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Tag: Africa

  • Africa agriculture forum to hold in Abuja

    Africa agriculture forum to hold in Abuja

    The Africa Agriculture Dialogue 2025 is set to take place on October 7 and 8 at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Nigeria.

    It aims to spotlight Africa’s agricultural priorities and elevate the continent’s voice on the global stage, serving as a precursor to the prestigious World Food Prize that will hold in the United States.

    Senior Special Assistant to the President on Livestock Development, Idris Ajimobi, emphasised that the Federal Government is intensifying its efforts to transform Nigeria’s livestock sector—a critical pillar for food security, employment generation, and economic diversification. These efforts, he said, are being spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD).

    A cornerstone of this transformation, he noted, is the recent launch of the National Livestock Master Plan (N-LMP), a five-year strategic investment framework. Developed in collaboration with the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) and international partners, the plan seeks to attract public and private investments into key livestock value chains, including cattle, poultry, and small ruminants.

    According to Ajimobi, it also outlines targeted interventions in animal breeding, health services, and market access.

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    He noted that the government is actively promoting the development of ranches and integrated crop-livestock settlements as part of efforts to move away from traditional nomadic grazing.

    “This transition to sedentary farming systems is not just about improving productivity,” he said, “it is also a deliberate strategy to reduce conflict over grazing land.”

    To improve the safety and traceability of livestock products, Ajimobi revealed that the ministry is implementing a national mass animal tagging programme, aiming to identify and track millions of animals across the country. ‘This, along with enhanced veterinary services and the control of transboundary pests, is expected to significantly improve animal health standards and help Nigeria meet international export requirements.”

    In addition, he highlighted the government’s focus on reducing poverty and creating jobs—particularly for youth and women—through targeted training and support programmes.

    Nigeria’s hosting of the Africa Agriculture Dialogue, he explained, would be a recognition of the “profound steps” taken by the current administration to revamp the agricultural sector from a policy standpoint.

    Embedded Adviser on Agriculture at the African Development Bank (AfDB), Richard Mbaram, also praised the government’s commitment to agricultural transformation under President Bola Tinubu.  Mbaram said the administration has “moved beyond rhetoric” and is now executing “ambitious programmes and policies with the potential to fundamentally transform our agricultural landscape.”

    According to Mbaram, the government’s declaration of a state of emergency on food security marked a turning point in the nation’s agricultural history. “The declaration was not just a symbolic gesture,” he said. “It was a clear signal that the government views a secure food system as essential to national stability. They are not merely scratching the surface; they are building a new foundation from the ground up.”

  • The quiet tech upgrade helping Africa stay polio-free

    The quiet tech upgrade helping Africa stay polio-free

    When people think about the fight against polio, they picture vaccination teams crossing rivers to reach remote villages or laboratories racing to confirm a suspected case. What they rarely picture is the reporting infrastructure that proves those efforts are working.

    Yet in the WHO African Region, home to 46 countries and more than 1.2 billion people, the ability to document, review, and validate polio programme performance has become a frontline requirement. Since global eradication efforts began in 1988, polio cases have fallen by over 99 percent, but the job is not finished. In just the past two years, hundreds of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) cases have been reported across Africa, demanding faster detection, tighter surveillance, and stronger accountability.

    That pressure has turned reporting systems into mission-critical infrastructure.

    In response, WHO Africa quietly replaced decades of email-based reporting with a digital platform now handling more than 165 annual polio programme reports across 47 countries compressing reporting cycles from weeks into days and giving regional teams near-real-time visibility into programme performance. The system is known as the Electronic Annual Reporting Tool (EAUR).

    After Victory Comes Vigilance

    Africa’s certification as free of wild poliovirus in 2020 was a historic moment. But eradication did not mean the programme could slow down. Vaccine-derived poliovirus outbreaks which occur when immunization coverage drops and weakened vaccine strains circulate have become the primary threat. For children under five, the risk remains the same: paralysis, lifelong disability, or death.

    Stopping those outbreaks depends on strong surveillance systems  and on the ability to continuously assess and improve those systems. Annual programme reports are not just paperwork; they are accountability tools that inform outbreak preparedness, funding decisions, and certification oversight.

    Until recently, however, the reporting process itself was one of the slowest parts of the system.

    The Hidden Bottleneck

    Before EAUR, annual polio programme reporting relied almost entirely on Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and email exchanges. Countries submitted files, reviewers sent comments back as attachments, and multiple versions of the same report circulated at once.

    According to WHO AFRO’s internal review, this process typically took three to six weeks from submission to approval. Feedback loops were fragmented, version control was inconsistent, and retrieving past reports often meant digging through inboxes. In a programme that must react quickly to new outbreak signals, that lag reduced regional visibility at a critical time.

    As polio shifted from emergency response to sustained vigilance, those delays became increasingly risky. Surveillance quality, outbreak preparedness, and immunization coverage must now be assessed continuously not months after the fact.

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    Turning Reporting Into a Workflow

    EAUR transformed that process into a structured digital workflow. Countries now submit reports through a secure web platform, complete standardized sections online, and upload supporting evidence directly. WHO AFRO reviewers access submissions instantly, leave comments within the system, and track revisions through automated version control. Once approved, reports are locked and converted into official PDFs with a single click.

    What once existed as a loose chain of email attachments is now a transparent, traceable reporting system.

    Since rollout, 46 reports have already reached full approval status, 31 more have completed regional review, and all submissions are archived in a centralized repository accessible across the region. Instead of scattered documents, WHO AFRO now has a living digital record of programme performance.

    The platform was designed and developed by David Oviaesu of WHO AFRO’s Data and Information Management Unit, who translated years of operational reporting bottlenecks into a scalable digital platform. Under his technical leadership, EAUR moved from concept to continent-wide adoption in months, supporting 165 real programme reports, onboarding all 46 Member States, and maintaining 99.8 percent system uptime. By treating reporting as infrastructure rather than paperwork, he helped turn a chronic administrative bottleneck into a real-time governance tool for polio eradication.

    Faster Cycles, Fewer Errors

    The operational gains have been dramatic.

    Since EAUR’s rollout, report turnaround times have dropped from 3–6 weeks to just 3–5 days  an 85 percent reduction. Submission accuracy has increased from roughly 70 percent to 97 percent, thanks to built-in validation rules that catch inconsistencies early. Duplicate versions have been eliminated, replaced by a single authoritative submission. Reviewer feedback cycles have shortened from up to ten days to less than two. And for the first time, all reports are centrally accessible across the region.

    These improvements do more than save time. They shorten the distance between national reporting and regional decision-making, allowing faster identification of risks and gaps.

    Built as Infrastructure, Not a Pilot

    EAUR was engineered as long-term digital infrastructure, not a short-term fix. Built on a modern web framework with a secure database backend, it includes role-based access controls, automated version tracking, multilingual interfaces, and cloud-ready deployment. It was designed to perform reliably even in low-bandwidth environments, maintaining 99.8 percent uptime during early operations.

    That reliability is crucial in a region where digital connectivity varies widely but reporting responsibilities remain constant.

    Continental Adoption

    Digital health tools often struggle to scale beyond pilot projects. EAUR moved quickly. Within months of launch, all 46 WHO AFRO Member States were onboarded, and hundreds of annual reports now move through the platform each cycle. Pilot evaluations showed strong acceptance, with most users reporting that the platform made reporting clearer, faster, and easier.

    Structured training and focal-point support helped ensure adoption across both English- and French-speaking countries, turning a technical transition into a workflow improvement.

    Why This Matters

    Polio eradication today depends less on emergency campaigns and more on sustained system performance. Surveillance quality, outbreak readiness, and immunization coverage must be continuously monitored and documented. Certification bodies and global partners rely on trustworthy data to verify that progress is being maintained.

    By making reporting faster, more accurate, and more transparent, EAUR strengthens that trust. It improves accountability, comparability, and institutional memory the governance pillars needed to keep Africa polio-free.

    And its influence is spreading. EAUR’s architecture is already being adapted for other WHO AFRO digital platforms, positioning it as a blueprint for multi-country health reporting systems beyond polio.

    The Infrastructure You Never See

    Public health victories are often measured in lives saved and outbreaks prevented. Rarely do we talk about the systems that make those achievements credible.

    EAUR is one of those systems the quiet digital backbone that ensures Africa’s polio story is not only a success in the field, but a success in data, governance, and accountability.

    In the long tail of the polio endgame, that invisible infrastructure may prove to be one of the most important tools of all.

  • ‘Africa’s future threatened by bad governance, corruption, others’

    ‘Africa’s future threatened by bad governance, corruption, others’

    Scholars, diplomats, researchers, experts, among other stakeholders have said the future of Africa in global scheme of affairs is threatened by factors, including bad governance, corruption, poor education, among others.

    They said for the continent to maintain and achieve global relevance in future, there was need for effective leadership and good governance to drive Africa’s progress.

    The stakeholders spoke at a colloquium on the theme: ‘The Future of Africa’, and public presentation of books as part of events to mark the 80th birthday of a renowned scholar, diplomat and former Minister of Education, Emeritus Professor Tunde Adeniran.

    The event, held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan (UI), was attended by policy makers, top government functionaries, members of the diplomatic community, scholars, associates, students, friends and family members.

    Dignitaries at the event included the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, represented by the Vice Chancellor, UI, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, Ambassador (Emeritus Professor) Michael Omolewa, Prof. Rasheed Aderinoye, Prof. Ben Obi, Amb. Akinremi Bolaji, former Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Ola Makinde, ex-Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Prof. Eddy Olanipekun, Prof. Bola Akinterinwa, Dr. Yemi Farounbi, Taiwo Akeju, 1967 set of the University of Ibadan, among others.

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    Dr Alausa said the future of Africa was anchored on an education-led renaissance, noting that the continent’s progress depended on decisive actions in four key areas: curriculum revolution, investment in teacher quality, access to education and tertiary education as a driver of innovation.

    He said Africa’s education curricula must be redesigned to prioritise science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM), as well as critical thinking, digital literacy and entrepreneurship.

    These, he said, would enable the production of graduates, who were not just job seekers, but job creators.

    The minister stressed the importance of investing in teacher quality, warning that no education system could rise above the quality of its teachers.

    He said there was need to restore the dignity of teaching and make it a first-choice career for the best and brightest.

    Alausa hailed Adeniran for his contributions to education and development in Africa.

    He called on the gathering to translate the discussions into actionable policies that would shape the future of the continent

    In their views during the colloquium, speakers identified some of the challenges hindering the development of Africa to include leadership deficit, lack of productivity among youths, bad governance, poor educational curriculum, disconnect between the leaders and the led, among others.

    Former Edo State governor, Prof. Oserhwimen Osunbor, noted that with good leadership and governance, the challenges facing Nigeria and the African continent would be surmounted.

    Prof. Isaac Albert of the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Ibadan, said security challenges across the region, coupled with leadership deficit, had impacted negatively on the development of Africa.

    He said the future of Africa was largely compromised with global uncertainties, expressing worry that while scholars thought and brainstormed about future, politicians were mostly worried about elections.

    Former Acting VC, UI, Prof. Adebola Ekanola, advised leaders to diversify the country’s economy and focus on leveraging on the emerging technologies by empowering youths to make them become productive and active participants in the emerging economies.

    Prof. Hassan Saliu emphasised the need to address the disconnect between the leaders and the led, stressing that the people must see government as their own before they could support it, while Prof. Jerry Ugokwe stated the need to empower the judiciary, to create checks and balances and run democracy as it should.

    The colloquium was concluded with a call to action, urging African leaders and citizens to work together to build a brighter future for the continent.

    Prof. Adeniran expressed gratitude about the honour, saying the colloquium provided an opportunity to reflect, review and think about certain things that affected Africans and to plan for future.

    Earlier in a welcome address, Prof. Ayo Fadahunsi noted that the advantage of the African continent lied in its youth, who were hungry for solutions, emphasising that “Africa can transform its perceived disadvantage to into a powerful opportunity.”

    Highlight of the event was the public presentation of some of the books written by the celebrant.

  • Future of Africa threaten by bad governance, corruption, others, stakeholders warn

    Future of Africa threaten by bad governance, corruption, others, stakeholders warn

    Scholars, diplomats, researchers, and other stakeholders have cautioned that Africa’s future in global affairs is at risk due to bad governance, corruption, poor education, and related challenges.

    They stressed the urgent need for effective leadership and good governance to drive the continent’s progress and ensure its global relevance in the years ahead.

    The concerns were raised at a colloquium themed “The Future of Africa” and a public presentation of books held to mark the 80th birthday of renowned scholar, diplomat, and former Minister of Education, Emeritus Professor Tunde Adeniran.

    The event, which took place at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, was attended by policymakers, top government officials, members of the diplomatic community, academics, students, associates, friends, and family members.

    Dignitaries at the event include the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, who was represented by the Vice-Chancellor, UI, Professor Kayode Adebowale, Ambassador (Emeritus Professor) Michael Omolewa, Professor Rasheed Aderinoye, Professor (Senator) Ben Obi, Ambassador Akinremi Bolaji, former Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Ola Makinde, former Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Professor Eddy Olanipekun, Professor Bola Akinterinwa, Dr Yemi Farounbi, Hon Taiwo Akeju, and set of 1967 of the University of Ibadan among others.

    Setting the tone for the conversation, Dr Alausa emphasised that the future of Africa is anchored on an education-led renaissance, noting that the continent’s progress depends on decisive actions in four key areas: curriculum revolution, investment in teacher quality, access to education, and tertiary education as a driver of innovation.

    According to him, Africa’s education curricula must be redesigned to prioritize science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM), as well as critical thinking, digital literacy, and entrepreneurship.

    These, he said, will enable the production of graduates who are not just job seekers but job creators.

    The Minister also harped on the importance of investing in teacher quality, warning that no education system can rise above the quality of its teachers. He emphasized the need to restore the dignity of the teaching profession and make it a first-choice career for the best and brightest.

    Dr Alausa however expressed gratitude to Professor Adeniran for his contributions to education and development in Africa. He called on the gathering to translate the discussions into actionable policies that will shape the future of the continent.

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    In their separate views during the Colloquium, speakers identified some of the challenges hindering the development of the African continent to include leadership deficit, lack of productivity among youth, bad governance, poor educational curriculum and disconnect between the leaders and the led among others.

    Former Edo State Governor Professor (Senator) Oserhwimen Osunbor noted that with good leadership and governance, the current challenges facing Nigeria and the African continent will be surmounted.

    According to him, the future of Africa will depend on the choices African leaders make to engender inclusive and sustainable development.

    He identified corruption, foreign influences as impediments to Africa’ s growth and progress emphasizing that it’s future depends on how African leaders govern and respond to the thev challenges

    “With the increasingly worsening of governance today, the impunity, disregard for laws in the constitution and the desecration of the tenets of democracy, coupled with the level of despair, Nigeria risks being left behind by the rest of Africa and the world ” he warned

    On his part, Professor Isaac Albert of the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Ibadan, observed that security challenges across the region coupled with leadership deficit have impacted negatively on the development of Africa.

    He said the future of Africa is largely compromised with global uncertainties, expressing worry that while scholars think and brainstorm about future, politicians are mostly worried about elections, saying, “African development, Africa’s future depends on its ability to address multifaceted challenges and leverage its considerable assets and opportunities. The future of Africa is clearly compromised. We lack what is called political altruism. Our youths and the students we are teaching are not interested in any development. They are interested in what to get today,”

    Forner Acting VC, UI, Professor Adebola Ekanola advised leaders to diversify its economy and focus on leveraging on the emerging technologies by empowering its youths to make them become productive and active participants in the emerging economies, adding: “the future of Africa lies in our hands, both the leaders and general citizenship of Africa.”

    In their submissions, Professor Hasan Saliu emphasized the need to address the disconnect between the leaders and the led stressing that the people must see government as their own before they can support it while Professor Jerry Ugokwe stated the need to empower the judiciary to create checks and balances and run democracy as it should.

    He noted that the youth population can transform Africa, but that in the face of corruption, things may take a different form.

    The colloquium concluded with a call to action, urging African leaders and citizens to work together to build a brighter future for the continent.

    Reacting, the celebrant , Professor Adeniran expressed gratitude for the honor saying the colloquium provides an opportunity to reflect, review and think about certain things that affect Africans and to plan for the future

    He said, “One of the things that should be of concern to us now is our future, people talk about the good old days. It is not that God has withdrawn from us the natural and human resources he gave us , in fact, we are discovering more resources that are hidden under the ground in Africa and Nigeria in particular that were never discovered before, which means that our lives ought to be better and preparing for a better future than now.

    “But when you consider certain things happening, one is frightened, you begin to ask yourself, if things are like this and continue this way, what type of future do we have? This is a very important issue ” he stated

    Earlier in a welcome address, Professor Ayo Fadahunsi noted that the advantage of the African continent lies in it’s youth who are hungry for solutions emphasizing that “Africa can transform its perceived disadvantage to into a powerful opportunity “

    The highlight of the event is the public presentation of some of the books written by the celebrant.

  • Report flays attacks on land, environmental defenders across Africa

    Report flays attacks on land, environmental defenders across Africa

    Land and environmental defenders across Africa continue to face different forms of attack in a bid to shut down dissent, a new Global Witness report reveals.

    The report titled ‘Roots of Resistance’ highlights the number of killings and disappearances of land and environmental defenders globally in 2024. In total, Global Witness documented 146 cases worldwide last year, down from 196 in 2023. On average, this is around three defenders killed or disappeared each week.

    Global Witness documented nine defender killings across Africa in 2024: four in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), three in Liberia, one in Cameroon, and one in Madagascar.

    All four of those killed in DRC last year were working to protect Upemba National Park from exploitation. Two were park rangers working to prevent poaching and mining. Two other defenders, who were helping to track the movements of elephants within the park, were kidnapped and found dead days later.

    With 78 cases between 2012 and 2024, DRC ranks as the deadliest country in Africa, and eighth in the world*.

    The new figures bring the total number of defenders killed or disappeared in Africa since 2012 to at least 126 – with DRC accounting for almost two-thirds of these cases. Other cases have been documented in Kenya (6), Liberia (6), South Africa (6), Chad (5), Uganda (5) over the last 12 years, among several others.

    However, the report notes that these statistics are likely to be an underestimate, highlighting issues around data collection on lethal attacks across the region, with poor recognition of environmental and land rights, conflict, and restricted civil space all playing a role.

    Global Witness Senior Advisor Laura Furones said:

    “These already chilling figures are most likely a gross underestimate. The continued difficulty in building an evidence base on the situation faced by defenders in Africa has led to the under-reporting of attacks and the under-representation of defenders in this region.

    “Just because we are not recording as many cases in Africa, that does not mean it’s not dangerous for defenders. In fact, the opposite is true, with the severe repression of civic space leaving many defenders too scared to speak out in the first place.”

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    The new Global Witness report highlights the many other ways defenders are attacked and silenced beyond killings and disappearances – such as criminalisation – for protecting the planet and its resources they depend on from exploitation, with a focus on forest protection efforts.

    It highlights the case of the Ekuri community in Cross River State, south-eastern Nigeria, on the border of the Cross River National Park.

    Once hailed as a model for community-led conservation, Nigeria’s Ekuri community is now on the front lines of a battle to save its ancestral forest. Despite winning a UN prize for their pioneering efforts, the Indigenous Nkukorli Peoples have seen their sustainable forest management system undermined by government policies that have paved the way for illegal logging and expansion of corporate interests.

    As a result, community activists have been subjected to escalating threats, violence and criminalisation as they fight to protect their land and livelihoods.

    At the Nigeria Launch of the 2025 hosted by the Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI) in Lagos, Ekuri Initiative Chairman and Executive Director of Panacea for Developmental & Infrastructural Challenges for Africa Initiative (PADIC-Africa), Martins Egot said:

    “Like so many communities across the country, continent and the world, we have seen the devastating effects of rampant resource exploitation and corruption – and devastation of our land and environment – all in the name of profit.

    “We know how powerful community-led conservation can be in protecting forests, and the planet – we have seen it for ourselves. The international community must recognise the role we play. When communities like ours are empowered, they become the most effective guardians of the environment.”

    In January this year, environmental defender Odey Oyama was arrested by a team of over 40 police officers wearing masks and armed with guns. Along with four others, he was charged with promoting inter-communal war, which carries a penalty of life imprisonment.

    Executive Director of Rainforest Resource Development Center (RRDC), Odey Oyama, said:

    “My arrest was a clear attempt to silence me for standing up to corporate logging interests and official corruption. It’s a tactic used to intimidate those who oppose the destruction of our forests.

    “Defending our environment is a perilous job. You can easily be killed. I have just been lucky. It is vital that international bodies support forest defenders like me and hold accountable those who facilitate illegal logging.”

    Criminalisation of defenders is an issue across the African continent.

    In 2023, Global Witness published an investigation into abuses linked to East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) – a proposed $5 billion, almost 900-mile long pipeline that would run through both Uganda and Tanzania. There were at least 96 reported cases of people being detained or arrested for opposing the pipeline from December 2023 to August 2024.

  • Nigeria leads Africa in signing petroleum regulatory charter

    Nigeria leads Africa in signing petroleum regulatory charter

    Nigeria today spearheaded the signing of a charter to birth the African Petroleum Regulators Forum (AFRIPERF).

    It was a demonstration of the country’s leadership in Africa’s oil and gas sector.

    The landmark signing ceremony, chaired by the Commission Chief Executive (CCE) of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe, took place on Thursday, September 18, 2025, on the sidelines of the 31st edition of the Africa Oil Week (AOW) in Accra, Ghana.

    The event was gracefully attended by regulators from 16 African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Somalia, Gambia, Madagascar, Sudan, Guinea, and Togo.

    This was contained in a press statement the NUPRC Head, Media and Strategic Communications, Mr. Eniola Akinkuotu, issued.

    Others in attendance were: Kenya, Mauritania, Benin, Mozambique, Angola, Namibia, South Africa, Morocco.

    The Chairman of Nigeria’s Senate Committee on Upstream, Senator Etang Williams, was also present as an observer.

    At the ceremony, regulators from eight African countries formally endorsed the AFRIPERF Charter, while seven others present expressed support with a pledge to join at a future date after consultations.

    Those who signed the charter include: Nigeria, Ghana, Somalia, Gambia, Madagascar, Sudan, Guinea, and Togo.

    This historic milestone is the climax of the proposal first introduced by Engineer Komolafe last year when he championed the creation of AFRIPERF to strengthen petroleum governance across Africa.

    The Forum held its inaugural meeting in July 2024, followed by a second gathering in November 2024, setting the stage for Thursday’s breakthrough.

    Speaking at the signing ceremony, Engineer Komolafe, who doubles as the interim chairman of the forum, described the landmark 4th AFRIPERF

    Meeting and Charter Signing Ceremony as a decisive step towards building a harmonised and sustainable petroleum industry in Africa.

     The CCE said as the world navigates complex transitions toward cleaner, more sustainable energy systems, Africa must ensure that its vast hydrocarbon resources are managed with innovation, responsibility, and foresight.

    He said, “From our initial announcement at the 8th SAIPEC to our inauguration during the NOG 2024 event and the careful drafting of the AFRIPERF Charter, each milestone has brought us closer to this historic day.

    “By activating our Executive Committee, Technical Committee, and Secretariat, we are establishing the functional pillars that will drive AFRIPERF forward, ensuring that our shared vision is translated into measurable results with defined timelines and accountability.”

    The Executive Committee will serve as the principal oversight body guiding the implementation of AFRIPERF’s objectives, while its membership is for heads of Africa’s oil and gas regulatory bodies/agencies.

     The Technical Committee will be activated as needed based on thematic or sectoral priorities arising from the Executive Committee or broader membership, while its membership will be drawn from subject matter experts from member countries and partners to handle matters regarding specific regulatory areas and industry issues.

    The secretariat committee will comprise member countries, and nominations will be called for and presented to the executive committee for ratification.

    “AFRIPERF provides regulators with the mechanism to harmonise our policies, address shared challenges and ensure that our perspectives are not only heard but respected on the global stage,” the interim chairman added.

     The CCE commended the regulators and stakeholders for their technical contributions to the evolution of AFRIPERF.

    “I strongly recommend that we consider forging a strong partnership with Africa Oil Week (AOW) by aligning the AFRIPERF Annual General Meeting (AGM) with the dates and venue of AOW, as this will help boost attendance and engagement,” the interim chairman added.

    The AFRIPERF Charter defines both the mission and vision of the Forum. Its mission is “to enhance cooperation and collaboration among African petroleum regulators, to ensure a safe, efficient, rewarding, equitable, and sustainable petroleum industry.”

    The Forum is also designed with the bold vision “to be the premier platform for African petroleum regulators to share knowledge, best practices, and expertise, to attain regional excellence in petroleum regulation.”

    The purpose and principles of the forum, which is expected to be a game-changer, have clearly defined terms that will transform the continent’s oil and gas industry.

    Based on Chapter II, Article 3, the purpose of the Forum is to “Foster collaboration, cooperation and coordination among Member Regulators; Promote harmonization of petroleum regulations and standards to enhance effective sector governance, uphold safety protocols and safeguard environmental protection.

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    “Enhance regulatory capacity and capability through training, capacity building, and experience sharing; and facilitate dialogue with industry stakeholders and international organizations.”

     The forum also seeks to address regional petroleum regulatory challenges and leverage opportunities; facilitate knowledge sharing, technology transfer, and disseminate international best practices among Member Regulators.”

    In addition to these provisions, the Forum is designed to protect members’ interests at international levels, leveraging their collective strengths.

     It seeks to drive and promote investments in Africa’s petroleum activities, foster an environment of transparency and sound regulation and advance ethical practices in the exploitation of petroleum while also promoting opportunities in the petroleum sector, such as digitalisation, renewable integration, and emission reduction.

    Following the signing, AFRIPERF will call for nominations for the election of the Chairperson of AFRIPERF in accordance with Article 12 and also call for nominations of a Representative from each member Regulator in line with Article 10 and the designation of AFRIPERF Headquarters in line with Article 25.

  • Top 19 most powerful countries in Africa

    Top 19 most powerful countries in Africa

    Africa is home to some of the world’s fastest-growing and most influential nations. This Top 19 list of the most powerful countries in Africa celebrates the leadership, economic growth, political influence, alliances and military strength that continue to shape the continent’s future. A true reflection of Africa’s rising power on the global stage.

    19. SENEGAL 🇸🇳

    Senegal Senegal is the westernmost country in the mainland of the old world . Culturally influential (Music and Arts), they’re politically stable and a respected voice in west Africa diplomacy. The state was formed as part of the independence of French West Africa from French colonial rule . Because of this history, French is the official language, but it is understood by only a minority of the population. 

    18. ZAMBIA 🇿🇲 

    On 24 October 1964, Zambia became independent of the United Kingdom as a republic in the commonwealth and prime minister Kenneth Kaunda became the inaugural president It’s known for is stable democracy, copper Mining economy and a growing role in Southern Africa’s

    diplomacy . Zambia is a landlocked country in Southern Africa known for its rich wildlife, vast safari areas, and iconic Victoria Falls on the border with Zimbabwe. Its capital is Lusaka, the official language is English, and the currency is the Zambian Kwacha. The country is characterized by rugged terrain, abundant natural resources, and a diverse range of economic activities, including agriculture, mining, and tourism, though it also faces significant poverty and inequalit

    17. MALI 🇲🇱 

    Officially the republic of Mali . It is the eight largest country in Africa with an area of over 1,240,192 square kilometres (478,841 sq mi). It is geopolitically central im the Sahel with growing military significance despite instability . Mali, officially the Republic of Mali, is a landlocked country in West Africa and the eighth-largest on the continent, covering about 1.24 million square kilometres. It borders Algeria, Niger, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Guinea, and Senegal. The capital and largest city is Bamako. The country has a population of around 23 million people, nearly half of whom are under the age of 15. Mali recognizes 13 official languages, with Bambara being the most widely spoken. Geographically, northern Mali extends into the Sahara Desert, while the southern region home to most of the population lies in the fertile Sudanian savanna, crossed by the Niger and Senegal rivers.

    16. COTE D’VOIRE 🇨🇮

    Ivory Coast, also known as Côte d’Ivoire and officially the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, is a country on the southern coast of West Africa. It’s the West Africa’s economic driver in cocoa and finance ,with growing influence in ECOWAS . Côte d’Ivoire is a West African country with beach resorts, rainforests and a French-colonial legacy. Abidjan, on the Atlantic coast, is the country’s major urban center. Its modern landmarks include zigguratlike, concrete La Pyramide and St. Paul’s Cathedral, a swooping structure tethered to a massive cross. North of the central business district, Banco National Park is a rainforest preserve with hiking trails.

    15. CAMEROON 🇨🇲 

    It’s known for its strategic location in central Africa , natural resources and regional political  importance . Cameroon, on the Gulf of Guinea, is a Central African country of varied terrain and wildlife. Its inland capital, Yaoundé, and its biggest city, the seaport Douala, are transit points to ecotourism sites as well as beach resorts like Kribi – near the Chutes de la Lobé waterfalls, which plunge directly into the sea  and Limbe, where the Limbe Wildlife Centre houses rescued primates.

    14. TUNISIA 🇹🇳 

    Tunisia is known for its economic and cultural influence in North Africa , with strong relationships with Europe . 

    Tunisia is a country in North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea, Algeria, and Libya. Its capital and largest city is Tunis, and it is known for its ancient history, archaeological sites like Carthage, vibrant markets, and scenic beaches along the blue coast. The country features diverse landscapes, from the Atlas Mountains to the Sahara Desert.  

    13. TANZANIA 🇹🇿 

    Tanzania is a strong agriculture and tourism economy, political stability and rising role in east Africa affairs. 

    Tanzania is an East African country known for its vast wilderness areas. They include the plains of Serengeti National Park, a safari mecca populated by the “big five” game (elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino), and Kilimanjaro National Park, home to Africa’s highest mountain. Offshore lie the tropical islands of Zanzibar, with Arabic influences, and Mafia, with a marine park home to whale sharks and coral reefs.

    12. LIBYA 🇱🇾 

    It’s known for reserving oil , Mediterranean positions , and political importance , despite instability it still keeps it relevant. 

    Libya has been home to Berbers since the late Bronze Age, with influences from Phoenician, Greek, Carthaginian, Numidian, Persian, and Roman rule. It was an early Christian hub before the arrival of Islam in the 7th century, which led to significant Arab migration. Tripoli was briefly held by Spain and the Knights of St John before Ottoman control began in 1551. Libya later faced European conflicts like the Barbary Wars and eventually came under Italian rule after the 1911 Italo Turkish War, forming the colony of Italian Libya until 1943.

    11. RWANDA 🇷🇼 

    This is one of the nearest and cleanest country in Africa. It’s known as the land of a thousand hills, Rwanda’s stunning scenery and warm, friendly people offer unique experiences in one of the most remarkable places in Africa. It’s widely known for its strong leadership and fast growing, soft power through innovation ms and a reputation for stability and diplomacy

    Read Also: BREAKING: Nigeria beat Rwanda to keep World Cup hopes alive

    10. DR CONGO 🇨🇩

    The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is the second-largest country in Africa by land area, after Algeria. It covers approximately 2,344,858 square kilometers (905,355 square miles) it is resource rich with global importance IN cobalts and minerals gaining political leverage despite internal instability . 

    9. GHANA 🇬🇭 

    Ghana is a stable democratic country , had string diplomacy in ECOWAS, Cultural influence  , and an economy on the rise. 

    With 35 million inhabitants, Ghana is the second-most populous country in West Africa. The capital and largest city is Accra; other significant cities include Kumasi , Accra , Tamale , Sekondi-Takoradi,Capra coast , Tema ,Sunyani . 

    8. ANGOLA 🇦🇴 

    Angola is oil rich, rebuilding its infrastructure, rising in regional affairs , and expanding influence in Southern Africa . Angola is a Southern African nation whose varied terrain encompasses tropical Atlantic beaches, a labyrinthine system of rivers and Sub-Saharan desert that extends across the border into Namibia. The country’s colonial history is reflected in its Portuguese-influenced cuisine and its landmarks including Fortaleza de São Miguel, a fortress built by the Portuguese in 1576 to defend the capital, Luanda.

    7. KENYA 🇰🇪

    It’s the Wast Africa business hub , Tech leaders  (“SILICON SAVANNAH”) and major diplomatic, centre hosting  UN and AU missions . Kenya is most known for its spectacular wildlife safaris and diverse ecosystems, including the famous great wildebeest migration in Masai Mara alongside its stunning natural beauty with scenic landscapes, vast national parks, and a beautiful Indian Ocean coastline. The country also boasts a rich cultural heritage, a vibrant cultural scene, excellent coffee and tea, and a history as the “cradle of humankind”

    6. MOROCCO 🇲🇦 

    Morocco, a North African country bordering the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, is distinguished by its Berber, Arabian and European cultural influences. Marrakesh’s medina, a mazelike medieval quarter, offers entertainment in its Djemaa el-Fna square and souks (marketplaces) selling ceramics, jewelry and metal lanterns. The capital Rabat’s Kasbah of the Udayas is a 12th-century royal fort overlooking the water. It’s widely known to be the place of economic reforms , growing tourism , has strong ties with Europe and the United State plus strategic influence in North and West Africa . 

    5. ETHIOPIA 🇪🇹 

    It’s known as the home to the Africa union headquarters. Large populations, rising economic and diplomatic influence in the horn of Africa . Ethiopia, in the Horn of Africa, is a rugged, landlocked country split by the Great Rift Valley. With archaeological finds dating back more than 3 million years, it’s a place of ancient culture. Among its important sites are Lalibela with its rock-cut Christian churches from the 12th–13th centuries. Aksum is the ruins of an ancient city with obelisks, tombs, castles and Our Lady Mary of Zion church.

    4. ALGERIA 🇩🇿 

    Algeria is the energy powerhouse with significant gas exports to Europe , has strong military and regional leadership in North Africa.  Algeria is a large country in North Africa and the largest in Africa by area, with its capital and most populous city being Algiers. It’s a member of the African Union, United Nations, and OPEC, with its economy largely driven by substantial petroleum and natural gas reserves. The country has a mixed geography, with the Mediterranean coast and the vast Sahara Desert, a diverse culture, and Arabic and Tamazight as official languages.

    3. EGYPT 🇪🇬 

    This is one of the world oldest civilisations , military giant and political bridge between Africa and the Middle East . Egypt, a country linking northeast Africa with the Middle East, dates to the time of the pharaohs. Millennia-old monuments sit along the fertile Nile River Valley, including Giza’s colossal Pyramids and Great Sphinx as well as Luxor’s hieroglyph-lined Karnak Temple and Valley of the Kings tombs. The capital, Cairo, is home to Ottoman landmarks like Muhammad Ali Mosque and the Egyptian Museum, a trove of antiquities.

    2. SOUTH AFRICA 🇿🇦 

    South Africa is part of the BRICS member, has string economy, influential in continental politics , had an advanced technology and soft power through business and culture . South Africa is a country on the southernmost tip of the African continent, marked by several distinct ecosystems. Inland safari destination Kruger National Park is populated by big game. The Western Cape offers beaches, lush winelands around Stellenbosch and Paarl, craggy cliffs at the Cape of Good Hope, forest and lagoons along the Garden Route, and the city of Cape Town, beneath flat-topped Table Mountain.

    1. NIGERIA 🇳🇬 

    It’s better known as the giant of all Africa countries. Nigeria is the Africas largest economy with huge populations , abundant oil and cultural dominance. Nigeria, an African country on the Gulf of Guinea, has many natural landmarks and wildlife reserves. Protected areas such as Cross River National Park and Yankari National Park have waterfalls, dense rainforest, savanna and rare primate habitats. One of the most recognizable sites is Zuma Rock, a 725m-tall monolith outside the capital of Abuja that’s pictured on the national currency.

  • Securing Africa through cooperation and people-first strategy

    Securing Africa through cooperation and people-first strategy

    • By Kennedy Elaigwu Awodi

    President Bola Tinubu recently called for a new era of collective action among African nations to tackle the continent’s complex security challenges, from terrorism and cybercrime to transnational threats. Speaking at the maiden edition of the African Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit 2025 in Abuja, the president, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, emphasized that these issues do not respect borders and neither should the response. He challenged the continent’s military leaders to create a new “doctrine of continental defence” built on trust, shared intelligence, and a coordinated strategy.

    This call for a unified African front aligns with the transformative, people-centric military strategy being championed by Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa. His leadership marks a significant shift from a purely force-based approach to one that prioritizes troop welfare, community engagement, and a modernized, self-reliant defence industry. This forward-thinking blueprint is not merely a policy directive but a living strategy being implemented across the nation, as evidenced by recent operations in places like Benue and Nasarawa.

    General Musa’s strategic outlook is built on the belief that enduring peace requires addressing the root causes of conflict while modernizing the military’s operational capabilities. A clear example of this is his push for ranching as a sustainable solution to the long-standing farmer-herder crises. He frames ranching not as a forceful imposition but as a win-win business venture that benefits both livestock owners and farmers, demonstrating a non-kinetic and economically sound approach to resolving a core security threat.

    Furthermore, his commitment to national defence manufacturing is a testament to his vision of a self-sufficient and capable military. By rebranding the Defence Industries Corporation and promoting the procurement of military hardware like armoured vehicles and drones from local firms, CDS Musa is not only enhancing the military’s operational readiness but also stimulating Nigeria’s economy and fostering indigenous innovation. This strategic pivot reduces dependence on foreign suppliers and ensures the military is equipped with resources tailored to the specific challenges of the Nigerian terrain.

    The recent joint land and maritime security tour conducted by Major General Moses Gara, the Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), in Benue and Nasarawa states is a perfect on-the-ground manifestation of CDS Musa’s grand vision.

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    The tour, which involved a river patrol and an assessment of troop performance, shows a commitment to multi-environment operations and a comprehensive understanding of the operational area. More importantly, the tour highlights the crucial link between leadership, troop welfare, and mission success.

    Maj. Gen. Gara’s commitment to fast-tracking housing projects and deploying essential field gear like all-terrain bikes directly mirrors General Musa’s public pledges to safeguard the well-being of military personnel. This is a powerful demonstration that the CDS’s vision is not just a pronouncement from Abuja but is being actively implemented in the challenging frontlines of the nation.

    Perhaps the most impactful aspect of this new military strategy is the emphasis on civil-military relations. CDS Musa has repeatedly ordered commanders to shift from an “occupying force” mentality to one that prioritizes community partnership. He believes that the military’s first layer of defence is intelligence, which can only be secured through the trust and cooperation of the local populace.

    This approach was powerfully validated during the OPWS tour, where community leader Mike Ejiwo’s positive feedback on the soldiers’ conduct and his statement that the community has enjoyed over five years of peace are a direct result of this strategy. This success story demonstrates that a disciplined, well-cared-for, and community-oriented military is the most effective tool for long-term regional stability. The peace in Gidan Pepa is not just a result of military presence but of a military that is seen as a partner and a protector, reflecting a fundamental principle of CDS Musa’s leadership.

    In his address, President Tinubu echoed this sentiment, calling the summit a “convergence of uniforms and titles” and a convocation “of Africa’s guardians to the village square of ideas.” He urged the defence chiefs to ensure the summit results in lasting change, proposing the establishment of a permanent African Chiefs of Defence Staff Forum for continuous dialogue, strategic foresight, and operational coordination.

    General Christopher Musa’s tenure is defined by a bold, integrated strategy that acknowledges the multi-dimensional nature of security. By focusing on troop welfare, local defense manufacturing, and, most critically, a people-centric approach, General Musa is not just commanding an army—he is cultivating an institution capable of both winning the war and securing the peace. The success of operations like OPWS in Benue and Nasarawa serves as a beacon, proving that this new blueprint for military engagement is not just theoretical but is already delivering tangible, life-saving results for the Nigerian people.

    •Elaigwu Awodi wrote from North Carolina, USA. Email: awodikenoutlook.com

  • Nigeria, others to unlock $100b in growing Africa’s refining capacity

    Nigeria, others to unlock $100b in growing Africa’s refining capacity

    Africa is set to add 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd) of new refining capacity by 2030, marking one of the fastest downstream expansions globally, according to the newly released 2025 OPEC World Oil Outlook.

    This medium-term growth – led by landmark projects in Nigeria, Angola and Uganda – signals a turning point for the continent’s energy sovereignty and investment attractiveness.

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    At the forefront of Africa’s refining expansion is Nigeria’s 650,000-bpd Dangote Refinery, which began operations in 2024 and is already reshaping regional fuel trade dynamics. Further developments include the 200,000-bpd Akwa Ibom Refinery, also in Nigeria, and Angola’s state-driven push to bring online the 200,000-bpd Lobito Refinery and 100,000-bpd Soyo Refinery by 2030.

    Uganda’s refining ambitions are taking shape with a 60,000-bpd facility in Hoima, part of the country’s broader Lake Albert basin development plan. Meanwhile, modular refinery projects in Ghana, Guinea-Conakry, the Republic of Congo and additional sites in Nigeria are enabling incremental but scalable capacity builds in markets where infrastructure and financing hurdles persist. In North Africa, Algeria (Hassi Messaoud), Libya (Ubari) and Egypt (Soukhna) are all advancing refinery projects aimed at capturing higher margins, improving domestic supply security and reducing dependency on imports of refined petroleum products.

    According to OPEC, Africa will need over $40 billion in refining investments by 2030 to meet its mid-decade objectives. Beyond 2030, the figure climbs steeply – requiring an additional $60+ billion for refinery construction, modernization and secondary processing capacity upgrades. This opens a $100 billion investment window for project developers, institutional investors, sovereign wealth funds and energy-focused private equity.

  • Africa demands UN Security council seats, global finance reform at TICAD9

    Africa demands UN Security council seats, global finance reform at TICAD9

     Africa’s long-standing demand for permanent seats at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) took centre-stage at the just-concluded 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), with leaders insisting that the continent’s exclusion from the world’s highest decision-making body has become untenable.

    Sierra Leone’s Chief Minister, David Moinina Sengeh, who joined other African leaders in Yokohama, Japan, from August 20–22, said the meeting amplified calls for Africa’s rightful place in global governance structures, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank.

    “The world is much more united in advocacy to give Africa its rightful place at global multilateral institutions starting at the UN Security Council, which must now be matched with action,” Sengeh said in a statement titled “The Chief’s Diary: From Tokyo with Much More Than Love: the Promises of TICAD9.”

    He stressed that unless multilateral institutions become “radically inclusive,” global justice will remain elusive. The push for reform, he noted, is expected to intensify at the UN General Assembly High-Level Week in September 2025.

    Another major concern raised at TICAD9 was the imbalance in the global financial system, which African leaders argue consistently traps poorer nations in cycles of debt.

    Sengeh said many African governments want to invest in infrastructure, healthcare and security, but the terms of international financing often ignore the continent’s economic realities.

    He cited the need for domestic revenue mobilisation, debt restructuring, reallocation of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), and new financing models that support large-scale development projects.

    “Post the United Nations Financing For Development Summit in Sevilla, more attention should be paid to solutions that are cross-border and not in silos,” he said, adding that commitments to instruments like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the proposed African Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA) must be urgently implemented.

    Read Also: Nigeria police repatriate wanted Chinese gang kingpin

    With nearly 70 per cent of Africa’s population under 30, the continent’s demographic weight was highlighted as both a challenge and an opportunity. Unlike previous years, leaders at TICAD9 used more hopeful language in describing the youth, recognising them as “the coders without devices, the farmers without tractors, and the researchers without labs.”

    Sengeh observed that Africa’s young innovators are already driving change in fields such as digital finance, healthcare diagnostics, and social development. He urged governments and partners to give them the tools and platforms they need to fully unlock Africa’s demographic dividend.

    The role of the private sector also took prominence. African governments, including Sierra Leone and South Africa, organised Trade and Investment Forums in Japan to woo investors.

    Sengeh said there is growing clarity on the need to embrace innovative financing models that combine grants with private capital to reduce risks.

    He floated the idea of “conscientious concessions,” where private investors are allowed to make profits while ensuring environmental protection, fair government revenue, and direct benefits for citizens.