First Independent Mena Newspaper
African Union (AU) mediators have arrived in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, to try to urgently address rising tensions in the country and prevent a return to civil war. The arrival of the so-called “Council of the Wise” follows the recent house arrest of first vice president Riek Machar, a move that has deepened the political […]
US president Donald Trump has unveiled a controversial new tariff policy, imposing sweeping duties on imports from over 180 countries, including 51 African nations. The tariffs, which include a baseline 10% on all imports and higher duties on certain countries, are part of Trump’s strategy to combat what he describes as unfair trade practices that […]
Massad Boulos, newly appointed senior advisor for Africa at the US State Department, is set to begin a diplomatic mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda. The trip, which starts on 3 March, aims to foster peace in eastern DRC, where M23 rebels continue their offensive, and encourage increased […]
As the expiration of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) approaches in September, former US ambassador to Kenya, Kyle McCarter, has cast doubt on the deal’s renewal, citing its unfavorable terms for the United States. McCarter, who served under the Trump administration, expressed skepticism about the prospects of extending Agoa through the HR 10366-Agoa […]
Sudan has imposed a complete ban on Kenyan imports in response to Kenya’s role in hosting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and its allies, who recently formed a parallel government in Nairobi. The decision, issued by Sudan’s Ministry of Trade, halts the entry of Kenyan goods, including essential items like tea, food, and pharmaceuticals, […]
Chinese state-owned firms are playing a dominant role in port development across Africa, with a presence in 78 ports across 32 countries as builders, financiers, or operators, sparking concerns about China’s long-term geo-strategic aims. According to a new report by the Washington-based Africa Center for Strategic Studies, these Chinese firms are not only builders and […]
A new report from the African Development Bank (AfDB) underscores Africa’s impressive economic recovery, highlighting the continent’s resilience, growth, and the impact of bold reforms. With a projected GDP growth from 3.2% in 2024 to 4.1% in 2025 and 4.4% in 2026, Africa is now the second-fastest-growing regional economy globally, trailing only Asia. This growth […]
The East African Community (EAC) is grappling with a severe financial crisis, with member states failing to remit over $62 million in contributions for the 2024/25 financial year. The bloc, which comprises Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya, has seen its programs delayed, while salaries for staff […]
Three years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, African economies continue to grapple with the long-term effects of the conflict, with many nations still feeling the sting of rising inflation, disrupted supply chains, and escalating debt risks. A new report from the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) highlights that while some regions, such as East Africa, have […]
Sub-Saharan Africa remains the world’s most expensive region when it comes to transferring remittances, with an average cost of transferring money of 8.37% in the second quarter of 2024, according to the World Bank’s most recent report. This cost remains significantly above the global average, despite the increasing importance of remittances in the region’s economies. […]