First Independent Mena Newspaper
In 2025, African fashion is no longer a rising trend — it’s a global force reshaping the industry with bold design, sustainability, and cultural authenticity. Valued at $31 billion in 2020, Africa’s fashion market is projected to surpass $50 billion by 2030, according to McKinsey & Company. With exports of textiles, apparel, and footwear reaching […]
Nine African companies have been named among Forbes’ 2025 World’s Best Employers, highlighting the continent’s growing influence in global workplace standards and corporate culture. Topping Africa’s list is Standard Bank Group, ranked 28th globally, and securing its fourth consecutive appearance on Forbes’ prestigious annual ranking. The accolade cements its position as a leader in employee […]
Madagascar faces its most severe political crisis in over a decade as a wave of Gen Z-led protests has escalated into what President Andry Rajoelina describes as an attempted coup. The unrest intensified after CAPSAT, the elite military unit that helped install Rajoelina in power in 2009, declared its allegiance to the protesters and announced […]
The European Union’s decision to impose 50% tariffs on steel imports beyond a reduced quota has sent ripples through global markets — and Africa is bracing for the fallout. While most African countries are technically exempt from the EU’s new tariff regime under WTO rules, the continent may still face serious indirect consequences. With major […]
Rwanda’s ambitions to become Africa’s health and biotech hub received a major endorsement this week, as the European Union announced a €95 million ($103 million) investment to bolster the country’s vaccine manufacturing, biotechnology, and economic inclusion efforts. Unveiled in Brussels during the Global Gateway Forum, the funding marks a deepening partnership between the EU and […]
King Mohammed VI, accompanied by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan and Prince Moulay Rachid, on Friday delivered a speech to the Parliament at the opening of the first session of the fifth legislative year of the 11th Legislature. Here follows the full text of the Royal speech: “Praise be to God. May peace and blessings […]
A state audit in the Democratic Republic of Congo has uncovered a staggering $16.8 billion discrepancy in mining revenue declarations between 2018 and 2023, raising serious concerns about transparency and accountability in one of Africa’s richest resource nations. According to the Court of Auditors’ June report, mining companies declared $98.2 billion in revenue to tax […]
Somalia’s government has firmly denied allegations that it entered into a secret agreement with Sweden to accept deported Somali nationals in exchange for redirected development aid. In an official statement, the Office of the Prime Minister rejected claims that Somalia received $9 million in Swedish aid as part of a covert deal. There is “no […]
President Andry Rajoelina’s call for national dialogue fell flat on Wednesday (8 Oct) as thousands of protesters, led by Madagascar’s Gen Z movement, boycotted the talks and vowed to escalate demonstrations unless demands are met. More than 1,500 representatives from civil society — including church leaders, academics, unions, and entrepreneurs — attended the presidential palace […]
In a historic first, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has convicted former Sudanese militia commander Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman — widely known as Ali Kushayb — of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the brutal Darfur conflict over two decades ago. The verdict, delivered on Monday (6 Oct), marks the ICC’s first conviction […]