African stock markets are posting some of the strongest returns in the world this year, even as gold has fallen from its January peak and oil prices remain volatile. Data for selected African exchanges as of Sept. 2 show double-digit gains in many markets, led by Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Ghana and the BRVM regional exchange. Nigeria’s…
Most citizens express tolerance for ethnic, religious, and national differences but want to limit immigration. Key findings Across 38 African countries, interpersonal trust declines sharply as social distance increases. On average, 81% of Africans say they trust relatives “somewhat” or “a lot,” vs. 58% who trust their neighbours and around half who trust people of…
Zimbabwean Street Vendors Vow to Defy Eviction Order Street vendors in Harare have vowed to defy a government order to leave illegal trading sites. They said informal trading was their only means of survival in the current economic climate and amid high unemployment. As the September 9 deadline approaches, the government is preparing to launch a…
Following tensions surrounding the recent General Elections in Zambia in August, the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA) has issued a statement and a call for prayer and peace. Signed by the Most Revd Thabo Makgoba (the Metropolitan Archbishop and Primate of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa) on behalf of the African Primates,…
Delegates from 196 nations plus EU officials have met in Mongolia to discuss how best to tackle drought and desertification. Often overlooked by the larger and busier climate summits, this small UN desertification summit, known as Cop17, felt more important than ever. Yet countries still could not agree on what needs to be done. Negotiations…
Nairobi — The world is now on course to overshoot the 1.5°C climate threshold within the next few years, with even the most optimistic scenario projecting warming to peak at 1.8°C, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) warned. In a new report released Wednesday, UNEP said crossing 1.5°C would expose countries and communities to escalating climate…
Nairobi — The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and Kenya Climate Ventures (KCV) have launched a partnership aimed at unlocking more domestic and international capital for climate adaptation and resilience businesses across Sub-Saharan Africa. The two institutions signed a Joint Declaration at the Adaptation Investment Summit for Africa 2026 in Nairobi, creating a framework…
Addis Abeba — The United States Congress has cleared a two-year extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) through 31 December 2028, providing temporary continuity for eligible African exporters, while Ethiopia’s prospects of regaining access to the preferential trade program remain uncertain. The U.S. House of Representatives on 1 September approved the measure…
Senegal reached a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund for a $2.2 billion, 3-year lending programme as the government seeks to restore debt sustainability after uncovering more than $11 billion of previously misreported borrowing. The agreement still requires approval from IMF management and its Executive Board. The deal follows months of negotiations after the…
The Vice-President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has called for greater African ownership of the continent’s energy sector, saying stronger local companies and technical institutions are needed to unlock its full potential. She said Africa must play a greater role in developing its energy resources and building the industries required to create jobs and economic opportunities…
