First Independent Mena Newspaper
A sweeping shift in the European Union’s migration policy is drawing fierce criticism across Africa, as the EU proposes linking development aid to countries’ cooperation on border control and deportations. Under the revised Global Europe instrument, nations that fail to prevent irregular migration or refuse to accept deportees could see vital funds slashed. Critics say […]
Nigeria’s economy has officially grown larger — at least on paper — but the West African country still remains the continent’s fourth-largest economy, behind South Africa, Egypt, and Algeria. Following a long-awaited GDP rebasing, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revised the country’s nominal output for 2024 to ₦372.8 trillion ($243 billion), up from ₦314 […]
Tunisia exported 39,745 tonnes of organic agricultural products between 1 January and 30 June 2025, generating 489.03 million dinars in revenue, according to the National Observatory of Agriculture (ONAGRI). The export sector was overwhelmingly led by organic olive oil and organic dates, which made up 86.8% and 22.7% of the total volume, respectively. Organic olive […]
Morocco has uncovered 20 historic shipwrecks beneath its Atlantic and Mediterranean waters, marking a significant milestone in understanding the kingdom’s maritime heritage and prompting new legislative protections for underwater cultural assets. The National Center for Studies and Research in Underwater Cultural Heritage announced the discoveries across several coastal regions, including El Jadida and northern Morocco. […]
A new U.S. policy introducing a non-waivable $250 “visa integrity fee” for nonimmigrant visa applicants — particularly from African nations — has drawn sharp criticism for raising barriers to travel, education, and business. Part of the recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025, the fee applies to nearly all visa categories, including tourist […]
Somalia has intensified its campaign against terrorism financing, taking decisive action to dismantle the financial infrastructure sustaining extremist group Al-Shabaab. The National Committee for Combating Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT), led by Finance Minister Bihi Iman Egeh, reported the deactivation of 575 mobile lines and the freezing of 21 bank accounts […]
In a major development for U.S. mineral strategy in Africa, KoBold Metals, a California-based company backed by billionaires Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates, has signed a landmark agreement with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to explore and develop the Manono lithium project — one of the world’s richest untapped lithium deposits. The deal, witnessed […]
The Casablanca Stock Exchange achieved a historic milestone last week, crossing the one trillion dirham market capitalization threshold for the first time, confirming the Moroccan financial market’s growing maturity and investor confidence. The benchmark MASI index advanced 1.30 percent during the week, breaking through the psychological 19,000-point barrier. This achievement reflects sustained market consolidation driven […]
The African Development Bank has approved 100 million euros in financing for Morocco’s inclusive agriculture program targeting women and youth, aiming to enhance food security and climate resilience while creating sustainable rural entrepreneurship opportunities. The Support Program for Inclusive Solidarity Agriculture for Women and Youth (PAASIFEJ) will stimulate entrepreneurship in rural areas through adapted financing […]
Egypt’s Environment Minister, Dr Yasmine Fouad, has officially resigned to assume her new post as Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the Egyptian cabinet confirmed on Sunday, July 20. Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly accepted her resignation and appointed Local Development Minister Manal Awad to temporarily oversee the Environment portfolio alongside […]