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Category: Africa

  • Kenyan farmers rejoice as government injects Sh3.5 billion to revamp tea sector

    Kenyan farmers rejoice as government injects Sh3.5 billion to revamp tea sector

    AFRICA (Agency Report/Absalom Namwalo) — 27 March 2026 — Kenyan tea farmers have reason to celebrate after the government injected Sh3.5 billion to modernise factories, meet international standards and promote value addition for better prices at the Mombasa auction.  

    Speaking at Olenguruone Tea Factory during the issuing of a corporation certificate, Agriculture PS Dr Kiprono Rono stressed that farmer welfare remains a priority and warned the KTDA board against corruption and mismanagement of funds. He announced Sh26 per kilo as the new price payable to farmers, up from Sh16.  

    Rono outlined sweeping reforms aimed at raising farmer earnings to Sh100/kg by 2027, tackling low auction prices and high production costs. Strategies include factory modernisation, promoting orthodox tea, digitising payments and removing VAT on exports. He urged factories to embrace diversification and value addition to meet global demand.  

    Under the reforms, KTDA factories must implement service-level agreements to guarantee quality services. Factories will also gain autonomy to conduct direct sales, boosting profitability and transparency. Rono emphasised the need for modern technology and field-level oversight to meet international consumer requirements.  

    Willy Mutai of the Tea Board of Kenya echoed these sentiments, urging investment in research and improved processing standards. He noted that reforms on quality, diversification and industry revitalisation will enhance farmer bonuses and earnings. Regulations will enforce payment timelines, with 50% upfront and the balance within three months, easing cash flow challenges.  

    Mutai added that reforms target 40% of Kenya’s tea to be value-added locally rather than exported in bulk. He stressed the importance of consistent green leaf quality, particularly in western Kenya, to attract premium buyers and strengthen competitiveness.

  • Nigeria’s Finance Minister meets IMF Africa Group III Executive Director

    Nigeria’s Finance Minister meets IMF Africa Group III Executive Director

    ABUJA, NIGERIA (NPA) — 27 March 2026 — Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, on Friday received Dr Quattara Wautabouna, Executive Director for the IMF Africa Group III (ECOWAS Constituency), during a courtesy visit in Abuja.

    According to a statement from the Ministry, discussions centred on strengthening regional economic coordination and enhancing collaboration within the ECOWAS constituency. The Minister emphasised the importance of continued engagement to support economic stability and shared growth objectives across the region.

    The IMF Africa Group III has been pivotal in supporting economic and institutional projects across West Africa. In Ghana, its US$3 billion Extended Credit Facility (ECF) programme is stabilising the economy through debt restructuring and fiscal reforms. Nigeria, though not under a lending programme, benefits from IMF-backed reforms, such as subsidy removal, improved functioning of the foreign exchange market, and fiscal discipline. Sierra Leone is implementing a 38‑month ECF arrangement worth SDR 187 million (about US$253 million), focusing on macroeconomic adjustment and climate resilience. Liberia has also received disbursements under its ECF programme, including US$26.5 million in October 2025, to strengthen fiscal management and infrastructure.

    Beyond individual countries, the IMF supports regional capacity building through AFRITAC West 2, which covers Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, The Gambia and Cabo Verde. This initiative provides technical assistance and training in public finance, macroeconomic management and financial sector oversight. Collectively, these projects underscore the IMF’s commitment to stabilising economies, reinforcing reforms and building institutional resilience across West Africa.

  • Ghana advises citizens travelling to Senegal on new health directive

    Ghana advises citizens travelling to Senegal on new health directive

    AFRICA (NPA) — 26 March 2026 — The Republic of Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued an advisory to Ghanaians planning to travel to Senegal, urging them to comply with new health directives introduced by the West African country.

    According to the Ghanaian authorities, Senegal has recommended vaccination against certain communicable diseases, notably yellow fever, diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus (DPT), measles, and hepatitis A and B, as part of measures to safeguard travellers’ health and safety.

    The advisory clarified, however, that presentation of vaccination certificates for these diseases is not mandatory for entry into Senegalese territory.

    The statement released on Thursday reads in part: “Ghanaian travellers are, nonetheless, encouraged to consult healthcare providers for their routine vaccinations prior to travel, in order to safeguard their health while abroad.”

    It further stressed that the Ministry remains committed to providing timely information to ensure the safety, welfare, and well-being of Ghanaian citizens travelling outside the country.

  • Atiku applauds UN Resolution declaring slave trade gravest crime against humanity

    Atiku applauds UN Resolution declaring slave trade gravest crime against humanity

    ABUJA, NIGERIA (NPA) — 26 March 2026 — Former Nigerian Vice President and chieftain of the All Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has hailed the outcome of the United Nations General Assembly, which yesterday designated the transatlantic slave trade as the gravest crime against humanity.

    Reacting to the development, Atiku shared a post from the official X handle of Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which read: “HISTORY MADE AT THE UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations General Assembly has adopted resolution A/80/L.48, declaring the Trafficking of Enslaved Africans and Racialised Chattel Enslavement as the Gravest Crime against Humanity.” He described the moment as one that speaks to the pain of Africa’s past and the enduring dignity of its people.

    Atiku emphasised that the trafficking of enslaved Africans was not merely a tragedy for the continent but a deep wound on the conscience of humanity. He noted that the resolution represents a moral victory for Africa and a reminder to the world of the need for justice, remembrance, and reconciliation.

    Africans all over have continued to commend Ghana for its leadership in championing the resolution, and helping the world to remember, acknowledge, and stand firmly on the side of truth and justice. Such recognition strengthens the collective resolve to confront historical wrongs and ensure that future generations understand the magnitude of the atrocity.

  • Vice President Shettima hails Gates Foundation as strategic partner in Nigeria’s development drive

    Vice President Shettima hails Gates Foundation as strategic partner in Nigeria’s development drive

    ABUJA, NIGERIA (NPA) — March 26, 2026 — Nigeria’s Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, on Wednesday lauded the Gates Foundation for its sustained investments and humanitarian support in the country, describing the organisation as a strategic partner in the collective effort to reshape the Nigerian narrative.

    The Vice President pledged the government’s support for the Foundation’s request to deepen and broaden its collaboration with both the public and private sectors, particularly in areas such as digital transformation, nutrition, agriculture, healthcare, and other critical development initiatives.

    Shettima made these remarks while receiving a delegation from the Gates Foundation, led by Mr Hari Menon, President of the Foundation’s Global Growth and Opportunity (GGO) division, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

    He also commended members of the Gates Foundation’s Nigerian team for their dedication and passion toward advancing the Nigerian Project, emphasising that their contributions have positioned them as highly strategic partners in driving sustainable progress across the country.

    Over the years, the Gates Foundation has played a pivotal role in eradicating wild polio in Nigeria, strengthening primary healthcare systems, and supporting family planning and nutrition programs. It has also invested heavily in agricultural productivity, helping smallholder farmers increase yields and reduce food insecurity. Beyond Nigeria, the Foundation has partnered with institutions in 49 African countries, focusing on combating diseases such as measles and malaria, while expanding access to digital financial services for women, farmers, and marginalised communities. These interventions have made Nigeria the largest recipient of Gates Foundation funding in Africa, reflecting both its population size and developmental needs.

  • ECOWAS deploys long-term election observers ahead of Benin presidential poll

    ECOWAS deploys long-term election observers ahead of Benin presidential poll

    ABUJA, NIGERIA (NPA) — March 25, 2026: The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has deployed a Long-Term Election Observation Mission (LTOEM) ahead of Benin’s presidential election scheduled for April 12, 2026.

    In a statement released Wednesday, ECOWAS confirmed that its President, H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, authorized the deployment in line with the organization’s legal instruments. These include the Revised Treaty of 1993, the 1999 Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peacekeeping and Security, the 2001 Additional Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, and Article 53(c) of the ECOWAS Conflict Prevention Framework (2008).

    The mission comprises 15 experts from ECOWAS member states, who will be stationed across all regions of Benin from March 22 to April 18, 2026. Their expertise spans constitutional law, political affairs, diplomacy, media, electoral operations, conflict prevention, gender and inclusion, and security.

    Benin, which recently faced threats of destabilization from coup plotters, is receiving heightened attention to safeguard democracy and ensure stability in the West African nation. 

    The deployment underscores ECOWAS’s commitment to promoting credible elections and preventing democratic backsliding in the region.

    The observers are expected to monitor the electoral process, assess compliance with democratic standards, and provide recommendations to strengthen transparency and credibility. Their presence is also intended to reassure citizens and stakeholders of ECOWAS’s resolve to support peace and democratic governance in Benin.

  • Bloodbath in Tillabéri: Islamic State fighters ambush, kill over seven Nigerien soldiers

    Bloodbath in Tillabéri: Islamic State fighters ambush, kill over seven Nigerien soldiers

    ABUJA, NIGERIA (NPA) — March 25, 2026: An Islamic terrorist group has killed no fewer than seven soldiers of the Nigerien Defence and Security Forces (FDS) in a deadly ambush near Sanam, Tillabéri Region, following an incursion by suspected fighters of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS).

    According to security sources cited by Zagazola Makama, a Security Analyst and Counter-Insurgency Expert with extensive coverage of the Lake Chad region, the incident occurred on Tuesday, March 24, in the Sanam area of Abala Department.

    Reports indicate that heavily armed assailants stormed Wanni village around 9:00 a.m., rustling livestock before fleeing. The FDS launched a pursuit operation but were ambushed during the chase, resulting in heavy casualties.

    A provisional toll confirms that seven soldiers were killed, while two others sustained serious injuries and were evacuated to Niamey for urgent medical treatment. One military vehicle and its crew remain missing as of the time of filing this report, raising concerns about possible abductions.

    Tillabéri Region, located in western Niger and bordering Mali and Burkina Faso, has long been a hotspot of extremist violence. Armed groups linked to the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara continue to stage frequent attacks, exploiting porous borders and targeting both civilians and security forces.

    Security analysts warn that the latest ambush underscores the persistent threat posed by insurgents in the Sahel, highlighting the urgent need for reinforced military operations and regional cooperation to stem the tide of terrorism.

  • Vatican Synod report sparks debate over polygamous marriage among Africans

    Vatican Synod report sparks debate over polygamous marriage among Africans

    LIFESTYLE (NPA) — March 24, 2026 — The Catholic Church’s General Secretariat of the Synod has released the Final Reports of Study Group No. 2, including “To Hear the Cry of the Poor and the Earth” and the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) Commission’s reflection on “The Pastoral Challenge of Polygamy.”

    The first report emphasises concrete proposals such as establishing an Ecclesial Observatory on Disability, designed by a subgroup largely composed of persons with disabilities. This model aims to amplify the voices of marginalised groups at local and regional levels. On the theological front, the report calls for a theology rooted in listening to the poor and the earth as authentic sources of wisdom. It urges theologians from vulnerable communities to contribute to magisterial documents and highlights the importance of training programs for clergy and laity that integrate direct encounters with marginalised communities. The vision is of a synodal Church that transforms each member into a missionary presence alongside the most vulnerable.

    The SECAM Commission’s report on polygamy responds to the 2023 Synod of Bishops’ request for theological and pastoral discernment. A team of 12 experts from across Africa, representing theology, canon law, anthropology, and pastoral care, prepared the document. After consultations with the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and discussions at the SECAM Plenary Assembly in Kigali in 2025, the final text was refined and published.

    The report situates polygamy within Africa’s cultural and religious context, recognising the sacred value of family and the desire for numerous offspring. While acknowledging its historical presence, the Church reiterates that Christian marriage is monogamous by theological nature. SECAM excludes recognition of polygamy, recommending that catechumens in polygamous unions embrace monogamy before baptism. This approach, the report stresses, is not exclusionary but rooted in patient accompaniment inspired by Christ’s mercy.

    The dignity of women is central, with Mary presented as a model of evangelisation. The conclusion calls for a “pastoral care of proximity,” welcoming those on spiritual and social peripheries while affirming marriage as a divine gift for sanctification and salvation.

  • Peter Obi says Sheikh Ahmad Tijjani Umar arrested because he visited him in Kaduna

    Peter Obi says Sheikh Ahmad Tijjani Umar arrested because he visited him in Kaduna

    ABUJA, NIGERIA (NPA) — March 24, 2026 — The leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former Labour Party candidate in the 2023 elections, Mr Peter Obi, has raised an alarm over the arrest of Sheikh Ahmad Tijjani Umar.

    In a statement on Tuesday titled “Troubling Developments in Our Polity that Must Be Nipped in the Bud,” Obi alleged that the revered religious leader was arrested by authorities shortly after hosting him in Kaduna on Sunday.

    A portion of the statement reads: “This development underscores the deeply troubling state of our nation and our democracy, where freedom of speech and movement is increasingly threatened, and where citizens and perceived political opponents face harassment and unnecessary persecution. This cannot be allowed to continue.”

    The presidential hopeful stressed that Nigeria must defend freedom and free speech, which are the hallmarks of every democratic society. He noted that suppression and intimidation of dissent can never stand in a democracy, insisting that the government must understand this fact and act accordingly.

    Obi further emphasised that the country’s fragile democracy requires protection, urging leaders to uphold the rule of law and democratic principles in dealing with citizens. “I respectfully call on all those bent on undermining our already fragile democracy to please stop and apply the rule of law and tenets of democracy in dealing with citizens. -PO,” the statement concluded.

  • Tony Elumelu’s Foundation commits $16m to empower 3,200 young African entrepreneurs

    Tony Elumelu’s Foundation commits $16m to empower 3,200 young African entrepreneurs

    LAGOS, NIGERIA (Agency Report) — March 24, 2026 — The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) on Sunday unveiled 3,200 new beneficiaries of its 2026 cohort, each receiving a $5,000 empowerment grant for young African entrepreneurs.

    The Foundation said the entrepreneurs would be funded via Heirs Holdings Group Companies, the European Commission, Seme City Development Agency, DEG (German Development Agency), and the IKEA Foundation. Other partners include UNICEF, the Dutch Government, UNDP, and the Rwandan Ministry of Youth and Arts.

    Founder Tony Elumelu described the initiative as vital in providing access to funding, mentorship, coaching, training, and resources to catalyse businesses, drive job creation, and reduce poverty. “With policy clarity and commercial autonomy under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, NNPC Limited is positioned to pursue long-term, value-driven solutions,” he said, stressing that Nigeria remains a credible destination for energy and investment.

    TEF CEO Somachi Chris-Asoluka noted that since 2015, the foundation has disbursed over $100 million to 24,000 entrepreneurs, creating 1.5 million jobs, generating $4.2 billion in revenue, and lifting 3.1 million Africans above the poverty line. She added that 4.1 million households have been positively impacted.

    Chris-Asoluka said TEF will disburse $16 million to support, train, fund, and mentor the 3,200 selected entrepreneurs. Agriculture, retail, AI, ICT, green economy, recycling, education, and healthcare were highlighted as priority sectors.

    The event also introduced six high-achieving alumni from the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Kenya, Algeria, Mali, and Nigeria, who have transformed TEF’s support into leading businesses across Africa.