OVERVIEW

This edition of Africa Now looks at significant developments across the African continent, focusing on security, politics, economy and foreign policy. In the security and political front, Niger has withdrawn from the Multinational Joint Task Force, raising concerns about counterterrorism coordination in the Lake Chad region while Sudanese army chief vows to defeat Rapid Support Forces (RSF) signalling towards a prolonged conflict. South Sudan is on the verge of another civil war following the arrest of First Vice-President Riek Machar.

Significant strides were made in areas of energy and infrastructure. The East African Crude Oil Pipeline secured its first tranche of external financing, while Uganda signed a major refinery deal with UAE investors.

On the international front, China will invest $1.4 billion to upgrade the Tanzania-Zambia Railway, while Tunisia granted licenses to four international firms to build solar farms for 500 MW of solar capacity. Somalia has offered the United States exclusive control over key air bases and ports.

India and Africa relations continued to thrive. Airtel landed the 2Africa Pearls cables, connecting India to Africa and Europe via the Middle East, which will boost India’s digital growth ambitions. The highlight of the fortnight was the announcement of the multinational exercise titled ‘Africa India Key Maritime Engagement’, also known as ‘AIKEYME’ to enhance cooperation with the African continent and the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

AFRICA

Niger Withdraws from Lake Chad Military Force

On March 30, Niger's ruling junta announced its withdrawal from an international task force known as the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF). The MNJTF is a regional coalition established in 2015 by Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria to combat armed Islamist groups in the Lake Chad area. This decision aligns with the junta's focus on enhancing security around domestic oil assets. But at the same time, experts have raised concerns that Niger's departure may weaken regional efforts against jihadist groups and severely impact local communities. Click here to read…

Crisis in South Sudan Intensifies after ouster of Riek Machar

The situation in South Sudan has become tense after its First Vice-President Riek Machar was arrested on accusations of encouraging the militia to overrun a military base in Nasir. The Sudan People's Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM/IO) has said that an armed convoy led by top security officials entered Machar's residence in the capital city of Juba, disarmed his bodyguards and arrested him on March 26, 2025. The party also stated that these activities had effectively led to the collapse of the 2018 peace deal, an agreement that had ended the country's five-year civil war. As a consequence of this development, peace and stability in South Sudan has been completely jeopardized and the country might be heading towards another civil war. Click here to read…

Zimbabwe's President Fires Army Commander

On March 27, 2025, Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa dismissed Lieutenant General Anselem Sanyatwe, the head of the army, and appointed him as the sports, arts and culture minister. This move came after the war veterans called for nationwide protests and demanded Mnangagwa's resignation over allegations of exacerbating the economic crisis and attempting to extend his rule beyond 2028. Analysts suggest these actions are part of Mnangagwa's strategy to consolidate power and prevent challenges to his authority from within his own party. Click here to read…

Sudanese Army Chief Vows to Defeat RSF

On March 31, 2025, speaking in a video, Sudanese army chief Gen. Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan ruled out any reconciliation with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. In a statement, he instead vowed to crush the group. The Sudanese army has declared victory over the RSF in Khartoum, claiming control of most parts of the capital. The leader of Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, announced that the RSF's withdrawal from Khartoum was a tactical move, and asserted that they would return to the capital "stronger, more powerful, and victorious." The ongoing war has resulted in death and the displacement of millions, leading to severe humanitarian crises across the country. Click here to read…

Gabon's Military Leader will run for President

Alain Claude Bilie By Nze, popularly known as ‘Bilie’, will fight against the current leader, Brice Oligui Nguema, in Gabon’s upcoming presidential elections. Nguema's takeover, which ousted President Ali Bongo and ended the Bongo family's nearly 56-year dynasty, drew widespread support in the Central African country. Ahead of the April 12 election, Nze tried to distance himself from the Bongo family and the military. In 2024, he left the Bongos' Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG) and created his movement, "Together for Gabon". He has promised to boost the private sector and create jobs, improve access to healthcare, water and electricity, and streamline the government to reduce costs. Click here to read…

Somali President’s Convoy Targeted in Al-Shabab Attack

On March 18, the convoy of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was attacked near the Ceel-Gaabta junction in Somalia, but the president emerged unharmed. The president was traveling as part of a nationwide tour of regional military bases to strengthen efforts against the Al-Shabaab insurgency when the blasts happened, but did not cause significant damage or casualties. The security forces assured that the operations against the group will be carried out and security measures across the country will be heightened. Click here to read…

Tunisian President dismisses Prime Minister

On March 20, Tunisian President Kais Saied dismissed Prime Minister Kamel Maddouri less than eight months after his appointment. The dismissal comes amidst economic and political crises, along with a growing number of migrants and refugees arriving from sub-Saharan Africa. With her appointment, Sara Zaafarani becomes Tunisia’s third prime minister in less than two years, and the country’s second female prime minister in its history. The current instability in the Tunisian political landscape highlights the dire situation of the country. Click here to read…

EACOP Secures First Tranche of External Financing

EACOP Ltd, the company responsible for the construction and future operation of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), announced the successful closing of the first tranche of external financing for the project. The financing is provided by a syndicate of financial institutions which include regional banks such as the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the Standard Bank of South Africa Limited, Stanbic Bank Uganda Limited, KCB Bank Uganda, and the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD). Aiming to link oilfields in Uganda to Tanga port in Tanzania, EACOP is part of a broader $15 billion energy plan by TotalEnergies, China's CNOOC, and other partners to develop the Kingfisher and Tilenga discoveries close to Lake Albert. Click here to read…

Zambia’s CEC to Invest in Power Transmission Expansion to DR Congo

Zambia's Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) announced on March 24 that it will invest $500 million over the next two years to increase its solar power output and double the capacity of a power transmission line to the Democratic Republic of Congo. The CEC owns the sole power transmission line between Congo and the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP). The new initiative will increase the line’s capacity to 550 MW and will ensure that electricity from new projects reaches consumers more efficiently. This move aligns with Zambia’s broader goals to improve energy reliability, attract investment, and drive economic growth. Click here to read…

AFRICA AND WORLD

China to upgrade historic Tanzania-Zambia Railway

Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) will invest $1.4 billion in the revival of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA). This investment aims to modernize the line, improve trade and transport in the region, and strengthen China’s economic ties with Africa. The railway, originally built in the 1970s with Chinese support, connects Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) to New Kapiri Mposhi (Zambia). The move also reflects China’s continued infrastructure engagement in Africa under the Belt and Road Initiative. Click here to read…

Tunisia Grants Licenses for Solar Projects to International Firms

On March 24, the Tunisian energy ministry announced that it has granted licenses to four international firms to build solar farms with a total capacity of 500 megawatts, collectively worth 1.2 billion dinars ($386.31 million). The awarded firms include Qair International SAS from France, which will construct two solar plants totalling 300 MW. Voltalia secured approval for a 100-MW project, while Norway’s Scatec and Japan’s Aeolus, a unit of Toyota Tsusho, were jointly awarded a 100-MW solar farm. These projects mark the first phase of Tunisia’s international renewable energy tender, which aims to develop 1,700 MW of solar capacity. The government plans to complete the initiative by 2027, targeting annual savings of $200 million by reducing its reliance on natural gas. Click here to read…

ArcelorMittal South Africa Defers Plant Closure

On March 31, ArcelorMittal South Africa announced that it had postponed the planned closure of its loss-making long steel plants until August 31, 2025, after getting a 1.683-billion-rand (approximately $91.5 million) capital support from the state-owned Industrial Development Corporation (IDC). The company had initially announced the cessation of long-term steel production by April after unsuccessful negotiations with the government for concessions on its demands, like lower electricity and freight rail tariffs, the imposition of import duties, and the removal of a scrap metal export tax. The shutdown could affect about 3,500 direct and indirect jobs in total. Click here to read…

Somalia Offers U.S. Exclusive Control over Key Air Bases and Ports

Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in a letter to President Donald Trump offered the United States exclusive control of strategic air bases in Balidogle and Berbera as well as ports in Berbera and Bosaso. The offer could give the United States a firmer military presence in the Horn of Africa region and would counter the threat from Islamist militants. Berbera is in the breakaway region of Somaliland, and the control of a port and air base there would bring the government in Somaliland and Somalia face to face and might ignite tensions between the two regions. Click here to read…

Qatar hosts talks between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo

On March 28, 2025, Qatari mediators hosted a second round of talks between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda to address the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC. The discussions which involved officials from both nations, followed an earlier meeting between DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame that was held in Doha on March 18. The mediators from Qatar also engaged separately with the M23 rebel group. These meetings are part of Qatar's broader diplomatic efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Click here to read…

Uganda signs oil refinery agreement with UAE Investors

On March 29, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni's office announced that Uganda’s state-run Uganda National Oil Company signed an oil refinery agreement with UAE-based Alpha MBM Investments for a 60% stake in crude oil refinery in Kabaale, in the Hoima District. It should be noted that besides the refinery deal, Uganda and UAE investors also signed five other agreements in various sectors. The 60,000-barrel-per-day refinery is the basis of Uganda's emerging hydrocarbons industry, that plays a vital role in the country's energy strategy. Click here to read…

AFRICA AND INDIA

Airtel lands 2Africa Pearls subsea cable in India

Airtel announced on March 28, 2025, that it successfully landed the 2Africa Pearls cables, connecting India to Africa and Europe via the Middle East. 2Africa Pearls is a part of the 2Africa cable system, which will be the world's longest subsea cable system once completed, and will span over 45,000 km. Airtel is the landing partner for the 2Africa Pearls cable in India in partnership with the 2Africa Pearls’ investors- Center3 and Meta. With this investment, Airtel has further diversified its global network to support India’s digital growth ambitions. Click here to read…

India Navy announces maiden India-African exercise

The Indian Navy on March 24, 2025, announced a large-scale multinational exercise titled ‘Africa India Key Maritime Engagement’, also known as ‘AIKEYME’ to enhance cooperation with the African continent and the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The maiden edition of the India-Africa multilateral exercise ‘AIKEYME’, which means ‘Unity’ in Sanskrit, is being co-hosted by the Indian Navy and Tanzania Peoples’ Defence Force (TPDF) and will be conducted at/off Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. The exercise is planned to be held in mid-April and includes participation from Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles and South Africa in addition to the co-hosts. Click here to read…

India Turns to Latin America and Africa to Replace Russian Oil

In February of this year, Indian refiners marginally increased their crude oil imports from Latin America and Africa. This shift comes at a time when refiners are looking to diversify their sourcing due to fears of tighter U.S. sanctions on Russian oil, which has the potential to disrupt existing supply chains. India, which had been the largest buyer of discounted Russian oil following the West’s sanctions after the Ukraine conflict, is now exploring other options to maintain its energy security and price stability. Click here to read…

India receives artefacts related to Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa

On March 23, 2025, External Affairs Minister (EAM), S Jaishankar received historical artefacts and documents related to Mahatma Gandhi from the Phoenix Settlement Trust-Gandhi Development Trust (PST-GDT) in South Africa. Mahatma Gandhi founded the Phoenix Settlement in 1904 near Durban, South Africa, and later became a crucial site in the development of his philosophy of Satyagraha. The National Gandhi Museum in New Delhi, as the custodian, will ensure that future generations will have access to these historical records. Click here to read…