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Date: 28 July 2025
Business & Macroeconomy
- 🇿🇦 South Africa has approved $5.3 billion in new guarantees for Transnet, its state-owned rail and port operator. The funds will help cover the company’s debt obligations through 2030.
- 🇰🇪 British American Tobacco Kenya reported a 37% year-on-year increase in net profit, reaching $23 million in H1 2025, attributed to stronger sales and cost controls.
Climate & Energy
- 🇳🇬 Nigeria’s NNPC announced plans to construct compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities in Kogi State, supporting the government’s gas monetization strategy.
- 🇰🇪 UK-based Tullow Oil will divest its Kenyan assets, including 463 million barrels of oil, to Auron Energy, a Gulf Energy subsidiary, for $120 million.
Geopolitics & Policy
- 🇸🇩 Sudan: The Rapid Support Forces (RSF)-aligned coalition has formed a parallel government in RSF-held areas, appointing General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo as leader. Major political parties warned this move risks partitioning the country.
- 🇨🇩 DR Congo: Former President Joseph Kabila is on trial in Kinshasa’s military court, accused of treason and backing M23 rebels in the eastern conflict.
- 🇳🇪 Niger: Two years after the military coup, NGOs report a severe decline in human rights and civic space. Activists continue to call for the release of ousted President Bazoum.
- 🇧🇫 Burkina Faso: Prominent opposition figure Hermann Yameogo was abducted amid fears of forced conscription, following criticism of the ruling junta.
- 🇨🇫 Central African Republic: President Faustin-Archange Touadéra confirmed he will seek a third term in December elections under a new constitution.
- 🇨🇲 Cameroon: Electoral body ELECAM rejected the candidacy of key opposition leader Maurice Kamto for the October 12 presidential election.
- 🇹🇿 Tanzania: General elections set for October 29 despite the disqualification of the main opposition party Chadema and the jailing of its leader Tundu Lissu.
- 🇹🇳 Tunisia: Citizens protested President Kais Saied’s authoritarian rule on July 25, marking four years since his power consolidation.
Security & Conflict
- 🇸🇩 Sudan (Darfur): North Darfur’s governor appealed for urgent relief as El Fasher remains under siege by the RSF, with civilians resorting to eating animal feed. A UN report noted acute malnutrition in 38% of children under five.
- 🇲🇱 Mali/Sahel: A new report from the Timbuktu Institute details how Russia’s Africa Corps has formally replaced Wagner in Mali, deepening Russian military influence and raising human rights concerns.
- 🇸🇴 Somalia:
- Al-Shabaab militants seized Mahaas, a strategic town in central Hiraan region, following military withdrawals.
- The U.S. military confirmed targeted operations in Puntland against ISIS-Somalia, with reports of a senior commander captured.
Tech, Deals & Regulation
- 🇳🇬 Nigeria: The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has mandated electronic payment providers to integrate with a real-time VAT tracking system, intensifying digital tax compliance.
- 🇿🇦 Telkom spent nearly $9 million on restructuring, including voluntary severance and early retirements, in the fiscal year ending March 2025.
Migration & Humanitarian
- 🇲🇷 Mauritania: At least 75 West African migrants were rescued off the coast after their vessel, en route from Guinea, suffered engine failure. The passengers, including individuals from Senegal and Gambia, drifted at sea for two days.
- 🌍 WAFCON 2025:
- 🇳🇬 Nigeria won a record 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title, defeating hosts 🇲🇦 Morocco 3-2 in Rabat.
- 🇬🇭 Ghana claimed third place after a 4-3 penalty shootout win over South Africa.
Sources: Africa Center, Semafor
