Author: fatimah

The National Assembly of The Gambia on Thursday began a four-day Senior Management Strategic Review and Planning Retreat aimed at strengthening and enhancing staff performance. At the opening of the retreat, the Speaker of the House, Hon. Fabakary Tombong Jatta, said the training marks a critical transition point for the institution. He described it as a deliberate effort to build on the successes of a transformative year and move into a new phase defined by institutional sustainability, rigorous standardization, and systemic resilience. He challenged legislative staff to work toward an organizational structure that eliminates duplication, rewards professional specialization, and addresses…

The Gambia Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has presented a comprehensive report detailing its operating expenses for the year 2022. According to the management of GCAA, operating expenses exceeded D328 million, which is approximately $4.5 million. The management of GCAA presented a review of its activity report and financial statements for the year ended 31st December 2022 on Tuesday before members of the Public Enterprise Committee (PEC). The report shows a 21 percent increase in operating expenses, including administrative expenses, staff costs, interest, and depreciation, during the year under review. According to management, these expenditures were incurred as a result of…

The Ethiopian government has held a series of high-level discussions with the United States aimed at strengthening diplomatic ties and enhancing regional security collaboration. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed welcomed U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Landau and U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Commander General Dagvin Anderson. The leaders discussed areas of shared interest and described the talks as constructive and grounded in mutual respect. In addition to meeting the Prime Minister, the American delegation held separate sessions with Ethiopian Defense Minister Aisha Mohammed and Foreign Minister Gedion Timotheos. The Ethiopian Ministry of Defense said both sides agreed to work…

Zambia is accelerating efforts to stabilise its national grid and meet rising electricity demand following the signing of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with two Chinese companies. The agreements were finalised on Wednesday at State House, outlining plans for solar energy projects expected to generate up to 1,000 megawatts. Energy Minister Makozo Chikote signed the MoUs on behalf of the Zambian government, while James Jin, President of LONGi Green Energy’s Middle East and North Africa division, and Shi Tao, Chairman of Golden Sun under China Pingmei Shenma Holding Group, represented their respective firms. The move is aimed at boosting the country’s…

Lawmakers in The Gambia on Wednesday received a comprehensive report detailing progress on major electricity initiatives, including the Gambia Energy Access Project (GEAP), the Gambia Electricity Restoration and Modernization Project (GERMP), and the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Access Project (ECOREAP). The report, presented by Mam Kumba Touray, Financial Management Specialist at the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC), totaled over US$54 million (approximately D3.888 billion Dalasi). The parliament’s Committee on Public Enterprises reviewed the report covering the period from January 1 to December 31, 2023. Regarding GEAP, Touray said total receipts stood at US$4,682,843, while total expenditure amounted to US$4,543,236 for…

Rwanda has filed an arbitration case against the United Kingdom over the cancellation of a controversial asylum agreement scrapped by Prime Minister Keir Starmer in 2024. In a statement published on X and in a notice submitted to the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration, the Rwandan government said Britain breached the financial terms of the migration partnership. Under the original agreement, reached before Starmer took office, the UK was to pay Rwanda to accept migrants who had entered Britain illegally. However, the plan was repeatedly delayed by legal challenges and only four people were eventually relocated voluntarily. Rwanda said Britain…

Nigeria’s former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has been accused of receiving bribes in the form of luxury goods and access to high-end properties from industry figures, allegations presented by British prosecutors at her corruption trial on Tuesday. Alison-Madueke appeared at Southwark Crown Court in London on the opening day of proceedings, where she faces multiple bribery-related charges linked to her time in office between 2011 and 2015 under former President Goodluck Jonathan. Prosecutors told the court that individuals seeking “lucrative oil and gas contracts” with Nigeria’s state-owned petroleum corporation provided Alison-Madueke with “significant financial or other advantages,” conduct they argue…

The Malawian government has appealed for international assistance as torrential rains continue to trigger severe flooding across the country, worsening the suffering of affected communities. According to the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA), at least 40 people have been killed, while thousands have been displaced and left homeless. The floods have caused extensive damage to infrastructure, including major roads, cutting off several parts of the country and hampering relief efforts. DoDMA Commissioner Wilson Moleni said Malawi is overwhelmed by the growing needs of flood victims and called on development partners for urgent support. She noted that the nation is…

Nigeria experienced another nationwide power outage on Tuesday after the national electricity grid suffered a second system collapse within five days. The latest breakdown was confirmed by data from the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), which showed that power generation dropped to zero megawatts at about 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, while overall output later fell to 39 MW. According to NISO, the collapse resulted from a system-wide disturbance triggered by the simultaneous tripping of multiple 330kV transmission lines and the disconnection of some grid-connected generating units. The development follows a January 23 grid failure and adds to a series of…

The Central Bank of Nigeria has temporarily allowed the use of expired National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) licences to ease disruptions in import documentation. In a circular issued on January 26 by its Trade and Exchange Department, the CBN said authorised dealer banks may process Form M applications using NAFDAC licences that expired on December 31, 2025. The apex bank explained that the approval, effective immediately, stems from a temporary NAFDAC dispensation and applies solely to Form M processing due to challenges arising from the migration to the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System II. According…