|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Business & Macro
🇰🇪 Kenya’s KCB Group Posts Profit Growth
Kenya’s leading financial institution, KCB Group, reported a 7% year-on-year rise in its pretax profit for the first half of 2025, reaching $317 million. The growth reflects continued resilience in the banking sector, underpinned by digital transformation and expanded regional operations.
🇹🇿 Tanzania Revives $3 Billion Mining Project
Tanzania has commenced feasibility studies to revive a long-delayed $3 billion project targeting the development of Mchuchuma coal and Liganga iron ore mines. The project, seen as key to industrial growth, has strategic implications for energy independence and export revenues.
Climate & Energy
🇿🇦 South African Court Halts TotalEnergies Exploration
A South African court has overturned an environmental authorization granted to TotalEnergies for offshore oil exploration, citing a “deeply flawed” environmental impact assessment. The ruling underscores rising environmental scrutiny of fossil fuel projects amid global climate commitments.
Geopolitics & Policy
🇺🇸🇳🇬 US Approves $346 Million Arms Sale to Nigeria
The U.S. State Department has approved a potential $346 million weapons sale to Nigeria to bolster counterterrorism operations. The deal is intended to enhance Nigeria’s capacity to address regional security threats from Boko Haram and Islamic State-linked insurgents.
🇯🇵 Japan to Propose Indian Ocean-Africa Logistics Corridor
Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is expected to propose a new logistics corridor connecting the Indian Ocean to Africa at the upcoming Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), aiming to boost trade infrastructure and connectivity.
Technology & Infrastructure
🇲🇿 Regional Telecom Giants Sign Infrastructure Pact
Airtel Africa and Vodacom Group have entered into a strategic agreement to share fiber and tower infrastructure across Mozambique, Tanzania, and DR Congo. The partnership aims to expand network coverage, enhance internet speeds, and lower operating costs across underserved areas.
Conflict & Security
Sudan’s Triangle Border Region Becomes Conflict Flashpoint
The triangle border region between Sudan, Libya, and Egypt has become a strategic battlefield amid deepening civil strife. On June 12, Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) claimed control of the area, long known for its mineral wealth and smuggling networks. The zone is increasingly contested by state actors, militias, and foreign interests—including the UAE, Libyan militias, and regional war economies centered around gold extraction. Analyst Suliman Baldo describes the area as part of a “militarised Sahel economy,” shaped by the fallout from Libya’s collapse and Sudan’s civil war.
Sudanese Army Rules Out Peace with RSF
Sudan’s army chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, declared on August 14 that there would be “no reconciliation or compromise” with the RSF, amid worsening humanitarian conditions. His remarks come shortly after a confidential meeting in Switzerland with U.S. officials. The EU and several allies have urged all parties to permit immediate humanitarian access.
Sahel Region Aligns Closer with Russia
For the first time, Russia hosted senior military officials from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, as the three junta-led nations deepen defense ties with Moscow. The meeting concluded with a memorandum of understanding on military cooperation, signaling a formal break from Western security arrangements and growing Russian influence in the region.
Niger Judicial Strike Signals Governance Crisis
Judges in Niger declared a strike following the military government’s dissolution of five judicial unions and the dismissal of a senior magistrate. Legal professionals decried the move as a violation of judicial independence, pointing to a pattern of authoritarian consolidation.
ECOWAS Chair Urges Sahel States to Return
Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio, ECOWAS’ new chair, has initiated dialogue to encourage Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso to rejoin the bloc, after they quit to form the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). Tensions remain as West Africa grapples with regional fragmentation.
Horn of Africa: Somalia Renews Anti-Al-Shabaab Push
Amid renewed offensives by Al-Shabaab, African Union forces pledged stronger coordination with the Somali National Army. The militant group has recaptured towns, though AU and Somali forces reclaimed Barire, killing hundreds of insurgents. Focus now turns to implementing Somalia’s security transition plan.
Governance & Elections
🇱🇾 Libya Prepares for Rare Local Elections
Libya is set to hold municipal elections in western regions on August 16, amid deepening political division. Eastern cities—including Benghazi and Sirte—have rejected the vote. The UN has called the elections vital for restoring democratic governance.
🇨🇩 AU Asked to Take Over DRC Peace Process
Leaders from EAC and SADC blocs have agreed to hand over mediation of the DRC conflict to the African Union Commission. The move aims to unify regional peace efforts amid ongoing conflict with M23 rebels, allegedly backed by Rwanda. A new five-member facilitation panel led by former Botswana President Masisi will spearhead mediation.
Economic Cooperation & Monetary Affairs
🇸🇸 South Sudan, UAE Sign Currency Printing Deal
The Central Bank of South Sudan has signed a major agreement with its UAE counterpart to manage the secure printing of currency, develop payment systems, and train financial officials. The deal could see the UAE’s Omlat replace British firm De La Rue as South Sudan’s official printer, amid efforts to stabilize a volatile currency.
🇸🇸 South Sudan, 🇮🇱 Israel Sign MoU Amid Gaza Resettlement Rumors
South Sudan and Israel have signed a bilateral cooperation pact, though Juba denied speculation that the agreement includes resettling Gazans in the African nation. The MoU covers diplomatic and joint development initiatives, but its broader political implications remain uncertain.
Governance & Reform
🇸🇳 Senegal Expands Anti-Corruption Law — But Exempts President
President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, elected on a platform of transparency, is facing criticism after his government proposed expanding Senegal’s asset declaration law—but excluded the presidency from ongoing disclosures. Critics argue the move undercuts the law’s credibility, despite lowering asset thresholds for other officials.
🇨🇮 Ivory Coast Opposition Leader Barred from Election
Main opposition leader Tidjane Thiam has been ruled ineligible for the October 2025 elections after the electoral commission confirmed it will not update the electoral roll, from which he was removed over prior nationality issues. The decision effectively clears the path for incumbent President Alassane Ouattara to seek reelection unchallenged.
Society & Climate
🇿🇦 South Africa Launches National Dialogue on Inequality
President Cyril Ramaphosa has initiated a national dialogue aimed at addressing poverty, inequality, and social tensions. Although some opposition parties, including the DA and MK Party, have boycotted the talks, civil society groups and regional leaders are participating in the effort. Discussions will span all nine provinces.
🇲🇦 Morocco Battles Massive Wildfire in Amelay Forest
Wildfires have engulfed the Amelay forest in northern Morocco’s Chefchaouen province, prompting mass evacuations. Canadair aircraft and emergency teams are battling the blaze, which has been worsened by extreme temperatures and strong winds. No casualties have been reported as of Friday.
Source: africancenter.org, semafor.com
