Welcome to Africa Now, your weekly newsletter for Africa, presenting the most important developments in the continent - news that matters.
COMMENTARY
Forging a New Path for India-Africa Relations
As the world transitions to post-pandemic optimism, India and Africa have emerged as twin centres of growth and are poised to transform their multi-faceted economic relationship. Click here to read...
Islamic State’s Expansion in Africa and its Implications for Southeast Asia
Will the group’s call for hijrah (migration) to Africa prompt Southeast Asian Muslims to join the struggle? Click here to read...
France still not paid for humanitarian crimes committed in Africa
It is now a known fact that colonialism, which has been adopted by the West, particularly in France, as an "innocent ideology of helping socially, economically and politically underdeveloped nations adapt to the civilized world." Click here to read...
NEWS
Tunisia’s Saïed consolidates power with new constitution
Tunisian voters have approved a new constitution by referendum vote, one that further consolidates power for President Kaïs Saïed despite concerns from the political opposition over the future of the country’s democracy. Click here to read...
West Africa bloc chair says Guinea accepts two-year transition
The chair of the West African regional bloc has said Guinea will cut the timeline of its planned transition to civilian rule from three to two years. Click here to read...
Angola's campaigns gain momentum as political parties call for peace
The first week of the election campaign in Angola went more smoothly. The political tensions of the pre-election period dropped considerably and the tone of the candidates has also become more positive. Click here to read...
The 'Hustler-in-Chief' or the veteran 'Baba' politician, who will be Kenya's next president?
On August 9, Kenyans head to the polls and with soaring food and fuel prices, high unemployment and post-pandemic stagnation, a change in leadership could not come at a more critical time for East Africa's largest economy. Click here to read...
Algeria, Niger and Nigeria sign MoU for Saharan gas pipeline
Algeria, Nigeria and Niger have signed a memorandum of understanding to build a natural gas pipeline across the Sahara Desert. Click here to read...
Blinken to Visit South Africa, DR Congo and Rwanda
U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will travel to three African countries from August 7 to 12 with visits to South Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and RwandaClick here to read...
Has the UN’s peacekeeping mission in DR Congo failed?
Several killed in violent protests calling for UN peacekeepers to leave. At least 12 civilians and three members of the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) have been killed in days of anti-UN protests. Click here to read...
Egypt protests against Ethiopia's plan to fill Nile dam reservoir
Cairo lodges its protest at UN Security Council, objecting to Addis Ababa's unilateral filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam without a binding deal with downstream countries including Sudan. Click here to read...
In Mali, ‘risks of political and military escalation’ between the government and ex-rebels of the north
The last time that relations were this tense between the former Tuareg rebel groups and the Malian government was in 2015 when the peace process was launched in Algiers. Click here to read...
Al Shabab attacks military base on Somalia-Ethiopia border
Al Shabab militants have attacked a military base on the Somalia-Ethiopia border, triggering fierce fighting that caused an unknown number of casualties, security officials said. Click here to read...
Ethiopian Authorities to Create Buffer Zone Inside Somalia
A local Somali official has welcomed a plan by Ethiopia's Somali state to create a buffer zone along the border inside Somalia to fight militant group al-Shabab. Click here to read...
Zimbabwe yearns for real change
NOVEMBER 17, 2017 marked the end of the late former President Robert Gabriel Mugabe’s reign, who had tormented the people of Zimbabwe since 1980. Click here to read...
Burkina Faso's Compaoré apologises to family of murdered Sankara
Burkina Faso's former president Blaise Compaoré, sentenced in absentia to life in jail for the 1987 assassination of revolutionary icon Thomas Sankara, has apologised to the ex-leader's family. Click here to read...
Senegal legislative poll tests ruling party ahead of 2024 vote
Senegal’s main opposition coalition is vying to gain clout in legislative polls on Sunday that will set the scene for a presidential election in 2024 – which could see President Macky Sall run for a controversial third term. Click here to read...
Malawi President Launches Anti-Corruption Campaign to Fight Graft
Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera launched a nationwide anti-corruption campaign Tuesday at the end of a two-day conference on graftClick here to read...
Nigerian senators urge Buhari impeachment over insecurity
Parliament is controlled by the ruling APC and any move to impeach Buhari would require support from two-thirds of the 109 senators. Click here to read...
Tunisians vote to expand president’s powers
Tunisians voted to drastically expand the president’s powers and critics warn the referendum could usher in a dictatorship. Click here to read...
Civilians in crossfire as shifting alliances spark Libya violence
Fathi Bashagha, one of Libya’s two rival prime ministers, is from Misrata – as is his rival, Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, whose internationally recognised government sits in Tripoli. Click here to read...
Power line kills 4 at anti-UN protest in eastern Congo
Four people participating in demonstrations against the United Nations peacekeeping mission in eastern Congo were killed Wednesday when a high-voltage power line fell on them, officials said. Click here to read...
France’s Macron heads to Africa for three-nation trip
The four-day visit to Cameroon, Benin and Guinea-Bissau is the French leader’s first diplomatic trip outside of Europe since winning re-election, showing how Africa is high on the list of priorities for the former colonial power. Click here to read...
Russia's reengagement with Africa pays off
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is on a four-nation tour to Africa. The trip is part of Russia's ongoing charm offensive on the continent to shore up support. Click here to read...
Macron says France will stand by Africa on security issues
French President Emmanuel Macron has wrapped up a meeting with Paul Biya, his counterpart in Cameroon, the first port of call on his three nation tour. He reiterated that France would continue to support Africa's security needs. Click here to read...
French president wraps up Africa tour in Guinea-Bissau
French President Emmanuel Macron wrapped up a three-country Africa tour in Guinea-Bissau Thursday that saw him pledge funding for education and economic development as well as military support to fight extremism in West and Central Africa. Click here to read...
Benin marks Macron visit by releasing 30 jailed opposition politicians
This week's visit to Benin by French President Emmanuel Macron was marked by the release of 30 opposition figures, imprisoned during the April 2021 election campaign. Click here to read...
Israel Reaffirms Support for Morocco’s Sovereignty Over Western Sahara
Israeli Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Gideon Sa’ar reaffirmed on Wednesday his country's support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara. Click here to read...
Russia is plundering gold in Sudan to boost Putin's war effort in Ukraine
Days after Moscow launched its bloody war on Ukraine, a Russian cargo plane stood on a Khartoum runway, a strip of tarmac surrounded by red-orange sand. Click here to read...
Uganda: Lavrov visit to Museveni creates headache for Washington
Uganda welcomed its highest-ever ranking visit from a Moscow official on 26 July. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov got a warm welcome from President Yoweri Museveni. Click here to read...
Zambia commissions China-financed project to improve water supply in Zambian capital
Zambia on Friday commissioned a project financed by China aimed at improving water supply and sanitation in Lusaka, the Zambian capital. Click here to read...
Central African Republic's digital coin finds few buyers
The sale of Central African Republic's first digital coin got off to a slow start, with just over 5% of the target bought in the hours after its launch, amid questions about the project's transparency and a wider downturn in the industry. Click here to read...
Tanzania, Zambia Sh1.4 trillion power line to start in 2023
The Coordinator of the Tanzania-Zambia Project (Taza) – which involves the construction of electricity transmission infrastructure between the two countries – Mr Elias Makunga, said yesterday that actual execution of the project will start in January, 2023. Click here to read...
Mozambique LNG: Saipem says work will not restart in 2022 and original EPC contract will be revised
Force majeure will not be lifted until 2023 at earliest, while contract to build LNG trains will be revamped to account for higher costs. Click here to read...
Egypt cancels contracts for 240,000 T of stranded Ukrainian wheat
Egypt has cancelled contracts for a total of 240,000 tonnes of Ukrainian wheat that were booked by its state grains buyer for February and March delivery but never loaded due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Click here to read...
Burundi secretly sent troops to DR Congo - rights group
Burundi has secretly sent hundreds of troops and members of a youth militia into neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo since the end of 2021 to fight an armed rebel group, a Burundian human rights group said Wednesday. Click here to read...
Wildfires in northern Morocco, a villager prosecuted
A villager was charged for involuntary fire in the northern Moroccan province of Larache, the region most affected by violent forest fires, a judicial source said. Click here to read...
Mali and Burkina Faso: Did the coups halt jihadist attacks?
Widespread anger at chronic insecurity in the West African countries of Mali and Burkina Faso paved the way for military men to kick out failing governments over the past two years. Click here to read...
As Zimbabwe struggles with daily blackouts, Zambia declares huge 1,000MW electricity surplus
ZAMBIA’S integrated power utility ZESCO has declared that the country how has surplus capacity of about 1,000 megawatts (MW) at a time the country is also enjoying an economic rebound. Click here to read...
Chinese-built highway inaugurated in southwestern Cameroon
A major Chinese-built highway in southwestern Cameroon was inaugurated on Friday. Click here to read...
Rwanda on course to grow electric mobility market
Five years ago, Rwanda announced plans to introduce environmentally friendly transport services as part of the efforts to prioritise a climate resilient low carbon economy. Click here to read...
Africa Protected Areas Congress: Continent gets $200 billion conservation fund
A $200 billion trust fund has been initiated to conserve around 8,600 protected areas covering 26 million square kilometres in Africa. Conservationists have called for global contributions to it. Click here to read...
INDIA IN AFRICA
India extends 222 LoCs worth $14.07 bn in Africa, 37 LoCs to neighbours
The LoCs projects in African nations are spread across sectors roads, railways, power, ports and shipping, education, telecom, health, and aviation. Click here to read...
The 17th CII-EXIM Bank Conclave on India
The CII-EXIM Bank Conclave in India, which was held recently, focused on enhancing India-Africa relations through entrepreneurial initiatives and trade. Click here to read...
32,000 Africans earn scholarships from India
Some 32,000 African students have benefited from Indian government scholarships since 2015, part of the 50,000 opportunities the country had pledged to give African students over a 10-year period. Click here to read...
Egypt signs $8 billion agreement with India for Suez Canal Economic Zone
Egypt and an Indian company have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to construct a green hydrogen factory in the Suez Canal Economic Zone. Click here to read...
ReNew Power eyes green hydrogen projects in Africa
NASDAQ-listed ReNew Power Ltd is looking to foray into Africa by developing green hydrogen projects in Egypt and Morocco. Click here to read...
Zambia attracts $5B investment from India
Indian investment amounting to $5 billion is in the pipeline for Zambia, targeting sectors such as health, agriculture, and infrastructure development, the Zambian deputy president announced on Wednesday. Click here to read...
India to invest $700m in Egypt
India looks forward to pumping additional investments into Egypt amounting to about $700 million in the coming few years, New Delhi’s ambassador in Cairo has said. Click here to read...
INS Tarkash commences Atlantic deployment by exercising with Morocco Navy
Indian Navy on Friday said its guided missile frigate, INS Tarkash, completed her Mediterranean deployment and entered the Atlantic to continue with her long-range voyage. Click here to read...
LS Speaker Om Birla and Esperanca Bias sign MoU of Cooperation between Parliaments of India and Mozambique
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla held a bilateral meeting with the Speaker of the Assembly of Mozambique, Esperanca Laurinda Francisco Nhiuane Bias at Parliament House Complex today. Click here to read...
India, COMESA trade stands at $15bn
THE value of trade between India and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) member states stood at US$15 billion in 2021. Click here to read...
PM Modi calls for speedy probe in Congo attack
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, discussed with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres the recent attack on UN mission personnel in Congo, in which two Indian peacekeepers were killed, and called for an expeditious investigation to bring the perpetrators of the incident to justice. Click here to read...
President Ramaphosa welcomes Serum Institute of India’s $2.5 million pledge to boost Africa’s healthcare
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday welcomed the Serum Institute of India’s (SII) pledge to provide an initial 2.5 million U.S. dollars to support the African Union (AU) COVID-19 Commission to improve healthcare systems on the continent. Click here to read...
Mozambique Parliamentary delegation calls on President Droupadi Murmu
A Parliamentary delegation from Mozambique called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday. Click here to read...
Will India Try Again for a Military Base in Seychelles?
India’s previous efforts to secure a base on Assumption Island were rebuffed. As China gains ground, will New Delhi make another offer? Click here to read...
India Calls for UN Security Council Meeting After Attack in DR Congo
India had called for a meeting of the United Nations Security Council after an attack on the UN mission in Congo killed Indian and Moroccan peacekeepers and also ensured that a strong-worded statement is issued by the 15-nation body that calls for accountability for the killing of the Blue Helmets. Click here to read...
IIT-Madras considers setting up campus in Tanzania; Nepal, Lanka too send requests
An offshore campus of IIT Madras in Tanzania is among the options on the government’s table as it works on a plan to ensure the country’s premier engineering institutes have a presence on the world map. Click here to read...
Grand Hindu Temple in Madagascar’s Capital City
India’s Ambassador to Madagascar and Comoros, Abhay Kumar, yesterday inaugurated a grand Hindu temple in Madagascar’s capital city Antananarivo. Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the statues of the deities were unveiled amidst hymns and devotional songs. The temple, the first of its kind in the city, is built by the Hindu Samaj. Click here to read...
Indian Overseas Center inaugurated in Madagascar
The Foreign Minister of Madagascar, an East African country, Richard Randriamandrato, inaugurated the Indian Diaspora Center ‘Indian Dhow’ in Antananarivo on Friday. Click here to read...
South African Tourism launches digital campaign for India
South African Tourism has announced the launch of a digital campaign for India in partnership with Air Seychelles. Click here to read...
Airtel's Africa business reports net profit of $178 million in Q1FY23, a 25% on-year jump
Revenue for the quarter ended June 2022 rose 13%-on year and 2.8% sequentially in reported currency, to $1.257 billion, the company said Thursday. Average revenue per user (ARPU) was up 0.6% on quarter and 4.4% on year, at $2.9. Click here to read...
Ongc Videsh, Indian Oil weigh stake in $3 billion Kenya project
ONGC Videsh and Indian Oil Corp. are in talks to acquire a stake in Tullow Oil Plc’s $3.4 billion project in Kenya, according to people with knowledge of the matter. Click here to read...
How fears of Chinese digital espionage ‘got RAW involved in Mauritius, led to snooping scandal’
Allegations that Mauritius PM Pravind Jugnauth allowed Indian tech team to install equipment for intercepting internet traffic have snowballed into growing political scandal. Click here to read...
