Covid-19

Zimbabwe
Setback over dead Zimbabwe minister nearly derails $200m von Pezold lawsuit

The aristocratic von Pezold family nearly saw its $200 million land-seizure compensation suit collapse after they addressed court documents to a Zimbabwean minister who had died months earlier.

South Africa
South Africa appoints 11 new ambassadors

Most of the changes at the top of foreign missions are in Africa and involve both career diplomats and political appointees.

Niger
Oil minister Abba pursues hard stance against CNPC

The chief of the oil refining division at Niger's Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, Zakari Oumarou Kabirou, held talks with China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC) earlier this month. Oil minister Mahamane Sani Mahamadou encouraged the move.

South Africa
AAD arms expo dominated by Turkish, Chinese and Russian suppliers

The 2022 Africa Aerospace & Defence (AAD) expo, slated for 21-25 September at Waterkloof airbase on the outskirts of Pretoria, will host a strong showing of Turkish firms.

The New Guard
South Africa, Uganda, Morocco, Algeria

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence reveals the next generation of movers and shakers in business and politics.

South Africa Fasiha Hassan, Gauteng's MPL pushing to rejuvenate ANC

Uganda Elison Karuhanga, the Lake Albert-connected oil lawyer

Morocco Boucharab, former IT chief of OCP, LVMH and Total, heads into the cloud

Algeria Benghanem keen to put Algeria back on investors' radar

Spotlight | Africa
ExxonMobil, Chevron, Marathon... US giants start mass exodus from the continent

With the exception of Namibia and Mozambique, Africa has ceased to be attractive to US oil companies, which are gradually withdrawing from the market. This strategy is the opposite of that adopted by the Chinese and Russians, which are continuing to push ahead.

Africa
Félix Tshisekedi, Faustin Archange Touadéra, Kais Saied, Adama Sangaré

Intrigues big and small... every Tuesday, Africa Intelligence takes a peek into the corridors of power in Africa and beyond.

Niger
Showdown between oil minister Abba and China's CNPC continues unabated

Used to more conciliatory relations under former president Mahammadu Issoufou's rule, oil major China National Petroleum Corp is not being given any special treatment by Niger's current hydrocarbons minister Mahamane Sani Mahamadou, aka Abba, who is hard-set on setting aside jobs in the industry for locals.

Libya
In well-worn technique, health ministry uses up Libyan medical products first before buying abroad

The government has launched five calls for tenders for the local market, before expanding the bids to foreign markets. The powerful Medical Supplies Organisation thus hopes to finish off the country's stock of subsidised medicines first.

South Africa, South Sudan
ACCORD, Pretoria's mediator of choice

The conflict management organisation ACCORD, led by South African Vasu Gounden, is helping to facilitate negotiations in the South Sudanese peace process. Close to the ANC, it is also active in Lesotho and Eswatini.

Egypt, Russia
Cairo poised to adopt alternative Russian payment system to sidestep sanctions

Following the invasion of Ukraine and ensuing sanctions on Moscow, Visa and Mastercard bank cards issued in Russia no longer work outside the country. In order to keep attracting Russian tourists despite this ban, Egyptian banks have decided to take on the former's payment system, Mir.

Africa, Japan
Key attendees pull out of TICAD

The Japanese PM will not travel to Tunis for TICAD due to Covid. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has cancelled his visit and his Senegalese counterpart, Macky Sall, is considering doing the same, as are other leaders.