Author: Editorial Staff

IN a nod to his exceptional dedication and impact in the realm of technology, Africa Briefing’s Contributing Editor Professor Ojo Emmanuel Ademola has been named the recipient of the esteemed Tech Excellence Award at the upcoming 4th Edition Southwest Investment Summit and Advancement Award in 2024. This prestigious accolade acknowledges Professor Ademola’s profound contributions to technology and his instrumental role in advancing technological innovation in the Southwest region. Renowned for his pioneering work in technology research, education, and mentorship, Professor Ademola has left an indelible mark on the field. His innovative approach to addressing complex technological challenges and his unwavering…

IN a heart-stopping incident that underscores the challenges of human-wildlife coexistence, a mother in northern Zambia bravely rescued her two-year-old toddler from the clutches of a leopard, as yet another case of human-animal conflict unfolded in one of Africa’s prized wildlife habitats. The harrowing encounter occurred on Sunday in the remote region of Nabwalya Chiefdom, nestled near the renowned North Luangwa National Park, known for its diverse array of wildlife, including Africa’s famed ‘Big Five.’ The toddler, now recuperating at Chilonga Mission General Hospital in Mpika District, sustained severe injuries in the attack, which occurred while the family was resting…

A TUMULTUOUS night in Suleja near the Nigerian capital saw over 100 inmates break free from prison after heavy rains battered the facility, causing significant damage, a spokesperson for the prison service confirmed. According to spokesperson Adamu Duza, the relentless downpour wreaked havoc on the medium-security prison, breaching the perimeter wall and impacting surrounding structures. ‘We are in hot chase to recapture the rest,’ Duza stated as service agents, in collaboration with other security agencies, intensified efforts to apprehend the fugitives. While 10 escapees have been successfully recaptured, Duza urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity…

BOTSWANA has firmly declined a proposal from the United Kingdom to accept asylum-seekers, mirroring concerns raised over a similar arrangement with Rwanda. The move comes amid criticism from civil society organisations and human rights advocates, denouncing the UK’s deportation plan as a violation of human rights and international conventions. The rejection by Botswana follows the passage of a bill in the UK’s House of Lords on Monday, paving the way for the deportation of migrants to Rwanda. This controversial measure has drawn condemnation from various quarters, including the United Nations. An umbrella of civil society organisations in Botswana urged the…

IN a significant acknowledgment of historical responsibility, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa of Portugal issued a call for reparations for crimes committed during the transatlantic slavery and colonial era. Speaking at an event late on Tuesday, President Rebelo de Sousa highlighted the need to confront Portugal’s past and address the enduring impacts of transatlantic slavery. ‘For over four centuries, at least 12.5 million Africans were kidnapped, forcibly transported long distances by mainly European ships and merchants, and sold into slavery,’ President Rebelo de Sousa stated, emphasising the magnitude of the atrocities committed. He acknowledged Portugal’s prominent role in the transatlantic…

IN a major crackdown, German police announced the arrest of 11 suspected members of a Nigerian mafia group allegedly involved in a large-scale dating scam. The apprehensions shed light on the Black Axe gang’s international criminal activities, with a focus on romance scams and money laundering. Bavarian police revealed that the Black Axe gang operated across multiple criminal spheres internationally, with a particular emphasis  on romance scams and money laundering. Describing the dating scam as a ‘modern form of marriage fraud,’ authorities emphasised the gang’s use of false identities to deceive victims. ‘Using false identities, the fraudsters, for example, signalled…

ON April 2, Bassirou Diomaye Faye was sworn in as Senegal’s fifth president, kicking off what some hope will be a transformative presidency. Faye’s impressive first-round win over his main challenger and former Prime Minister Amadou Ba was met with messages of congratulations from international partners such as France, the United States, and the United Kingdom, with French President Emmanuel Macron even tweeting in Wolof, the most prominent of Senegal’s national languages. Macron’s overture was widely seen as an outstretched hand from a country that was often on the receiving end of Faye’s campaign rhetoric. It is true that some…

CLAVER Gatete, the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), addressed the pressing fiscal and climate-related challenges facing Africa at the 10th Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Speaking at the opening session on Tuesday, Gatete emphasised the significant burden of public debt exacerbated by climate-related disasters and the diminishing fiscal space due to escalating financing requirements across the continent. ‘The growing burden of public debt due to climate-related disasters and the shrinking fiscal space because of increasing financing needs have put Africa at a crossroads,’ Gatete stated, highlighting the urgent need…

IN a move that has drawn both scrutiny and concern, Senegal’s newly elected President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has announced plans to renegotiate mining and oil contracts, prompting reactions from business analysts and political figures. Speaking through his Energy and Mines Minister Birame Souleye Diopon on April 11, President Faye signalled that the government would revisit oil, gas, and mining agreements following an upcoming audit. President Faye, Africa’s youngest democratically elected leader, campaigned on promises to prioritise the renegotiation of oil and gas contracts, citing existing agreements as ‘very unfavourable’ to Senegal. Australia-based Woodside Energy, which operates in Senegal’s Sangomar oil…

IN a bid to enhance the economic potential of Africa’s mineral wealth, member countries of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG) convened in Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe, for the inaugural Mining Investment Forum. During the two-day event, stakeholders emphasised the importance of adding value to mineral resources before exporting them. AMSG Secretary-General Moses Engadu underscored the need for African nations to maximise gains from their mineral reserves by processing them locally. Speaking at the forum’s launch, opened by Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera, Engadu highlighted a common challenge faced by African countries: the exportation of raw minerals instead of processed ones. ‘No…