Author: WAJ Editor

Ron Draper, the oldest living Test cricketer, has died at the age of 98 in a retirement home in Gqeberha, his family confirmed on Friday. A top-order batsman and occasional wicketkeeper, Draper represented South Africa in two Test matches against Australia in 1950. His passing makes former Australian cricketer Neil Harvey, 96, the new oldest living Test player. Born on December 24, 1926, Draper made a memorable start to his cricketing career, scoring a century on his first-class debut for Eastern Province on his 19th birthday. Although his Test career was brief, he left his mark in domestic cricket, becoming…

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has signed the N54.99 trillion 2025 budget into law, nearly doubling the previous year’s N27.5 trillion allocation. The National Assembly approved the bill on February 13 after revising Tinubu’s initial proposal of N49.7 trillion. The budget includes N3.65 trillion in statutory transfers, N13.64 trillion for recurrent (non-debt) expenditures, and a significant increase in debt servicing costs, which now stand at N14.32 trillion. Revenue sources include N1.4 trillion from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), N1.2 trillion from the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and N1.8 trillion from other government agencies. While the government argues the expanded budget…

Organized by the Turkish Directorate of Communications, the Türkiye-Africa Media Forum began in Istanbul on Friday, bringing together important media and government representatives to increase cooperation between Türkiye and Africa. Speaking at the opening, Türkiye’s Communications Director Fahrettin Altun emphasized Türkiye’s determination to look at Africa not through its challenges but through its potential and dynamism. African Broadcasting Union CEO Gregoire Ndjaka and Libyan National Union Communications and Political Affairs Minister Walid Ammar Ellafi also made statements emphasizing the importance of stronger media cooperation. The forum will include discussions on strengthening the media and communication ecosystem, promoting public diplomacy, and…

South Africa has reaffirmed that the registration deadline for spazas and kiosks will not be extended beyond Friday, according to Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Velenkosini Hlabisa. The registration drive was launched by President Cyril Ramaphosa last November following a spate of food poisoning incidents that claimed the lives of dozens of children. Township Economic Commission Chair Bheki Twala explained that the deadline only applies to existing businesses operating without the necessary permits, including trading licences and Certificates of Admissibility. Authorities warned that unregistered shops would be shut down by law enforcement. South Africa’s Government Eyes Large Supermarkets…

According to the IMF’s official website, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has scheduled a board meeting on March 10 to discuss and approve the fourth review of Egypt’s existing Extended Fund Facility (EFF) agreement. The review follows a staff-level agreement reached with Egypt on December 25 for an $8 billion loan program. Since then, no significant updates have been made, although both IMF and Egyptian officials have confirmed that the review is nearing completion. Egypt will receive a $1.2 billion tranche once the review is approved. This review is the first review since the IMF agreed to increase the loan…

Angola is in the final stages of joining the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Free Trade Area (FTA), a move that will boost regional trade and economic integration. The SADC Secretariat, with support from Germany’s BMZ and the European Union through GIZ, recently held a Trade Negotiation Forum (TNF) in Luanda to finalize the process. Once completed, Angola will become the 14th member of the SADC FTA, strengthening the bloc’s trade liberalization efforts. SADC Director of Industrial Development and Trade Dhunraj Kassee highlighted the economic benefits, such as reduced tariffs and the removal of non-tariff barriers, which will facilitate smoother…

The European Union (EU) has provided the Ghana Armed Forces with equipment valued at GH¢800 million to enhance the country’s defense capabilities. The package includes engineering tools, advanced communication systems, and riverine assets to support national security efforts. This donation follows the EU’s delivery of 105 militarized vehicles in 2023, with additional support planned through 2026. EU Ambassador to Ghana, Irchad Razaaly, emphasized the commitment of EU nations and Ghana to safeguarding shared values and countering security threats, particularly the spillover of instability from the Sahel region. Ghana’s Minister of Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, expressed appreciation for the EU’s…

Ghana’s cocoa regulator Cocobod will lose about $1.3 billion in revenue due to the payment of contracts that were rolled over to the 2024/25 season following a decline in cocoa production, according to former President John Dramani Mahama. In his State of the Nation address on Thursday, Mahama stressed that Ghana, the world’s second largest cocoa producer, had to delay the delivery of 370,000 metric tons of cocoa from the previous season due to a sharp decline in production. He noted that the increase in global cocoa prices had made Ghana’s 2024/25 crop more expensive, causing Cocobod to incur financial…

Ugandan police have launched an investigation into the death of Nigerian professional footballer Abubakar Lawal, who allegedly fell from a shopping mall in the capital Kampala. Lawal, 29, reportedly fell from a third-floor balcony at the Voicemall Shopping Mall while visiting a Tanzanian friend. Authorities confirmed that Lawal was pronounced dead on arrival after being rushed to hospital. According to police reports, Lawal’s friend Omary Naima left him in his room, which is part of the shopping mall, making tea before the tragic incident occurred. Lawal was a forward for Uganda’s Vipers Sports Club, and the club expressed deep sorrow…

Tether has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Guinea to promote economic growth through blockchain technology and digital education. The partnership aims to position Guinea as a leader in Africa’s digital economy by encouraging innovation and knowledge exchange. A key component of the collaboration is the introduction of educational programs in both the public and private sectors. Tether will work with the Guinea City of Science and Innovation (CSIG) to develop local talent and enhance digital skills. This initiative aligns with Guinea’s broader “Innovation City” project, which aims to promote technological transformation and global competitiveness. Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino…

The 80th anniversary of the United Nations has sparked discussions on the organization’s relevance in an evolving global landscape. In an interview with UN News, General Assembly President Philémon Yang emphasized the need for reforms to address Africa’s development challenges and close the digital divide between the Global South and the developed world. Yang’s remarks came after a UN Security Council session on terrorism in Africa, where UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed described the continent as the “epicenter of global terrorism,” accounting for 59 percent of terrorism-related deaths worldwide. Yang, a former Cameroonian Prime Minister, proposed that the African Union…

Nigerian authorities have charged 53 individuals, including 40 Chinese nationals, in connection with a global cybercrime ring linked to Ponzi schemes, cryptocurrency fraud, and cyber-terrorism. The suspects, arrested in December 2024, were brought before the Federal High Court in Lagos, where they faced a range of charges, including cybercrime, identity theft, and impersonation. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleges the defendants were part of a network responsible for defrauding victims across the world. Some of the suspects are accused of using cyber tactics to destabilize Nigeria’s structure by recruiting local youths to commit identity theft and impersonate foreign…

E-learning in Africa is experiencing unprecedented growth in 2025, driven by increasing internet penetration, affordable smartphones, and government investments in digital education. As more institutions and individuals embrace online learning, the sector is reshaping traditional education models and expanding access to knowledge across the continent. Key Drivers of E-Learning Growth Despite its growth, e-learning in Africa still faces hurdles, including limited electricity access in rural areas, high data costs, and the need for digital literacy training. However, ongoing initiatives to expand renewable energy, reduce internet costs, and improve digital infrastructure are expected to accelerate the sector’s progress. By 2025, e-learning…

Tanzania is set to enhance its digital connectivity by releasing additional radio frequencies for telecom operators. The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) has announced plans to auction four blocks of spectrum in the 3600-3800 MHz band in July 2025, a move aimed at improving internet coverage and adoption across the country. The additional spectrum is expected to bolster the capacity of telecom networks, particularly in expanding 5G services. As of December 2024, Tanzania’s mobile network coverage stood at 98.2% for 2G, 91% for 3G, 88% for 4G, and 20% for 5G. However, geographical coverage remains lower, with 75.1% of the…

The International Trade Centre (ITC), in partnership with the Sierra Leonean government, has launched the READY Salone project to empower 3,000 youth with digital skills and opportunities over the next four years. Funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), READY Salone focuses on enhancing digital literacy, fostering entrepreneurship, and developing inclusive national digital strategies. The initiative also prioritizes support for young women, persons with disabilities, and 250 small and medium-sized enterprises. Key government officials, including Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, attended the launch event, alongside over 100 business and tech stakeholders. The project will also run awareness campaigns…

Thousands of residents have fled a town in southern Sudan following a surge in violent clashes between the Sudanese army and rival paramilitary forces, according to the United Nations. The ongoing conflict, which began in April 2023, has seen Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan’s forces battling the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. The UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that between 1,000 and 3,000 households were displaced from Um Rawaba town in North Kordofan state within just five days. The displacement followed a military advance on Al-Jazira state, located 300 kilometers (186 miles)…