First Independent Mena Newspaper
Despite mounting global economic uncertainties, East Africa remains on a steady growth path, driven by investments in infrastructure, energy, agriculture, and digital innovation. According to a recent Deloitte’s 2025 East Africa Economic Outlook, the region is set to be the fastest-growing on the continent, even as high inflation, rising debt, and currency volatility pose significant […]
Tanzania’s decision to bar foreign nationals from operating small businesses has ignited sharp backlash across East Africa, particularly from neighboring Kenya, with fears that it could fracture regional economic ties. The new directive, announced by Trade Minister Selemani Jafo, prohibits foreigners from engaging in 15 grassroots sectors such as salons, eateries, mobile money kiosks, and […]
Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda are set to make continental football history as the first countries to jointly host the African Nations Championship (c), with the tournament kicking off Saturday in Dar es Salaam. The 19-team competition, running through August 30, represents a milestone in regional cooperation and serves as preparation for the 2027 Africa Cup […]
East Africa is experiencing a profound geopolitical shift as Gulf states and Turkey expand their influence through infrastructure, energy, and security investments totaling an estimated $75 billion, according to a new report by the Washington-based Africa Center for Strategic Studies. This influx is transforming the region’s political and economic landscape, particularly in fragile states like […]
Africa’s nuclear power ambitions are receiving renewed momentum, as rising energy demands, climate goals, and investor interest converge. At the recent Africa Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit in Kigali, Rwanda, leaders and experts emphasized nuclear power — particularly S Modular Reactors (SMRs) and micro-reactors — as a promising low-carbon solution for the continent’s energy deficit. International […]
The African Single Electricity Market (AfSEM), an ambitious initiative to unify the continent’s electricity grids, is making substantial strides, according to African Union (AU) officials at a high-level technical meeting in Addis Ababa. AfSEM aims to create a seamless, affordable, and reliable continental electricity market, interconnecting all 55 AU member states. Kamugisha Kazaura, AU Commission’s […]
India and nine African nations have launched the sea phase of AIKEYME-25 — or Africa India Key Maritime Engagement — the first-ever joint naval drill aimed at enhancing maritime security in the Western Indian Ocean. Co-hosted by India and Tanzania, the six-day exercise marks a major step in strengthening strategic cooperation between India and nine […]
The China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) has committed to investing $1.4 billion to revitalize the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA), a critical transport route for copper exports in Central Africa. The deal, announced at the recent Zambia International Mining and Energy Conference (ZIMEC 2025), aims to improve infrastructure and operations along the aging railway. Under […]
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 […]
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 […]