Emirates

Palace Intrigues
Andry Rajoelina, Denis Sassou-Nguesso, Faustin-Archange Touadéra, Emmanuel Macron

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

MadagascarRajoelina puts on fine spread for Macron

CongoDenis Sassou Nguesso to skip his son's wedding in Dubai

Central African RepublicWelcome gardening leave for Minister of Energy Arthur Bertrand Piri

The New Guard
South Africa, Morocco, Sudan

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence spotlights a new generation of movers and shakers in business and politics.

South AfricaJaco-Louis du Plessis, soldier turned business diplomacy consultant

MoroccoAsmaa Chakir Alaoui, queen of the pros on two wheels

SudanHozaifa Elsiddig, art against arms

Chad, Sudan
The winding arms supply routes from Beijing to N'Djamena via Abu Dhabi

Chad has taken delivery of the latest generation of Chinese anti-aircraft defence systems. They were supplied by the UAE, which is regularly criticised over their support for the Rapid Support Forces that are battling the regular Sudanese army in the civil war.

Kenya
Start-up Amini working on its own AI infrastructure

After raising $4m in its first round of funding in 2023, the company launched by Kate Kallot is preparing to build a dedicated AI computing infrastructure in Kenya.

Central African Republic
Wagner launches recruitment drive in the north

The Russian group's paramilitaries have begun training young militiamen from the Gula ethnic group to extend their control and secure their interests in the Vakaga prefecture, on the border with Sudan and Chad.

Kenya, Sudan
Kenyan tea squeezes into Sudan despite import ban

The diplomatic wrangling between the two states rumbles on, after Sudan's embassy responded to remarks by William Ruto. The Kenyan president had insisted his country was still exporting tea to Sudan, despite a recently imposed embargo.

Eritrea
In the face of Addis Ababa's ambitions, Eritrea looks for Red Sea support

Amid tensions with neighbouring Ethiopia threatening to spiral out of control, Asmara is looking to Riyadh and Cairo to rekindle security cooperation around the Red Sea.

Angola
Threatened with $100m arbitration over Kwanza-Sul cement plant, Luanda keeps silent

The Emirati company ETA Star International, which built the plant, is threatening to take the case to the ICSID. The government has chosen not to respond.

Guinea
Audit casts doubt on quality of UAE army equipment

A technical audit commissioned by Conakry to evaluate the equipment acquired by the army and security forces from the UAE-based Streit Group has revealed numerous shortcomings.

Ivory Coast
Economy minister backs major Gulf-Africa event in Abidjan

With the full support of Nialé Kaba, Gravitas Sovereign and Strategic Advisory is working to hold the event with the Gulf Cooperation Council in Abidjan next February.

Nigeria
Emirates considers again grounding Lagos-Dubai flights

The airline Emirates is reportedly considering suspending the route once more. The Emirati company is said to be struggling to fill its planes to capacity, mainly because of the strict visa requirements it had for Nigerians.