Editors' picks of the week
EconomicsSouth African rand weakens as US strikes on Iran weigh on market sentiment
South Africa’s rand retreated on Tuesday as renewed tensions between the United States and Iran reduced hopes of a lasting ceasefire and pushed investors toward safer assets.
PoliticsSenegal’s ousted prime minister Sonko elected parliament speaker days after dismissal
Senegal’s parliament has elected Ousmane Sonko as its speaker, just days after President Bassirou Diomaye Faye removed him as prime minister in a widening political rift over reforms and the country’s debt crisis.
EconomicsAfDB cuts Africa growth forecast as Middle East tensions hit fuel and food prices
Africa’s economic growth is expected to slow slightly this year as tensions in the Middle East drive up fuel, food and import costs, the African Development Bank has warned.
Economics
Africa’s Giant Is Growing—So Why Are Its People Getting Poorer?
Nigeria is often described as the economic engine of Africa, and recent growth figures appear to support that narrative. GDP expansion remains relatively solid, and macroeconomic indicators suggest a degree of resilience. Yet beneath these headline numbers lies a more complex—and troubling—reality: for many Nigerians, economic growth has not translated into improved living standards.
EconomicsQatarEnergy, ExxonMobil and Egypt to study Cyprus gas development
QatarEnergy has signed a preliminary agreement with ExxonMobil and the Egyptian government to study the development and commercialisation of gas discoveries in Cyprus using Egypt’s existing gas and LNG infrastructure.
EconomicsEgypt plans global grain trading and storage hub
Egypt is aiming to establish itself as a global hub for grain trading, storage and processing, as the country seeks to strengthen food security and expand its role in regional commodity markets.
EconomicsGhana says Gold Fields’ Tarkwa lease can be renewed, but not automatically
Ghana’s government says it remains committed to renewing the mining lease for Gold Fields’ Tarkwa mine, but warned that the South African company must first undergo fresh scrutiny before any extension is approved.
EconomicsNigeria’s economic growth slows slightly in first quarter
Nigeria’s economy grew at a slightly slower pace in the first quarter of 2026, as both oil and non-oil activity eased compared with the previous quarter, official data showed.
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Politics
US to reduce number of African embassies processing visa applications
The United States is expected to sharply reduce the number of embassies and consulates in Africa that process visa applications, a move that could make travel to the US more difficult and expensive for many African applicants.
PoliticsCentral African Republic’s Touadéra appoints new government after third-term victory
Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadéra has appointed a new government, one month after taking office for a third term.
PoliticsEthiopia heads into election seen as one of its least competitive in decades
Ethiopia will hold a general election on June 1, with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed widely expected to secure another term despite armed conflicts, political repression and mounting economic pressure.
PoliticsRepublic of Congo to scrap visa requirements for all African citizens from 2027
The Republic of Congo will abolish visa requirements for all African nationals from January 1, 2027, in a move aimed at strengthening continental integration and easing movement across Africa.
PoliticsNiger PM’s visit to Benin inauguration signals possible diplomatic thaw
Benin’s relations with Niger may be entering a new phase after Nigerien Prime Minister Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine attended the inauguration of Benin’s new president, Romuald Wadagni, in Cotonou.
Other news
- Economics
Africa’s Giant Is Growing—So Why Are Its People Getting Poorer?
Nigeria is often described as the economic engine of Africa, and recent growth figures appear to support that narrative. GDP expansion remains relatively solid, and macroeconomic indicators suggest a degree of resilience. Yet beneath these headline numbers lies a more complex—and troubling—reality: for many Nigerians, economic growth has not translated into improved living standards.
OpinionAre Fuel Prices Becoming Africa’s New Trigger for Political Crises?
Kenya’s recent fuel-related protests show that energy prices are no longer just an economic issue. They have become a direct test of political stability.
OpinionIs Africa Entering a New Cycle of Economic Dependence?
China’s trade initiative presents Africa with a pivotal moment. It offers a pathway to growth, but also carries the risk of reinforcing existing asymmetries.
OpinionAfrica’s Giant Is Growing—So Why Are Its People Getting Poorer?
GDP expansion remains relatively solid, and macroeconomic indicators suggest a degree of resilience. Yet beneath these headline numbers lies a more complex—and troubling—reality: for many Nigerians, economic growth has not translated into improved living standards.
OpinionIs Africa’s Most Institutionalized Democracy Starting to Crack?
The renewed pressure on President Cyril Ramaphosa raises an increasingly important question: can strong institutions withstand persistent political instability without economic consequences?
OpinionIs Democracy or Power Winning in Senegal?
The growing tension between the executive and legislative branches is not just a struggle for power—it is a structural test that directly affects the country’s economic future.