Business and Finance

Opposition parties in the National Assembly have united to reject a petroleum amendment bill that would transfer oil and gas regulatory authority from the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy to the President, saying the change risks political interference, corruption and weakened parliamentary oversight. The move, tabled by Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy Modestus Amutse, prompted sharp objections from a cross-section of opposition groups. The Affirmative Repositioning movement, the National Unity Democratic…

President Cyril Ramaphosa used his 2026 State of the Nation Address to present a cautiously optimistic picture of South Africa’s economy and to announce a series of urgent security and infrastructure measures, saying the country is “stronger than a year ago” after four consecutive quarters of GDP growth, two primary budget surpluses and the end of load‑shedding. Major executive moves included authorising the deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to tackle rising gang violence in the Western Cape and…

Every year since 2013, Africa Check has fact-checked South Africa's State of the Nation Address (SONA) — the speech President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers to mark the start of the political calendar, officially open Parliament, recap the year gone by and outline the government's aims for the year ahead. After more than a decade of scrutiny, the organisation's researchers say they can often guess what the president is going to say before he opens his mouth. That observation, simple on its face, raises deeper questions about…

Legal Challenges Emerge Over U.S.-Congo Minerals Deal Congolese lawyers and human rights defenders are challenging a controversial "minerals-for-security" deal signed between the government of President Félix Tshisekedi and the United States in December. Critics argue that the agreement not only bypassed necessary parliamentary approval but may also require a national referendum under the Congolese constitution. The deal, designed to grant the U.S. preferential access to vital minerals such as cobalt and coltan—critical…

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and OCP Group, a global leader in plant-nutrition solutions, announced a five-year strategic partnership to accelerate scientific innovation for sustainable agriculture and resilient food systems. The collaboration, designed to bolster the IAEA’s Atoms4Food initiative, brings together the IAEA’s expertise in nuclear and isotopic techniques with OCP’s fertilizer science and field reach to address soil fertility, crop productivity and post-harvest safety. The agreement signals an…

Human Rights Watch Urges Investigation into Deadly Drone Attack in Niger Human Rights Watch (HRW) is pressing Nigerien authorities to undertake an independent investigation into a drone strike conducted by the army in January, which the organization claims resulted in the deaths of approximately 17 civilians, including four children. In a recent statement, HRW emphasized that, while the attack may have also claimed the lives of several militants, it breaches international law. The incident occurred on January 6, when…

U.S. Diplomat Visits Mali to Revitalize Bilateral Ties Amid Regional Security Concerns The newly appointed head of the U.S. State Department's Bureau of African Affairs, Nick Checker, has embarked on a pivotal visit to Mali aimed at revitalizing bilateral cooperation between the United States and the West African nation. This visit is underscored by a commitment to establish "new foundations, mutual respect, and the absence of any form of interference," signaling a shift in diplomatic priorities. Accompanying Checker's…

The government of Ghana has taken a significant step in redefining the identity of one of its most notable transport hubs. The Transport Minister is set to submit a bill to Parliament proposing the renaming of Kotoka International Airport, a key gateway in West Africa, to Accra International Airport. This initiative has stirred public interest and debate, especially considering the historical significance attached to the current name. According to a pro-government Member of Parliament (MP), the proposed change aims to…

South Africa has today officially acceded to the Establishment Agreement of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), marking the formal entry of one of the continent’s largest economies into the bank’s membership and signaling a potential shift in the region’s financial architecture. The move brings South Africa into the fold of Africa’s leading multilateral financial institution, which was created to finance and promote intra-African and extra-African trade. Membership gives Johannesburg formal access to a…

Tragic Mine Collapse in Eastern Congo Claims Over 200 Lives At least 200 people were killed when a coltan mine collapsed after heavy rains in Rubaya, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The incident highlights not only the dangers associated with artisanal mining but also the broader implications of illegal resource exploitation in conflict zones. According to rebel authorities, women, children, and artisanal miners were among the victims of this catastrophe, with around 20 survivors receiving treatment in local…