Author: WAJ Editor

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that eight countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, and Lesotho, could soon face severe shortages of HIV medication following the US government’s decision to pause foreign aid. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus cautioned that disruptions to HIV treatment programs could reverse two decades of progress, potentially leading to over 10 million new HIV infections and three million related deaths—more than triple last year’s toll. The affected nations—Nigeria, Kenya, Lesotho, South Sudan, Burkina Faso, and Mali, along with Haiti and Ukraine—are at risk of running out of life-saving antiretroviral (ARV) drugs in the coming months. Impact…

Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has regained control of his verified X account after it was hacked for 48 hours and used to promote a fake cryptocurrency scheme, his spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday. The breach, which began on Saturday, became evident on Sunday when the compromised account began promoting “Solanafrica,” a fake blockchain project attributed to Mahama. The hackers claimed that the initiative, allegedly led by the president, aims to enable free financial transactions across Africa using the Solana network. In an effort to lure investors, the fake posts urged Mahama’s followers to join the scheme. Despite efforts by his…

A groundbreaking study published in the journal Nature has revealed that Homo sapiens inhabited the area now known as the Anyama district in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, as far back as 150,000 years ago—marking the oldest known human presence in a tropical forest environment. This discovery significantly predates previous findings in similar ecosystems, which only traced human activity back 70,000 years in Asia and Oceania. The discovery was led by a team of around fifteen archaeologists and anthropologists from various countries. Their research highlights that African tropical forests were not an obstacle to early human settlement as previously assumed. Instead, these…

Denis Kazungu, a convicted serial killer sentenced to life imprisonment in March 2024, is set to appeal his sentence. The hearing is scheduled for June 13 at the High Court. Kazungu, 36, was convicted of murdering at least 13 people—mostly women—whose bodies were found buried in a pit at his rented home in Busanza, Kicukiro District, Kigali. He was arrested in September 2023 after police intervened in a dispute with his landlord, only to uncover the gruesome crimes. During his trial, prosecutors revealed Kazungu lured victims—primarily women from bars—to his home where he raped, tortured, and killed them. He also…

Nigeria’s inflation rate dropped to 23.18% in February, down from 24.48% in January, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The agency announced the figures on Monday, stating that the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which tracks changes in the cost of goods and services, reflected a 1.30% decrease in headline inflation compared to the previous month. “The February 2025 headline inflation rate showed a decrease of 1.30% compared to January,” the agency posted on X. Despite the overall decline, food inflation—an essential indicator for a country grappling with food security concerns—remained high at 23.51%. Economic Struggles Persist As Africa’s…

Morocco has been unanimously elected to lead the 57th session of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Conference of Ministers, focusing on advancing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Speaking at the session in Addis Ababa, Moroccan Minister of Industry and Trade Riyad Mezzour reaffirmed the country’s commitment to the AfCFTA, emphasizing its potential to reshape Africa’s economic landscape. Addressing African finance and development ministers, Mezzour described the AfCFTA as more than a legal framework, calling it a transformative initiative for the continent’s future. “The AfCFTA is the challenge of our generation,” Mezzour stated, urging African nations to take…

African nations have been called upon to deepen trade among themselves to unlock economic potential, create jobs, and boost global competitiveness. This was the central theme at the inaugural Africa Trade Conference hosted by Access Bank Plc in Cape Town, South Africa, where industry leaders, policymakers, and trade experts gathered to address barriers hindering intra-African trade. Access Bank’s CEO, Roosevelt Ogbonna, highlighted challenges such as limited access to capital, market information gaps, lack of trust between trading partners, and poor trade infrastructure. He stressed the need to strengthen Africa’s financial sector, promote local industries, and modernise trade routes to make…

Malawi has introduced a temporary ban on importing a range of goods that are readily available locally, aiming to safeguard domestic producers and preserve foreign currency reserves. Trade and Industry Minister Vitumbiko Mumba announced the decision on Monday, emphasizing that the move is essential to curb the rapid depletion of the country’s foreign exchange and bolster local industries. Under the newly enacted Control of Goods (Import and Export) (Commerce) (Prohibition) Order 2025, imports of several food products, including potatoes, maize meal, rice, fresh milk, and peanut butter, are restricted. Additionally, manufactured items such as bottled water, toothpicks, wooden furniture, and…

Kenya is set to negotiate a new agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as its current financial programme nears completion, the global lender announced on Monday. Despite being one of East Africa’s stronger economies, Kenya is struggling with a significant debt burden of around $80 billion, spanning both domestic and external obligations. Debt repayments now consume nearly two-thirds of the country’s annual revenue, surpassing government spending on essential sectors like health and education. However, efforts to increase tax revenues have faced strong public resistance. Shift in IMF Programme During an official visit to Kenya, the IMF confirmed that it…

The city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo is grappling with an unprecedented financial crisis after the M23 rebels took over two months ago. Banks have been closed due to security concerns, leaving residents unable to access their money, leaving many families in financial distress. “I have a bank card but I can’t use my money to support my family because the banks are closed,” complained Furaha Pendeza, a mother of six. The once vibrant city known for its vibrant trade is facing an economic recession that has paralyzed businesses and left many without income due to lack…

In an effort to protect freshwater ecosystems, South Africa has released thousands of weewil insects to combat the spread of Salvinia minima, an invasive aquatic plant threatening the Hartbeespoort Dam. The Department of Water and Sanitation, in collaboration with the Centre for Biological Control, introduced the Cyrtobagous salviniae weevil, a biological control agent known for effectively targeting invasive plant species. Deputy Minister Sello Seitlholo, who supervised the release, explained that the invasive weed depletes oxygen levels in the water, leading to fish deaths earlier this year. The weevils, which are subaquatic herbivores, specifically feed on Salvinia minima, helping to restore…

In a major public health breakthrough, Burundi has officially introduced the malaria vaccine into its routine immunization program. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Health, with support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), and Dalberg, the initiative aims to curb the spread of malaria and protect thousands of children’s lives. The launch event, held in Mpanda District and graced by Burundi’s First Lady Angeline Ndayishimiye, follows the arrival of 544,000 doses of the RTS,S malaria vaccine earlier this year. This development comes after the vaccine’s approval by the Burundian Medicines Regulatory Authority (ABREMA). Malaria remains one…

Ethiopian Airlines Group has signed a strategic partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB) to develop Bishoftu International Airport, a project expected to transform Ethiopia’s aviation sector. The agreement, formalized through a Letter of Intent, was signed by Ethiopian Airlines CEO Mesfin Tasew and AfDB Vice President Nnenna Nwabufo in the presence of AfDB President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina and Ethiopia’s Finance Minister Ahmed Shide. The new Bishoftu International Airport is set to address the increasing demand for passenger and cargo services, which Bole International Airport can no longer accommodate due to growing traffic. With an estimated cost of $7.8 billion,…

A groundbreaking study has revealed that a pill can effectively eliminate the Ebola virus in infected monkeys, raising hopes for a practical and affordable human treatment. The antiviral drug, Obeldesivir, not only eradicated the virus from the monkeys’ blood but also triggered an immune response, allowing the animals to develop antibodies and avoid organ damage. The findings were published in Science Advances. Researchers, led by virologist Thomas Geisbert from The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, administered Obeldesivir, an oral version of the intravenous drug Remdesivir, to ten monkeys a day after exposure to the Ebola virus. The treatment…

Tropical Cyclone Jude has claimed at least nine lives in Mozambique and Malawi, with thousands displaced due to severe flooding, officials confirmed on Thursday. According to Mozambique’s National Institute for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction (INGD), the cyclone killed six people, injured 20, and displaced 9,525 across the northern provinces of Nampula and Niassa, as well as the central province of Zambezia. In Malawi, authorities reported three fatalities and 20,000 people left homeless in the southern region, where heavy rains triggered widespread flooding. Relief Efforts Face Challenges The cyclone made landfall in northern Mozambique early Sunday before moving into southern…

Nigeria’s lower house of parliament has approved four tax reform bills proposed by President Bola Tinubu, marking a step forward in the administration’s push to revamp the country’s tax system. However, several key proposals were modified before passage. With a tax-to-GDP ratio of just 10.8%, one of the lowest in the world, Nigeria has long struggled with revenue generation, relying heavily on borrowing to fund its budget. After eliminating costly fuel subsidies and twice devaluing the naira since taking office, Tinubu has now shifted focus to tax reforms aimed at boosting revenue and improving efficiency. Key Changes to Tax Reforms…