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  •  Five functional oil refineries in Africa in 2026

     Five functional oil refineries in Africa in 2026

    Africa’s oil refining industry has long struggled to keep pace with the continent’s vast crude oil production. For decades, many African nations exported crude oil while importing refined petroleum products due to aging, underperforming, or non-operational refineries.

    However, fresh investments, upgrades, and new large-scale projects are reshaping the sector. Several countries are now boosting domestic refining capacity to reduce fuel imports, strengthen energy security, and support economic growth.

    Below are five major operational refineries in Africa as of 2026 playing a critical role in meeting regional and domestic fuel demand.

    1. Dangote Petroleum Refinery — Nigeria

    Location: Lekki Free Trade Zone, Lagos, Nigeria

    Capacity: Approximately 650,000 barrels per day

    The Dangote Petroleum Refinery stands as Africa’s largest refinery and one of the biggest single-train refineries in the world. Located in Lagos, the privately owned facility processes a wide range of petroleum products, including petrol, diesel, aviation fuel, and other refined outputs.

    With a refining capacity of about 650,000 barrels per day, the refinery is positioned to significantly reduce Nigeria’s dependence on fuel imports while also supplying export markets across Africa and beyond. Its scale and output make it a transformative project for the continent’s downstream oil sector.

    2. Skikda Refinery — Algeria

    Location: Skikda, Algeria

    Capacity: Approximately 350,000 barrels per day

    The Skikda Refinery is one of North Africa’s largest and most established refining complexes. With a capacity of around 350,000 barrels per day, the facility plays a vital role in Algeria’s energy infrastructure.

    It supplies refined petroleum products for domestic consumption while also supporting exports to international markets, reinforcing Algeria’s position as a key energy player in the Mediterranean region.

    3. SAPREF Refinery — South Africa

    Location: Durban, South Africa

    Capacity: Approximately 180,000 barrels per day

    Located in Durban, the SAPREF Refinery has historically been the largest crude oil refinery in southern Africa. Operated as a joint venture between global energy majors BP and Shell, the facility has been a cornerstone of South Africa’s fuel supply chain.

    With a capacity of roughly 180,000 barrels per day, SAPREF has been instrumental in supplying transport fuels and other refined products to both domestic and regional markets.

    4. Alexandria MIDOR Refinery — Egypt

    Location: Alexandria, Egypt

    Capacity: Approximately 160,000 barrels per day (post-expansion)

    Egypt’s Alexandria MIDOR Refinery is a key component of the country’s refining strategy. Following expansion projects aimed at increasing throughput and efficiency, the refinery now processes about 160,000 barrels per day.

    It produces a range of petroleum products primarily for Egypt’s domestic market, while also supporting regional fuel distribution.

    5. Cairo Mostorod Refinery — Egypt

    Location: Mostorod, Cairo, Egypt

    Capacity: Approximately 140,000 barrels per day

    Operated by the Egyptian Refining Company, the Cairo Mostorod Refinery is one of Egypt’s modern refining facilities. With a processing capacity of about 140,000 barrels per day, the refinery plays a crucial role in meeting the country’s fuel demand.

    The facility supports Egypt’s broader objective of reducing refined product imports and strengthening its downstream petroleum sector.

  • Africa doesn’t lack capital. It lacks bankable projects

    Africa doesn’t lack capital. It lacks bankable projects

    By Oladele Dele Akinjo

    Nearly a decade ago, I worked on a gas infrastructure transaction that, on paper, had everything going for it. It was strategically important. Demand was identifiable. Long-term contracts were in place. Reputable lenders and development institutions were involved. By most conventional measures, it was considered bankable.

    And yet, the project spent years in debt restructuring.

    • Not because the asset failed.

    • Not because demand disappeared.

    • But because bankability had been assumed rather than deliberately built.

    That experience has stayed with me, because it reflects a broader pattern across Africa’s infrastructure and energy landscape, one that is often misdiagnosed.

    Africa’s infrastructure deficit is frequently framed as a financing problem. From experience, it is not.

    There is significant global and regional capital actively seeking African infrastructure exposure today. From development finance institutions and infrastructure funds to pension capital and local banks. What remains scarce are projects structured to meet the risk, governance, and enforcement thresholds required by long-term capital.

    When projects stall or struggle to reach financial close, the explanation is often attributed to investor appetite or global market conditions. More often, the cause is structural.

    Returning to that gas infrastructure transaction, the weakness only became visible under pressure. The project had signed contracts and identifiable demand. What it lacked was resilience. Cash flows were exposed to delayed payments, extended receivable cycles, and macroeconomic volatility. Risk had been identified, but it remained concentrated at the project level.

    This pattern repeats itself across African infrastructure. Contracts exist, but cash-collection mechanisms are weak. Currency risk is transferred wholesale to projects. Governance frameworks are referenced, but enforcement depends on discretion rather than process.

    Long-term capital does not avoid Africa because of risk. It avoids risk that cannot be modelled, priced, or enforced.

    That transaction also highlighted the limits of commonly used risk-mitigation instruments. Sovereign-linked guarantees and credit enhancements are frequently cited as solutions to bankability challenges. In theory, they are effective. In practice, they are often politically sensitive to enforce.

    When stress emerges, calling on such instruments is viewed less as a contractual remedy and more as a policy failure; one with reputational and systemic implications for the sovereign. As a result, protections that exist on paper are treated as last-resort options that few are willing to exercise.

    Structures that depend on remedies that cannot be realistically enforced are inherently fragile.

    If Africa is serious about scaling infrastructure delivery, the focus must shift from announcements to structure. In practice, bankability is built through a small number of deliberate technical choices.

    First, cash flows must be protected before guarantees are relied upon. Escrow arrangements, letters of credit, revenue trapping, and automatic payment waterfalls should absorb stress early, before sovereign or third-party support is triggered. Guarantees should act as backstops, not substitutes for payment discipline.

    Second, risk allocation must be explicit. Foreign exchange, demand, regulatory, and operational risks should sit with the parties best able to manage them, rather than being vaguely “shared.” Ambiguity may appear collaborative, but it increases uncertainty and raises the cost of capital.

    Third, base-case assumptions must be conservative by design. Debt sustainability should hold under downside scenarios. Upside volumes, future off-takers, or policy improvements should benefit equity, not be required for viability. If a project only works when everything goes right, it is not bankable.

    Fourth, governance must be automatic rather than discretionary. Step-in rights, cure periods, and enforcement triggers should operate by rule, not negotiation. Governance is not about formal structures; it is about execution certainty under stress.

    Fifth, project preparation must be treated as a capital discipline. Technical, legal, and commercial risks should be resolved before financing is pursued, not retrofitted during distress. Weak preparation cannot be corrected with better term sheets.

    Read Also: AfDB okays $3.9m to electrify homesin Nigeria, others

    Finally, local capital must be structurally integrated. Projects are more resilient when domestic institutional capital and blended-currency structures are embedded from the outset. This reduces foreign-exchange fragility and improves long-term durability.

    Africa does not lack infrastructure opportunities, and it does not lack demand. It also does not lack capital. What it lacks, consistently, are structures that align cash flows, risk allocation, governance, and enforcement in a way long-term capital can trust and defend.

    For project sponsors, this means investing more discipline upstream before financing is pursued, and resisting the temptation to push unmanageable risks down to the project level.

    For policymakers, it means recognising that guarantees without credible enforcement mechanisms weaken bankability rather than strengthen it.

    For development institutions, it means treating project preparation not as ancillary support, but as a core investment function.

    Bankability is not a label applied at financial close. It is the outcome of deliberate technical choices made much earlier. Until those choices improve, Africa’s infrastructure challenge will remain less about funding, and more about structure.

    •Akinjo, an expert in investment banking writes from Lagos.

  • Keyede Heidel-Ajakaiye champions African animation through foundation

    Keyede Heidel-Ajakaiye champions African animation through foundation

    Keyede Heidel-Ajakaiye, a Nigerian raised Visual Artist based in Canada, is steadily carving a niche at the intersection of visual art, photography, and animation advocacy.

    She is using her foundation, The Colored Anime, to support young African animators and expand the continent’s storytelling footprint on the global stage.

    Keyede is a professional artist and photographer who studied at the Vancouver Institute of MediaArts, following earlier years of living and studying in Calgary. 

    She is also an abstract expressionist painter, working with diverse media to translate inner imagination into vivid forms and colours. 

    Her multidisciplinary approach, shaped by a deep love for music, dance and the tranquillity of nature, continues to inform both her personal practice and her philanthropic vision.

    “I’ve always enjoyed art in general and I’ve always been interested in art forms and animation,” she said in a recent media chat. 

    “Music, movement and nature bring a sense of peace that reflects in how I approach my creations.”

    Her professional creative business dates back to 2021, while The Colored Anime Foundation was established in 2024. 

    Though relatively young, the foundation has already made a notable impact within the African animation ecosystem, most prominently through its partnership with the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), where it sponsors the animation category for the second consecutive year.

    Keyede explained, “For me, it still goes back to what my basis is for starting the foundation in the first place. 

    “I see a lot of animation globally, but I didn’t necessarily see a lot of Africans doing it. 

    “When I looked closer, I realised there are Africans,  and specifically Nigerians, who are interested in animation. What they need is support and encouragement.”

    Through AFRIFF, The Colored Anime provides not only cash prizes but also skills development opportunities for award winners, a combination Keyede believes is crucial to nurturing sustainable creative careers.

    She said, “I just wanted to see if I could come in and give a little bit of support and encouragement in my own little way.”

    At the heart of her advocacy is a strong belief in the untapped potential of African storytelling. 

    According to her, animation offers a powerful medium for translating indigenous narratives into formats that resonate across generations.

    “I feel like African storytelling is a space that hasn’t really been tapped into,” she noted. “If you look at the Japanese style of anime or how other cultures animate their stories, they draw deeply from their history. We have that depth of story from our ancestors, but we’ve never really zoomed into it.”

    She added that animation could bridge generational gaps. “Kids obviously like watching animation, and adults like it too. If the stories reflect who we are as Africans, it makes them more relatable and engaging.”

    On what distinguishes a promising animator, Keyede emphasised a balance between creativity and technical execution. 

    She said, “There are two definitive things I look out for: creativity and storytelling, and audio production. 

    “If you don’t have great audio, no matter how good your story is, it takes people out of it. And if the audio is great but the storytelling isn’t, it still won’t work.”

    Music, particularly Afrobeat, also plays a significant role in her creative philosophy. “Music conveys emotion,” she said. “Sometimes you don’t even need words. Movement and music can speak louder than actual conversations.”

    Looking ahead, she remains cautiously optimistic about the future of animation in Africa, noting that growth will require patience and sustained investment. 

    “It’s not going to happen overnight,” she said. “We need more effort and more resources for it to work.”

    On whether government or private investors should lead the charge, Keyede believes both have a role to play. 

    She said, “Either one works. They just have to see the potential and zoom out to understand where it can go. If they don’t, even if the creators are talented, it won’t thrive.”

    Technology, she added, will only be transformative if matched with genuine support for creators. 

    “No matter how much talent there is, if the resources and encouragement don’t get to the creator, it won’t pan out,” she said.

    Keyede has been involved with AFRIFF since 2024, making this her second year supporting the animation category. 

    While she leaves impact assessment largely to her management team, she draws encouragement from the enthusiasm surrounding the awards.

    She said, “When I see how excited people are that there is an actual category for animation, it makes me happy. It helps creatives feel seen and encouraged to keep going.” 

    Some of the past winners from the categories that Keyede has sponsored are Dami Solesi, the Creative Director of Smids Animation Studios, and Adeoye Adetunji of 2thpick Art, who won the awards for best animation in 2024 and 2025, respectively. 

    Her advice to emerging African creatives is rooted in adaptability and conviction. 

    She said: “Always be open to learning new techniques and striving to be better.

    “Be open-minded, but also know when to stand your ground.”

    As The Colored Anime continues to grow, Keyede Heidel-Ajakaiye’s vision remains clear: to help African stories find animated life and to ensure that young creatives receive the encouragement and tools they need to bring those stories to the world.

  • Africa loses $150b yearly to illicit trade

    Africa loses $150b yearly to illicit trade

    A staggering financial drain is threatening to derail Africa’s development as new data revealed that the continent is losing over a hundred billion dollars every year through fraudulent trade practices.

    A comprehensive report released by Global Financial Integrity (GFI) titled Trade-Related Illicit Financial Flows in Africa, 2013-2022 detailed a systematic “hemorrhage” of capital that has left the continent as a net creditor to the rest of the world.

    The findings suggested that the scale of these illicit financial flows (IFFs) is now so vast that it rivals the total amount of foreign aid and investment entering the continent combined.

    According to it, the crisis reached a new peak in 2022, when the total trade “value gap”—the discrepancy between what African countries report as exports and imports compared to what their global partners record—surged to an all-time high of $152.9 billion.

    The figure, it noted, represented a sharp escalation from previous years and highlights a structural failure in the global trade system.

    Read Also: Food for thought for African Democratic Congress (ADC)

    According to the report, “no country in the region appears to have made much progress in limiting trade value gaps during the period,” indicating that the problem is becoming more entrenched despite international promises to curb corruption.

    At the heart of the financial drain, it explained, is “trade misinvoicing,” a practice where companies and individuals deliberately under- or over-state the value of goods on invoices to move money across borders illegally. This tactic is used to evade taxes, launder money, or bypass capital controls. The report noted that high-value commodities such as oil, gold, and diamonds are particularly vulnerable because of “the opacity in pricing and power imbalances between African exporters and the multinational buyers”.

    The $88.6 billion estimated to leave the continent annually is roughly equivalent to Africa’s entire collective health budget. The report argued that “tackling IFFs is a matter of survival for Africa’s development” because every dollar siphoned out of the economy is a dollar that cannot be used for public services.

    Data from UNCTAD cited in the study showed that African nations plagued by high illicit flows spend, on average, 25 per cent less on health and a shocking 58 per cent  less on education than their peers.

  • Five strongest currencies in Africa as of January 2026

    Five strongest currencies in Africa as of January 2026

    The strongest currencies in Africa in 2026 are more than just numbers on a chart, they reflect stable economies, sound monetary policies, and growing investor confidence.

    Several African countries have maintained strong currencies against the U.S. dollar, reflecting various degrees of fiscal discipline, monetary policy effectiveness, and economic structure.

    Currency strength remains a vital indicator of a country’s economic stability and overall financial health.

    According to the Forbes currency calculator, the following are the five strongest African currencies as of January 2026 against the US Dollar.

    1. Tunisia – Tunisian Dinar (TND)

    Exchange Rate: 2.86 TND per USD
    Tunisia continues to lead as the African country with the strongest currency. The Tunisian Dinar’s strength is largely supported by strict exchange control measures and inflation management, even amid ongoing political and economic challenges.

    2. Libya – Libyan Dinar (LYD)

    Exchange Rate: 6.31 LYD per USD
    Despite years of political unrest, the Libyan Dinar remains notably strong. This resilience is primarily due to Libya’s abundant oil reserves, which generate substantial foreign exchange revenue.

    3. Morocco – Moroccan Dirham (MAD)

    Exchange Rate: 9.01 MAD per USD
    The Moroccan Dirham benefits from the country’s stable macroeconomic policies, economic diversification, and prudent monetary governance. Morocco’s growing appeal to foreign investors, especially in the renewable energy sector, also bolsters its currency.

    Read Also: FG approves ₦1 trillion metro rail service for Kano

    4. Ghana – Ghanaian Cedi (GHS)

    Exchange Rate: 10.84 GHS per USD
    While the Ghanaian Cedi has experienced volatility, recent economic reforms and support from the IMF have introduced a measure of stability. Government initiatives to rein in inflation and manage public debt are beginning to yield positive outcomes.

    5. Botswana – Botswana Pula (BWP)

    Exchange Rate: 13.05 BWP per USD
    The Botswana Pula stands out as one of the strongest currencies in Sub-Saharan Africa. Sound governance, effective fiscal policies, and a balanced reliance on diamond exports have helped maintain its strength.

  • Nigeria, Africa set sights on borderless digital economy ahead of RACE 2026

    Nigeria, Africa set sights on borderless digital economy ahead of RACE 2026

    …Conference to drive regulatory alignment, digital trust, cross-border innovation 

    … Event to support AfCFTA goals, financial inclusion, secure continent-wide digital trade

    Nigeria is set to host a major continental policy and technology engagement in 2026 as organisers of the RegTech Africa Conference and Expo (RACE 2026) unveiled details of the event at a media parley held at the State House, Abuja, on Thursday.

    The conference, which will be held under the patronage of the Office of the Vice President, between 20th and 22nd of May, 2026, is being organised in partnership with the Presidential Committee on Economic and Financial Inclusion and in collaboration with the Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA).

    Addressing journalists at a media parley in Abuja on Thursday, the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Mr. Cyril Okoroigwe, described RACE 2026 as Africa’s leading platform for dialogue at the intersection of regulation, technology and economic development, designed to address the regulatory and infrastructure gaps limiting cross-border trade, finance and digital innovation across the continent.

    He said the conference is anchored on the vision of “Africonomy”, which envisages Africa operating as a connected, trusted and innovation-driven economic space, aligned with the aspirations of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). 

    AfCFTA is projected to integrate a $3.4 trillion market of about 1.4 billion people across 54 countries.

    According to Okoroigwe, despite the promise of AfCFTA, fragmented regulations, weak interoperability and regulatory uncertainty continue to constrain cross-border trade, payments and digital services, resulting in significant opportunity costs for African economies.

    He explained that RACE 2026, themed “Building Trust, Infrastructure, Inclusion, and Policy for a Borderless Economy,” will focus on promoting regulatory innovation and policy alignment, encouraging the deployment of trusted digital infrastructure such as interoperable payment systems and digital identity frameworks, and advancing financial and digital inclusion for small businesses, startups, women, youth and underserved communities.

    The conference, he added, will also strengthen collaboration among regulators, governments, financial institutions, technology innovators and development partners, while showcasing African investment opportunities in compliance, fintech, cybersecurity and digital services.

    Organisers said Nigeria’s hosting of the conference further underscores the country’s growing role as a continental hub for policy dialogue, financial innovation and digital economic leadership, while supporting Africa’s broader journey toward integrated digital markets, improved investment confidence and inclusive economic growth.

    Read Also: APC, Accord, ADC, and permutations ahead of Osun 2026 race

    Also speaking at the media parley, through virtual means, the Acting Principal Officer, Legal and Law Enforcement at the GIABA Secretariat, Ms. Gina Wood, said the conference and its associated policy dialogue come at a critical moment for West Africa as countries prepare for the third round of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Financing of Terrorism evaluations.

    She noted that findings from GIABA’s second round of mutual evaluations highlighted the need for countries to move beyond technical compliance to effectiveness, stressing stronger coordination, improved risk understanding, modern supervisory approaches and the use of technology to safeguard the integrity of financial systems.

    Wood commended the Federal Government of Nigeria for supporting the RegTech Africa initiative, saying sustainable reforms require strong political commitment and deeper collaboration between the public and private sectors, including regulators, financial institutions, fintech innovators and telecommunications operators.

    She reaffirmed GIABA’s commitment to supporting member states through capacity building, technical assistance, policy guidance and regional cooperation, describing RACE 2026 as a timely platform to advance a trusted, inclusive and future-ready regulatory and compliance framework across West Africa and the continent.

    Organisers said the media parley marked the official curtain-raiser for the 2026 conference, calling on the media to play a critical role in shaping public understanding of how regulation, innovation and technology can work together to unlock Africa’s ambition for a secure, inclusive and borderless digital economy.

  • FULL LIST: Africa’s top 10 biggest streamers in 2026

    FULL LIST: Africa’s top 10 biggest streamers in 2026

    Africa’s digital ecosystem has witnessed a dramatic transformation within a matter of days, as live streaming evolved from a fringe pastime into a fast-growing, multi-million-dollar industry. What was once dominated by a small circle of gaming enthusiasts in South Africa has been reshaped by a surge from West Africa, triggered by the arrival and influence of global streaming stars in Lagos and Accra.

    The growing attention of international figures such as Kai Cenat and IShowSpeed sparked intense local engagement, accelerating the rise of African streamers from social media personalities to full-scale broadcasters commanding large, loyal audiences across the continent.

    To reflect the industry’s realities in 2026, the ranking of Africa’s top streamers is anchored on combined followership across Twitch and Kick. This approach captures the continent’s evolving streaming patterns, as creators in West and Southern Africa continue to dominate Twitch, while leading North African streamers increasingly leverage Kick’s creator-friendly incentives.

    By consolidating audiences across both platforms, the metric provides a clearer measure of genuine influence, prioritising committed viewership over fleeting social media visibility and offering a more accurate snapshot of Africa’s elite streaming landscape.

    Here are the Biggest African Streamers in 2026:

    1. Ilyas El Maliki (Morocco) – 847,000+ followers

    Primary Platform: KICK (@ilyaselmaliki)

    Morocco’s Ilyas El Maliki has emerged as Africa’s most dominant streamer, commanding the largest audience on Kick. He drew global attention after peaking at over 500,000 concurrent viewers during his commentary at the King’s World Cup Nations. Known for his unfiltered delivery in Moroccan Darija, El Maliki built his following through reaction-based content and entertainment-driven gameplay, notably GTA V. He covered the King’s World Cup as chairman of Morocco’s national team, which reached the semi-finals, rather than as a neutral commentator. Backed by a massive and unified North African audience, El Maliki is widely regarded as Africa’s biggest streamer in 2026.

    2. Carter Efe (Nigeria) – 560,000+ followers

    Primary Platform: Twitch (@carterefe)

    Nigerian comedian-turned-streamer Carter Efe, born Oderhowho Joseph Efe, has successfully converted his “Machala” music fame into a formidable streaming career. His Twitch channel blends street-pop culture, celebrity interviews, and interactive variety content, earning him the title of the most-followed Africa-based creator on the platform. His profile surged in late 2025 after a record-breaking livestream with Davido delivered 139,000 new followers in one night. Hosting top Nigerian and international stars, Carter has positioned his channel as a bridge between Afrobeats and the global streaming scene, cementing his place among Africa’s elite creators.

    3. Shank Comics (Nigeria) – 258,000+ followers

    Primary Platform: Twitch (@shankcomics)

    Shank Comics, whose real name is Adesokan Adedeji Emmanuel, remains a trailblazer in Nigeria’s streaming space. He was the first Nigerian to surpass 100,000 followers on Twitch, a feat that redefined local possibilities. His rise gained international momentum in May 2025 when he attended Kai Cenat’s “Streamer University” in the United States as its first international participant. A $10,000 prize from MrBeast further boosted his profile, triggering a rapid surge in followers. With a focus on “Just Chatting” and variety content, Shank retains a strong legacy and cultural relevance.

    4. Enzo (Nigeria) – 204,000+ followers

    Primary Platform: Twitch (@rynenzo)

    Enzo, popularly known as Rynenzo, has built his platform on consistency and organic growth. From just 200 followers in 2023, he grew his Twitch community to over 200,000 by 2026 through a focus on pure gaming content. His discipline earned him a place at Kai Cenat’s “Streamer University” in 2025, while a landmark livestream with global music star Rema elevated his profile. Enzo is widely respected for technical excellence and long-term community building.

    5. Peller (Nigeria) – 183,000+ followers

    Primary Platform: KICK (@Peller)

    Habeeb Hamzat Adelaja, known as Peller, is one of the standout beneficiaries of Kick’s expansion in West Africa. As Nigeria’s first official Kick brand ambassador, the 20-year-old bypassed traditional platforms to amass a large following on Kick, complemented by a growing Twitch audience. His visibility spiked in early 2026 after a widely discussed snub during IShowSpeed’s Lagos visit, which galvanised his fan base and underscored his growing influence.

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    6. Rachel Kay (South Africa) – 144,000+ followers

    Primary Platform: Twitch (@RachelKay)

    Cape Town-based Rachel Kay is Africa’s most-followed female streamer as of January 2026. Born in Miami to South African parents, she returned home as a teenager and has since become a pillar of the country’s streaming community. Known for high-production gameplay, particularly in RPG and survival titles, Rachel commands a premium global audience and is frequently cited by international brands as a benchmark for African creators.

    7. Ojo (Nigeria) – 66,000+ followers

    Primary Platform: Twitch (@ojo_isAboy)

    Ojo has carved a niche through matchmaking and community-focused content. Although his follower count is modest, his live viewership often rivals that of much larger channels. A regular collaborator within West Africa’s streaming boom, Ojo’s influence lies in engagement and consistency rather than raw numbers.

    8. Salma Hassan (Egypt) – 64,000+ followers

    Primary Platform: Twitch (@The_Salma)

    Alexandria-based Salma Hassan, known online as The_Salma, is a major force in Egypt’s gaming scene and a member of “The 1 Team.” Renowned for her energetic morning streams and relatable style, she has built a loyal MENA audience. Logging over 300 hours of airtime in a single month, Salma stands out for discipline, consistency, and strong local appeal.

    9. Lord Lamba (Nigeria) – 39,000+ followers

    Primary Platform: Twitch (@lordlambaa)

    Promise Kelvin Anagbogu, popularly called Lord Lamba, reflects the challenges of transitioning from viral skit-making to full-time streaming. Now based in the United States, he has sought to migrate his large social media following to Twitch through banter-driven “Just Chatting” sessions. His experience highlights the difficulties creators face when operating outside the local ecosystems that fuelled their initial growth.

    10. AliasV (South Africa) – 34,000+ followers

    Primary Platform: Twitch (@AliasV)

    AliasV, whose real name is Eilidh Lonie, completes the top 10 as Africa’s leading professional shoutcaster. Beginning her journey in Johannesburg, she rose to global recognition after being recruited by Wizards of the Coast to host major Magic: The Gathering tournaments. Today, she combines high-level strategic insight with professional commentary, earning respect across the international esports and streaming community.

  • Africa’s creative economy gets on global stage

    Africa’s creative economy gets on global stage

    Afrovision X 2026, a landmark global festival produced by Grandieu Inc., celebrating African and Caribbean creativity, will hold between June 1 and June 30, across Toronto, Brampton, and Mississauga, Canada. The month-long festival will culminate in a prestigious Afrovision X Awards Gala, recognising individuals, institutions, brands, and organisations supporting and advancing the fast-growing global creative sector. As international preparations intensify, Nigeria officially commences its activation phase this month, led by Nigerian partners Inspiro Productions.

    Afrovision X 2026 is a multi-disciplinary cultural and economic platform spanning fashion, film, music, theatre, visual arts, culture, and creative exchange, designed to position Africa’s creative economy prominently on the global stage. The festival will convene creatives, designers, musicians, filmmakers, artists, cultural institutions, governments, investors, brands, and diaspora communities from across Africa, the Caribbean, and the world. As a recognised powerhouse of global African creativity, Nigeria is expected to play a central and leading role, with the festival coinciding with the global World Cup period, further amplifying international visibility.

    The Nigerian activation will focus on strategic mobilisation and partnerships ahead of the Canada showcase, including stakeholder engagements with government and private sector institutions, sponsorship and partnership drives, creative community mobilisation across multiple disciplines, a Lagos-based international press conference, and the release of official participation guidelines for creatives, designers, filmmakers, musicians, performers, and exhibitors.

    Speaking on the vision behind the festival, Lead Convener of Afrovision X 2026 David Bebiem stated that the initiative is committed to showcasing African and Caribbean creativity at world-class levels, adding that Nigeria is not just participating but leading, while also recognising the individuals and institutions shaping the sector’s growth. On local coordination, CEO Inspiro Productions, Ayoola Sadare described Afrovision X 2026 as a global marketplace for Nigerian creativity, noting that brands, creators, governments, and institutions are being mobilised to fully leverage the opportunity.

    The AFROVISION X 2026 programme opens on June 1, 2026, with a spectacular opening ceremony in one of the GTA cities, featuring a red-carpet “Journey Through Africa” immersive cultural showcase, live music and dance performances, capsule fashion previews, film trailers, curated art presentations, the premiere of the AFROVISION X Anthem, and a grand fireworks and light display.

    Read Also: FULL LIST: Nine African cities with highest purchasing power

    Fashion Week follows from June 3 to 7, showcasing runway presentations by leading and emerging African and Caribbean designers, panel discussions on “African Fashion on the Global Stage,” and a style marketplace featuring global and local brands. The Film Festival, scheduled for June 9 to 14, will spotlight Nollywood, Caribbean, and diaspora film premieres, socially impactful documentaries, industry roundtables on distribution and co-production, and spotlight sessions with renowned directors and actors.

    From June 16 to 20, Arts, Theatre, and Performing Arts take centre stage with theatre productions by celebrated playwrights, cultural storytelling nights, dance theatre, industry panels on the future of African theatre, emerging performers showcases, visual art exhibitions, workshops, and community engagements. World Music Week, running from June 21 to 27 and aligned with World Music Day, will feature major Afrobeat, Reggae, Soca, and fusion concerts, a Night of Legends tribute honouring African and Caribbean pioneers, music industry masterclasses, intimate unplugged sessions, and a vibrant World Music Day parade through Toronto streets.

    The festival concludes on June 30, 2026, with the AFROVISION X Awards Gala, celebrating excellence across fashion, music, film, theatre, and the arts, while formally recognising patrons, sponsors, and supporters of the creative industry. The closing night will feature celebrity performances, sponsor recognition, fireworks, and a cultural after-party.

  • Top six African countries with easy tax systems for business starters

    Top six African countries with easy tax systems for business starters

    Starting a business in Africa is full of opportunities—but it also comes with challenges. Entrepreneurs often face complex regulations, heavy compliance requirements, and high tax burdens that can hinder growth. For business starters, choosing a country with a simple, transparent, and business-friendly tax system can be a game-changer, allowing them to focus on scaling operations rather than navigating bureaucracy.

    From low corporate taxes to clear filing procedures and investment incentives, some African countries stand out for making it easier for startups to thrive.

    Here are the top six African nations with easy tax systems for new business owners:

    1. Mauritius

    Mauritius is widely recognized as one of Africa’s most business-friendly destinations. The country offers a flat 15% corporate tax rate, which can be further reduced through investment incentives. Entrepreneurs benefit from straightforward compliance procedures, robust financial infrastructure, and government support for technology-driven enterprises and foreign investment. These features make Mauritius an ideal choice for startups and small businesses looking to operate efficiently.

    2. Rwanda

    Rwanda has rapidly transformed into a hotspot for entrepreneurship in East Africa. The country boasts simplified tax filing systems, low corporate taxes, and minimal bureaucracy, allowing business registration to be completed in just a few days online. Startups also enjoy targeted tax incentives in sectors like ICT, renewable energy, and manufacturing, creating a fertile environment for innovation and investment.

    3. Botswana

    Botswana is known for its stable economy and predictable tax regime, making it appealing for first-time business owners. Corporate taxes are relatively low, and compliance is straightforward with clear reporting guidelines. The government also provides incentives for small businesses in key sectors such as tourism, agriculture, and technology, helping entrepreneurs establish and grow their ventures with confidence.

    4. South Africa

    South Africa offers a well-structured tax system combined with strong infrastructure, making it a top choice for startups in the region. While corporate taxes are higher than in some African countries, the system is transparent, and the government offers tax relief programs for SMEs. Additional incentives for innovation, research and development, and job creation further support new businesses looking to expand quickly.

    5. Kenya

    Kenya has emerged as a regional hub for business and technology in East Africa. The country provides simplified corporate tax compliance and online e-filing systems, reducing the paperwork burden for startups. Entrepreneurs in tech, manufacturing, and export-oriented industries can benefit from various incentives, helping new businesses establish a strong foundation and scale operations efficiently.

    6. Ghana

    Ghana combines a stable tax framework with startup-friendly incentives, particularly in agriculture, technology, and export-driven sectors. Corporate tax rates are moderate, and the government has streamlined business registration and tax filing processes. Startups may also qualify for tax holidays and sector-specific exemptions, enabling them to reinvest profits and grow sustainably.

  • Africa’s democratic challenge

    Africa’s democratic challenge

    By Mike Kebonkwu

    History is repeating itself in the self-same manner as it happened in post-independence Africa in the 1960s.  While we were yet basking in the euphoria of freedom and liberation from colonial dominion, some young idealistic military officers zeroed their weapons and sacked the newly elected governments for massive corruption and diversion of state resources for personal aggrandizement.

    Regrettably, the latter day saints’ military interventionists became as corrupt and inept as the politicians that they sacked. With the aggressive campaign of pro-democracy movements of the late 1970s and early 1980s, civilian governments were restored in most African countries.  The politicians soon lost the lessons learnt during the military interregnum and continued with business as usual engaging in all manners of anti-democratic practices while corruption became almost an official policy. 

    Democracy has become severely strained in most African countries with manipulative governments that do not want to relinquish power voluntarily.  Ballots are routinely rigged to maintain their hegemony and hold on power. Democracy is at a cross road and the people have lost faith in our leaders who are professional politicians without democratic credentials lacking in integrity and fidelity.  Elections have become mere rituals and brazenly rigged with official seal. 

    There is mass poverty, unemployment, collapsed infrastructures and insecurity. The economic, social and political situations in our countries are intolerably unbearable due to poor governance. The politicians recruit thugs and hooligans to maintain their hold in the political space.  The political class has constituted itself into a cartel that mocks the poverty of the masses by their ostentatious lifestyles, amassing obscene wealth while citizens have become beasts of burden. 

    In the West African sub region alone, about four countries are under effective military dictatorship; Mali, Niger Republic, Burkina Faso, while the republic of Chad is wearing  a façade of democracy.  In other parts of Africa, Gabon, Sudan and Madagascar are under military regimes.    Recently, there was rumour of coup plot discussed in hush and whispers in Nigeria that some military officers are being detained and investigated. Just a fortnight ago, some military officers attempted to forcefully take over government in Benin Republic which was foiled with the support and assistance from the Nigerian Air Force that scrambled its jet to dislodge the coup plotters who had already taken over the air waves and occupied the radio house. 

    Elections are gradually becoming mere rituals to validate the power of incumbency.  There is mass rigging, disenfranchisement of people and other anti-democratic practices. There are no longer institutional checks and balances; the legislatures and the judiciary have become appendages of the executive.  The sub-regional bodies of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and African Union (AU) routinely condemn undemocratic change of government and are quick to suspend the countries under military regimes and impose economic sanctions.  However, they ignore the root cause of the failure of good governance and abuses giving rise to coup d’état.  The reason why officials of ECOWAS and AU do not condemn the anti-democratic practices of governments is because they are also appointed by these unpopular governments as political compensation and patronage by the same corrupt regimes at home. 

    Political leaders elected under democratic government are not behaving in any way better than military dictatorships. These are civilian governments that have also used the coercive power of the state, the police and the security forces to oppress the people. 

    Military coup d’état is not the threat to democracy but the dictatorial tendencies of elected governments and abuse of power by politicians.  We are sadly at the nadir of democracy in Africa without any renaissance in focus because we dig in to defend the cartel that has taken over the political space for tribal and religious reasons.  Now our political leaders are signing out our independence to global powers for loans and defence contracts for short term gains without interrogating the consequences on the long run. The suspension of countries under military dictatorship from the regional umbrella body of ECOWAS has led to the formation of the association of the Sahel States and they are mostly former French colonies.  If the trend continues, we will soon find out that there would be self-dissolution of the regional bodies as there will be no membership left due to erosion of democratic tenets by our politicians.

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    History teaches us that those who fail to learn from history will become victim of circumstances of the same history.   On intervention to restore elected government through military intervention, we have to be careful also not to erode the principle of meddling on the internal affairs of sovereign nations.  In particular, Nigeria as a sub-regional power should be very reflective on its posturing to protect democracy through the application of the use of force in the sub region.  We must be careful at the risk of the backlash of such actions because our situation is not very different from those countries that we are rising up to defend. We should first deal with those issues that make people to rise up against elected government.  The rule of law must be seen to be observed and the electoral processes must work and the votes of the people must count.  We must resist violent change of government by the way we play politics of exclusion. 

    Elected or appointed officials should not become emperors themselves.   The wealth of the nation must trickle down.  Africa is very rich and the people remain amongst the poorest in the world by every index of global institutional rankings. The problem of underdevelopment in Africa is crises of leadership and erosion of democratic values. Democracy and rule of law are inseparable phenomena and one reinforces the other.  The threat to democracy is abuse of power by elected government, and military coup is only the consequence.

    •Kebonkwu Esq is an Abuja-based attorney. He writes via mikekebonkwu@yahoo.com