A curate;d overview of the latest developments across Africa in business, technolog;y, geopolitics, security, and human rights.
🏢 Business
- African economies adapt to global shifts: At the Bloomberg Africa Business Summit in Johannesburg, leaders emphasized diversifying export markets amid U.S. tariffs under President Trump’s administration. Countries such as Ghana, Zambia, Kenya, and South Africa are boosting local industries and infrastructure to reduce reliance on Western markets Polity.org.za.
- South Africa’s automotive sector faces policy hurdles: Despite ambitious targets under the Automotive Masterplan 2035, experts warn that high vehicle taxes and import duties are undermining competitiveness, particularly in lower price segments tralac trade law centre.
- Côte d’Ivoire’s growth story: The country continues to post one of Africa’s highest growth rates, projected at up to 8%, though persistent inequalities remain a challenge Africanews.
- Dangote Refinery expansion: Nigeria’s Dangote refinery signed a deal with Honeywell to double capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day by 2028, positioning itself as the world’s largest petroleum refinery Business Tech Africa.
💻 Technology
- Toward a Single Digital Market: The Transform Africa Summit in Conakry showcased plans to unify Africa’s digital economy by 2030, with AI innovation at the forefront ALN – Africa Legal Network.
- Africa Tech Festival 2025: Held in Cape Town, the event drew over 15,000 delegates and 300 exhibitors, highlighting advances in AI, data infrastructure, and digital payments businessghana.com.
- Funding momentum: Startups across Africa secured fresh investment rounds, including proptech and health-tech ventures, signaling investor confidence in the continent’s digital future siliconafrica.com LinkedIn.
🌍 Geopolitics
- Russia expands influence: Moscow is increasing its diplomatic footprint in Africa, opening new embassies in countries such as Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and South Sudan, while reviving Soviet-era media outreach The News Chronicle The News Chronicle.
- South Africa hosts historic G20 Summit: Johannesburg became the first African city to host the G20, focusing on debt relief, climate resilience, and industrialization. Despite consensus on the “Johannesburg Declaration,” U.S. and Argentina boycotts highlighted deep geopolitical fractures Daily Maverick The Nigerian Voice Beyond the Horizon ISSG.
- Cameroon unrest: Post-election protests erupted after President Paul Biya was declared winner with 53.6% of the vote, sparking demonstrations over alleged manipulation eurafrica.info.
🔒 Security
- Nigeria pushes for UN reform: President Bola Tinubu renewed calls for Africa to gain permanent veto seats on the UN Security Council, citing the continent’s growing role in global peace and security Nairametrics.
- Terrorism in the Sahel: The UN warns that terrorist networks in West Africa and the Sahel now account for 19% of global attacks, with over four million people displaced UN News.
- Escalation in Mali and Burkina Faso: JNIM militants intensified operations, targeting fuel convoys and expanding propaganda campaigns africansecurityanalysis.org.
- Burkina Faso crisis: Captain Ibrahim Traoré postponed elections until 2029, dissolved the electoral commission, and withdrew from ECOWAS, deepening fears of entrenched military rule Global Issues.
⚖️ Human Rights
- Sudan humanitarian catastrophe: The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces has devastated El Fasher, collapsing essential services and triggering mass displacement gicj.org Africa Center for Strategic Studies.
- Nigeria abductions surge: Over 400 people, mainly schoolchildren, were kidnapped in Niger, Kebbi, Kwara, and Borno states in November, with only 88 freed so far UN News Human Rights Watch.
- Tunisia conspiracy case: Amnesty International condemned the Tunis Court of Appeal for upholding heavy sentences against 34 defendants in what it called a politically motivated trial Amnesty International.
- African rights at HRC60: The Geneva International Centre for Justice highlighted racial discrimination, women’s rights, and business accountability during the UN Human Rights Council’s 60th session gicj.org.
Outlook: Africa’s November 2025 landscape reflects both resilience and fragility. Economic diversification and digital innovation are advancing, yet geopolitical rivalries, security crises, and human rights violations continue to test the continent’s stability.
