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Welcome to today’s live coverage of key developments across Africa. From security operations and insurgent violence in Nigeria to diplomatic tensions, cultural commentary and urgent humanitarian concerns in Sudan, the continent remains in focus. We’re also tracking political transitions, judicial rulings, major health and education initiatives and moments in sports and the arts—painting a dynamic picture of Africa’s challenges and resilience:
Africa News Live Updates: African nations push for universal school meals ahead of G20 summit
Africa News Live Updates: African nations push for universal school meals ahead of G20 summit
FP News Desk
• July 1, 2025, 05:48:32 IST
Africa News Live Updates: Welcome to our live blog covering the latest developments from across Africa. Follow real-time updates on political transitions, security and peacekeeping efforts, regional integration, economic innovation, climate impacts, migration trends and grassroots activism. Track the continent’s evolving role in global affairs and its efforts to address both internal and external challenges across key sectors
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 "Africa News Live Updates: African nations push for universal school meals ahead of G20 summit")
Welcome to today’s live coverage of key developments across Africa. From security operations and insurgent violence in Nigeria to diplomatic tensions, cultural commentary and urgent humanitarian concerns in Sudan, the continent remains in focus. We’re also tracking political transitions, judicial rulings, major health and education initiatives and moments in sports and the arts—painting a dynamic picture of Africa’s challenges and resilience:
Live Updates
Africa News Live Updates: Welcome to our live blog covering the latest developments from across Africa. Follow real-time updates on political transitions, security and peacekeeping efforts, regional integration, economic innovation, climate impacts, migration trends and grassroots activism. Track the continent’s evolving role in global affairs and its efforts to address both internal and external challenges across key sectors
July 1, 2025, 05:48:32 (IST)
Akwa Ibom opposition governorship candidate resigns from party in Nigeria
John Akpanudoedehe, the governorship candidate for the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Nigeria’s Akwa Ibom state, has resigned from the party, as per a report in Premium Times. The move follows the recent defection of the state’s governor, Umo Eno, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
July 1, 2025, 05:46:20 (IST)
Kwara State governor gifts football team N5 million and land after cup victory
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has rewarded the players of Kwara United with N5 million and plots of land for winning Nigeria’s national Federation Cup, Premium Times said in a report. The announcement of the gifts was made in the state capital, Ilorin, on Monday, June 30, shortly after the team returned from Lagos where they were crowned champions.
July 1, 2025, 05:46:20 (IST)
Nigeria to disburse N32 billion for primary healthcare revamp
Nigeria’s Federal Government will disburse N32 billion to improve the country’s primary healthcare system under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF), according to a report in Premium Times. The funds are slated to be released in two equal tranches of N16 billion. This funding is designated for the renovation of facilities, procurement of essential commodities, and capacity building for frontline healthcare workers, with the government projecting that the initiative will provide 37 million Nigerians with access to care.
July 1, 2025, 05:45:15 (IST)
Nigeria's content board renews 'Nigeria First' policy for oil and gas sector
Nigeria’s Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) is promoting a “Nigeria First” policy within the oil and gas sector to address funding shortages for local firms, according to a report in Premium Times. The initiative is a renewed commitment to the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act of 2010, aiming to strengthen its implementation and ensure a greater share of the industry’s value chain benefits Nigerian companies and personnel. This revamped scheme specifically targets the persistent funding gaps and challenges with foreign exchange liquidity that have hindered the ability of local businesses to compete in the capital-intensive sector.
July 1, 2025, 05:45:15 (IST)
Witness testifies petition from aviation group sparked probe of Nigeria's ex-minister Sirika
A witness from Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has testified in court that the ongoing investigation into former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika and others began after the agency received a petition from an aviation industry association, Premium Times said in a report. The testimony came from the 12th prosecution witness in the case, who informed the court that the petition against Sirika, who served under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, was received in 2021. This development is part of a high-profile corruption case against the former minister.
July 1, 2025, 05:30:18 (IST)
Nigerian lawmakers demand details of Rivers State's N1.48 trillion budget
A committee in Nigeria’s House of Representatives has directed the administrator of Rivers State to submit the details of the N1.48 trillion budget within 48 hours, according to a report in Premium Times. The committee is seeking the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and other legal documents that are required to precede the presentation of a budget. This demand comes as Rivers State is currently being governed under a state of emergency.
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July 1, 2025, 05:01:25 (IST)
Rwanda grapples with reintegration of genocide convicts into communities
Rwanda is grappling with the complex process of reintegrating former convicts of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi who are returning to their communities after serving their sentences, according to a report in The New Times. This situation creates significant uncertainty and potential re-traumatization for survivors and the communities that were shattered by the violence. The releases are a consequence of the post-genocide justice system, notably the Gacaca community courts which concluded their work in 2012. The reintegration effort is a key part of Rwanda’s national unity and reconciliation policy, but it presents a major test for social cohesion, requiring robust mediation and support to manage tensions and foster peaceful coexistence.
July 1, 2025, 05:00:20 (IST)
Rwanda's parliamentary committee challenges plan to buy generators for powerless irrigation project
Rwanda’s parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has called for greater efficiency in public finance management while scrutinizing a government plan to procure diesel-powered generators for a major irrigation project, according to a report in The New Times. The committee’s challenge highlights a significant planning failure, as the irrigation infrastructure was completed without a viable power source, rendering it inoperable. The move to use expensive and less sustainable diesel generators as a solution has raised concerns about project costs, mismanagement, and the delay in delivering benefits to farmers.
July 1, 2025, 04:15:15 (IST)
US sanctions on Sudan come into force over alleged chemical weapons use
The United States has activated sanctions against Sudan following allegations that government forces used chemical weapons, as per a report in Africanews. The action follows a January report citing anonymous U.S. officials who claimed that Sudanese soldiers deployed chlorine gas during military operations amid the country’s ongoing civil war. Sudanese officials have denied the accusation.
July 1, 2025, 03:45:18 (IST)
Case of Rwandan opposition figure Victoire Ingabire referred to court
Rwandan prosecutors have referred the case of opposition figure Victoire Ingabire to court, where they are requesting her pre-trial detention, as per a report in The New Times. Ingabire was previously convicted on charges including conspiracy against the country but was released from prison in 2018 following a presidential pardon.
July 1, 2025, 02:46:22 (IST)
Cameroonian marine conservationists complete scientific diver training in France
Three biologists from Cameroon have completed scientific diver training in Marseille, France, to enhance marine conservation efforts, Africa News says in a report. The conservationists undertook the specialized training after they had attended the UN Ocean Conference, a past event focused on mobilizing action for ocean health. This initiative aims to build local scientific capacity for marine research and protection in the African nation.
July 1, 2025, 02:45:14 (IST)
World Bank approves $100 million to finance public transport in Kigali
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a new financing package of $100 million, equivalent to approximately Rwf144 billion, for Rwanda, as per a report in The New Times. These funds are specifically aimed at improving the public transport system in the nation’s capital, Kigali. The project aligns with Rwanda’s national development goals, which prioritize infrastructure and sustainable urbanization.
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July 1, 2025, 01:46:22 (IST)
Bauchi state in Nigeria forms committee to create new emirates
The government of Bauchi state in Nigeria has established a committee tasked with the creation of new emirates, Premium Times said in a report. The 41-member committee is composed of individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, including traditional rulers, academics, technocrats, legal practitioners, and representatives from civil society, security agencies, and faith-based organizations.
July 1, 2025, 01:46:22 (IST)
Nigeria's beach volleyball team qualifies for World Championship
Nigeria’s beach volleyball team, composed of Esther Mbah and Pamela Bawa, has secured a spot in the upcoming World Championship, according to a report in Premium Times. The duo achieved this qualification by finishing in third place at the recently concluded CAVB Continental Championship held in Morocco. In the decisive third-place match, Mbah and Bawa defeated their Egyptian opponents 2-1, with set scores of 21-14, 20-22, and 15-9.
July 1, 2025, 01:45:18 (IST)
Farmer in Kebbi, Nigeria, rescues newborn baby buried alive
A farmer in Nigeria’s Kebbi State rescued a newborn baby girl after finding her buried alive on his farmland, according to a report in Premium Times. The farmer, identified as Kamba, was on his farm on Friday when he noticed an unusual ridge of soil. Upon investigation, he discovered the newly born infant and successfully rescued her.
July 1, 2025, 01:35:43 (IST)
Ethiopia's historic Africa Hall reopens after renovation
Ethiopia has reopened the historic Africa Hall in Addis Ababa following an extensive renovation, according to a report in CNN. The building, a significant symbol of pan-Africanism, was originally a gift from Emperor Haile Selassie I and served as the founding site for the Organization of African Unity (OAU), the predecessor to the African Union (AU), in 1963. The modernized facility will continue to serve as a key diplomatic venue for the African Union, reinforcing Addis Ababa’s role as a major center for African diplomacy.
July 1, 2025, 01:33:33 (IST)
Nigeria's ruling APC to hold national executive meeting on July 24
Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has scheduled a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting for July 24, according to a report in Premium Times. The party has officially informed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) about the upcoming meeting, in line with procedural requirements. The NEC is the second-highest decision-making body within the party’s structure, responsible for its management and strategic direction between national conventions.
July 1, 2025, 01:33:33 (IST)
Recent fighting in DRC kills over 3,000 amid conflict mineral concerns
More than 3,000 people have been killed in under two weeks amid escalating violence in the mineral-rich Democratic Republic of Congo, highlighting the link between the conflict and minerals used in electronics, according to a report in CNN. The recent surge in fighting, particularly in the North Kivu province, is largely attributed to a renewed offensive by the M23 rebel group. This violence is sustained by the illicit trade of tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold (3TG), which are crucial for manufacturing smartphones and other devices, thereby connecting global consumer demand to the conflict. The crisis is compounded by heightened regional tensions, the presence of multiple armed factions, and security gaps left by the gradual withdrawal of the UN peacekeeping mission.
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July 1, 2025, 01:32:28 (IST)
IEA director calls energy the 'number one problem' for Africa's economy
The director of the International Energy Agency (IEA) has stated that energy is the primary obstacle to economic development across Africa, according to a report in CNN. This challenge is multifaceted, with energy situations varying significantly between nations, some of which are grappling with basic energy poverty while others focus on transitioning to renewable sources. The problem is exacerbated by the global energy crisis, high national debt levels limiting infrastructure investment, and the critical need for reliable power to support the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
July 1, 2025, 01:31:22 (IST)
Kenya's registrar of political parties upholds Uhuru Kenyatta's leadership of Jubilee Party
Kenya’s Registrar of Political Parties has officially gazetted and upheld former President Uhuru Kenyatta as the leader of the Jubilee Party and Jeremiah Kioni as its Secretary-General, as per a report in Standard Media Kenya. The decision dismisses a leadership claim made by a rival faction led by Members of Parliament Kanini Kega and Sabina Chege, who had aligned with President William Ruto’s ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition. This ruling provides clarity after months of internal disputes within the party, which is a key member of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya opposition coalition.
July 1, 2025, 01:31:22 (IST)
UN demands probe after dozens of bodies found at Libyan detention sites
The United Nations has called for an investigation after dozens of bodies were discovered at detention sites in Libya, according to a report in CNN. The facilities primarily hold migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees intercepted on their way to Europe. Due to Libya’s fragmented political landscape, many of these detention centers operate outside of state oversight, run by various armed militias or criminal groups, although some are nominally under the control of the internationally recognized Government of National Unity (GNU).
July 1, 2025, 01:30:17 (IST)
Nigerian film 'My Father's Shadow' to premiere at Cannes Film Festival
The Nigerian film ‘My Father’s Shadow’ will premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, a major achievement for the nation’s film industry, known as Nollywood, according to a report in CNN. This selection for a prestigious program at the festival is being hailed as a new milestone, bringing international attention to Nigerian and African cinema. The success is largely attributed to the efforts of independent producers and the private sector, which have driven the industry’s growth. The event is seen as a boost to Nigeria’s cultural influence and aligns with broader efforts to diversify the nation’s economy by supporting the creative industries.
July 1, 2025, 01:30:17 (IST)
Summit in Lagos addresses unemployment with workshops and job interviews
The African Workforce Summit in Lagos, Nigeria, aimed to provide practical solutions to unemployment by featuring employability workshops, on-the-spot job interviews, and a pitch contest for attendees, according to a report in Premium Times. Organizers of the summit have announced plans to expand the initiative to other parts of the continent, with Rwanda slated as the next location. The event brought together career leaders from the private sector to address the critical issue of workforce development and job creation.
July 1, 2025, 01:18:34 (IST)
Seventy rhinos from a controversial captive breeding farm have been released into the wild in Rwanda
A total of 70 rhinos have been successfully released into the wild in Rwanda after being moved from a controversial captive breeding farm, CNN says in a report. The translocation, which likely sourced the animals from a private facility in South Africa, is a significant event for international rhino conservation. The move aligns with Rwanda’s national strategy to enhance its reputation as a conservation leader and develop its high-end eco-tourism sector. This event also brings attention to the ongoing debate within the conservation community about the ethics and effectiveness of using private, intensive breeding farms to supply animals for reintroduction projects.
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July 1, 2025, 01:18:34 (IST)
Rwanda-DR Congo border trade surges to 50,000 daily crossings
Cross-border trade between Rwanda’s Rubavu city and Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo has surged, now seeing approximately 50,000 daily crossings, according to a report in The New Times. Rwanda’s Ministry of Trade and Industry noted the significant increase in activity at the key border point. This economic boom is occurring despite ongoing high-level diplomatic and security tensions between Kigali and Kinshasa over the conflict in eastern DRC. The thriving trade is considered vital for the livelihoods of the local populations on both sides of the border and aligns with the broader goals of regional economic integration following DR Congo’s admission into the East African Community.
July 1, 2025, 01:17:29 (IST)
Seventeen juvenile inmates in Rwanda sit for national primary exams
The Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS) has announced that 17 juvenile inmates from the Nyagatare Juvenile Correctional Facility are participating in the 2024-2025 Primary Leaving Examination, according to a report in The New Times. This initiative provides the incarcerated youths with the opportunity to take the standardized national exam, which is a prerequisite for advancing to secondary education in Rwanda. The move aligns with the country’s broader justice sector reforms that emphasize rehabilitation and reintegration for minors over purely punitive measures.
July 1, 2025, 01:17:29 (IST)
At least 120 children abducted by insurgents in Mozambique, rights group says
A rights group has reported that insurgents abducted at least 120 children in Mozambique’s northern Cabo Delgado province, according to a report in CNN. The abductions are part of an ongoing conflict involving the Islamist insurgent group Ahlu-Sunnah wal Jama’ah (ASWJ), also known as ISIS-Mozambique, which began in 2017. The incident highlights the persistent security threat and humanitarian crisis in the region, which has displaced over a million people, despite a military intervention by forces from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Rwanda that started in 2021.
July 1, 2025, 01:16:22 (IST)
South Sudan faces growing risk of civil war amid political and economic crises
South Sudan is facing a heightened risk of another civil war amid severe political and economic crises, according to a report in CNN. The instability is driven by the stalled implementation of the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), particularly the failure to unify security forces and prepare for elections, which have been delayed. The situation is compounded by persistent inter-communal violence, a dire humanitarian crisis involving widespread food insecurity, and deep-seated political power struggles over the country’s vast oil resources. Experts indicate that a lack of political will to implement fundamental governance and rule-of-law reforms remains a core obstacle to achieving lasting peace.
July 1, 2025, 01:15:18 (IST)
UN launches rescue operation after 8 migrants die off Djiboutian coast
A United Nations-led rescue operation has been launched off the coast of Djibouti after a vessel carrying migrants capsized, resulting in at least eight deaths, CNN says in a report. The incident highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa, where many individuals from countries like Ethiopia and Somalia undertake perilous sea journeys across the Gulf of Aden. These migrants are often attempting to reach Yemen and other Gulf states in search of safety and economic opportunities, fleeing conflict and instability in their home countries.
July 1, 2025, 01:15:18 (IST)
Armed rebels take control of Heineken facilities in eastern DR Congo
Armed rebels have taken control of Heineken’s operational facilities in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a region destabilized by ongoing conflict involving numerous armed groups, CNN says in a report. The seizure, which includes bottling plants and distribution centers, highlights the escalating insecurity and the challenges the Congolese government and its army (FARDC) face in protecting key economic assets, particularly as the UN peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO) undergoes a phased withdrawal. This action disrupts a major local employer and supply chain, exacerbating the severe humanitarian crisis in the area where millions are already displaced.
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July 1, 2025, 00:00:16 (IST)
ECA's Gatete pushes for financial instruments tailored to Africa's needs
Claver Gatete, the Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), has called for a shift from rhetoric to concrete results in financing the continent’s development, as per a report in The New Times. He urged the creation and implementation of financial instruments that are specifically designed to fit Africa’s unique context and challenges. This push aims to secure more effective and suitable financing to address issues like infrastructure deficits, climate change vulnerability, and growing debt burdens across African nations.
June 30, 2025, 23:00:23 (IST)
Gulf states channel billions into Africa as China adjusts its financial strategy
Gulf states are directing billions of dollars in investments toward various sectors in Africa, increasing their economic and geopolitical presence on the continent, according to a report in Mail & Guardian. This influx of capital from countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia coincides with a strategic shift by China, which is revamping its financial model in Africa. China is reportedly moving away from its previous approach of large-scale, state-backed infrastructure loans, a model that has raised concerns about debt sustainability, and is now adapting its engagement strategy.
June 30, 2025, 22:48:38 (IST)
NWU Desmond Tutu School of Medicine partners with North West health department to improve regional care
The North-West University’s (NWU) Desmond Tutu School of Medicine has entered into a strategic partnership with the North West Department of Health (NWDOH) in South Africa, according to a report in Mail & Guardian. The agreement will provide medical students with access to the province’s medical facilities and infrastructure. In turn, the students will help serve the healthcare needs of the region, an initiative aimed at strengthening the public health system and addressing service delivery challenges in the North West province.
June 30, 2025, 22:47:33 (IST)
DA to remain in South Africa's unity government despite internal dispute
South Africa’s Democratic Alliance (DA) has affirmed it will remain in the Government of National Unity (GNU) and will not pursue a motion of no confidence against President Cyril Ramaphosa, the Mail & Guardian says in a report. The decision was made despite significant internal tensions following an incident referred to as the ‘Whitfield firing’. This move signals the DA’s commitment to the stability of the coalition government, which was formed with the African National Congress (ANC) and other parties after the 2024 general election did not result in an outright majority for any single party.
June 30, 2025, 22:46:28 (IST)
Democratic Alliance to remain in South Africa's unity government, will not table motion against President Ramaphosa
South Africa’s Democratic Alliance (DA) has affirmed its commitment to the Government of National Unity (GNU) and will not seek to remove President Cyril Ramaphosa, according to a report in Mail & Guardian. This decision comes despite recent tensions with its governing partner, the African National Congress (ANC), following the removal of a DA Member of Parliament from a key committee. The DA’s public stance reinforces its commitment to maintaining stability within the new power-sharing arrangement that was formed after the 2024 general election.
June 30, 2025, 22:46:28 (IST)
Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero survives motion of no confidence
Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero has survived a motion of no confidence in the city council, according to a report in Mail & Guardian. The vote is the latest event in a period of political instability for the city’s multi-party coalition government, which has faced frequent leadership challenges since the 2021 municipal elections. The opposition parties that brought the motion failed to secure the required majority of votes to remove the mayor from his position.
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June 30, 2025, 22:45:23 (IST)
Bismark Tyobeka appointed chairperson of South African Bureau of Standards board
Bismark Tyobeka has been appointed as the new chairperson of the board for the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS), Mail & Guardian says in a report. The appointment, which is for a five-year term, became effective on June 18, 2025. The SABS is South Africa’s national institution responsible for developing and promoting standards for product quality and safety.
June 30, 2025, 22:45:23 (IST)
New play park opens in South Africa's Helenvale township to promote safety
A new community facility, the Extension 12 Play Park, has officially opened in the Helenvale township of Gqeberha, South Africa, according to a report in Mail & Guardian. The project is an intervention of the ‘Safety and Peace Through Urban Upgrading’ programme, which aims to address socio-economic challenges in historically disadvantaged areas. Helenvale, a community noted for high rates of unemployment and crime, receives the park as part of a broader effort to provide safe public spaces for residents, particularly youth, and foster community well-being through urban renewal.
June 30, 2025, 22:31:20 (IST)
Researchers propose using old South African coal mines for 300GW of solar power
Researchers have proposed that abandoned and closing coal mines in South Africa’s Mpumalanga province could be repurposed to generate 300 gigawatts of solar energy, according to a report in Mail & Guardian. The proposal is presented as a potential solution to the country’s persistent energy crisis and aligns with its Just Energy Transition (JET) framework, which seeks to shift from coal to renewable power. This initiative could also offer new economic opportunities and job creation in a region historically dependent on the declining coal industry. The 300GW figure represents the technical potential for solar development on these sites, an amount that far exceeds South Africa’s current total generation capacity.
June 30, 2025, 22:31:20 (IST)
South Africa develops critical minerals strategy to support clean energy transition
South Africa is developing a national strategy for its critical mineral resources to support the transition to low-carbon economies and help address the climate crisis, according to a report in Mail & Guardian. The move comes amid a global surge in demand for minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and manganese, which are essential for clean energy technologies like electric vehicles and renewable energy infrastructure. This strategy is part of South Africa’s broader Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) and aims to leverage the nation’s significant mineral reserves to build a sustainable economy while mitigating its vulnerability to climate change.
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