Sweden, a $760 billion European economy, has ended an 18-year development aid programme in Liberia worth SEK 5.77 billion (about $600 million) as the country redirects more of its resources towards Ukraine and a major expansion of defence spending. Sweden has ended its 18-year, $600 million development aid program in Liberia as of August 31.…
South Africa has reopened its search for a private investor in South African Airways, nearly two years after abandoning a proposed sale of 51% of the national carrier. South Africa has authorised a new competitive search for an equity partner for its national airline. The investor is expected to supply capital, aviation expertise and support…
The United States received 10,258 refugees in the first 10 months of its 2026 fiscal year, but an overwhelming 10,255 of them came from South Africa, as President Donald Trump’s policy of prioritising Afrikaner refugees dramatically reshaped America’s refugee intake. In the first 10 months of FY2026, the US admitted 10,258 refugees, with 10,255 coming…
Morocco’s King Mohammed VI is ending a busy August marked by thousands of royal pardons, diplomatic gains over Western Sahara, renewed tensions over Ceuta and a series of engagements spanning Africa, the Americas and Asia. King Mohammed VI of Morocco had a busy August, marked by granting over 2,200 royal pardons and celebrating his 63rd…
Algeria has stepped up its military backing for Niger, sending fighter jets, helicopters and other military aircraft to Niamey days after a mutiny threatened the country’s military government and triggered a direct intervention by Russia’s Africa Corps. Algeria has increased its military support for Niger by sending fighter jets, helicopters, and other aircraft after a…
Burkina Faso is seeking direct bilateral talks with Nigeria to review their relationship and discover new areas of collaboration, a move that might help calm diplomatic tensions between Abuja and Ouagadougou. Burkina Faso is seeking direct bilateral talks with Nigeria to strengthen their relationship and explore new collaboration opportunities. Tensions have risen between Nigeria and…
South Africa welcomed almost one million international tourists in July, but arrivals from China and India moved sharply in the opposite direction. South Africa received 991,696 overnight international tourists in July, 12.5% more than a year earlier. Visitors from SADC countries accounted for almost four out of every five tourists. Indian arrivals fell 26.9%, while…
The European Union has formally challenged South African multinational Sappi’s €1.42 billion, approximately $1.66 billion, plan to combine major paper operations with Finland’s UPM. The European Commission has formally raised objections to Sappi and UPM’s proposed €1.42 billion paper joint venture. The regulator fears the transaction could create Europe’s leading communication-paper producer and weaken competition.…
Morocco’s OCP Group is preparing to build America’s first new phosphate-fertiliser plant in more than four decades as part of a proposed investment worth up to $450 million. Morocco’s OCP and American farmer-owned cooperative CHS plan to build a fertiliser plant in Louisiana. The companies expect to invest up to $450 million in a facility…
