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Semafor Africa

Nigeria pursues ‘strategic autonomy’ in face of disputes between global powers

The country’s foreign minister said Nigeria is placing a renewed focus on intra-African trade to drive economic growth amid US tariff turmoil.
Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar.Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar. Alexis Akwagyiram/Semafor.

Sub-Saharan Africa’s 5G rollout stumbles

Only 1.2% of internet users in sub-Saharan Africa were connected to 5G in 2024, according to a new report.
Erman Kouassi Konan looks at his phone at Felix Houphouet-Boigny University in Abidjan. Issouf Sanogo/AFP via Getty Images

Kenya Airways COO urges airline partnerships

The Kenyan airline is looking for additional partners in West and southern Africa after a deal with South African Airways fell through earlier this month.
Kenya Airways planes in Nairobi. Simon Maina/AFP via Getty Images

Africa-focused asset financing firm M-Kopa reaches 7M customers

The company projects that it will reach 10 million customers by 2030.
People charge their phones in Omdurman, Sudan. Carolyn Van Houten/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Africa’s energy sector leads FDI flows, report says

Europe and the Middle East and North Africa regions jointly contributed over 65% of announced inbound FDI into sub-Saharan Africa since 2022.
South African Petroleum Refinery in Durban. South African Petroleum Refinery in Durban. Siphiwe Sibeko/File Photo/Reuters.

Africa can lead with its own local-currency stablecoins

Rapid advances in the digital tokens present an opportunity for the continent.
A representation of cryptocurrencies in this illustration taken, January 24, 2022. Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo/Reuters

Africa’s forgotten battleground in the US-China tech war

A Kenyan data center stalls, raising questions about the ability of the US to compete with China in Africa.

Google invests in subsea fiber-optic cable access to Africa

The US tech giant is planning four digital infrastructure hubs in Africa to connect its newest underwater fiber-optic cables for the continent.

Malawi’s main candidates both claim election victory as official results awaited

The country’s two main political parties both claimed victory in this week’s presidential election, but the results have not yet been announced.

Major Indian textiles exporter eyes Africa for production

Gokaldas Exports plans to expand production in Africa and boost shipments to the EU and UK to counter the impact of US tariffs.

Qatar takes $500M stake in Canadian miner Ivanhoe

Gulf investors have poured capital into African resources to secure the minerals critical for the energy transition and data centers.

Telecoms giant MTN holds data center talks with US, European firms

Africa has fallen behind wealthier regions in the global rush to build the digital infrastructure required for AI.

Dangote Refinery exports to the US

The exports mark the expansion of Africa’s largest oil refinery’s operation beyond just the local supply of refined products in Nigeria.

Nigeria suspends key import levy

The move comes as the government seeks to push trade growth and tame inflation.

Major African currencies depreciated 51% since 2020

Currency weakness in Africa has been “more damaging” compared to other emerging regions, Nigerian data analytics company Stears said in a report.

DR Congo backs $400M satellite deal to tackle digital deficit

Only one in three Congolese are connected to mobile internet, according to the latest available figures.

Malawi election plagued by gerontocracy concerns

Peter Mutharika, 85, is poised to return to power, in a growing trend on the world’s youngest continent towards older leadership.

South Africa’s retail turnover surges to $7.4B

Research firm World Wide Worx found online purchases are likely to account for 10% of all retail sales, compared with 8% last year.