AFRICA

  U.S. sanctions have targeted Ugandan leaders over rights abuses, corruption, and opposition repression COVER STORY | IAN KATUSIIME | Last week, a retired U.S. general drew widespread attention in Kampala with a rare, high-profile visit, moving with unusual access through Uganda’s senior political and military circles. During his stay, …

Governments in Africa are pushing for local processing in a bid to turn their vast critical mineral reserves into factories, skills and long-term jobs. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | Across Africa, governments are tightening export rules and changing mining laws to make sure they keep more value within their …

Morocco’s avocado surge is reshaping Africa’s export map, with North Africa overtaking East Africa in a trade long dominated by Kenya. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | Africa exported roughly 430,000 tonnes of avocados in 2025, but the balance of power moved north. Preliminary 2025 data show a decisive shift …

NAIROBI, KENYA | Xinhua | Kenya on Thursday held a groundbreaking ceremony in southwestern Narok County for the construction of the Naivasha-Kisumu-Malaba Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), a major infrastructure project aimed at boosting regional connectivity and economic growth. The project, to be implemented by China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), will …

How Kenya’s history of colonial violence speaks through living bodies and graves   COMMENT | ROSE MIYONGA | Between 1952 and 1963, Kenya experienced one of the most violent chapters in its modern history. The Mau Mau uprising, rooted in land dispossession and political repression under British colonial rule, escalated into …

Global chains dominate the development pipeline, with Marriott International leading with 31,782 rooms under construction, followed by Hilton and Accor NEWS ANALYSIS | THE INDEPENDENT | East Africa is emerging as the engine of Africa’s hotel development, with Kenya, Ethiopia, and Tanzania showing some of the highest construction ratios on …

DAKAR, SENEGAL | Xinhua | The Senegalese government on Wednesday expressed deep dismay over a decision by the appeal jury of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to strip Senegal of its 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and award it to Morocco. In an official communique issued in Dakar, …

Equity Group records historic results reporting a 55% growth in profit after tax of Kshs 75.5 billion, underscoring the success of its strategic transformation. Nairobi, Kenya | THE INDEPENDENT | Equity Group Holdings Plc has announced record results in Kenya’s corporate history, posting a 55% increase in profit after tax …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Majid Saffar, the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Uganda, has issued a strong condemnation of what he described as a deadly joint attack by the United States and Israel on a primary school in southern Iran, intensifying debate around war crimes, …

RABAT | Xinhua |  Morocco has been awarded the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title after the Confederation of African Football overturned the result of the final following Senegal’s walk-off. Senegal had beaten Morocco 1-0 in the January 18 final, but the match was marred by controversy when Senegal’s players …