Latest Stories

part 1

Greener Africa: Powering the Sahel with renewable electricity

Ahead of the coronavirus outbreak, the issue of a greener Africa was getting underway. But while many think the COVID-19 pandemic threw a wrench ... into those efforts, others say it might just be the right catalyst to push forward greener energy. In this first part of our series of exclusive opinion pieces, we look at the Sahel and the quest for solar energy.

Flight to Safety

African government debt: A constraint on capital markets activity

In the US and other developed economies, capital markets are a hive of activity as companies and governments take advantage of low interest rates ... and stimulus programmes to raise funding.

conditions to meet

Côte d’Ivoire: Opposition parties take on Alassane Ouattara

During a meeting on 20 September, a group of Ivorian opposition parties established several prerequisites for their participation in the presidential ... election set to take place on 31 October.

Ray of Hope

Lumos plans solar power expansion in West Africa in 2021

Solar home systems provider Lumos plans West African expansion beyond its existing markets of Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire, CEO Alistair Gordon ... tells The Africa Report.

Chequered History

The UN at 75 years; Africa and the strained relationship

Africa’s relationship with the United Nations began in 1960, when 15 African countries gained independence and 17 became UN member states. ...

amnesty rethink?

Nigeria: How corruption kills peacebuilding in the Delta

The billions of dollars spent by Nigeria on 'peacebuilding' in the Niger Delta fed corruption, creating a bigger longterm problems. ...

learning the truth

Death of DRC’s Lumumba: ‘The Belgians weren’t the only bad guys’, says daughter Juliana

A Belgian court announced that it would return Patrice Émery Lumumba’s tooth to his family. Juliana Lumumba, daughter of the hero of the Democratic ... Republic of the Congo’s independence, spoke with about the symbolic significance of the ruling and, especially, the unknowns that continue to surround the 1961 assassination of the first prime minister of the then newly independent nation.

climate of fear

Can ICC chief prosecutor Bensouda hit back at President Trump?

A climate of fear reigns in The Hague following Washington’s move to blacklist the ICC prosecutor in response to the institution’s opening ... of an inquiry into war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Afghanistan. What action can the Court take against US sanctions?

bad call

Guinea’s Simandou iron ore project uncertain after Rio Tinto upheaval

Both the CEO and the iron ore division head will be leaving the Australian mining giant. Their exits could turn the tide of the company’s Guinea-based ... project.

ending the pandemic

Vaccines, vaccinators and vaccinees: The 3 Vs to end COVID

When will a COVID-19 vaccine be ready? It’s a question that has been repeatedly asked since the beginning of the pandemic. ...

Last-Chance Saloon

Clock ticking for South African Airways as funding fails to arrive

South African Airways creditors meet today after the latest deadline to raise the 10.4b rand ($650m) needed to keep the airline afloat was missed. ...

new friends

USA’s DFC approves transactions to Mozambique totalling $1.7 billion

The US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), Donald Trump’s secret weapon to counter Chinese influence in Africa, has devoted ... almost half of its new investment funding to natural gas projects in Mozambique.

green potential

Can renewables light up Nigeria’s economic growth? 

There are as many Nigerians living in the dark as there are Germans living in Germany. Green, decentralised power is part of the solution. ...

Free Jukebox

Mdundo music platform shareholders are locked in to losses

First came the Amazon of Africa. Then came the Spotify of Africa. ...

POLITICAL CAPITAL

The rise of Africa’s new ‘old men’

When Presidents Yahya Jammeh of Gambia, Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe and Omar al-Bashir of Sudan were brought down within a few years of each other, ... Africa appeared to be getting rid of the old men that had dominated the political scene for decades.

jet diplomacy

Nigeria-Benin: Dangote mediates border fight for Buhari and Talon

While the border between Benin and Nigeria has been closed since August 2019, Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote is acting as an intermediary ... between Patrice Talon and Muhammadu Buhari in an attempt to restart talks.

grains of power

Nigeria takes drastic measures to ensure local rice production

Nigeria has taken drastic measures to develop its local rice production, riding on the coattails of Mali, Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire. ...

Scaling Digital Payments

DPO will tap African market for acquisitions after Network takeover

Payment solutions provider DPO Group will keep making African acquisitions once its takeover by Network is complete, DPO CEO Eran Feinstein tells ... The Africa Report.

former strongman

Mali: Former president Moussa Traoré dead at age 83

In power from 1968 to 1991, Mali's Moussa Traoré, who forcibly took over from Modibo Keïta, the 'father of independence', has died in Bamako ... at the age of 83.

bioeconomy of tomorrow

Done right, a sustainable Covid-19 recovery is a $7.7trn opportunity

As Africa counts the cost, it needs to look beyond the 'back to normal' approach, and take this opportunity for a genuine sustainable restart ... of the economy.