Eye on Africa

Khaby Lame Signs Groundbreaking $975 Million Deal in Creator Economy The world's most-followed TikToker, Senegalese-born Khaby Lame, has finalized an impressive all-stock deal valued between $900 million and $975 million. This significant agreement marks one of the largest monetization transactions within the rapidly evolving creator economy. The deal involves the partial sale of Lame's operating company, Step Distinctive Limited, where he held a 49% stake. Under the agreement, the buyer, Rich Sparkle, secures exclusive…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali government forces, backed by international partners, have killed at least 150 Al-Shabab militants in more than two weeks of operations in the Middle Shabelle region, Defense Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi said Tuesday. Fiqi said the campaign concentrated on the Jabad Godane area and surrounding settlements, which he described as a strategic militant hub. He said the dead included six senior commanders of the al-Qaida-linked group. “By the grace of God and the bravery of the National Army, and with…

Tuesday January 27, 2026 DAVOS, Switzerland — Eric Trump has denied holding talks or discussing port investments with North Western State of Somalia President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi after reports and a widely shared photo suggested the pair met on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. A spokesperson for Trump said Abdullahi attended a dinner reception where the U.S. president’s son was present, but emphasized there was no private meeting. “At no point did Eric Trump ever have a meeting with the North…

South Africa announced Monday that it will temporarily withdraw from G-20 engagements while the United States holds the presidency, a move that South African officials called a pause rather than a permanent exit and that analysts say could dent Africa’s voice in the world’s most powerful economic forum. The withdrawal follows a sharp deterioration in ties after U.S. President Donald Trump declined to attend the 2025 G-20 summit in South Africa and publicly accused Pretoria of pursuing policies hostile to American interests.…

President Joseph Boakai Delivers Crucial Annual Address Amidst Economic Struggles Liberians, both at home and abroad, were on high alert as President Joseph Boakai delivered his impactful third Annual Message to the National Legislature on Monday, adhering to the stipulations of the Liberian Constitution. This year's address is particularly significant, marking what analysts describe as the "last full window" for substantive reform before the political atmosphere shifts, consumed by succession politics and the impending…

Nigerian Military Officers to Stand Trial for Alleged Coup Plot A group of Nigerian military officers is set to face a military court following accusations of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu's government in 2025. Sixteen officers were arrested in October 2025, sparking what has been described as "acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations." Authorities later confirmed that several of these officers would indeed be tried, despite initial denials of a coup attempt. Among those arrested, fourteen…

Prophetic Healing and Deliverance leader Walter Magaya appeared before the Harare Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday to face four counts of rape, and the matter was remanded to Feb. 16, 2026, for a trial scheduled to run through Feb. 19, 2026. The State alleges that in June 2020 Magaya offered a 24-year-old woman a voluntary position at the PHD call centre and later invited her to what she believed was a Bible study session. According to the prosecution, the woman was lured to a church-owned hotel and raped in July 2020. The…

MOGADISHU — Somalia’s lower house of parliament on Saturday approved a sweeping Cybersecurity Law designed to protect the country’s digital infrastructure, safeguard information systems and strengthen defenses against cyber threats amid rapid growth in online services. The legislation creates a national framework for preventing, reporting and responding to cyber incidents. It assigns policy leadership to the Ministry of Communications and Technology, gives the National Communications Authority a technical oversight role, and…

Somalia says WFP food aid fully returned after Mogadishu port warehouse dispute; U.S. pauses some assistance MOGADISHU — Somalia’s federal government said it has returned in full all World Food Programme supplies removed from a warehouse at the Port of Mogadishu, taking responsibility for the incident and pledging tighter coordination with aid partners after the United States announced a pause on certain assistance. In a statement issued late Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the government “takes full…

Understanding the Sexual Violence Crisis in Sudan The conflict in Sudan has erupted into widespread abuse, particularly against women, characterized by systematic sexual violence and impunity. Women are disproportionately affected, facing horrendous crimes amidst the ongoing war between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict began in April 2023, claiming tens of thousands of lives and displacing millions. Sulaima Ishaq al-Khalifa reports systematic sexual violence used as a weapon of war.…