Author: kajarbi54

Nigeria has secured a €22 million grant from the European Union to accelerate nationwide fibre-optic deployment under Project BRIDGE. The country also secured a €86 million loan package from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, (EBRD). Announced in Abuja on Wednesday, the grant will be channelled through the EBRD to the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy. The financing marks the bank’s first major sovereign operation in Nigeria since the country became a shareholder last year. Nigeria’s Communications Minister, Bosun Tijjani, described the agreement as a key milestone in delivering Project BRIDGE on schedule. He stressed that…

The President of the Transition, General Assimi Goïta, has reaffirmed that the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) now constitutes the central pillar of Mali’s foreign policy and diplomatic engagement. Speaking during the traditional ceremony for the presentation of New Year wishes by the Diplomatic Corps at the Koulouba Palace, the Head of State outlined Mali’s foreign policy priorities in a global context marked by shifting alliances, geopolitical tensions and evolving multilateral systems. Addressing ambassadors and diplomatic representatives accredited to Mali, President Goïta described the AES as a strategic instrument for strengthening regional integration and enhancing the collective influence of Sahelian…

Nigeria’s foreign exchange (FX) reserves have risen to $48.5 billion, the highest level in nearly 13 years, reinforcing signs of improved external stability. Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN), show the milestone was achieved on Tuesday, marking a 6.45 per cent gain, equivalent to $2.94 billion. The rebound highlights strengthening investor confidence and the impact of foreign exchange reforms aimed at stabilising the naira and improving liquidity in the FX market. The apex bank projects that reserves will further climb to $51.04 billion in 2026, driven by sustained reforms. Analysts say if the upward momentum is maintained, Nigeria…

Madagascar President Michael Randrianirina met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on Thursday, seeking assistance in the wake of two devastating cyclones that have impacted over 270,000 people and claimed more than 40 lives across the island nation. Speaking at the start of the meeting, President Randrianirina highlighted the urgent need for international support to help Madagascar recover from the natural disasters. “These recent cyclones have caused immense suffering, and we hope we can count on Russia’s support during this difficult time,” he said. President Putin offered his condolences to Madagascar, commending the government’s efforts to manage the…

The Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE) has revealed that an average of 10 people die daily from road crashes in Ghana, with four of those deaths resulting from motorcycle accidents, locally known as “okada.” The President of the Institution, Ludwig Annang Hesse, disclosed this on Thursday during the 53rd Presidential Address of the Ghana Institution of Engineering. He spoke on the theme “Doing It Well, Doing It Right,” focusing on road infrastructure development in Ghana. Hesse used the platform to call for stronger collaboration in developing transparent guidelines for approving single-source and selective tendering processes as part of broader reforms…

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, (NAFDAC) has sealed 18 warehouses in Bida, Niger State, North-Central Nigeria, after discovering expired food and beverage products valued at over ₦100 million (approximately $74,000). In a statement, NAFDAC’s Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola, said the warehouses were shut following credible intelligence received by the agency. Authorities recovered 80,000 packets of expired soft drinks, 5,000 dairy milk packets, 16,000 bottled water packets and 28 cartons of pasta, with many items already packaged for distribution. Warehouse managers were taken into custody for questioning, with preliminary investigations linking the facilities to BY…

With the official launch of the State of Uganda Population Report 2025, the government has pivoted its development strategy to put mental well-being at the heart of human capital, warning that rising psychological challenges now pose a direct threat to the country’s future growth. The report was unveiled on Wednesday, February 19, and carries a clear message that mental health is no longer a marginal discussion point, but a core pillar of human capital development. Speaking during the launch, Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng said the country cannot attain sustainable growth if mental health concerns remain unaddressed. “Human capital development…

President Adama Barrow has taken a firm stance against corruption, declaring “zero tolerance for corruption, inefficiency and complacency” within the public service. Speaking during the nation’s 61st Independence Anniversary celebrations on Thursday in Banjul, President Barrow placed the fight against corruption at the centre of his national address. He called on civil servants to uphold the principles of independence, stressing integrity in public service, efficiency in delivery and accountability at all levels. Reflecting on the early years of nationhood, the Gambian leader said the country’s founding philosophy was rooted in hard work, resilience, honesty and collective responsibility. These values, he…

Namibia’s Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture has announced that 508 capital projects are underway across all 14 regions of the country. Deputy Minister Dino Ballotti, who made the announcement on Thursday, presented a progress report on the ministry’s projects during a National Assembly session. The ministry was allocated a budget of over N$24 billion for the 2025/26 financial year, ending in March. He disclosed that 29 large capital projects are currently underway, with a minimum of one in each region and a maximum of three in some regions. He also revealed that 300 classrooms are being…

An independent United Nations fact-finding mission on Sudan said in a report released on Thursday that actions carried out by Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El Fasher bear the “hallmarks of genocide” against the Zaghawa and Fur communities. The report said the offensive carried out last October inflicted “three days of absolute horror” and warned of an ongoing risk of further atrocities, signalling a continued threat to civilians. Among the atrocities documented were “killing members of a protected ethnic group,” “causing serious bodily and mental harm,” and “deliberately inflicting conditions of life calculated to bring about the group’s…