China reaffirms economic commitment to Africa

China reaffirms economic commitment to Africa

China reaffirmed its commitment to the African continent on Monday, with foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin citing an increase in direct investment, and advances in medicine and other sectors. “Over the past 20 years, the flow of China’s direct investment in Africa has been growing by more than 25 percent…

New AU report zeroes in on COVID-19 economic impacts

New AU report zeroes in on COVID-19 economic impacts

There are now nearly 10,000 confirmed coronavirus cases in 51 African nations, with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reporting 442 fatalities as of Monday. Yet as the global pandemic continues to impact the continent, there’s growing concern over the economic impacts as well. A newly released report…

Zimbabwe national dialogue begins without Chamisa

President Emmerson Mnangagwa proudly kicked off a Zimbabwean national dialogue process on Wednesday, amid the country’s ongoing political and economic crisis – but opposition leader Nelson Chamisa was among those staying away. Mnangagwa said the dialogue launch marked the fulfillment of a pledge made at his inauguration to advance the…

Germany agrees it’s ‘the right time’ to be in Ethiopia

In Addis Ababa, President Sahle-Work Zewde met with his German counterpart Monday, and told President Frank-Walter Steinmeier that it was the right time for his nation to come to Ethiopia. That seemed evident when Steinmeier also participated in signing ceremonies with Volkswagen, as the German automaker announced an assembly plant…

Talking African economy at Davos: The AfCFTA and a unified market

When it comes to a unified African market – the topic of Tuesday’s panel discussion at the World Economic Forum in Davos – Bernard Gautier, deputy CEO of French investment firm Wendel Group, made it easy to see the existing barriers to business and Africa’s economic growth. There’s an office…

Laureen Fagan

Laureen is the editor of Africa Times

Angola: It’s time for effective action from João Lourenço

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…

Violent protests over the economy spill across Sudan’s cities

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 leaders welcome Bolsonaro, but concerns over the ‘new’ Brazil

Among the first heads of state to congratulate Brazil’s president-elect Jair Bolsonaro on Monday was President João Lourenço of Angola, leader of one of the six Lusophone nations in Africa that share membership in the Portuguese-speaking community (CPLP) and its most influential. Lourenço said he hopes the Bolsonaro victory will…

Laureen Fagan

Laureen is the editor of Africa Times