Author: WAJ Editor

Mozambique’s political landscape is currently marked by tension and uncertainty, but a glimmer of hope for dialogue has emerged. Venâncio Mondlane, the leader of the main opposition party, has expressed openness to working with President Daniel Chapo, provided certain conditions are met. This potential collaboration has sparked debate on whether an inclusive government could stabilize the nation amidst its ongoing political crisis. A Glimpse of Hope Amidst Contentious Relations Following the disputed October 2024 elections, Mondlane accused Chapo of election rigging, a claim the president denies. Chapo, who represents the ruling Frelimo party, was sworn in on January 15. In…

Efforts are underway to transform South Sudan’s agricultural sector into a more sustainable, climate-resilient cornerstone of the nation’s economy through two major initiatives. According to a press statement, the European Union (EU), Germany, The Netherlands, and the United Nations have collectively committed $87.4 million (€84.4 million) to these projects, which were officially introduced to Dr. John Kanisio, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, on Monday. The initiatives, implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Trade Centre (ITC), and the World Food Program (WFP), form the Green and Resilient Agriculture and Climate Economy (GRACE) project.…

A significant convoy of Russian military equipment, including tanks, armored vehicles, and artillery systems, was recently spotted near Mali’s capital, Bamako, raising questions about its intended purpose. Malian officials assert the equipment is designated for their armed forces, while some Russian analysts suggest it may bolster the “African Corps,” a successor to the Wagner Group operating in Africa. The convoy, featuring advanced assets such as T-72B3M tanks and KamAZ-4385 armored trucks, marks a significant enhancement for Mali’s military capacity. Russian media report that part of the equipment originated from Syria, while the rest arrived directly from Russia. Mali has increasingly…

Seven artisanal miners lost their lives when a disused gold shaft collapsed over the weekend in Bindura, approximately 85 kilometers north of Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare, police confirmed on Monday. Authorities have provided limited details about the incident, which occurred on Saturday, but issued a stern warning against illegal mining. “People should refrain from conducting mining activities at illegal shafts and disused mine sites,” police said. Recent heavy rains have saturated the ground, increasing the likelihood of mine collapses, they added. Five of the seven deceased miners, aged between 20 and 34, have been identified, while efforts continue to locate the…

The death toll from a devastating fuel truck explosion in northern Nigeria has climbed to 98 after additional bodies were recovered from the scene on Monday. The accident, which occurred on January 18, 2025, in Dikko, Niger State, is the deadliest since a similar tragedy in Jigawa State in October 2024 that claimed 147 lives. The explosion happened when a petrol truck overturned, prompting locals to gather fuel from the wreckage before the tanker ignited. Abdullahi Baba-Ara, director-general of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, reported that 80 victims were buried in a mass grave over the weekend. “After clearing…

Malawi is reeling from a severe economic strain as skyrocketing fuel prices make it the fourth most expensive fuel market in Africa, with petrol now costing $1.459 per litre. The rising fuel costs are compounding challenges for one of the continent’s poorest nations, leaving families and businesses struggling to cope. According to Global Petrol Prices’ January 2025 report, only the Central African Republic ($1.718), Senegal ($1.546), and Zimbabwe ($1.480) have higher petrol prices on the continent. Globally, Malawi ranks 48th for petrol prices and 36th for diesel, exacerbating the country’s economic woes. A worsening foreign exchange crisis has driven black…

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has confirmed an outbreak of the Marburg virus in the northwestern Kagera region, days after the health ministry initially denied any cases. Speaking at a press conference alongside the World Health Organization (WHO), President Hassan announced that one case had been verified and efforts to contain the virus had intensified, including deploying a rapid response team to trace suspected cases. The confirmation follows WHO’s earlier report of nine suspected cases and eight deaths over five days in Kagera. However, Tanzania’s Health Minister Jenista Mhagama previously claimed that samples had tested negative for Marburg. While the…

Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics announced that the country will rebase its gross domestic product (GDP) and inflation data by the end of January. This update aims to reflect changes in the economy, incorporating sectors that have seen significant growth since the last rebasing in 2014. New sectors, including marine and blue economy, arts, culture, tourism, information and communication technology, and e-commerce, will now be more accurately represented in the GDP calculations. The previous rebasing in 2014 had established Nigeria as Africa’s largest economy.

Christian Yoka, the newly appointed Finance Minister of the Republic of Congo, has committed to reducing the country’s debt levels and easing the burden of debt servicing. In his first interview since taking office earlier this month, Yoka emphasized the need to address the challenges faced by the oil-dependent nation, which has been hit hard by geopolitical crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. Yoka’s primary goal is to reduce the country’s debt-to-GDP ratio, which currently stands at a high 96%. He aims to lower this ratio to 70% or below within the next five years.…

Libya’s Acting Oil and Gas Minister, Khalifa Abdulsadek, revealed that the country requires between $3 billion and $4 billion to increase its oil production to 1.6 million barrels per day (bpd). Abdulsadek emphasized that this boost in production is crucial for the Libyan economy, which relies on oil for over 95% of its output. He added that the goal is to not only reach 1.6 million bpd but to ultimately increase production to 2 million bpd. Libya’s oil output currently stands at 1.41 million bpd, according to the National Oil Corporation (NOC). Prior to the 2011 uprising that ousted Muammar…

The Sudanese army has accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of launching a drone attack on a power station in northern Sudan, causing a power outage in Dongola city. According to a military statement, the RSF targeted the Dongola power station with multiple drones, which were intercepted by the army’s air defenses. State news agency reported that 10 drones were involved in the attack, with some being shot down. The assault caused significant damage to one of the station’s transformers, leading to a citywide blackout. The RSF has not issued a response to the allegations. This incident follows recent…

South Africa’s Finance Minister, Enoch Godongwana, emphasized at the World Economic Forum in Davos that the government’s primary focus is on implementing structural reforms to stimulate growth, rather than regaining its investment-grade credit rating. South Africa has been rated sub-investment grade by the three major credit agencies since 2020. However, in November, S&P Global raised the outlook on the country’s rating to “positive,” citing the potential for improved reforms under the new coalition government. Godongwana stated that it could take up to two years for South Africa to regain its investment-grade status. He stressed that the focus is on addressing…

Morocco’s opposition parties are intensifying calls for King Mohammed VI to grant a royal pardon to Mohamed Ziane, the 81-year-old former Human Rights Minister currently serving a five-year prison sentence. Rights groups and critics have labeled the case against Ziane as politically motivated. Over the weekend, the Justice and Development Party (PJD), an Islamist opposition group, appealed to the monarch, citing “humanitarian challenges” and urging leniency for Ziane. A prominent lawyer and founder of the Moroccan Liberal Party, Ziane was convicted in 2023 on charges of corruption and embezzlement linked to Morocco’s 2015 election campaign. Ziane’s son and attorney, Ali…

The Critical Minerals Africa Group (CMAG) is positioning its members to adapt to potential policy changes as President Trump begins his term. As the Republican administration takes office, speculation grows regarding its approach to critical minerals projects in Africa and its stance on key areas like aid budgets and the Lobito Corridor. CMAG, an advocacy group dedicated to strengthening Africa’s ties with global markets and shaping international critical minerals policies, is working with members and partners to navigate the anticipated shifts. Olimpia Pilch, CMAG’s Chief Strategy Officer, highlighted the potential for increased U.S. funding for critical minerals projects but noted…

Dubai has emerged as a hotspot for African real estate investors, with a notable increase in interest from Kenyan and Nigerian buyers. Tahseen Syed, Managing Director of Knightsbridge Properties, attributes this trend to the city’s economic stability and thriving property market, which offers a secure and lucrative investment environment. Kenyan investors, including high-net-worth individuals and members of the expanding middle class, are increasingly drawn to Dubai’s luxury real estate sector. Syed highlights that Dubai’s appeal lies in its robust economy, strategic location, and diverse investment opportunities, ranging from luxury apartments to commercial properties. These factors, coupled with high rental yields…

Liberia and Morocco have signed 15 bilateral agreements aimed at deepening their partnership and fostering mutual development. The agreements were signed on January 17, 2025, by Liberia’s Foreign Minister, H.E. Sara Beysolow Nyanti, and Morocco’s Foreign Minister, H.E. Nasser Bourita, during a ceremony that also saw the issuance of a Joint Communiqué. The agreements cover a range of critical areas, including technical assistance, healthcare improvements, agriculture, human resource development, and governance. Foreign Minister Nyanti praised the role of His Majesty King Mohammed VI in advancing cooperation through the Third Joint Commission between the two nations. Focus on Education and Development…