trade

Tinubu Suspends Cashless Payment System at Nigerian Airports President Bola Tinubu has directed Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo to suspend the cashless payment system recently implemented by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) at major airports, including those in Lagos and Abuja. The decision comes in response to widespread complaints from travelers who reported long queues and delays caused by the new system. Reflecting on the situation, Keyamo stated that the president emphasized the importance of…

Israel struck Hezbollah targets in Lebanon before dawn and said it intercepted a fresh barrage of Iranian missiles, as a widening war waged by the United States and Israel rippled across the Middle East with new disruptions from the Strait of Hormuz to Iraq and Turkey. Explosions rocked Beirut’s southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold, hours after Israel warned residents to flee. The Israeli military said it was working to down missiles fired from Iran, despite recent U.S. claims that strikes had severely degraded Tehran’s…

Somalia, U.S. open high-level trade talks in Mogadishu, eye energy and critical minerals amid rising offshore interest Wednesday March 4, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia and the United States held high-level talks in the capital on Tuesday to expand bilateral trade and investment, with a sharp focus on energy and critical minerals, officials said. The meeting — formally convened inside Somalia for the first time — was cast by both sides as a marker of growing confidence in the country’s security and economic trajectory. The…

Land Disputes in Liberia: A Growing Crisis Officials from the Liberia Land Authority (LLA) have issued a grave warning that unresolved land disputes across the country could spiral into widespread conflict. This statement was made during a recent hearing before lawmakers regarding the alarming surge in land-related tensions affecting various communities. LLA Vice Chairperson Joe K. Williams emphasized that the current disputes represent "only a fraction" of what may unfold if the government does not take swift and…

Macky Sall Nominated by Burundi for UN Secretary-General Position Former Senegalese President Macky Sall has received a formal nomination from Burundi to succeed UN Secretary-General António Guterres, whose term is set to conclude in 2026. This nomination comes at a time when the composition of the UN Security Council is particularly favorable for Sall, as it currently includes three African nations: the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, and Somalia. Supporters of Sall have highlighted his commitment to advocacy…

Zimbabwe imposes immediate, indefinite ban on export of lithium concentrates Zimbabwe announced an immediate and indefinite ban on the export of lithium concentrates and other unprocessed ores on Wednesday, saying mining companies rushed to ship raw lithium ahead of a planned 2027 restriction and that large volumes of the mineral have been illegally stockpiled outside the country. Mines Minister Polite Kambamura said the decision followed reports that some firms accelerated extraction and exports instead of investing in…

Belgian Authorities Arrest Leaders Linked to Cameroon War Crimes Belgian prosecutors have announced the arrest of three individuals as part of a probe into possible crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in Cameroon due to the country's secessionist rebellion. The arrests underscore the expanding international efforts to address human rights violations associated with the conflict. The suspects are believed to be leaders of the Ambazonia Defence Forces (ADF), a militia advocating for the independence of…

Mosiuoa Lekota, the 77-year-old former leader of the Congress of the People (COPE) and a veteran of South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle, has died, COPE confirmed Friday. Lekota, who stepped away from frontline politics in 2025, had been battling health problems in recent years. In a brief statement, COPE leader Teboho Loate said Lekota died “after a period of illness.” The Lekota family has asked for privacy, Loate said, and details about memorial arrangements would be announced in due course. Lekota was a former Robben…

In a country that has waited more than half a century for modern workplace protections, a union-led, United Nations-backed push is taking the new law from paper to factory floors, markets and offices across Somalia. The Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU) has launched a nationwide labour rights education drive to help workers understand, reclaim and defend their rights under Somalia’s newly adopted Labour Code — the first comprehensive reform in 52 years. The Labour Code emerged from sustained social dialogue among the…

Tuesday, March 3, 2026 Mogadishu (AX) — The Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU), backed by the United Nations, has launched a nationwide labor rights education campaign to turn Somalia’s first comprehensive Labour Code reform in 52 years into real protections in workplaces across the country. The newly adopted Labour Code was crafted through sustained tripartite dialogue among the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MOLSA), the Somali Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) and FESTU, with technical and financial…