Author: WAJ Team

As Africa’s economic landscape continues to evolve, South Africa is projected to retain its position as the continent’s largest economy in 2025, with an expected GDP of $410.34 billion, according to the latest figures from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This marks a continued dominance by South Africa, which remains a key player in both regional and global economic affairs. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a crucial metric that measures the total value of goods and services produced by a country in a given year, is often regarded as the barometer of a nation’s economic health. GDP not only gauges…

Mozambique has officially commenced its participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), following a launch ceremony held Saturday in the port city of Beira, led by Prime Minister Benvinda Levi. Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Levi emphasized Mozambique’s growing trade ties across the continent, noting that exchanges with African partners totaled 7.1 billion U.S. dollars over the past five years. She called on the private sector to intensify investments in industrial development and infrastructure, key pillars of the government’s “Industrialize Mozambique” agenda. “The AfCFTA provides a platform for strengthening strategic partnerships and expanding economic opportunities for our businesses,”…

In a landmark decision, 746 prisoners have been granted early release from correctional and rehabilitation centers nationwide, following a presidential pardon issued to mark Sinai Liberation Day. Sinai Liberation Day, celebrated annually on April 25th, commemorates Egypt’s successful return of the Sinai Peninsula from Israeli control in 1982. The day symbolizes national pride, sovereignty, and a historic moment in Egypt’s modern history, marking the fulfillment of the country’s long-standing territorial ambitions. The presidential pardon, issued in honor of this significant occasion, is part of broader efforts to modernize the country’s penal system. It places emphasis on rehabilitation over punitive measures,…

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has pledged to speed up Namibia’s oil production, setting out a bold agenda to achieve first production in record time. Delivering her maiden State of the Nation Address to Parliament on Thursday, Nandi-Ndaitwah outlined a focused strategy aimed at unlocking the full value of Namibia’s hydrocarbon resources. She committed her administration to accelerating strategic partnerships, simplifying regulatory frameworks, and investing in key infrastructure projects. “This milestone will not only strengthen our energy independence but will also drive rural and peri-urban electrification, stimulate employment, enhance local skills, and ensure sustainable development for generations to come,” she said. Namibia,…

Uganda on Saturday announced the end of its latest Ebola outbreak, three months after the deadly virus resurfaced in the capital, Kampala. The outbreak was first reported on January 30, following the death of a male nurse who had tested positive for the virus. In a statement shared on X, the Ministry of Health confirmed the development, celebrating the milestone with the words, “Good news! The current Ebola Sudan Virus Disease outbreak has officially come to an end.” Authorities said the declaration came after 42 consecutive days without a new infection, meeting international standards for ending an outbreak. However, the…

The Mozambican military has rescued at least 280 women and children who were held captive by the Naparama militant group in the northern and central regions of the country. The victims had been confined for more than two weeks at a former guerrilla base in Zambezia province. Brigadier General Bernado Ntchokomola, who led the operation, explained that the captives were being trained to join the militant group. During their captivity, the women were reportedly subjected to sexual abuse, while their children and husbands were forced to witness the acts. The military is now working to return the victims to their…

Burkina Faso has authorised Russian mining company Nordgold to begin industrial-scale operations at the Niou gold deposit, a move aimed at revitalising the national economy amid record global gold prices and persistent insecurity. The announcement, made following a Council of Ministers meeting late Thursday, marks a significant expansion of Russian economic influence in the West African nation. Since the military-led government assumed power in 2022, Ouagadougou has steadily pivoted away from traditional Western partners, embracing new alliances with Moscow. The Niou deposit, located in Kourweogo province in the Plateau-Central region, spans 52.8 square kilometres. It falls under the former exploration…

During his official visit to Madagascar, French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the importance of reconciliation and forgiveness in addressing the colonial legacy of France’s rule over the island. Speaking at the historic Rova Palace in Antananarivo on Thursday, Macron acknowledged the painful chapters of history caused by French colonization, referring to them as “bloody” and “painful.” In his address to the Malagasy people, Macron acknowledged that the journey of forgiveness is a deeply personal one, but assured that France is ready to create the necessary conditions for healing. “Only you can walk the path of forgiveness, which is deeply personal,”…

Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema has secured a decisive win in the recent presidential election, with the Constitutional Court announcing his victory on April 25, 2025. Oligui Nguema, a prominent figure in the race, garnered an overwhelming 94.85% of the votes, marking a nearly 5% increase from the provisional results released by the Ministry of the Interior the day after the April 12 elections. The final results solidify Oligui Nguema’s position as the country’s next leader, following a campaign marked by widespread support and enthusiasm. His substantial margin of victory highlights the confidence voters have placed in his leadership and vision…

Congo and Rwanda are set to sign a pivotal agreement this Friday in Washington, aimed at fostering peace, stability, and economic development in the volatile eastern region of Congo, diplomatic sources have confirmed. This deal comes in response to a violent escalation caused by the advance of Rwandan-backed M23 rebels, and signals a new diplomatic effort to end the decades-long conflict that has plagued the region. The agreement is seen as a crucial step toward breaking the cycle of violence that has marked the strained relationship between the two nations, whose tensions are rooted in the aftermath of the 1994…

South Africa’s Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has ruled out stepping aside following the government’s decision to withdraw a proposed value-added tax (VAT) hike, despite mounting criticism from political opponents and growing concern over the country’s economic trajectory. Speaking in Washington, D.C. during the International Monetary Fund and World Bank spring meetings, Godongwana defended the fiscal proposal and its objectives, stating that his role is to table financial legislation—not to guarantee its popularity. “I’m responsible for introducing money bills,” he told reporters. “There’s no obligation that they must always be well-received.” The now-abandoned VAT plan, which aimed to incrementally increase the…

Namibia has announced a bold move to make higher education fully free at public universities and technical colleges from 2026, in a sweeping reform aimed at expanding access for young people and addressing long-standing inequality in the education sector. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah made the declaration during her first State of the Nation Address on Thursday, less than a month after assuming office as the country’s first female head of state. “From the next academic year, commencing 2026, tertiary education will become 100/percent subsidized by the government,” she told lawmakers, describing the move as a direct response to the voices of…

Tunisian authorities have repatriated 149 Guinean nationals in a coordinated effort with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), as part of a “voluntary return” initiative aimed at assisting migrants wishing to return to their home countries. The repatriation, which took place on Thursday, is the first in a series of planned flights to help migrants voluntarily return home. Beginning in May, these repatriation efforts will be carried out on a weekly basis, as confirmed by Imed Memacha, spokesperson for Tunisia’s General Directorate of National Security. Memacha noted that the increasing number of migrants opting to leave Tunisia is the result…

At least ten people lost their lives following the collapse of a gold mine in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, local authorities confirmed on Thursday. The incident occurred in the Luhihi area of South Kivu province, which is currently under the control of the M23 rebel movement. Douglas Dunia Masumbuko, the rebel-appointed governor of South Kivu, said the death toll had reached ten but warned the number could climb due to numerous injuries reported at the scene. He blamed the disaster on “uncontrolled construction and poor maintenance” of the mining wells in the area. Mining-related fatalities are not uncommon in…

May 17 to mark historic memorialisation of Burkina Faso’s revolutionary leader and 12 companions. Burkina Faso is set to inaugurate a national mausoleum dedicated to Thomas Sankara and his 12 comrades on May 17, 2025—precisely 42 years after the event that triggered the country’s historic 1983 revolution. Announced by the government on April 24, the ceremony will take place in Ouagadougou under the patronage of President Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who has increasingly aligned his leadership with the legacy of the late revolutionary. The date was chosen to commemorate the day Sankara, then Prime Minister, was arrested—a pivotal moment that ignited…

Africa is experiencing a complex economic shift, as fluctuating global commodity prices bring mixed fortunes to countries across the continent. While soaring gold prices offer an unexpected lifeline for some, plummeting oil values are putting pressure on major exporters. This comes as Africa grapples with the consequences of U.S. trade tensions and the suspension of U.S. aid under President Donald Trump’s administration. Oil-exporting nations such as Nigeria and Angola are feeling the strain of a significant drop in Brent crude, which has fallen below $67 per barrel, down from around $75 at the start of the month. These countries, whose…