By Esther Ososanya As the U.S. and China engage in a growing trade war, Africa is taking advantage of the situation to strengthen its economy and reduce dependency on foreign powers. Experts believe that these tensions could offer Africa a rare opportunity to increase its influence in global trade and investment. China has granted duty-free …
By Esther Ososanya Mali’s military authorities have arrested at least 45 soldiers, including two generals, over the weekend for allegedly attempting to “destabilise the institutions” of the Sahel nation. Among those detained is General Abass Dembele, a former governor of the central Mopti region and a respected figure within army ranks. He was arrested early …
By Esther Ososanya Nearly 800 Egyptian aid trucks have been inspected and sent into Gaza through Israel’s Kerem Shalom crossing since July 27, the Egyptian Red Crescent said on Wednesday, as efforts intensify to ease a worsening humanitarian crisis. The development follows Israel’s decision to partially lift its months-long blockade late last month, allowing a …
By Esther Ososanya Ghana is in mourning after a military helicopter crash killed eight people, including two ministers and top officials. The Z-9 aircraft went down en route to Obuasi, killing everyone on board. Among the dead are Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, NDC Vice Chair Samuel Sarpong, national security …
By Esther Ososanya The East African country is investing billions of dollars in smart infrastructure and urban renewal, even as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warns that its public debt could rise to 86.3% of GDP by 2026. Yet, the Rwandan government remains unfazed, convinced that the greater danger lies in under-investing in the future. …
By Esther Ososanya Senegal’s Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, has unveiled a bold national recovery plan; it's believed it could reshape the fiscal future of West Africa. Unveiled in Dakar before cabinet members, policy experts, and civil society groups, the plan introduces sweeping reforms. It targets corruption in the power sector and imposes fresh taxes on …
By Rafiyat Sadiq A new directive by the Tanzanian government prohibiting foreign nationals from owning and operating businesses in 15 small-scale sectors has triggered backlash in neighbouring Kenya and renewed concerns over regional trade relations. The sweeping ban affects activities such as mobile money transfers, tour guiding, small-scale mining, crop buying on farms, beauty salons, …
By Rafiyat Sadiq In a sharp diplomatic setback, the United States (US) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) imposed tough new visa restrictions on Nigerian travellers, sparking outrage and concern among citizens, government officials, business leaders, migration experts, and students abroad. The coordinated clampdown, announced within hours of each other on July 9, 2025, marks …
By Esther Ososanya Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has delivered a sobering warning to the continent’s leaders: Unless powerful fuel import interests are confronted head-on, no new refinery will ever be built again in sub-Saharan Africa. Speaking at the Global Commodity Insights Conference in Abuja, the billionaire industrialist declared that entrenched rent-seeking, offshore fuel cartels, …
By Esther Ososanya The United States Mission in Nigeria has issued an important clarification on visa rules, stating that the expiration date on a U.S. visa does not determine how long a visitor can remain in the country. In a public advisory posted Friday via its official X (formerly Twitter) account, the mission stressed that …
