The Africa Week

This week: More foreign nationals flee South Africa as an unofficial deadline looms.  The vuvuzela is muted at the World Cup. Stark warning over the volcano that is Ebola. And the war in the Middle East puts the handbrake on handsets going to Africa.References/further reading: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq512vgyzl9ohttps://www.semafor.com/article/06/08/2026/fifa-bans-use-of-vuvuzelas-at-world-cuphttps://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/11/somali-referee-barred-from-world-cup-super-cup-final-uefa-omar-artanhttps://www.aljazeera.com/video/newsfeed/2026/6/11/fifa-boss-tells-critics-to-relax-over-somali-referee-deportationhttps://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20260611-we-re-sitting-on-a-volcano-warns-eu-commissioner-after-visit-to-ebola-hit-drchttps://www.semafor.com/article/06/08/2026/iran-war-disrupts-phone-shipments-to-africatopcastmedia.co.uk

This week: Kenyans protest over an Ebola treatment centre - where does this leave the Ruto/Trump relationship? Kinshasa looks to cash in quickly on its prized minerals. South Africa pipped at the post of industrialisation by Morocco. Senegal's economic crisis turns into a political one. And Bafana Bafana arrive late for the World Cup.References/further reading:https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgz7zny3pzohttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn8pw93929wohttps://africa.businessinsider.com/local/markets/africas-cobalt-powerhouse-drc-moves-to-triple-lithium-mining-royalties-in-strategic/8jlb4jwhttps://www.afdb.org/en/documents/africa-industrialisation-index-2025https://www.semafor.com/newsletter/06/03/2026/iran-war-threatens-food-securityhttps://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-05-31-safa-scores-another-own-goal-in-bafana-bafana-visa-bungle/topcastmedia.co.uk

This week: Alarm over the spread of Ebola in the eastern DRC as cases emerge in neighbouring Uganda. Shockwaves on Kenya's streets and petrol pumps from the war in the Middle East. South Africa invites private companies to revive its rail network. And are cluster bombs being used in northern Mali? References/further reading:https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp8p2g8yp8dohttps://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/5/18/four-reported-killed-30-injured-in-kenyan-fuel-price-protestshttps://www.semafor.com/article/05/15/2026/south-africas-rail-network-opens-to-11-private-firmshttps://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20260520-mali-conflict-enters-dangerous-new-phase-with-banned-cluster-bombs-russiatopcastmedia.co.uk

This week: Ebola is back in the DRC. Macron tries to win new friends in Africa, but it's a tough ask. Ramaphosa digs his heels in in South Africa. And the UN warnings about deadly drones in Sudan. References/further reading:https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cze2wpk7y76ohttps://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2026/5/13/can-macrons-kenya-visit-revive-french-influence-in-africahttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9369q3g7w7ohttps://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2026/05/turk-issues-high-alert-widening-sudan-conflict-amid-increased-use-droneshttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqxp23272j3ohttps://www.reuters.com/sustainability/society-equity/ugandan-lawmakers-pass-scaled-back-sovereignty-law-after-central-bank-warning-2026-05-06/topcastmedia.co.uk

This week: South Africa's president faces impeachment hearing over couch stash. No room for two big guns in Nigeria's opposition tent. China drops tariffs for Africa - except for Eswatini. And Tanzanian's leader didn't get the memo over a new oil refinery. References/further reading:  https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-05-08-live-concourt-set-to-rule-on-phala-phala-scandal/?dm_source=blocks-grid-wide&dm_medium=card-link&dm_campaign=informhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0q20xzwppdohttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwy2v509217ohttps://www.semafor.com/article/05/05/2026/zambia-pushes-back-against-us-healthcare-deal-tied-to-minerals-accesshttps://www.africa-confidential.com/article/id/15994/abu-dhabi-ups-the-stakes-with-weapons-case-against-sudan-army-insiders%c2%a0https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/national/article/2001547006/why-didnt-you-tell-me-about-my-own-refinery-samia-confronts-rutotopcastmedia.co.uk

This week: Mayhem in Mali as Russia loses ground. Kenya's Kenya's Sebastian Sawe breaks the barrier of human endurance at the London Marathon. Pooling for power in East Africa? And a new South African policy puts the artificial in AI. References/further reading:https://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20260427-mali-plunged-into-uncertainty-following-coordinated-attacks-on-juntahttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/articles/cp383n09030ohttps://www.reuters.com/business/energy/east-african-nations-discussing-regional-refinery-project-kenya-president-says-2026-04-23/https://apnews.com/article/south-africa-illegal-immigration-march-protests-cbc323b775625516597792db82d87ae0https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/south-africa-withdraws-ai-policy-due-fake-ai-generated-sources-2026-04-27/topcastmedia.co.uk

This week: Pope Leo finishes his Africa tour - putting further distance between himself and the Trump White House. Taiwan's president told Eswatini is a no-go, who is calling the shots? Nigeria gets a new finance minister. And Türkiye told to stay in its lane.References/further reading:https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c80m4822m1nohttps://www.reuters.com/world/china/taiwan-president-cancels-eswatini-trip-blames-chinese-pressure-african-countries-2026-04-21/https://businessday.ng/news/article/tinubu-removes-wale-edun-in-cabinet-reshuffle-elevates-oyedele-as-finance-minister/https://dailytrust.com/kenyan-president-hits-back-at-tinubu-mocks-nigerians/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/athletics/world-athletics-turkey-allegiance-transfers-favour-ofili-b2959184.htmltopcastmedia.co.uk

This week: Pope Leo in Africa - is Trump watching? The world remembers to remember Sudan, three years on from the start of the war. It's back to the future for South Africa's new man in Washington. And the DRC is very popular on the international markets.References/further reading:https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg0jyx4qq7ohttps://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2026/apr/15/more-than-1bn-pledged-for-sudan-as-humanitarian-crisis-deepenshttps://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/4/15/south-africa-appoints-former-apartheid-era-negotiator-as-us-ambassadorhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz788z27j2johttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg4g44zv37qohttps://www.reuters.com/world/africa/congo-launches-maiden-eurobond-sale-sources-say-2026-04-09/https://www.wistv.com/2026/04/14/madina-okot-heading-atlanta-dream-no-13-pick-2026-wnba-draft/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx299rxk0ngotopcastmedia.co.uk

This week: Ceasefire or no ceasefire in the Middle East - sub-Saharan Africa gets a stark warning from the IMF. History in The Gambia as a prosecutor appointed for Jammeh-era crimes. Nigeria starts the largest anti-terror trial in its history. And same country - but different name: 50 years on, the DRC heads back to the World Cup. References/further reading:https://apnews.com/article/imf-global-economy-downgrade-war-tariff-f70405a5ef0526371bd7b577b13c4796https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjr90wyw09wohttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckg9y95kxyko https://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20260406-dr-congo-will-receive-third-country-deportees-under-new-deal-with-ushttps://www.africanews.com/2026/04/06/world-cup-2026-kinshasa-celebrates-the-leopards-historic-qualification/topcastmedia.co.uk

This week: Africa feels the impact of the Middle East war at the pumps, but can countries keep the lights on? An historic day at the UN as the legacy of slavery is highlighted. France thinks again about having South Africa over for the G7. Namibia says no to Musk. And Madagascar's new president dusts off the lie detector. References/further reading:https://www.africa-confidential.com/article/id/15907/another-war--another-bill-for-africahttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq8wkq1n9epohttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg06q36052ohttps://news.un.org/en/story/2026/03/1167199https://www.ft.com/content/ca914de4-f602-4703-ae03-93c34449e5f2?syn-25a6b1a6=1https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c070kg5rn0kohttps://www.connectingafrica.com/regulation/starlink-blocked-from-operating-in-namibiahttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/20/madagascar-military-ruler-new-ministers-lie-detector-teststopcastmedia.co.uk

This week: The chaotic Afcon final that keeps on giving - are there any winners? An historic state visit for Tinubu to the UK, with an agreement to send more Nigerians home. Access for aid in Zambia? And the Sahel labelled the world's most murderous terror hotspot.References/further reading: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cwygyq495j8ohttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crm1w24p8p7ohttps://www.semafor.com/article/03/19/2026/nigerias-president-eyes-trade-boost-on-uk-visithttps://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-zambia-hiv-aids-marco-rubio-b2940365.htmlhttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/16/health/zambia-hiv-aid-minerals-trump.htmlhttps://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/3/17/belgium-diplomat-ordered-to-stand-trial-over-killing-of-patrice-lumumbahttps://www.economicsandpeace.org/reports/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/19/jihadist-violence-nigeria-drc-terrorism-indextopcastmedia.co.uk

This week: Trouble in the skies for Africa as the war in the Middle East rages on - but some see an opportunity. Why Washington's new man in South Africa has caused consternation in Pretoria. Has Ghana's government set the gold standard for the rest of the continent? And deadly floods in East Africa - what are the consequences?References/further reading:https://www.semafor.com/newsletter/03/11/2026/south-africas-gdp-figureshttps://www.semafor.com/article/03/09/2026/us-iran-conflict-hands-south-africas-budget-new-stress-testhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c14m1vzmxz3ohttps://africa.businessinsider.com/local/markets/africas-largest-gold-producer-to-introduce-new-royalty-regime-despite-opposition-from/kc9x3mphttps://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/3/12/at-least-52-killed-dozens-reported-missing-after-landslides-in-ethiopiatopcastmedia.co.uk

This week: Africa hit by the war between Iran and the US/Israel, Washington runs out of patience with Rwanda, the Anglican Church shaken by a meeting of furious bishops in Abuja and Somalia welcomes a new constitution - but must navigate major obstacles first. References/further reading:https://www.dw.com/en/how-the-us-israel-war-with-iran-is-reshaping-africa/a-76223689https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr5l7zdnjgpohttps://apnews.com/article/anglican-communion-churches-gafcon-nigeria-f66ddcc9e4e1970fccb42b22c4532bc3https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGUo6fX3M1Mhttps://www.reuters.com/world/africa/somali-parliament-approves-constitution-change-extend-presidents-term-delay-2026-03-05/topcastmedia.co.uk

This week: Senegal's fiscal hole gets deeper - and Mozambique offers precious little comfort. Zimbabwe shuts the door on raw exports, much to China's horror. Kissing seems to be a crime in Uganda. And Pope Leo books his ticket to the continent. References/further reading:https://www.semafor.com/article/02/25/2026/senegal-imf-fail-to-strike-lending-deal-as-debt-mountshttps://www.reuters.com/world/africa/senegal-expected-make-march-eurobond-payments-time-sources-say-2026-02-17/https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/world-bank-aims-give-mozambique-6-billion-financing-over-next-five-years-2026-02-23/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/2/25/zimbabwe-imposes-ban-on-exports-of-all-raw-minerals-and-lithium-concentratehttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwy6nd3664nohttps://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2026/feb/26/women-arrested-uganda-kissing-public-lgbtq-lawshttps://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/pope-leo-to-visit-monaco-africa-and-spain-vatican-confirms/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm2x1n95z5votopcastmedia.co.uk

This week: Nairobi gets tough with Moscow over frontline recruits. Will we soon see more American boots on the ground in Nigeria? Just a trickle out of the taps in South Africa's commercial capital. And the blouse backlash in Ghana. References/further reading:https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0k1jzvrykrohttps://www.france24.com/en/africa/20260210-kenya-slams-russia-use-citizens-lured-to-ukraine-as-cannon-fodderhttps://apnews.com/article/nigeria-us-military-extremism-218c291ea2c5a36f84ac177764de7e94https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/2/10/somalia-saudi-arabia-sign-agreement-on-military-cooperationhttps://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-02-10-while-joburg-battles-for-water-tankers-t-tankers-theyve-been-failing-at-informal/https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/business/Ghana-sets-new-producer-price-for-remainder-of-2025-2026-cocoa-season-2021446https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgqg8xegxqxotopcastmedia.co.uk

This week: Haunted by history - Saif al‑Islam Gaddafi killed in Libya. AGOA is back for a year, but so what? The Zulu king sparks criticism over xenophobia. And the Zambian currency shows the rest of the world how it's done. References/further reading:https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp37g4xgkxdohttps://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20260204-sa%C3%AFf-al-islam-kadhafi-heir-apparent-without-a-crownhttps://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-02-04-resuscitation-of-agoa-gets-few-cheers-in-sa/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/2/3/moscow-confirms-russian-forces-helped-repel-isil-attack-on-niger-airporthttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd6we3009dgohttps://africa.businessinsider.com/local/markets/with-the-worlds-best-performing-currency-and-second-best-stock-market-zambia-is/wdnhyg2topcastmedia.co.uk