Author: Kudret

In a significant shift in trade patterns, Nigeria’s Dangote refinery is preparing to export its first gasoline cargo outside the West African region, with the shipment destined for Asia, a source familiar with the development has confirmed. The cargo, weighing approximately 90,000 metric tons, is expected to be loaded on June 22 by Mercuria, a global energy and commodities trading company. This marks a milestone for the refinery, which has until now supplied gasoline exclusively within West Africa since it began international exports in 2023. The Dangote refinery, located in Lagos and with a processing capacity of 650,000 barrels per…

In the aftermath of catastrophic floods that hit Nigeria’s north-central Niger State, more than 700 residents from the Mokwa community remain missing, nearly three weeks after the incident. The scale of the disaster, which has caused significant loss of life and property, was confirmed by state authorities on Wednesday. According to Niger State Governor Umaru Bago, at least 207 people have died due to the flooding. The disaster struck on May 29 following three consecutive days of intense rainfall that triggered widespread flooding in the Mokwa Local Government Area. The area serves as a crucial trade corridor, connecting agricultural producers…

The 27th Africa Energy Forum (AEF) commenced today with a resounding appeal for unity and swift action to resolve the continent’s deepening energy crisis, which continues to leave 600 million people without electricity. In a keynote address, Amadou Hott, former Special Envoy for the Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa at the African Development Bank, emphasized the central role of energy in shaping Africa’s future. “Without reliable, sustainable, and affordable energy, transformation is out of reach,” he stated, underscoring that the continent’s development is inextricably linked to energy access. A Vision of Integrated Power Networks Hott advocated for a continent-wide…

Senegal’s Ministry of Finance has delayed the release of its budget execution reports for the final quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025, now rescheduling the publication to June 23. The delay comes as the country’s newly elected administration takes steps to restore fiscal transparency and rebuild investor trust following revelations of misreported public debt figures under the previous government. While the original date for publishing the reports was not disclosed, the ministry stated in a communique dated June 16 that the decision was made to ensure the “sincerity and reliability” of the data. The government is currently…

At least 60 migrants and refugees are feared to have drowned in two separate shipwrecks off Libya’s coast, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), as efforts to reach Europe continue to claim lives. Othman Belbeisi, IOM’s regional director for the Middle East and North Africa, urged the global community to reinforce maritime rescue efforts and ensure survivors have access to secure and consistent landing points. “Entire families are suffering, and the lack of response cannot continue,” he stated. The first tragedy occurred on June 12 near Alshab port in Tripolitania. Only five people were rescued, while 21 remain…

Constant Mutamba, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Minister of State for Justice, is under scrutiny over allegations of attempting to siphon off millions through a private contract linked to the construction of a prison in Kisangani, located in the country’s northeast. On Tuesday, June 17, Mutamba held a closed-door meeting with the president that lasted around 45 minutes. While no official statement followed, insider sources indicate that the minister signaled his intention to step down within hours. The legal framework gives little leeway—ministers facing charges are mandated to resign within 48 hours. Mutamba is currently assembling his legal defense in…

TotalEnergies is set to restart its $20 billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) development in Mozambique, with construction expected to resume during the summer months, company CEO Patrick Pouyanne announced on Wednesday. Pouyanne shared the update during a panel discussion at the Japan Energy Summit in Tokyo. He confirmed that preparations are underway for the long-awaited recommencement of the major project, which had been suspended under force majeure since 2021 due to security concerns. The Mozambique LNG project, one of the most significant energy investments in Africa, was halted following a series of insurgent attacks in the Cabo Delgado region, where…

Windhoek is set to become a regional hub for climate and disaster preparedness as it prepares to host two major continental forums focused on enhancing Africa’s ability to manage climate risks and extreme weather events. From June 23 to 27, 2025, the Namibian capital will welcome delegates from across Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific for the Joint Second Intra-ACP Climate Services and Related Applications (ClimSA) Forum and the First Space for Early Warning in Africa (SEWA) Forum. The events are being jointly organized by the African Union Commission (AUC), the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat, and the Government…

Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf held a telephone conversation on Monday with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi to assess the worsening situation in the Middle East following recent clashes between Israel and Iran. According to a statement issued by Algeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Araghchi briefed Attaf on the aftermath of Israel’s latest military operations. He warned that the continued attacks were destabilizing the region and posed a significant threat to broader international peace and security. In response, Attaf expressed Algeria’s unwavering condemnation of what he referred to as Israeli aggression. He underscored Algeria’s consistent support for international legal…

Malian President Assimi Goita on Monday presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for a new gold refinery in a suburb of Bamako, marking a major step toward increasing national control over one of the country’s most vital economic sectors. Planned to span five hectares, the facility is designed to handle the refining of up to 200 tonnes of gold annually once fully operational within two years. Although authorities have not revealed the project’s total cost, the scale and ambition of the refinery underscore Mali’s strategic shift toward domestic gold processing. Until now, Mali, Africa’s fourth-largest gold producer, has exported nearly all…

Guatemala has reaffirmed its firm support for Morocco’s territorial integrity during a session of the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonization (C24), held recently in New York. The Central American nation called for a political resolution to the long-running dispute over Western Sahara and highlighted Morocco’s 2007 Autonomy Plan as the most viable route forward. Delivering her country’s statement, the Guatemalan diplomat described the Autonomy Plan as both “realistic” and “credible,” emphasizing its potential to serve as a solid foundation for a negotiated settlement between the parties involved. She underscored the importance of preserving Morocco’s national unity and its sovereign…

Twelve supporters of South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party were killed and 32 others injured in a devastating bus crash early Tuesday morning, the party confirmed in a statement. The group was returning to Pretoria after attending a Youth Day rally in Durban on Monday when the accident occurred. EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo said the crash took place just after midnight near Vryheid, a town in the KwaZulu-Natal province. According to preliminary findings from the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), a truck collided with the side of the bus, ripping it open and causing severe damage, state broadcaster SABC reported.…

Julius Malema, leader of South Africa’s far-left Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has strongly pushed back against calls from former U.S. President Donald Trump demanding his arrest over chanting the controversial liberation song “Kill the Boer, Kill the Farmer.” Speaking to a large crowd during a Youth Day rally in Durban on Monday, Malema accused Trump of fearing the political power and growing influence of his party. “Comrades, let us build a strong organization,” Malema said, rallying supporters. “This EFF party scares even Donald Trump. It scares Elon Musk too,” he added, suggesting that the party’s message and momentum have rattled…

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has initiated the formation of a high-level Crisis Committee to monitor and respond to the widening military conflict between Iran and Israel. The committee’s primary role is to evaluate potential fallout from the confrontation and ensure Egypt is prepared to address disruptions across critical sectors, including the economy, energy, food supply, and national security. Cabinet Spokesperson Counselor Mohamed El-Homossany announced that the committee will be chaired by the Prime Minister himself and include several top government officials. Among them are the Governor of the Central Bank and the Ministers of Industry, Planning and Economic Development,…

Ghana is losing billions of dollars each year to illicit gold trade stemming from its informal mining sector, with much of the unreported gold flowing to the United Arab Emirates, according to a detailed investigation by Swiss non-governmental organization Swissaid. The report identified a striking gap of 229 metric tons—equivalent to $11.4 billion—between Ghana’s declared gold exports and the corresponding import data from trading partners over a five-year period. The discrepancy points to widespread smuggling, with Dubai emerging as the primary destination for the untracked gold. Swissaid’s findings offer a rare quantitative look into the opaque world of artisanal gold…

The South African government has called on all its citizens currently residing in or visiting Iran to urgently register with the South African Embassy in Tehran, as tensions in the Middle East escalate amid ongoing military exchanges between Iran and Israel. The advisory was issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), which raised concerns over the deteriorating security environment in the region. With the conflict intensifying, the safety of foreign nationals — including South Africans — is becoming increasingly precarious. In its statement, DIRCO underscored the critical need for citizens to ensure their presence is known to…