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toxic info

Top 10 coronavirus fake news items

As the coronavirus epidemic reaches the African continent, false information is spreading faster than the virus itself. The World Health Organization ... (WHO) has warned against the consequences of a pernicious “infodemic.”

ramadan risk

What coronavirus is changing for Muslims

Closed mosques, cancelled pilgrimages, suspended gatherings… faced with the spread of COVID-19 and despite a certain amount of reluctance, ... Muslim religious leaders are left with no other choice but to adapt.

national champion

Al Mada: The Moroccan royal holding company’s new clothes

After being transformed five years ago into a pan-African investment fund, Al Mada completed a series of megadeals on the continent, which today ... accounts for more than one-fourth of its profit.

warlord freed

DRC: Former warlord Thomas Lubanga freed after serving 14-year sentence

Thomas Lubanga, a former war chief, was found guilty of war crimes including enlisting children under the age of 15. He has now been released. ...

Don't Stand So Close

Nedbank bets coronavirus can accelerate shift to digital banking

South Africa’s Nedbank is accelerating the rollout of its digital strategy across Africa as customers turn away from face-to-face banking to ... reduce the risk of coronavirus, Terence Sibiya, managing executive for the rest of Africa, told The Africa Report.

amateur tradecraft

Credit Suisse: The “irrational story” that sunk Tidjane Thiam

After he left for competitor UBS, former Credit Suisse wealth management star Iqbal Khan was placed under "surveillance", an incredible operation ... that triggered everything that followed.

unexpected alliances

DRC: Félix Tshisekedi and Joseph Kabila meet for direct talks

On 12 March, Joseph Kabila went for a meeting at the home of Félix Tshisekedi in which much was discussed, including the axing of the monitoring ... committee set up under the FCC-CACH agreement.

black gold fall

Coronavirus: Why oil-dependent economies must prepare for the worst

When Moscow and Riyadh failed to reach an agreement on 6 March in Vienna, the oil world woke up to a major crisis situation three days ... later.

virus reaction

Shortages, inflation: East Africa scrambles against coronavirus

East African countries have taken extensive measures to stop the spread of COVID-19, just days after three countries in the region progressively ... announced 10 confirmed cases.

give and take

South Africa: Vodacom data move motivated by spectrum carrot

Vodacom has instituted cuts to its data services in exchange for the South African government speeding up the auction of high demand ... spectrum.

arrival times

Coronavirus: Ethiopia, Kenya and Rwanda see first East African cases

Medical teams in Kigali, Addis Ababa and Nairobi are on high alert as virus makes landfall in East Africa. ...

he rises again

Nigeria: Fight for Lamido Sanusi’s release is successful

At the beginning of the week, Muhammadu Sanusi II was dethroned and exiled. Today, his release has been ordered and he holds two new positions ... in Kaduna.

Talking Africa podcast

Coronavirus: the economic and political risks for Africa

Africa will be hit hard by the coronavirus. ...

net benefits

Enough is Enough. African nations must unite against illegal fishing

As the continent arguably most affected by the problem of ‘stolen fish’, Africa could secure food for its people while providing the blueprint ... for victory, according to the findings of a Blue Paper commissioned by the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy and launched this February at the African Union meeting.

Crawling Peg

Nigeria needs managed depreciation to limit coronavirus, oil double whammy

A weaker Nigerian naira is inevitable: the only questions are when and how. -- It will be “impossible” for the central bank to continue to ... support the naira

Jaynet affair

DRC: Interior Minister Gilbert Kankonde ordered to explain Jaynet Kabila questioning

The questioning of Jaynet Kabila, twin sister of Joseph Kabila, earlier this year caused significant uproar. ...

old friends

Ruto’s pending impeachment ruffles feathers of Kenya’s elite

The possible impeachment of Kenya's Deputy President William Ruto is the latest in Nairobi's political scene, as the country's elites escalate ... their rifts.

Yellow Peril

South Africa: Why Gold has not risen more on Coronavirus

The Coronavirus pandemic, it seems, is just not enough of a perfect storm to push gold decisively higher. ...

worldwide pandemic

Coronavirus: “If we were to enter the next stage, Africa would quickly be overwhelmed”

Dr Michel Yao, Emergency Operations Programme Manager at the WHO's Regional Office in Africa, discusses Africa's next step now that COVID-19 ... has been declared a pandemic.

no foreigners

Tidjane Thiam, the banker who bothered Switzerland

Tidjane Thiam turned Credit Suisse around, but still ended up being forced to resign. ...