From South Africas shifting foreign policy posture on Western Sahara to fierce battles over oil-rich territory in Sudan, todays headlines reveal a continent grappling with political realignments, economic recalibrations and urgent security challenges. Were tracking key developments across Africa, including Nigerias budget debates, energy dependency in West Africa and new diplomatic tensionswith real-time insights into what it all means for the regions future.
All that is news in Africa today
Africa News Live Updates: Stay informed with continuous updates on key events shaping Africa today. From politics, diplomatic shifts to innovations in finance, climate resilience and community-led movements, we bring you all stories that matter and in-depth insights. Explore how African nations are redefining global partnerships, managing security dynamics, responding to humanitarian challenges and driving change from the ground up. This is your live gateway to Africas pulse moment by moment
July 24, 2025, 05:45:16 (IST) The illegal trade of African cheetahs to markets in the Middle East is a significant transnational security threat, representing a lucrative segment of organised crime often linked to other illicit activities, Premium Times says in a report. This trafficking highlights severe governance challenges in source nations, including corruption and porous borders, which create a high-risk environment for legitimate investment. The trade inflicts direct economic damage on African countries by eroding potential tourism revenue and contributing to the illicit financial flows the African Union aims to combat. For demand countries in the Middle East, mounting international pressure to enforce regulations against the exotic pet trade could lead to stricter controls, while the issue presents a material ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) risk for investors and businesses operating across the affected regions. July 24, 2025, 05:37:30 (IST) Kenyan police have deployed tear gas against demonstrators protesting the death of a blogger who died in custody, as per a report in Premium Times. The protests are taking place amid wider public discontent stemming from recent demonstrations against President William Rutos economic policies and new taxes. The incident also occurs within a context of long-standing public concerns regarding police brutality and a history of deaths in custody in the country. July 24, 2025, 05:35:10 (IST) A significant concentration of the Mpox outbreak is occurring in Africa, where just three countries represent 84% of all cases on the continent, Premium Times says in a report. This development places considerable strain on the public health systems and national budgets of the affected nations, potentially diverting funds from other key development sectors and impacting investor confidence. The situation is a critical test for regional bodies like the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to coordinate an effective response and secure equitable access to vaccines. The outbreak also reinforces the strategic importance of ongoing initiatives across the continent to bolster local vaccine manufacturing and enhance health sovereignty, drawing on lessons from previous crises such as COVID-19 and Ebola. July 24, 2025, 05:30:12 (IST) Sudans health system is facing a complete collapse after more than two years of intense conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), as per a report in Premium Times. The war, which began in April 2023, has destroyed critical infrastructure, displaced over 10 million people, and caused widespread food insecurity. The countrys already fragile health system is now unable to cope, leading to increased mortality from preventable diseases and injuries. The crisis is compounded by failed international mediation efforts and poses a significant threat to regional stability as neighboring countries struggle with an influx of refugees. July 24, 2025, 05:27:39 (IST) South Africas national womens football team, Banyana Banyana, defeated Mali in a key match during the Womens Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon), according to a report in Daily Maverick. The victory is significant within the context of the premier international womens football competition in Africa, which is organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The tournament also serves as a qualifier for the FIFA Womens World Cup. July 24, 2025, 05:24:08 (IST) Remote military bases across the Lake Chad Basin, encompassing parts of Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, have become primary targets for terror groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), according to a report in Daily Maverick. The vulnerability of these bases is attributed to their isolated locations, long and insecure supply lines, and difficult terrain which benefits mobile insurgent forces. These attacks directly challenge the effectiveness of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), a regional military coalition established to counter the insurgency, and exacerbate the severe, ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region by increasing civilian displacement and insecurity. July 24, 2025, 05:15:13 (IST) Zambia has introduced a new bill that would impose jail sentences on journalists operating without a government licence, a development that has triggered strong condemnation from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Premium Times says in a report. The proposal is viewed by press freedom advocates as part of a wider trend of shrinking civic space in Africa and a tool to suppress critical reporting. Beyond the implications for democratic freedoms, analysts warn the bill could negatively impact Zambias economy by increasing perceived political risk, which may deter foreign direct investment and hinder the free flow of information essential for market efficiency. July 24, 2025, 05:04:27 (IST) A court in South Africa has ordered former African National Congress (ANC) Member of Parliament Boy Mamabolo to be barred from Facebook, Mail & Guardian says in a report. The order, which stems from online attacks by Mamabolo, also compels him to cease publishing defamatory statements targeting Polokwane mayor John Mpe and his family across all social media platforms. July 24, 2025, 05:02:26 (IST) South Africas Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu, has denied any connection to or communication with Vusimuzi Matlala amid allegations of political interference in a R360 million South African Police Service (SAPS) tender, as per a report in Mail & Guardian. The scandal raises significant concerns about governance and the integrity of public procurement processes, potentially eroding investor confidence and public trust in the ruling African National Congress (ANC). The allegations come against a backdrop of ongoing efforts to reform public procurement following the Zondo Commissions findings on state capture, highlighting persistent challenges in preventing the misuse of public funds and ensuring institutional accountability. July 24, 2025, 05:00:08 (IST) A legal confrontation between South African political figures Kenny Kunene of the Patriotic Alliance and Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters, is scheduled to be heard in the Johannesburg High Court, according to a report in Mail & Guardian. The case centres on Kunene allegedly calling Malema a cockroach, a term with a deeply charged and dehumanising history in the African context, particularly since the Rwandan genocide. This legal battle is viewed as a critical test of South Africas constitutional balance between freedom of expression and the prohibition of hate speech. The outcome is expected to set a significant legal precedent that could influence the nature of political rhetoric, with potential implications for the countrys political climate and investor perceptions of stability. July 24, 2025, 04:55:04 (IST) France has officially withdrawn from its last two military bases in Senegal, handing over the facilities to the Senegalese government and ending a 65-year military presence that dates back to the countrys independence, Al Jazeera said in a report. The withdrawal, which follows similar French military departures from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, was the result of a mutual agreement between the two nations. The bases were primarily logistical and training facilities rather than large-scale combat outposts, and the handover marks a significant strategic shift for both countries amid growing calls for sovereignty in the region. July 24, 2025, 04:45:11 (IST) South Africas African Transformation Movement (ATM) party is calling for a probe into the police minister, alleging the minister deliberately sabotaged a task team investigating political killings in the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province, Mail & Guardian says in a report. The opposition party claims the shutdown was intended to protect politically connected suspects involved in the assassinations. While the allegations are directed at the police minister, the articles headline also links the matter to Senzo Mchunu, the Minister of Public Service and Administration. July 24, 2025, 04:30:12 (IST) Ivory Coast is currently facing a severe fish shortage that is impacting the supply of smoked tilapia, a culturally significant national staple. This scarcity is not an isolated incident but rather a symptom of a systemic crisis affecting the nations entire fishing industry, according to a report in France 24. The issue carries significant economic and political implications, threatening the livelihoods of fishing communities and national food security, particularly for low-income households who rely on fish as an affordable protein source. The crisis has the potential to fuel public discontent over the rising cost of living and test the Ivorian governments policies on food security and marine resource management. July 24, 2025, 04:19:35 (IST) Two Rwandan officers, Inspector of Police (IP) Vedaste Nsabimana and IP Gaston Gatsinzi, graduated from the Turkish Police Academy on Wednesday, July 23, The New Times said in a report. The graduation ceremony marked the culmination of their training at the Turkish institution, with IP Nsabimana reportedly finishing first among the graduates. July 24, 2025, 03:49:25 (IST) Egypt has voiced strong opposition to Israels proposal to establish a humanitarian city in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, according to a report in Africa News. Cairo warned that the plan could trigger a mass exodus of Palestinians toward its border, viewing the potential influx as a direct threat to its national security and regional stability. The rejection is rooted in long-standing fears that such a move could lead to the permanent displacement of Palestinians into Egypts Sinai Peninsula. July 24, 2025, 03:20:09 (IST) Russia and Mozambique have reaffirmed their defence cooperation following talks in Moscow on Tuesday, as per a report in Africa News. The announcement came during a joint news conference featuring Mozambican Foreign Minister Maria Manuela Lucas and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The meeting in the Russian capital served to underscore the ongoing military and political engagement between the two countries. July 24, 2025, 03:17:39 (IST) Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah denounced the dire humanitarian conditions within the Gaza Strip during a meeting held with US officials in Tripoli on Wednesday, Africa News says in a report. The discussion in the Libyan capital centered on the situation in Gaza, with the prime minister voicing Libyas official condemnation of the circumstances in the Palestinian territory. July 24, 2025, 02:45:03 (IST) South Africas Democratic Alliance (DA) will now support the governments departmental budgets, averting a potential fiscal crisis, after President Cyril Ramaphosa dismissed Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane, the Mail & Guardian said in a report. The main opposition party had made the ministers removal a condition for its support, threatening to block the budgets passage without the change. The agreement ensures the continuity of government funding and averts a standoff that had created short-term market uncertainty. July 24, 2025, 02:30:12 (IST) Following an incident where an AI tool fabricated case studies, proving detrimental to a legal team, lawyers in South Africa are calling for the establishment of clear guidelines and ethical standards for the use of artificial intelligence in the countrys legal system, as per a report in Deutsche Welle. The demands from the legal profession highlight concerns over the reliability of current AI tools and seek to ensure accountability and integrity within judicial processes when such technology is applied. July 24, 2025, 02:24:34 (IST) The Bank of Namibia has unveiled the countrys new upgraded banknotes and coins, an announcement made on Wednesday by Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, as per a report in The Namibian. Nandi-Ndaitwah stated that the central bank must ensure the new currency is designed for durability, noting that the change was long overdue. The countrys banknotes were last updated in 2012, while the coin series has been unchanged since 1993. July 24, 2025, 02:16:33 (IST) Rwanda and Algeria signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation in Algiers on Wednesday, July 23, according to a report in The New Times. The agreement, which establishes a framework for future collaboration, was signed by a Rwandan delegation led by the countrys Minister of Defence. July 24, 2025, 01:45:09 (IST) Rwandan President Paul Kagame appointed Justin Nsengiyumva as the new prime minister on Wednesday, July 23, The New Times said in a report. Nsengiyumvas appointment follows the departure of �douard Ngirente, who had held the position since 2017. The change in the head of government was made by presidential decree. July 24, 2025, 01:41:10 (IST) The directorate of health and social services in Namibias //Kharas region is grappling with a severe workforce shortage, operating at just 35% of its required capacity, The Namibian says in a report. //Kharas governor Dawid Gertze revealed the staffing crisis during his state of the region address on Tuesday. Gertze emphasized the critical importance of the health and social services sector for the regions inhabitants. July 24, 2025, 01:37:22 (IST) The Young Progressives Party (YPP) has announced its intention to tackle pervasive insecurity and restore socio-economic activities in Nigerias Anambra State as a central promise for the 2025 gubernatorial election, according to a report in Premium Times. The partys pledge comes in response to a climate of fear that has reportedly diminished public life and cultural events in the state. This promise positions the YPP as an alternative to the incumbent administration, making security a key battleground issue for the upcoming election cycle amid ongoing disruptions that have severely impacted the regions economy. July 24, 2025, 01:36:18 (IST) Namibias Office of the President has conferred an official funeral upon war veteran Lazarus !Guiteb, who died at age 82 in a Windhoek hospital on July 15, as per a report in The Namibian. !Guiteb, who had been receiving medical treatment for two weeks prior to his death, was a notable figure who was imprisoned on Robben Island from 1977 to 1984 during the apartheid era. July 24, 2025, 01:25:38 (IST) In an act of sportsmanship during the Womens Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), members of Nigerias Super Falcons visited South Africas Banyana Banyana player Gabriela Salgado, who is currently hospitalized, according to a report in Premium Times. Salgado is beginning her recovery from an injury that is expected to sideline her for the rest of the year. The visit is being viewed as a gesture of continental solidarity between the two rival teams. July 24, 2025, 01:23:31 (IST) The Crocodile Park in Agadir, Morocco, has introduced the nations first zipline attraction allowing visitors to travel directly over live crocodile enclosures, Africanews says in a report. This private sector initiative is aligned with Moroccos broader national strategy to enhance its tourism industry by diversifying its attractions beyond traditional offerings. The launch is expected to bolster the regional economy of Agadir, a significant tourist hub, by attracting new market segments such as adventure and family tourists, thereby strengthening the destinations commercial appeal and contributing to local economic activity. July 24, 2025, 01:21:25 (IST) The Jigawa State government in Nigeria has made genotype testing mandatory for all couples intending to marry, a decision aimed at reducing the prevalence of Sickle Cell Disease, Premium Times says in a report. The policy was approved on Wednesday during a State Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Umar Namadi. This move, which addresses Nigerias high national burden of SCD, mandates pre-marital screening to identify and counsel carriers of the sickle cell trait. The policy is expected to create significant new demand for testing and counselling services within the states healthcare sector, while also prompting debate on the balance between public health imperatives and individual rights. July 24, 2025, 01:18:50 (IST) Deportation policies enacted by the administration of US President Donald Trump are generating significant anger across Africa, with critics accusing the US of using the continent as a dumping ground, according to a report in Foreign Policy. The contentious policy is straining diplomatic relations and carries potential economic implications, as it could undermine US-Africa cooperation on trade and development initiatives. African governments face increased social and economic burdens in reintegrating the deportees, which adds pressure to already challenged economies. July 24, 2025, 01:15:08 (IST) Nigerias senate has greenlit a $21 billion foreign loan request to finance the 2025 budget, Africanews says in a report. This approval is intended to support the governments development agenda amid ongoing economic reforms and revenue shortfalls. However, the decision significantly increases Nigerias already substantial debt burden, prompting concerns among fiscal policy analysts regarding the nations debt sustainability. The new borrowing comes at a time of rising global interest rates, which could make servicing the debt more challenging and potentially lead international creditors to reassess Nigerias creditworthiness. July 24, 2025, 01:13:40 (IST) Kenyas government is strategically aligning its infrastructure development with the requirements for hosting major continental sporting events, Standard Media Kenya says in a report. Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya confirmed that ongoing and planned stadia projects are being categorised based on international standards, capacity, and specific requirements for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) and the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). This initiative is a direct result of the successful PAMOJA bid, a joint effort with Tanzania and Uganda to host the 2027 AFCON, and focuses on ensuring compliance for the tournaments. July 24, 2025, 01:09:12 (IST) The African Development Bank (AfDB) has stated that South Africa must unlock its financial sector to foster economic growth and combat persistently high unemployment, according to a report in Mail & Guardian. The call for reform comes as the country grapples with stagnant GDP, an ongoing energy crisis, and challenges with investor confidence. The AfDBs recommendation implies that improving access to capital, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and enhancing governance within the financial system are crucial steps. This advice is significant for the business sector and investors seeking a more favourable investment climate and adds pressure on the government to accelerate economic reforms. July 24, 2025, 01:08:56 (IST) A statement from Gautengs Education MEC, Matome Chiloane, that the province requires 200 new schools underscores a critical infrastructure gap with significant economic and fiscal implications, Mail & Guardian says in a report. This announcement points towards a massive capital outlay, placing considerable pressure on provincial and national treasuries already facing constraints. For investors and businesses, this signals a major potential pipeline for the construction sector and related industries, but also raises questions about the governments fiscal capacity and funding mechanisms, such as debt issuance or the pursuit of public-private partnerships. The situation highlights the persistent challenge of matching public service delivery with rapid urbanisation in South Africas key economic region. July 24, 2025, 01:06:00 (IST) Ghana has formally endorsed a campaign for visa-free travel throughout the continent, a significant political signal aimed at accelerating Africas economic integration, Mail & Guardian says in a report. This policy aligns directly with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which seeks to create a single market, by facilitating the free movement of business persons, labour, and services. The initiative aims to reduce transaction costs for businesses, stimulate cross-border investment, and bolster the tourism sector, a key source of revenue for many African nations. While the long-term economic benefits are considered substantial, implementation presents challenges, including the need for significant investment in border infrastructure, harmonised data systems for security, and managing the economic effects of potential labour migration on national economies. July 24, 2025, 01:04:59 (IST) Bismark Tyobeka has been appointed chairperson of South Africas Ministerial Expert Panel on Nuclear, according to a report in Mail & Guardian. The panel is tasked with providing advisory recommendations to the government on the pace, scale, and procurement approach for developing new nuclear energy capacity. This move comes as South Africa, facing a severe and persistent energy crisis, seeks to update its Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), the national energy blueprint which currently includes a provision for 2,500 MW of new nuclear power. The panels expert advice is considered crucial for shaping the countrys future energy mix and long-term security, a decision with significant economic implications. July 24, 2025, 01:02:55 (IST) Nigerias House of Representatives is set to launch a formal investigation into the persistent operational failures of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, Premium Times says in a report. The probe aims to uncover why these critical national assets remain non-functional despite substantial investments over many years in so-called turnaround maintenance. The move carries significant economic weight, as the countrys inability to refine crude oil domestically forces a heavy reliance on expensive imported petroleum products. This situation persists despite the governments removal of fuel subsidies in 2023, a policy partly predicated on creating a viable market for local refining. The investigation will also place the performance of the newly commercialised Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited under intense scrutiny, testing the efficacy of reforms intended to bring commercial discipline and profitability to the state-owned entity. July 24, 2025, 00:52:18 (IST) A new study has identified significant levels of antiretroviral drugs, particularly lopinavir and efavirenz, in South Africas rivers, with the contamination linked to underperforming wastewater treatment plants, Mail & Guardian says in a report. The findings highlight a critical environmental consequence of the countrys globally recognised HIV/AIDS treatment programme, which is the worlds largest. This pollution points to systemic issues with South Africas water infrastructure and raises significant concerns for environmental regulators and public health officials regarding the long-term safety of water resources and potential ecological impact. The presence of these pharmaceutical compounds in water bodies underscores the challenge of balancing immediate public health victories with long-term environmental sustainability. July 24, 2025, 00:46:55 (IST) An investigation by South Africas Special Investigating Unit (SIU) into widespread corruption at the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) is being significantly hampered by bureaucratic delays, according to a report in Mail & Guardian. The SIUs current mandate, established by a presidential proclamation, is reportedly too narrow, only allowing it to investigate specific fraudulent grants. The unit applied for an amended proclamation 15 months ago to broaden its investigative scope, but it has yet to be approved by the Presidency, effectively stalling efforts to conduct a more comprehensive probe into the NLCs operations and hold all responsible parties accountable. July 24, 2025, 00:40:59 (IST) A new report indicating that 26% of Africas freshwater fish species face extinction has significant economic and geopolitical implications for the continent, according to a report in Mail & Guardian. The decline in fish populations, described as an aquatic canary in the coalmine, directly threatens the food security and livelihoods of millions who depend on freshwater resources. This environmental crisis is largely driven by economic activities such as industrial pollution, dam construction for hydropower, and agricultural expansion. The degradation of these ecosystems could heighten investment risks, increase operational costs for industries facing stricter regulations, and potentially destabilise regions through resource competition, impacting long-term economic development and investor confidence. July 24, 2025, 00:32:08 (IST) A new study from the North-West University indicates that hunting tourism generates R44 billion for the South African economy and is responsible for sustaining around 95,000 jobs, according to a report in the Mail & Guardian. The research, led by academics Peet van der Merwe and Andrea Saayman, quantifies the significant financial contribution of the sector. These findings provide key economic data for ongoing national debates concerning wildlife management, conservation policy, and employment, particularly in the context of South Africas post-pandemic economic recovery.From South Africas shifting foreign policy posture on Western Sahara to fierce battles over oil-rich territory in Sudan, todays headlines reveal a continent grappling with political realignments, economic recalibrations and urgent security challenges. Were tracking key developments across Africa, including Nigerias budget debates, energy dependency in West Africa and new diplomatic tensionswith real-time insights into what it all means for the regions future.
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