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Africa

Africa
Africa
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Africa. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Chinese tourists wearing traditional Thai costumes shield themselves from the sun at Wat Pho, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, in Bangkok on April 14. Photo: EPA
China travel

More bookings, shorter trips: Chinese adjust to pricier fuel for May holiday

Domestic flight bookings up about 8 per cent and domestic package-tour reservations up about 10 per cent, survey finds.

US-China relations

US slams Beijing after African countries block Taiwan leader’s eSwatini trip

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Nepal

Nepal minister quits amid financial scrutiny after just weeks in office

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China-Africa relations

Why China is backing nuclear fuel rod production in Namibia

On week-long trip to China, Namibian minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi pitches investment case to business leaders in Shenzhen.

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets his Namibian counterpart, International Relations and Trade Minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, in Beijing on April 17. Photo: Xinhua
Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo denounces ‘colonisation’ of minerals on final leg of Africa tour

The pontiff warns that a global lust for profit ‘kills’ as he meets with a government accused of widespread corruption and authoritarianism.

Taiwan

Taiwan’s leader Lai delays Africa trip after 3 nations revoke flight permission

Taiwan blames Beijing for the move, which forced William Lai to put off visit to eSwatini, the island’s sole remaining partner in Africa.

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Religion

Pope Leo criticises exploitation by world’s ‘authoritarians’ during Angola trip

The US pope, who has drawn the ire of President Donald Trump, has repeatedly criticised world leaders, without naming individuals.

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Pope Leo XIV arrives to lead Holy Mass at the Saurimo esplanade in Angola on Monday. Photo: EPA
Crime

LA woman charged in US with trafficking arms to Sudan for Iran

Shamim Mafi is accused ‘brokering the sale of drones, bombs, bomb fuses and millions of rounds of ammunition’.

Pope Leo XIV

In Angola, Pope Leo prays at shrine that was once a hub for slavery

First American pontiff recalls centuries of ‘suffering’ at site originally built by Portuguese colonisers.

South Africa

Trump backs US$50 million investment for South Africa rare earths

Despite a rift with South Africa, the current Trump administration has proceeded with the project to broaden US access to critical minerals.

President Donald Trump shows pictures during a meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, US, on May 21 last year. Photo: TNS
China-Africa relations

China steps up aid to Africa but huge funding gap left by Trump’s cuts remains

Beijing’s efforts in food and medical relief, a sector traditionally dominated by US programmes, could partly fill the void, observers said.

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Togo has been a recipient of emergency food aid from China. Photo: Xinhua
Donald Trump

Pope Leo seeks to defuse tensions with Trump, says not trying to debate him

The pontiff clarified that his Cameroon comments weren’t aimed at Trump amid media misinterpretations.

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Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong minister urges long-term view, says Middle East investment unaffected

Minister Algernon Yau urges businesses to avoid short-term thinking, says Hong Kong entrepreneurs are discerning in assessing opportunities.

Pope Leo XIV

Pope urges Cameroon to reject violence at mass that draws 120,000 people

Believers slept overnight on mats to hear the address from the pontiff, who has drawn Trump’s ire with his anti-war comments.

Pope Leo arrives in procession to celebrate mass at Japoma Stadium in Douala, Cameroon, on Friday. Photo: AP
US, Israel war on Iran

Asian airlines face ‘major headwind’ from jet fuel costs, forcing flight changes

Fuel has jumped from 25 per cent of total operating costs for airlines to nearly 45 per cent in a matter of weeks, analysts say.

Aircraft queue up on the tarmac before taking off at Mumbai airport. Photo: AFP
Cameroon

In Cameroon, Pope Leo assails ‘tyrants ravaging’ world amid Trump row

‘The masters of war pretend not to know that it takes only a moment to destroy, yet often a lifetime is not enough to rebuild,’ Leo says.

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Artificial intelligence

Black market workarounds scale up for Claude as Anthropic tightens ID checks

Chinese developers are bypassing new ID checks as demand for Claude remains strong despite official restrictions.

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European Union

Europe running low on jet fuel, stoking fears of flight cancellations

IEA executive director Birol said the Hormuz blockade-induced energy crisis will hit nations including Japan, China and India harder.

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A plane passes behind kerosene storage facilities at Liege airport in Belgium on Thursday. Photo: EPA
China-Africa relations

Why China’s trade with Africa benefits from Trump’s policy volatility

Continent is China’s fastest growing export market in first quarter of 2026, with machinery and hi-tech shipments leading US$60 billion surge.

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Sudan

Sudan enters 4th year of war as ‘abandoned crisis’ grows

The war has pushed parts of Sudan into famine and the UN says about 34 million people, or almost two of every three Sudanese, need help.

France

France open to engaging on slavery reparations, says Ghana

The African nation says discussions with President Macron last week included economic inequities, structural racism and looted artefacts.

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A sign hangs at the entrance of a dungeon used to house slaves at Elmina Castle in Ghana. The centuries-old site was a major centre of the transatlantic slave trade. File photo: Reuters
Donald Trump

‘Someone must stand for a better way’: Pope speaks out after Trump’s attack

After the US president shatters norms with a direct hit on the pontiff, Leo says he will continue to speak out ‘loudly’ and promote peace.

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Pope Leo addresses journalists during a flight to Algiers on Monday. Photo: via Reuters
Nigeria

At least 200 feared dead after Nigerian air strike hits busy village market

Nigerian Air Force launches investigation into civilian casualties at Jilli Market as it targeted jihadists.

China-Africa relations

War of words: China and the US battle it out for African hearts and minds

Rivalry between two global superpowers spills into the media as East meets West head-on in a clash of narratives to win over the continent.

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Benin

Benin election favours continuity amid al-Qaeda attacks, poverty

Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni has overseen a decade of growth in the West African nation despite jihadist attacks and extreme poverty.

Romuald Wadagni, Benin’s finance minister and the ruling party candidate for the presidential election, waves to supporters during a campaign rally ahead of the presidential election, in Cotonou, Benin, on April Friday. Photo: Reuters
Technology

Opinion | AI pessimism is a luxury the Global South cannot afford

Young, developing states must ride the tech waves if they don’t want to fall further behind and learn from others’ mistakes.

Leaders attend the AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, India, on February 19. Photo: Agencia Brazil/dpa
China-Africa relations

Is this Kenyan rail project a model for Chinese and Western firms in Africa?

The Nairobi Railway City project is being built by Chinese contractor but Britain is helping to provide the funding.

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China education

Vocational schools a new front as China backs businesses’ global expansion

Earlier programmes focused on infrastructure, but new wave is shaped by demand in e-commerce, digital services and advanced manufacturing.

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