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Next issue: 17 August 2026

Africa Intelligence

© Illustrated by Ezinne Osueke Photos: S. Bozon/AFP; Morrocan Press Agency/AFP; Handout/MAP/AFP; M. Cohen/AFP; Cegalerba-Szwemberg/Hemis/AFP

Focus | Morocco
In the king's shadow, Prince Moulay El Hassan's path to the throne

The crown prince is playing an increasingly important role in managing the kingdom's affairs. Nevertheless, the background to his rise remains shrouded in a mystery that is carefully maintained by King Mohammed VI, who is overseeing every stage of his apprenticeship. What with low-key stays in Paris, preparing a thesis and choosing a future inner circle, the young man destined to be king continues his initiation.

Subscribers only | Politics | 13.04.2026
Perenco's chairman, François Perrodo, in Le Mans, France, on 5 June 2026.
Perenco's chairman, François Perrodo, in Le Mans, France, on 5 June 2026.© Paulo Maria/DPPI via AFP

Central Africa
Perenco raided in France amid widening corruption probe

Subscribers only | Energy | 16.06.2026

Ivory Coast
Ouattara sets ministers straight

The Ivorian president sharply reprimanded Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé during the cabinet meeting on 29 April, following the consideration of two proposals to increase the minimum wage in an economic climate deemed fragile by the government.

Subscribers only | Finance, Politics | 11.05.2026

Palace Intrigues
Yoweri Museveni, Mohammed VI, J.M. Weston

  • Uganda An embarrassing lawsuit in New York for unpaid rent
  • Morocco Royal adviser Fouad Ali el-Himma's daughter-in-law to be
  • DRC Congolese VIPs snap up J.M. Weston collector loafer
Subscribers only | Politics, Business, Diplomatic Affairs | 09.04.2026
Algerian singer Cheb Khaled and Franco-Algerian DJ Snake in Doha, in December 2022.
Algerian singer Cheb Khaled and Franco-Algerian DJ Snake in Doha, in December 2022.© Patrick Baz/Qatar Creates/AFP

Spotlight | Algeria
Algiers deploys music, cinema and sport in soft power charm offensive

With backing from the presidency and influential diaspora networks, Algeria is investing in music, sport and culture to recast the country's image, attract foreign investment and position itself as a more appealing tourist destination.

Subscribers only | Politics | 18.06.2026
Juliana Amato Lumumba of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in Moscow, in September 2025.
Juliana Amato Lumumba of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in Moscow, in September 2025.© Vitaly Smolnikov/Zuma/REA

DRC
Juliana Amato Lumumba seeks strategy in bid for La Francophonie

Up against the current secretary general of the International Organisation of La Francophonie, Rwanda’s Louise Mushikiwabo, who is seeking a third term, the DRC's candidate is putting together her campaign while attempting to make do with the government’s communications initiatives.

Subscribers only | Diplomatic Affairs | 17.04.2026

Libya, Mali
Azawad Liberation Front uses south Libya as back-up base for operations

Assimi Goïta (centre) attending the funeral of Defence Minister Sadio Camara in Bamako, on 30 April 2026.
Assimi Goïta (centre) attending the funeral of Defence Minister Sadio Camara in Bamako, on 30 April 2026.© Mali Presidency/handout via Reuters

The FLA Tuareg rebels have woven a network spanning southern Libya and into Niger in order to guarantee the logistics of their conflict with the Malian army and the Russian paramilitaries Africa Corps.

Subscribers only | Defense, Diplomatic Affairs | 26.05.2026

Guinea
Conakry's unpaid bills leave army without South African vehicles

The Guinean authorities have not finalised payment to defence supplier OTT Technologies, which, in turn, has not delivered a single vehicle to the army. This is despite the regime having already disbursed several million dollars in 2023.

Subscribers only | Defense | 29.05.2026
French ambassador, Arnaud Guillois, the day of President Randrianirina's investiture, Antananarivo, 17 October 2025.
French ambassador, Arnaud Guillois, the day of President Randrianirina's investiture, Antananarivo, 17 October 2025.© Rafalia Henitsoa/Anadolu via AFP

Madagascar
Tension mounts between Antananarivo and Paris

The tone is hardening between the junta and the French embassy. Despite fraying bilateral relations, Paris is striving to maintain a delicate diplomatic balance with the country in order to counter Russia’s ever-growing influence.

Subscribers only | Diplomatic Affairs | 30.04.2026
Brandon Craig at the BHP head office in Melbourne, Australia, on 18 March 2026.
Brandon Craig at the BHP head office in Melbourne, Australia, on 18 March 2026.© James Ross /EPA/MaxPPP

Zambia
Mining giant BHP prepares for return to southern Africa

A delegation from the Anglo-Australian mining major, which has not visited the continent since 2015, will travel to Zambia, South Africa, Namibia and Angola at the end of April. The aim is to forge links with the authorities and junior exploration companies, particularly in the copper sector.

Subscribers only | Mining | 07.04.2026

Kenya
Controversy surrounds Zainab Bangura’s stewardship of the UN in Nairobi

The director-general of the United Nations Office at Nairobi, Zainab Bangura, in February 2024.
The director-general of the United Nations Office at Nairobi, Zainab Bangura, in February 2024. © Simon Maina/AFP
Subscribers only | Finance, Diplomatic Affairs | 05.05.2026

Rwanda
Chinese joint venture wins $21m slice of Kagame’s flagship water project

A partnership between two Chinese state-owned groups has won a contract worth almost $21m for the first phase of the Ngoma water supply system in the south-east of the country.

Subscribers only | Infrastructure | 04.05.2026
© Illustrated by Ezinne Osueke | Photo by J. Mattia/Nur Photo Via AFP; A.Savorani Neri/Nur Photo Via AFP; X.Bouzas/Hans Lucas via AFP; A.Nemenov/AFP; G.Sysoyev/Pool AFP; Françoise Joly's website

Congo, Togo
Françoise Joly, the enigmatic French adviser to heads of state who became Moscow's conduit

The French national of Rwandan origin has spent the past two years working to establish Africa Corps in Congo and Togo. Africa Intelligence reveals the secret path of a woman who operates at the heart of power in Brazzaville and Lomé, tracing her route from Paris to Moscow via Kigali.

Subscribers only | Diplomatic Affairs | 06.07.2026

Namibia
Netumbo's endless chop and change plunges TotalEnergies and Shell into uncertainty

Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah in Addis Ababa, in February 2026.
Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah in Addis Ababa, in February 2026.© Marco Simoncelli/AFP
Subscribers only | Energy | 01.07.2026

Morocco
Bank of Africa succession cloud grows as Palace weighs post-Benjelloun era

The CEO of BoA, Othmane Benjelloun, in Casablanca in March 2023.
The CEO of BoA, Othmane Benjelloun, in Casablanca in March 2023. © Fadel Senna/AFP
Subscribers only | Finance | 03.06.2026

Niger
Junta's third in command weakened by visa trafficking case

General Mohamed Toumba in Niamey, 4 September 2023.
General Mohamed Toumba in Niamey, 4 September 2023.© AFP
Free access | Politics, Diplomatic Affairs | 27.05.2026

DRC
Inside Paris police detention of francophone music star Gims

Singer Gims at the Paris La Défense Arena in Nanterre on 19 December 2025.
Singer Gims at the Paris La Défense Arena in Nanterre on 19 December 2025.© PHOTOPQR/LE PARISIEN/MAXPPP

From Paris to Kinshasa via Abidjan and Cotonou, the arrest of the Congolese star has caused a stir and raised concerns in political circles.

Subscribers only | Diplomatic Affairs | 16.04.2026

Cameroon
Castel governance crisis casts shadow over proposed sale of Sosucam

The shareholder family of Castel, in open conflict with CEO Gregory Clerc, is planning to oppose the sale of the Cameroonian sugar company, which it judges contrary to the will of founder Pierre Castel.

Subscribers only | Commodity Traders | 19.06.2026
Jinghe Chen, chairman and founder of Zijin Mining, at Mining Indaba in Cape Town, South Africa, on 6 February 2023.
Jinghe Chen, chairman and founder of Zijin Mining, at Mining Indaba in Cape Town, South Africa, on 6 February 2023.© Shelley Christians/Reuters

Ethiopia
The controversial sale of Allied Gold to Chinese firm Zijin

The approval of this $4bn deal by the Canadian authorities marks a new chapter in diplomatic and economic relations with Beijing. In Ethiopia, where Allied Gold Corp is developing the Kurmuk mine, the matter is being closely monitored by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s office.

Subscribers only | Mining | Running story - The Renaissance Dam | 22.04.2026

Senegal
Diomaye Faye gives undertakings to Paris

French President Emmanuel Macron and his Senegalese counterpart Bassirou Diomaye Faye in Paris on 27 August 2025.
French President Emmanuel Macron and his Senegalese counterpart Bassirou Diomaye Faye in Paris on 27 August 2025.© Thibaud Moritz/AFP
Subscribers only | Finance, Diplomatic Affairs | 17.04.2026


Claudia Sassou-Nguesso, Salva Kiir, Ibrahim Traoré

Intrigues big and small: every Thursday, Africa Intelligence takes a peek into the corridors of power in Africa and beyond.

  • Congo The Attias couple, Claudia Sassou-Nguesso’s wedding witnesses
  • South Sudan The fake sheikh resurfacing with fresh ambitions
  • Burkina Faso Captain Traoré’s brother’s sensitive visa application
Free access | Business, Diplomatic Affairs | 25.06.2026
Rodolphe Saadé, CEO of the CMA CGM Group, in Nairobi, Kenya, on 10 May 2026.
Rodolphe Saadé, CEO of the CMA CGM Group, in Nairobi, Kenya, on 10 May 2026. © Ludovic Marin/AFP

Algeria
CMA CGM boss Rodolphe Saadé visits Algiers

The CEO of the world's third-largest shipping giant is in the Algerian capital to advance the firm's megaprojects in the country. Preparations for the journey, which the French-Lebanese businessman has long desired, previously suffered from tensions between France and Algeria.

Subscribers only | Business | 23.06.2026

Somalia, Djibouti
President Guelleh walks a fine line on Somali crisis

The head of state is caught between his Somali counterpart and ally Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and the Galmudug leader Qoor Qoor, to whom his son-in-law is particularly close. For now, he has chosen to err on the side of caution.

Subscribers only | Politics, Diplomatic Affairs | 18.06.2026

Mozambique
Chapo weighs broader security support for Mozambique LNG

The head of state hopes to persuade some of his counterparts to lend him a hand in securing the gas-rich province of Cabo Delgado, where the prolonged presence of Rwandan forces is raising questions.

Free access | Energy, Defense | 01.06.2026
© Illustration: Ezinne Osueke - AFP ; Romaric Ollo Hien/AFP ; AFP ; Michael Kappeler/dpa Picture-Alliance via AFP

Focus | Mali
Iyad ag Ghali's coalition and Goïta brace for a decisive showdown

After the 25 April offensive that struck at the heart of Mali's power structure, the war has entered a new phase. Goïta is clinging to the option of military action with increased support from Moscow, while the JNIM and FLA are preparing the next phase of their campaign and launching an intense regional diplomatic offensive.

Subscribers only | Diplomatic Affairs, Defense | 04.06.2026

Eritrea, Egypt
Assab port draws Egyptian firms

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi receives his Eritrean counterpart Isaias Afwerki in Cairo, on 8 June 2026.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi receives his Eritrean counterpart Isaias Afwerki in Cairo, on 8 June 2026. © APA Images/Imago/Reuters
Subscribers only | Business, Infrastructure | 15.06.2026

Uganda
Museveni curbs son's rise in new cabinet

The president is balancing the influence of army chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who remains restricted to several strategic areas, with that of the National Resistance Movement old guard.

President Yoweri Museveni (left) and his eldest son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba (right), in Kampala on 12 May 2026.
President Yoweri Museveni (left) and his eldest son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba (right), in Kampala on 12 May 2026.© Badru Katumba/AFP
Subscribers only | Politics | 09.06.2026

Palace Intrigues
Félix Tshisekedi, Emmanuel Macron, Denis Sassou-Nguesso

  • DRC Tshisekedi to watch Houston World Cup match from luxury box
  • Africa Forward summit Fally Ipupa, Youssou N'Dour and other stars to perform for Emmanuel Macron
  • Congo Sassou-Nguesso meets Yamina Benguigui amid tit-for-tat between Brazzaville and Paris
Subscribers only | Diplomatic Affairs | 07.05.2026

Madagascar
Electoral commission officials undergoing training in Moscow

Following the CENI president’s mission to Moscow, a small group from the Malagasy electoral body is now in Russia to participate in a course organised by the country’s electoral authorities.

Subscribers only | Diplomatic Affairs, Politics | 22.05.2026

Morocco, Algeria
Negotiations over Western Sahara take a backseat to Middle East conflict

As long as the Polisario Front has not clearly expressed its expectations regarding autonomy, Rabat continues to drive forward its proposal, which has yet to lead to an agreement between the parties. The hope for a swift resolution to the conflict as promised by Washington is starting to fade.

Subscribers only | Diplomatic Affairs | Running story - The Western Saharan stakes | 25.05.2026

Central Africa
António Guterres appoints UN representative for Central Africa

United Nations' Secretary-General António Guterres in Addis Ababa on 13 May 2026.
United Nations' Secretary-General António Guterres in Addis Ababa on 13 May 2026. © Ludovic Marin/AFP

The United Nations regional office, still reeling from the internal investigation into allegations of sexual exploitation against its former head, is finally set to have a new leader.

Subscribers only | Diplomatic Affairs | 22.05.2026

Mauritania
French groups step up courtship of Nouakchott

The Mauritanian president's state visit to Paris in April helped cement a series of existing projects while also highlighting fresh opportunities in maritime security, energy and mining. These are attracting growing interest from French companies.

Subscribers only | Business | 19.05.2026
Congolese President Denis Sassou-Nguesso in Brazzaville on 17 April 2026.
Congolese President Denis Sassou-Nguesso in Brazzaville on 17 April 2026.© Zheng Yangzi/Xinhua/Newscom/MaxPPP

Congo
Behind the scenes of Sassou's rocky inauguration

The president's swearing-in ceremony was marked not only by technical glitches but also a resurgence of tension with Gabon and within the head of state's own clan.

Subscribers only | Diplomatic Affairs, Politics | 22.04.2026

Morocco
Phosphate king Mostafa Terrab moves to contain Middle East supply shock

OCP Group CEO Mostafa Terrab in Rabat, October 2024.
OCP Group CEO Mostafa Terrab in Rabat, October 2024.© Jeanne Accorsini/Pool/ABACA via Reuters Connect
Subscribers only | Energy | 13.05.2026

Senegal
Diomaye Faye lays plans for post-Sonko era

The Senegalese president has made no secret of differences with his prime minister and former mentor and has been working to break free from his influence for several weeks. While reshaping the state apparatus to suit his own purposes, he has also shown no hesitation in consulting with figures linked to the opposition.

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye at the presidential palace in Dakar, in September 2024.
President Bassirou Diomaye Faye at the presidential palace in Dakar, in September 2024.© Carmen Abd Ali/The New York Times/Redux/REA
Subscribers only | Politics | 08.05.2026
A Rockwell B-1B Lancer bomber at the US military base on Diego Garcia, a Mauritian atoll under UK administration, in October 2021.
A Rockwell B-1B Lancer bomber at the US military base on Diego Garcia, a Mauritian atoll under UK administration, in October 2021.© USAF/Cover-Images.com via Reuters Connect

Mauritius
Washington and Port-Louis wrestle over Diego Garcia sovereignty

The return of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius is being undermined by delays in the UK over ratification of the treaty. At the heart of tensions is the strategic atoll housing a US military base, whose importance has been highlighted since the escalation of conflicts in the Middle East.

Subscribers only | Defense | 08.04.2026
© Illustrated by Ezinne Osueke | Photos : M. Bastripon/Wikimedia ; I. Sanogo/V. Prokofyev/A. Jocard/AFP ; EPA/MaxPPP

Focus | Africa
Tracing Alexander Zingman’s covert uranium and finance dealings tied to Putin

The American-Belarusian businessman has been active in Africa for a decade and, working closely with the DRC and Zimbabwe, is now steering his firm towards new markets in French-speaking nations. The man is proving his worth in highly sensitive matters bordering on diplomacy, business and intelligence in close connection with the Kremlin.

Subscribers only | Finance, Diplomatic Affairs, Mining | 01.06.2026

Comoros islands
Shadow of Mayotte looms over future French presidency of IOC

President of the Comoros Azali Assoumani and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in Paris, in July 2024.
President of the Comoros Azali Assoumani and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in Paris, in July 2024.© Valentine Chapuis/ AFP
Subscribers only | Diplomatic Affairs | 28.05.2026

Palace Intrigues
Mohammed VI, Michael Randrianirina, William Ruto, Félix Tshisekedi

Intrigues big and small: every Thursday, Africa Intelligence takes a peek into the corridors of power in Africa and beyond.

  • Morocco Chinese ambassador receives a royal snub
  • Madagascar The Parisian pro-"Michael" support group holds its first bash
  • Kenya William Ruto steers his advisers clear of infighting
  • DRC Behind the dismissal of subcontracting regulatory authority boss
Subscribers only | Diplomatic Affairs, Politics | 11.06.2026

Africa
Head of AU health body sparks fresh internal crisis

Jean Kaseya, head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, has had his decision to recall several regional directors to Addis Ababa overturned by the chairperson of the African Union Commission. The three doctors concerned have taken their case to the organisation's administrative tribunal.

Jean Kaseya, director general of the Africa CDC, in Washington, on 13 April 2026.
Jean Kaseya, director general of the Africa CDC, in Washington, on 13 April 2026. © Ken Cedeno/Reuters
Subscribers only | Politics | 02.06.2026

Sudan, South Sudan
Hemeti holds hushed talks with southern neighbour

The RSF commander is a regular visitor to Juba, where security issues, as well as the sharing of oil and the revenue it generates, are at the heart of frequent low-key meetings. The Sudanese conflict continues to spill over into South Sudan's territory.

General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as “Hemeti”, head of the Rapid Support Forces, and South Sudanese President Salva Kiir in Juba in December 2019.
General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as “Hemeti”, head of the Rapid Support Forces, and South Sudanese President Salva Kiir in Juba in December 2019.© Alex McBride/AFP
Subscribers only | Defense, Politics, Energy | 01.05.2026

Angola, Zimbabwe
Businessman Pedro Soco's regional commodity push from Luanda to Harare

Subscribers only | Mining, Commodity Traders | 29.05.2026

Gabon
Libreville gears up for central Africa’s most lavish and political wedding of the year

The capital is set to host the grandiose nuptials of Omar-Denis Junior Bongo and Julia Otto Mbongo, which will be attended by a large number of the regional elite and leading figures from French-speaking Africa.

Subscribers only | Politics, Diplomatic Affairs | 04.06.2026

Morocco
Behind the scenes of military leaders’ visit to Washington

A meeting between senior Moroccan military officials and the US Defense Secretary focused on the deployment of military forces in Gaza and the response that Washington wishes to organise alongside its Gulf allies.

Subscribers only | Defense | 27.04.2026

Ivory Coast
Tensions spike between transport and infrastructure ministers

The construction portfolio has been removed from Amadou Koné's remit and instead been handed to the infrastructure minister, Yacouba Hien Sié. This move has triggered strong reactions within the government.

Subscribers only | Politics, Infrastructure | 07.05.2026

DRC
Perenco sites wreak havoc on environment, secret audit reveals

A well operated by French-British oil company Perenco in Muanda, DRC, in 2021.
A well operated by French-British oil company Perenco in Muanda, DRC, in 2021.© Alexis Huguet/AFP

Commissioned by the Congolese government, a US firm found the French-British oil company to be responsible for ground and water contamination and biodiversity devastation in Muanda region. The study estimates cleanup costs of hundreds of millions of dollars.

Subscribers only | Energy | 25.06.2026

Mali
Moscow reinforces security footprint

Clouds of smoke rise near Bamako, in the aftermath of the jihadist attacks, 26 April 2026.
Clouds of smoke rise near Bamako, in the aftermath of the jihadist attacks, 26 April 2026.© AFP
Free access | Defense | 22.06.2026
Lieutenant General Mohammed Berrid, Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces, in Tan-Tan, Morocco, in May 2024.
Lieutenant General Mohammed Berrid, Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces, in Tan-Tan, Morocco, in May 2024.© Fadel Senna/AFP

Morocco
Rabat working hard to attract kamikaze drone industry

Up-and-coming Moroccan manufacturer Aerodrive Engineering Services has just secured a contract to supply 500 loitering munitions to the army. The kingdom is keen to develop this sector in partnership with local and international players.

Subscribers only | Defense | 20.05.2026
© Illustrated by Ezinne Osueke ; L. Marin/AFP ; R. Lim/AFP ; Science Photo Library/AFP

Focus | Central African Republic
Sigma Mining, the low-profile Emirati company at the heart of CAR’s gold system

The gold trade in the Central African Republic has morphed into a hybrid system in which official channels and parallel networks intertwine. In this grey area, a company with majority Emirati ownership has established itself as a key player, channelling part of the trade without altering its underlying dynamics.

Subscribers only | Mining, Business | 18.05.2026

Cameroon
US military prepares return to Far North

As jihadist pressure mounts around Lake Chad, US troops will once again be deployed in the region. This should help Washington expand its intelligence capabilities in the Sahel, and will enable Yaoundé to consolidate a regime weakened by a post-election crisis.

Africom Commander Dagvin Anderson speaking before the US Senate in Washington on 14 May 2026.
Africom Commander Dagvin Anderson speaking before the US Senate in Washington on 14 May 2026.© Andrew Thomas/CNP/Abacapress/Reuters
Subscribers only | Defense | Running story - Trump II and Africa | 05.06.2026

Palace Intrigues
Faure Gnassingbé, Andry Rajoelina, Abdelmadjid Tebboune

Intrigues big and small: every Thursday, Africa Intelligence takes a peek into the corridors of power in Africa and beyond.

  • West Africa The 50th anniversary summit of ECOWAS in limbo
  • Madagascar Andry Rajoelina's Paris trip fails to go unnoticed
  • Algeria DJ Snake shakes things up with impromptu concert in Algiers
Subscribers only | Politics, Diplomatic Affairs | 28.05.2026

Rwanda
Rwanda Development Board amps up international communication

Tasked with overseeing the country’s investment attractiveness policies, the RDB has engaged a French agency to bolster its efforts.

Subscribers only | Business | 08.06.2026

Morocco
Phosphate giant OCP Group's struggle to stay on top of double crisis

Mostafa Terrab, CEO of the OCP Group, in Rabat on 30 October 2024.
Mostafa Terrab, CEO of the OCP Group, in Rabat on 30 October 2024.© Jeanne Accorsini/Pool/Abacapress.com

In addition to facing difficulties due to the Strait of Hormuz blockade, which has disrupted its sulphur supplies, the company led by Mostafa Terrab has also recently experienced a major technical incident on its production line.

Subscribers only | Business, Mining | 12.06.2026

Africa
Swiss trader Oryx Energies on the verge of changing hands

Already CEO, Moussa Diao is seeking to take control of the hydrocarbon giant in Africa, founded by billionaire Jean-Claude Gandur. This major acquisition is taking place in the context of rising fuel prices resulting from the conflict in the Middle East, a situation the continent is struggling to cope with.

Subscribers only | Energy | 09.04.2026

Morocco
Sofia ambassador forced to react to investigation into her driver

Subscribers only | Diplomatic Affairs | 09.04.2026

South Africa
Czech defence firm Excalibur International rails against Comanche Armament Corp

Subscribers only | Defense | 14.04.2026

Congo
New oil chief Stev Simplice Onanga inherits a boom

Subscribers only | Energy | 29.04.2026
Kenyan President William Ruto with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the Puglia region of Italy in June 2024.
Kenyan President William Ruto with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the Puglia region of Italy in June 2024.© Zuma/Reuters

Kenya
Nairobi lines up defence agreements with Italy, France, China and Germany

The Kenyan parliament has just approved a series of security partnerships that could place the country at the heart of new struggles for influence between rival powers, such as Washington and Beijing.

Subscribers only | Diplomatic Affairs | 16.04.2026
A gold panner near Ranomafana, Madagascar, in October 2014.
A gold panner near Ranomafana, Madagascar, in October 2014. © Juliette Robert/Haytham-REA

Madagascar
Future gold refinery project sparks rival ambitions

More than 20 Malagasy and foreign companies are vying to build and operate the country’s first gold-refining plant. Africa Intelligence reveals the main contenders for this strategic project.

Subscribers only | Mining | 11.06.2026
Senegal's new prime minister, Ahmadou Al Aminou Lô.
Senegal's new prime minister, Ahmadou Al Aminou Lô.© Primature du Sénégal

Senegal
Fuel crunch and IMF pressure deepen challenges for new PM Ahmadou Al Aminou Lô

No sooner had he been appointed than Ousmane Sonko’s successor found himself having to deal with an extremely strained financial situation, exacerbated by rising oil prices. These are obstacles he will have to overcome by offering assurances to backers, foremost among them the International Monetary Fund.

Subscribers only | Politics, Finance | 29.05.2026
© Illustrated by Ezinne Osueke | Photos : Olympia de Maismont/AFP ; Issouf Sanogo/AFP ; Victor de Schwanberg/VSC/Science Photo Library/AFP ; Joël Saget/AFP ; Sicpa

Focus | Africa
From Rabat to Kinshasa, a deep dive into Swiss group SICPA’s traceability empire

Tobacco, alcohol, fuel, medicines, cosmetics… To combat counterfeiting and tax evasion affecting these everyday products, many African states are turning to a Swiss traceability company. Africa Intelligence has investigated the operations on the continent of this family-run firm, which is as ubiquitous as it is secretive.

Subscribers only | Business | 15.06.2026

Zambia
TotalEnergies to finally bring solar and wind project with First Quantum to fruition

The French energy giant’s project, which has been on hold since 2022 and is intended to supply the country’s largest copper mine, is at last set to get underway following an agreement reached with the Zambian authorities.

The Kansanshi copper mine in Zambia’s Eastern Province, in November 2012.
The Kansanshi copper mine in Zambia’s Eastern Province, in November 2012.© Sven TORFINN/PANOS-REA
Free access | Mining, Energy, Diplomatic Affairs

Palace Intrigues
Mamadi Doumbouya, Alassane Ouattara, Faustin-Archange Touadéra

Intrigues big and small: every Thursday, Africa Intelligence takes a peek into the corridors of power in Africa and beyond.

  • Guinea Robert Bourgi and Mamadi Doumbouya’s discreet one-on-one
  • Ivory Coast Alassane Ouattara makes a stop in Paris
  • Central African Republic Ivorian businessman Tommy Tayoro Nyckos gives Touadéra a lift
Subscribers only | Business, Politics

Nigeria, Benin
How Paris supports Abuja and Cotonou in fight against jihadist groups

Nigerian and Beninese armed forces, backed by French units, are conducting coordinated operations along the border between the two countries. They are targeting the leaders of the Ansaru jihadist group, which is affiliated with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.

French President Emmanuel Macron with his Nigerian Counterpart Bola Tinubu, in Paris, France, in November 2024.
French President Emmanuel Macron with his Nigerian Counterpart Bola Tinubu, in Paris, France, in November 2024. © Amaury Cornu/Hans Lucas/AFP
Subscribers only | Defense

Burundi
Évariste Ndayishimiye refines his election strategy for 2027

Electoral officials have recently doubled the amount presidential candidates must pay to run for office, discouraging opposition figures from joining the race. While the incumbent is expected to glide easily to reelection, he is keen to ensure at least a handful of challengers take part.

Subscribers only | Politics

Burkina Faso
Ibrahim Traoré nurtures ties with Israel

The junta leader, who maintains a staunchly anti-Western stance and flaunts his closer ties with Tehran, simultaneously maintains discreet links with Tel Aviv and its ambassador to the region, whose credentials he has just approved.

Free access | Diplomatic Affairs

DRC, Rwanda
Kinshasa takes Kigali to the International Court of Justice

Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi's administration has opened a new legal front at the ICJ, seeking to establish Rwanda's responsibility for part of the atrocities committed in eastern DRC.

Congolese Minister of Justice Guillaume Ngefa in Geneva, Switzerland, in September 2025.
Congolese Minister of Justice Guillaume Ngefa in Geneva, Switzerland, in September 2025.© Jean Marc Ferré/MAXPPP
Subscribers only | Diplomatic Affairs | 26.06.2026

Tunisia
Passport issue worries exiled opposition

While many political class members have found refuge abroad, several former senior officials faced hurdles when attempting to renew their Tunisian passports in recent months.

Subscribers only | Politics | 20.07.2026

Chad
French army makes a quiet return to N'Djamena

A handful of French officers returned to N’Djamena in mid-April to revive cooperation with the Chadian army, at a time when the partnership with Turkey is faltering.

Subscribers only | Defense | 08.06.2026

East Africa, Southern Africa
Economic actors brace for AGOA shakeup

Levi's jeans produced in the Ruaraka Free Trade Zone near Nairobi, Kenya, 4 April 2025.
Levi's jeans produced in the Ruaraka Free Trade Zone near Nairobi, Kenya, 4 April 2025.© Thomas Mukoya/Reuters

With an extension of the US's African Growth and Opportunity Act beyond this year far from certain, the continent's manufacturers are alarmed about the financial ramifications and are asking for clarity. But the American political calender is restricting their room for manoeuvre.

Subscribers only | Diplomatic Affairs, Business | Running story - Trump II and Africa | 19.06.2026

Algeria
Change at top of DGSI counter-espionage bureau

Appointed as head of counter-espionage a year ago, the highly experienced General Abdelkader Aït Ouarabi, known as "Hassan", has left his post.

Subscribers only | Defense
Birhanu Jula (speaking into the microphone), marshal of the Ethiopian National Defense Force and chief of staff, in Addis Ababa on 26 October 2023.
Birhanu Jula (speaking into the microphone), marshal of the Ethiopian National Defense Force and chief of staff, in Addis Ababa on 26 October 2023.© Amanuel Sileshi/AFP

Ethiopia
ZayRide co-founders' unsettling ties to army generals

Linked to the launch of the on-demand taxi app, Bereket Bayissa has taken the helm of a conglomerate, the Shirshir Business Group, a key partner of the Ethiopian army. The development comes amid the takeover of METEC, the Tigrayan military-industrial empire dismantled by Abiy Ahmed.

Subscribers only | Defense | 23.06.2026
A projectile detonates outside the city of Goma in February 2025.
A projectile detonates outside the city of Goma in February 2025.© Hugh Kinsella Cunningham/Getty Images/AFP

Entourage | DRC
In the shadow of General 'Omega', the FDLR’s last men standing

Pacifique Ntawunguka, despised by the Kagame government, on his tail in eastern Congo, is committed to his movement’s founding mission: to survive while waiting for an illusory return to Rwanda. Deeply immersed in the ideology that led to the 1994 genocide, he relies on a small group of commanders, intelligence officers and ideologues.

Subscribers only | Defense | 12.06.2026

Guinea
Doumbouya strengthens cybersecurity providers to keep closer eye on opponents

Conakry has called on the expertise of specialist firms to strengthen the capabilities of its postal and telecommunications regulatory authority, which monitors calls and internet networks, as the crackdown on the opposition intensifies.

Guinean President Mamadi Doumbouya in Nairobi, Kenya on 12 May 2026.
Guinean President Mamadi Doumbouya in Nairobi, Kenya on 12 May 2026. © Daniel Irungu/EPA/MaxPPP
Subscribers only | Defense | 10.06.2026

Central African Republic
Washington to expel first migrants to Bangui

CAR is set to receive the first group of migrants under a deal quietly negotiated by President Touadéra, in an arrangement that intertwines financial incentives with the prospect of a closer relationship with the US. All this comes against a backdrop of fears that Bangui may be unable to manage the fate of those sent there.

The Central African Republic president, Faustin-Archange Touadéra, at the UN headquarters in New York, on 24 September 2025.
The Central African Republic president, Faustin-Archange Touadéra, at the UN headquarters in New York, on 24 September 2025. © Ludovic MARIN/AFP
Subscribers only | Diplomatic Affairs, Politics | Running story - Trump II and Africa | 12.06.2026

Palace Intrigues
Denis Sassou-Nguesso, Félix Tshisekedi, Alassane Ouattara

  • Congo Wedding season kicks off within Denis Sassou Nguesso’s entourage
  • DRC Félix Tshisekedi invites influential pastor Joel Osteen to Kinshasa
  • Ivory Coast Abidjan sued in New York over poorly maintained pavement
Subscribers only | Politics, Diplomatic Affairs | 18.06.2026

Ivory Coast
CMA CGM chief Rodolphe Saadé set for Abidjan visit

Subscribers only | Business, Infrastructure | 20.04.2026
Bahrain’s ambassador in Cairo, Fawzia Zainal, in Manama, in September 2010.
Bahrain’s ambassador in Cairo, Fawzia Zainal, in Manama, in September 2010.© Mazen Mahdi/EPA/MaxPPP

Sudan
Arab League splinters over Sudan

Port Sudan’s diplomatic offensive against Addis Ababa, during an extraordinary session of the Council of the League of Arab States, failed in the face of UAE steamrollering, leading to the temporary suspension of discussions and the shattering of the fragile regional balance regarding the Sudanese conflict.

Subscribers only | Diplomatic Affairs | 08.06.2026
A woman sorts vanilla pods by size in Antalaha, northeast Madagascar, September 2023.
A woman sorts vanilla pods by size in Antalaha, northeast Madagascar, September 2023.© Ako Randrianarivelo/ZUMA Press Wire/Reuters

Madagascar
Money grab for CNV national vanilla council funds

Suspended by a decision from Colonel Michael Randrianirina, the body leaves behind it a sum of several tens of millions of dollars, which are now contested by several major exporters of the precious spice.

Subscribers only | Commodity Traders | 15.05.2026

Morocco
Abdelwali Ali el-Himma, son of royal adviser, sets up string of surprising investments

From avocado farming to the distribution of lifts, the young financier has recently positioned himself in a variety of businesses through the British investment fund 54 Capital. Among his associates is a brother of the businessman Yariv Elbaz.

Subscribers only | Commodity Traders, Business | Running story - Makhzen Inc. | 10.04.2026

Kenya, Ghana
Kenya Airways eyes investment in Ghana’s national airline

To invest in West Africa and tap into new markets, the Kenyan carrier is counting on the revival, scheduled for 2027, of a Ghanaian airline. The project remains uncertain due to the group’s financial difficulties and its struggles to attract a buyer.

Subscribers only | Business | 19.06.2026

Mozambique
ExxonMobil selects the trio to build Rovuma LNG

One of the world’s largest such projects will soon be awarded to one of the two remaining consortia still in the running, following years of competition.

Subscribers only | Energy | 03.06.2026
The Nigerien prime minister, Ali Lamine Zeine, and his counterpart from the Libyan Government of National Unity, Abdelhamid Dabaiba, in Tripoli on 15 June 2026.
The Nigerien prime minister, Ali Lamine Zeine, and his counterpart from the Libyan Government of National Unity, Abdelhamid Dabaiba, in Tripoli on 15 June 2026.© Mahmud Turkia/AFP

Niger, Libya
Prisoner swaps and scores to settle between Niamey, Tripoli and Benghazi

Subscribers only | Diplomatic Affairs | 22.06.2026

Gabon
Behind the scenes of Oligui Nguema’s $3bn Trafigura deal

Subscribers only | Energy | 17.04.2026
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen with Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo, in March 2024.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen with Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo, in March 2024.© Stavros Ioannides/PIO/AFP

Entourage | North Africa
Ursula von der Leyen's envoys preach the word of Brussels from Cairo to Rabat

European Union diplomats are working to implement the European Commission president’s policy in North Africa. The adoption of the Mediterranean Pact in November reaffirmed the key pillars of this strategy, which focuses on managing migration flows, regional security and economic development.

Subscribers only | Diplomatic Affairs | 17.04.2026

DRC
Kinshasa on verge of winning its bet on the cobalt market

Fully focused on its goal of regulating the precious mineral sector, Félix Tshisekedi's presidency expects significant fiscal returns this year. The authorities, however, have had to contend with pressure from Chinese operators eager to obtain larger quotas, as well as the reluctance of certain administrations.

DRC President Félix Tshisekedi in Washington, December 2025.
DRC President Félix Tshisekedi in Washington, December 2025. © Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP
Subscribers only | Mining | 07.04.2026

Ivory Coast
Abidjan redefines military cooperation with Beijing, Paris and Washington

With China delivering heavy weapons, the United States building closer military and diplomatic ties and France reshaping its partnerships, Ivory Coast is attracting ever-greater interest from these three powers.

The US-led Flintlock exercise at the AILCT counter-terrorism school in Jacqueville, Ivory Coast, on 30 April 2026.
The US-led Flintlock exercise at the AILCT counter-terrorism school in Jacqueville, Ivory Coast, on 30 April 2026.© Joseph Zahui/Matrix Images/Reuters
Subscribers only | Defense | 02.06.2026

Cameroon
Nathalie Moudiki tightens grip on crude

Behind-the-scenes manoeuvring and political influence at the highest levels of government are reshaping the balance of power within the national oil company, Société Nationale des Hydrocarbures.

Subscribers only | Commodity Traders, Energy | 07.05.2026

Morocco
OCP Group’s initiatives to go green for Brussels

With the support of the Swedish consultancy Kreab, which has close ties to Morocco's diplomatic circles, the fertiliser giant is cultivating its relationship with one of its main buyers, the European Union.

Subscribers only | Mining, Energy, Business | 15.04.2026

Algeria
TotalEnergies banks on QatarEnergy to secure access to new permits

The complicated political relations between France and Algeria are prompting the French oil major to consider partnerships with other oil companies with close ties to the presidency.

Subscribers only | Energy | 21.04.2026
The Nigerien president, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, in Niamey on 15 February 2025.
The Nigerien president, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, in Niamey on 15 February 2025.© AFP

Niger
Tchiani’s balancing act in face of mounting security crisis

Weakened by the advance of jihadist groups, the president is struggling to restore order within his armed forces while quietly opening a channel of communication with insurgents in a bid to ease pressure on the capital, Niamey.

Subscribers only | Defense | 14.04.2026
President of Botswana, Duma Boko, in Paris on 8 April 2026.
President of Botswana, Duma Boko, in Paris on 8 April 2026.© Ludovic Marin/AFP

Botswana
Orano gears up in Gaborone

The French nuclear fuel specialist is expanding its African mining footprint as it navigates setbacks in Niger and revival in Namibia. It has just registered a subsidiary in Botswana, where uranium mining is underdeveloped.

Subscribers only | Mining | 23.04.2026
Hassan Sheikh Mohamud during a visit to the province of Sool in Las Anod, on 17 January 2026.
Hassan Sheikh Mohamud during a visit to the province of Sool in Las Anod, on 17 January 2026. © Abuukar Mohamed Muhidin/Anadolu/AFP

Somalia
Mohamud plots a year in power over a fractured nation

The president seems content to accept limited control over a few federated states. He is counting on Turkey and Qatar's support and the fact that the international community is otherwise engaged – with the Iranian issue – to extend his term.

Free access | Politics | 27.05.2026

Palace Intrigues
Denis Sassou-Nguesso, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Nadia Fettah Alaoui

  • Congo Denis Sassou-Nguesso gives ground on daughter's marriage
  • Senegal Tafsir Diattara, Bassirou Diomaye Faye's informal visitor
  • Morocco Two ministers to attend French economic forum
Subscribers only | Politics | 04.06.2026
In brief

Tanzania
Chinese-Tanzanian trio secures road contracts worth $117m

Subscribers only | Infrastructure | 06.05.2026

South Africa, Rwanda
Pretoria and Kigali reset diplomatic ties

Subscribers only | Diplomatic Affairs | 17.06.2026
Simon Trott, Rio Tinto CEO, in Perth, Australia, in 2023.
Simon Trott, Rio Tinto CEO, in Perth, Australia, in 2023.© Richard Wainwright/AAP Image/Reuters

Entourage | Africa
The international flavour of Simon Trott’s Rio Tinto team

Appointed last August to lead the Anglo-Australian mining giant, the highly pragmatic CEO relies on both Western and African executives to expand the firm's portfolio of mining and industrial projects. There is a particular interest in the copper sector, notably in Angola.

Subscribers only | Mining | 24.04.2026

Gabon, Ivory Coast
From Libreville to Abidjan, Israeli arms broker Gaby Peretz casts his net wide

Gabonese defence officials have just placed an order with AD Con for a vast military arsenal valued at €200m. The company is also hoping to secure new contracts in Ivory Coast.

Gabonese Armed Forces parade in Libreville, 17 August 2024.
Gabonese Armed Forces parade in Libreville, 17 August 2024.© Wilfried Mbinah/AFP
Subscribers only | Defense | 17.06.2026

Rwanda, Nigeria
Tinubu and Kagame deepen ties after discreet Paris meeting

Although they were relatively unfamiliar with one another less than a year ago, the two presidents have been growing closer since early 2026, thanks to key figures in their respective entourages.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, in Kigali on 13 May.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, in Kigali on 13 May.© @UrugwiroVillage/X
Subscribers only | Diplomatic Affairs | 16.06.2026

Zambia
Hichilema’s government ramps up pipeline plans

Faced with chronic fuel shortages, Lusaka has just revived long-dormant pipeline projects extending towards both coasts of the continent. While the desire to diversify supply seems justified, these programmes raise serious questions around their cost and coherency.

Tanzania-Zambia railway project launch with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Zambian President Hichilema and Tanzanian Vice President Nchimbi in Lusaka, Zambia, on 20 November 2025.
Tanzania-Zambia railway project launch with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Zambian President Hichilema and Tanzanian Vice President Nchimbi in Lusaka, Zambia, on 20 November 2025. © YAO DAWEI/XINHUA/AFP
Subscribers only | Energy, Infrastructure | 13.05.2026

Morocco
Rabat and Cairo’s military support for Gulf states in face of Iran bombs

Riyadh and Abu Dhabi turned to their North African partners to help counter the threat posed by Iranian drones and missiles. A cooperation focused on defence and intelligence.

Subscribers only | Defense | 21.04.2026

Algeria
Washington consults former US ambassador on Western Sahara

Subscribers only | Diplomatic Affairs | 29.04.2026
US President Donald Trump and his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, in Washington on 4 December 2025.
US President Donald Trump and his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, in Washington on 4 December 2025.© Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP

Rwanda
Controversy surrounds Kagame's US travel plans

The Rwandan president had planned a visit to the United States but was ultimately unable to travel to Washington. The cancelled trip can be directly attributed to tensions between Kigali and Washington.

Free access | Diplomatic Affairs | 14.05.2026
A Perenco oil rig off the coast of Muanda, DRC, 2015.
A Perenco oil rig off the coast of Muanda, DRC, 2015.© Kris Pannecoucke/Panos-REA

Cameroon
Expert reports point finger at Perenco over fatal offshore accident

The Franco-British oil firm has been seriously incriminated for workplace safety failures. It has proposed €120,000 in damages to the victim's family in exchange for dropping legal action.

Subscribers only | Energy | 19.06.2026
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah in Ongwediva, Namibia, on 25 August 2025.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah in Ongwediva, Namibia, on 25 August 2025.© Ndalimpinga Iita/Xinhua-REA

Namibia
TotalEnergies and Windhoek's optimism belies myriad obstacles

Subscribers only | Energy | 12.05.2026
Amhara Fano militia fighters in Lalibela, northern Ethiopia, in December 2021.
Amhara Fano militia fighters in Lalibela, northern Ethiopia, in December 2021. © Solan Kolli/AFP

Ethiopia
Distrust clouds Tsimdo, the growing anti-Abiy front

Subscribers only | Politics | 01.06.2026
Bassirou Diomaye Faye with Emir of Kuwait Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah at Bayan Palace in Kuwait City, on 13 January 2026.
Bassirou Diomaye Faye with Emir of Kuwait Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah at Bayan Palace in Kuwait City, on 13 January 2026.© Kuna /AFP

Spotlight | Senegal
AfDB and BOAD development banks rally round Dakar

Subscribers only | Finance

Palace Intrigues
William Ruto, Emmanuel Macron, Aya Nakamura

  • Africa Forward The very diplomatic seating plan for heads of state dinner
  • Kenya Raila Odinga Junior on a fact-finding mission at the Africa-France summit
  • Mali Singer Aya Nakamura finalises her own documentary ahead of her three Paris shows
Subscribers only | Business, Diplomatic Affairs | 14.05.2026
Chief of General Staff Said Chengriha and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune in Algiers, 1 November 2025.
Chief of General Staff Said Chengriha and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune in Algiers, 1 November 2025.© Algerian Presidency Office apai/ZUMA-REA

Entourage | Algeria
Abdelmadjid Tebboune's circle of faithful followers

A somewhat sidelined minister during the Bouteflika era, the current president has largely achieved his political revenge. Through complex negotiations with the army chief, who remains central to the power structure, he has built up a circle of loyal figures within the state apparatus.

Subscribers only | Politics | 19.06.2026

East Africa
EAC financial crisis jeopardises major infrastructure projects

Several large-scale works supported by the regional organisation are at a standstill or moving at a slow pace. The financial abyss the EAC is facing prevents it from providing satisfactory support.

Free access | Infrastructure

Ivory Coast
President Ouattara plagued by electricity and cocoa crises

Back in Abidjan after a personal trip to France, the head of state is holding a series of emergency meetings in an attempt to contain tensions linked to power cuts and the turmoil in the cocoa bean industry, two highly sensitive issues for the executive.

Subscribers only | Commodity Traders, Energy | 06.04.2026
French President Emmanuel Macron during the Africa Forward summit in Nairobi, Kenya, on 12 May 2026.
French President Emmanuel Macron during the Africa Forward summit in Nairobi, Kenya, on 12 May 2026.© Monicah Mwangi/Reuters

West Africa
After Nairobi, Macron prepares final major African tour

As the French president closes the Africa-France summit in Kenya, he and his team are already working on his next major trip to the continent – a journey that may well be the last of his two terms in office.

Subscribers only | Diplomatic Affairs | 12.05.2026
The Orange River near Alexander Bay in the Northern Cape, South Africa, in May 2023.
The Orange River near Alexander Bay in the Northern Cape, South Africa, in May 2023.© Roger de la Harpe/Alamy

South Africa
Pretoria bets on new strategy to arrest the fall of diamond flagship Alexkor

The South African state-owned company, which controls a vast land and offshore diamond concession, is floundering and lags far behind its Namibian neighbour Namdeb, co-owned by De Beers. Under growing parliamentary pressure, Alexkor's new management is betting on diversification and deep-sea mining to get back on track.

Subscribers only | Mining | 26.06.2026
Congolese President Denis Sassou-Nguesso in Brazzaville on 16 April 2026.
Congolese President Denis Sassou-Nguesso in Brazzaville on 16 April 2026.© Roch Bouka/Reuters

Congo
Sassou tweaks his cabinet

The president has kept Anatole Collinet Makosso on as his prime minister – at least until next year's parliamentary elections – in a new government line-up that retains the usual equilibrium and which deliberately gives no significant advantage to key players in the head of state's inner circle.

Subscribers only | Politics | 28.04.2026
Diego-Suarez Port, Madagascar, in June 2017.
Diego-Suarez Port, Madagascar, in June 2017.© Ariadne Van Zandbergen/Alamy

Madagascar
Diego-Suarez port upgrade nears funding breakthrough

Paris is moving to accelerate the rehabilitation and expansion of the civilian port of Diego-Suarez, in Madagascar’s far north, with the project expected to clear a decisive hurdle this autumn as French financing is unlocked.

Free access | Diplomatic Affairs, Defense | 27.04.2026

Palace Intrigues
Robert Beugré Mambé, Wale Edun, Faustin-Archange Touadéra

  • Ivory Coast Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé gets ready to tie the knot
  • Nigeria Finance minister tipped to attend Paris anti-terror summit
  • Central African Republic Franco-Ivorian banker Ibrahim Magassa invited to Touadéra's inauguration
Subscribers only | Diplomatic Affairs, Finance | 16.04.2026

Morocco, Mali
Rabat mobilises Royal Air Maroc to evacuate foreign nationals from Bamako

Subscribers only | Business | 04.05.2026
The Algerian Justice Minister, Lotfi Boudjemaa, and his French counterpart, Gérald Darmanin, in Algiers on 18 May 2026.
The Algerian Justice Minister, Lotfi Boudjemaa, and his French counterpart, Gérald Darmanin, in Algiers on 18 May 2026.© APP/NurPhoto via AFP

Algeria
Algiers and Paris pursue rapprochement

Following successive visits from French ministers, several Algerian officials are now expected in France in the coming weeks. At the same time, the business communities on both sides of the Mediterranean are working hard to intensify their exchanges.

Subscribers only | Diplomatic Affairs | 22.05.2026

Kenya
Anti-Trump alliance takes shape in Nairobi

Iran, Cuba and Venezuela, all under pressure from the US administration, are building ties in Nairobi in an effort to win over sections of Kenyan civil society and parts of the political class.

Subscribers only | Diplomatic Affairs | 30.04.2026

DRC
Bank records put subcontracting regulator chief under scrutiny

A letter targeting Miguel Kashal, head of the ARSP subcontracting regulatory authority, cites records showing tens of millions of dollars withdrawn in cash. The matter, linked to security needs in the war against M23, is an open secret among top government figures.

Subscribers only | Politics | 04.06.2026
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A worker handles coltan and cassiterite ore at a processing plant in the DRC.
A worker handles coltan and cassiterite ore at a processing plant in the DRC.© Carlos Villalon/Redux/REA

Spotlight | Kenya
Coltan rush stirs up political appetites

For nearly a year, several Kenyan and foreign companies have been vying for exploration licences in the centre of the country. The political establishment, right up to the highest levels of government, is keen to get involved in these potentially highly lucrative projects, despite the risk of causing or exacerbating land disputes.
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South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola in Berlin, on 13 April 2026.
South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola in Berlin, on 13 April 2026. © Tobias Schwarz/AFP

Inner Circle | South Africa
Presidential hopeful Lamola builds broad base of backers

Appointed foreign affairs minister in June 2024, he has since been handed some of Pretoria's most sensitive missions, including his country's G20 presidency and a bruising diplomatic row with the United States. He has relied on a tight circle of loyal officials to navigate the turbulence.
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