AFRICA CONTINENTAL BRIEF | JULY 2025 -Overview of Key Political, Economic & Policy Developments Across Africa

World

Business & Macroeconomics

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ช Kenya โ€“ The government plans to sell a 65% stake in the Kenya Pipeline Company as part of a broader state asset divestment programme aimed at raising $1.1 billion.

๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฌ Nigeria โ€“ MTN Nigeria reported a 55% year-on-year increase in service revenue, reaching $1.54 billion for H1 2025. In parallel, the federal government has earmarked $644 million for airport infrastructure upgrades nationwide.


Climate & Energy

๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฆ Namibia โ€“ The country has secured approximately $116 million in 2025 for green hydrogen initiatives, including pilot projects, commercial ventures, and consultancy services.


Geopolitics & Policy

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฉ Sudan โ€“ The African Union has urged member states not to recognise the Rapid Support Forces (RSF)-backed parallel government, warning of dire implications for Sudanโ€™s sovereignty and future stability.

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ฟ Tanzania โ€“ A $1.2 billion uranium processing plant, jointly developed with Russian state-owned firm Rosatom, was officially inaugurated on Wednesday.

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ซ Central African Republic โ€“ A controversial referendum has cleared the path for President Faustin-Archange Touadรฉra to seek a third term, abolishing term limits and extending presidential mandates to seven years. The opposition and civil society organisations have denounced the process as fraudulent and exclusionary.

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ณ Senegal โ€“ Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko unveiled an economic recovery plan to be funded 90% through domestic resources. The IMF had frozen Senegalโ€™s loan programme over previously undisclosed debts. External support will be limited to asset recycling components.

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฑ Mali โ€“ Former Prime Minister Moussa Mara is under investigation by the cybercrime court over a social media post referring to detained civil society figures as “prisoners of conscience”, suggesting politically motivated detentions.


Security & Diplomacy

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฉ DR Congo / ๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡ผ Rwanda โ€“ The two nations held their first joint oversight committee meeting in Washington since signing a peace agreement. The meeting, also attended by the AU, US, and Qatar, discussed implementation steps including troop withdrawals and joint security coordination. While full execution remains pending, US officials affirmed that the process is still on course.

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฉ Sudan โ€“ A coalition of Sudanese civil groups has warned of a humanitarian catastrophe in El Fasher, North Darfur, under siege by the RSF. The coalition accuses the group of war crimes and systematic starvation. Staple foods are depleted, and residents are now surviving on residue from groundnuts and sesame.


Technology & Investment

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ณ Senegal โ€“ MidWestern Logistics Company announced a new industrial free zone in central Senegal, supported by $91 million in investor backing.

๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆ South Africa โ€“ The Constitutional Court ruled in favour of Vodacom in a dispute over intellectual property with a former employee. Separately, African Infrastructure Investment Managers exited three renewable energy projects, generating $41.8 million in returns.

๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฌ Nigeria โ€“ Telecom infrastructure vandalism has surged sharply, with over 440 cases since May. Operators report direct confrontations with site engineers and delays in service restoration due to local resistance and ransom demands. The disruption has affected key services including calls, SMS, and internet.


Media & Innovation

๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฌ Nigeria โ€“ PREMIUM TIMES publisher Dapo Olorunyomi urged media outlets to diversify revenue sources amid growing financial constraints. He cited innovations including crowdfunding, AI-driven content, mobile payments, and hybrid business models as examples from across Africa. Emerging ventures such as AFRIpods and CJIDโ€™s AI platforms are also advancing media accessibility and sustainability.


Conservation & Crime Prevention

๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆ South Africa โ€“ A new anti-poaching initiative, the Rhisotope Project, has begun injecting rhino horns with traceable radioactive isotopes. The technique enables border detection and is intended to disrupt illegal wildlife trafficking networks without harming the animals.


Sources: africacenter.org, semafor.com

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