The IMF announced Saturday member nations agreed to increase their contributions to the global lender and give sub-Saharan Africa a third seat on its executive board at its first meetings on the continent since 1973.Boosting the International Monetary Fund’s quota resources and giving Africa a bigger voice within the institution were among the priorities of …

IMF agrees funding boost, extra Africa board seatSat, 14 Oct 2023 13:49:55 GMT Read More »

Pummelled by debt, poverty and natural disasters, African nations heard many pledges of support but saw little action at the first IMF-World Bank talks to be held on their soil since 1973.The myriad troubles facing the continent were front and centre at the week-long talks in Marrakesh, Morocco, which began Monday and end Sunday.The managing …

Africa hears pledges but little action at IMF-World Bank talksSat, 14 Oct 2023 13:39:53 GMT Read More »

Egyptian opposition politician Ahmed al-Tantawi announced on Friday he was abandoning his bid for the presidency after weeks of alleging harassment and arrests by the authorities.Despite mobilising relatively wide support since announcing his intention to run against incumbent President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Tantawi was able to collect only 14,000 of the 25,000 endorsements needed to …

Main opposition hopeful abandons run for Egypt presidencyFri, 13 Oct 2023 17:58:41 GMT Read More »

Burkina Faso’s junta-led government signed a deal with Russia on Friday for the construction of a nuclear power plant to increase the energy supply to the Sahel country where less than a quarter of the population has access to electricity. It is the latest move by Burkina’s military rulers to strengthen ties with Moscow, as the …

Russia to build nuclear power plant in Burkina FasoFri, 13 Oct 2023 16:16:11 GMT Read More »

The IMF and World Bank have been holding their first annual meetings in Africa in 50 years under pressure to reform a system too outdated to properly help poor nations battered by the effects of climate change.The heads of the IMF and World Bank outlined their efforts to refocus on climate in Marrakesh, Morocco, but …

At IMF-World Bank talks, small steps in climate financeFri, 13 Oct 2023 15:27:57 GMT Read More »

The heads of the IMF and World Bank urged member nations on Friday to boost the funding firepower of the global lenders to help poorer countries combat poverty and climate change.They made their plea at week-long talks of global finance ministers and central bank governors in Marrakesh, Morocco — the first IMF-World Bank annual meetings …

IMF, World Bank urge funds for poverty, climate fightsFri, 13 Oct 2023 10:44:23 GMT Read More »

Niger’s ousted president Mohamed Bazoum, who was overthrown by military leaders on July 26, faces his 80th day in detention on Friday together with his wife and son.Democratically elected to lead the West African nation, he remains adamant that he will not step down and has sought legal recourse in his plight.Despite ongoing calls for …

Fate of Niger’s deposed president unclear after 80 days detainedFri, 13 Oct 2023 06:10:52 GMT Read More »

Moussa Ndoye, a 28-year-old beachgoer in Senegal’s capital Dakar, gulps down the water from two plastic sachets in quick succession and throws them in the sand.”This is our rubbish bin,” he says with a laugh, sitting with friends in the shade of a large wooden fishing boat.The white sand shore is littered with plastic waste, …

Senegal awash in plastic from popular water sachetsFri, 13 Oct 2023 05:50:06 GMT Read More »

The sharpest image of the 2019 World Cup is that of a triumphant Siya Kolisi, the first black player to captain South Africa in a Test, lifting the Webb Ellis trophy after the 32–12 win over England in Yokohama.The picture still speaks volumes for the development of a new South Africa and the possibilities that …

‘Iconic’ Kolisi the first among equals in Springbok collectiveFri, 13 Oct 2023 04:19:58 GMT Read More »

Hosts Ivory Coast were joined in Group A by Nigeria in the draw for the Africa Cup of Nations in Abidjan on Thursday.Fast-improving Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau, who have qualified for a fourth straight edition, complete the mini-league.Other heavyweight pairings included defending champions Senegal with five-time winners Cameroon, while Africa’s first World Cup semi-finalists Morocco …

Hosts Ivory Coast to face Nigeria in AFCON groupThu, 12 Oct 2023 21:01:05 GMT Read More »