A curated snapshot of Africa’s latest developments across Business, Technology, Geopolitics, Security, and Human Rights, reflecting real-time updates from multiple sources.
Business
Africa’s economic outlook remains resilient despite global uncertainty. The African Development Bank projects average GDP growth of 4.2% in 2025 and 4.3% in 2026, buoyed by private consumption and reforms afdb.org. At the Bloomberg Africa Business Summit in Johannesburg, leaders emphasized diversifying export markets in response to U.S. tariffs under President Trump’s administration Polity.org.za Bloomberg.
- Cocoa sector strain: Ivory Coast reported cocoa contracts at 1.3 million tons for 2025/26, down from 1.4 million, raising concerns about supply Business Tech Africa.
- Critical minerals: Pressure mounts to move beyond raw exports, with calls for industrialization to maximize Africa’s reserves African Business.
- Continental manifesto: African business leaders signed a declaration to boost investment and growth, signaling stronger regional cooperation Engineering News.
Technology
Africa’s digital transformation accelerated in November, highlighted by the Africa Tech Festival in Cape Town, where firms showcased innovations in biometric identity, AI, and digital infrastructure TMCnet Africa Newsroom African Newspaper Today.
- Google launches Gemini 3 AI in South Africa, ushering in advanced agentic AI capabilities IT News Africa.
- Ethio Telecom and Awash Bank unveiled “Tila,” expanding digital finance access nationwide TechAfrica News.
- Vodacom eyes bigger stake in Safaricom, reinforcing Kenya’s role in regional telecoms TechAfrica News.
- Rwanda introduced a Digital FDI Roadmap to attract tech investment and create jobs IT News Africa.
Geopolitics
The G20 Summit in Johannesburg, Africa’s first, adopted a climate-focused declaration without U.S. input, deepening rifts with Washington The Asia Live. European leaders rejected the U.S. draft peace plan for Ukraine, calling it too favorable to Russia Hindustan Times Yahoo News Singapore.
- South Africa–EU trilateral meeting reinforced cooperation on trade, climate, and digital transformation South African Government.
- Cameroon unrest followed President Paul Biya’s re-election, sparking protests over alleged vote manipulation eurafrica.info.
- Africa’s global role was spotlighted at the Bloomberg Summit, with leaders stressing the continent’s growing diplomatic influence Bloomberg.
Security
Security challenges remain acute across the continent. The UN warned terrorism in Africa is a “growing global threat,” with the Sahel accounting for 19% of global attacks and over half of terrorism casualties UN News GlobalSecurity.org.
- Nigeria faced a mass abduction of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi and renewed ISWAP activity in Borno africansecurityanalysis.org.
- Benin uncovered maritime fraud, with 33 vessels illegally sailing under its flag to evade sanctions africansecurityanalysis.org.
- South Africa deployed 3,500 police officers ahead of G20 protests, showcasing heightened security measures Aljazeera.
- ECOWAS launched a Human Security Index to integrate human security into its peace architecture ZAWYA.
Human Rights
Human rights concerns dominated regional and global forums. Human Rights Watch urged the EU-AU Summit in Luanda to prioritize rights amid conflict-related abuses Human Rights Watch.
- Sudan’s humanitarian crisis worsened, with mass displacement and collapsing services in Darfur highlighted by the Geneva International Centre for Justice gicj.org.
- Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Network convened in South Africa, warning of collapsing protection mechanisms africandefenders.org.
- Chad’s constitutional change abolishing presidential term limits drew criticism as a setback for democracy Africa.com.
- The UN and AU vowed closer cooperation on peace, security, and rights protection UN News.
