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Category: Africa

  • INEC deletes Senator David Mark and others from its portal as ADC leaders, awaits court ruling

    INEC deletes Senator David Mark and others from its portal as ADC leaders, awaits court ruling

    ABUJA, NIGERIA, 01 April 2026 (NPA) — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its commitment to neutrality and strict compliance with judicial directives in the ongoing leadership tussle within the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

    In a statement signed by National Commissioner Mohammed Kudu Haruna, Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC addressed the Court of Appeal’s ruling in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/145/2026 between Senator David Mark and Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe. The Commission noted that it had received conflicting letters from legal representatives of both parties, each demanding recognition of their client as the rightful leader of the ADC.

    The Court of Appeal, in its judgment delivered on 12 March 2026, dismissed Senator Mark’s interlocutory appeal and ordered all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the determination of the substantive suit before the Federal High Court. The court also directed an accelerated hearing of the case and warned against actions that could prejudice proceedings.

    INEC explained that the ADC’s National Working Committee, led by Senator Mark, was uploaded to its portal in September 2025, shortly after the suit was filed. However, in compliance with the appellate court’s preservatory orders, the Commission has resolved to remove those names and refrain from recognising or engaging with either faction until the Federal High Court delivers its judgment.

    The Commission further stated it will not monitor or acknowledge any meetings, congresses, or conventions convened by the party during the pendency of the case, stressing that doing so could undermine judicial processes.

    INEC concluded by urging political parties and stakeholders to act responsibly and avoid jeopardising preparations for the 2027 General Election, reiterating its unwavering commitment to impartiality and respect for the rule of law.

  • South Africa slashes fuel levy to ease price rise on citizens

    South Africa slashes fuel levy to ease price rise on citizens

    AFRICA, 01 April 2026 (NPA) — In a decisive move to shield South Africans from surging global energy costs, the National Treasury and the Department of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (DMPR) have announced a temporary R3 cut to the general fuel levy.

    Effective immediately, the levy on petrol drops from R4.10 to R1.10 per litre, while diesel falls from R3.93 to R0.93. Officials say the measure will provide motorists with urgent relief while safeguarding the stability of the country’s fuel supply system.

    The Finance Minister emphasised that the decision balances consumer welfare, particularly food and transport inflation, with fiscal objectives. The one‑month reduction is expected to cost R6 billion in foregone revenue and will be reviewed monthly for the next two months.

    Without the cut, April’s fuel price hikes would have been steeper: petrol up R3.06 per litre, diesel rising more than R7, and paraffin climbing by over R11 wholesale. The DMPR stressed that paraffin pricing excludes levies and taxes, a deliberate policy to protect low‑income households.

    Authorities assured the public that national fuel stocks remain sufficient, with reported shortages linked to localised panic buying and logistical bottlenecks. Citizens are urged to avoid unnecessary stockpiling and purchase responsibly to prevent further strain on distribution networks.

    The government reiterated its commitment to protecting vulnerable households, promising further targeted measures to cushion the poor from high energy costs. Officials added that work is underway on a broader package of interventions to support households and key sectors of the economy, with details to be announced soon.

  • AU’s Africa Urban Forum 2 to convene in Nairobi to advance housing and Agenda 2063

    AU’s Africa Urban Forum 2 to convene in Nairobi to advance housing and Agenda 2063

    AFRICA, 01 April 2026 (NPA) — Under the theme “Adequate Housing for All: Advancing Socio-economic and Environmental Transformation towards the Realisation of Agenda 2063,” the Africa Urban Forum (AUF) will take place from 8–10 April 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya.

    The AUF is a continental platform established by the African Union to foster dialogue and coordination on sustainable urbanisation and human settlements. It brings together political leaders, policymakers, local and regional governments, development partners, the private sector, academia, civil society, and other stakeholders to address Africa’s urban challenges and opportunities.

    The African Union Specialised Technical Committee on Public Service, Local Governments, Urban Development and Decentralisation (AU-STC No. 8), at its Fourth Ordinary Session in Cairo in August 2022, resolved to establish the AUF as a dedicated platform for advancing Africa’s urban agenda.

    The Forum provides space for shaping a shared urban vision, promoting policy coherence, and strengthening institutional collaboration among Member States. It enables the exchange of knowledge, experiences, best practices, and innovations that support sustainable urban development across the continent.

    Anchored within the mandate of AU-STC No. 8, the AUF aligns with continental and global frameworks, including Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want, the Sustainable Development Goals, and the New Urban Agenda. Through this platform, African countries consolidate positions on key urban issues and articulate common perspectives in global policy processes.

    The inaugural Africa Urban Forum (AUF1) was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 4–6 September 2024. The upcoming AUF2 in Nairobi builds on those outcomes, aiming to strengthen dialogue and coordination on Africa’s urban development priorities while advancing housing and socio-economic transformation across the continent.

  • Afreximbank Secures $4bn Financing for Dangote Refinery

    Afreximbank Secures $4bn Financing for Dangote Refinery

    LAGOS, NIGERIA, 01 April 2026 (NPA) — The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has underwritten US$2.5 billion of a US$4 billion senior syndicated term loan in favour of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE (DPRP).

    Afreximbank and Access Bank acted as co-Mandated Lead Arrangers for the five-year facility, designed to consolidate existing financing, optimise capital structure, and align with the refinery’s operational status and long-term growth plan.

    The transaction represents a major milestone for DPRP, Africa’s largest refinery and petrochemical complex, with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day. The facility will enhance balance sheet flexibility, strengthen financial resilience, and support the refinery’s role as a strategic supplier of refined petroleum products to Africa and global markets.

    Afreximbank’s US$2.5 billion share is the largest in the syndicate, underscoring its leadership in mobilising capital to drive Africa’s industrialisation, promote intra-African trade, and bolster energy security. Since refining operations began in February 2024, the Bank has provided a US$1 billion working capital facility and acted as Financial Adviser on the Naira-for-Crude initiative, which enables crude purchases and refined product sales in local currency.

    Speaking in Cairo, Afreximbank President Dr George Elombi said: “We take immense pride in being the single largest provider of financing to the Dangote Group. When we invest in ourselves, we build a secure and resilient future for our continent.” He noted that Afreximbank has invested about US$15 billion in the Dangote Group since 2015.

    Aliko Dangote, President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, described the financing as “an important step in strengthening the financial foundation of Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals and positioning the business for the next phase of growth.”

    The syndicated loan attracted strong interest from African and international financial institutions, reflecting confidence in the refinery as a transformative industrial asset and in Africa’s broader industrialisation agenda.

  • South Africa targets $118B at landmark investment conference

    South Africa targets $118B at landmark investment conference

    AFRICA, 31 March 2026 (SA News Agency ) — The South Africa Investment Conference (SAIC) has opened in Sandton, with the government targeting R2 trillion ($118B) in new commitments.

    The Sandton Convention Centre is abuzz as delegates arrive for the sixth edition of SAIC, South Africa’s flagship platform to position itself as a credible, competitive investment destination. More than 1,200 delegates are expected, including Cabinet Ministers, business leaders and global investors.

    Held under the theme ‘Invest. Partner. Prosper’, the conference brings together government, investors, development finance institutions and strategic partners to advance investment-led growth and strengthen South Africa’s role as a gateway into Africa. The event aligns with commitments made by President Cyril Ramaphosa in the 2026 State of the Nation Address, setting a more ambitious medium-term investment target.

    SAIC is structured to move from reform credibility to investor confidence, aligning domestic priorities with international interests. Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya noted that investment mobilisation is continuous, with international delegations recognising South Africa as a viable business destination.

    The 2026 conference marks a shift from planning to implementation, as the government accelerates delivery on existing commitments. An additional R2 trillion in pledges is targeted over the next five years, building on R1.5 trillion secured at previous conferences, of which R600 billion has already been invested. These investments have supported new factories, mines and industrial facilities, contributing to job creation and poverty reduction.

    Under the “3Ds” framework — Digitisation, Decarbonisation and Diversification — the conference highlights opportunities in technology, clean energy and expanded trade. It also launches South Africa’s Second Investment Drive, aligned with the priorities of the 7th Administration: inclusive growth, employment, infrastructure and reform.

    Launched in 2018 by President Ramaphosa, SAIC has become central to attracting investors. The 2026 edition takes place amid improved confidence, supported by progress in structural reforms, enhanced energy reliability and broader recovery initiatives. – SAnews.gov.za

  • Adesina applauds Zewde’s Forbes lifetime award as Africa’s beacon of hope

    Adesina applauds Zewde’s Forbes lifetime award as Africa’s beacon of hope

    AFRICA, 31 March 2026 (NPA) — Dr Akinwumi A. Adesina, former President of the African Development Bank Group, has congratulated Sahle-Work Zewde, Ethiopia’s first woman and fifth President, on receiving the Forbes Woman Africa Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Forbes Woman Africa Awards.

    Adesina, in a statement on Tuesday, praised Zewde as an exemplary leader, describing her as a passionate and devoted pan-Africanist, a beacon of hope, and a builder of peace and unity across the continent. 

    Zewde was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award on 24 March 2026 at the 11th annual Leading Women Summit in Johannesburg. The honour recognised her trailblazing leadership, historic role as Ethiopia’s first female head of state, and her lifelong dedication to diplomacy, peacebuilding, and the advancement of women’s rights. The summit, held at the Sandton Convention Centre to coincide with International Women’s Day, brought together influential leaders, innovators, and policymakers from across Africa, underscoring the importance of women’s leadership in shaping the continent’s future.

    The recognition highlighted Zewde’s enduring impact on governance and gender equality, cementing her legacy as one of Africa’s most influential female leaders. Her achievement stands as an inspiration for future generations of women determined to break barriers and contribute to Africa’s political, social, and economic transformation.

  • African Union convenes Fifth Session on Tax and Illicit Financial Flows in Abuja

    African Union convenes Fifth Session on Tax and Illicit Financial Flows in Abuja

    ABUJA, NIGERIA, 31 March 2026 (NPA) — The African Union has convened the Fifth Session of the Sub-Committee on Tax and Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) in Abuja, Nigeria, under the theme “Building the Africa We Want Through Tax and Fiscal Policy Reforms to Support Economic Growth and Domestic Resource Mobilisation.”

    The meeting, taking place from 31 March to 2 April under the framework of the Specialised Technical Committee on Finance, Monetary Affairs, Economic Planning and Integration (STC-FMAEPI), comes at a crucial moment as Africa intensifies efforts to finance its own development and strengthen the resilience of its economies. It serves as a strategic continental platform for action-oriented dialogue and policy alignment, bringing together Member States, Pan-African institutions, and key partners to strengthen tax systems, curb illicit financial flows, and advance domestic resource mobilisation (DRM) as a cornerstone of sustainable growth.

    Anchored in the implementation of Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want, the Fifth Session builds on the momentum of the Fourth Sub-Committee on Tax and IFFs and the Eighth Ordinary Session of the STC-FMAEPI held in Johannesburg in September–October 2025. Delegates are expected to consolidate African positions, share practical experiences, and shape collective responses to evolving global and continental tax reforms.

    Hosting the session in Abuja provides Nigeria, through the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), with an opportunity to contribute to continental dialogue on tax administration reforms and DRM strategies. It also reinforces collaboration among African tax administrations and institutions in tackling illicit financial flows and strengthening fiscal frameworks.

  • US Congressman warns Nigeria of severe consequences after Jos attack

    US Congressman warns Nigeria of severe consequences after Jos attack

    INTERNATIONAL, 30 March 2026 (NPA) — US Congressman Riley Moore has warned that Nigeria’s relationship with the United States could face “significant consequences” if there is a repeat of the killings in Jos North, Plateau State, where over a dozen people were massacred on Sunday.

    In a statement on Monday, Moore — who served on a Congressional inquiry into alleged killings of Christians in Nigeria and had previously made recommendations to President Trump on resolving the issue — alleged that “radical Islamic terrorists opened fire on the Christians in Jos before hacking them to pieces with machetes.”

    He described the attack as “sickening and unacceptable,” but added that it was “not surprising,” claiming it followed a regular pattern of assaults.

    The statement read in part: “This tragedy follows a pattern of radical Islamic terrorists massacring Christians on Holy Days. In fact, terrorists have attacked Christians in Nigeria on every single holy day in recent memory, except for last Christmas — when President Trump sent 12 tomahawk cruise missiles to stop them.”

    Moore further warned:“Abuja knows this pattern and they must massively ramp up security for the Triduum and Easter. If they don’t take this threat seriously and mobilise to defend our brothers and sisters in Christ, blood of these martyrs will be on their hands, and there will be significant consequences for Nigeria’s relationship with the United States.”

  • AU Commission Chair meets UN envoy on Sudan crisis

    AU Commission Chair meets UN envoy on Sudan crisis

    ADDIS ABABA, 30 March 2026 (NPA) — The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, today received H.E. Pekka Haavisto Kansanedustaja, Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Sudan.

    Youssouf congratulated Mr Haavisto on his appointment and reaffirmed the AU’s readiness to work closely with the United Nations in advancing a coordinated response to the crisis. He emphasised the AU’s sustained engagement in Sudan, stressing that any political process must be Sudanese-owned and inclusive.

    Mr Haavisto commended the AU’s leadership in mediation efforts and pledged full cooperation. 

    Both leaders underscored the urgency of an immediate ceasefire as a pathway to a credible political process, and the importance of aligning all mediation initiatives under AU leadership.

    They called on all parties to de-escalate tensions and engage in constructive, inclusive dialogue to pave the way for a return to constitutional order. They also expressed hope that the forthcoming Berlin conference would deliver practical and tangible outcomes.

  • Nigeria sets African record in mixed relay, strengthens world relays bid

    Nigeria sets African record in mixed relay, strengthens world relays bid

    SPORTS, 30 March 2026 (Agency Report) — Team Nigeria has taken a significant step towards qualifying for the World Relays in Gaborone, Botswana, following a record-breaking performance in the mixed 4x100m relay.

    The National Sports Commission, in a statement issued on Sunday by Kola Daniel, Media Adviser to Director-General Bukola Olopade, hailed the team’s remarkable achievement.

    Nigeria’s quartet — Chidera Ezeakor, Maria Thompson, James Taiwo Emmanuel, and Obi Chukwuma — stormed to victory at the Lefika International Relays, producing an outstanding time of 41.44 seconds. Their emphatic gold medal run established a new African benchmark in the newly introduced mixed relay event.

    The Commission noted that the result has significantly boosted Nigeria’s qualification ranking, moving the team into 12th position and strengthening its contention for the global competition.

    Kenya finished second with a strong showing, setting a national record of 41.70 seconds.