First Independent Mena Newspaper
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 […]
Nigeria is preparing a new law that would make crypto assets legal in the country, ending years of ambiguity and legal void. Under the new law, a crypto asset is defined as “a digital representation of value that can be transferred, digitally traded and used for payment or investment purposes.” The new legislation will end […]
President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Nigeria’s oil-producing Rivers State, suspending the governor, deputy governor, and all state lawmakers amid escalating security concerns and political upheaval. The dramatic intervention follows reports of militant attacks on critical oil infrastructure in the strategically vital region. In a televised national address, Tinubu cited “disturbing […]
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 […]
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 by Drone Wars UK has highlighted the alarming rise of military drone strikes across Africa, resulting in nearly 1,000 civilian deaths over the past three years. The report, titled ‘Death on Delivery’, warns that the uncontrolled spread of armed drones, primarily imported from countries like Turkey, China, and Iran, is exacerbating civilian […]
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 […]
Nigeria has become the 77th shareholder in the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The Bank’s board of governors approved Nigeria’s membership after it amended its laws to expand incremental funding to Sub-Saharan Africa, the bank said in a statement. Through this membership, Nigeria hopes to benefit from EBRD funding, which is yet to be […]
Nigeria and China have announced a joint effort to combat the rising involvement of Chinese nationals in financial crimes across Nigeria and also fighting fake news. This follows a recent visit by Chinese Ambassador Yu Dunhai to Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Ministry of Information and National Orientation in Abuja. In a […]
The recent withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has placed significant pressure on Nigeria’s military, especially its Air Force. Air marshal Hassan Abubakar, Nigeria’s chief of air staff, highlighted at a recent meeting in Abuja that the departure of these countries from the regional security […]