The Africa Report - Latest

Rwanda's main opposition figure, Twagiramungu plans his return

Judi Rever in Montreal — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:03:48 +0200

The former prime minister plans to challenge President Kagame and the ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front.

South Africa: Zuma expresses outrage at circumcision related deaths

Crystal van Vyk — Thu, 23 May 2013 12:42:36 +0200

South African President Jacob Zuma has expressed shock and outrage at the deaths of 30 young men at a traditional circumcision clinic in the country's Mpumalanga province.

Zimbabwe: The sweet business of Harare's airport road

Gemma Ware — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:47:53 +0200

As part of a deal that Harare city council signed for the construction of a highway to the airport, the city is having to expand so it can award new land to the contractors.

African Unity at 50: Renaissance and the rising south - Helen Clark

Helen Clark — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:26:16 +0200

As the African Union celebrates its 50th anniversary, UNDP's administrator and former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark argues that tackling inequalities on the continent is central to lifting human development.

Business confidence hits a low point in Ghana

Lawrence Quartey — Thu, 23 May 2013 10:16:12 +0200

Growth in economic activity in Ghana has weakened, Governor of the central bank, announcing this on Wednesday, said business and consumer sentiments on growth prospects have also softened amid heightened inflation expectations.

South Africa: Gauteng e-tolling protests intensify

Crystal van Vyk — Thu, 23 May 2013 09:30:53 +0200

South Africa's largest trade union federation has vowed to shut down all main roads in the country's economic capital Gauteng on Friday as protests against a new e-tolling system gathers pace.

Trend hunter: Egyptian biker brotherhoods take to the open road

Rose Skelton — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:05:56 +0200

Every Friday, Maadi's residents wake up to the cacophony of motorcycles scudding down the leafy streets of this affluent Cairo suburb.

Zimbabwe gets a new constitution

Janet Shoko — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:30:48 +0200

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has signed the country's new constitution, three years since the southern African nation set out to write a new charter.

Nigeria: War, Amnesty and Oxymoron

Konye Obaji Ori — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:55:08 +0200

Nigeria's Federal Government has agreed to release, rehabilitate and grant amnesty to arrested terrorists and secessionist in its custody.

Peacekeeping is not enough - Ethiopian PM, Hailemariam Desalegn

Nicholas Norbrook and Patrick Smith in Paris — Wed, 22 May 2013 13:41:02 +0200

Wearing twin hats as AU Assembly chair and Ethiopian prime minister, Hailemariam expounds his views on resolution of the conflict in Mali as well as his country's economic plans.

Uganda: Media takes a hit in presidential grooming affair

Godfrey Olukya — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:36:55 +0200

A siege on media houses by Ugandan security forces entered a second day on Tuesday, as they searched for a letter by an army commander that claimed President Yoweri Museveni was grooming his son to be president.

Kenya: Technology goes on errand in Nairobi

Rose Skelton — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:11:30 +0200

Dash2do helps busy people with daily tasks through its online platform.

Agriculture: Fertilisers and franchises put power in Nigerian farmers' hands

Nicholas Norbrook in Lagos — Tue, 21 May 2013 12:44:42 +0200

With strong leadership in government, both public and private programmes target farmers' real needs, while a cassava offensive finally reaps some rewards.

South Africa: Under pressure, miners' union demands 60 percent wage raise

Crystal van Vyk — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:41:38 +0200

South African employers are bracing themselves for the mother of strike seasons this year.

Zimbabwe: Tsvangirai promises salary hikes ahead of polls

Janet Shoko — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:07:58 +0200

Zimbabwe's Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai has revved his election drive, promising restive civil servants salaries that are at par with the private sector, once he comes into power.

In Africa's Great Lakes region, peace dividend must follow peace deal

Ban Ki-moon and Jim Yong Kim — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:15:59 +0200

Africa's Great Lakes region today has the chance to achieve something that has eluded its war-weary people for several decades.

Uganda to import thumbprint machines to eliminate electoral fraud

Godfrey Olukya — Mon, 20 May 2013 15:59:40 +0200

Uganda is expected to import thumbprint machines in an effort to eliminate electoral malpractices.

Diversification in Nigeria's Delta

Nicholas Norbrook in Abuja — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:50:32 +0200

Successive governments have promoted indigenous oil companies with legislative and institutional tools, and they are now flourishing: Amni, Shoreline, Midwestern, Seplat, Dubri and Continental.

Nigeria in all-out war against terror group, Boko Haram

Konye Obaji Ori — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:15:28 +0200

The Nigerian government has vowed to crush insurgents in the northern states, accusing militant Islamist groups of fighting to divide the country.

Rokia Traoré- A path between multiple identities

Rose Skelton in Dakar — Mon, 20 May 2013 10:32:32 +0200

"'World music' was expecting me to be what I'm not," Traoré says. "I'm not a griotte [praise singer]. I'm not from Wassoulou. I have not been in a national orchestra. I am not able to make traditional Malian music"

Small players struggle in Nigeria's financial markets

Gillian Parker in Abuja — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:12:53 +0200

With high overheads and poor access to loans, SMEs are suffering. The central bank has launched several risk-sharing schemes to try to boost the sector.

UN hands South Africa task to restore peace in DR Congo

Konye Obaji Ori — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:50:07 +0200

Death and tensions in the Democratic Republic of Congo have triggered an intervention by a United Nations force, as the international body plans to deploy South African led forces to the country's war torn provinces.

France's Canal Plus moves into Ghana's TV market

Lawrence Quartey — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:25:21 +0200

CanalSat , a subscription digital TV service with over 125 channels and radio stations in French, has been launched in Ghana.

West Africa, from transit to production of illicit drugs

Rose Skelton in Dakar — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:07:59 +0200

West Africa has found a new niche in the international drug trade.

The rise of Africa's B-brands

Gemma Ware — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:56:34 +0200

Smaller and more agile local brands are taking the fight to multinationals seeking to benefit from increasing consumer spending in sub-Saharan Africa. Both sorts of firms are looking to expand in the region and are deploying new strategies to attract customers.

South Sudan moves to curb meningitis threat

Godfrey Olukya — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:04:40 +0200

Authorities in South Sudan have warned of an outbreak of meningitis in some parts of the country.

Côte d'Ivoire-Ghana: No hiding place for Laurent Gbagbo's allies

Olivier Monnier in Accra — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:16:46 +0200

Côte d'Ivoire's ex-president, Laurent Gbagbo's supporters are no longer safe in Accra, Ghana's capital.

Nigeria declares war on Boko Haram

Konye Obaji Ori — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:56:55 +0200

The Nigerian government has acknowledged it is at war with extreme Islamists group, Boko Haram, declaring the outfit as a rebellion with an allegiance to a flag other than the Nigerian flag.

Zimbabwe's new constitution paves way for elections

Janet Shoko — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:40:47 +0200

Zimbabwe's proposed new constitution is now awaiting President Robert Mugabe's signature after it was passed by the Senate on Tuesday.

French and Turkish investors explore opportunities in Ghana

Lawrence Quartey — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:18:20 +0200

French investors from various sectors will visit Ghana on May 22 to explore investment and business opportunities, a statement from the French Embassy in Accra has announced.