The African Tribune

Bénin and Niger edge toward restoring cross-border tiesStaff reportMonday, June 22, 2026 at 1:07 PM UTCMake Yahoo your preferred source to see our articles on Google.A high-level technical committee from Bénin and Niger convened in Cotonou to advance negotiations on reopening their shared border. The meeting follows President Romuald Wadagni’s recent visit to Niamey on June 2, part of ongoing efforts to restore full diplomatic and economic relations between the two West African nations.Led by Niger’s State Minister of Security, General Mohamed Toumba, and Bénin’s Minister for African Integration, Adjadi Bakari, the closed-door discussions focused on security protocols, defense cooperation, legal frameworks, and trade facilitation. The session, which began on June 20, continues through Sund...

education newsMali strengthens ties at global higher education innovation forum in ChinaA landmark gathering of global education leaders, policy makers, and tech innovators focused on reshaping higher education for the future. UNESCOJune 22, 2026On June 6, 2026, Mali’s higher education sector took center stage at the Global Summit on the Future of Higher Education, held at the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) in Shenzhen, China. The Malian delegation was led by Dr. Mamadou Koumaré, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Social Sciences and Management of Bamako, who also serves as coordinator of the UNESCO International Centre for Higher Education Innovation (UNESCO-ICHEI) partnership with Malian institutions. The summit convened a diverse assembly of experts, publ...

Yaoundé, June 2026 – Cameroon is taking a bold step toward sustainable development by creating advanced energy accounts. This initiative, supported by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and its Central Africa sub-regional office alongside the African Centre for Statistics, is being implemented in collaboration with Cameroon’s National Institute of Statistics (INS) and the World Bank under the HISWACA project. A five-day workshop in Douala, from June 22 to 26, 2026, brings together key government institutions, energy sector agencies, and technical and financial partners. The goal? To map out the technical, methodological, and institutional requirements needed to develop energy accounts in line with the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA). This interna...

New Zealand on the brink of fifa world cup 2026 knockout stage after belgium showdown22 June 2026New Zealand's head coach Darren Bazeley remains optimistic despite a disappointing result in the recent group match, stating that victory against Belgium on Friday would secure their place in the World Cup 2026 Round of 16. "We know we have to beat Belgium now," Bazeley emphasized in a post-match press briefing.The All Whites' manager acknowledged the task ahead, pointing out that while Belgium presents a formidable challenge, New Zealand has shown resilience in past encounters, including draws against Iran and Egypt. "If we can replicate our best performances from those matches, we have a real chance. We are fully aware of what needs to be done—beat Belgium," he asserted.The loss to Egypt left...

In a significant move to fortify public health infrastructure, more than 80 specialists from 19 African nations have convened in Dakar this week. Their mission is to harmonize and elevate the quality of data used in polio surveillance and outbreak responses, a critical step in shielding children across the continent from the disease. This intensive workshop, running from June 8 to June 19, 2026, centers on evaluating data integrity and coordinating various workstreams dedicated to the Polio Eradication Programme. By bringing together health ministry officials, national laboratory experts, and regional coordinators, the initiative seeks to build more resilient information systems that drive evidence-based interventions. Strengthening surveillance and digital integration The working sessio...

Ivory Coast launches skills passport to bridge youth employment gap The National Agency for Vocational Training (AGEFOP) unveiled a groundbreaking skills-needs assessment report in Abidjan, outlining how Côte d'Ivoire is aligning youth competencies with real-world economic demands. The event marked a pivotal moment in the Passeport-Compétences program, a national initiative designed to transform the country's workforce landscape. The pilot phase of this study surveyed over 800 formal and informal enterprises across Sud-Comoé, Yopougon, and the Savanes District, identifying critical skills gaps for future workforce planning. Following the regional assessment, the program will expand nationwide, ensuring that training initiatives meet the evolving needs of both employers and job seekers. ...

Cameroon’s bold plan to transform waste management through circular economy By 2030, Cameroon aims to dedicate 2% of its national budget to circular economy initiatives, a significant leap from current spending levels. This target is outlined in the country’s National Circular Economy Roadmap 2025–2035, developed by the Ministry of Economy, Planning, and Territorial Development. The strategy outlines sustainable resource management and waste valorization priorities for the coming decade. According to projections, circular economy expenditures will reach 62.8 billion FCFA in 2025, with waste management costs nearing 30 billion FCFA annually. Combined, these figures represent 1.27% of the state budget. The government plans to progressively increase this allocation to 2% by 2030—a move that...