 "Earthquake of magnitude 5.9 jolts Assam, tremors felt in Bhutan and north Bengal")
 "5 US F-35 jets land in Puerto Rico amid tensions with Venezuela")
Africa News Live Updates: From rising rice prices in South Africa despite a bumper harvest, to gaming industry growth, conservation efforts and shifting political dynamics, we bring you today’s top stories shaping the continent. Follow for real-time coverage of economic trends, governance issues, health crises and grassroots change across Africa:
Africa News Live Updates: Chelsea Defeat Tunisian Champions Esperance in Club World Cup Clash
FP News Desk
• June 26, 2025, 06:15:15 IST
Africa News Live Updates: What’s really happening across Africa right now? From unexpected political twists and bold peacekeeping moves to groundbreaking economic shifts and inspiring grassroots campaigns, we’re bringing you live, real-time updates.
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Following Africa as it happens. Image courtesy Google Gemini
Africa News Live Updates: From rising rice prices in South Africa despite a bumper harvest, to gaming industry growth, conservation efforts and shifting political dynamics, we bring you today’s top stories shaping the continent. Follow for real-time coverage of economic trends, governance issues, health crises and grassroots change across Africa:
Africa Now: Markets, movements and power plays
Africa News Live Updates: Welcome to our live blog bringing you the latest from across Africa from political shifts and peacekeeping efforts to economic innovation, climate impacts and grassroots movements. Stay tuned for real-time updates on the continent’s role in global affairs and responses to key regional challenges:
June 26, 2025, 06:15:15 (IST)
South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns eliminated from Club World Cup after draw with Fluminense
South African club Mamelodi Sundowns has been eliminated from the Club World Cup after playing to a scoreless draw against Brazil’s Fluminense on Wednesday, according to a report in AP. The Sundowns needed a victory to advance to the knockout round but were unable to secure one. With the draw, Fluminense finished second in Group F, advancing to the round of 16, and will await the results of other matches to determine their next opponent.
June 26, 2025, 06:00:24 (IST)
Ghana's parliament approves $2.8 billion domestic debt restructuring deal
Ghana’s parliament has approved a $2.8 billion domestic debt restructuring deal as a key measure to combat the nation’s most severe economic crisis in decades, according to a report in Africanews. The plan, known as the Domestic Debt Exchange Program (DDEP), involves exchanging existing local bonds for new ones with longer maturities and lower interest rates. This legislative approval is a critical step for Ghana to meet the preconditions for a $3 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and is intended to help restore fiscal stability.
June 26, 2025, 05:30:21 (IST)
An estimated 422,000 South African jobs are at risk due to tightening global carbon rules
South Africa’s export economy is facing significant risk from tightening global carbon regulations, with an estimated 422,000 local jobs tied to exports to economies implementing carbon border adjustment mechanisms (CBAMs), according to a report in Mail & Guardian. These rules, such as the European Union’s CBAM, impose tariffs on carbon-intensive goods, which could make South African products less competitive. The country’s heavy reliance on coal for its energy supply makes its industrial exports, particularly from sectors like iron, steel, and aluminium, highly vulnerable to these new trade barriers.
June 26, 2025, 05:30:21 (IST)
Uganda's Museveni issues statement on Israel-Iran conflict
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has issued a statement on the Israel-Iran conflict, breaking a general public silence from many African nations on the matter, according to a report in Africa News. The statement comes in the context of the direct military escalation between Israel and Iran that occurred in April 2024. In his comments, Museveni stated that Uganda’s ‘long history of resistance’ leads it to ‘abhor chauvinism of identity’ and that his government has noted ‘mistake-makers’ among the actors involved in the conflict.
June 26, 2025, 05:15:15 (IST)
Detained Chadian opposition leader Succes Masra begins hunger strike
Succes Masra, the former Prime Minister of Chad and current leader of the opposition party Les Transformateurs, has initiated a hunger strike while in detention, Africa News says in a report. Masra has been held for more than a month following the country’s contested May 2024 presidential election, in which he was a leading candidate against the incumbent, Mahamat Déby Itno. His hunger strike is a protest against his detention and the political situation following the election.
June 26, 2025, 05:15:15 (IST)
Rwandan minister calls for embedding gender equity in workplaces
Rwanda’s Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, Consolee Uwimana, has called for a concerted effort to make workplaces more gender-responsive by embedding gender equity into institutional culture and day-to-day operations, The New Times says in a report. This initiative aims to build on the country’s achievements in political representation for women by addressing systemic and cultural norms within both public and private sector organizations. The minister’s statement highlights a focus on practical implementation to ensure genuine workplace equity, aligning with Rwanda’s national policies and commitments to continental goals such as the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
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June 26, 2025, 03:30:18 (IST)
South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns eliminated from Club World Cup after scoreless draw
South African club Mamelodi Sundowns has been eliminated from the Club World Cup after a scoreless draw against Brazil’s Fluminense on Wednesday, AP says in a report. The Sundowns required a victory to advance to the knockout round but were unable to secure a win. With the draw, Fluminense finished second in Group F and will move on to the round of 16.
June 26, 2025, 02:32:25 (IST)
Security lapses at Addis Ababa airport highlighted after Kenyan citizen faces execution in Vietnam
A Kenyan citizen is facing a potential death sentence in Vietnam for drug trafficking, an ordeal that reportedly began due to security weaknesses at Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport, according to a report in Mail & Guardian. The case highlights significant security vulnerabilities at one of Africa’s busiest aviation hubs, which has increasingly become a transit point for illicit drugs. The incident underscores the severe legal consequences in destination countries like Vietnam, which has extremely strict anti-narcotics laws, and raises concerns about the exploitation of individuals by international criminal syndicates.
June 26, 2025, 02:32:25 (IST)
South African wine industry faces US deadline for reduced-tariff trade
South Africa’s wine industry is facing a critical deadline that could end its reduced-tariff access to the United States market under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), according to a report in Daily Maverick. The potential loss of these trade benefits, which make South African wine competitively priced in the U.S., stems from ongoing debates about AGOA’s reauthorization and concerns within the Trump administration regarding South Africa’s foreign policy. The economic implications for the country are significant, with the agricultural sector facing potential revenue loss, reduced market share, and substantial job cuts if the preferential trade terms are revoked.
June 26, 2025, 02:31:19 (IST)
ANC retains seat in Gauteng ward by-election
The African National Congress (ANC) has retained its seat in a by-election held in Ward 24 in South Africa’s Gauteng province, according to a report in Daily Maverick. The result signifies a hold for the ruling party in the specific municipal ward. By-elections are held to fill vacant political offices that become available between general elections. This outcome ensures continuity of representation for the ANC in that specific ward within the country’s most populous province.
June 26, 2025, 02:31:19 (IST)
Zimbabwe cholera outbreak spreads to eight districts
A cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe has escalated and spread to eight districts, according to a report in Mail & Guardian. The public health crisis is being attributed to failing infrastructure at its epicenter, where burst pipes have reportedly been left in a state of disrepair for several months. These damaged pipes are said to be spewing human waste into the streets, contributing to the spread of the waterborne disease.
June 26, 2025, 02:30:15 (IST)
USAid funding freeze threatens successful snakebite program in eSwatini
A highly successful snakebite treatment program in eSwatini is under threat of closure after the United States Agency for International Development (USAid) froze its funding, according to a report in Mail & Guardian. The program had been credited with significant success, reportedly reducing deaths from snakebites in the country to zero. The funding withdrawal now jeopardizes the continued operation of a key treatment center, raising concerns about a potential resurgence of snakebite-related fatalities.
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June 26, 2025, 02:17:30 (IST)
Qatar Airways resumes flights to Kigali, Rwanda
Qatar Airways has resumed flight operations to Kigali International Airport in Rwanda after suspending the service in December 2021, according to a report in The New Times. The Rwanda Airports Company (RAC) confirmed the resumption of the service.
June 26, 2025, 02:16:25 (IST)
KNCHR reports 8 killed and over 400 injured in nationwide protests in Kenya
At least eight people have been killed and more than 400 injured during nationwide protests in Kenya, according to a report in Standard Media Kenya. The figures were released by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), which noted the demonstrations were held across the country to mark the first anniversary of the widespread Gen-Z-led protests that originally took place in 2023. The KNCHR’s report highlights the severe casualties resulting from the anniversary demonstrations.
June 26, 2025, 02:16:24 (IST)
South African cabinet calls US decision to resettle Afrikaner refugees misinformed
The South African Cabinet has officially responded to a United States decision to resettle Afrikaner refugees, calling the action ‘misinformed’, Daily Maverick says in a report. In its statement, the government rejected the basis for the US decision, stating it is founded on a flawed understanding of the domestic situation in South Africa. The response directly addresses the US’s interpretation of conditions for minority groups within the country.
June 26, 2025, 02:15:15 (IST)
Cameroon invited to attend TICAD 9 development conference in Japan
Cameroon has received an invitation to the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), which is scheduled to take place in Japan, Cameroon Tribune says in a report. TICAD is a summit-level conference initiated by Japan to promote high-level policy dialogue between African leaders and development partners. The conference is co-organized by Japan, the United Nations, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, and the African Union Commission.
June 26, 2025, 01:30:20 (IST)
Disney's 'Elephant' premieres in Botswana with Setswana narration
The African premiere of DisneyNature’s film ‘Elephant’ took place at the Wildscreen Festival in Maun, Botswana, featuring a full narration in the Setswana language by creative Jazzelle Kebakile, as per a report in Botswana Gazette. The screening presented the internationally produced film with a complete voice-over in a local African language, a notable feature for a major studio release on the continent.
June 26, 2025, 01:17:30 (IST)
Rwandan minister links higher education to improved mental health
Pursuing higher education can help individuals overcome mental health struggles, according to a statement from Rwanda’s Minister of State for Health, Dr. Yvan Butera, The New Times said in a report. The minister explicitly linked advancing academically with improved mental well-being, suggesting that educational attainment is a positive factor in addressing mental health issues.
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June 26, 2025, 01:17:29 (IST)
Botswana U-16 basketball teams enter final training for regional games in Namibia
The men’s and women’s Under-16 national basketball teams from Botswana have entered the final phase of their preparations for the 2025 African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Youth Games, the Botswana Gazette says in a report. The teams are currently in their last training camp before the competition, which is scheduled to take place in Namibia next month.
June 26, 2025, 01:16:23 (IST)
Botswana hosts continental U-14 tennis tournament for young players
Botswana recently hosted the International Tennis Federation/Confederation of African Tennis (ITF/CAT) U-14 circuit, offering local junior players a rare opportunity to compete against budding talent from across the continent, according to a report in the Botswana Gazette. The event is described as a significant step in realizing the long-term vision of the Botswana Tennis Association (BTA) to develop local tennis talent for international competition.
June 26, 2025, 01:16:23 (IST)
Standard Chartered Botswana increases sponsorship for University of Botswana marathon
Standard Chartered Bank Botswana has pledged P1 million to support the 2025 University of Botswana Marathon, with all proceeds benefiting the institution’s scholarship endowment fund, according to a report in the Botswana Gazette. The new commitment marks an increase from the P800,000 that the bank contributed when the partnership was initiated in 2023. The funds are intended to provide long-term, sustainable financial aid for students through the university’s endowment.
June 26, 2025, 01:00:15 (IST)
WildAid launches 'zero pangolin' operation in Cameroon targeting restaurants
The non-governmental organization WildAid has launched an initiative in Cameroon dubbed ‘operation zero pangolin’ to combat the illegal trafficking of the endangered species, according to a report in Cameroon Tribune. The operation specifically targets the sale and consumption of pangolin meat in local restaurants as part of a broader effort to enforce wildlife protection laws. Pangolins are recognized as the world’s most trafficked mammal, sought for both their meat and scales.
June 26, 2025, 00:15:17 (IST)
Tests find unsafe drinking water in 23 of 53 sampled schools
Tests on water storage tanks at 53 schools found that 23 contained water unsafe for drinking, representing over 43% of the sample, according to a report in Mail & Guardian. The findings from the recent sampling highlight potential health risks for students in the affected schools due to contaminated water supplies.
June 26, 2025, 00:01:21 (IST)
African Development Bank grants $500,000 for Kigali cable car feasibility study
The African Development Bank (AfDB) on Wednesday approved a $500,000 grant to finance a feasibility study for the initial phase of a proposed cable car transport system in Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, The New Times said in a report. The grant will be used to assess the technical, economic, and environmental viability of the project, which is aimed at improving urban mobility. This study is a preliminary step before any potential commitment to the full construction of the transport system.
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June 26, 2025, 00:00:16 (IST)
New scientific method helps distinguish illegal elephant ivory from mammoth ivory
Scientists have developed a new method to distinguish illegal elephant ivory from legal mammoth ivory, which could significantly aid law enforcement in the fight against the illicit wildlife trade, as per a report in Africa News. The breakthrough addresses a common loophole where traffickers mislabel banned elephant ivory as that from extinct mammoths, which is often legal to trade. This scientific tool is expected to enhance the enforcement of national and international ivory bans, such as those under the CITES convention, and support the conservation efforts of African nations impacted by elephant poaching.
June 26, 2025, 00:00:16 (IST)
Rwanda to use Ketamine for suicide prevention and severe depression, health minister says
Rwanda will incorporate the use of Ketamine in its efforts to prevent suicide and treat severe mental health conditions, according to a report in The New Times. Dr. Yvan Butera, the State Minister in the Ministry of Health, announced that the drug is being considered for its potential to treat severe depression, suicidal ideation, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This initiative is part of Rwanda’s broader National Mental Health Strategy, which aims to address significant public health challenges, including intergenerational trauma from the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
June 25, 2025, 23:00:17 (IST)
Cameroon's electoral body prepares for inclusive and transparent elections
Cameroon’s electoral body, Elecam (Elections Cameroon), is reportedly making preparations to ensure future elections are inclusive and transparent, according to a report in Cameroon Tribune. The move comes as the country anticipates its next presidential election, which is constitutionally required in 2025. This focus on transparency and inclusivity addresses historical criticisms and ongoing calls from opposition and civil society groups for significant reforms to the nation’s electoral code and processes.
June 25, 2025, 22:00:26 (IST)
Rwandan forces join Mozambique independence day celebration in Mocímboa da Praia
Members of the Rwanda Security Force (RSF) participated in Mozambique’s 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations held in the district of Mocímboa da Praia, according to a report in The New Times. The event took place in the key port city, which was a former stronghold for Islamist insurgents before being recaptured by a joint force of Rwandan and Mozambican troops in August 2021. The joint celebration marks a significant milestone in the stabilization of the Cabo Delgado province, where Rwandan forces were deployed in 2021 to help counter the insurgency.
June 25, 2025, 21:15:16 (IST)
Ghana's parliament approves $2.8 billion debt restructuring deal
Ghana’s parliament has approved a $2.8 billion debt restructuring deal aimed at alleviating the country’s severe economic crisis, according to a report in Africanews. The approval is a critical step for Ghana to access the next portion of a $3 billion credit facility from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which was initially agreed upon in May 2023. This external debt agreement follows a controversial domestic debt exchange program undertaken in early 2023 as the nation grapples with its worst economic downturn in decades, which has been characterized by soaring inflation and significant currency depreciation.
June 25, 2025, 20:46:25 (IST)
Rwanda to seek $500 million for biodiversity conservation efforts
Rwanda is seeking to raise $500 million to finance the implementation of its biodiversity conservation solutions, as per a report in The New Times. The country’s Minister of Environment, Valentine Uwamariya, stated that the funds are needed to support and execute various environmental protection programs.
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June 25, 2025, 20:45:19 (IST)
NBR unity council in South Africa rejects dialogue, demands chairman's removal
The NBR Unity Council in South Africa has rejected a dialogue offer from the Finance Adviser, according to a report in Daily Sun. The council continues to maintain its one-point demand for the immediate removal of the current NBR Chairman and is refusing to engage in talks amid an ongoing dispute within the key national institution.
June 25, 2025, 19:30:02 (IST)
UN calls for renewed political and climate action in Libya amid ongoing crises
The United Nations has issued a call for renewed political and climate action in Libya to address the country’s persistent governance and humanitarian crises, Africanews says in a report. The appeal underscores the urgent need for a unified international approach to support Libya’s recovery, stability, and resilience to climate-related disasters, a vulnerability starkly exposed by the devastating Derna floods in 2023. The UN’s push aims to resolve the political stalemate between rival administrations, establish a constitutional framework for long-delayed national elections, and create a secure environment for the delivery of humanitarian aid and long-term development.
June 25, 2025, 19:19:44 (IST)
CAR officials deny president is seriously ill amid reports of emergency evacuation
Officials in the Central African Republic have issued a statement claiming the country’s president, Faustin-Archange Touadéra, is not seriously ill, Africa News said in a report. This official denial directly contradicts a report from the specialist website Africa Intelligence, which stated the president was transported to a hospital in Brussels following an emergency evacuation from the capital, Bangui, on Saturday. The conflicting accounts have created uncertainty surrounding the president’s health status.
June 25, 2025, 19:19:44 (IST)
UN urges renewed political and climate action in Libya amid humanitarian and governance crises
The United Nations is urging for renewed international political and climate action in Libya to address the country’s ongoing humanitarian and governance crises, according to a report in Africa News. The call for action comes as Libya continues to suffer from a political fracture between two rival administrations, a situation that hinders unified governance and recovery efforts. The humanitarian crisis, significantly worsened by the catastrophic Derna floods in September 2023, has brought the need for climate resilience to the forefront, with the UN stressing the importance of international unity to support the nation’s stability.
June 25, 2025, 19:19:44 (IST)
Rwanda launches new initiative to upskill teachers for English-based instruction
Rwanda is rolling out a new initiative to boost the English language skills of its teachers, aiming to improve the overall quality of education and classroom instruction, according to a report in The New Times. These efforts are part of a broader national strategy to strengthen the country’s education system. The move reinforces a national policy decision made over a decade ago to adopt English as the primary language of instruction, aligning with Rwanda’s economic and diplomatic goals within the East African Community and the Commonwealth.
June 25, 2025, 19:18:39 (IST)
Lawyer urges Nigeria's attorney general to enforce court rulings on Osun local government polls
Constitutional lawyer Mike Ozekhome is urging Nigeria’s Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) to enforce court rulings that validated the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) victory in the Osun State local government elections, according to a report in Premium Times. Ozekhome criticized a directive issued by the AGF on March 26, which instructed the Minister of Finance to continue disbursing local government allocations to sacked All Progressives Congress (APC) officials whose elections had been nullified by the courts. The lawyer’s action calls for the AGF to uphold the judicial decisions rather than subvert them.
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June 25, 2025, 19:16:25 (IST)
Experts urge Nigerian government to leverage social cohesion data for policy reform
Experts are urging the Nigerian government to utilize data on social cohesion to inform and guide policy reforms, according to a report in Premium Times. Professor Ihua, an expert cited in the report, highlighted that indicators of weak social cohesion in Nigeria include public mistrust, perceptions of widespread injustice, gender inequality, and pervasive insecurity. The recommendation emphasizes that this data should be leveraged to create more effective and targeted governmental policies to address these challenges.
June 25, 2025, 19:15:20 (IST)
Anambra community seeks lasting solution to flooding
A community in Nigeria’s Anambra State is demanding permanent solutions to persistent and severe annual flooding, according to a report in Premium Times. Residents expressed frustration that the current response, which focuses on temporary relocation camps and relief supplies like food and mattresses, is inadequate. They highlighted the recurring economic devastation, as they are forced to rebuild their homes and see infrastructure like roads collapse each year without proper repair, leaving them progressively poorer.
June 25, 2025, 19:15:20 (IST)
Kwara government scraps Harmony Holdings
The Kwara State government has scrapped Harmony Holdings and its subsidiaries, Premium Times says in a report. The holding company, which was established in 2012, was tasked with managing state government properties and included entities such as Harmony Transport Services, Harmony Insurance Brokers, and Harmony Investment and Property Development Company.
June 25, 2025, 19:02:32 (IST)
Nigerian state assembly summons firms over alleged illegal quarry operations
A state assembly in Nigeria has summoned several companies to appear before it regarding allegations of illegal quarrying activities, as per a report in Premium Times. The assembly’s spokesperson, Egede Sylvester, announced the summons in a statement to reporters in Abakaliki on Tuesday. The firms are being called to answer for their alleged unauthorized operations within the state.
End of Liveblog