The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has launched its 50th anniversary in Accra, Ghana, highlighting its commitment to deeper integration, prosperity, and stability across West Africa. The event, whose various activities shall continue in each Member State, aimed to reflect on five decades of cooperation and map a path forward in an uncertain era. ECOWAS, formed in 1975, is renowned for its cohesive and functional regional blocs. The 50th anniversary also included a high-level ministerial conference where foreign affairs ministers and regional officials discussed peacebuilding efforts and regional security strategies.
Namibia’s new president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, has announced plans to introduce free higher education at state universities and technical colleges starting next year. This move is part of a larger policy aimed at improving opportunities for young people, particularly in the face of youth unemployment and poverty. The policy will remove tuition and registration fees at universities and colleges, with two of the seven state-run universities offering free education. All seven vocational training centers will also no longer charge tuition fees.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have agreed to halt fighting as they work towards a peace deal. The truce, announced after negotiations in Qatar, has raised hopes that the violence, triggered by M23’s January assault and capture of DRC’s two largest cities, may subside. Both parties reaffirm their commitment to the cessation of hostilities, rejection of hate speech, intimidation and call on local communities to uphold these commitments.
South Africa’s finance minister, Enoch Godongwana, has withdrawn plans to increase value-added tax (VAT) to prevent the collapse of the coalition government. The decision was made after the Democratic Alliance threatened to quit the government, claiming a VAT hike would disproportionately affect the poor. Godongwana, a member of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s African National Congress (ANC), argued the increase was necessary due to the government’s financial crisis. However, other parties rejected the hike, raising the possibility of parliament voting down the national budget.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has ended a historic visit to South Africa, marking a diplomatic breakthrough in countering Russia’s growing influence in Africa. The visit reaffirmed the bonds between the two nations, as it was the first by a Ukrainian head of state in 33 years. However, Russia disrupted Zelensky’s visit with an air strike on Kyiv, forcing him to cut short the trip and return home after meeting President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Tanzania has banned agricultural imports from Malawi and South Africa due to restrictions on some of its exports. South Africa has long prohibited bananas from Tanzania, while Malawi blocked imports of flour, rice, ginger, bananas, and maize from the country. Diplomatic efforts to resolve the trade issues have failed, but fresh talks are ongoing. The row comes as Africa moves towards greater free trade through the establishment of a continent-wide free-trade area. South African exports of fruits will be affected, while landlocked Malawi will have to reroute its goods to Tanzanian ports.
Kenya is predicted to become East Africa’s largest economy by 2025, surpassing Ethiopia, according to the International Monetary Fund’s projections. The IMF predicts Kenya’s GDP to reach $132 billion, surpassing Ethiopia’s $117 billion. This shift is due to contrasting policy choices and macroeconomic conditions in both countries. Kenya has shown resilience, with the shilling appreciating by 21% in 2024 and becoming the world’s best-performing currency. This surge was supported by a successful Eurobond issuance, record-high diaspora remittances, and robust growth in agricultural and manufacturing exports.
UNICEF has launched the R21/Matrix-M vaccine in Mali, marking the 20th country to introduce it. The vaccine, first introduced in Malawi in 2019, reduced symptomatic malaria cases by 75% over 12 months. Mali now receives an extra two doses after the first three administered in the first year. This strategic approach aligns the timing of jabs and vaccine protection to seasons with the highest risk, aiming to reduce malaria cases.
Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has imposed a $220 million fine on Meta Platforms Inc. and its subsidiary WhatsApp for violating data protection and consumer rights laws. The fine was imposed after a 38-month investigation, which was conducted in collaboration with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, exposed multiple violations, including unauthorized data sharing, lack of consent mechanisms, and discriminatory practices. The fine is due within 60 days, as imposed.
In Sudan, a drone strike killed 11 people and injured 22 others in a camp for internally displaced persons in Al-Damer, the capital of River Nile State in northern Sudan, on Friday. The attack was a “crime” committed by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, as claimed by the state governor, who condemned the attack and called for accountability from the international community and human rights organizations. He also ordered the camp’s relocation to a safer area.