First Independent Mena Newspaper
Northern Nigeria is facing a spiraling food and security crisis, with aid agencies warning that drastic funding cuts and rising hunger could push desperate populations into the arms of jihadist groups like Boko Haram. The United Nations calls the situation “unprecedented,” with over 31 million Nigerians facing acute food insecurity and 5 million children suffering […]
Sudan’s government has accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of recruiting and financing foreign mercenaries — including Colombians and fighters from unnamed African countries — to support the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in its ongoing civil war against the Sudanese Armed Forces. In a statement Monday (4 August), Sudan’s foreign ministry said it possesses […]
China’s Global Security Initiative (GSI), launched in 2022 by President Xi Jinping, is increasingly shaping Africa’s security architecture, drawing both support and scrutiny across the continent. According to a new analysis by the Washington-based Africa Center for Strategic Studies, the GSI is rapidly reshaping security partnerships across Africa, embedding Chinese norms into military, policing, and […]
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has urged African governments to take decisive action to strengthen the continent’s aviation sector, describing it as a vital engine for economic growth, connectivity, and job creation. Currently contributing $75 billion to Africa’s GDP and supporting 8.1 million jobs, the aviation industry is projected to grow at 4.1% annually, […]
In a landmark move, the French government has unveiled a new bill aimed at simplifying the return of cultural artifacts taken during the colonial period. Introduced by Culture Minister Rachida Dati, the legislation would allow items looted between 1815 and 1972 to be returned by government decree, bypassing the need for time-consuming parliamentary votes. The […]
Kenyan President William Ruto has pledged a record-breaking 600 million Kenyan shillings (approximately $4.6 million) to the national football team, Harambee Stars, should they clinch the 2025 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN). Addressing the players during a breakfast meeting in Nairobi over the weekend, Ruto described the moment as historic, noting that Kenya is hosting the […]
African nations are racing against time to renegotiate trade terms with the United States, as sweeping tariffs — initially set to begin 1 August — now loom for 7 August following a last-minute executive order by President Donald Trump. Trump’s latest executive order slaps a uniform 15% tariff on most African exports — threatening industries […]
Morocco’s Ministry of Energy Transition, led by Leila Benali, has initiated sweeping reforms to revitalize the mining sector as a strategic pillar of economic sovereignty and territorial development. The comprehensive overhaul includes legislative changes, digitalization initiatives, and targeted regional development programs designed to unlock the sector’s investment potential. A draft law amending Law No. 33.13 […]
Japan is intensifying its African engagement ahead of the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), with ambitious plans centered on youth employment, digital transformation, and climate resilience. The Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has already deployed $2.9 billion of a pledged $5 billion private sector investment package, signaling sustained commitment despite global economic […]
Morocco’s unemployment rate declined marginally to 12.8% in the second quarter of 2025, down 0.3 percentage points from 13.1% in the same period last year, according to the High Commission for Planning (HCP). While the improvement breaks recent upward trends, it masks deepening structural vulnerabilities in the labor market, particularly affecting youth, women, and rural […]