General elections in the Central African Republic (CAR) ended on Sunday evening in a calm and orderly atmosphere, with domestic and international observers reporting high voter turnout across the country.
Polling officially closed at 6:00 p.m. local time at more than 6,700 voting centres nationwide. According to a post-election assessment released on Monday by the Réseau Arc-en-Ciel (RAC), the country’s leading domestic election observation network, the voting process was largely peaceful and well-organised, including in remote and previously insecure areas
About 2.4 million registered voters were eligible to vote in the polls, which covered the presidential election, legislative races, and local government positions. The National Elections Authority (A.N.E.) said it would announce preliminary results on January 5, 2026.
The RAC’s findings were consistent with reports from international observer missions, including those of the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU), which also noted the absence of major security incidents during voting. Observers identified strong voter participation as one of the key features of the election.
Seven candidates contested the presidential race. Incumbent President Faustin-Archange Touadéra is seeking a third term with the backing of the ruling United Hearts Movement (MCU) and is widely regarded as the frontrunner.
His main challengers are former Prime Ministers Anicet-Georges Dologuélé of the Union for Central African Renewal (URCA) and Henri-Marie Dondra of UNIR. Other candidates include independents Serge Djorie, Aristide Briand Reboas, Eddy Symphorien Kparekouti, and Marcellin Yalamende.
Under the constitution, the president serves a seven-year term. A candidate must secure an absolute majority—50 per cent plus one vote—to win in the first round. If no candidate reaches the threshold, a runoff election is expected to take place in February 2026.
Voters also elected 140 members of the National Assembly, the country’s unicameral legislature, whose members also serve seven-year terms.
The parliamentary contest attracted 685 candidates, nearly half of them independents, while the rest were nominated by more than 40 political parties. Political analysts expect the ruling MCU to retain its dominance in the legislature and possibly increase its seat tally beyond the 61 seats it secured in the previous assembly.
A second round of legislative elections, where required, has been scheduled for April 5, 2026.
Voting commenced peacefully across the Central African Republic on Saturday as nationwide polls opened for the country’s 2025 general elections.
Polling began at 6:00 a.m. local time in about 6,700 polling units, with an estimated 2.4 million registered voters expected to cast their ballots to elect a president, members of the National Assembly and local government officials.
Early reports from electoral authorities and observers indicated a calm and orderly process, with no major security incidents recorded during the morning hours.
Voting was said to be proceeding smoothly, including in remote areas and regions previously affected by insecurity, such as the central city of Bambari.
Seven candidates are vying for the presidency. Incumbent President Faustin-Archange Touadéra is seeking another term, having won the 2016 and 2020 elections. His major challengers include former Prime Ministers Anicet-Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra, alongside four other contenders.
Under the country’s constitution, the president serves a seven-year term and must secure an absolute majority of 50 per cent plus one vote to win outright. If no candidate meets this threshold, a runoff election will be held between the leading candidates.
Voters are also electing 140 members of the unicameral National Assembly, who will likewise serve seven-year terms.
The legislative contest is keenly fought, with 685 candidates contesting parliamentary seats. The field includes candidates from more than 40 political parties, as well as a large number of independents, who make up nearly half of the contestants.
Observers are paying close attention to the performance of the ruling Movement of United Hearts (MCU), which dominated the 2020–2021 elections and currently holds 61 seats in the National Assembly.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation, Philippines (NIDOPHIL), under the leadership of Bishop Tony Marioghae—President of NIDOPHIL, Presiding Bishop of The Evangelical Ark Mission (TEAM) International, and one of the most influential African preachers in Asia—hosted a grand thanksgiving and Christmas celebration on Saturday, December 13, 2025.
The event took place at the TEAM Convention Centre in Las Piñas City, Metro Manila, and marked a defining moment in the history of Nigerian diaspora organization in the Philippines.
The celebration attracted Nigerian professionals, community leaders, ethnic representatives, students, and distinguished Filipino guests from various sectors.
It was a colourful showcase of Nigerian cuisine, traditional attire, music, and cultural expression, reflecting both national pride and deep gratitude to God for a year of remarkable progress.
In recognition of outstanding goodwill and support to Nigerians in the Philippines, several prominent Filipino citizens were honoured with the prestigious “Friend of Nigeria” Award.
A major highlight of the occasion was the formal presentation of the newly crafted NIDOPHIL Constitution to the General Assembly.
The document was overwhelmingly ratified by members and subsequently signed into law by the NIDOPHIL leadership. In a powerful demonstration of unity, the constitution was endorsed by leaders of Arewa, Oduduwa, Ohaneze, and the Niger Delta communities in the Philippines.
Officials of the Embassy of Nigeria in the Philippines witnessed this historic milestone, which many described as unprecedented in the annals of NIDO globally.
The NIDOPHIL leadership announced and implemented a financial empowerment policy, awarding grants of 100,000 Pesos each to the four major regional associations in the Philippines to stimulate entrepreneurship among Nigerians.
This intervention, valued at approximately 2,000 USD per group represents the first time any NIDO chapter worldwide has executed such a structured economic empowerment initiative.
Within less than one year, NIDOPHIL also recorded remarkable institutional and technological advancements.
An automated official website and a vibrant Facebook platform were launched, attracting thousands of visitors and followers within weeks. Beyond visibility, the organization actively advocated for the immigration and welfare rights of Nigerians, addressed student-related challenges, and committed hundreds of thousands of pesos to emergency interventions for Nigerians who were sick, homeless, bereaved, or otherwise in distress.
Exploratory engagements were held with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) to lay the groundwork for sustainable business partnerships between Nigeria and the Philippines. These efforts further positioned NIDOPHIL as both a community advocate and a bridge for bilateral economic cooperation.
Marioghae warmly welcomed members of the diplomatic corps, officials of the Embassy of Nigeria in the Philippines, Nigerian regional leaders, the NIDOPHIL Executive Council, and Nigerians from across the country. He emphasized that their presence symbolised a collective commitment to unity, responsibility, and progress.
Reflecting on the inauguration of the current executive on October 1, 2024, the President recalled that the initial mandate was to complete the registration of NIDOPHIL and produce a workable constitution.
However, driven by a deep passion for service, the leadership deliberately expanded its commitments to include welfare, advocacy, digital transformation, and economic empowerment.
Against considerable odds, and within twelve months, these commitments were fulfilled by the grace of God—achievements that many NIDO chapters globally have not attained in years.
He noted that NIDOPHIL, once characterised by silence, division, and dysfunction, had been transformed into one of the most visible, searched, united, and progressive NIDO organizations in the world.
This transformation, he acknowledged, was significantly enabled by the courageous reforms of former Ambassador Folakemi Akinleye and the pragmatic, reform-minded leadership of the Chargé d’Affaires, Hon. Adeshina Edward Oloje.
Bishop Marioghae underscored that NIDOPHIL’s success was anchored on consultation, cooperation, and inclusion rather than imposition and control.
He warned that any elected or appointed public official who governs with the mentality of an emperor is a potential tyrant and a threat to public welfare. According to him, leadership without measurable results and impact inevitably breeds discontentment and rebellion.
He described the mandate of the current NIDOPHIL executive as unequalled and among the most consequential in modern times. Within one year, the organization successfully celebrated Nigeria’s Independence Day in collaboration with the Embassy, re-registered NIDOPHIL after a decade of inactivity, appointed regional and committee leaders nationwide, and organised multiple town hall meetings and general assemblies funded entirely by the executive.
The President highlighted NIDOPHIL’s strong advocacy record, including media engagements in Philippine and Nigerian outlets calling for the reconstruction of the Nigerian Embassy after the May 2024 fire, and sustained intervention on immigration-related challenges. He also detailed the organization’s robust engagement with student welfare, including interventions on visa renewals, unjust deportations, conflict resolution within the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), and support for NANS’ formal registration and constitutional development in the Philippines.
Technological innovation featured prominently in the address, with the launch of a world-class automated NIDOPHIL website, digital identity cards for registered members, and platforms that allow seamless interaction, data management, and dues payment. Additional initiatives included campaigns against cult-related violence and drug offences, content creation and monetisation training for Nigerians in Metro Manila, support for Nigeria’s First Lady during her official visit, mobilisation for Nigeria’s Miss Earth representative, and sustained collaboration with the Embassy during national events.
Marioghae encapsulated the philosophy of the administration with a simple but powerful declaration: “Promises made, promises kept.” He expressed gratitude to the Nigerian community, diplomatic partners, and friends of Nigeria for their trust and cooperation, and prayed for continued unity, progress, and divine blessing.
In his goodwill message, Hon. Adeshina Edward Oloje, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Nigeria in the Philippines, commended the unprecedented unity, discipline, and organisational maturity of Nigerians in the Philippines. He observed that in over sixty years of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the Philippines, this was the first time Nigerians had collectively produced a constitution acceptable to all stakeholders.
He praised NIDOPHIL’s leadership for enhancing Nigeria’s image through unity, proactive engagement, and constructive collaboration with Philippine institutions.
Youths under the auspices of Nigerian Youths Arising (NIYA), have commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Senate for military intervention in Benin Republic following a failed coup attempt.
The group described the intervention as decisive step and a bold demonstration of Nigeria’s commitment to defending democracy within the West African sub-region.
In a statement by its President General, Comrade Ben Emeruwa, and Publicity Secretary, Comr Chukwuemeka Innocent, NIYA expressed deep concern over what it called dangerous resurgence of military dictatorship across Africa, particularly in West Africa.
The group noted that the continent, after decades of struggle against colonial rule and years of consolidating democracy, is witnessing a troubling reversal marked by frequent military takeovers.
It condemned the ugly trend of military incursions into governance, warning that unchecked military coups threaten not only Africa’s political stability but also global peace.
NIYA urged the United Nations, African Union, ECOWAS, and especially the Nigerian government to intensify efforts to curb the spread of authoritarianism.
While emphasizing Nigeria’s historical leadership in championing democratic values across Africa, the group called on federal government to continue playing a frontline role in safeguarding the Africa continent’s democratic gains.
“Nigeria has always been at the forefront in the struggle for attaining democratic freedom in Africa during the colonial era, we must continue to lead the fight to sustain this hard fought democracy in Africa.
Nigeria must support all efforts to repel and contain this spread of military violence which intends to take us back to the early post World War 2 era. Africa has come a long way to go back now into the trenches of authoritarian rule by despots”, it added.
It equally called for continuous vigilance and collective resistance from African citizens, especially young people to prevent the continent from sliding back into dictatorship.
“We commend the move done by the Nigerian Senate and President Tinubu a few hours ago by approving military assistance to the West African country of Benin Republic where a military coup was narrowly foiled though tensions are still not dowsed. Yet, we must persevere.
“We are at a critical crossroad in the history of Africa. We must be remembered as the generation of youths who spoke against, fought against, and consciously repelled military dictatorship rule in Africa”, the statement reads.
A report by A human rights organisation, Hope Behind Bars Africa (HBBA) has shown that 82 Nigerian women are currently on death row in various correctional centres.
The organisation described the situation of the women as one of the most overlooked gendered injustices within the country’s criminal justice system.
The Executive Director of HBBA, Mrs. Funke Adeoye disclosed this during the presentation of the report titled: “Beyond Her Sentence: A Technical Analysis of Gender and Capital Punishment in Nigeria”, on gender and death penalty in Abuja.
The report was supported by the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty and the Agence Française de Développement (French Development Agency).
Adeoye, a human rights lawyer, called for a review of Nigeria’s Criminal Justice System to accommodate gender-sensitive sentencing and enhances transparency of trial.
She said the report offered unprecedented analysis of the gender pathways leading women to death row in Nigeria, adding that it uncovers systemic inequalities within the justice process and highlights the urgent need for gender-responsive reforms.
Adeoye said: “As we mark the 16 days of Activism, we call on government, civil society, legal practitioners, and communities to act decisively. The death penalty helps no one; our justice is not infallible, and irreversible punishment disproportionately affects the most vulnerable. Abolition is both a legal necessity and a moral imperative.
“Nearly half of the women on death row are aged 18-35 and over one- third had no formal education, and only 10-percent attained tertiary education while most were mothers, leaving children in fragile care arrangements during incarceration.
“We also noted that over a third had experienced gender-based violence, including domestic abuse, forced marriage, and child marriage. Many lacked awareness of the laws under which they were charged, and more than half considered their trials non-transparent.”
She also noted stigma from families and communities that has contributed to compounding the affected persons’ suffering, especially for women charged with sexual or marital offences.
While emphasising that women on death row endure compounded vulnerability and systemic injustices, Adeoye stressed that 80 per cent of the women interviewed believed that rehabilitation was possible as many of them had been exposed to vocational skills within correctional facilities where they were serving sentences.
Also speaking, Assistant Controller of Corrections and Gender Advisor, Adenike Sheyindemi, commended Hope Behind Bars Africa for its commitment to justice and reform.
Sheyindemi, who spoke on behalf of the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Sylvester Mwakuche described the report as a vital contribution to the national conversation on equality and reform within Nigeria’s justice system.
She said: “This technical analysis is not merely a research document; it is a powerful instrument for advocacy. The Nigerian Correctional Service is committed to leveraging these findings to improve correctional administration and promote gender-sensitive practices.”
Sheyindemi added that the NCoS would collaborate with relevant stakeholders to develop training programmes, revise correctional policies, and strengthen psychological and social support for female inmates.
She said: “We are not just focused on having policies. Our priority is to ensure they are implemented effectively to create a fairer, more rehabilitative correctional system.”
Sheyindemi charged parents and the media to sensitise their loved ones on the dangers of crimes that could lead to death sentence.
The African Union Advisory Board Against Corruption (AUABC) has indicated the collective intention of its members to work with the youth to tackle corruption and carve a future characterised by integrity and justice.
AUABC Chairperson Kwami Edem Senanu, in a statement issued in Arusha, Tanzania, on the occasion of International Anti-Corruption Day 2025, said the youth as future custodians of this continent are not just victims of corruption and illicit financial flows, but they are also potentially formidable agents of change.
Senanu said on the anti-corruption day, the AUABC is reminded that across the African continent and across the world, corruption severely undermines development, erodes public trust, and critically impedes humanity’s progress, by stealing resources and opportunities.
“Mo Ibrahim estimates that our continent loses a staggering $125 billion annually. Yet today is also a day of hope. It is another opportunity to reflect on not just our losses, but in addition our shared commitment to combat corruption in all its forms and to strengthen our resolve, to be more militant about addressing the canker of corruption!
“The theme for this year, ‘Uniting with the Youth: Shaping tomorrow’s Integrity’, underscores the potential transformative power of youth in general and in our context, Africa’s burgeoning youth demographic and the need to strategically harness this. Our youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow, they are critical change-makers for today! Their energy, innovation, and unwavering desire for justice are absolutely essential in building societies where integrity flourishes and where corruption is eschewed.
“They are key partners in eradicating corruption and securing the continent’s future. Therefore, our fight against corruption will benefit from a critical generational shift in mindset, technology and leadership, and across Africa, millions of young people are speaking out, demanding ethical leadership, and driving grassroots movements for social justice and transparency.
“They are the heartbeat of our continent’s progress, a rising movement for constructive change and ultimately the real vehicle for the Africa we want! By investing in them and embracing their voices, their ideas, their digital and other talents, we can bypass old, corrupt systems and build transparent institutions, creating a dynamic force for Africa’s growth and development. “
Senanu hailed the youth of Africa and encourage them to stand up, speak out and take their place in history, by catalysing the change this continent sorely needs.
“The AUABC remains committed to empowering you and investing in the next generation of ethical leaders. In sync with this imperative, we will strengthen our ongoing and future initiatives to equip more young Africans with the tools, knowledge, and opportunities to champion integrity and to promote accountability across the continent.
“Furthermore, we urgently call upon all stakeholders, including governments, institutions, and citizens at large, to unite with our youth. Let us create permanent and regular spaces for youth empowerment, dialogue, initiative support and nurture a culture where integrity is celebrated.
“Together, hand in hand with our youth, we can transform Africa’s future, ensuring that honesty, fairness, and accountability guide our actions and that integrity becomes our hallmark and our enduring legacy!” Senanu said.
A former federal lawmaker and political scholar, Prof. Mojeed Alabi, has defended President Bola Tinubu’s decision to deploy Nigerian military assets to the Benin Republic, saying the action falls within the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.
He also warned that the rising wave of military takeovers in West Africa is a symptom of deep public frustration and unrealistic expectations of government.
Prof. Alabi made these remarks on Tuesday while featuring on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, which was monitored.
Starting with the controversy surrounding President Tinubu’s quick approval for troop deployment after the attempted coup in the Republic of Benin, Prof. Alabi said many critics are misinterpreting the law.
According to him, nothing in the Constitution bars the Commander-in-Chief from taking urgent military action during a security emergency.
He said, “What people are quoting is not what the Constitution says. The President does not need approval before he deploys troops. What the Constitution says is that he cannot keep the military on foreign soil for more than seven days without approaching the National Assembly. There is a clear difference.”
Prof. Alabi argued that urgent security situations rarely allow leaders the luxury of legislative consultations.
“If you wait for the House to convene, debate and pass a resolution every time a crisis breaks out, no country would survive. In global security practice, action usually comes first, followed by formal communication. When Obama authorised the operation against Osama bin Laden, Americans heard about it only after the mission had been completed.”
He added that if Nigerian troops are deployed only to stabilise an unfolding situation, “the next lawful step is for the President to notify the National Assembly. If lawmakers ratify it, the operation continues. If they don’t, the troops are withdrawn. That’s what the Constitution envisages.”
Asked why the government appears slower in responding to internal security issues compared to the rapid intervention in the Republic of Benin, Prof. Alabi cautioned against comparing situations that involve different kinds of threats.
“When coup plotters seize a radio station in a capital city, their location is known. Neutralising them is straightforward. But bandits and Boko Haram fighters operate inside forests and ungoverned spaces. Tracking them is far more difficult. Even the most advanced countries struggle with guerrilla warfare”, he added.
Turning to the surge in coups across West Africa, the former legislator said the trend reflects the anger and desperation felt by citizens who are dealing with economic hardship and shattered expectations.
“These coups are a product of failed hopes. Young people believe the military will just walk in today and reduce a bag of rice from 60,000 to 10,000 naira. They didn’t live through the Abacha era, so they romanticise military rule”, he added.
He warned that military governments have historically worsened poverty and inequality. “A civilian president can be changed after four years. A bad military ruler gives you no such hope. People forget this too quickly.”
Prof. Alabi also spoke about Nigeria’s political culture, which he believes plays a major role in the quality of leadership the country produces. Drawing from his own experience contesting elections, he said the influence of money has grown dramatically over the years.
“In 1999, things were different. By 2015, a colleague told me he spent almost 6,000 dollars on just one ward. Many people borrow or sell property to contest. When such people win, their first mission is to recover what they spent before they even think about governance”, he recalled.
He argued that voters share part of the blame. “We complain about leaders. But followers also shape the behaviour of leaders. When you collect money to vote, you have sold your right to demand accountability. Politics becomes a transaction, and governance suffers.”
The professor stressed that real change requires deep civic education, saying, “Democracy cannot work when citizens don’t understand their role. People want hospitals and roads, yet many still collect money on election day. Institutions, not individuals, drive real development. If the system is weak, even good leaders will struggle.”
Speaking on the economy, Prof. Alabi acknowledged the severe hardship Nigerians are facing but said painful reforms often precede recovery.
He noted, “Nobody is happy with the current situation, but when you remove subsidies and restructure revenue systems, prices initially rise. Many prosperous countries passed through this phase.”
He said the government must communicate more clearly to maintain public confidence, noting, “People want to feel that leaders also understand the pain. If citizens see genuine efforts to cut waste and fight corruption, they will endure hardship with more patience.”
Asked to identify the biggest obstacle to good governance in Nigeria, Prof. Alabi said the problem lies in “the disconnect between the expectations of leaders and the expectations of followers. Leaders often think long term, while citizens think short term.
“Until both sides adjust, we will keep repeating the same cycle. Leaders must prioritise governance, not self-enrichment. Followers must vote with sense, not with stomach. When people stop selling votes, politicians will stop buying them”, he stressed.
Prof. Alabi concluded by emphasising that Nigeria’s future depends on stronger institutions, honest political engagement and a more informed electorate. “The moment citizens understand their power, Nigeria will move forward faster than many expect,” he said.
Afrique-con Plc has opened a new office in Douala, Cameroon, in a ceremony attended by the Consul General of Nigeria in Douala, Amb. Francis Ntui Enya, who officially commissioned the facility.
The event drew members of the Nigerian community in Cameroon, including community leaders, union executives, notable personalities, family members of the company’s chief executive, and media representatives.
During the ribbon-cutting, Amb. Enya delivered remarks reflecting both his official role and his personal ties to the city.
Born in Douala and raised partly in Cameroon before returning to Nigeria, he noted that his posting back to Douala as Consul General a year ago further strengthened his connection to the region.
He said the Consulate General remains available to support Nigerians in Cameroon, including those wishing to return home without travel documents, by providing temporary papers to facilitate their journey.
The CEO of Afrique-con, Chief James Kamaha, also addressed attendees, appreciating the support of the Nigerian community and acknowledging the contributions of the company’s staff and management.
Afrique-con operates as a transport company serving routes between Cameroon, Nigeria, and neighbouring countries.
The newly opened Douala office is intended to improve service delivery to its customers.
The United Kingdom is losing an estimated £4 billion each year by under-utilising the skills of Nigerians and other African migrants, according to new analysis from The Insight Vodcast.
The report indicates that the UK could gain up to £37 billion annually by addressing racial disparities affecting Black and Minority Ethnic workers.
The weekly news explainer is produced by a UK-based two-time Emmy-nominated Nigerian investigative journalist, Adejuwon Soyinka.
The report draws data from the Office for National Statistics, Oxford University’s Migration Observatory, the McGregor-Smith Review, Business in the Community, and a 2025 inequalities study by University College London.
This week’s episode, titled “The Hidden Bill: How the UK Wastes Billions by Under-Employing Skilled African Migrants”, calls for urgent national action.
It argues that enabling African migrants to work at their skill level would strengthen public services, boost productivity and drive long-term economic growth for the UK.
The Insight Vodcast noted that Black African, Caribbean and Black British workers consistently earn less than their White counterparts even when they hold similar qualifications.
“These are not isolated stories. They represent a national economic blind spot, one that quietly drains the UK of productivity, innovation, and tax revenue,” the programme reports.
According to the analysis, highly educated migrants continue to be funnelled into lower-skilled jobs, reinforcing earlier findings from Oxford University’s Migration Observatory.
It linked the ongoing pattern to entrenched hiring bias and structural barriers in the labour market.
A major Oxford study shows that ethnic minority job seekers must submit 60 per cent more applications to receive the same callback rates as White applicants. Researchers at University College London confirm that this trend remains unchanged as of 2025.
The 2021 Census recorded about 1.5 million Black African people in England and Wales, representing roughly 2.5 per cent of the population.
Around 270,000 of them were Nigerians, with estimates suggesting the figure rose to 300,000 by 2023, alongside an additional 52,000 Nigerian migrants arriving in 2024.
A 2017 independent review by Baroness McGregor-Smith found that fully harnessing the talents of Black and Minority Ethnic workers could add £24 billion a year to the UK economy. Business in the Community now estimates that the potential economic benefit could reach up to £37 billion annually.
The Insight Vodcast warned that the real economic cost is likely far higher today due to population growth and rising wages.
Ethiopia is preparing to take a defining step in Africa’s push for large-scale industrial transformation as it readies to sign a Host Country Collaborative Agreement with Insight Dynamic Resources on Monday, December 8, 2025.
The agreement marks the formal launch of the Gas-by-Rail Economic Corridor Initiative (GBR-ECI), a sweeping project that aims to revolutionize how energy is moved, accessed, and deployed across the continent.
At the core of this initiative lies an extraordinary vision: a 73,500-kilometre freight railway system that acts as a “virtual pipeline,” carrying densified liquefied natural gas (LNG) across 40 Sub-Saharan African countries. This massive network is projected to deliver affordable, cleaner energy to more than 1.2 billion people, many of whom continue to rely on woodfuel as their primary source of daily energy.
The concept has already earned a compelling moniker: the “Iron River of Energy.” It highlights not only the enormity of the railway network but its potential to shift Africa away from traditional, unsustainable energy sources. By routing LNG via rail instead of depending on pipelines—often difficult to construct across multiple borders—the project offers a flexible solution to the continent’s longstanding infrastructure challenges. Estimates suggest it could reduce woodfuel use and greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 75%, easing environmental pressure and improving public health in communities across the region.
Ethiopia’s involvement goes far beyond hosting the kickoff. The country will anchor the Ethio-Cluster, an industrial zone expected to serve as the heartbeat of the initiative’s broader economic blueprint. By 2030, this cluster aims to produce green hydrogen, green iron, and up to five million tonnes of green steel every year, helping to propel Africa toward a projected $29 trillion industrial transformation.
Global industrial giants are backing the effort, with SMS Group of Germany and the U.S. firm Wabtec Corporation listed as key members of the technical consortium. Their participation brings advanced engineering capabilities and international investment confidence to the project.
For Musa Ibrahim Kuchi, the founder of the Gas-by-Rail Initiative, the mission is urgent and deeply rooted in reality. “Africa cannot industrialize on charcoal and firewood,” he warns. “We are burning our future to survive today. Gas-by-Rail delivers energy where pipelines cannot reach.”
Monday’s signing will also begin preparations for a High-Level Summit scheduled for Addis Ababa in 2026. There, 40 African Heads of State are expected to gather to ratify the protocols that will establish Africa’s first continent-wide virtual energy grid.
As Ethiopia steps to the forefront, the Gas-by-Rail initiative signals a bold, future-defining moment for Africa’s energy and industrial evolution.
