First Independent Mena Newspaper
The gas pipeline that will connect Nigeria to Morocco crossing 13 West African states will have a “huge” impact in terms of bolstering energy access and regional cooperation, executive secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa, Claver Gatete, said. Claver Gatete made the comment at the 57th session of the ECA and the Conference […]
South Africa has expressed disappointment following the United States’ expulsion of its ambassador, Ebrahim Rasool, calling the decision “regrettable” but reaffirming its commitment to maintaining strong diplomatic ties with Washington. The expulsion, announced by U.S. secretary of state Marco Rubio, comes amid escalating tensions over Rasool’s outspoken criticism of U.S. foreign policy, particularly regarding the […]
Morocco will host the 58th United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development in March 2026. The announcement was made at the expert session of the 57th UNECA and the Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, currently held in Addis […]
Africa’s gross domestic product is projected to grow by 3.8% in 2025 and 4.1% in 2026, establishing the continent as the second-fastest growing global region, according to economic forecasts released during the 57th Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development in Addis Ababa. Economic experts acknowledge African economies’ remarkable resilience but caution […]
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has launched a 5,000-member counterterrorism force in response to the escalating security crisis in the Sahel and wider West Africa. Announced during the 43rd meeting of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff in Abuja, this force is designed to confront the growing influence of jihadist […]
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is reportedly seeking its own version of the minerals-for-security deal that has been offered by the Trump administration to Ukraine. Reuters reported that a Congolese Senator had written to the US State Department offering a similar deal that would help the war-torn country address its security challenges, notably in […]
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has announced a phased withdrawal of its peacekeeping troops from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) following a year of escalating conflict with M23 rebels. This decision, made during an extraordinary summit held on Thursday (13 March), reflects the regional bloc’s shift towards pursuing a political solution after […]
Ethiopia and Eritrea could be headed toward renewed warfare, regional officials warn, threatening another humanitarian disaster in the Horn of Africa. Such a conflict would involve two of the continent’s largest military forces and potentially draw in additional regional powers. The alarming developments would effectively destroy the historic peace agreement that marked a significant diplomatic […]
Prices of cobalt, a key mineral for energy transition, began to rise following an export ban by the Democratic Republic of the Congo to balance the market. On China’s Wuxi Stainless Steel Exchange on Monday, cobalt trading was paused after prices jumped nearly 12%, the highest since October. Last month, DRC said it will stop […]
Chocolate manufacturers are preparing for yet another challenge in cocoa supply after Cote D’Ivoire reported significant damage to its crop following heavy rainfall. Cote D’Ivoire, which supplies 40% of the World’s Cocoa, said warehouses are still empty with expectations of a harvest 3 to 4 times due to bad weather. Cocoa represents 50% of Cote […]