Ryan Musser

Digital superhighway: Kenya launches platforms to close Africa’s trade gaps Unveiled in Addis Ababa, the landmark project is a significant step towards operationalising AfCFTA.

Kenya has unveiled two new digital trade platforms, BiasharaLink and Deal House, to be rolled out across its diplomatic missions in support of the AfCFTA. The initiative aims to transform embassies into hubs for trade and investment.

nation.africa/kenya/news/a...

Local firms win 98% of govt contracts but miss out on big-ticket projects The Private Sector Development (PSD) Programme shows that local service providers secured 29,521 out of 30,176 contracts awarded during the year, representing 98 percent

Ugandan private sector has room to grow.

Local firms have won 98% of government contracts but only 59% of the total value. The remaining 41% of value (2% of contracts) went to foreign firms. These firms only used 18% Ugandan goods and services.
www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/busin...

Mass evictions in Lagos displace thousands including baby twins now living in a canoe A family including baby twins has been forced to live in a wooden canoe after their home in a historic Lagos neighborhood was demolished.

For decades tens of thousands of people have lived in homes on stilts above the lagoon in Makoko, one of Africa’s oldest & largest waterfront communities. But to developers & authorities, it’s valuable waterfront property in the hands of some of Lagos’ poorest people
apnews.com/article/nige...

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Ethiopia begins $12.5 billion construction of 'Africa's biggest airport' Ethiopian Airlines is Africa's biggest carrier. It added six extra routes in 2024-25.

Ethiopia’s new airport in Bishoftu, south of Addis, will have 4x the capacity of its current Bole airport, which is already one of the primary hubs in Africa. The $12.5 billion project will be the largest aviation infrastructure project ever in Africa
www.reuters.com/world/africa...

Kenya halts China trade deal following pressure from the US Kenya has delayed formalizing a trade agreement with China, according to reports citing anonymous sources

Kenya has paused signing a trade agreement with China after US pressure, as Nairobi weighs protecting access to key US trade benefits like AGOA and its export jobs over deeper economic ties with Beijing.

africa.businessinsider.com/local/market...

Foreign Minister Wang Yi pushes soft power on annual swing through Africa Beijing’s diplomatic campaign capitalises on fresh US-Africa tensions in new year

Beijing capitalizes on fresh US-Africa tensions and pushes soft power on annual diplomatic swing through Africa

www.africa-confidential.com/article/id/1...

In some northern Nigerian communities though, they are negotiating peace with the bandits:

bsky.app/profile/ryan...

Nigeria's kidnapping crisis: 'Too scared to speak' - villagers on living in the midst of bandits Parents of kidnapped children know where the bandits hide out, but are too scared to inform the authorities.

But some analysts think northern communities have been bled dry and can no longer come up with ransom payments. Some gangs may find it more rewarding to set their sights on regions further south.

www.bbc.com/news/article...

Nigeria's kidnapping crisis: 'Too scared to speak' - villagers on living in the midst of bandits Parents of kidnapped children know where the bandits hide out, but are too scared to inform the authorities.

In some cases it was bandit leaders who requested peace talks, perhaps because the banditry life had become expensive & uncomfortable.

“We’re all tired of violence," said Nasiru Bosho, one of the bandit leaders who took part in the Kurfi peace negotiations

www.bbc.com/news/article...

Nigeria's kidnapping crisis: 'Too scared to speak' - villagers on living in the midst of bandits Parents of kidnapped children know where the bandits hide out, but are too scared to inform the authorities.

In Nigeria’s northwest, where communities have been at the mercy of bandits and have been severely affected by mass kidnappings, these communities have been striking peace deals with bandits in exchange for access to mines

www.bbc.com/news/article...

Silence… The New Normal in the Northwest Over the last few years, I have shuttled between Abuja and the core Northwest states of Nigeria affected by bandit violence. In the past…

“This is what governance has become in parts of the Northwest: not development, not schools or healthcare, not roads or justice systems, but simply permission to survive by arming oneself”

Poignant piece from Yusuf Anka about northern Nigeria’s desensitization to violence
medium.com/@YusufAnka/s...

Sudan, Chad accuse RSF of cross-border drone attack - Sudan Tribune December 27, 2025 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese and Chadian militaries on Saturday accused the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of carrying out an attack on a military position inside Chad, along the border wit...

The Sudanese and Chadian militaries have accused the Rapid Support Forces of carrying out an attack on a military position inside Chad, as two Chadian soldiers were killed in a drone strike

sudantribune.com/article/308715

US/Africa: Congress announces vote on AGOA renewal The House trade committee has just released a three-year extension of the duty-free trade scheme.

AGOA has gotten a last-minute reprieve, with the House of Rep’s trade-writing panel scheduling a vote on Wednesday. The legislation calls for a simple three-year extension of AGOA, which is more than the 1-year extension endorsed by White House
www.theafricareport.com/401858/congr...

Security: 5 questions to understand Trump’s new Africa strategy The United States’ new National Security Strategy treats the African continent as an afterthought.

“Where does Africa rank as a strategic priority for the US? At the bottom. Literally. In a short, 33-page document written in large font, the continent merits just three paragraphs on the very last page,” writes @julianpecquet.bsky.social

www.theafricareport.com/401739/secur...

Kigali has launched dedicated bus lanes

www.newtimes.co.rw/article/3168...

Inside Zanu PF plans to change constitution Inside Zanu PF plans to change constitution

A draft amendment is being introduced in Zimbabwe to revise the constitution to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term by two years. www.thestandard.co.zw/news/article...

“Tehran is leveraging what it sees as a "strategic opportunity," directing its diplomacy toward strengthening ties with Sahel nations. This diplomacy is a blend of anti-colonial rhetoric, political solidarity, and promises of cooperation in technical & economic sectors.”

en.isna.ir/news/1404090...

Mali recovers $1.2 billion in arrears from miners, eyes annual windfall under new code Mali has recovered 761 billion CFA francs ($1.2 billion) in arrears from mining companies following a sweeping audit, its finance minister said, marking one of the country’s biggest clawbacks from its...

Mali has recovered $1.2 billion in arrears from mining companies after an audit that uncovered massive shortfalls for the state and paved the way for a new mining code. The law raised royalties, boosted state stakes in mining companies & scrapped stability clauses.

www.reuters.com/world/africa...

Anicet Ekane: Cameroon opposition firebrand dies in detention aged 74 Anicet Ekane's lawyer says the family was given little explanation - "his wife was just presented the corpse".

Left-wing Cameroonian opposition figure Anicet Ekane has died in detention, 5 weeks after being arrested. Anti-corruption lawyer Akere Muna described his death as "the extinguishing of a fierce & passionate flame" that burned for democratic emancipation.
www.bbc.com/news/article...

Somalia's capital Mogadishu gets a fresh start – DW – 11/29/2025 After decades of war, Mogadishu is experiencing a remarkable construction boom. Despite poverty, hopes are growing in the Somali capital for a new economic and social beginning.

“While wealthy residents benefit from greater security and economic growth, gentrification is a problem for the poorer parts of Mogadishu. This leads to evictions, some of them violent, and people losing access to schools and clinics.”

www.dw.com/en/somalias-...

“For more than 7 years, Abubakar Shekau’s compound in Ukuba sat only a loudspeaker’s reach from the army’s fortified garrison in Bitta, 7-12 km apart. The soldiers could hear Ukuba’s call to prayer drifting over the scrub, & the fighters heard Bitta’s in return.”

humanglemedia.com/the-making-a...

Thank you!

Thank you!

Thank you!