📰 African Continental Brief – Business, Geopolitics, Security and Human Rights: September 22, 2025

World
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📊 Business & Macro

  • 🇿🇦 Canal+ Completes MultiChoice Takeover
    French media giant Canal+ has finalised a $2 billion acquisition of South Africa’s MultiChoice Group, consolidating its presence in African broadcasting markets.
  • 🇪🇹 Ethiopia Appoints New Central Bank Governor
    Eyob Tekalign, a key figure in Ethiopia’s economic reforms since 2018, has been appointed governor of the National Bank of Ethiopia.
  • 🇰🇪 Kenya Blocks Cement Stake Sale
    Kenya’s parliament has asked East African Portland Cement to buy back a 29% stake held by Holcim, to prevent a potential sale to a Tanzanian investor.
  • 🇲🇺 Mauritius Central Bank Governor Resigns
    Rama Sithanen has stepped down from his role amid a power struggle within the Bank of Mauritius, following a request from the prime minister.

🌍 Geopolitics & Policy

  • 🇲🇼 Malawi Detains Electoral Staff
    Eight poll officials were arrested amid accusations of vote manipulation, after President Lazarus Chakwera’s party raised concerns over electoral integrity.
  • 🇸🇸 Machar Trial Begins in South Sudan
    Riek Machar, suspended First Vice President, appeared in court facing treason and terrorism charges. His legal team challenged the court’s jurisdiction.
    Meanwhile, independent media were barred from covering the trial. Only state broadcaster SSBC was allowed access.
  • 🇸🇩 Sudan Civilian Bloc Calls for AU Talks Delay
    Sudan’s Somoud coalition urged the African Union to postpone October political consultations, citing humanitarian crises and lack of inclusivity.
  • 🇲🇼 Mutharika Leads Malawi Election
    Former president Peter Mutharika has taken an early lead in the presidential polls, with 51% of votes counted in 25% of constituencies.
  • 🇹🇿 Tanzania Court Upholds Treason Charge
    The High Court dismissed Tundu Lissu’s objection against a treason charge, allowing the controversial case to proceed.
  • 🇬🇳 Guinea Referendum Underway
    Guineans voted on a new constitution that could enable junta leader Mamady Doumbouya to run for president. Critics call it a power grab.
  • 🇹🇩 Chad Drops Presidential Term Limits
    Chad’s National Assembly passed a constitutional amendment removing term limits, sparking concerns about the “burial of democracy.”
  • 🇹🇬 Togo Rapper Arrested Again
    Outspoken rapper Aamron, known for criticizing President Faure Gnassingbé, was re-arrested amid a broader crackdown on dissent.
  • 🇬🇼 Guinea-Bissau Opposition Leader Returns
    Domingos Simões Pereira returned from exile to submit his presidential candidacy, months after fleeing due to security threats.
  • 🇩🇯 Djibouti Presidential Spokesman Resigns
    Presidential adviser Alexis Mohamed resigned, citing democratic backsliding and nepotism under President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh.
  • 🇳🇬 Nigeria-Cuba Ties Strengthen
    Nigerian Speaker Abbas Tajudeen called for deeper parliamentary diplomacy with Cuba to enhance cooperation in health, education, and research.
  • 🇰🇪 Ruto Demands African UN Representation
    Kenyan President William Ruto urged African unity to secure permanent seats on the UN Security Council, calling Africa’s exclusion “indefensible.”

🧬 Tech & Innovation

  • 🇨🇮 Djamo Licensed to Operate as Microfinance Bank
    Côte d’Ivoire’s fintech startup Djamo secured a microfinance license, enabling it to offer credit, savings, and current accounts.
  • 🇿🇦 Sygnia Warns Against Bitcoin Overexposure
    Asset manager Sygnia advised clients to limit investments in its Bitcoin ETF, citing risk concerns despite managing $20 billion in assets.

💥 Security & Human Rights

  • 🇲🇿 Beheadings Reported in Mozambique Port Attack
    Militants attacked Mocímboa da Praia, a strategic gas port in Cabo Delgado, beheading civilians in the second such incident this month.
    Conflict deaths in the region have surpassed 6,200 since 2017 (ACLED).
  • 🇸🇩 El Fashir Crisis: Civilians Trapped, Aid Blocked
    In Sudan’s besieged El Fashir, over 250,000 civilians face starvation, disease, and shelling, with only one clinic partially functioning.
    Doctors Without Borders warned of an impending bloodbath if fighting escalates.

🌱 Climate & Energy

  • 🇳🇦 Canada’s Oregen Expands in Namibia’s Oil Frontier
    Canadian firm Oregen Energy increased its stake in WestOil, targeting exploration in Namibia’s Orange Basin, a budding oil hotspot.

💊 Health & Development

  • 🌍 Africa CDC to Invest $3.2 Billion in Local Pharma
    The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention announced a $3.2 billion fund to support local drug and vaccine manufacturing, reducing import dependency.

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