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The Gabonese extractive sector is on the cusp of a major transformation. In a landmark agreement finalized in Paris, Eramet and its subsidiary Eramet Comilog have pledged to significantly boost local processing of Gabon’s manganese output. The ambitious target: reaching a 700,000-tonne processing capacity on Gabonese soil by 2031. The signing ceremony, held at the Élysée Palace on July 20, brought together Gabon’s transitional president Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema and top executives from the French mining group, underscoring the high-stakes negotiations conducted at the highest levels of government. From rhetoric to reality: industrial transformation takes center stage Since the military-led transition took power in August 2023, Gabonese authorities have consistently pushed for deeper lo...

Côte d'Ivoire six opposition leaders freed after nine months in custody Following a tense presidential election in 2025, dozens of opposition figures in Côte d’Ivoire faced arrests amid escalating political tensions. Six key local leaders from Côte d’Ivoire’s main opposition party, the Parti démocratique de Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI), walked free on Monday after spending nine months in detention, their lawyer confirmed. In a Facebook statement, defense attorney Me Ange Rodrigue Dadje declared: "Following Monday’s hearing before the anti-terrorism chamber, my clients—PDCI activists Allo Pacôme Didier, Kouleon Manhenin, N’Cho Gnangoran, Mabo Koffi Jean Marc, Ouattara Kinjinlman, and Niangoran N’Guessan Edouard—are finally reunited with their families after nine months behind bars." Po...

At 28 years old, Ismaila Sarr has just completed his most remarkable season yet, following his 2024 arrival at Crystal Palace from Olympique de Marseille. The Senegalese forward delivered a standout 2025-26 campaign, netting 21 goals and providing one assist across 45 competitive matches. His stellar performances culminated in a historic triumph, as Palace secured the UEFA Europa Conference League title. Now, whispers from Old Trafford suggest Manchester United is actively exploring a potential move for the dynamic winger. Under the ownership of INEOS, Manchester United has consistently favored players with Premier League experience, a strategy that paid dividends with the signings of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. Yet, Sarr’s unique blend of skill and consistency has caught the eye of th...

Morocco's king reviews 2025 economic outlook with central bank governorKing Mohammed VI of Morocco met with Bank Al-Maghrib Governor Abdellatif Jouahri to review the central bank's annual economic report, highlighting resilience amid global challenges in 2025.King Mohammed VI of Morocco received Bank Al-Maghrib Governor Abdellatif Jouahri at the Royal Palace in Tétouan on Monday to review the central bank's 2025 annual economic, monetary, and financial report.During the meeting, Governor Jouahri presented the report outlining Morocco's economic performance in 2025, which demonstrated remarkable resilience despite global headwinds.Economic growth accelerates to 4.9% with controlled inflationJouahri highlighted that Morocco's GDP growth reached 4.9% in 2025, driven primarily by substantial i...

Cameroun and FIDA partnership yields strong agricultural output growth On July 16, 2026, Yaoundé hosted a joint workshop between the Government of Cameroun and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (FIDA) to assess the outcomes of the Country Strategic Opportunities Program (COSOP) for 2019-2026 and lay the groundwork for the upcoming 2027-2032 program. The COSOP framework guides FIDA’s investment priorities in Cameroun, focusing on improving living conditions for impoverished rural populations—particularly women and youth—through enhanced agricultural productivity. The workshop served as a critical review of the 2019-2026 program, evaluating its implementation results and refining strategies to better align with national development goals, including the 2020-2030 National...

Dakar is witnessing a surge in police checks targeting foreigners, raising questions about the balance between security and hospitality in the country. Within just eight days, authorities conducted 490 identity verifications in the capital and its outskirts, with 36 individuals referred to prosecutors for irregular stay. The crackdown, presented as routine administrative measures, has sparked concerns among civil society groups and resident foreign communities. A recent case highlights the tension. Amadou Bangoura, a 30-year-old Beninese student in Dakar for five years, was stopped by police near his gym in the Liberté 6 district. Despite presenting his passport and stay documents at home, the unexpected encounter left him shaken by fears of deportation or legal consequences. His experien...

Kenya’s digital sovereignty tested by high-profile cyber intrusion On the afternoon of Saturday, July 18, 2026, the official website of Kenya’s presidency—president.go.ke—became the center of a brazen cyber operation. Visitors were met not with the usual updates from President William Ruto, but with a defaced homepage bearing hostile messages and a ransom demand in cryptocurrency. This incident marks yet another escalation in Kenya’s growing vulnerability to digital threats, following a wave of similar attacks on government systems just eight months prior. Defacement, extortion, and a race against time The cyber intrusion unfolded around 14:00 hours local time, as the presidency’s digital portal was hijacked and replaced with inflammatory content targeting the head of state. Alongside t...

In a decisive move to reinforce national security, Mali’s transitional government has approved sweeping amendments to the country’s nationality laws. During a cabinet meeting, officials endorsed a draft ordinance that introduces stricter measures for dual nationals, particularly those accused of undermining vital national interests. Previously, Mali’s legal framework allowed for the revocation of citizenship only in cases involving naturalized individuals. The new provisions, however, expand the scope to include Malians by birth who hold another nationality. Under the revised rules, such individuals may face the loss of their Malian citizenship if found guilty of actions deemed harmful to the state. Expanded grounds for citizenship revocation The updated legislation sets stringent crite...

Coordinated assaults expose vulnerabilities in Mali’s security strategy In a bold display of operational capacity, the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) executed a coordinated offensive in the Mopti region on Sunday, July 19. The al-Qaeda-affiliated faction claimed responsibility for four simultaneous attacks targeting the Malian Armed Forces (FAMa), Russian-aligned Africa Corps operatives, and local militias. This latest strike underscores the group’s persistent ability to challenge state authority despite years of counterterrorism efforts. Five years after Colonel Assimi Goïta seized power, Mali’s pledge to restore full territorial sovereignty remains unfulfilled. Instead, the country grapples with an intensifying security crisis, exacerbated by the ineffectiveness of f...

The government of Bénin has taken a decisive step to unlock career progression for over 1,100 civil servants, resolving a long-standing administrative bottleneck. This move ensures both financial and career benefits for eligible public sector employees who had been stuck at the 11th grade level. During a recent Council of Ministers meeting chaired by President Romuald Wadagni, authorities approved the immediate elevation of 1,110 public officials to the 12th grade. The promotion applies to employees who met the criteria of seniority and merit as of December 31, 2025, finally ending years of stagnation in their professional trajectories. Breaking digital and financial barriers The delay in these promotions stemmed from technical and administrative hurdles in aligning the Integrated Huma...

The Sofitel Cotonou Marina Hôtel pulsed with energy on the evening of Saturday, July 18, 2026, as the inaugural Night of Kanvo and Indigo unfolded. Far more than a fashion showcase, this event orchestrated by the Artisan Development Fund (FDA) under the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises and Employment Promotion revealed a bold blueprint for cultural industrialization and global market penetration. The theme, "Heritage Reimagined: Luxury, Modernity, African Identity," set the stage for a transformative economic strategy poised to elevate Benin's textile heritage to new heights. High-profile gathering underscores national ambition A constellation of decision-makers converged for the occasion, underscoring the initiative's strategic importance. Alongside Nestor Clétus GUEZO, Director-...

Bénin and World Bank launch decade-long partnership for jobs and human capital A new chapter in economic collaboration between Bénin and the World Bank Group was inaugurated in Cotonou on July 17, as officials unveiled a groundbreaking Country Partnership Framework (CPF) spanning 2026 to 2036. This initiative aims to drive inclusive and sustainable economic growth across the West African nation. The launch ceremony drew top officials from the Bénin government, international diplomats stationed in the country, and key development partners, all gathered to witness the historic agreement. At its core, the CPF 2026-2036 is structured around three pivotal pillars: enhancing human capital through improved nutrition, healthcare, and skills traini...