Africa News Live Updates: Cambodia uses African giant rats for landmine detection; 6 farmers killed, dozens abducted in Nigeria

Calls grow in South Africa to address marginalisation of boys in education

There are growing calls within South Africa to address the educational marginalisation of boys, an issue linked to the nation’s high youth unemployment and crime rates, according to a report in Mail & Guardian. This ‘marginalisation’ refers to specific challenges such as societal pressure, the lack of male role models, higher rates of school expulsion, and vulnerability to gang recruitment, which contribute to poorer educational performance. The discussion is emerging within broader gender equality initiatives, which are beginning to recognise that addressing barriers unique to boys is a necessary component of achieving comprehensive educational equity for all genders.

Rwanda invites bids for 10 coltan and cassiterite mining deposits

The Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB) has set a deadline of August 16, 2025, for investors to submit applications for mining licenses covering 10 available deposits of coltan and cassiterite, according to a report in The New Times. The government body is formally inviting bids for these blocks, which contain minerals critical for the electronics industry. Coltan is a source of tantalum, while cassiterite is the primary ore for tin.

Irish business leaders identify Africa as key to boosting agricultural and food production

Irish business leaders have identified Africa as a key region for increasing agriculture and food production, according to a report in Mail & Guardian. This interest is reportedly driven by the need to diversify global food supply chains and bolster food security. The focus represents a strategic shift toward private sector investment and economic partnerships between Ireland, as part of the EU, and African nations, moving beyond historical aid-centric relationships to develop agricultural capacity on the continent.

Gauteng needs 200 more schools, says education MEC Chiloane

Gauteng, South Africa’s most populous province, needs 200 new schools to address a significant infrastructure shortfall, according to a report in Mail & Guardian. The statement was made by the provincial Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Education, Matome Chiloane, who officially acknowledged the scale of the service delivery deficit. This need is driven by factors including rapid urbanization and high population growth in the province, which is South Africa’s economic hub.

South Africa appoints Bismark Tyobeka to lead ministerial expert panel on nuclear energy

Nuclear physicist Bismark Tyobeka has been appointed to chair a new ministerial expert panel in South Africa, which will advise the government on the pace, scale, and procurement strategy for developing new nuclear capacity, according to a report in Mail & Guardian. The appointment comes as the country seeks long-term solutions for its chronic energy crisis and widespread power outages. The panel, which will function in an advisory capacity, is tasked with providing recommendations on how to acquire new nuclear power, a mandate seen as a response to past controversial procurement attempts. The final decision on any new projects to supplement the country’s single existing Koeberg nuclear plant will rest with the cabinet.

Ghana endorses campaign for visa-free travel across Africa

Ghana has officially endorsed a campaign advocating for visa-free travel for all African citizens throughout the continent, according to a report in Mail & Guardian. This political commitment aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and its 2018 Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, which has seen slow implementation by member states. Ghana’s move follows similar visa-free announcements made by Rwanda and Kenya in late 2023. The initiative is also seen as crucial for realizing the full potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by facilitating the movement of traders and business people. Officials clarified that a visa-free policy removes the need for pre-approved travel permits but does not eliminate border controls, as travelers will still be required to present valid passports and undergo standard immigration checks.

Vulnerable military bases in Lake Chad Basin targeted by terror groups

Terror groups, particularly the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), are increasingly targeting remote military outposts in the Lake Chad Basin, which spans parts of Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, according to a report in Daily Maverick. This represents a strategic shift by ISWAP to directly engage and overrun military formations, a change from earlier tactics that more frequently targeted civilians. The vulnerability of these bases stems from their remote locations, insecure supply lines, intelligence gaps, and inadequate equipment. These successful attacks serve as propaganda and morale boosters for the terror groups while diminishing the morale and operational effectiveness of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) and exacerbating the severe, ongoing humanitarian crisis for local populations.

UNESCO designates Mozambique’s Maputo National Park a World Heritage Site

Maputo National Park in Mozambique has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a status which acknowledges the area’s ‘outstanding universal value’, according to a report in Daily Maverick. This international recognition is an additional layer of protection on top of its existing status as a national park under Mozambican law. The designation obliges Mozambique to protect the site for future generations under strict conservation standards. This development is part of the country’s broader national strategy to strengthen its protected areas, combat poaching, and promote eco-tourism.

S&P downgrades Senegal’s credit rating to B- over rising debt

The American credit rating agency S&P has downgraded Senegal’s sovereign credit rating from B to B-, citing the country’s soaring debt level, Africanews says in a report. This action follows a recent audit under the new government that resulted in an upward revision of the nation’s official debt figures. A downgrade to ‘B-‘, a speculative grade, indicates increased financial risk and typically raises borrowing costs for a country on international markets.

Mali’s former prime minister questioned for a second day

Mali’s former prime minister, Moussa Mara, has been questioned for a second consecutive day by the country’s Judicial Investigation Brigade, according to a report in Africanews. While no official reason has been given for the summons, it is reportedly believed to be connected to a message Mara posted on social media. The post was about political figures whom he had visited in prison.

Ghana scraps fuel allowances for cabinet and political appointees

The government of Ghana has scrapped fuel allowances and provisions for all appointed political officials, according to a report in Africanews. The announcement was made in a statement on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, by presidential spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu, acting on a directive from President John Dramani Mahama. This austerity measure applies to cabinet members and other politically appointed leaders within the government.

South African Deputy President faces scrutiny over family’s alleged link to lottery deal

South Africa’s Deputy President, Paul Mashatile, is facing fresh allegations of potential conflicts of interest, according to a report in Daily Maverick. The investigative report details alleged ties between Mashatile’s family and a new multibillion-rand deal to operate the country’s national lottery. A separate report notes that a businessman who previously secured controversial government water tanker contracts was part of Mashatile’s official business delegation on a recent trip to France, further intensifying scrutiny of his associates and potential use of political influence.

Fifty hippos killed by poisoning in Democratic Republic of Congo

Fifty hippopotamuses have been killed by poisoning in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), raising concerns about organized wildlife crime in the region, according to a report in Premium Times. The scale of the incident suggests a well-organized operation rather than random poaching. Authorities believe the primary motivation is likely the illicit trafficking of hippo teeth, which are often used as a substitute for ivory. This mass killing highlights the significant challenges the DRC faces in enforcing environmental laws and combating illegal wildlife trade, particularly in remote or unstable areas where state control is limited.

Burkina Faso junta says it thwarted a plot to overthrow leader Ibrahim Traore

The military junta in Burkina Faso has announced that it thwarted a plot to overthrow the country’s leader, Captain Ibrahim Traore, according to a report in Premium Times. The government stated it had stopped a conspiracy aimed at destabilizing the nation, though specific details about the alleged plot or the individuals involved were not immediately released. This development occurs in a context of continued political instability, as Traore himself came to power as interim president following a coup in September 2022.

Sudan’s health system faces collapse after two years of conflict

Sudan’s health system is on the verge of collapse after more than two years of civil war between the nation’s rival military factions, according to a report in Premium Times. The protracted conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which escalated in April 2023, has led to the destruction of hospitals, a critical shortage of medical supplies, and an exodus of healthcare workers. The situation is exacerbated by a massive internal displacement crisis and severe obstruction of humanitarian aid by the warring parties, while multiple international and regional peace initiatives have failed to secure a lasting resolution.

Starlink devices in Africa’s Sahel region are boosting capabilities of armed groups and criminals

The unregulated proliferation of Starlink satellite internet devices in Africa’s Sahel region is significantly enhancing the operational capabilities of non-state armed groups and criminal organizations, according to a report in Premium Times. In countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, these actors are using the technology to improve coordination, bypass government-imposed communication blackouts, and disseminate propaganda. This development challenges state sovereignty and complicates counter-insurgency efforts, as governments struggle to control the flow of information and technology within their borders, particularly in areas with a limited state presence following the withdrawal of some international forces.

Gabon junta leader wins presidential election

General Brice Oligui Nguema, the leader of Gabon’s military junta, has won the country’s presidential election with a landslide victory, according to a report in Premium Times. This election follows the August 2023 military coup in which Nguema’s forces overthrew President Ali Bongo Ondimba, ending the Bongo family’s 56-year rule over the Central African nation. The vote marks a step by the military leadership to formalize its hold on power and transition General Nguema from an interim head of state to an elected president.

Rwandan and Qatari ministers meet in Doha amid talks on DRC conflict

Rwanda’s Minister of Interior, Dr Vincent Biruta, held a meeting with Qatar’s Minister of State for Interior Affairs, Abdulaziz bin Faisal bin Mohammed Al Thani, in Doha on July 16, according to a report in The New Times. The discussion occurred in the context of diplomatic efforts related to the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which involves the Congolese government, known as Kinshasa, and the allied Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) and M23 armed groups. This engagement highlights Qatar’s expanding diplomatic role as a potential mediator in the region’s security issues.

Zambia proposes bill to jail unlicensed journalists, drawing criticism

A proposed bill in Zambia that would make it illegal for journalists to operate without a license and could lead to imprisonment has prompted a sharp rebuke from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Premium Times said in a report. The CPJ and other critics argue the legislation is a significant threat to press freedom and a tool to silence dissent. The move is raising concerns about democratic backsliding in the country under President Hakainde Hichilema, whose 2021 election was initially seen as a positive step for democratic principles in the region.

Three countries account for 84% of Africa’s mpox cases, says official

The current Mpox outbreak in Africa is highly concentrated, with 84% of all cases on the continent originating from just three countries, an official has stated, according to a report in Premium Times.

Kenyan police dog renow