Africa News Live Updates: Cambodia uses African giant rats for landmine detection; 6 farmers killed, dozens abducted in Nigeria

France has indicated it is open to dialogue with Niger concerning reparations for colonial-era atrocities, though it stops short of acknowledging responsibility, according to a report in The Guardian. In a document from the office of France’s permanent representative to the UN, the government stated it remains open to “bilateral dialogue with the Nigerien authorities, as well as to any collaboration concerning provenance research or patrimonial cooperation.” The communication addresses events from over a century ago when French troops burned villages and looted cultural artefacts during the colonial conquest of Niger.

A list of over 300 government-sanctioned Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion centers has been removed from the official website of Nigeria’s Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (PICNG), according to a report in Premium Times. The disappearance of the list reportedly happened two days after the news outlet published an investigation alleging that the CNG initiative was being threatened by black market trade and conflicts of interest. The PICNG program was established by the Nigerian government to promote CNG as a cheaper fuel alternative for vehicles following the removal of petrol subsidies in May 2023.

Nigeria’s oil production has slightly exceeded its OPEC quota, establishing the nation as the largest oil producer in Africa, according to a report in Premium Times. A recent OPEC report confirmed that Nigeria surpassed Algeria, which produced 927,000 barrels per day in the month under review. This output level has allowed Nigeria to retain its position as the continent’s top producer.

The Jigawa state government in Nigeria has partnered with Qatar Charity to distribute livelihood tools aimed at empowering local citizens, according to a report in Premium Times. The donation included 60 items in total, consisting of 20 passenger tricycles, 20 cargo tricycles, and 20 multipurpose grinding machines, which were provided to support economic activity in the state.

A special envoy from South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has reportedly been rejected by the United States, a move seen as the latest indication of strained diplomatic relations between the two administrations, BBC News says in a report. The development is being interpreted as a significant diplomatic snub, indicating a deliberate political decision by the US to not engage with South Africa’s diplomatic overture at a high level. The ‘frosty relations’ are rooted in past events, including US President Donald Trump’s previous controversial comments regarding African nations and South Africa’s domestic land reform policies.

Maj Gen (Rtd) Jack Nziza and former Minister of Local Government, Jean Marie Vianney Gatabazi, have been appointed to Rwanda’s demobilization commission, as per a report in The New Times. The decision was made during a Cabinet meeting chaired by President Paul Kagame on Wednesday, July 16.

Headline inflation in Nigeria has fallen for the third consecutive month, but economic hardship continues for many citizens as food inflation rose slightly over the past month, according to a report in Africanews. This divergence highlights the ongoing economic crisis, where the cost of basic food items is still increasing despite a slowdown in the overall inflation rate. The situation reflects the lingering effects of past economic reforms, such as the removal of fuel subsidies and the devaluation of the Naira in 2023, which continue to impact the cost of living for the population.

A new study has revealed that antiretroviral (ARV) drugs used to treat HIV are significant pollutants in South Africa’s rivers, as per a report in Mail & Guardian. The research identified lopinavir and efavirenz as the most prevalent drug pollutants found in water bodies. The contamination is heavily associated with dysfunctional or underperforming wastewater treatment plants, which fail to filter out the pharmaceutical compounds. This environmental issue is a direct consequence of South Africa’s extensive ARV treatment program, the largest in the world, combined with a widespread crisis in water and sanitation infrastructure.

Amid rising nationalist sentiments and ‘local first’ policies in several African nations, universities are publicly defending the necessity of hiring foreign staff, according to a report in Mail & Guardian. The institutions argue that attracting international academic talent is essential for filling specialized skills gaps, enhancing research output, and improving their global competitiveness. This stance places them in conflict with political pressures and government initiatives aimed at boosting local employment and addressing high unemployment rates, particularly among the youth.

The government of Zamfara State in Nigeria, under Governor Dauda Lawal, has launched a program to support the education of 8,225 secondary school girls from the region’s poorest and most vulnerable households, according to a report in Premium Times. The initiative is aimed at promoting girl-child education and targets beneficiaries specifically selected from families facing significant economic hardship.

The Rwandan government has appointed five new permanent secretaries to various ministries and named new ambassadors to Algeria and Singapore, as per a report in The New Times. The appointments were made on July 16 during a cabinet meeting chaired by President Paul Kagame. Among the new diplomatic postings, Amb. Vincent Karega was named as one of the new envoys.

Nigeria is promoting its new local content reforms for the mining sector as a potential blueprint for industrial growth across Africa, following their presentation at the African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit in Abuja, according to a report in Premium Times. The policies are a key part of the Nigerian government’s strategy to diversify its economy beyond oil dependence. The reforms aim to stimulate growth in the sector by mandating that a certain percentage of goods, services, and labor be sourced locally, thereby fostering domestic industrial capacity and ensuring more economic value is retained within the country.

The Japan Foundation has launched the JFF Theatre Africa Special Project, a new initiative offering free online streaming of Japanese films to audiences across the African continent, according to a report in the Botswana Gazette. The project is designed to deepen cross-cultural dialogue and foster greater understanding between Japan and African nations through the medium of cinema.

The Aba Urban Water Scheme in Nigeria’s Abia State has been revived by Governor Alex Otti to enhance access to potable water for residents, according to a report in Premium Times. The project addresses a long-standing issue of infrastructure decay in the commercial city of Aba. During the project’s revival, Governor Otti described access to water as an inalienable right that is critical for human survival, hygiene, and economic productivity.

A lawyer has filed a lawsuit seeking court intervention against the governor of Imo State in Nigeria, alleging the governor has defied the National Judicial Council (NJC) in the appointment of the state’s acting chief judge, Premium Times says in a report. The lawyer who filed the suit claims to have sufficient interest in the matter to challenge the governor’s action. This legal challenge highlights the constitutional conflict between a state executive’s authority and the NJC’s federally mandated role in overseeing judicial appointments to maintain the independence of the judiciary.

A political group in Nigeria is publicly urging Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Premium Times says in a report. The call is part of early political maneuvering ahead of the 2027 general elections and includes pressure on the governor to support a potential re-election bid by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. However, the governor’s spokesperson, Daniel Alabrah, has stated that it is unrealistic for anyone to pressure the governor on whether he will support Tinubu’s 2027 bid.

Botswana has sent a 36-strong delegation, comprising 29 athletes and seven officials, to represent the nation at the CAA Africa Under 18 and Under 20 Championships, the Botswana Gazette says in a report. According to the country’s athletics officials, the youthful team will not be burdened with expectations of winning medals. The primary objective of their participation in the continental meet is to provide the junior athletes with valuable experience and to focus on their growth and development in a competitive setting.

Dibu Ojerinde, the former registrar of Nigeria’s Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has initiated fresh settlement discussions with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) regarding allegations of a N5.2 billion fraud, according to a report in Premium Times. This development occurred after a court dismissed a ‘no-case submission’ filed by Ojerinde’s defense team. Following the court’s ruling, which found that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence for the trial to proceed, the defense pleaded for additional time to pursue an out-of-court settlement with the anti-graft agency.

A UK-based chili sauce company with operations in Rwanda, Chilli Mash, has secured an international export contract valued at £11 million (approximately Rwf18.5 billion) over five years, according to a report in The New Times. The deal involves the export of the company’s Rwandan-inspired chili sauce.

The Basketball Africa League (BAL) has entered its fifth season, continuing to expand as a major professional sports entity on the continent, according to a report in Mail & Guardian. A joint venture between the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), the league is seen as a significant initiative for engaging Africa’s large youth population and promoting pan-African cooperation. Beyond the sport itself, the BAL is viewed as an instrument of US soft power and is part of a wider trend of increasing global investment in Africa’s sports and entertainment sectors. The league, which relies on corporate sponsorships for funding, has stated goals that include fostering economic development and social responsibility across participating nations.

South Africa’s financial watchdog, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), has revoked the licence of the company Banxso, according to a report in Mail & Guardian. This administrative action prevents the company from legally operating in the country. The revocation is a regulatory penalty and is distinct from any potential criminal proceedings that could arise from the same circumstances.

The Real Prince has won the Durban July, South Africa’s most prestigious annual horse racing event, according to a report in Mail & Guardian. The race, a major social and sporting spectacle, was held in Durban, marking a key event in the nation’s sporting calendar.

There are growing calls within South Africa to address the educational marginalisation of boys, an issue linked to the nation’s high youth unemployment and crime rates, according to a report in Mail & Guardian. This ‘marginalisation’ refers to specific challenges such as societal pressure, the lack of male role models, higher rates of school expulsion, and vulnerability to gang recruitment, which contribute to poorer educational performance. The discussion is emerging within broader gender equality initiatives, which are beginning to recognise that addressing barriers unique to boys is a necessary component of achieving comprehensive educational equity for all genders.

The Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB) has set a deadline of August 16, 2025, for investors to submit applications for mining licenses covering 10 available deposits of coltan and cassiterite, according to a report in The New Times. The government body is formally inviting bids for these blocks, which contain minerals critical for the electronics industry. Coltan is a source of tantalum, while cassiterite is the primary ore for tin.

Irish business leaders have identified Africa as a key region for increasing agriculture and food production, according to a report in Mail & Guardian. This interest is reportedly driven by the need to diversify global food supply chains and bolster food security. The focus represents a strategic shift toward private sector investment and economic partnerships between Ireland, as part of the EU, and African nations, moving beyond historical aid-centric relationships to develop agricultural capacity on the continent.

Gauteng, South Africa’s most populous province, needs 200 new schools to address a significant infrastructure shortfall, according to a report in Mail & Guardian. The statement was made by the provincial Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Education, Matome Chiloane, who officially acknowledged the scale of the service delivery deficit. This need is driven by factors including rapid urbanization and high population growth in the province, which is South Africa’s economic hub.

Nuclear physicist Bismark Tyobeka has been appointed to chair a new ministerial expert panel in South Africa, which will advise the government on the pace, scale, and procurement strategy for developing new nuclear capacity, according to a report in Mail & Guardian. The appointment comes as the country seeks long-term solutions for its chronic energy crisis and widespread power outages. The panel, which will function in an advisory capacity, is tasked with providing recommendations on how to acquire new nuclear power, a mandate seen as a response to past controversial procurement attempts. The final decision on any new projects to supplement the country’s single existing Koeberg nuclear plant will rest with the cabinet.

Ghana has officially endorsed a campaign advocating for visa-free travel for all African citizens throughout the continent, according to a report in Mail & Guardian. This political commitment aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and its 2018 Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, which has seen slow implementation by member states. Ghana’s move follows similar visa-free announcements made by Rwanda and Kenya in late 2023. The initiative is also seen as crucial for realizing the full potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by facilitating the movement of traders and business people. Officials clarified that a visa-free policy removes the need for pre-approved travel permits but does not eliminate border controls, as travelers will still be required to present valid passports and undergo standard immigration checks.

Terror groups, particularly the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), are increasingly targeting remote military outposts in the Lake Chad Basin, which spans parts of Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, according to a report in Daily Maverick. This represents a strategic shift by ISWAP to directly engage and overrun military formations, a change from earlier tactics that more frequently targeted civilians. The vulnerability of these bases stems from their remote locations, insecure supply lines, intelligence gaps, and inadequate equipment. These successful attacks serve as propaganda and morale boosters for the terror groups while diminishing the morale and operational effectiveness of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) and exacerbating the severe, ongoing humanitarian crisis for local populations.

Maputo National Park in Mozambique has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a status which acknowledges the area’s ‘outstanding universal value’, according to a report in Daily Maverick. This international recognition is an additional layer of protection on top of its existing status as a national park under Mozambican law. The designation obliges Mozambique to protect the site for future generations under strict conservation standards. This development is part of the country’s broader national strategy to strengthen its protected areas, combat poaching, and promote eco-tourism.

The American credit rating agency S&P has downgraded Senegal’s sovereign credit rating from B to B-, citing the country’s soaring debt level, Africanews says in a report. This action follows a recent audit under the new government that resulted in an upward revision of the nation’s official debt figures. A downgrade to ‘B-‘, a speculative grade, indicates increased financial risk and typically raises borrowing costs for a country on international markets.

Mali’s former prime minister, Moussa Mara, has been questioned for a second consecutive day by the country’s Judicial Investigation Brigade, according to a report in Africanews. While no official reason has been given for the summons, it is reportedly believed to be connected to a message Mara posted on social media. The post was about political figures whom he had visited in prison.

The government of Ghana has scrapped fuel allowances and provisions for all appointed political officials, according to a report in Africanews. The announcement was made in a statement on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, by presidential spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu, acting on a directive from President John Dramani Mahama. This austerity measure applies to cabinet members and other politically appointed leaders within the government.

South Africa’s Deputy President, Paul Mashatile, is facing fresh allegations of potential conflicts of interest, according to a report in Daily Maverick. The investigative report details alleged ties between Mashatile’s family and a new multibillion-rand deal to operate the country’s national lottery. A separate report notes that a businessman who previously secured controversial government water tanker contracts was part of Mashatile’s official business delegation on a recent trip to France, further intensifying scrutiny of his associates and potential use of political influence.

Fifty hippopotamuses have been killed by poisoning in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), raising concerns about organized wildlife crime in the region, according to a report in Premium Times. The scale of the incident suggests a well-organized operation rather than random poaching. Authorities believe the primary motivation is likely the illicit trafficking of hippo teeth, which are often used as a substitute for ivory. This mass killing highlights the significant challenges the DRC faces in enforcing environmental laws and combating illegal wildlife trade, particularly in remote or unstable areas where state control is limited.

The military junta in Burkina Faso has announced that it thwarted a plot to overthrow the country’s leader, Captain Ibrahim Traore, according to a report in Premium Times. The government stated it had stopped a conspiracy aimed at destabilizing the nation, though specific details about the alleged plot or the individuals involved were not immediately released. This development occurs in a context of continued political instability, as Traore himself came to power as interim president following a coup in September 2022.

Sudan’s health system is on the verge of collapse after more than two years of civil war between the nation’s rival military factions, according to a report in Premium Times. The protracted conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which escalated in April 2023, has led to the destruction of hospitals, a critical shortage of medical supplies, and an exodus of healthcare workers. The situation is exacerbated by a massive internal displacement crisis and severe obstruction of humanitarian aid by the warring parties, while multiple international and regional peace initiatives have failed to secure a lasting resolution.

The unregulated proliferation of Starlink satellite internet devices in Africa’s Sahel region is significantly enhancing the operational capabilities of non-state armed groups and criminal organizations, according to a report in Premium Times. In countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, these actors are using the technology to improve coordination, bypass government-imposed communication blackouts, and disseminate propaganda. This development challenges state sovereignty and complicates counter-insurgency efforts, as governments struggle to control the flow of information and technology within their borders, particularly in areas with a limited state presence following the withdrawal of some international forces.

General Brice Oligui Nguema, the leader of Gabon’s military junta, has won the country’s presidential election with a landslide victory, according to a report in Premium Times. This election follows the August 2023 military coup in which Nguema’s forces overthrew President Ali Bongo Ondimba, ending the Bongo family’s 56-year rule over the Central African nation. The vote marks a step by the military leadership to formalize its hold on power and transition General Nguema from an interim head of state to an elected president.