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Date: July 25, 2025
Business & Macro
🇧🇼 Botswana Seeks Larger Stake in De Beers
Botswana is pursuing an increased ownership stake in De Beers, the diamond company majority-owned by Anglo American, according to the Financial Times. The move reflects the government’s long-term strategy to secure greater returns from its diamond resources.
Climate & Energy
🇬🇭 Cocoa Prices Spike Amid West African Climate Shocks
A new report highlights that Ghanaian cocoa has faced significant price increases due to extreme weather events since 2022. A combination of heatwaves in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire has disrupted crop yields, contributing to broader food inflation across the region.
Geopolitics & Policy
🇿🇦 South Africa Passes Crucial Budget Law
South Africa’s parliament passed a key budget bill this week, ending months of political gridlock between the ruling coalition’s two largest parties. The legislation is critical for funding public services and stabilizing fiscal policy.
🇷🇼 Kagame Appoints New Prime Minister with Controversial Past
Rwandan President Paul Kagame appointed Justin Nsengiyumva, deputy governor of the central bank, as Prime Minister. Nsengiyumva, who holds a PhD in economics and previously worked in the UK, was previously convicted of corruption in 2008 and later pardoned.
Tech & Deals
🇿🇦 Visa Opens First African Data Center in Johannesburg
Visa has launched its first African data center in Johannesburg as part of a $57 million investment over three years. The facility aims to enhance payment infrastructure across the continent.
🇿🇦 SharePoint Vulnerability Exploited by Hackers
Cybersecurity firm Eye Security reported that hackers exploited Microsoft SharePoint vulnerabilities, compromising multiple South African organizations. The breach underscores persistent risks to digital infrastructure.
🌍 Google Commits $37 Million to AI in Africa
Google announced a $37 million investment to support artificial intelligence development in Africa. The initiative includes AI literacy programs, agricultural tech, health and education innovation, and support for AI tools in over 40 African languages.
Conflict & Security
🇸🇩 Sudan: RSF Accused of Killing 32 Civilians in Southern Offensive
Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) reportedly killed 32 civilians in a two-day assault on Brima Rashid village, according to the Emergency Room activist group. Victims included women and children, with over 50 others wounded.
🇳🇪 Bazoum Held in Isolation as ‘Human Shield,’ Say Lawyers
Deposed Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum and his wife have been held in isolation for two years by the ruling junta, according to their lawyers. Confined to two windowless rooms, the couple receives only weekly medical visits, with no external communication since October 2023.
🇨🇫 ICC Convicts Central African Rebel Leaders of War Crimes
The International Criminal Court sentenced anti-Balaka leaders Alfred Yekatom (“Rambo”) and Patrice-Edouard Ngaïssona to 15 and 12 years, respectively, for war crimes and crimes against humanity during the 2013–2014 civil conflict in the Central African Republic.
🇳🇬 Gunmen Kill 14 in Plateau State Market Ambush
Unidentified attackers killed 14 people returning from a market in Nigeria’s Plateau State, a region frequently affected by ethno-religious violence and armed banditry. Two more were killed in retaliatory clashes.
🇳🇬 Nigerian Court Awards Damages to #EndSARS Protesters
A Federal High Court in Lagos ordered the police to pay ₦10 million in damages to #EndSARS protesters for rights violations during the 2024 memorial rally. The court upheld their constitutional right to peaceful assembly.
🇸🇴 Al-Shabaab Launches Attacks Near Mogadishu
Al-Shabaab militants attacked military outposts in Sabiid and Caanoole, triggering fierce battles with Somali and African Union forces. Casualties have been reported on both sides, though exact figures remain unconfirmed.
🇨🇩 Trial of Former President Kabila Begins in DRC
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s former president Joseph Kabila faces trial on charges including treason, homicide, and support for the M23 rebel group. The proceedings, led by a military court, mark an unprecedented legal challenge to a former head of state.
🇨🇩 Fresh Clashes in Eastern DRC Kill 11 Despite Ceasefire
Fighting between M23 rebels and local militias erupted in Luke, Masisi Territory, killing 11 people just days after a ceasefire agreement. Local health services reported the destruction of facilities and mounting casualties.
Human Rights
🇸🇿 Amnesty Demands Release of Jailed Eswatini MPs
Amnesty International has declared pro-democracy lawmakers Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube prisoners of conscience. The MPs were sentenced to 25 and 18 years respectively for their role in 2021 protests against Eswatini’s monarchy.
Sources: africacenter.org, semafor.com
