First Independent Mena Newspaper
With geopolitical confrontation and tensions deepening, the key global players are swiftly turning their focus on Africa, experts and observers note, with some of them warning African leaders to exercise prudence in forging international alliances, in particular with countries led by such “‘power-drunk’ leader(s) like Putin”. As African leaders are making strategic choices based on […]
The US is planning to counter China’s strategy regarding rare metals in Africa through investing in a rail project connecting copper and cobalt mines in central Africa to Lobito port in Angola. The new route, which could potentially extend to Zambia, offers an alternative route to export rare metals to the Chinese controlled outlets. It […]
China’s 45th naval fleet has in recent weeks visited Tanzania, Mozambique and Madagascar in what experts say is Beijing’s show of force designed to help cement the Asian powerhouse’s diplomatic ties in Africa. After the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) Navy stopped many of its African port visits during the Covid-19 pandemic, it has now begun […]
China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) agreed to offer a loan of 400 million dollars to the Niger government, which is struggling with the impact of sanctions. The loan is seen as one of the first steps to wean financial dependence on the West, with whom the military rulers are increasingly at odds, going as far […]
Amid intense competition with the United States to dominate Artificial Intelligence (AI), China has recently hosted a forum attended by a number of African countries designed to deepen a collaboration in the field of AI governance. Hosted by Cyberspace Administration of China, the country’s internet watchdog, the China-Africa Internet Development and Cooperation Forum urged Beijing […]
Trade between Nigeria and neighboring Niger has bounced back since the West African bloc ECOWAS lifted sanctions on the latter coup-hit country, just as the president of the ECOWAS Commission admits Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso’s withdrawal will cost the regional bloc as much as US$1 billion. In January 2024, the three countries led by military […]
The European Union’s recently agreed-upon Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) does not target China but is aimed “simply [at] diversifying sources of supply,” a senior EU official has said, just as a recent study highlighted the bloc’s continuing efforts to close deals with resource-rich African nations to reduce its dependence on China for critical raw […]
In this era of geopolitical competition and realignment, India recognizes Africa as a key component in its pursuit of superpower status and the continent is thus becoming a crucial player in New Delhi’s ambitious quest for global economic dominance. India’s multifaceted relationship with African countries is set for a fundamental transformation, as the continent is […]
China is reportedly seeking a new military base in Africa, building on growing anti-western sentiment as it seeks to strengthen its foothold in a continent that is increasingly coveted, the London-based Chatham House Think tank wrote. “For over three decades, every Chinese foreign minister’s first overseas trip of the year has been to Africa. This […]
The number of Chinese workers across Africa has plummeted to its lowest level in more than a decade, according to data from China’s National Bureau of Statistics, with experts saying the continent is unlikely to see the high numbers of the past even though postponed China-run projects are now being restarted. After decades when Africa […]