Africa News Bulletin

Twiga Stars have advanced to the final round of the WAFCON 2024 qualifiers after a 4-2 aggregate victory over Equatorial Guinea. The Tanzanian women’s football team secured a 3-1 home win and a 1-1 away draw, with Enekia Kasonga scoring a crucial equalizer in the second leg. Head coach Bakari Shime praised the team's resilience and is now focusing on their next challenge against Ethiopia, set to take place between October 20-28, 2025. A win would secure their spot in the continental tournament. The final round will see other teams like Malawi, South Africa, Ghana, and Nigeria competing for a place in WAFCON 2024, which will be hosted by Morocco. Defending champions South Africa have also secured their spot. With only 12 spots available, Twiga Stars will need to bring their best performance against Ethiopia to book their ticket to the tournament. #TwigaStars #WAFCON2024 #RoadToMorocco #TanzaniaFootball #Tanzania 

President Samia Suluhu Hassan has appointed Dr. Fred Msemwa as the new Executive Secretary of Tanzania’s National Planning Commission, following the passing of Lawrence Mafuru in November 2024. Dr. Msemwa brings extensive experience in public sector planning and policy development, ensuring continuity in the country’s long-term economic strategies. His role will be pivotal in shaping Tanzania’s Vision 2050 and driving national development initiatives.   Alongside this appointment, Prof. Philipo Lonati Sanga has been named Head of the Institute of Adult Education, while Ambassador Susan Salome Kaganda has been assigned as Tanzania’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe. These changes reflect the government’s commitment to strengthening national institutions and enhancing international relations, positioning Tanzania for sustainable growth and global cooperation.   #Tanzania #public sector planning #Policy development #President Samia Suluhu Hassan #Dr. Fred Msemwa

South African artist Makhadzi has been honored with the Best Dancer award at the 2025 Trace Awards, held on February 26 in Zanzibar. Known for her dynamic performances that blend cultural traditions with contemporary dance, Makhadzi expressed her gratitude on Instagram, thanking her fans and the Trace Awards for their support.   The event also recognized other notable artists, with South Africa's Tyla winning Best Female Artist and Nigeria's Rema securing both Album of the Year for "HEIS" and Best Male Artist. The ceremony celebrated the diverse talent emerging from Africa, highlighting the continent's significant impact on the global music industry.   #Dance #SouthAfrica #Makhadzi #Trace Awards2025

Seychelles is gearing up for a strong presence at ITB Berlin 2025, one of the world’s most prestigious travel trade shows, to boost its global visibility. A delegation of 30 participants from 15 tourism-related businesses, including top hotels, resorts, and tour operators, will showcase the island’s natural beauty, vibrant culture, and world-class tourism offerings from March 4–6, 2025. Led by Seychelles’ Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Sylvestre Radegonde, the delegation aims to connect with international buyers and promote sustainable, high-quality tourism experiences. With over 5,000 exhibitors and 100,000 attendees, ITB Berlin offers Seychelles a prime platform to strengthen its global tourism presence and engage with industry leaders. #Seychelles #SeychellesIslands #ITB Berlin #SustainableTourism #GlobalConnections #ExploreSeychelles

In his 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA), President John H.E John Dramani Mahama unveiled bold plans to tackle Ghana’s youth unemployment crisis, calling it a national security threat. Key initiatives include creating a Ministry of Youth Development, and launching a national apprenticeship program. He also pledged to improve the Free SHS policy, phase out the Double Track system, and expand STEM and vocational education. H.E. John H.E John Dramani Mahama announced incentives for teachers in rural areas, improved school feeding programs, and scholarships for students in deprived communities. He also invited the opposition NPP to join the National Economic Dialogue, aiming to build consensus on economic recovery strategies. The dialogue, themed “Resetting Ghana,” seeks collaborative solutions for national progress. #EconomicRecovery #NationalDialogue #Ghana #EducationalReforms

Players from the Junior NBA and Safaricom tournament in Nairobi are set to join an NBA camp in Mombasa in April. 40 coaches guided the players, with some selected for the Junior NBA elite 100 camp. Additionally, 15 girls were chosen for the "Her Camp" hosted by the Basketball Africa League in Nairobi. Mike Finley, NBA Africa's Kenya Country Lead, mentioned 100 players were identified for further workouts after the semi-finals and finals. Olympic boys and girls stood out in the tournament, with the girls winning gold by defeating St. John 25-3, and St. John boys claiming gold after a 17-14 win over Olympic. Olympic boys also dominated, beating Harambee 15-6, while St. John edged Makini 16-14. Daima and Makini took bronze in the girls' and boys' competitions. Olympic coach Ezra Alenga praised the team's hard work and preparation since November. #JuniorNBA #BasketballAfrica #NBAcamp #HerCamp #OlympicSchool #SafaricomTournament #YouthBasketball #KenyaBasketball #Kenya

Joe Moynihan, CEO of JerseyFinance, emphasized the potential of Kigali as a financial hub, noting that its appeal lies in the ability to create a robust regulatory framework without the burden of legacy issues. He highlighted that newer international financial centers (IFCs) can start fresh, which is particularly advantageous for establishing funds that invest in East Africa or beyond. The growth of local wealth in the region further enhances Kigali’s potential as a financial center. Moynihan also discussed the evolving role of IFCs, explaining that they provide a stable, tax-neutral platform for global investors. He outlined that an effective IFC should not add additional taxation on investments but should focus on taxing financial service providers, such as banks and fund managers. The success of an IFC, he added, relies on tailored regulations for different investor types and the availability of skilled talent to execute financial operations. #InternationalFinancialCenters #Kigali #Rwanda #EastAfrica #Investment #IFC #RegulatoryFramework #GlobalInvestors Source:

On February 26, 2025, Mauritanian Prime Minister Mokhtar Ould Diay met UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi. During the meeting, Ould Diay delivered a message from Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, highlighting the strong ties between the nations and discussing opportunities for further cooperation. In response, President Al Nahyan thanked President El Ghazouani and expressed his well wishes for Mauritania's continued success. The leaders also explored ways to enhance economic and investment relations, aiming to strengthen mutual development. #UAE #Mauritania #BilateralRelations #EconomicCooperation #Diplomacy #MiddleEast #Africa

Trade between Zimbabwe and Indonesia has experienced significant growth under the Second Republic, increasing from US$60 million to US$100 million. This expansion is largely driven by Zimbabwe's tobacco exports to Indonesia. The two nations have also deepened their bilateral relations, focusing on sectors such as agriculture, tourism, and infrastructure development. Indonesia has expressed interest in investing in Zimbabwe's mining sector, particularly in lithium, to support its electric vehicle industry. The strengthening of ties between Zimbabwe and Indonesia reflects a shared commitment to enhancing economic cooperation and mutual development. Both countries are exploring opportunities to collaborate in various sectors, aiming to boost trade volumes and foster sustainable growth. This partnership underscores the potential for increased economic engagement between the two nations, contributing to broader regional development goals. #Zimbabwe #Indonesia #Trade #EconomicCooperation #Mining #Investment #BilateralRelations #RegionalDevelopment

Zimbabwe is emerging as a significant contributor to the revival of Africa's automobile manufacturing sector. The country is leveraging its mineral resources, particularly lithium, to position itself as a key supplier for the electric vehicle industry. A notable development is the US$310 million agreement between Kuvimba Mining House and British and Chinese investors to construct a lithium concentrator at the Sandawana Mine. This project aims to enhance Zimbabwe's role in the global supply chain for electric vehicle batteries, thereby boosting its economic growth. In addition to mineral resources, Zimbabwe is revitalizing its domestic automobile manufacturing capabilities. The country has a history of vehicle assembly, with companies like Willowvale Motor Industries producing various models over the years. Recent efforts include partnerships with international firms to resume production, focusing on vehicles such as double-cabin pick-ups. These initiatives are expected to create jobs and stimulate the local economy, reinforcing Zimbabwe's position in Africa's automotive industry. #Africa #Zimbabwe #ZimbabweAutomotiveRevival #ElectricVehicle #LithiumMining #AutomobileManufacturing #EconomicGrowth #AfricaAutomotiveIndustry