January 10, 2026: The African continent is witnessing a rapid acceleration of infrastructure milestones and high-stakes diplomatic manoeuvring. From the ground-breaking of the continent’s largest aviation hub in Ethiopia to the deployment of multinational naval forces in the South Atlantic, regional powers are increasingly asserting autonomy in both trade and security.
Business & Macroeconomics
Ethiopia Breaks Ground on $12.5 Billion Mega-Airport Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed officially launched the construction of Bishoftu International Airport today. The $12.5 billion project aims to serve 110 million passengers annually by 2030. The African Development Bank has already pledged $500 million, signaling strong institutional backing for Ethiopia’s goal to become the definitive global gateway to Africa.
Kenya and Nigeria Navigate Debt and Capitalization The Central Bank of Kenya reported a 19% oversubscription in its first 2026 bond sale, raising $469 million to stabilize the Shilling. Simultaneously, Nigeria’s United Bank for Africa (UBA) successfully raised $125 million to meet the central bank’s March 31 recapitalization deadline, reflecting a broader trend of tightening fiscal discipline across West African tier-one banks.
Energy & Tech
Senegal Surpasses Oil Targets; EACOP Enters Final Phase Senegal’s Ministry of Energy confirmed that 2025 output reached 36.1 million barrels, far exceeding the 30.5 million projected. In East Africa, Tanzania and Uganda have confirmed that the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) is now 79% complete. The project is on track for its first exports in October 2026, despite continued pressure from international environmental groups over carbon footprints.
Clean Energy Investment Surge New York-based investor Acumen has raised $250 million for its “Hardest-to-Reach” initiative, focusing on off-grid solar solutions for sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, Germany’s DEG committed $50 million to private equity funds targeting mid-sized African tech and manufacturing firms, emphasizing a shift toward localized “circular” industrial growth.
Geopolitics & Policy
China-Ethiopia Strategic Partnership Deepens During the final leg of his African tour today, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi signed a memorandum of understanding with Addis Ababa to align Ethiopia’s digital economy with China’s “Silk Road” initiative. The deal prioritizes AI infrastructure and green energy technology, reinforcing China’s role as Ethiopia’s primary development partner.
Benin Elections Amid Post-Coup Tensions Benin heads to the polls tomorrow for legislative elections under heavy security. The vote comes just weeks after a failed December 2025 coup attempt. While President Patrice Talon’s coalition is favored, international observers are closely monitoring the exclusion of several opposition figures from the ballot, raising concerns regarding the country’s democratic trajectory.
Security & Defense
BRICS Naval Exercises Begin in South Africa The “Will for Peace 2026” naval drills commenced yesterday in Cape Town, featuring warships from South Africa, China, Russia, and Iran. The week-long exercise focuses on safeguarding Red Sea and South Atlantic trade routes. The U.S. State Department has expressed concern over the “strategic messaging” of the drills, which coincide with heightened regional tensions.
Escalation in Eastern DR Congo Violent clashes were reported late yesterday in North Kivu between government forces and M23 rebels. The fighting has intensified in the Walikale territory, disrupting aid corridors. Human rights monitors report that thousands of civilians have fled toward the provincial capital, Goma, as a ceasefire brokered late last year appears to be fracturing.
Human Rights & Humanitarian Crisis
Sudan Marks 1,000 Days of Conflict Aid agencies marked the grim milestone of 1,000 days of war in Sudan on Friday. The UN reports that 9.3 million people are now internally displaced, making it the world’s largest displacement crisis. Reports from West Kordofan today indicate that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have forcibly transferred dozens of detainees to Nyala, sparking fears of summary executions and medical neglect in detention centers.
Uganda Clerics Call for Election Peace Ahead of next week’s general elections, the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda issued a pastoral letter today. The council urged security forces to exercise restraint and called on candidates, including opposition leader Bobi Wine, to adhere to constitutional processes to avoid a repeat of past electoral violence.
