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Business & Macro
Shoprite Sees Margin Boost
South African grocery giant Shoprite reported a gross margin of 24.3% in H1 2025 — a 40 basis point increase year-on-year, reflecting operational efficiency amid inflationary pressures.
Rare Diamond Recovered in Botswana
Belgium’s HB Antwerp unearthed a 37-carat pink Type IIa diamond from the Karowe mine in Botswana, marking one of the rarest finds in the region’s diamond sector this year.
Climate & Energy
Angola’s EV Push
State oil firm Sonangol has announced plans to install 100 electric vehicle charging stations by 2028, part of Angola’s gradual transition towards clean mobility infrastructure.
Geopolitics & Policy
Ghana’s Chief Justice Dismissed
President John Mahama has dismissed Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo following an inquiry into misuse of public funds for private travel. The move, though constitutional, has sparked debate over judicial independence.
Ex-PM Drops French Citizenship in CAR
Anicet-Georges Dologuélé, former Central African Republic Prime Minister, has renounced his French citizenship to comply with electoral laws ahead of his presidential bid in December.
Tech & Deals
Meta Supports Kenyan Subsea Cable
Meta, via an Irish affiliate, is backing Safaricom’s $23 million subsea internet cable linking Kenya to the Middle East, aiming to boost regional connectivity and data capacity.
Security & Conflict
UN Alarmed Over Libya Military Buildup
The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) expressed grave concern over escalating military mobilizations in Tripoli, warning of a potential armed confrontation between rival factions.
South Sudan Clashes Leave 14 Dead
Renewed violence in northern South Sudan has left 14 people dead, including soldiers and militia members. The region remains tense following the March arrest of Vice President Riek Machar.
Sudan Landslide Kills Over 1,000
A landslide in Central Darfur’s Marrah Mountains has killed more than 1,000 people, flattening the village of Tarasin. The government is appealing for international aid.
Rights & Society
Tanzania Activist Recounts Brutal Abduction
Social media activist Edgar “Sativa” Mwakabela says he was tortured during a 2023 abduction in Dar es Salaam. UN experts have cited over 200 enforced disappearances in Tanzania since 2019.
Cameroon Election Concerns Grow
With President Paul Biya, 92, seeking an eighth term, the UN warns of increasing restrictions on opposition and irregularities in voter registration, raising concerns over election credibility.
Governance & Culture
Nigeria’s Monarchs Mobilized for Peace
The UPHOLDD Nigeria Initiative is rallying 3,600 traditional rulers to advance inclusive governance and cultural diplomacy under the RHESHAPE Nigeria 360 campaign, ahead of the 2027 elections.
Trade & Crime
West Africa’s Growing Role in Cocaine Trade
A report highlights how Western Balkans criminal syndicates, in alliance with groups like Brazil’s PCC, are expanding their cocaine trafficking networks through West African ports, deepening regional risks.
Markets & Innovation
Jumia Adapts to Chinese E-Commerce Competition
Africa’s largest e-commerce platform, Jumia, is onboarding Chinese merchants to stay competitive against Temu and Shein. The firm reported a 25% year-on-year revenue increase, reaching $45.6 million in August.
Perspective
Reframing Africa on the Map
The African Union is backing the “Correct The Map” campaign, advocating for the Equal Earth projection over the traditional Mercator map, which distorts Africa’s true size. The AU calls it a symbolic but significant step toward reframing the continent’s global perception.
