OVERVIEW
This edition of Africa Now News Digest covers key developments across the continent. The continent experienced uncertainties and security challenges, with deaths reported as a result of anti-government protests in Kenya and raids of army bases by gunmen in Nigeria. At least 120 children were abducted by Al Shabab in Mozambique, deepening the crisis in an already turbulent area. Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio became the next chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) while Angola and Zambia advanced plans for the Lobito Corridor.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) accused the Russia-linked mercenary network, Wagner Group, of committing war crimes in West Africa. Meanwhile, important bilateral deals were signed- between Mali and Russia, Brazil and Nigeria and the DRC and Rwanda, strengthening cooperation among these countries. On the diplomatic front, the Madagascar president meeting his French counterpart to discuss the future of contested French-owned islets while China and Senegal pledged to strengthen their strategic partnership during presidential talks in Beijing. The Global Terrorism Index 2025 reported that the Sahel remains the region hardest-hit by terrorism worldwide.
India and Africa ties also saw notable progress. India will supply 150 locomotives worth more than ₹3,000cr to Guinea, while 85 Tanzanian nationals were awarded fully funded ICCR Scholarships. Minister of State for External Affairs visited Mozambique and Zimbabwe and the Defence Secretary led an Indian delegation to South Africa for the 9th Joint Defence Committee meeting. The highlight of the month will be PM Modi’s visit to Ghana and Namibia, underscoring India’s deepening commitment to Africa.
AFRICA
Anti-government protests in Kenya, the death toll rises
Sixteen people died in Kenya following nationwide protests on June 25, 2025, marking the anniversary of last year’s anti-tax protests and the recent death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody. Hundreds were injured—including protestors, police, and journalists across 23 countries as the authorities deployed tear gas, water cannons, and firearms. The unrest disrupted business activity due to consumer fear and operational impacts from the protests. The protests reflect deep public frustration and the urgent need for dialogue to address systemic issues and prevent further escalation. Click here to read...
At least 120 children abducted by Al Shabab in Mozambique
On June 24, 2025, Human Rights Watch said that Al Shabab kidnapped 120 students from Cabo Delgado province in Mozambique. The children are reportedly being used to transport stolen goods, perform forced labour, and in some cases forced into marriage. Children abducted from towns and villages have been used as child soldiers and are made to fight in subsequent attacks. Mozambique has been battling the Islamist insurgency in Cabo Delgado province since 2017, and the government forces have struggled to contain the violence. Click here to read...
Sierra Leone’s President takes over as ECOWAS chair
On June 23, 2025, Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio became the next chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Bio said that “we are still confronting insecurity in the Sahel and coastal states, terrorism, political instability, illicit arms flow, and transnational organised crimes continue to test the resilience of our nations and the effectiveness of our institutions,” and emphasised on the need to combat these challenges. His taking over the position comes at a time when the region is facing challenges due to rising violence, member departures and economic disturbances. Click here to read...
Gunmen raid army bases in northern Nigeria, kill 17 soldiers
On June 26, 2025, 17 Nigerian soldiers were killed in a series of coordinated attacks by gunmen on three army bases in northern Nigeria. These attacks, by “bandits” occurred in the Kwanar Dutse Mariga and Boka in Niger State, and another base in neighbouring Kaduna State. These bandits are a part of heavily armed criminal groups known for terrorising northwestern Nigeria. The region has suffered years of insecurity, with limited state presence and frequent attacks by both criminal gangs and Islamist militants. The government's efforts to contain the violence have faced repeated setbacks and have led to several casualties as a result of recurrent abductions, attacks on villages, and assaults on security installations. Click here to read...
Angola, Zambia push Lobito Corridor rail project
Transport Minister of Zambia, Frank Tayali on June 24, 2025 said that the country hopes to start work on the Lobito Corridor railway connecting its copper belt to Angola's Atlantic coast by the third quarter of 2026. Angola's Minister of State for Economic Coordination José Massano said the government remains committed to facilitating investments like the Lobito Corridor through private sector negotiations but ruled out direct government funding for the project. The corridor, which will link Zambia's Chingola region to Angola's Benguela railway line at Luacano, is expected to span over 530 km and serve as a key export route for copper and agricultural goods. Click here to read...
Nigeria and Brazil sign $1 billion agreement to boost agriculture
On June 24, 2025, Nigeria and Brazil signed a $1 billion agreement to boost agriculture, food security, energy and defence in Nigeria. Nigeria’s vice president Kasim Shettima said that both countries aim to "deploy over $1 billion to deliver mechanised farming equipment, training, and service centres across Nigeria." The agreement was signed in in Abuja during a visit by Brazil's vice president Geraldo Alckmin and will strengthen bilateral ties between the countries. Click here to read...
AFRICA and WORLD
War crime accusations against the Wagner Group in Mali
On June 24, 2025, the International Criminal Court (ICC) accused the Russia-linked mercenary network, Wagner Group, of committing war crimes in West Africa, especially Mali, after the mercenary group posted graphic photos of atrocities on social media. Experts have suggested that there has been an increase in violence and human rights violations since Wagner entered the fight. It has also been suggested that the group’s departure from Mali would not bring about any significant change in the security situation because of the presence of the Africa Corps, which is still made up of Wagner forces. This signals a continued Russian influence across Africa. Click here to read...
Sahel region hardest-hit by terrorism worldwide: Global Terrorism Index 2025
According to the 2025 Global Terrorism Index (GTI), published by the Sydney-headquartered Institute for Economics and Peace, Sahel region was hit hardest by terrorism accounting for 51 percent of global terrorism-related deaths in 2024. This marked a 3 percent increase from 2023 accounting for 48 percent. the report also suggested that the Sahel also accounted for 19 percent of all worldwide terrorist attacks in 2024. The Index also warns of emergence of new threats like the drone technology, while not yet widespread may soon find its way into African conflict. Click here to read...
Mali and Russia sign deal on nuclear energy
On June 23, 2025, Mali and Russia signed agreements to bolster not only their economic and trade relations, but also on nuclear energy. Mali’s interim president Assimi Goïta during a five-day official visit to Moscow met Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an agreement on the creation of "an Intergovernmental Russia–Mali Commission for Trade, Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation" and a cooperation deal on "the peaceful use of nuclear energy”. These agreements bolstered bilateral ties between the two countries. Click here to read...
Madagascar's President in Paris to discuss disputed Indian Ocean islets
On June 30, 2025, Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina arrived in Paris for discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron on the future of the long-disputed Scattered Islands. These islets, with an area of just 43 square kilometres, were part of Madagascar when it was a French colony and were split off when the nation gained independence in 1960. Now, Madagascar wants them back, as they carry both symbolic and ecological importance. But France is unwilling to return as the control over these islets gives it jurisdiction over 640,000 km² of marine space, full of fish and possible gas reserves. Whether the islets will be reintegrated into Madagascar remains to be seen, but until then, relations between the two nations are likely to remain strained. Click here to read...
Congo and Rwanda sign a US-mediated peace deal
On June 27, 2025, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda signed a peace deal facilitated by the U.S. to help end the decades-long, deadly fighting in eastern Congo. The region is rich in minerals and more than 100 armed groups, some backed by Rwanda, are vying to gain control over this region. This has created a lot of instability and has killed millions. As a result of the peace deal, the U.S. government and American companies will not only gain access to critical minerals in the region but also counter China’s influence. The peace deal is a significant step, but whether it will end the fighting that has continued for over three decades remains a matter of debate among experts. Click here to read...
China and Senegal strengthen relationship during Beijing talks
On June 28, 2025, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for China and Senegal to strengthen solidarity and cooperation in China-Africa friendship and Global South cooperation during his meeting in Beijing with the Prime Minister of Senegal, Ousmane Sonko. Xi called on both countries to develop close cooperation and effectively implement the 10 major partnership actions for China-Africa cooperation. China will encourage Chinese companies to invest in new energy, digital infrastructure and other fields in Senegal. The Senegalese prime minister pledged that his country is willing to closely coordinate with China in international and regional affairs. This will promote bilateral ties and inject fresh impetus into the China-Senegal relationship. Click here to read...
United Kingdom withdraws from renewable energy project with Morrocco
The UK government has withdrawn support from the Xlinks Morocco‑UK Power Project aimed to build a 3,800 km undersea high‑voltage cable delivering up to 3.6 GW of clean power from Morocco’s Sahara. The project planned to deliver solar and wind power from Morocco to Britain via a 3,800 km undersea cable, enough to power around 7 million UK homes or cover about 8 % of the UK’s electricity needs. Energy Minister Michael Shanks and Secretary Ed Miliband gave reasons for withdrawal, were high delivery, security, cost, and geopolitical risks, and said that domestic renewable projects would offer better economic and strategic benefits. The decision halts potential near-term imports of Moroccan renewable power to UK. Click here to read...
AFRICA AND INDIA
India to supply 150 locomotives worth more than ₹3,000 cr to Guinea
On June 16, 2025, the ministry of Railways announced that India will supply 150 locomotives worth more than ₹3,000 crore to Guinea. The Railway Locomotive factory in Marhowrah, Bihar, will supply 150 Evolution Series ES43ACmi locomotives and 37 locomotives will be sending this year for the use at the Simandou iron ore project site in Guinea. Another 87 and 31 locomotives will be exported in the next and third financial year. Each loco will have a single cab, and two locomotives together will carry the load of 100 wagons with maximum permissible speed. The Make in India locomotives are fitted with Distributed Power Wireless Control System, or DPWCS, for synchronised operations and superior freight handling. Click here to read...
Kirti Vardhan Singh visits the Republics of Mozambique and Zimbabwe
Minister of State for External Affairs and Environment, Forest & Climate Change of India (MoS), Shri. Kirti Vardhan Singh visited Mozambique and Zimbabwe from 21-28 June, 2025. MoS represented India at the celebrations marking the 50 years of Independence of Mozambique on 25th June, 2025. He met Zimbabwe’s Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Evelyn Ndlovu, in Harare to discuss on matters related to Conservation, Wildlife Protection Management and Climate Change. These visits aim to strengthen India’s strong bilateral relations with these countries. Click here to read...
Visit of Prime Minister to Ghana, and Namibia
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will undertake a visit to Ghana from July 02-03, 2025. This will be Prime Minister’s first ever bilateral visit to Ghana. During the visit, he will hold talks with the President of Ghana to review the strong bilateral partnership and discuss further avenues to enhance it through economic, energy, and defence collaboration, and development cooperation partnership. Towards the end of his visit, at the invitation of the President of the Republic of Namibia, H.E. Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, he will visit Namibia on July 09, 2025. This will be the first visit of Prime Minister to Namibia. These visits will reaffirm India’s shared commitment with the two countries. Click here to read...
PM interacts with Presidents of the South Africa and Brazil at G7 summit
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi held substantive conversations with President of Republic of South Africa, H.E Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa and President of Brazil, H.E Mr. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at the G7 Summit at Kananaskis, Canada on 17th June 2025. He reaffirmed India’s unwavering commitment to championing the cause of the Global South, advancing their shared priorities with special emphasis on the global South unity. Click here to read...
85 Tanzanian Nationals Awarded Fully Funded ICCR Scholarships
The India-Africa Maitri Scholarship Scheme of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) 85 Tanzanian students were awarded fully funded scholarship for the academic year 2025-26. They can pursue various undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs at Indian universities. The ICCR scholarship will cover full tuition fees, monthly stipend, accommodation and international air fare for the selected candidate. Since 2002, total 668 students have availed ICCR scholarships from Tanzania. The ICCR scholarships not only provide Tanzanian students with quality education in India but also strengthen the bilateral ties between the two nations through educational and cultural exchange. Click here to read...
Defence Secretary leads Indian delegation to South Africa for 9th Joint Defence Committee meeting
Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh led the Indian delegation to South Africa for the 9th Joint Defence Committee (JDC) meeting held in Johannesburg on June 23 and 24, 2025. The delegation from South Africa was headed by Acting Secretary for Defence, South Africa Dr Thobekile Gamede. They were briefed by both the sides on the capabilities of their defence industry. The Defence Secretary highlighted India’s growing prowess in defence manufacturing and exports, and reiterated the commitment to further strengthening relations with South Africa. Two newly signed agreements in the domain of submarine cooperation were exchanged during the meeting further strengthening of India-South Africa relations. Click here to read...
