Author: Abdihakim Kalale

Tanzania has completed the landmark $260 million John Magufuli Bridge, a 3.2-kilometer structure stretching across Lake Victoria and now officially recognized as East Africa’s longest bridge. The bridge, which links Kigongo and Busisi in the Lake Zone, will be inaugurated on June 19, 2025, in a high-profile ceremony led by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, according to Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa. Constructed by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and China Railway 15th Bureau (CR15B), the project was launched in 2019 under the late President John Magufuli and faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Entirely financed by Tanzania with over…

Despite persistent global headwinds and internal pressures, several African countries are defying expectations in 2025 with strong economic growth fueled by reform, resource potential, and demographic dynamism. The latest International Monetary Fund (IMF) data highlights a group of nations leading Africa’s growth charge based on year-on-year GDP performance. Africa’s population is projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, and with over 60% of its citizens under the age of 25, the continent holds immense long-term promise. Critical mineral wealth, an expanding middle class, and the ongoing implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) continue to underpin growth across…

Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, is on a three-day official visit to Morocco aimed at strengthening diplomatic and trade relations between the two nations. The visit, which began Sunday, marks a key milestone with the official inauguration of Kenya’s embassy in Rabat. In a statement posted on social media following his meeting with Ambassador Jessica Gakinya, Minister Mudavadi said discussions focused on correcting Kenya’s trade imbalance with Morocco. While Kenya currently imports goods worth KSh12 billion (approx. $92 million), largely composed of fertilizers and other essential commodities, its exports—mostly tea and coffee—stand at just KSh500…

Kenya’s government has announced plans to offload part of its 34.9% stake in Safaricom, the region’s most profitable telecommunications company, in a bold move to raise KSh149 billion ($1.16 billion) during the 2025/26 financial year. This privatization effort is part of a broader strategy to plug a widening budget deficit, ease rising debt repayment burdens, and avoid further tax increases amid mounting public discontent. Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi confirmed the plan in an interview with Business Daily, stating that the transaction would likely be Kenya’s largest divestiture in nearly two decades. “There is talk that if we could offload…

Ethiopia has officially recorded its first two cases of mpox, involving a 21-day-old infant and the child’s mother in the southern border town of Moyale, the Ministry of Health and Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) confirmed on Sunday. Health authorities believe the virus was likely introduced through cross-border movement, as the infant’s father had recently traveled to neighboring Kenya. Moyale is a key commercial and transit point situated on Ethiopia’s southern frontier, adjacent to Kenya and near Somalia — both of which have reported mpox outbreaks in recent years. According to a joint statement by the Ministry and EPHI, several…

According to the Puntland Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, the crew was captured on May 14, 2025, aboard the vessel Maimon 1, which is reportedly owned by the Yemeni government. The boat was intercepted near Ras Asir by the Puntland Coast Guard. Officials say the crew was using a banned fishing technique known locally as “Hawi,” a method prohibited under Puntland’s fisheries legislation. In addition, the vessel had no registered local agent or coordination with the ministry, which is a legal requirement for foreign fishing vessels operating in Puntland’s Exclusive Economic Zone. “This is a serious violation of Puntland’s…

In 2025, Sub-Saharan Africa is asserting its position as a global tech frontier. From fintech disruptors to AI pioneers, a new wave of digital transformation is reshaping economies, driven by local ingenuity and international investment. According to the 2025 Global Tech Ecosystem Index by Dealroom.co, seven cities in Sub-Saharan Africa have emerged as “Rising Stars” among the world’s fastest-growing tech ecosystems. These cities reflect a continent on the move — technologically ambitious, startup-focused, and globally recognized for innovation. The 7 Fastest-Growing Tech Cities in Sub-Saharan Africa (2025) Rank City Country Leading Companies Sectors 1 Lagos Nigeria Flutterwave, Paystack, OPay, Andela,…

The United States is signaling a recalibration of its military engagement in Africa, with its top general on the continent, Gen. Michael Langley, urging African partners to take greater responsibility for their own security during the conclusion of the African Lion 2025 military exercises. Speaking on the final day of the joint training event that brought together troops from over 40 nations, Langley emphasized a new tone: capacity-building over dependency. “We need to be able to get our partners to the level of independent operations,” he told reporters, adding pointedly, “There needs to be some burden sharing.” The shift in…

The United States has announced new sanctions against Sudan’s military-led government, citing the alleged use of chemical weapons during its ongoing war with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The move adds further pressure to Sudan’s deeply fragile political and humanitarian landscape, where millions are already enduring famine, displacement, and insecurity. According to the US State Department, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by General Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan, were found to have violated the Chemical Weapons Convention following allegations that chlorine gas was used in attacks during 2024. Details of the incidents, including precise locations and casualties, have not been publicly…

Marked annually on May 25, Africa Day celebrates the founding of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1963, and its transformation into the African Union (AU) in 2002. This year’s theme, “Education for Liberation: Empowering the African Future,” reflects a continental focus on youth development, innovation, and inclusive governance in line with Agenda 2063 — the African Union’s strategic framework for socio-economic transformation. A Historic Legacy: From OAU to AU Africa Day traces its origins to May 25, 1963, when leaders from 32 independent African nations gathered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, under the vision of Pan-African unity. Spearheaded by…

President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh has raised alarm over the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) expansive presence in Africa, accusing the Gulf nation of masking military ambitions beneath its multi-billion-dollar investment campaigns. In a recent interview with Radio France Internationale, Guelleh described the UAE’s $110 billion investment push across the continent as a calculated strategy to expand military influence under the guise of economic development. “These investments are not purely economic ventures,” he said. “They are intertwined with military objectives that risk compromising the sovereignty and stability of African nations.” The president revealed that Djibouti had previously rejected a UAE request to…

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has announced that its Executive Board is on course to assess the third review of Ethiopia’s $3.4 billion economic reform programme within the scheduled timeline, potentially unlocking a key disbursement for the East African nation. In a statement to Reuters, IMF spokesperson Julie Kozack said, “We anticipate that the IMF Executive Board will consider the third review this summer, consistent with the original review schedule.” The statement did not confirm the status of a staff-level agreement, which Ethiopia’s government had earlier expected “within days” following an IMF staff visit in April. If approved, the June…

Former Galmudug President and current special envoy to Somaliland, Abdikarim Hussein Guled, has issued a public letter expressing grave concern about Somalia’s worsening political climate. Addressing President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud directly, Guled warned that the country is heading toward deeper fragmentation and insecurity if urgent corrective measures are not taken. Once a key supporter of President Hassan Sheikh and a central figure in the early political alliance that brought him to power, Guled now fears the government’s direction is endangering national unity and weakening state institutions. In his statement, Guled criticized the disintegration of cohesion within the armed forces, the…

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed conducted an official working visit to Paris on Thursday, where he met with French President Emmanuel Macron. The visit follows a previous meeting between the two leaders held in Addis Ababa in December 2024. The Office of the Prime Minister announced that Abiy is leading a high-level delegation to France, with an official welcome ceremony held at the Musée de l’Armée. Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the trip as a “working visit,” without providing additional specifics. In a public statement, Prime Minister Abiy emphasized the importance of strengthening Ethiopia–France relations, particularly in areas of…

Australian mining firm Askari Metals has taken a major step into Ethiopia’s gold sector, finalising due diligence to acquire 460 square kilometres of high-potential exploration territory in the Adola greenstone belt — home to the country’s largest gold-producing mines. The acquisition gives Askari direct access to ground adjacent to Ethiopia’s two operating gold giants, Lega Dembi and Sakaro, both of which have produced millions of ounces of gold. The company is acquiring Rift Valley Metals, current holder of the tenements, in a $400,000 deal split evenly between cash and shares, with further performance-based payments tied to exploration results. Askari’s new…

The United States has announced upcoming sanctions against Sudan after determining that the Sudanese government used chemical weapons during 2024 in its conflict with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). According to a statement released by the U.S. State Department on Thursday, Sudan was found in violation of its commitments under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). The official determination has been submitted to Congress, triggering a 15-day notification period before sanctions are enacted. Once in effect, the sanctions will restrict U.S. exports to Sudan and block the country’s access to U.S. government credit lines. The measures are expected to be…