By Miguel Sanz João Lourenço has been president of Angola since September 2017. About one year later, he cemented his hold on power by taking over the chairmanship of the ruling Movimento Popular de Libertação de Angola (MPLA). Although he reshuffled the government, for instance by replacing the transport minister, and the…
While the threat of Ebola virus spread in Democratic Republic of Congo remains under close monitoring, the wider fight against HIV infection, tuberculosis and malaria continues across sub-Saharan Africa. The latter remains a special concern, according to the Global Fund. “After years of steady declines, malaria cases are on the…
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed welcomed China’s foreign minister Wang Yi on Thursday, as Wang continues a tour that takes him on official visits to African Union headquarters as well as Burkina Faso, The Gambia and Senegal this week. Abiy noted China’s “immense contribution to Ethiopia,” his office said. “Prime…
The World Bank’s 2018 Year in Review report offers insights on global trends, with 14 charts to present the visual data – and the African continent is at the center of a few key metrics as we head into 2019. “Extreme poverty is at the lowest level in recorded history…
Christine Lagarde, managing director for the International Monetary Fund (IMF), completed a recent visit to Angola with a warning that the OPEC nation – Africa’s second largest oil producer, behind Nigeria – needs to shift away from its oil reliance. “Angola has come a long way since the end of…
Namibia has upped investment in its fishing industry with the welcome of “Oshiveli,” the country’s first brand-new fishing vessel built for Tunacor. The USD$13.8 million ship was built in Spain before arriving in Walvis Bay, where it is set to begin working at the end of December, according to the…
The protests in Sudan spread to Khartoum and beyond on Thursday, as public anger over the country’s economic situation spilled across the nation with reports of fatalities in some cities. Marchers in Khartoum demanded an end to thieves and corruption, according to the Sudan Change Now political movement. The organization…
African Union leaders in Vienna to attend the High-Level Forum Africa-Europe on Tuesday urged their European counterparts to view African nations as equals as they move forward on technology, trade and other key issues. Moussa Faki Mahamat, chairman of the AU Commission, delivered forceful remarks that highlighted the continent’s expectations…
The Nigerian people were cheated out of an estimated USD$6 billion when a 2011 oil rights deal enriched its own officials but really benefited two international oil majors – Royal Dutch Shell and the Italian Eni – instead of Nigeria, according to a report released Monday by London-based NGO Global…
China’s foreign ministry spoke out Thursday on increasing tensions in Zambia over the Chinese role in the country, which has been criticized most recently by longtime political opposition leader Haikande Hichilema. Hichilema was detained for questioning earlier this week after he was accused of making public anti-China statements that led…
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair was in Togo on Wednesday, meeting with President Faure Gnassingbé as part of a long-term consulting project to boost economic development in the small West African nation. Blair has been doing consulting work with African countries for the past decade, and launched the Tony…
The African Union has approved a USD$681.5 million budget for 2019 during its extraordinary summit in Addis Ababa, which began Wednesday. The details include $273.3 million for financing the peacekeeping budget, with another $249.8 million to the AU program budget and $158.5 million for the operational budget. There are now…
By Zandre Campos As Angola seeks to diversify its economy, one of the key sectors that continues to grow is infrastructure development. The country has continued to strengthen its mutually beneficial relationships with allies, particularly China, which has invested in Angola’s infrastructure since the two countries established diplomatic relations in…
China has pushed back against a German-media article that claimed China is “pocketing” Africa in unscrupulous ways, all intended to deliver undue political influence through unethical practices. The November 7 article written by Nils Kottmann for Bild, a tabloid frequently criticized for its sensationalism, asserted that China was spying on…
The Africa Investment Forum ended Friday with some 45 deals worth over US$32 billion set in motion with secured investment interest, and a promising emphasis in the continent’s Lusaphone nations. More than 1,000 delegates attended the three-day event in Johannesburg, according to the African Development Bank (AfDB). South Africa, Germany…