A curated snapshot of Africa’s latest developments across key sectors, drawing from reports issued today and yesterday for real-time insights.
🏢 Business & Macro
- Zimbabwe projects 5% GDP growth in 2026, down from 6.6% this year amid global headwinds .
- South Africa’s Cell C lists on JSE, closing at $537 million market value on Thursday, boosting telecom sector liquidity .
- Nigeria’s NNPC and Heirs Energies revive gas well, doubling output to 135 million cubic feet per day in the south .
- Zimbabwe mandates 10% gold royalty for miners if prices top $2,501 per ounce, aiming to capture windfall revenues .
⚡ Climate & Energy
- Zambia grants $1.1B refinery license to China Zambia Petrochemical, a 60,000 b/d facility in Ndola with groundbreaking imminent; first phase operational by 2026.globalflowcontrol+1
- Somalia declares drought emergency, with 1 million in Puntland needing aid after failed rains; UN warns of catastrophe in Bari and Nugaal .
💻 Tech & Deals
- AfDB and EIB loan Mauritania $275M for railway upgrade linking iron ore mines to Atlantic port, enhancing trade corridors .
- Chui Ventures raises $17M debut fund, backed by Mastercard Foundation and Dell Foundation to fuel African startups .
🌍 Geopolitics & Policy
- Guinea-Bissau army general Horta Inta sworn in as interim leader after Wednesday coup; ECOWAS suspends membership, AU condemnation follows .
- EU Parliament demands Tanzania funding halt over post-election violence, detentions, and opposition crackdown; cites mass graves and internet shutdowns .
🔒 Security
- Nigeria declares nationwide security emergency as President Tinubu deploys forces against mass kidnappings of schoolchildren .
- Kenya by-elections marred by violence in 22 areas; vote counting underway amid clashes, arrests in Kasipul, Malava, Kabuchai .
⚖️ Human Rights
- Sudan’s El Fasher crisis deepens: RSF takeover sparks mass displacement, trafficking fears, child recruitment; WFP notes families scattered across Darfur .
- Sudan journalists report 32 killed, 556 violations in two years; courts weaponized with death penalty charges against reporters .
- Tunisia sentences 40 opposition figures to 45 years in “conspiracy” case; rights groups decry political motivation under Saied .
- Tunisia frees critic lawyer Sonia Dahmani after 18 months; hopes for broader releases amid post-2021 crackdown .
- South Sudan’s illicit gold trade hits millions: 5 tonnes smuggled yearly, now transit for Sudanese gold to UAE .
- Zuma daughter probed for tricking SA men into Ukraine war; 17 recruited under false pretences for Russian mercenaries .
