Africa: All of Africa Today – April 16, 2026

Africa: All of Africa Today – April 16, 2026

  Chinese National Sentenced for Smuggling Rare Ants Out of Kenya A Chinese national, Zhang Kequn, has been sentenced to a year in prison for attempting to smuggle thousands of live queen garden ants out of Kenya. He was charged with illegally dealing in wildlife species after being arrested at Nairobi’s main airport while attempting…

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South Africa risks regulating away its AI future

South Africa risks regulating away its AI future

Stafford Masie. Tadek Szutowicz/TechCentral Prominent technology investor Stafford Masie has launched a stinging public critique of South Africa’s draft National Artificial Intelligence Policy, warning that the document risks “regulating away” the conditions needed for the country to participate in the global AI economy. In an open letter to communications minister Solly Malatsi, published exclusively by…

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Africa: IFJ Rejects Government Proposal to Register Journalists and Social Media Users

Africa: IFJ Rejects Government Proposal to Register Journalists and Social Media Users

On 8 April, the GPU held an emergency meeting with stakeholders from the media industry and civil society organisations to discuss the new regulations. Those present agreed that introducing a controlled registration and accreditation system would grant the government and the regulatory authority unlawful and arbitrary powers to decide who can and cannot practise journalism….

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Africa: IFJ Rejects Government Proposal to Register Journalists and Social Media Users

Africa CDC Reports 95% Budget Use, Grants $463m

Ms Edwin said that African heads of state and government recognised Kaseya for the achievement and leadership in advancing health security across Africa. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) says it has achieved 95 per cent budget utilisation and expanded its grant portfolio to $463 million under its Director-General, Jean Kaseya….

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South Africa ‘too dependent’ on US, China

South Africa ‘too dependent’ on US, China

South Africa’s draft AI policy document – gazetted last week by the department of communications & digital technologies – contains a candid acknowledgement that the country’s reliance on US and Chinese hardware poses a strategic vulnerability that the intensifying rivalry between the two powers makes increasingly difficult to manage. “Reliance on foreign infrastructure compromises the…

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Africa: IFJ Rejects Government Proposal to Register Journalists and Social Media Users

Africa: Quintet Joint Statement On the Third International Sudan Conference

The Quintet (African Union, Intergovernmental Authority on Development, League of Arab States, European Union, and the United Nations), remains committed to facilitating an inclusive Sudanese-owned inter-Sudanese political dialogue aimed at ending the war and laying the foundations for a peaceful political transition. In advance of the Third International Sudan Conference in Berlin on 15 April…

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BYD shuns price war in South Africa

BYD shuns price war in South Africa

The BYD Dolphin Surf Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD is deliberately avoiding a price war in South Africa as competition ramps up in the continent’s second biggest car market, its local MD said on Wednesday. South Africa has seen a growing influx of new electric, plug-in hybrid, range extender and traditional hybrid car brands, many…

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Geely launches E2 EV hatchback in South Africa at R339,900

Geely launches E2 EV hatchback in South Africa at R339,900

Chinese automotive giant Geely Auto has officially introduced its third model to the South African market: the E2, a fully electric hatchback. Starting at R339,900, the E2 arrives with significant global momentum, having been China’s top-selling vehicle overall in 2025 under the “Geome Xinguan” nameplate. With over 465,000 units sold in its home country last…

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