From South Africa’s shifting foreign policy posture on Western Sahara to fierce battles over oil-rich territory in Sudan, today’s headlines reveal a continent grappling with political realignments, economic recalibrations and urgent security challenges. We’re tracking key developments across Africa, including Nigeria’s budget debates, energy dependency in West Africa and new diplomatic tensions—with real-time insights into what it all means for the region’s future.
Africa News Live Updates: MK’s Sahara shock, Sudan’s oil conflict, Nigeria’s budget battles
Africa News Live Updates: MK’s Sahara shock, Sudan’s oil conflict, Nigeria’s budget battles
FP Alpha
• July 24, 2025, 06:00:09 IST
This is an AI assisted live blog with updates from multiple sources
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Africa News Live Updates: Stay informed with continuous updates on key events shaping Africa today. From politics, diplomatic shifts to innovations in finance, climate resilience and community-led movements, we bring you all stories that matter and in-depth insights. Explore how African nations are redefining global partnerships, managing security dynamics, responding to humanitarian challenges and driving change from the ground up. This is your live gateway to Africa’s pulse moment by moment
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From South Africa’s shifting foreign policy posture on Western Sahara to fierce battles over oil-rich territory in Sudan, today’s headlines reveal a continent grappling with political realignments, economic recalibrations and urgent security challenges. We’re tracking key developments across Africa, including Nigeria’s budget debates, energy dependency in West Africa and new diplomatic tensions—with real-time insights into what it all means for the region’s future.
All that is news in Africa today
Africa News Live Updates: Stay informed with continuous updates on key events shaping Africa today. From politics, diplomatic shifts to innovations in finance, climate resilience and community-led movements, we bring you all stories that matter and in-depth insights. Explore how African nations are redefining global partnerships, managing security dynamics, responding to humanitarian challenges and driving change from the ground up. This is your live gateway to Africa’s pulse moment by moment
July 24, 2025, 06:00:09 (IST)
50 hippos killed by poisoning in Democratic Republic of Congo
Fifty hippos were killed by poisoning in the Democratic Republic of Congo, an incident believed to be the work of sophisticated criminal networks or armed groups, Premium Times said in a report. The mass killing, which occurred in the nation’s conflict-affected eastern region, highlights the severe challenges in protecting wildlife. Hippos are a protected species targeted for their meat and for their teeth, which are a valuable substitute for elephant ivory in the illegal market. The scale of the poisoning points to a highly organised operation and underscores the deep connection between illicit resource extraction, regional instability, and the funding of armed groups, posing a significant challenge to the DRC government’s conservation efforts and rule of law.
July 24, 2025, 05:57:16 (IST)
ZAM calls on Dutch government to suspend aid to Tanzania over torture scandal
Dutch-based journalism and advocacy platform ZAM has called on the government of the Netherlands to suspend its support for Tanzania following a recent torture scandal, according to a report in Premium Times. The call for an aid suspension is directed at the administration of Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan amid persistent concerns over the country’s human rights record, despite her promises of reform.
July 24, 2025, 05:54:24 (IST)
Two dead in suspected bomb attack in Uganda's capital
Two people have died in a suspected bomb attack in Kampala, Uganda’s capital, according to a report in Premium Times. The incident has prompted heightened security measures and raised concerns about the nation’s stability. In the past, similar attacks in Uganda have been attributed to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an Islamist rebel group. The event has also led to concerns about the potential economic impact on key sectors such as tourism and foreign investment, drawing attention to the security policies of President Yoweri Museveni’s administration.
July 24, 2025, 05:50:51 (IST)
Burkina Faso junta claims to thwart coup plot, raising regional stability and investment concerns
The military junta in Burkina Faso has announced it thwarted a plot to overthrow the country’s interim leader, Captain Ibrahim Traore, Premium Times says in a report. This development signals deepening political instability, raising concerns about its potential to deter foreign investment and disrupt economic activity. The alleged plot creates a potential pretext for the junta to consolidate power and delay a return to civilian rule, further complicating the country’s relationship with international partners and jeopardising development aid. For businesses operating in the region, the event increases operational risks and uncertainty, while for investors it elevates the country’s sovereign risk profile amidst a broader trend of democratic decline in West Africa.
July 24, 2025, 05:49:13 (IST)
Gabon's junta leader declared winner in presidential election
General Brice Oligui Nguema, Gabon’s interim leader, has won the nation’s presidential election in a landslide victory, as per a report in Premium Times. This election follows the August 2023 military coup in which Nguema overthrew former President Ali Bongo Ondimba. After seizing power, Nguema had promised a transition to civilian rule, which culminated in this vote. The result formalises the general’s transition from a military junta leader to an elected president, an outcome that occurs amid a broader trend of military takeovers and subsequent controlled elections in West and Central Africa.
July 24, 2025, 05:45:16 (IST)
Illicit cheetah trade highlights growing economic and security risks in Africa
The illegal trade of African cheetahs to markets in the Middle East is a significant transnational security threat, representing a lucrative segment of organised crime often linked to other illicit activities, Premium Times says in a report. This trafficking highlights severe governance challenges in source nations, including corruption and porous borders, which create a high-risk environment for legitimate investment. The trade inflicts direct economic damage on African countries by eroding potential tourism revenue and contributing to the illicit financial flows the African Union aims to combat. For demand countries in the Middle East, mounting international pressure to enforce regulations against the exotic pet trade could lead to stricter controls, while the issue presents a material ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) risk for investors and businesses operating across the affected regions.
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July 24, 2025, 05:37:30 (IST)
Kenyan police use tear gas on protesters after blogger's death in custody
Kenyan police have deployed tear gas against demonstrators protesting the death of a blogger who died in custody, as per a report in Premium Times. The protests are taking place amid wider public discontent stemming from recent demonstrations against President William Ruto’s economic policies and new taxes. The incident also occurs within a context of long-standing public concerns regarding police brutality and a history of deaths in custody in the country.
July 24, 2025, 05:35:10 (IST)
Three African nations represent 84% of the continent's Mpox cases, official says
A significant concentration of the Mpox outbreak is occurring in Africa, where just three countries represent 84% of all cases on the continent, Premium Times says in a report. This development places considerable strain on the public health systems and national budgets of the affected nations, potentially diverting funds from other key development sectors and impacting investor confidence. The situation is a critical test for regional bodies like the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to coordinate an effective response and secure equitable access to vaccines. The outbreak also reinforces the strategic importance of ongoing initiatives across the continent to bolster local vaccine manufacturing and enhance health sovereignty, drawing on lessons from previous crises such as COVID-19 and Ebola.
July 24, 2025, 05:30:12 (IST)
Sudan's health system faces collapse after more than two years of conflict
Sudan’s health system is facing a complete collapse after more than two years of intense conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), as per a report in Premium Times. The war, which began in April 2023, has destroyed critical infrastructure, displaced over 10 million people, and caused widespread food insecurity. The country’s already fragile health system is now unable to cope, leading to increased mortality from preventable diseases and injuries. The crisis is compounded by failed international mediation efforts and poses a significant threat to regional stability as neighboring countries struggle with an influx of refugees.
July 24, 2025, 05:27:39 (IST)
South Africa defeats Mali in Women's Africa Cup of Nations match
South Africa’s national women’s football team, Banyana Banyana, defeated Mali in a key match during the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon), according to a report in Daily Maverick. The victory is significant within the context of the premier international women’s football competition in Africa, which is organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The tournament also serves as a qualifier for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
July 24, 2025, 05:24:08 (IST)
Terror groups target remote and vulnerable military bases in the Lake Chad Basin
Remote military bases across the Lake Chad Basin, encompassing parts of Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, have become primary targets for terror groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), according to a report in Daily Maverick. The vulnerability of these bases is attributed to their isolated locations, long and insecure supply lines, and difficult terrain which benefits mobile insurgent forces. These attacks directly challenge the effectiveness of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), a regional military coalition established to counter the insurgency, and exacerbate the severe, ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region by increasing civilian displacement and insecurity.
July 24, 2025, 05:15:13 (IST)
Zambian bill to jail unlicensed journalists raises economic risk concerns
Zambia has introduced a new bill that would impose jail sentences on journalists operating without a government licence, a development that has triggered strong condemnation from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Premium Times says in a report. The proposal is viewed by press freedom advocates as part of a wider trend of shrinking civic space in Africa and a tool to suppress critical reporting. Beyond the implications for democratic freedoms, analysts warn the bill could negatively impact Zambia’s economy by increasing perceived political risk, which may deter foreign direct investment and hinder the free flow of information essential for market efficiency.
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July 24, 2025, 05:04:27 (IST)
South African court bars former ANC MP Boy Mamabolo from Facebook over defamatory posts
A court in South Africa has ordered former African National Congress (ANC) Member of Parliament Boy Mamabolo to be barred from Facebook, Mail & Guardian says in a report. The order, which stems from online attacks by Mamabolo, also compels him to cease publishing defamatory statements targeting Polokwane mayor John Mpe and his family across all social media platforms.
July 24, 2025, 05:02:26 (IST)
South African police minister denies link to R360 million tender scandal
South Africa’s Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu, has denied any connection to or communication with Vusimuzi Matlala amid allegations of political interference in a R360 million South African Police Service (SAPS) tender, as per a report in Mail & Guardian. The scandal raises significant concerns about governance and the integrity of public procurement processes, potentially eroding investor confidence and public trust in the ruling African National Congress (ANC). The allegations come against a backdrop of ongoing efforts to reform public procurement following the Zondo Commission’s findings on state capture, highlighting persistent challenges in preventing the misuse of public funds and ensuring institutional accountability.
July 24, 2025, 05:00:08 (IST)
South African political dispute over 'hate speech' heads to court, testing legal boundaries
A legal confrontation between South African political figures Kenny Kunene of the Patriotic Alliance and Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters, is scheduled to be heard in the Johannesburg High Court, according to a report in Mail & Guardian. The case centres on Kunene allegedly calling Malema a ‘cockroach’, a term with a deeply charged and dehumanising history in the African context, particularly since the Rwandan genocide. This legal battle is viewed as a critical test of South Africa’s constitutional balance between freedom of expression and the prohibition of hate speech. The outcome is expected to set a significant legal precedent that could influence the nature of political rhetoric, with potential implications for the country’s political climate and investor perceptions of stability.
July 24, 2025, 04:55:04 (IST)
France withdraws from its last military bases in Senegal
France has officially withdrawn from its last two military bases in Senegal, handing over the facilities to the Senegalese government and ending a 65-year military presence that dates back to the country’s independence, Al Jazeera said in a report. The withdrawal, which follows similar French military departures from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, was the result of a mutual agreement between the two nations. The bases were primarily logistical and training facilities rather than large-scale combat outposts, and the handover marks a significant strategic shift for both countries amid growing calls for sovereignty in the region.
July 24, 2025, 04:45:11 (IST)
South African opposition party demands probe into shutdown of political killings task force
South Africa’s African Transformation Movement (ATM) party is calling for a probe into the police minister, alleging the minister deliberately sabotaged a task team investigating political killings in the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province, Mail & Guardian says in a report. The opposition party claims the shutdown was intended to protect politically connected suspects involved in the assassinations. While the allegations are directed at the police minister, the article’s headline also links the matter to Senzo Mchunu, the Minister of Public Service and Administration.
July 24, 2025, 04:30:12 (IST)
Ivory Coast faces fish shortage, threatening national staple and industry
Ivory Coast is currently facing a severe fish shortage that is impacting the supply of smoked tilapia, a culturally significant national staple. This scarcity is not an isolated incident but rather a symptom of a systemic crisis affecting the nation’s entire fishing industry, according to a report in France 24. The issue carries significant economic and political implications, threatening the livelihoods of fishing communities and national food security, particularly for low-income households who rely on fish as an affordable protein source. The crisis has the potential to fuel public discontent over the rising cost of living and test the Ivorian government’s policies on food security and marine resource management.
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July 24, 2025, 04:19:35 (IST)
Two Rwandan police officers graduate from Turkish Police Academy
Two Rwandan officers, Inspector of Police (IP) Vedaste Nsabimana and IP Gaston Gatsinzi, graduated from the Turkish Police Academy on Wednesday, July 23, The New Times said in a report. The graduation ceremony marked the culmination of their training at the Turkish institution, with IP Nsabimana reportedly finishing first among the graduates.
July 24, 2025, 03:49:25 (IST)
Egypt rejects Israel's proposal for a 'humanitarian city' in southern Gaza
Egypt has voiced strong opposition to Israel’s proposal to establish a ‘humanitarian city’ in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, according to a report in Africa News. Cairo warned that the plan could trigger a mass exodus of Palestinians toward its border, viewing the potential influx as a direct threat to its national security and regional stability. The rejection is rooted in long-standing fears that such a move could lead to the permanent displacement of Palestinians into Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula.
July 24, 2025, 03:20:09 (IST)
Russia and Mozambique reaffirm defence cooperation after foreign ministers meet
Russia and Mozambique have reaffirmed their defence cooperation following talks in Moscow on Tuesday, as per a report in Africa News. The announcement came during a joint news conference featuring Mozambican Foreign Minister Maria Manuela Lucas and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The meeting in the Russian capital served to underscore the ongoing military and political engagement between the two countries.
July 24, 2025, 03:17:39 (IST)
Libyan prime minister condemns Gaza conditions in meeting with US officials
Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah denounced the dire humanitarian conditions within the Gaza Strip during a meeting held with US officials in Tripoli on Wednesday, Africa News says in a report. The discussion in the Libyan capital centered on the situation in Gaza, with the prime minister voicing Libya’s official condemnation of the circumstances in the Palestinian territory.
July 24, 2025, 02:45:03 (IST)
DA agrees to support South African budgets following minister's dismissal
South Africa’s Democratic Alliance (DA) will now support the government’s departmental budgets, averting a potential fiscal crisis, after President Cyril Ramaphosa dismissed Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane, the Mail & Guardian said in a report. The main opposition party had made the minister’s removal a condition for its support, threatening to block the budget’s passage without the change. The agreement ensures the continuity of government funding and averts a standoff that had created short-term market uncertainty.
July 24, 2025, 02:30:12 (IST)
AI tool's fabrication of case studies in South African court prompts calls for regulation
Following an incident where an AI tool fabricated case studies, proving detrimental to a legal team, lawyers in South Africa are calling for the establishment of clear guidelines and ethical standards for the use of artificial intelligence in the country’s legal system, as per a report in Deutsche Welle. The demands from the legal profession highlight concerns over the reliability of current AI tools and seek to ensure accountability and integrity within judicial processes when such technology is applied.
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July 24, 2025, 02:24:34 (IST)
Namibia unveils upgraded banknotes and coins
The Bank of Namibia has unveiled the country’s new upgraded banknotes and coins, an announcement made on Wednesday by Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, as per a report in The Namibian. Nandi-Ndaitwah stated that the central bank must ensure the new currency is designed for durability, noting that the change was long overdue. The country’s banknotes were last updated in 2012, while the coin series has been unchanged since 1993.
July 24, 2025, 02:16:33 (IST)
Rwanda and Algeria sign defence cooperation agreement
Rwanda and Algeria signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation in Algiers on Wednesday, July 23, according to a report in The New Times. The agreement, which establishes a framework for future collaboration, was signed by a Rwandan delegation led by the country’s Minister of Defence.
July 24, 2025, 01:45:09 (IST)
Rwandan President Kagame appoints Justin Nsengiyumva as new prime minister
Rwandan President Paul Kagame appointed Justin Nsengiyumva as the new prime minister on Wednesday, July 23, The New Times said in a report. Nsengiyumva’s appointment follows the departure of Édouard Ngirente, who had held the position since 2017. The change in the head of government was made by presidential decree.
July 24, 2025, 01:41:10 (IST)
Namibia's //Kharas region faces severe health worker shortage
The directorate of health and social services in Namibia’s //Kharas region is grappling with a severe workforce shortage, operating at just 35% of its required capacity, The Namibian says in a report. //Kharas governor Dawid Gertze revealed the staffing crisis during his state of the region address on Tuesday. Gertze emphasized the critical importance of the health and social services sector for the region’s inhabitants.
July 24, 2025, 01:37:22 (IST)
YPP promises to tackle insecurity and restore economic activity in Anambra ahead of 2025 election
The Young Progressives Party (YPP) has announced its intention to tackle pervasive insecurity and restore socio-economic activities in Nigeria’s Anambra State as a central promise for the 2025 gubernatorial election, according to a report in Premium Times. The party’s pledge comes in response to a climate of fear that has reportedly diminished public life and cultural events in the state. This promise positions the YPP as an alternative to the incumbent administration, making security a key battleground issue for the upcoming election cycle amid ongoing disruptions that have severely impacted the region’s economy.
July 24, 2025, 01:36:18 (IST)
Namibia confers official funeral on war veteran Lazarus !Guiteb
Namibia’s Office of the President has conferred an official funeral upon war veteran Lazarus !Guiteb, who died at age 82 in a Windhoek hospital on July 15, as per a report in The Namibian. !Guiteb, who had been receiving medical treatment for two weeks prior to his death, was a notable figure who was imprisoned on Robben Island from 1977 to 1984 during the apartheid era.
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July 24, 2025, 01:25:38 (IST)
Nigeria's Super Falcons visit injured South African player during WAFCON
In an act of sportsmanship during the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), members of Nigeria’s Super Falcons visited South Africa’s Banyana Banyana player Gabriela Salgado, who is currently hospitalized, according to a report in Premium Times. Salgado is beginning her recovery from an injury that is expected to sideline her for the rest of the year. The visit is being viewed as a gesture of continental solidarity between the two rival teams.
July 24, 2025, 01:23:31 (IST)
Morocco's first zipline over live reptiles launches in Agadir to boost tourism
The Crocodile Park in Agadir, Morocco, has introduced the nation’s first zipline attraction allowing visitors to travel directly over live crocodile enclosures, Africanews says in a report. This private sector initiative is aligned with Morocco’s broader national strategy to enhance its tourism industry by diversifying its attractions beyond traditional offerings. The launch is expected to bolster the regional economy of Agadir, a significant tourist hub, by attracting new market segments such as adventure and family tourists, thereby strengthening the destination’s commercial appeal and contributing to local economic activity.
July 24, 2025, 01:21:25 (IST)
Jigawa state makes pre-marital genotype testing compulsory
The Jigawa State government in Nigeria has made genotype testing mandatory for all couples intending to marry, a decision aimed at reducing the prevalence of Sickle Cell Disease, Premium Times says in a report. The policy was approved on Wednesday during a State Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Umar Namadi. This move, which addresses Nigeria’s high national burden of SCD, mandates pre-marital screening to identify and counsel carriers of the sickle cell trait. The policy is expected to create significant new demand for testing and counselling services within the state’s healthcare sector, while also prompting debate on the balance between public health imperatives and individual rights.
July 24, 2025, 01:18:50 (IST)
US deportation policy strains diplomatic and economic ties with Africa
Deportation policies enacted by the administration of US President Donald Trump are generating significant anger across Africa, with critics accusing the US of using the continent as a ‘dumping ground’, according to a report in Foreign Policy. The contentious policy is straining diplomatic relations and carries potential economic implications, as it could undermine US-Africa cooperation on trade and development initiatives. African governments face increased social and economic burdens in reintegrating the deportees, which adds pressure to already challenged economies.
July 24, 2025, 01:15:08 (IST)
Nigeria's senate approves $21 billion foreign loan for 2025 budget
Nigeria’s senate has greenlit a $21 billion foreign loan request to finance the 2025 budget, Africanews says in a report. This approval is intended to support the government’s development agenda amid ongoing economic reforms and revenue shortfalls. However, the decision significantly increases Nigeria’s already substantial debt burden, prompting concerns among fiscal policy analysts regarding the nation’s debt sustainability. The new borrowing comes at a time of rising global interest rates, which could make servicing the debt more challenging and potentially lead international creditors to reassess Nigeria’s creditworthiness.
July 24, 2025, 01:13:40 (IST)
Kenya aligns stadia development with international standards for AFCON and CHAN tournaments
Kenya’s government is strategically aligning its infrastructure development with the requirements for hosting major continental sporting events, Standard Media Kenya says in a report. Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya confirmed that ongoing and planned stadia projects are being categorised based on international standards, capacity, and specific requirements for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) and the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). This initiative is a direct result of the successful ‘PAMOJA’ bid, a joint effort with Tanzania and Uganda to host the 2027 AFCON, and focuses on ensuring compliance for the tournaments.
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July 24, 2025, 01:09:12 (IST)
African Development Bank urges South Africa to reform financial sector for economic growth
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has stated that South Africa must unlock its financial sector to foster economic growth and combat persistently high unemployment, according to a report in Mail & Guardian. The call for reform comes as the country grapples with stagnant GDP, an ongoing energy crisis, and challenges with investor confidence. The AfDB’s recommendation implies that improving access to capital, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and enhancing governance within the financial system are crucial steps. This advice is significant for the business sector and investors seeking a more favourable investment climate and adds pressure on the government to accelerate economic reforms.
July 24, 2025, 01:08:56 (IST)
Gauteng's need for 200 new schools signals major fiscal pressure and infrastructure spending
A statement from Gauteng’s Education MEC, Matome Chiloane, that the province requires 200 new schools underscores a critical infrastructure gap with significant economic and fiscal implications, Mail & Guardian says in a report. This announcement points towards a massive capital outlay, placing considerable pressure on provincial and national treasuries already facing constraints. For investors and businesses, this signals a major potential pipeline for the construction sector and related industries, but also raises questions about the government’s fiscal capacity and funding mechanisms, such as debt issuance or the pursuit of public-private partnerships. The situation highlights the persistent challenge of matching public service delivery with rapid urbanisation in South Africa’s key economic region.
July 24, 2025, 01:06:00 (IST)
Ghana's endorsement of visa-free Africa signals push for deeper economic integration
Ghana has formally endorsed a campaign for visa-free travel throughout the continent, a significant political signal aimed at accelerating Africa’s economic integration, Mail & Guardian says in a report. This policy aligns directly with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which seeks to create a single market, by facilitating the free movement of business persons, labour, and services. The initiative aims to reduce transaction costs for businesses, stimulate cross-border investment, and bolster the tourism sector, a key source of revenue for many African nations. While the long-term economic benefits are considered substantial, implementation presents challenges, including the need for significant investment in border infrastructure, harmonised data systems for security, and managing the economic effects of potential labour migration on national economies.
July 24, 2025, 01:04:59 (IST)
Bismark Tyobeka to chair South Africa's expert panel on new nuclear energy
Bismark Tyobeka has been appointed chairperson of South Africa’s Ministerial Expert Panel on Nuclear, according to a report in Mail & Guardian. The panel is tasked with providing advisory recommendations to the government on the pace, scale, and procurement approach for developing new nuclear energy capacity. This move comes as South Africa, facing a severe and persistent energy crisis, seeks to update its Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), the national energy blueprint which currently includes a provision for 2,500 MW of new nuclear power. The panel’s expert advice is considered crucial for shaping the country’s future energy mix and long-term security, a decision with significant economic implications.
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