First Independent Mena Newspaper
The African Ministerial Conference on Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) of child soldiers, held Thursday in Rabat, was crowned with the adoption of a joint statement, pledging to combat the recruitment and use of children in armed conflicts. The Rabat Declaration, endorsed by participating African Ministers and Heads of delegations, is a collective African response […]
In a landmark move to address Africa’s mounting debt crisis, finance ministers across the continent have adopted the African Debt Monitoring Mechanism (ADMM) — a real-time, continent-wide system designed to track both domestic and external debt. Approved during the 8th Ordinary Session of the African Union’s finance-focused committee in South Africa, the ADMM is hailed […]
Sub-Saharan African nations are facing mounting fiscal strain as they increasingly turn to domestic banks to fund government budgets, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned in its latest Regional Economic Outlook. With global capital markets still hesitant and aid flows uncertain, governments are borrowing more at home — paying higher rates and placing pressure on […]
Economic leadership that was long concentrated in the West has decisively shifted towards emerging economies, whereby this historic global shift in trade and power is redefining Africa’s role in the world economy, says a new book ‘West to East: A New Global Economy in the Making’. Its author, economist Arno van Niekerk, described in a […]
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 […]
The European Union has announced a funding package of nearly €545 million (approximately $638 million) to support renewable energy initiatives across Africa, aimed at expanding electricity access, strengthening regional power grids, and advancing the continent’s transition to clean energy. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled the commitment in a video message during the […]
African countries are becoming key producers of critical minerals like cobalt and platinum, but the rush to extract these resources has also fueled instability, causing displacement and escalating armed conflicts across the continent. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projected in its Regional Economic Outlook report published in April last year that critical minerals could boost […]
Africa’s trade with China has surged 25% in 2025, reaching $122 billion in just seven months — on track to exceed $200 billion for the first time, yet beneath the boom lies a widening trade imbalance and growing concern over Africa’s long-term economic autonomy, experts warn. While U.S.-Africa trade has declined, especially under President Donald […]
Interpol’s Operation Serengeti 2.0 has exposed Africa’s vulnerability to cybercrime, resulting in 1,209 arrests across 18 African nations and the United Kingdom, recovering $97.4 million from schemes affecting nearly 88,000 victims. The August 22 announcement highlights escalating digital threats including inheritance scams, ransomware, and business email compromise across the continent. The operation’s success underscores cybercrime’s […]
As global demand for critical minerals accelerates, Australian mining companies are ramping up their presence across Africa, positioning the country as a key player in the global energy transition. With Africa holding an estimated 30% of the world’s known mineral resources, Australian Securities Exchange (ASX)-listed companies are seizing the opportunity, specialized Australian website mining.com.au said […]