Category: Africa

ABUJA (NPA) — The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has celebrated its 51st anniversary, reaffirming its commitment to unity, peace, and sustainable development across the region.

In a commemorative message themed “Build the ECOWAS of the Future, Today,” the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, urged citizens and leaders to renew their dedication to the ideals of integration, solidarity, and collective progress.

“The future we envision for our region will not emerge by chance. It must be consciously and collectively built through the positive decisions we take and the commitments we uphold today,” Touray said.

He highlighted ECOWAS’s achievements over the past five decades, including free movement across borders, regional trade expansion, implementation of a Common External Tariff, and development of critical infrastructure linking capitals and markets. The bloc has also advanced plans for a single currency, strengthened digital connectivity, and improved healthcare and humanitarian response during crises.

Touray noted that ECOWAS has played a vital role in defending democracy, observing elections, and deploying its Standby Force to safeguard peace and stability. He described these milestones as proof of the community’s resilience and shared vision for a prosperous West Africa.

“ECOWAS is better and stronger together as a Community. Our strength lies in our unity, in our shared identity, and in the spirit of solidarity that defines our Union,” he emphasised.

The ECOWAS President commended Member States for their continued leadership amid evolving political, economic, and security challenges, urging them to accelerate the implementation of regional policies that deliver tangible benefits to citizens.

He also praised the people of ECOWAS as the “heartbeat” of the community, stressing that integration must translate into improved daily lives, opportunities for youth, empowerment of women, and peace across borders.

Touray extended appreciation to the staff and institutions of ECOWAS for their professionalism and commitment, noting that building the ECOWAS of the future will require greater innovation, efficiency, and collaboration.

As the region faces threats from insecurity, misinformation, economic vulnerability, and climate change, Touray called for bold, coordinated, and forward‑looking responses. He said West Africa’s youthful population and rich resources present immense potential for transformation if harnessed through good governance and accountability.

“Building the ECOWAS of the future today means investing in peace and security, strengthening regional economic integration, advancing digital transformation, and fostering a culture of accountability and good governance,” he said.

Touray urged governments, citizens, and institutions to act with determination and clarity of vision, reinforcing trust between leaders and the people. He concluded with a rallying call for unity and shared purpose: “Let us work together to build a Community that future generations will be proud to inherit!”

The message amplifies ECOWAS’s enduring role as a pillar of regional cooperation and its renewed focus on building a people‑driven, peaceful, and economically vibrant West Africa.

BRAZZAVILLE, Congo (Agency Report) — President Denis Sassou Nguesso has announced that African nationals will no longer require visas to enter the Republic of the Congo beginning January 1, 2027, in a move aimed at deepening continental integration and promoting the free movement of people across Africa.

Nguesso made the announcement during the celebration of Africa Day at the 2026 Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) held in Brazzaville.

The Congolese president said the decision reflects his country’s commitment to African unity, regional cooperation, and the broader goals of continental development.

According to him, African nations must strengthen solidarity and move away from what he described as “selfishness and narrow nationalism” in addressing the continent’s development challenges.

Nguesso stressed that Africa’s future depends largely on stronger regional partnerships, infrastructure expansion, and the effective implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

He noted that the continent possesses enormous natural and economic potential, including vast energy resources, forests, minerals, and water systems capable of contributing significantly to global prosperity.

The president, however, lamented that nearly 600 million Africans still lack access to electricity, describing energy poverty as one of the major obstacles to development on the continent.

He called for increased investment in transport systems, rail networks, maritime infrastructure, and energy projects to unlock Africa’s economic opportunities and improve regional connectivity.

Nguesso also commended the joint “Mission 300” initiative of the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank aimed at expanding electricity access across Africa by 2030.

During his address, the Congolese leader paid tribute to African liberation icons, including Patrice Lumumba, Kwame Nkrumah, and Nelson Mandela.

He said Africa Day remains a powerful symbol of the continent’s struggle for freedom, unity, dignity, and prosperity.

NAIROBI, Kenya (NPA) — The Kenyan government has announced an Sh8.5 billion infrastructure investment package aimed at transforming Tana River County through housing, road construction, markets, education, and agricultural development projects.

President William Ruto disclosed the projects during his ongoing five-day development tour of Kenya’s coastal counties, including Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Lamu, Tana River, and Taita Taveta.

According to the government, Sh7 billion will be invested in the construction of 2,000 affordable housing units, 3,000-bed student hostels, and five modern markets as part of efforts to stimulate economic growth and improve living conditions in the county.

The projects include the Mapenzi, Vetlab, and Minjila affordable housing schemes under the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).

An additional Sh1.5 billion has also been earmarked for the tarmacking and upgrading of road networks to improve connectivity, expand economic opportunities, and support long-term development across the county.

Ruto further disclosed that investors were prepared to inject another Sh10 billion into sugar and rice processing factories expected to create employment opportunities for about 5,000 youths while unlocking the agricultural potential of Tana River County.

The president’s announcement follows a recent agreement signed between the National Irrigation Authority and Sukari Industries Ltd for the commercial lease of land within the Bura Irrigation Scheme for sugar production on 50,000 acres.

Under the arrangement, the investor is expected to undertake infrastructure development, sugarcane cultivation, value addition, and other support services linked to the project.

Kenya currently consumes about 1.2 million metric tonnes of sugar annually, while domestic production averages between 600,000 and 700,000 metric tonnes, forcing the country to rely heavily on imports to bridge the supply gap.

Governor Dhadho Godhana described the projects as historic interventions capable of transforming the county and addressing years of marginalisation.

Godhana, who also chairs the Jumuiya Ya Kaunti Za Pwani economic bloc, said the president’s visit had restored hope and renewed confidence in the region’s development prospects.

“We are in support of the Kenya Kwanza administration led by President Ruto because of prioritising infrastructure for long-term economic growth,” the governor said.

He added that the government had also demonstrated commitment toward expanding critical services such as water supply, electricity, road infrastructure, and technical training opportunities.

The governor further disclosed that the national government was constructing the first-ever Garsen Teachers Training College in the county since Kenya gained independence.

Kenya’s Education Cabinet Secretary, Julius Ogamba, said the institution would strengthen teacher education and improve access to quality higher learning within Tana River and neighbouring regions.

“Once complete, the college will open doors for local students to pursue a career in teaching closer to home, expanding access to quality higher learning in one of the country’s marginalised areas,” Ogamba said.

The education minister added that the government was making strategic investments in teacher training to support the country’s Competency-Based Education system and strengthen human capital development nationwide.

PRETORIA, South Africa (NPA) — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has used his monthly “From the Desk of the President” letter to reflect on the country’s democratic journey as it celebrates 30 years since the adoption of the Constitution.

In his message on Monday, May 25, 2026, Ramaphosa described the Constitution as the foundation of a robust, participatory political culture anchored in democratic values. He praised South Africans for their active engagement in public life, noting that civil society, media freedom, and the judiciary continue to safeguard accountability and transparency.

Recalling the constitution‑making process of the 1990s, Ramaphosa said the participatory approach — which included thousands of submissions and community consultations — produced a “People’s Constitution” that reflects the aspirations of all South Africans. He emphasised that this spirit of inclusivity remains vital today.

The President highlighted ongoing mechanisms of public participation, such as Taking Parliament to the People, open budget hearings, and opportunities for citizens to comment on draft policies. He acknowledged that while participatory democracy can slow decision‑making, it is essential for legitimacy and public trust.

Looking ahead, Ramaphosa announced the next phase of the National Dialogue process, with up to 195 pilot dialogues scheduled between June and August across all nine provinces. These will include ward‑based, digital, and sectoral engagements, prioritizing community voices. He stressed that the dialogue must reflect South Africa’s racial, cultural, social, and geographic diversity, and called on young people to play an active role in shaping the nation’s future.

“As we look with optimism to this new phase in the life of our nation, I call on all South Africans to come together once more and be part of crafting a new vision for South Africa that both speaks to our contemporary challenges and lays the groundwork for the South Africa we want to be,” Ramaphosa said.

The President’s message stressed that the resilience of South Africa’s democracy lies in its people — and that the next generation carries the responsibility of building on the legacy of 1994.

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (NPA) — Former Nigerian presidential candidate Peter Obi capped his engagements in Cape Town with a high‑profile meeting alongside two respected African statesmen — President Ian Khama of Botswana and President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa — before departing for Johannesburg.

Obi described the encounter as an opportunity to thank both leaders for their positive interventions on immigration issues and their continued advocacy for peace and unity across the continent. He noted that Khama and Mbeki remain influential voices in Africa due to their contributions during and after their presidencies.

During his audience with Mbeki, Obi also reconnected with Dr. Kayode Fayemi, former governor of Ekiti State, who delivered the keynote at the Thabo Mbeki Africa Day Lecture. Fayemi’s address focused on rebuilding unity and revitalising institutions, themes Obi said were critical to Africa’s future.

The event was organised by the Thabo Mbeki Foundation.

Earlier, at the Spier Dialogue Event on “Policies for Growth in Africa”, Obi argued that Africa’s abundant resources — including vast mineral deposits, over 60 per cent of the world’s uncultivated arable land, and the youngest population globally — should position the continent among the world’s leading economies. He insisted that persistent poverty is unjustifiable given these endowments.

Obi blamed Africa’s slow development on poor leadership, corruption, weak institutions, and high governance costs, urging leaders to move away from “politics and endless election cycles” toward productivity and nation‑building. He stressed that Africa’s future depends on aggressive investment in education, healthcare, and poverty reduction, warning that small businesses are collapsing under harsh economic conditions and inconsistent policies.

He called for competent leadership that prioritises production over consumption and development over politics, adding that strengthening institutions, reducing governance costs, and creating an enabling environment for businesses would make Africa more secure, democratic, and prosperous.

Upon arrival in South Africa, Obi also met with members of the Nigerian community in Cape Town, where discussions centred on challenges facing African expatriates. He reiterated his commitment to advocating for a “New Nigeria and a New Africa” built on integrity, service, youth empowerment, education, and accountable leadership.

Obi concluded his engagements by declaring: “It is time for us to move from consumption to production, from divisive politics to politics rooted in competence and compassion, and from empty promises to measurable progress that impacts everyday citizens.”