First Independent Mena Newspaper
Rising costs of road freight across West Africa are threatening to derail the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), exporters and trade experts warn, as unofficial fees and bureaucratic bottlenecks mount along key trade corridors. A recent case study by the West African Association for Cross-Border Trade (WACTAF) reveals that transporting a truckload of goods […]
East Africa is experiencing a profound geopolitical shift as Gulf states and Turkey expand their influence through infrastructure, energy, and security investments totaling an estimated $75 billion, according to a new report by the Washington-based Africa Center for Strategic Studies. This influx is transforming the region’s political and economic landscape, particularly in fragile states like […]
In a rare diplomatic move, President Donald Trump hosted the leaders of five West African nations — Liberia, Senegal, Gabon, Mauritania, and Guinea-Bissau — at the White House on Wednesday (9 July), declaring a shift in U.S. policy from aid to trade. The meeting comes amid deep cuts to U.S. foreign aid following the dissolution […]
South Korea’s Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) has signed a landmark $637 million deal to build a floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) facility for a European client operating in Mozambique, reinforcing Africa’s rising profile in global energy markets. The state-of-the-art Coral Norte FLNG platform, to be constructed offshore, will liquefy, store, and export natural gas directly […]
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Namibia on Wednesday (9 July), marking the final leg of his five-nation tour with a visit focused on securing critical minerals and deepening digital and defense cooperation. This is the first visit by an Indian prime minister since Namibia’s independence in 1990. Namibia, Africa’s top uranium producer and […]
A sharp rise in immigration scams is devastating would-be African migrants after Canada’s expanded Francophone Mobility Programme unintentionally opened a door for fraudsters. Originally intended to bolster French-speaking immigration, the scheme has been exploited by “ghost consultants” who promise guaranteed visas for steep fees. In the first half of 2024 alone, Canada refused more than […]
South Sudanese authorities have confirmed on Tuesday, July 08, the arrival and custody of eight men deported from the United States, who landed at Juba International Airport on Saturday. According to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Apuk Ayuel, the individuals were transferred through “standard deportation procedures” and are currently being screened by relevant Government bodies to ensure […]
The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) has temporarily raised the daily cash withdrawal limit for individuals and businesses at bank branches from EGP 250,000 to EGP 500,000. This exceptional measure is intended to cushion the impact of ongoing telecommunications disruptions that have affected regular banking operations across the country. The CBE stated that the adjustment […]
Less than two years after seizing power, Niger’s junta leader General Abdourahamane Tiani is struggling to contain a growing jihadist insurgency that threatens both his authority and national stability. Despite bold promises to restore security and sovereignty after the 2023 coup, Tiani’s regime faces escalating attacks from al-Qaeda-affiliated Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and Islamic […]
In a surprise diplomatic move, former U.S. President Donald Trump is set to host leaders from Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal July 9-11, signaling a shift in U.S.-Africa relations rooted less in aid and more in deals, minerals, and migration control. Though these five nations are small in global trade terms, they sit atop […]