Welcome toAfrica Now, your weekly newsletter for Africa, presenting the most important developments in the continent - news that matters.
COMMENTARY
Harnessing the Trade Winds: History of Indian Traders in Eastern Africa
Imagine someone telling you, Indians knew the monsoon winds much before European sailors. Imagine someone claiming that Indians started sailing long before the European explorers of the 14th century; even before Hippalus.Click here to read...
How death of Gambian children will affect India's African outreach
FROM THE INDIAN perspective, Bangladesh and The Gambia may be worlds apart. But, there are a couple of commonalities between the western African country and India’s eastern neighbour. First is India’s diplomatic outreach. Click here to read...
Why Russia is cheering on the Burkina Faso coup
The latest coup in Burkina Faso saw young people waving Russian flags in the streets of the capital, Ouagadougou - something that must have warmed hearts in the Kremlin. Click here to read...
NEWS
Millionaire businessman turns tables to win Lesotho polls
Revolution for Prosperity (RFP), a party set up only six months ago by a 64-year-old businessman Sam Matekane, won 56 out of 120 seats in parliament. Click here to read...
Lesotho populist party wins most seats in election, falls short of majority
A Lesotho party led by a diamond magnate won the most seats in last week's election, but fell short of an overall majority, the election commission said on Monday, raising the prospect of more political gridlock. Click here to read...
Lesotho's RFP party forms coalition government with other opposition after election win
Lesotho's newly formed party Revolution for Prosperity (RFP), which won the most seats in last week's election but fell short of an overall majority, has formed a coalition government with two other opposition parties. Click here to read...
Burkina Faso geared for political change following coup unrest
Political parties, social and religious groups and representatives of the security forces gather Friday to chart the next phase in Burkina Faso's future after the country's latest coup. Click here to read...
Burkina Faso’s latest coup leader named transition president
Burkina Faso's latest coup, announced on September 30 on state television, has raised fears that the country's political chaos could result in more violence from the region's Islamic extremists. Click here to read...
Sudan 'close' to a national consensus: army chief
Head of Sudan’s ruling Sovereign Council, General Abdel Fattah al Burhan, has said the country’s political groups are close to reaching a national consensus. Click here to read...
Mali’s new draft constitution bolsters president’s power
The draft of a new constitution handed to Mali’s military ruler bolsters the powers of the future president and rules out extensive autonomy for the country’s north. Click here to read...
Chadian prime minister resigns to pave way for new government
Chad’s Prime Minister, Albert Pahimi Padacke, has resigned to pave the way for a new government after the Central African country pushed back elections by two years. Click here to read...
Chad names opposition politician Saleh Kebzabo as new PM
Chad's transitional government on Wednesday named opposition politician Saleh Kebzabo as the new prime minister after the former prime minister resigned to pave way for a new administration. Click here to read...
Tunisia: Thousands from rival political parties protest against President Kais Saied
Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of Tunisia's capital to demonstrate against the president. Parallel demonstrations by political movements who are deeply opposed to each other were held in Tunis. Click here to read...
Angola's President gives first National Assembly speech since re-election
Angolan President Joao Lourenço delivered his first speech before the National Assembly since his re-election admitting to devoting all his strength and attention to the search for the best conditions for the population. Click here to read...
Botswana President reaffirms continuous support to Sahrawi people right to self-determination and independence
President of Botswana, Mr. Mokgweetsi Masisi, has reaffirmed his country's historical position in support of the right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination, liberation and independence. Click here to read...
Somalia Warns Traders Not to Pay off Islamist Militants
Somalia’s government Saturday threatened to sanction businesses that pay extortion money to al-Shabab, looking to choke a lucrative cash pipeline the Islamist militants use to fund a deadly insurgency. Click here to read...
China’s CRRC Qiqihar branch exports largest railway flat wagon to Tanzania
A railway flat wagon, with a maximum capacity of 200 tons, which will be exported by CRRC Qiqihar Rolling Stock Co. has been loaded for shipment to Tanzania at Tianjin port, North China, on Saturday. Click here to read...
Kenya denies defaulting on China railway debt
Kenya on Thursday denied it had defaulted on interest repayments on a loan advanced by China for the construction of a railway line from the port city of Mombasa that opened in 2017. Click here to read...
Zambia finance minister eager to renegotiate debt, awaits China's team
Zambia's finance minister said on Saturday it is still unclear who will be leading talks for renegotiating its nearly $6 billion debt with China, the largest bilateral creditor of the first African sovereign default in 2020 after the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Click here to read...
Palestinian factions sign reconciliation agreement in Algeria
Rival Palestinian factions meeting in Algiers for talks mediated by the Algerian government have agreed on a reconciliation deal that aims to resolve 15 years of discord through new elections in the occupied Palestinian territories. Click here to read...
Nigeria election: Dangers of being religious in a religious nation
Religious intolerance - in one of the most religious countries in Africa if not the world - is one of the issues dominating debate ahead of next year's elections. Click here to read...
Inter-Parliamentary Union condemns coups in Africa
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) on Tuesday condemned the increasing coups on the African continent. Much of Africa’s Sahel region has been battling growing unrest which has prompted a spate of coups in Mali, Guinea and Chad since 2020. Click here to read...
‘Our problems are our problems,’ South Africa, Botswana and Mozambique have sent a strong message to the West
African countries have decided that their internal security crisis can be resolved only by them and not by any external player.Click here to read...
Sudan, Ethiopia agree to resolve border issues peacefully
The head of Sudan’s Sovereignty Council and the country’s de-facto leader Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed agreed to resolve border issues peacefully, the office of the Sudanese leader said on Saturday. Click here to read...
Nigeria dismisses terrorism charges against separatist leader
Charges against a Nigerian separatist leader accused of terrorism and instigating violence in the country’s southeast have been discharged by a local court, his lawyer told The Associated Press. Click here to read...
Ethiopia restricts use of foreign currency
Ethiopia has ordered banks to deny foreign currency to businesses importing non-priority goods, in an effort to shore up dwindling foreign reserves in one of Africa's major economies. Click here to read...
With the help of Israel, Morocco is the first African country to enter the drone manufacturers club
Morocco has entered the club of drone manufacturers by virtue of the recent deal it concluded with Israel, according to which Morocco will manufacture Israeli war drones. Click here to read...
Zimbabwe inks deal to manufacture lithium-ion batteries
Zimbabwe entered into a deal with an unnamed foreign investor to manufacture lithium batteries, Deputy Mines Minister Polite Kambamura said on Sunday. Click here to read...
New commercial shipping service between France, Spain and Morocco
The French company CMA-CGM will put into service the transport of containers between France, Spain and Morocco with a stopover in Algeciras and Barcelona Click here to read...
Europe turns to Africa in bid to replace Russian natural gas
A new liquefied natural gas project off Africa’s western coast may only be 80% complete, but already the prospect of a new energy supplier has drawn visits from the leaders of Poland and Germany. Click here to read...
Mauritania boosts its industrial investments after finding new gas reserves off the country's coasts
The Mauritanian country has accelerated the pace of awakening gas reserves on its Atlantic coast with the award of new exploration contracts, under the watchful eye of the European Union. Click here to read...
A $1 billion investment by Google in Africa is rooted in the ‘spirit of Ubuntu’
Pan-Africanism was meant to be centred on the Ubuntu principle, but it has been difficult to implement because some African nations are pushing for protectionist policies even under the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (Afcfta.) Click here to read...
Botswana's first indigenous bank to launch in early 2023
Botswana's BBS Limited will launch as the country's first indigenous commercial bank early next year after the central bank issued it a full banking licence. Click here to read...
6th Africa Agri Expo to kick off in Kenya next year in February!
Africa's rich agribusiness, fertile untapped land, and enormous underlying prospects have always paved the way for such events that connect the continent's agribusiness to the rest of the world - while also providing exclusive networking and brand-building opportunities for global agricultural industry players. Click here to read...
Africa's longest oil pipeline takes shape in Niger
With a projected length of nearly 2,000 kilometres (1,240 miles) - including 1,250 km in Niger itself - the pipeline will connect oil wells in the eastern region of Agadem, a zone troubled by deadly jihadist incursions, with the Beninese port of Seme. Click here to read...
Africa's airline industry to return to profit in 2024, IATA official says
Those problems were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic as national airlines sought government bailouts while others were liquidated when passenger seats plummeted during strict lockdowns. Click here to read...
Mauritius becomes a model for innovation-driven development in Africa
Despite a turbulent year of inflation fuelled both by the war in Ukraine and the lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, Mauritius has retained its crown as Africa's most innovative country, besting the likes of South Africa, Kenya, and Senegal. Click here to read...
Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia on edge as Africa fraught with default risks
The months-long Ukraine war and other global headwinds have left Africa’s largest economies struggling with relentless fiscal pressures and default risks, with soaring yields on the continent barely reversing an exodus of non-resident investors to developed nations. Click here to read...
Africa’s Only G-20 Member Wants to Reform Its Debt Framework
Africa’s only member of the Group of 20 nations is working with its continental peers to propose reforms to the forum’s mechanism for countries to restructure unaffordable debt. Click here to read...
Turkish ship suspected of carrying weapons arrives in Misrata, 444 militia start movement south
The movement of the 444 militia south of Misrata to Bani Walid on Friday took place after the Turkish container ship MATILDE A docked at the Port of Misrata on Wednesday around 1:30 pm, which continued unloading its cargo until Friday. Click here to read...
Jihadis Kill 11 in Burkina Faso Ambush, Security Sources Say
Jihadi militants killed at least three soldiers and eight civilian auxiliaries in an attack Saturday in Burkina Faso's volatile north, security sources told AFP. Click here to read...
Blast in Central African Republic kills 3 Bangladesh UN peacekeepers
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "conveys his deepest condolences to the families of the peacekeepers and the people in government of Bangladesh," he added. Click here to read...
11 killed, dozens injured in bus blast in central Mali
The bus hit an explosive device while travelling the road between Bandiagara and Goundaka, in the Mopti area, known as a hotbed for jihadist violence. Click here to read...
Mozambique jihadi violence spreads despite military effort
The 5-year wave of jihadi violence in Cabo Delgado province has killed more than 4,000 people and scuppered international investments worth billions of dollars. Click here to read...
Villagers brutally massacred in DRC's eastern Ituri province
Unidentified militants have killed 12 civilians in a village in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, a region which has been plagued by violence perpetrated by armed groups for years. Click here to read...
DR Congo colonels get death penalty for murder of Chinese workers
Six people, including two army colonels, sentenced to death while four others were jailed for 10 years in connection with the March killing. Click here to read...
Chinese investors dogged by controversy with gross human rights violations of Zimbabwean workers
Chinese-run companies in Zimbabwe have been dogged by controversy with gross human rights violations and safety norms for mining workers. Click here to read...
Chinese peacekeeper to South Sudan (Wau) awarded UN Peace Medals
An award ceremony was held on October 11 local time at the Chinese engineering camp in the Super Camp of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in Wau. Click here to read...
Head of Africa CDC alleges mistreatment at German airport
The acting director of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention alleged he was “mistreated” upon his arrival at Germany’s Frankfurt Airport on Saturday and had decided to return to Africa. Click here to read...
Ebola in Uganda: Three-week lockdown announced for two districts
A three-week lockdown has been declared in two districts of Uganda as the country battles an Ebola outbreak. Bars, nightclubs, places of worship and entertainment venues will be closed in Mubende and neighbouring Kassanda, and a curfew will come into force. Click here to read...
From Shining Shoes in Africa to a Seat in Italy's Parliament
When Aboubakar Soumahoro was a child in his West African home country of Ivory Coast, he cleaned people’s shoes to make money. He also had a dream to go to Italy. Click here to read...
INDIA IN AFRICA
Visit of External Affairs Minister to the Arab Republic of Egypt (October 15-16, 2022)
At the invitation of H.E. Mr. Sameh Hassan Shoukry, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, will pay an official visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt from 15-16 October 2022. Click here to read...
Jaishankar begins his first bilateral visit to Egypt
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar began his visit to Egypt visit in the capital city of Cairo on Saturday where he met eminent personalities in the field of foreign policy. Click here to read...
Jaishankar meets Egyptian president, says both countries promote global peace
India foreign minister S. Jaishankar on Sunday met the Egyptian president Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. Describing both the countries as “independent-minded" nations, in a series of tweets, Jaishankar said both the countries contribute towards global discourse and promote the cause of peace, progress and development. Click here to read...
In Egypt, EAM Jaishankar talks Ukraine, Indo-Pacific
External affairs minister S Jaishankar met his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry in Cairo on Saturday and the two leaders discussed regional developments and exchanged views on the Ukraine conflict and the Indo-Pacific. Click here to read...
India, Egypt to now explore opportunities in renewable energy, trade: Jaishankar
Addressing a joint news conference with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry following their meeting in Cairo, Jaishankar said bilateral trade had recorded the highest-ever figure of $ 7.2 billion last year. Click here to read...
India, Egypt to collaborate on premier higher educational institutes like IIT
A committee was constituted by the Union education ministry after IIT-Delhi submitted a proposal last year for opening centres in Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Click here to read...
EAM Jaishankar thanks diaspora for shaping India’s image in Egypt
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar thanked the Indian business community in Egypt for advancing national interests and shaping the country’s image in the region. Click here to read...
Visiting Egypt very much on PM Modi's mind: EAM Jaishankar
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has very good personal relationship with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and he has been wanting to visit the key north African country for some time, but the Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted the travel schedule, India's top diplomat has said. Click here to read...
Partnership with Africa a top priority for India: Ruchira Kamboj at UNSC
Ruchira Kamboj, India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, held that terrorist outfits like armed groups merit the attention of the Council. While addressing the council meet on October 11, Ruchira Kamboj said, “Terrorist outfits like armed groups deserve the attention of the council in their response to addressing security threats confronting Africa today. Click here to read...
African defence ministers to attend India-Africa Defence Dialogue in Gujarat next week
As many as 13 African defence ministers will be travelling to India to participate in the India-Africa Defence Dialogue that will take place on October 18 on the sidelines of the 12th DefExpo in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Click here to read...
Defence exports to cross Rs. 13,000 cr, Gujarat to get 5th airbase
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will chair the second India-Africa defence dialogue and a conclave of defence ministers of over 25 countries during the DefExpo 2022, scheduled to begin in Gandhinagar on October 18. Click here to read...
Indian Naval Ship Tarkash Reaches South Africa for IBSAMAR VII
INS Tarkash reached Port Grequhrea which is also known as Port Elizabeth in South Africa. INS Tarkash will participate in the seventh edition of IBSAMAR, a joint multinational maritime exercise. Click here to read...
INS TARKASH PARTICIPATES IN IBSAMAR VII
The 7th edition of IBSAMAR, a joint multinational maritime exercise, among the Indian, Brazilian and South Africa navies was held at Port Gqeberha (also known as Port Elizabeth), South Africa from 10 to 12 Oct 22. The Indian Navy was represented in it by the guided missile frigate, INS Tarkash, a Chetak helicopter and MARCOS Special Forces. Click here to read...
Former media executive among 2 missing in Kenya for over 80 days, friends seek PM Modi's help
An Indian national and former senior executive at Star and Balaji, Zulfiqar Khan, has been missing in Kenya since July 21 this year. His friends say that there has been complete silence since then. Click here to read...
India pushes for settlement of international trade in rupee with Sudan
India has reached out to Sudan towards settlement of international trade in rupee as part of its push towards internationalisation of the domestic currency. Click here to read...
Airtel and Cellulant Plan to Increase Their Customer Base in Zambia
In order to increase their position in the Zambian market, operator Airtel Africa and payments provider Cellulant have made announcements. The Lusaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and Cellulant Zambia have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to provide digital payments to the LCCI's member companies. Click here to read...
From obscure bank to a fintech darling: The curious case of SBM
What do fintech competitors Slice, Uni and Lazypay have in common? And we are not talking of their ambition to outrace each other in the digital lending space. The answer: State Bank of Mauritius (SBM) India.Click here to read...
Doon School Srinagar bags award of excellence from Mauritius Govt
The Doon International School (DIS) Srinagar has received a prestigious award in excellence in School Education Awards- 2022. Click here to read...
Cough Syrup death case: Death toll rises to 70, Gambia begins probe
As the world turns their eyes tot he cough syrup deaths of children, the Gambian government has informed that the death toll has risen to 70 from a previous toll of 69. Click here to read...
Nigeria, Liberia flag Maiden syrups after Gambia deaths
The head of India’s apex pharma export promotion body warned of rising “negativity" over the Maiden Pharma controversy after Nigeria and Liberia issued alerts over four Maiden-manufactured cough syrups linked to the deaths of 69 Gambian children. Click here to read...
Jaishankar: Deepest condolences to Gambia over death of children
“In a telecon with Gambian FM Dr Mamadou Tangara, conveyed our deepest condolences on the deaths of young children recently. Underlined that matter is being seriously investigated by appropriate authorities; we agreed to remain in touch,” Jaishankar tweeted. Click here to read...
The Gambia deaths | India seeks more data
India has sought more information from the World Health Organization on the deaths in the Gambia linked to contaminated cough syrups made by Maiden Pharma in India. Click here to read...
The cough syrups linked to child deaths in Africa: a wake-up call for India’s drug regulators
The World Health Organisation says cough syrups supplied by an Indian company are linked to the deaths of 66 children in Africa’s Gambia. The incident puts the spotlight on India’s weak drug regulatory system, which experts say has acquired a reputation and has been often found lacking due to a history of corruption. Click here to read...
India halts production of cough syrups suspected of links to child deaths
Indian health authorities have halted production at a pharmaceutical company in New Delhi after the World Health Organization (WHO) said its cough and cold syrups may be linked to the deaths of dozens of children. Click here to read...
Murder charge against Indian-origin doctor in South Africa over patient's death after surgery
35-year-old Dr Avindra Dayanand surrendered before the police after his patient died following gall bladder surgery, according to a report in the Sunday Times. Click here to read...
Of drug quality, Gambia and India: an interview with the authors of The Truth Pill
The Truth Pill, by Dinesh Singh Thakur and Prashant Reddy Thikkavarapu investigates the challenges of drug regulation in India. It looks at why enforcement by authorities is lax; and how this sows the seeds for incidents such as the deaths of 66 children in The Gambia. Click here to read...
India has great potential in athletics, a champion from the country will come soon: Haile Gebrselassie
New Delhi is hosting legendary athlete Haile Gebrselassie. The Ethiopian won the 10,000m gold in successive Olympics and eight World Championships in his 25-year storied career. Click here to read...
