Author: WAJ Team

The number of deaths from Angola’s cholera outbreak has risen to 201, health officials said on Friday. More than 5,574 infections have been reported since early January. The outbreak began in Luanda, the capital, which still has the highest number of cases. The neighboring provinces of Bengo and Icolo e Bengo have also been severely affected. In total, cholera has spread to 13 of Angola’s 21 provinces. Authorities are increasing efforts to stop the disease. Emergency response teams are working to improve sanitation and provide clean water. Despite these measures, the outbreak is spreading fast, raising concerns about the healthcare…

The African Development Bank (AfDB) is preparing to elect a new president. This decision will influence the continent’s economic future, determining how billions of dollars in development funds are managed. The election comes at a crucial time as Africa faces growing debt, limited access to financing, and urgent climate challenges. A Key Institution in Africa’s Growth Since its founding in 1964, the AfDB has been a major force in Africa’s economic development. It funds key projects in infrastructure, energy, and industry, helping countries reduce poverty and drive growth. Headquartered in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, the bank provides loans and grants to…

Angola plans to increase its commercial coffee production to over 8,000 tonnes in 2025, a rise of 2,000 tonnes from the previous year. The growth comes as farmers and agribusinesses invest more in the sector, according to Vasco Goncalves, director-general of the National Coffee Institute. Speaking in Ndalatando, the capital of Cuanza Norte Province, Goncalves said better farming techniques and expanded plantations are driving the increase. He noted that the commitment from stakeholders has helped improve both yield and quality. “The coffee industry is seeing renewed interest. More farmers and companies are focusing on higher production and sustainability,” he said.…

Mozambique’s political leaders have reached a unanimous agreement after extensive discussions, setting the stage for a formal signing on March 5 in the capital, Maputo. The agreement aims to introduce key reforms that will enhance political, economic, and social stability. State broadcaster Radio Mozambique (RM) reported the development on Friday. President Daniel Chapo spoke to journalists after a dialogue session on Thursday, highlighting the positive progress. He stated that discussions had been constructive, with all parties working towards full consensus to ensure lasting stability. The latest session included representatives from municipal councils, alongside those from the Assembly of the Republic…

Nigeria has officially signed a partnership agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Halal Products Development Company (HPDC) to unlock the potential of the global halal market, valued at $7.7 trillion. This collaboration aims to place Nigeria at the forefront of the halal economy, a rapidly growing sector with far-reaching opportunities. The agreement was signed at the Makkah Halal Forum in Saudi Arabia, marking a significant milestone for Nigeria’s economic diversification strategy. The partnership will focus on several key sectors, including food production, pharmaceuticals, finance, and livestock. It is expected to increase investment, improve technical cooperation, and provide access to international markets. Vice…

Morocco’s Tourism Office (ONMT) has announced a historic partnership with Delta Air Lines to launch a direct flight between Marrakech and Atlanta, Georgia. This new route is a major milestone in enhancing travel connections between Morocco and the United States. Starting in October 2025, the flight will operate three times a week, using a Boeing 767-400 with 238 seats. This service is the second direct flight between the two nations in just two years, highlighting the growing ties between them. “This flight is a key step in making Morocco more accessible to North American travelers,” ONMT stated. “It’s part of…

Eight former African Heads of State and Government signed the Cape Town Declaration on February 26, 2025. They called for major debt relief for highly indebted countries and urged for lower borrowing costs for all developing nations. The declaration was signed during the launch of the African Leaders Debt Relief Initiative (ALDRI) on the sidelines of the first G20 Finance Ministers’ meeting in Cape Town, under South Africa’s G20 Presidency. The African Leaders Debt Relief Initiative aims to push for a comprehensive debt relief strategy for countries in financial distress. The initiative is led by a group of respected former…

Algeria has warned France against altering a 1968 migration agreement that regulates the movement and residency of Algerian citizens in France. The warning came after French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou announced a review of all immigration agreements between Paris and Algiers. The review, expected to last six weeks, will focus on the 1968 deal, signed six years after Algeria gained independence from France in 1962. The 1968 agreement allows Algerian citizens to enter, live, and work in France under special terms. It has been revised several times. In 1986, France introduced a visa requirement for Algerians, a change many saw…

Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has declared that the country is facing a serious economic crisis. Speaking during his State of the Nation Address to Parliament, Mahama described the situation as severe. President John Dramani Mahama: “Our economy is in dire straits, which is putting it mildly.” To address the crisis, Mahama announced a National Economic Dialogue. This forum, scheduled for March 4 and 10, will bring together economic experts, political leaders, and civil society representatives. They will discuss solutions to stabilize the economy and promote growth. “Our approach will be inclusive and solutions-driven,” he said, emphasizing the need for…

The Gabonese Ministry of the Interior started accepting applications for the upcoming presidential election on Thursday, February 27. The application period will stay open until March 8, giving potential candidates a short window to submit their bids. To qualify, candidates must meet strict requirements. They must be between 35 and 70 years old, hold Gabonese nationality, and have given up any other citizenship at least three years before the election. They must also have lived in Gabon for at least three consecutive years before the election and speak at least one national language. In addition, candidates need to pay an…

A mysterious flu-like illness has affected nearly a thousand people, while a newly identified strain of mpox is spreading in the Democratic Republic of Congo, health officials have confirmed. The outbreaks, which have claimed 52 lives in less than three weeks, are unfolding in the western province of Equateur, adding to the country’s mounting health challenges. According to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and Congo’s Health Minister Roger Kamba, efforts to identify the cause of the febrile illness and contain the rising mpox cases are being hampered by ongoing conflict and the freezing of U.S.…

Mauritius has temporarily closed Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (SSRIA) as Tropical Storm Garance intensifies. The Mauritius Meteorological Services issued a Category 3 cyclone warning, prompting swift action from authorities. Airports of Mauritius (AML), the airport’s operator, announced that SSRIA would close from 7:10 p.m. (local time) on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, until further notice. The closure aims to ensure the safety of passengers and the public as the island braces for severe weather. “Following the issuance of a Cyclone Warning Class 3 by the Mauritius Meteorological Services, Airports of Mauritius Co. Ltd. (AML) informs intending passengers and the general…

Botswana and Zambia are planning to build a high-voltage power line to strengthen energy cooperation and boost electricity trade in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. This was announced by the Zambia High Commission in Botswana on Wednesday. The project aims to link the two countries with a high-voltage transmission line. It is expected to improve energy security, reduce power shortages, and support economic growth in the region. It also aligns with SADC’s efforts to promote sustainable energy and regional integration. The announcement came after a meeting between Botswana’s Minister of Minerals and Energy, Bogolo Kenewendo, and Zambia’s Minister…

The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) has officially unveiled its new flag in a ceremony held in Bamako, Mali, one of its three member-states alongside Burkina Faso and Niger. The flag, prominently featuring the AES logo on a green background, symbolizes growth, hope, and a vision of renewal for the Sahel region. The green backdrop represents the region’s aspirations for prosperity and rebirth, underpinned by its abundant natural resources. At its center, the AES logo—first revealed on 30 December 2024—depicts a radiant sun shining upon a majestic Baobab tree, a powerful emblem of life, strength, and cultural diversity in the…

A mysterious illness has claimed at least 53 lives in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Equateur province, with health authorities struggling to identify the cause of two fast-spreading outbreaks in remote villages, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Tuesday. According to a WHO bulletin, 431 cases have been reported as of February 16. The outbreaks occurred in Bomate village in the Basankusu health zone and Boloko village in the Bolomba health zone. Both areas are in the northwest of the vast Central African nation. “The outbreaks, which have seen cases surge rapidly within days, pose a significant public health…

The Group of 20 (G20) Finance Track meetings started on Monday in Cape Town, South Africa. The discussions aim to address economic challenges and growth issues faced by developing nations. Leaders hope to find solutions to global problems and promote sustainable development before the upcoming G20 Summit. South Africa became the first African country to lead the G20 on December 1, 2024. Its presidency is guided by the theme “Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability.” The goal is to push for inclusive global economic growth, focusing on the world’s most vulnerable countries. The meetings are taking place at the Cape Town International…