Author: WAJ Team

Ilza Amado Vaz has been named the new Prime Minister of São Tomé and Príncipe, following a decree issued by President Carlos Vila Nova on Thursday. This marks a historic achievement, as Vaz becomes the third woman to hold the office of Prime Minister in the country’s history. Her previous role as the Minister of Justice has positioned her as a capable leader, bringing substantial legal and governmental experience to the new position. The announcement follows a week of political changes that began with President Vila Nova dissolving the government of former Prime Minister Patrice Trovoada. Earlier on Thursday, the…

Trade between Egypt and Greece reached $1.5 billion in the first 11 months of 2024, representing a slight decline from the $1.8 billion recorded during the same period last year. This figure, released by the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics, was announced alongside the conclusion of a trilateral summit in Cairo involving leaders from Egypt, Greece, and Cyprus. During the summit, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi met with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on the sidelines of the Egyptian-Greek-Cypriot Economic Forum. Both leaders discussed avenues for expanding bilateral economic cooperation. In terms of trade, Egyptian exports to Greece…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of Nigeria has detained 10 of its own officers from the Lagos Zonal Command amid allegations of theft involving operational items. The EFCC confirmed the arrests in a statement issued on Thursday, underscoring that the action is part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to ensure internal reforms and maintain integrity within its ranks. The detained officials, who were apprehended last week, are being questioned about the stolen items that they failed to account for. The arrests came following direct orders from EFCC’s Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, who emphasized that the investigation is…

China Development Bank has approved a $254.76 million loan to support Nigeria’s Kaduna-to-Kano railway project. The announcement comes as China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, embarks on his annual New Year tour of Africa, which includes a visit to Nigeria later this week. Wang Yi is scheduled to meet with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and top government officials on Thursday to discuss bilateral relations, according to Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Funding Revives Stalled Project The Kaduna-to-Kano railway, part of a $973 million infrastructure project, has faced significant delays due to funding challenges. The newly approved loan is expected to accelerate…

Renowned South African singer and actress Winnie Khumalo has died at the age of 51 after a brief illness, her family confirmed today. Khumalo, who made an indelible mark on South Africa’s music scene, was best known for her hit song Live My Life and her collaborations with prominent artists such as the late Brenda Fassie. Her musical career, which began in the 1980s, spanned several decades and made her one of the country’s most influential figures in the Afropop genre. Her sister, Tshepi Akeepile, shared the heartbreaking news, revealing that Khumalo passed away on Tuesday while being rushed to…

Botswana has unveiled a bold new climate strategy that emphasizes adapting to the impacts of extreme weather events, including droughts, floods, and cyclones, over aggressive greenhouse gas emissions reductions. The approach, which has drawn praise from African climate negotiators, positions Botswana as a model for low-emitting nations vulnerable to climate change. The country’s latest nationally determined contribution (NDC), submitted to the United Nations in December 2024, maintains its original target of a 15% emissions reduction by 2030. However, the new plan significantly expands on adaptation measures, addressing the unique climate challenges faced by the southern African nation. Focusing on Vulnerability,…

Venancio Mondlane, leader of Mozambique’s opposition, has returned to the country after fleeing in the wake of violent protests sparked by the disputed October elections. Mondlane, who has accused the ruling Frelimo party of electoral fraud, arrived in Maputo on Thursday, where large crowds gathered at the international airport to welcome him. His return comes at a time of heightened tensions in the southern African nation. The October 9 poll, which extended Frelimo’s decades-long rule, was marred by accusations of irregularities. Mondlane has called the election rigged and has urged his supporters to take to the streets in protest. Protests,…

Egypt is set to play a key role in a major new energy project as Copelouzos Group, a leading Greek energy company, accelerates the development of its €4.2 billion ($4.3 billion) undersea power link with Greece. The project, named Gregy, will connect Egypt’s vast renewable energy resources to Greece and, eventually, Europe. The link is expected to help Egypt become a major energy exporter and contribute significantly to the region’s green energy transition. The ambitious project will consist of a 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) undersea transmission line that will carry electricity generated by a massive 9.5 gigawatt portfolio of wind and solar…

Benin is accelerating efforts to secure fresh external financing and is poised to issue the first eurobond by an African country in 2025. This move underscores the government’s strategy to diversify its funding sources and tap into favorable market conditions. The government has enlisted global financial giants Citigroup Inc., J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., and Societe Generale SA to arrange investor meetings, which began on January 8, both virtually and in-person in London. These meetings are part of a broader effort to position Benin in the eurobond market for the first time. The planned bond will be of benchmark size,…

Mali has secured a landmark agreement with Canada’s Allied Gold, acquiring a 35% stake in a new mining venture linked to the Sadiola gold project, a key component of the country’s rich mineral landscape. The newly launched Korali-Sud project is set to operate under Mali’s updated mining code, aimed at maximizing the country’s revenue from its natural resources. In an official statement, Mines Minister Amadou Keita confirmed that the project would be governed by the revised mining regulations, marking a significant shift in Mali’s approach to managing its vast mineral resources. The updated code, which came into effect in 2023,…

A deadly assault on Chad’s presidential complex on Wednesday evening claimed the lives of 18 attackers and one soldier, according to government sources. The attack, which unfolded in the heart of the capital, left six attackers and three soldiers injured, Foreign Minister and government spokesperson Abderaman Koulamallah said in a televised address. Earlier reports suggested the involvement of Boko Haram, raising fears of regional instability. However, Koulamallah later clarified that the attackers were likely an armed group from a district within N’Djamena, rather than external forces. The group’s motives remain unclear, and authorities have yet to disclose further details about…

On January 7, 2025, Jean-Claude Gakosso, the Foreign Minister of the Republic of the Congo, met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Brazzaville to discuss further strengthening their longstanding diplomatic relations. The talks centered on implementing the key outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which took place in late 2024, with an emphasis on advancing cooperation between the two nations. Gakosso welcomed the visit, noting the deep historical and diplomatic ties that have existed between the Republic of the Congo and China for more than six decades. Despite geographical and cultural differences, the…

Gemfields, one of the world’s leading producers of coloured gemstones, has called on the Zambian government to revoke the recently reintroduced 15% export tax on emeralds, warning that the levy could significantly harm the country’s thriving emerald sector. Zambia, the world’s second-largest emerald producer after Colombia, reinstated the tax on January 1, following its suspension in 2019. The company, which operates the Kagem emerald mine—one of the largest of its kind globally—expressed its concern that the tax would undermine the sustainability of the industry and diminish its appeal to foreign investors. In a statement, Gemfields indicated that it plans to…

The United Kingdom is considering fast-tracking a major financial package to Mauritius as part of an agreement to transfer sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, including the strategically important military base of Diego Garcia, to the island nation. This long-awaited deal follows a ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2019 that declared the UK’s administration of the islands unlawful. It comes at a time when the new Mauritian government has raised concerns about the terms of the agreement finalized in October 2023 under the previous administration. Sources familiar with the ongoing negotiations indicate that while the UK is…

In a dramatic turn of events, Nelson Mandela’s grandson has been arrested in connection with a hijacking near the family’s historic Houghton residence. The arrest, which has shocked the nation, raises significant concerns about the future of the Mandela family’s legacy, already under scrutiny due to internal family disputes. According to police reports, the vehicle involved in the hijacking was stolen from Benoni late the previous evening. Authorities apprehended the four suspects, including Mandela’s grandson, after they were found in possession of the vehicle near the Mandela property. While the driver’s fate remains unclear, he is reportedly under police protection…

Tensions have escalated in Guinea’s capital, Conakry, as widespread protests continue over the military government’s failure to meet its promised deadline for transitioning to democracy. The protests, led by civil society groups and opposition parties, have led to a lockdown in several parts of the city, as demonstrators demand the fulfillment of the military’s pledge to return the country to civilian rule. The United States has urged the military authorities to provide a clear and actionable timeline for holding the long-delayed elections, which have become a critical issue for many Guineans. The protestors’ frustrations stem from the failure of the…