The day's news from Africa
From political manoeuvers in Nigeria to environmental reforms and landmark cultural celebrations, today's top stories capture a continent in motion. A Nigerian-led PR campaign wins big at the SABRE Awards, while authorities escalate action in a high-profile rape investigation involving a controversial singer. Meanwhile, Lagos launches a sweeping plastic ban and calls grow within the opposition PDP for a united front ahead of Nigerias 2027 elections. Across the region, illicit gold trades stoke conflict, Rwanda raises fuel prices and a marine discovery in South Africa offers new hope in cancer treatment. Stay with us for breaking updates and in-depth coverage throughout the day:
Africa's pulse in real time
Africa News Live Updates: Welcome to our live blog covering the latest developments from across the continent. Follow real-time updates on political transitions, security and peacekeeping, regional integration, economic innovation, climate impacts, migration trends and grassroots activism. Stay informed on Africas evolving role in global affairs and its efforts to address challenges both within and beyond its borders
July 3, 2025, 04:15:24 (IST) Police in Nigerias Anambra State have arrested a suspect as they investigate the motive behind a massacre on Monday evening in which about 13 people were killed, according to a report in Premium Times. The attack occurred when gunmen invaded Ogboji, a community located in the Orumba South Local Government Area of the state. July 3, 2025, 03:01:24 (IST) Health workers in Nigeria have threatened to begin a nationwide strike, giving the government a 21-day ultimatum to address their demands for adjusted allowances, Premium Times says in a report. Mr. Audu emphasized that the adjustment must be guided by principles of fairness and justice as stipulated in previous agreements between the unions and the government. The ultimatum serves as a formal pre-strike notice, escalating the dispute and allowing a period for negotiation to avert a potential disruption of national healthcare services. July 3, 2025, 03:00:19 (IST) The Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Abuja, Nigeria, has appointed a new head of its emergency department, according to a report in Premium Times. The decision follows an investigation that was launched after a video circulated widely on social media, which alleged that accident victims had been neglected at the public hospital facility. The appointment is a direct administrative response to the findings of the inquiry into the incident. July 3, 2025, 02:46:30 (IST) Kenya has introduced new regulations that will require 90% of packaged food products to display a health warning label, according to a report in Africa News. The policy aims to address what the World Health Organization (WHO) calls a ticking time bomb of rising obesity and non-communicable diseases on the continent, as stated by Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. The new rules are expected to have a significant impact on the food and beverage industry, which faces substantial compliance costs for redesigning packaging and may need to reformulate products. Public health advocates have praised the policy for empowering consumers with clearer information to make healthier choices. July 3, 2025, 02:45:19 (IST) The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called for restraint as violent protests sweep through Togo, according to a report in Africa News. The demonstrations are fueled by public anger over the rising cost of living and opposition to the regime of President Faure Gnassingb�. Tensions have been exacerbated by a recent constitutional reform, which critics say has concentrated executive power in Gnassingb�s hands and allows him to extend his familys long-standing rule. July 3, 2025, 02:16:18 (IST) A court in Nigeria has granted an order to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to freeze the bank account of a Nigerian citizen residing in Germany, Premium Times said in a report. The anti-graft agency stated that it holds a reasonable suspicion that the funds within the account are the proceeds of a criminal breach of trust. The court-ordered freeze is an interim measure intended to preserve the assets while the EFCC conducts a full investigation into the matter. July 3, 2025, 02:16:18 (IST) The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has praised Nigerias economic reforms, projecting a 3.4% growth rate for the countrys economy in 2025, according to a report in Premium Times. Despite the positive assessment of policies such as the 2023 fuel subsidy removal and naira floatation, the IMF highlighted that poverty and food insecurity have worsened as a direct consequence. The international body urged the Nigerian government to accelerate the implementation of support and palliative measures for the most vulnerable segments of the population to mitigate the increased hardship. July 3, 2025, 02:15:13 (IST) Several prominent Yoruba actors, including Daramola and Kosoko, are publicly supporting Nigerias ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), ahead of local government elections in Lagos, Premium Times says in a report. The endorsement is for candidates running for positions of local government chairmen and councillors in the state. This action follows similar high-profile support the actors provided to the APC during the 2023 Nigerian general elections. July 3, 2025, 00:30:14 (IST) The first African leaders summit of U.S. President Donald Trumps second term is scheduled to be held next week in Washington, according to a report in Reuters. The summit, which Semafor reported will take place from July 9-11, is expected to be attended by President Trump and the heads of state from Guinea-Bissau, Gabon, Mauritania, Senegal, and Liberia. Reuters noted that it could not immediately confirm the report from Semafor. July 3, 2025, 00:16:29 (IST) Nigerias Supreme Court has concluded hearings on an appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its gubernatorial candidate, Asue Ighodalo, challenging the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a dispute related to the Edo State governorship election, as per a report in Premium Times. The court heard arguments from both parties concerning the legal challenge. Following the conclusion of the arguments, the court has adjourned the case to deliberate and will deliver its final judgment on a future date. July 3, 2025, 00:16:29 (IST) Nigeria needs an estimated $1 billion to sustain its recent gains in public immunization programs, a Nigerian official has stated, according to a report in Premium Times. The official, identified as Mr. Aina, stressed that while the country has made significant progress in vaccine coverage, securing adequate financing has become a critical bottleneck. The funding is required to prevent a reversal of public health achievements, such as improved coverage against vaccine-preventable diseases. July 3, 2025, 00:15:23 (IST) The government of Nigeria has appointed Alakija to the position of global envoy on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), according to a report in Premium Times. Nigerias Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate, stated the appointment is part of a broader strategy to strengthen both global and national efforts to combat AMR. This initiative is intended to enhance Nigerias participation and leadership in addressing critical global health challenges. July 3, 2025, 00:04:39 (IST) Nigerias national under-20 mens football team, known as the Flying Eagles, has commenced preparations for the WAFU B U-20 tournament, according to a report in Premium Times. The teams coach, Zubairu, reportedly views the regional championship as a significant testing ground for his squad. July 3, 2025, 00:03:34 (IST) Nigerias National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) has completed the airlift of all its pilgrims back home from the 2025 Hajj, according to a report in Premium Times. The final flight departed from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday morning. This concluding flight transported the last group of 88 pilgrims from Kaduna State and one pilgrim from Katsina State, marking the end of the return operations. July 3, 2025, 00:02:29 (IST) Tensions have escalated in Nigerias National Assembly as the House of Representatives has stepped down two bills to protest significant delays by the Senate, Premium Times says in a report. Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, stated that 146 bills passed by the House are currently awaiting concurrence from the Senate, with some having been stalled for over six months. This action signifies a showdown between the two legislative chambers over the pace of legislative work and the lack of attention to bills sent from the House for Senate approval. July 3, 2025, 00:02:29 (IST) A court in Nigeria on Wednesday granted permission for Ali Bello, the nephew of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, and a co-defendant to travel to different foreign countries, according to a report in Premium Times. The approval comes as both individuals are facing an ongoing trial over their alleged involvement in a N3 billion fraud case prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The case against Ali Bello is part of broader corruption investigations involving his uncle, the immediate past governor of the state. July 3, 2025, 00:01:25 (IST) A final-year student in Nigeria has been sentenced to death by hanging for the murder of a teacher, Premium Times says in a report. The conviction stems from an incident where the student fatally stabbed the teacher during a dispute reportedly over a school meal. July 3, 2025, 00:01:25 (IST) Nigerias Senate is moving to amend the Public Procurement Act of 2007 to give preference to local contractors, according to a report in Premium Times. The proposed changes are intended to direct significant government contract spending toward Nigerian-owned and operated companies, potentially opening up billions of naira in opportunities. The stated goals of the legislative action are to bolster indigenous technical capabilities, promote local job creation, and stimulate domestic economic growth by ensuring more government funds are retained within the countrys economy. This initiative seeks to legally formalize and strengthen previous government efforts to prioritize Nigerian goods and services in public procurement. July 3, 2025, 00:00:20 (IST) An ongoing teachers strike in Nigerias Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has kept children in the capital city of Abuja out of school for several months, Premium Times says in a report. This industrial action is the third in a series of strikes that have occurred since late 2024, indicating a persistent and unresolved dispute between the teachers union and government authorities over their demands. July 3, 2025, 00:00:20 (IST) The trial of 109 foreign nationals in Nigeria for alleged internet fraud has stalled following the absence of the prosecution in court, according to a report in Premium Times. The defendants were arraigned last year on a six-count charge that included involvement in activities described as a threat to the nations security. The case could not proceed as scheduled due to the failure of the prosecution to appear. July 2, 2025, 23:47:28 (IST) A highly successful public health program in eSwatini, which had reportedly reduced deaths from snakebites to zero, is now facing a severe threat after a funding freeze from USAID, according to a report in Mail & Guardian. The cessation of funding places a key treatment center at risk of closure, jeopardizing the significant progress made against snakebite mortality in the southern African nation. July 2, 2025, 23:47:28 (IST) Scientists have successfully sequenced and analyzed the entire genetic code of an ancient Egyptian for the first time, using the skeleton of a man who lived more than 4,500 years ago, according to a report in The Guardian. The remains, which were discovered in 1902 inside a sealed pottery vessel within a tomb in Nuwayrat, Egypt, have been held in a museum since their recovery. The unusual burial method is believed to have helped preserve the DNA over the millennia, enabling this recent scientific breakthrough. July 2, 2025, 23:46:20 (IST) A new report from the African Development Bank (AfDB) points to positive economic trends across Africa, including growth, reforms, and investment booms, the Mail & Guardian says in a report. A key development highlighted is a burgeoning refinery sector, especially in West Africa, which is significantly reshaping the regions energy landscape. This boom is increasing local refining capacity, thereby helping to reduce the continents long-standing reliance on imported petroleum products. July 2, 2025, 23:45:15 (IST) South Africas new Government of National Unity (GNU) is facing internal division over the countrys military involvement in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as per a report in Mail & Guardian. During a parliamentary debate, Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Ronald Lamola argued that withdrawing troops from the SADC mission would be worse than surrender, defending the deployment against unified calls from opposition parties for an immediate withdrawal. The debate highlights significant political and fiscal pressure on the new coalition, testing its cohesion on foreign policy and military expenditure as the costs and risks of the mission come under intense public and parliamentary scrutiny. July 2, 2025, 23:31:27 (IST) Renowned Kenyan writer Ngugi wa Thiongo, a major figure in African literature, has passed away at 87, the Washington Post said in a report. His extensive body of work, including novels, plays, and essays, critically examined the enduring legacy of colonialism and post-colonial abuses in Africa. His political activism and writings led to his imprisonment without trial by the Kenyan government in 1977, which was followed by a long period of exile. A pivotal moment in his career was his decision to abandon English and write primarily in his native Gikuyu language, a political act he detailed in his work Decolonising the Mind to challenge linguistic imperialism and promote African cultural sovereignty. July 2, 2025, 23:30:19 (IST) A widespread conservation effort to remove rhino horns has resulted in a 78% decrease in rhino deaths from poaching across South Africa, the Washington Post says in a report. The strategy involves the systematic dehorning of rhinos to make them less valuable to poachers and represents a large-scale application of a tactic used for decades. The demand for rhino horn, which has no scientifically proven medicinal value and is made of keratin, is largely driven by its use as a status symbol in certain markets. This large-scale poaching is primarily orchestrated by sophisticated international criminal syndicates. July 2, 2025, 23:30:19 (IST) South African actor Presley Chweneyagae, who gained international recognition for his starring role in the film Tsotsi, has died at the age of 40, the Washington Post said in a report. Chweneyagae played the title character in the 2005 drama, which depicted life in a Johannesburg slum and went on to win South Africas first Academy Award for best foreign-language film. His performance in the film was widely acclaimed and became a landmark moment for the countrys film industry. July 2, 2025, 23:17:24 (IST) A cyclist named Simeon Mukeshimana from the Masaka Sector in Kicukiro District has won a Rwf60 million jackpot, the largest lottery prize ever awarded in Rwanda, according to a report in The New Times. The win marks a historic moment for the national lottery in the country. July 2, 2025, 23:16:19 (IST) Kenyan Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has publicly dared President William Ruto to arrest him, escalating a political rift between the nations top two leaders, according to a report in Standard Media. The challenge comes amidst a widely reported fallout between the president and his deputy, with Gachagua stating he is prepared for imprisonment and would lead his Mt Kenya region political base from jail. This public defiance is linked to ongoing power struggles within the ruling party, Gachaguas advocacy for the One Man, One Vote, One Shilling revenue formula, and President Rutos recent efforts to cultivate new allies in the Mt Kenya region. July 2, 2025, 23:16:19 (IST) Rwandan President Paul Kagame held a meeting with Rafael Mariano Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in Kigali on Tuesday, July 1, The New Times said in a report. The discussion centered on Rwandas interest in exploring peaceful applications of nuclear technology and innovation. July 2, 2025, 23:15:15 (IST) Jihadist fighters carried out a series of attacks on military posts in Mali on Tuesday, the third major assault targeting the countrys army within the past month, BBC says in a report. The attacks are occurring amid a worsening security situation across the broader Sahel region, which has been exacerbated by a security vacuum following the past withdrawal of French forces and the ongoing departure of the UNs MINUSMA peacekeeping mission. Groups such as the al-Qaeda-affiliated JNIM and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) are exploiting the instability, which challenges Malis transitional military government. July 2, 2025, 23:00:19 (IST) The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has released its 2025 Human Development Report, which assesses countries progress based on human capability metrics like life expectancy, education, and income, rather than solely on economic growth, according to a report in The Point. The reports findings are particularly relevant for Africa, where progress is often impacted by persistent challenges. These include ongoing debt crises limiting public investment, political instability in regions like the Sahel, and significant vulnerability to climate change, which affects food security and public health. July 2, 2025, 21:46:21 (IST) Newly published research on ancient DNA has revealed a genetic link between the historical populations of Egypt and Mesopotamia, according to a report in AP. Scientists sequenced the genome from the teeth of a well-preserved skeleton found in an Egyptian tomb dating back between 4,495 and 4,880 years. The analysis showed that while four-fifths of the individuals genome was linked to North Africa and the surrounding Egyptian region, a fifth showed connections to the Mesopotamian area between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. July 2, 2025, 21:45:14 (IST) Four senior officials from a South African government body identified as NBR have been sent into retirement by the government, the Daily Sun says in a report. The official justification for the action is that the officials have each completed 25 years of service and their retirement is considered to be in the public interest. July 2, 2025, 21:45:14 (IST) South Africas export earnings experienced a 7.55% decline in June compared to the same month last year, a drop attributed to fewer working days from Eid holidays and a two-day work boycott by customs officials, according to a report in the Daily Sun. Despite the monthly setback, the countrys overall exports for the fiscal year 2025, which began in April 2024, have shown an 8.58% growth. The disruption by customs officials highlights the impact of public sector labor disputes on the nations trade and economic performance. July 2, 2025, 21:30:17 (IST) EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner is scheduled to visit Libya next week, accompanied by representatives from Italy, Greece, and Malta, to seek tougher measures from Libyan authorities on migrant sea crossings, according to a report in Africanews. The visit is a direct response to a recent increase in irregular migrant arrivals in frontline EU states. The delegations goal is to press Libyan authorities to enhance efforts to prevent migrant departures from their coastline, continuing the EUs long-standing policy of providing financial and logistical support to curb migration flows. July 2, 2025, 21:19:43 (IST) Liberia held a symbolic state funeral for former President William Tolbert on Tuesday, 45 years after he was assassinated during a 1980 coup, according to a report in Africa News. The ceremony also honored 13 of his cabinet members who were executed following the coup. Current Liberian President Joseph Boakai attended the state funeral. July 2, 2025, 21:19:43 (IST) Dozens of Ghanaian nationals have been rescued in Nigeria after falling victim to a human trafficking scam that lured them with false promises of football contracts or other jobs abroad, BBC says in a report. The victims, who are primarily young men, were discovered following a security operation. This incident highlights the ongoing challenge of transnational trafficking in West Africa, often fueled by high youth unemployment which makes individuals vulnerable to such fraudulent schemes promising opportunities overseas. July 2, 2025, 21:18:37 (IST) The Congolese-American company Nuru has established a 1.3-megawatt solar mini-grid in the Ndosho neighbourhood of Goma, located in the conflict-affected North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa News said in a report. This project provides a new, localized electricity distribution network, operating independently of a national grid, to bring power to the community. July 2, 2025, 21:16:24 (IST) South Africa has recorded one additional COVID-19 fatality, bringing the years total death toll to 23 and the cumulative case count to 609, as per a report in the Daily Sun. The figures, released by the Director-General of Health Services (DGHS), reflect the ongoing, though low-level, presence of the virus in the country.From political manoeuvers in Nigeria to environmental reforms and landmark cultural celebrations, todays top stories capture a continent in motion. A Nigerian-led PR campaign wins big at the SABRE Awards, while authorities escalate action in a high-profile rape investigation involving a controversial singer. Meanwhile, Lagos launches a sweeping plastic ban and calls grow within the opposition PDP for a united front ahead of Nigerias 2027 elections. Across the region, illicit gold trades stoke conflict, Rwanda raises fuel prices and a marine discovery in South Africa offers new hope in cancer treatment. Stay with us for breaking updates and in-depth coverage throughout the day:
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