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Business & Macroeconomy
- 🇰🇪 Kenya: Commercial banks saw a $98 million increase in revenue from small business loans between 2022 and 2024. The surge was driven by higher interest rates, which raised loan servicing costs for borrowers.
- 🇳🇬 Nigeria: Banks have reinstated the use of naira-denominated cards for international transactions, ending a three-year pause caused by a severe dollar shortage that had disrupted access to services like Netflix and Apple Music.
Climate & Energy
- 🇳🇬 Nigeria: The Dangote Refinery announced plans to operate on 100% domestically sourced crude oil by year-end, a significant rise from 53% local supply in June.
- 🇿🇦 South Africa: Hive Hydrogen South Africa invited 15 firms to submit proposals for a $5.8 billion green hydrogen project. The facility aims to produce 1 million tons of green ammonia annually in the Eastern Cape.
Geopolitics & Policy
- 🇹🇩 Chad: Lawyers for Succès Masra, a detained opposition leader and former prime minister, have called on French President Emmanuel Macron to mediate in what they describe as a politically motivated case.
- 🇨🇮 Côte d’Ivoire: France’s parliament has approved the return of the Ayôkwé Djidji drum, a 430kg ceremonial instrument seized in 1916, as part of efforts to repatriate 148 colonial-era artefacts requested by Abidjan.
Tech, Deals & Development
- 🇨🇩 DR Congo: Kinshasa signed a $257 million railway modernization deal with South Korea’s KECC and local firm Masco Énergies to upgrade the Kisangani–Ubundu corridor.
- 🇿🇦 South Africa: The national competition authority dropped its opposition to Vodacom’s $729 million acquisition of a 30% stake in fibre provider Maziv, following revisions to the deal’s terms.
Regional Focus: Gulf and Turkish Influence in East Africa
East Africa has seen over $75 billion in investment from Gulf States and Turkey, targeting infrastructure, ports, security, and energy. This engagement reflects a mix of strategic rivalries and economic interests, especially visible in conflict zones like Sudan, where these actors support opposing sides. The median per capita income of Gulf investors is 22 times higher than that of East African nations, underscoring stark imbalances in these partnerships.
Humanitarian & Social Issues
- 🇪🇺 EU Aid to Chad and Sudan: The European Union allocated €2 million in emergency aid to support those displaced by attacks in Darfur and eastern Chad, with over 531 tonnes of humanitarian supplies flown in.
- 🇸🇸 South Sudan: The UN World Food Programme airdropped food aid to over 40,000 people in conflict-hit areas, warning that the country risks famine as clashes between rival political factions escalate.
- 🌍 West Africa: Cocoa production is forecast to fall 10% due to erratic weather and land degradation across Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, and Cameroon. This decline could disrupt global cocoa markets again.
Political Instability & Legal Developments
- 🇷🇼 Rwanda: Opposition leader Victoire Ingabire appeared in court on subversion charges, accused of inciting unrest and liaising with unregistered political groups. Her bail hearing is postponed to July 15.
- 🇹🇳 Tunisia: A court sentenced Ennahda party leader Rached Ghannouchi to 14 years in prison for allegedly conspiring against state security, amid a wider crackdown on opposition by President Kais Saied.
- 🇹🇩 Chad: Four journalists, previously accused of links to Russia’s Wagner Group, were acquitted by a N’Djamena court, ending a months-long legal ordeal involving charges of compromising national security.
- 🇰🇪 Kenya: Death toll from anti-government protests rose to 31, with hundreds injured or arrested. The National Commission on Human Rights accused police of collaborating with armed gangs.
Governance & Natural Resources
- 🇬🇭 Ghana: President John Mahama inaugurated the GOLDBOD Task Force to combat illegal gold mining and smuggling. The move follows widespread criticism of environmental degradation and economic losses linked to “galamsey” activities.
- 🇬🇲 Gambia: Lawmakers rejected a new draft constitution meant to replace the post-dictatorship charter. The bill’s failure, tied to concerns over presidential term limits, delays critical democratic reforms.
- 🇮🇳 India–🇳🇦 Namibia: Indian PM Narendra Modi is visiting Namibia to secure access to critical minerals like lithium, uranium, and cobalt. The visit underscores India’s push to strengthen ties in resource-rich Africa.
Migration & Health
- 🇱🇾 Libya: Authorities intercepted 113 migrants and recovered three bodies off the coast, highlighting continued risks for migrants trying to reach Europe via the Mediterranean.
- 🌍 Africa: A new infant malaria treatment, Coartem Baby, has been approved by Swissmedic. Rollout is expected within weeks in eight African countries, including Kenya, Nigeria, and Ghana.
Sources: semafor.com, africacenter.org
