Welcome to Africa Now, your weekly newsletter for Africa, presenting the most important developments in the continent - news that matters.
Commentary
India’s traditional medicines can help Africa’s health sector
Traditional medicine, also known as complementary and alternative medicine, is the oldest form of health care that has endured the test of time.Click here to read…
Why ex-French colonies in Africa seem beset by coups
Some former French colonies in Africa are fast gaining notoriety for military coups. Experts blame the worrying trend on high levels of poverty, poor governance, excessive French influence and ineffective civil society.Click here to read…
African continent the ‘butterfly’ in global politics
Pretoria - The 15th BRICS summit ended on August 24, 2023, and six new countries were admitted to the fold.Click here to read…
Role Of India-Africa Partnership Towards Shaping A Multipolar World – Interview
In this interview, Samir Bhattacharya, a research associate at Vivekananda International Foundation, discusses the changing geopolitical situation, how India and Africa are working closely together to support the emerging multipolar world.Click here to read…
News
Gabon coup: Military officers say they're seizing power after President Ali Bongo wins third term
A group of senior military officers in Gabon claimed they had seized power in the early hours of Wednesday.Click here to read…
Gabon's strongman vows more democracy after coup
Gabon's new strongman General Brice Oligui Nguema on Friday vowed the country's institutions would be more democratic, two days after heading a coup that ended 55 years of rule by the Bongo family.Click here to read…
African leaders work on response to Gabon military coup
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who was sworn into office in May and now chairs the West African bloc ECOWAS, said on Wednesday he was working closely with other African leaders to contain what he called a "contagion of autocracy" spreading across Africa.Click here to read…
Central African bloc slams coup in Gabon
The Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) on Thursday condemned the coup in Gabon, saying the bloc is “following with deep concern the announcement made by the defense and security forces on Aug. 30.”Click here to read…
Gabon coup another blow to French interests in Africa: Expert
The greatest impact of the military coup in Gabon will be on the African country’s ties with its former colonial power France, as well as French economic and military interests in the wider region, according to analysts.Click here to read…
Huge Niger protests call for French forces to leave after coup
Tens of thousands of protesters gathered outside a French military base in Niger’s capital, Niamey, on Saturday demanding that its troops leave in the wake of a military coup that has widespread popular support, but which Paris refuses to recognize.Click here to read…
French ambassador defies Niger military junta’s 48-hour ultimatum, to stay in coup-hit country
Defying the orders of the Niger military junta, French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday (Aug 28) announced that the country’s ambassador would continue to stay in the crisis-hit capital Niamey.Click here to read…
Zimbabwe opposition calls for nationwide protests over disputed vote
Zimbabwe's main opposition party called on Friday for nationwide protests and a re-run of elections that it said fraudulently handed President Emmerson Mnangagwa a second term in office.Click here to read…
Sudan: State disintegration looms if war is not resolved – Al-Burhan
The head of Sudan’s army warned Thursday (Aug. 31) that his country risks disintegration if the conflict stalled.Click here to read…
Tunisia places senior official in main opposition party under house arrest
Tunisian authorities placed Abdel Karim Harouni, the senior official in the opposition Ennahda Islamist Party, under house arrest, the country's main opposition coalition said on Saturday.Click here to read…
Senegal: the conviction of opponent Sonko is “final”, according to the courts
The Senegalese Minister of Justice declared that the conviction of opponent Ousmane Sonko in a morals case was “final”, which makes him ineligible for the 2024 presidential election.Click here to read…
Detained Senegal opposition leader ends hunger strike
Detained Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, an aspiring presidential candidate and head of state Macky Sall's fiercest critic, on Saturday ended a hunger strike he began on July 30.Click here to read…
Ivory Coast votes in local, regional polls seen as test for presidential race
Ivory Coast was voting Saturday in local and regional elections set to gauge support for the ruling party and the opposition two years ahead of a presidential poll.Click here to read…
Nigeria mulls G20 bloc membership, president to attend summit in India
Nigeria is considering applying to become a member of the G20 bloc of major economies after concluding consultations on the risks and benefits, the president's spokesperson said on Sunday.Click here to read…
Nigeria's Tinubu to attend G20 summit to promote investment
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu plans to attend the G20 summit in India to try to promote foreign investment in Africa's largest economy and mobilize global capital to develop infrastructure, his spokesman said on Friday.Click here to read…
Russia's actions at U.N. terminate Mali sanctions and panel of experts reporting, recently on Wagner
Mali’s military junta succeeded in kicking out the U.N. peacekeeping force, and on Wednesday its Russian allies scored yet another victory against the U.N.Click here to read…
Burkina Faso says leader discussed possible military cooperation with Russian delegation
A Russian delegation held talks with Burkina Faso's interim president Ibrahim Traore on Thursday at a meeting that included discussions on possible military cooperation, the Burkinabe presidency said in a statement.Click here to read…
The first Africa Climate Summit opens in Nairobi
The first African Climate Summit is opening with heads of state and others asserting a stronger voice on a global issue that affects the continent of 1.3 billion people the most, even though they contribute to it the least.Click here to read…
Huge flood looms in Nigeria as Cameroon set to open Lagdo Dam
In what would be a flood disaster for Nigeria if preventive measures are not taken, the Government of Cameroon has informed the federal government of its intention to open the Lagdo Dam on River Benue.Click here to read…
Libya rejects EU envoy from Italy, prefers French candidate
Libya has discarded Italy’s candidate to lead the EU’s mission there and is expected to choose a diplomat from France.Click here to read…
Air Seychelles flight lands in Israel after Saudi Arabia emergency landing
The Air Seychelles flight that made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia landed in Israel on Tuesday afternoon, carrying 128 Israeli passengers.Click here to read…
South Africa and US note observer concerns on Zimbabwe elections
South Africa and the U.S. separately on Monday noted observers' concerns with last week's presidential and parliamentary elections in Zimbabwe and called for peace.Click here to read…
Ramaphosa faces tough questions in Parliament amid storm on inauguration of Mnangagwa
President Cyril Ramaphosa faces grilling in Parliament as political parties slam him for attending the inauguration of the leader of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa, in Harare.Click here to read…
South Africa says no evidence of arms shipment to Russia
The US accusations have raised questions about South Africa's claim of non-alignment and neutrality regarding Russia's war in Ukraine. President Cyril Ramaphosa said they tarnished the country's reputation.Click here to read…
Tanzania names new energy minister to oversee LNG development
Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan named a new energy minister on Wednesday as part of a cabinet reshuffle, ahead of expected cabinet approval for a $42 billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) project.Click here to read…
Algeria partners China for construction of 6,000km railway lines
China and Algeria have joined forces in a significant partnership to construct an expansive 6,000 kilometers of railway lines within the North African nation.Click here to read…
UK announces new education partnerships and projects in Rwanda
Two new education initiatives are set to be launched by the UK’s Minister for Development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell, during a 3-day visit to Rwanda.Click here to read…
Three oil majors sign pivotal exploration agreement offshore Angola
Initial exploration period of five years will involve the drilling of a single exploration well.Click here to read…
Japan and U.K. to jointly invest in critical minerals in Africa
Japan and the U.K. are set to make joint investments in critical minerals in such places as Africa and set up a framework for discussing economic security at the ministerial level, with supply chains on the agenda.Click here to read…
Dubai's AMEA Power to develop 25MW solar PV plant in Djibouti
Dubai-based renewable energy developer AMEA Power has signed a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with the government of Djibouti for a 25 megawatt (MW) solar PV project coupled with battery storage in the Grand Bara, south of Djibouti city.Click here to read…
Shell's Namibia exploration well fails to discover oil and gas
Shell's (SHEL.L) Cullinan-1X exploration well offshore Namibia did not make a commercial oil and gas discovery, the company said on Thursday.Click here to read…
Iran Lauds Africa’s Struggle against Colonialism
In a meeting with the foreign minister of Burkina Faso, held in Tehran on Monday, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi highlighted the amicable relations between Tehran and African countries after the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979.Click here to read…
Sudan military ruler arrives in Egypt on first trip abroad since war began
Sudanese military ruler General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan met his Egyptian counterpart on Tuesday in his first trip abroad since the April outbreak of war in Sudan.Click here to read…
Botswana’s Health System is Hailed at WHO Africa Meeting
Botswana’s approach to health is an example to the African continent, with strong leadership, investment in research and development and universal health services available for a nominal charge.Click here to read…
Rival Eritrean groups clash in Israel, leaving dozens hurt in worst confrontation in recent memory
Hundreds of Eritrean government supporters and opponents clashed with each other and with Israeli police Saturday, leaving dozens injured in one of the most violent street confrontations among African asylum seekers and migrants in Tel Aviv in recent memory.Click here to read…
DR Congo puts official death toll in anti-UN protests at 43
At least 43 people were killed and 56 others injured in anti-UN protests this week in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the government announced Thursday, as rights groups accused the army of targeted shootings of civilians.Click here to read…
Fighting in Ethiopia's Amhara kills at least 183, UN says
Fighting between Ethiopia's military and militiamen in the Amhara region has killed at least 183 people, the UN human rights office said on Tuesday, providing the most comprehensive independent death toll to date of the month-long conflict.Click here to read…
Red Cross: 43 bodies collected in a week from clashes in a disputed Somali city
The International Committee of the Red Cross says 43 bodies have been collected in the past week from the front line of the latest fighting in a disputed city in Somaliland.Click here to read…
Somalia Military Offensive Suffers Setback as Troops Retreat
Somali government forces Monday retreated from towns and villages captured in recent months after the al-Shabab militant group carried out a deadly attack on a newly captured base in the village of Cowsweyne.Click here to read…
Polisario Front’s commander, three Western Sahara fighters killed by drone
A Polisario Front commander and three Sahrawi fighters were killed in the disputed Western Sahara as a US delegation visited the region, the official Saharawi news agency SPS reported.Click here to read…
Algerian coastguards kill two tourists holidaying in Morocco
Algerian coastguards shot dead two tourists on holiday in neighbouring Morocco on Tuesday when their jet skis reportedly strayed across the maritime border between the two countries, Moroccan media reported on Friday.Click here to read…
Nearly 170 rescued Senegalese migrants returned after Mauritania refused to take them in
Nearly 170 migrants returned to Senegal on Wednesday after spending almost a week in limbo on a Spanish rescue boat.Click here to read…
Five Killed in Attack in Burkina Faso
Four Burkina Faso army auxiliaries and a Burkinabe policeman have been killed in an attack in the center of the country, the army announced Saturday.Click here to read…
Dozens of African countries in attendance at 3rd China-Africa Peace and Security Forum in Beijing
As many as 50 African States have sent officials to the third China-Africa Peace and Security Forum taking place in Beijing as part of China’s security cooperation with Africa.Click here to read…
Egyptians held over mystery gold plane freed in Zambia
A Zambian court has freed five Egyptians and one Zambian after prosecutors dropped espionage charges against them three weeks after they arrived on a private plane with guns, bullets, cash and fake gold.Click here to read…
International Transport Summit brings together representatives from PRC, India and Africa
Making the largest megacities smart, green and efficient was the main goal pursued by the participants of the International Transport Summit held in Moscow.Click here to read…
Over 70 killed in massive building fire in South Africa's Johannesburg
A massive fire in a residential building in South Africa's Johannesburg killed more than 70 people and injured over 53 others. Rescue operations were underway, and it is feared that more people might be trapped inside.Click here to read…
Uganda starts charging people under extreme anti-LGBTQ law, raising execution fears
Two men in Uganda are the first to be charged with "aggravated homosexuality," which carries the death penalty under a new anti-gay law passed in May.Click here to read…
India in Africa
Modi says Africa is top priority for India
India backs inclusion of the African Union as a full member of the Group of 20 largest economies as no plan for the future of the planet can be successful without the representation and recognition of all voice.Click here to read…
India has prioritised engagement with African nations: Defence Minister
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held bilateral talks with Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Defence Aden Bare Duale.Click here to read…
No let up in India’s engagement of Global South as Kenya’s defence secretary sets foot in New Delhi
India has welcomed arrival of Kenya’s defence secretary in the capital, signalling that that there is no let-up in New Delhi’s energetic engagement of Africa and Global South.Click here to read…
Prez Hassan’s visit to deepen India-Tanzania ties
The growing ties between India and Tanzania may enter a critical phase with President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s official visit to New Delhi, said government officials.Click here to read…
Ghana visit held up by fin dept: Speaker
Delhi Legislative Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel on Friday alleged that the Government’s Finance Department has been sitting on a proposal for his visit to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Ghana saying approval of Lt Governor is needed for it.Click here to read…
International Solar Alliance President inaugurates 3 demonstration projects in Uganda, Comoros, Mali
As per the Ministry, at the meeting, the President, International Solar Alliance and Union Minister for Power and New and Renewable Energy, Government of India, RK Singh, who joined the meeting virtually from New Delhi, inaugurated three solar power demonstration projects in the Republic of Uganda, the Union of Comoros.Click here to read…
India clears non-Basmati rice exports to Bhutan, Mauritius, Singapore
India on Wednesday permitted exports of limited quantities of non-basmati white rice to Bhutan, Mauritius and Singapore.Click here to read…
Navigating growth: Lessons from India’s economic, space triumphs for Africa’s ascent
In 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru, affectionately known as Pandit Nehru in India, sagely remarked “Life is like a game of cards; the hand that is dealt you is determinism, the way you play it is free will.”Click here to read…
India, Africa can strengthen agri-business ties
The world recognises Africa’s immense potential in terms of its enormous natural resource endowments (energy, minerals and agriculture) and large population.Click here to read…
India in talks for UPI expansion in Africa
India is in talks with a number of African countries, including Namibia, Mozambique and Kenya, to help develop its Unified Payment Interface (UPI).Click here to read…
India vetoed Algeria BRICS+ entry at France's request: Report
Algeria's long-awaited ascension to BRICS+ failed to materialize last week during the bloc's summit in South Africa, as Arabic media says India used its veto against the North African nation at the request of France.Click here to read…
Gautam Adani- led Adani Group denies allegations of Mauritius-based offshore funding
Gautam Adani-led Adani Group has denied fresh allegations labelled by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP).Click here to read…
