A concise round-up of key developments across Africa
Business & Macro
- Namibia: Central Bank Governor Johannes !Gawaxab will step down on 31 December 2025, a year before his term was due to end. Appointed in 2020, he guided Namibia through the COVID-19 crisis and major reforms, including governance changes under the Banking Institutions Act of 2023 The Namibian The Brief News.az.
- South Africa/Egypt: Standard Bank Group, Africa’s largest lender by assets, has opened a representative office in Cairo. The move positions Egypt as a gateway for trade and investment flows between Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and Gulf markets, aligning with Egypt’s Vision 2030 strategy Ghana News Agency Ecofin Agency Standard Bank Group.
Climate & Energy
- South Africa: Eskom’s long-delayed plan to split into generation, transmission, and distribution units faces a major obstacle: R100 billion in unpaid municipal debt. CEO Dan Marokane said unbundling cannot proceed until arrears are resolved, despite government efforts to stabilize the grid and improve plant reliability News24 Moneyweb Daily Investor.
Geopolitics & Policy
- Eswatini: The government confirmed receiving $5.1 million from the U.S. to accept deportees under a secretive immigration deal. Rights groups have condemned the arrangement, noting that deportees are being held without charge at Matsapha Correctional Centre, sparking legal challenges APAnews News24 U.S. News & World Report.
- Mali: Authorities suspended French broadcasters LCI and TF1 indefinitely, accusing them of spreading “falsehoods” about insurgent activity and fuel blockades. The ruling junta has repeatedly targeted foreign media since seizing power in 2020–2021 RFI Aljazeera The Independent.
- Kenya: Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi revealed that over 200 Kenyan citizens are fighting for Russia in the Ukraine war. Many were recruited under false pretenses, promised up to $18,000, and coerced into unsafe work with drones and chemicals. Former soldiers are among those involved Al Arabiya Business Insider Africa Africanews.
Technology & Deals
- Rwanda: In partnership with U.S. AI firm Anthropic and training provider ALX, Rwanda launched “Chidi,” an AI-powered learning companion built on Anthropic’s Claude model. The initiative will train 2,000 teachers and civil servants and reach over 200,000 learners across Africa, supporting Rwanda’s Vision 2050 digital transformation agenda iAfrica Ecofin Agency Anthropic.
Human Rights & Security Outlook
- Eswatini’s deportee deal raises concerns about arbitrary detention and lack of transparency.
- Mali’s media clampdown highlights shrinking civic space under military rule.
- Kenya’s recruitment revelations underscore the vulnerability of African citizens to exploitation in foreign conflicts.
Continental Outlook
Africa’s current trajectory reflects a mix of economic expansion, energy reform challenges, and geopolitical tensions.
- Southern Africa grapples with Eskom’s debt crisis and Namibia’s leadership transition.
- West Africa faces media restrictions and insurgent threats.
- East Africa contends with citizens drawn into foreign wars while embracing AI-driven education.
The continent’s resilience will hinge on balancing growth opportunities with governance reforms, debt resolution, and human rights protections.
Sources: News24 Moneyweb Daily Investor Ghana News Agency Ecofin Agency Standard Bank Group The Namibian The Brief News.az RFI Aljazeera The Independent iAfrica Ecofin Agency Anthropic Al Arabiya Business Insider Africa Africanews APAnews News24 U.S. News & World Report
