Africa Now - Weekly Newsletter (Week 1, 2022)

Welcome to Africa Now, your weekly newsletter for Africa, presenting the most important developments in the continent - news that matters.

COMMENTARY

African democracy in 2022: 3 elections to watch

In 2022, developments in three key countries—Angola, Kenya, and Senegal—will provide an important bellwether for where the continent is heading. Click here to read... [2]

NEWS

Covid-19 vaccinations: African nations miss WHO target

A target for achieving full vaccination rates of 40% in every country by the end of December has been missed across most of Africa. Click here to read... [3]

Somalia’s allies fear instability as political crisis deepens

Intensifying row between president and prime minister sparks concerns as the country struggles to hold long-delayed elections. Click here to read... [4]

Ethiopia seeks extra $2.5bn to rebuild from war

Ethiopia wants to pass a supplementary budget worth 122 billion birr ($2.5 billion) to help finance programs to rebuild areas destroyed by war and provide humanitarian aid, the Finance Ministry said. Click here to read... [5]

Mali launches four-day forum on return to civilian rule

The military-dominated government holds a national conference as a chance to foster change following the August 2020 coup. Click here to read... [6]

Chinese experts slam foreign media hype over Uganda airport

Chinese experts on Wednesday criticized foreign media outlets for repeating lies about Chinese firm "taking over" the international airport in Uganda's capital. Click here to read... [7]

Nigeria destroys more than 1 million expired COVID vaccines

Nigeria has destroyed more than a million doses of expired AstraZeneca vaccines in a bid to assure a wary public that they have been taken out of circulation. Click here to read... [8]

Sudan: Mass Demonstrations Begin in Khartoum & Other Cities Demanding Civilian Rule

Mass demonstrations began in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, as well as in other towns, demanding civilian rule and further condemning the coup d'etat carried out in October this year. Click here to read... [9]

Libyan parliament delays next move amid election chaos

Libya’s parliament on Monday postponed a vote on how to handle the fallout from delayed national elections after a chaotic session reflecting the political crisis over the fate of the peace process. Click here to read... [10]

Tanzania signs $1.9 bln railway contract with Turkish firm

Tanzania on Tuesday signed a contract with Turkish firm Yapi Merkezi to build a 368 km section of standard gauge railway that is expected to cost $1.9 billion and will be funded by loans. Click here to read... [11]

Chinese Foreign minister Wang Yi to visit Kenya

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister, Wang Yi is expected to visit Kenya and two other African countries next week. Click here to read... [12]

Tunisia to borrow $7 bn more in 2022

The Tunisian government on Tuesday (December 28) revealed plans to borrow $7 billion more from foreign lenders and domestic sources to stimulate the country’s economy next year. Click here to read... [13]

Gambia court rejects challenge to Barrow election victory

The Gambia’s Supreme Court has dismissed a plea by the country’s main opposition party to annul the outcome of the December 4 presidential election, in which incumbent Adama Barrow was announced the winner. Click here to read... [14]

Rwanda meets WHO year-end target with over 40% COVID-19 vaccination coverage

Of its 13 million habitants, Rwanda has fully vaccinated 40% against COVID-19 as of 24 December 2021. This coverage milestone puts the country on track for meeting further vaccination global targets set by the World Health Organization. Click here to read... [15]

The African nation aiming to be a hydrogen superpower

"So now finally, we're on the map," says Philip Balhoa about Lüderitz, a town in southern Namibia, where harsh desert meets pale ocean. Click here to read... [16]

INDIA IN AFRICA

India gives food aid, defence equipment to Mozambique

India handed over two Fast Interceptor Craft (FIC) and other self defence equipment to Mozambique to assist in its capacity building as the Central African nation battles growing terror threats. Click here to read... [17]

Under Mission Sagar, INS Kesari delivers 500 tonnes of food aid to Mozambique

It is the eighth such deployment under Mission Sagar and is being conducted in close coordination with the ministry of external affairs, and other central government agencies. Click here to read... [18]

Opening Of Sierra Leone Trade Opportunities in India

INDIA SIERRA LEONE SUMMIT was inaugurated by the High Commissioner of Sierra Leone to India His Excellency Rashid Sesay for exploring business relations between the countries of India and Sierra Leone. Further, at the event, Ambassador Rashid Sesay presented his credentials to the President of IndiaClick here to read... [19]

Cabinet clears MoU between India, Mauritius competition regulators

An official release said the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two regulators is aimed at promoting and strengthening of co-operation in competition law and policy through exchange of information, sharing of best practices and capacity building initiatives. Click here to read... [20]

India welcomes Egypt as member of New Development Bank of BRICS

India on December 30 welcomed Egypt's entry as the fourth new member of the New Development Bank (NDB) that was established by the BRICS countries six years ago. Click here to read... [21]

India’s agricultural and processed food exports grew steadily in last decade

India’s agricultural and processed food exports have grown at a steady pace in the last decade notwithstanding several logistical challenges faced in the global trade of the commodities. Click here to read... [22]

Merchant vessel captain returns to India after spending 16 months in Mauritius jail over oil spill

The Japanese bulk carrier MV Wakashio, under the command of Captain Sunil Kumar Nandeshwar, was en route to Brazil from China when it veered off its course and hit a coral reefClick here to read... [23]
Seychelles Gears Up to Welcome Indians Next Year
Seychelles, a short haul destination for India, has carved a niche positioning in the Indian outbound travel market. Click here to read... [24]

No passports, no money: 62 Indians stranded in Sudan ask, ‘how do we exit the country?

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A few weeks ago, the employees at both RAK Ceramics and Al Masa porcelain factory desperately contacted the Indian embassy in Khartoum, asking for help. Click here to read... [25]