hold its presidential and parliamentary elections on August 23, as the southern African country battles a raging economic crisis. Click here to read...
Familiar faces, concerns linger ahead of Sierra Leone’s June vote
On April 23, President Julius Maada Bio and Kandeh Yumkella danced together at a public function in Freetown, the Sierra Leonean capital, effectively signalling the start of the 2023 election season in the West African state. Click here to read...
Senegal's opposition leader Ousmane Sonko sentenced to 2 years in prison
Ousmane Sonko, a prominent opposition candidate in Senegal's 2024 presidential election, has been sentenced to prison on charges of "corrupting youth", in a case he maintains is intended to stop him running. Click here to read...
At least 16 dead in Senegal protests after opposition leader sentencing
At least 16 people have died and hundreds arrested since violent protests broke out on Thursday in Senegal. Click here to read...
Senegal arrests hundreds amid tense political situation
Hundreds of people have been arrested across Senegal since deadly protests broke out against the sentencing of an opposition leader, an official said Sunday. Click here to read...
Eswatini: two pro-democracy MPs convicted of "terrorism
Two pro-democracy MPs in Africa's last absolute monarchy, Eswatini, were found guilty on Thursday of terrorism and murder in connection with the wave of anti-regime protests that rocked the country in 2021. Click here to read...
Protesters clash with soldiers at Ghana gold mining town
The clashes come as hundreds remain trapped in mining pits, unable or unwilling to resurface out of fear of arrest. Click here to read...
Morocco: Hundreds in Casablanca protest high cost of living
Several hundred militants from Morocco's left-wing trade union movement denounced the "high cost of living" and "government inaction" in Casablanca, western Morocco. Click here to read...
Central Africans react to announcement of referendum in July
Central Africans are divided following president Faustin-Archange Touadéra's announcement on Tuesday that he would call a referendum on a new Constitution. Click here to read...
Libya political leaders to meet on electoral laws
Libyan leaders were due to meet in Morocco on Monday to finalise a deal on new electoral laws, but any agreement they announce on voting rules or a new interim government is likely to trigger opposition that may further delay the political process. Click here to read...
Why Africa's First Female Billionaire & Once Richest Woman Is Facing A $400 Million Lawsuit In London
The daughter of the country's former president has been added to a $400 million lawsuit brought by Angolan telecoms operator Unitel against a company she owns. Click here to read...
Deadly fighting escalates in Sudan as truce expires
New outburst of violence in North Darfur state has left at least 40 people dead, activists and residents say. Click here to read...
Three Israeli soldiers and an Egyptian security officer die near Egypt border
The Israeli military said an Egyptian policeman shot and killed two of its soldiers while they secured a military post at the Egyptian border early on Saturday after forces successfully thwarted a large smuggling attempt overnightClick here to read...
Eswatini seeks Taiwan's help on food insecurity, climate change
Eswatini is looking for Taiwan's assistance in addressing the challenges of climate change, including food insecurity, facing the African kingdom. Click here to read...
Rwanda to host UN landlocked developing countries conference
Rwanda is getting ready to host the third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) to be held in Kigali, in June 2024. Click here to read...
Great Lakes leaders okay deployment of SADC troops to Congo
Regional leaders have welcomed the Southern Africa Development Cooperation (SADC) move to deploy troops to the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, providing Kinshasa with a potential plan B against rebel groups. Click here to read...
Mauritanian President delivers speech at Arab League, thanks Egypt
Mauritanian President Mohamed Weld Al Ghazwany expressed on Monday his appreciation to Egypt and the Arab League for organizing the permanent representatives meeting. Click here to read...
Al-Shabab killed 54 Ugandan soldiers in Somalia, says Museveni
Announcement comes a week after al-Shabab fighters stormed a base housing African Union peacekeepers in Somalia. Click here to read...
Armed men kill at least 30 in north Nigeria villages
The bloodshed is the latest outbreak of inter-communal violence which the country's newly sworn-in President has said will be a priority to combat. Click here to read...
Cameroon Asks for More Border Troops after New Boko Haram Attacks
Officials in northern Cameroon have in a crisis meeting on Wednesday requested more troops from Cameroon, Nigeria and Chad to be deployed to their common border after fresh Boko Haran attacks killed at least 12 people including six soldiersClick here to read...
Israeli soldiers participate in military exercises in Morocco for first time
Israeli soldiers will for the first time take part in military exercises in Morocco when the biggest war games event in Africa kicks off Tuesday, the Israeli army said. Click here to read...
Burkina Faso is the world’s most neglected crisis
For the first time, Burkina Faso tops the list of the world’s most neglected displacement crises, according to a new report from the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). Click here to read...
IMF approves $3.5 billion loan agreement for cash-strapped Ivory Coast
The move will help the country tackle the 'triple shocks' of the Covid-19 pandemic, global monetary tightening, and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, according to the statement from the IMF. Click here to read...
Angola and Portugal sign new cooperation agreement
The president of Angola, João Lourenço, has welcomed the Portuguese president, António Costa, in the capital, Luanda. Click here to read...
Italy PM hopes trip to Tunisia may unblock IMF loan, sources say
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will travel to Tunisia on Tuesday looking to make progress in unblocking loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the north African state, two diplomatic sources told Reuters. Click here to read...
A $4 Billion Oil Pipeline Creates a Climate Dilemma for Africa
The construction of a major fossil fuel project across Uganda and Tanzania is sparking a debate around economic development and environmental protection in one of the regions most vulnerable to climate change. Click here to read...
Amid tensions with China, US reopens embassy in Seychelles after 27-year absence
The United States has reopened its embassy in Seychelles after a 27-year absence during which China and other US rivals made significant inroads in the Indian Ocean islands. Click here to read...
China-Africa Yuan settlement center opens
A cross-border Yuan settlement center opened on Friday at Zhejiang Chouzhou Commercial Bank in Yiwu, Zhejiang province, the world's largest wholesale market for small commodities. Click here to read...
Construction of Tanzania’s Sh 61billion humanitarian court to be overseen by Chinese contractors
After a Chinese contractor was awarded the massive project yesterday, construction of the Sh61 billion African Court in Tanzania on Human and People's Rights (AfCHPR) headquarters is finally set to begin. Click here to read...
How Egypt is drawing Chinese investors with the Suez Canal shortcut to Europe – and other lures
A growing number of Chinese investors are turning to Egypt for a shortcut to international markets thanks to the Suez Canal. Click here to read...
Putin Gains Influence in Oil Rich Libya
While the US ponders whether to reopen its embassy in Libya, Vladimir Putin’s new ambassador is preparing to take up his post in the capital. Click here to read...
Exxon, Chevron Near Deals to Drill in Gas-Rich Algeria
North African nation’s vast reserves, proximity to Europe make it attractive to the U.S. drillers that have cash to invest Click here to read...
Whether DRC-China Mining Deal Will Be Restructured Remains Uncertain
Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi faces an uphill battle in his promise to overhaul what he says is an unfair minerals-for-infrastructure deal with China. Click here to read...
Kenya signs MoU with South Korea to aid the construction of its 1st smart city
Kenya has taken a huge step towards digital transformation after its Ministry of ICT and Digital Economy signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Korea Trade Center Nairobi (KOTRA). Click here to read...
Kuwait to import domestic workers from Ethiopia amid tensions with the Philippines
Kuwaiti authorities have begun implementing a contingency plan to ensure an adequate supply of domestic workers following the recent tension with the Philippines and the subsequent closure of the Philippine embassy’s illegal shelter. Click here to read...
Curtin University’s New Engagement Centre To Aim On Australia-Africa Relations
Curtin University has launched the Centre for Australia-Africa Relations, a new research and engagement hub that seeks to fill a “critical gap” in Australia’s national academic and policy infrastructure. Click here to read...
Over Putin arrest row, South Africa may switch BRICS Summit's venue: Report
South Africa is considering switching the venue of an upcoming summit of BRICS leaders to another country. Click here to read...
India in Africa
Rajnath begins military outreach to Africa, attends swearing-in ceremony of Nigeria President-elect Tinubu
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended the swearing-in ceremony of President-elect of Nigeria Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Abuja on Monday. Click here to read...
EAM Jaishankar to visit South Africa, Namibia from June 1 to 6
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will pay a three-day visit to South Africa beginning Thursday to participate in a conclave of five-nation grouping BRICS in Capetown. Click here to read...
EAM Jaishankar meets South African President Ramaphosa; conveys PM Modi's greetings
Jaishankar on Saturday called on South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa along with other ministers of the BRICS bloc and conveyed the personal greetings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Click here to read...
India-South Africa ties emotional, our freedom struggles intertwined: EAM
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar invoked the three-decade-old ties between India and South Africa stating that there is a very "deeply emotional" connection between the two countries. Click here to read...
Jaishankar Arrives In Windhoek To Strengthen Ties With Namibia
This will be the first visit by an Indian External Affairs Minister to the Republic of Namibia. During the visit, EAM will call on the top leadership of the country. Click here to read...
India no longer lumbering around at relatively slow pace: EAM Jaishankar
Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has encouraged the Indian diaspora to be part of the country's growth story, highlighting the achievements of the Modi government in its nine years in office. Click here to read...
IndiGo announces six new direct routes between India, Africa, and Central Asia
Low-cost carrier IndiGo announced on Friday, June 2, six new destinations across Asia and Africa. Click here to read...
INS TRISHUL (PORT CALL AT MOMBASA)
Furthering India- Africa ties, Indian Navy commenced a 5-nation deployment to the continent as Indian Naval Ship Trishul, under the command of Capt Kapil Kaushik, made a port call at Mombasa, Kenya from 26 to 29 May 2023. Click here to read...
INS Trishul visits port Anjouan, Comoros
As part of the Indian Navy’s long-range deployment, INS Trishul visited port Anjouan, Comoros. Click here to read...
Bharti Airtel to take data center arm Nxtra to African market: Report
Nxtra, a joint venture between Airtel and Carlyle, is present only in India with 2 large data centers and 120 edge data centers in its portfolio. Click here to read...
9 Indian sailors released after months in captivity in Libya
The sailors had informed the Indian embassy in Tunisia in February that they were captured by the local militia after the vessel broke down near Libyan coast. Click here to read...
Brothers Fighting Fraud Charges from India Are Flourishing in Nigeria
The Sandesaras built Nigeria’s biggest independent oil firm, but India has accused the pair of scamming its public banks. Click here to read...
Scripting success, Punjab to Kenya
Many Indians, particularly Sikhs, were sent to Africa by British rulers to build a railway line. Generations later, they are scripting success stories there while keeping Punjabiyat alive. Click here to read...
