Author: Amina Abdi

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that Ukraine is sending military drone-defence teams to the Middle East, offering its expertise to help regional allies counter drone attacks believed to be launched by Iran. According to the Ukrainian president, specialist teams have already been deployed to Qatar, United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, while other Ukrainian experts are assisting the United States in protecting its military bases in Jordan. Ukraine exporting drone-war expertise Zelensky said Ukraine now has “the greatest experience in the world in countering attack drones.” This expertise comes from years of defending against drone attacks from Russia since the start…

Angola, Africa’s second-largest oil producer, has received 596 investment proposals worth about $21.8 billion over the past five years, with Chinese investors dominating the interest, according to the country’s investment agency. Data from Private Investment and Export Promotion Agency (AIPEX) shows that Chinese investors accounted for roughly 80% of the total proposals, highlighting the scale of Beijing’s economic influence in Angola. By comparison, companies from Portugal submitted only 72 proposals valued at about $92.6 million. The strong Chinese presence reflects a broader strategy by China to secure access to energy and mineral resources across Africa. Angola’s large oil reserves and…

Ghana has banned the import of pasta by land in a move aimed at curbing smuggling and protecting the country’s newly established domestic pasta industry. The decision comes shortly after the opening of Ghana’s first pasta processing plant, operated by Olam Agri. Authorities say the restriction will help protect government tax revenues and support local manufacturing against cheaper smuggled products entering through land borders. The import restrictions are part of a broader policy that also affects products such as cooking oil, rice, sugar, textiles, and frozen foods. According to the government, these measures are designed to strengthen local industries and…

Burkina Faso has unveiled a $64 billion National Development Plan (PND) for 2026–2030, a five-year strategy aimed at transforming the country’s economy, improving stability, and promoting inclusive growth. The ambitious plan significantly increases public spending compared with previous frameworks, with an average annual budget of about CFA7,238.1 billion. Around 34.5% of the total funds will be dedicated to investment and capital transfers, reflecting the government’s focus on long-term economic transformation. Key priorities of the development plan The strategy focuses on four major areas: New economic approach The government plans to modernize how public policies are implemented by introducing program-based budgeting,…

Abdulsamad Rabiu, the Nigerian billionaire industrialist, has become Africa’s third-richest person with an estimated net worth of $11.2 billion, according to the latest ranking by Forbes. Rabiu’s wealth increased dramatically over the past year, rising by $6.1 billion, the largest gain recorded by any African billionaire in 2026. The surge represents a 120% increase from 2025 and places him 284th among the richest people globally. Much of this growth is linked to the strong performance of BUA Cement, a major part of the diversified BUA Group conglomerate founded by Rabiu. Over the past year, BUA Cement shares climbed 135%, significantly…

The Scott Bessent announced that the United States is likely to implement a 15% global tariff this week. This follows conflicting statements from former Donald Trump about the rate after the Supreme Court struck down last year’s “Liberation Day” tariffs. The new tariff aims to replace the previous sweeping import taxes and rebalance trade, support domestic manufacturing, and reduce US debt. Initially, the White House applied a 10% tariff using Section 122, which allows the president to impose duties of up to 15% for 150 days under certain conditions. The administration also plans to use Section 301 and Section 232…

The UK’s data watchdog, the Information Commissioner’s Office, has contacted Meta Platforms after reports that outsourced workers were able to view sensitive footage from the company’s AI-powered smart glasses. The glasses, developed in partnership with Ray-Ban, allow users to record videos and interact with AI hands-free. According to Swedish newspapers Svenska Dagbladet and Goteborgs-Posten, workers at a Nairobi-based subcontractor, Sama, sometimes viewed intimate content, including users in private situations such as bathrooms or bedrooms. Meta stated these reviews were meant to improve the device experience and that content is filtered to protect privacy, though the safeguards occasionally fail. The ICO…

The UK government has announced it will stop issuing study visas to nationals from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan, and will also halt skilled work visas for Afghans, citing widespread visa abuse. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said many individuals from these countries were applying for asylum after arriving in the UK on a study visa, with asylum claims from these students increasing sharply between 2021 and 2025. Official figures show that 95% of Afghan students who arrived on study visas applied for asylum, while claims from Myanmar students increased sixteen-fold, and those from Cameroon and Sudan more than quadrupled. The…

Nigeria’s medical authorities have provisionally suspended the director of a private hospital and two other doctors following the death of the 21-month-old son of author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Nkanu Adichie-Esege, one of twins, died on 7 January after complications arose during preparatory medical procedures at Euracare Hospital in Lagos. The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria investigation panel found a prima facie case of medical negligence against Euracare and Atlantis Hospital regarding the child’s care. Pending the outcomes of a disciplinary tribunal, the three doctors have been suspended from practising medicine. Dr Munir Bature, publicity secretary for the Nigeria Medical…

Nigeria has suspended all Christian pilgrimages to Israel and the occupied West Bank with immediate effect, citing growing security risks linked to the escalating conflict in the Middle East. The decision was announced by the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, which oversees the coordination of Christian pilgrimages from the country. In a statement, the commission said the move was necessary to safeguard the safety and wellbeing of Nigerian pilgrims as tensions continue to rise across the region. The suspension applies to both state-organised pilgrimages and trips arranged by private tour operators, and will remain in place until authorities believe conditions have…