by admin | Mar 28, 2025 | africa, olympics, south africa, sports, world
On March 27, 2025, Addis Ababa — Botswana’s Minister of Sports and Culture, Jacob Kelebeng, has voiced his enthusiasm after Botswana secured the hosting privileges for the 2026 World Athletics Relays.
The global athletics organization, World Athletics, has announced that Botswana, an African country, will be hosting the 2026 World Athletics Relays. This event is set for May 2nd and 3rd, 2026.
Kelebeng announced on his social media platform, celebrating the Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) for achieving this significant milestone.
It will mark the first occasion for Botswana to stage a major global sporting event at an advanced level across all sports, as well as being the inaugural hosting of the World Athletics Relays in African territory.
The positive announcement came from World Athletics President Sebastian Coe during the conclusion of the two-day council meeting held on Tuesday in Nanjing, China.
According to the World Athletics press release, the event is set to take place in Gaborone, the capital city of Botswana, from May 2 to May 3.
Hosting the global event signifies a significant milestone in Botswana’s rise to prominence in athletics and aligns with the nation’s 60th anniversary of independence in 2026.
Botswana’s men’s 4×400-meter relay squad stands out as a formidable presence in this discipline. They currently hold the title of world relays champions after claiming gold at the 2024 competition staged in the Bahamas. Following their victory, they secured an Olympic silver medal to conclude their competitive run. This team boasts three global relay awards: one bronze, one silver, and one gold.
Furthermore, the Botswana squad has initiated their preparation to retain their gold medal at the forthcoming 2025 World Athletics Relays scheduled for May in Guangzhou, China. The reigning Olympic 200m champion, Letsile Tebogo, is anticipated to continue as an integral member of the team.
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by admin | Mar 27, 2025 | africa, football players, politics, soccer, sports
Mohamed Salah and Achraf Hakimi, prominent figures in African football, seem poised to compete in the 2026 World Cup, with both Egypt and Morocco holding strong advantages in their respective qualification groups.
Nevertheless, current CAF Footballer of the Year Ademola Lookman and his compatriot Nigerian Victor Osimhen are battling to secure their places in the upcoming 48-nation worldwide tournament.
Drawing inspiration from Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi, Morocco leads Group E with a nine-point advantage over Niger, which is the largest gap within the nine groups.
The Liverpool player Salah has netted six goals in six qualifying matches, leading Egypt to secure the top spot in Group A, ahead of Burkina Faso by five points.
As the competition continues with four more rounds scheduled for September and October, dramatic upsets would be required to prevent Egypt and Morocco from securing one of the automatic berths as part of the nine African teams qualifying for the event in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The nine teams that finish first in their groups have secured their spots, while the victors from a smaller competition among the top-four second-place teams will compete for additional final berths through cross-continent playoff matches.
Nigeria ranks fourth in Group C after securing victory in just one out of their six games.
AFP Sports examines every group as the battle for qualification heats up.
Group A
Salah and Mahmoud Trezeghet have accounted for 11 out of 14 goals as Egypt appears poised to secure their third qualification. The nation was invited to participate in the 1934 World Cup, later securing spots in both the 1990 and 2018 championships.
Compared to their performance in World Cup qualifiers, Egypt has had more success in AFCON qualifying rounds, having won the Africa Cup of Nations a record seven times.
Group B
The leaders from the Democratic Republic of Congo, runner-up Senegal, and third-place Sudan are locked in a tight competition for first place, with only one point distinguishing their positions.
The Congolese are yet to face their two opponents. In the meantime, this situation might put Sudan at a disadvantage; being from a nation devastated by civil war, having three out of four matches played away from home presents significant challenges.
Group C
If South Africa is penalized by FIFA for playing ineligible player Teboho Mokoena during their recent victory against Lesotho, their current five-point advantage might be reduced to merely one point.
As South Africa contemplates the potential shift from a 2-0 win to a 3-0 defeat, they maintain that Lesotho failed to submit their formal complaint within the required 24 hours after the match.
Group D
Cape Verde leads Cameroon by just one point, with Cameroon set to travel to Praia in September.
Should the unexpected team referred to as the Blue Sharks manage to secure victory against Mauritius, followed by defeating the eight-time World Cup qualifying veterans Cameroon on their home turf, they would position themselves for a groundbreaking first appearance in history.
Group E
The timing of Morocco’s qualification seems more uncertain than whether they will qualify at all, as the North African nation’s representatives exhibit far superior skill compared to their competitors from Niger, Tanzania, and Zambia.
If Congo’s suspension for governmental intervention turns into disqualification, Morocco only needs one point from their next two games. However, should Congo be reinstated, Morocco would require four points from their remaining three matches.
Group F
A single point separates African champions Ivory Coast from Gabon, led by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, in their competition to top the group; they will face each other in September in Franceville.
The nation that comes in second place is expected to have another opportunity to secure qualification by ranking within the top four of the secondary positions.
Group G
Apart from a single setback—a defeat at home against Guinea—Algeria has thrived under the guidance of their Bosnian coach, Vladimir Petkovic.
So far, Mozambique has been the standout team among the also-rans and they remain in contention for one of the four playoff spots.
Group H
It’s difficult to picture Tunisia failing to secure first place and qualify for the seventh time, yet all eyes are on fourth-ranked Equatorial Guinea.
After FIFA overturned the ban on their key striker Emilio Nsue, the Equatorial Guinean team is pushing for the reinstatement of the six points they lost due to victories against Namibia and Liberia. This adjustment would elevate them to the second position.
Group I
Ghana bounced back from their surprising elimination for the 2025 AFCON by securing victories in five qualifier matches, which has put them ahead of Comoros with a three-point advantage.
The top-seeded Mali team showed significant improvement under the guidance of their Belgian coach, Tom Saintfiet. However, they unexpectedly drew with the Central African Republic recently, placing them six points behind.
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by admin | Mar 25, 2025 | africa, cities and towns, politics, public policy, urban and regional planning
On March 24, 2025, ENA reported from Addis Ababa that this year, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) plans to gather key players in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, and Zimbabwe. The aim is to enhance urban living standards via UN-Habitat’s Quality of Life Initiative.
With rapid growth of African cities, guaranteeing that this urban expansion improves living conditions continues to be a critical issue, as stated in ECA’s communication to ENA.
The Quality of Life Initiative provides local governments with the necessary data and knowledge to guarantee that growth in cities enhances the well-being of all inhabitants.
At the heart of the Initiative lies the Quality of Life Index, providing local administrations with an overview of urban living conditions across nine key areas such as accessibility to essential services, housing quality, and economic prospects.
The Index merges worldwide metrics from the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with specific goals set by city stakeholders, allowing every municipality to create a customized index that mirrors its distinct circumstances, beliefs, and preferences.
This method, grounded in evidence, allows local authorities to make focused decisions and assess their exact impact, as ECA explained further.
In response to requests from participating nations, ECA plans to gather various stakeholders such as policymakers, urban planners, representatives from national statistics offices, and community leaders over the next few months. The aim is to explore key aspects of a high-quality standard of living and pinpoint areas needing enhancement.
Atkeyelsh Persson, Head of ECA’s Urbanization and Development Section, stated that Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, and Zimbabwe are leading the way in Africa’s urban transformation,
The Quality of Life Initiative, spearheaded by UN-Habitat and supported by the Quality of Life Program, is an international endeavor aimed at revolutionizing city approaches to enhancing urban well-being. This initiative utilizes human-centric data to better grasp what individuals genuinely prioritize, thereby improving their quality of life.
It has been mentioned that The Initiative encourages cities to conduct an evaluation of their inhabitants’ standard of living with the aim of pinpointing crucial sectors for observation and enhancement.
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by admin | Mar 24, 2025 | africa, democracy, politics, politics and government, politics and law
Ex-President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo reiterated his doubts regarding the applicability of the Western democratic framework in Africa, asserting that such models do not align with the continent’s ethos.
However, he faced criticism from Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, as well as former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku.
The conversation occurred during a colloquium convened to honor the 60th birthday of ex-Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honorable Emeka Ihedioha. This gathering was hosted at the Ladi Kwali Hall within the Abuja Intercontinental Hotel.
Chief Obasanjo contended that what is often called democracy mainly advantages a select few influential elites, thereby keeping most people on the periphery.
He stated: “Democracy was intended as a form of governance that serves all citizens, not merely a select group of individuals. However, where are we now? In my view, ever since we moved beyond Athenian democracy—where everyone had an equal voice and stake in decisions affecting them—the concept has evolved into representative democracy. Unfortunately, this new model hasn’t ensured equitable representation for every individual.”
Now, that kind of endurance isn’t what we’d call true democracy; thus, when discussing whether democracy can fail in Africa, one might say that African democracy has indeed faltered. But then, the question remains—why did it fail?
“It’s because it does not have any aspect of our culture, our way of life, what we stand for, what we believe: what sort of democracy brings you and you grab everything illegally, corruptly, and you say go to court? Even in the court, you cannot get justice.”
He advocated for a framework that would “incorporate Africa’s cultural and historical background to develop a governing system that genuinely benefits everyone.”
“It is, ‘I am because I can grab’ but what sort of democracy brings you and you grab everything and then illegally, corruptly and you say ‘go to court’ when you know that even in the court, you cannot get justice.
It’s not that democracy is failing; rather, it is fading away. If we want to prevent democracy from disappearing, we must consider it within the specific context and circumstances of Africa. I am hopeful that we can reach this point where the kind of democracy that brings tangible benefits will thrive here on our continent.
However, Kukah opposed this view, asserting that “democracy is an ongoing process; it provides you with the chance to attempt and, even if you falter, grants you a better opportunity to rectify past errors.”
Kukah additionally contended that democracy offers the chance to correct errors from previous times.
Democracy serves the welfare of the populace because it has dismantled the feudal form of governance.
The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto highlighted the importance of everyone striving to comprehend the political ideology of British philosopher John Locke, which is based on the concept of social contract.
The former Speaker of the House of Representatives and Senator, Aminu Tambuwal, stated that democracy is not faltering in Africa since it represents an evolving system.
When we adhere to the guidelines, democracy functions effectively; democracy is an ongoing endeavor.
Regarding the Senate resolution concerning the state of emergency in Rivers State, Senator Tambuwal reaffirmed his stance that the necessary two-thirds majority support from the Senate had not been achieved.
During President Olusegun Obasanjo’s tenure, when a state of emergency was imposed in certain states, the National Assembly validated these actions through the requisite two-thirds majority vote. Each member individually cast their ballot to endorse this measure.
The ex-Secretary General of the Commonwealth sounded an alert about the revival of military takeovers in Africa, emphasizing that this trend ought to concern everyone who backs democratic values.
The former Vice President Atiku characterized the honoree, Honorable Ihedioha, as a politician who is both concentrated and resolute.
Emeka and I have maintained this relationship, and up until now, he has proven to be exceptionally loyal, committed, and driven. Even though we occasionally found ourselves on opposing sides politically, we managed to sustain our connection, which speaks volumes about what kind of individual Emeka truly is.
When he informed me about this event, I nearly complained, saying ‘Emeka, it’s Ramadan, and these are the final ten nights when we typically stay awake at night instead of sleeping; we nap during the day.’ But he responded, ‘Boss, please try your best to attend,’ so I agreed, ‘Alright, I’ll manage it.’ And here we are now.
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by admin | Mar 24, 2025 | africa, business, ghana, government, news
The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), alongside Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science & Technology (FMIST) and Ghana’s Ministry of Environment, Science & Technology (MEST), have officially launched Sankore, an initiative valued at £1.9 million designed to enhance science, technology, and innovation (ST&I) environments across West African nations.
As part of the UK-Africa Technology and Innovation Partnerships (ATIP) Program, Sankore will enhance the United Kingdom’s relationships with Nigeria and Ghana. This initiative supports crucial strategies such as the UK-Ghana Science, Technology & Innovation Strategy from 2023 to 2027 and the UK-Nigeria Strategic Partnership, which was agreed upon in November 2024 between the UK’s Foreign Secretary, David Lammy MP, and Nigeria’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar.
Centering on Nigeria and Ghana, Sankore will collaborate intensively with stakeholders in West Africa to:
— Assist with the implementation of the Ghana National Research Fund (GNRF) and the Nigeria National Research Fund (NRF).
— Assist Nigeria in establishing its National Research and Innovation Council (NRIC) as an operational entity.
— Promote the commercialization of innovative solutions in key economic areas like agriculture and energy.
— Improve the policy and regulatory framework to foster innovation, enhancing data access and transparency for stakeholders within the ecosystem;
– Set up a demand-driven Helpdesk to support FCDO and governmental partners, offering expert guidance and advice.
At the program launch in Abuja, the UK’s Head of Integrated Strategy and Delivery Unit, Ms. Susan Mshana, stated that the Sankore initiative represents an exhilarating enhancement aimed at bolstering the United Kingdom’s enduring collaboration with the governments of West African nations. This new venture seeks to foster economic expansion via innovative approaches.
“Through utilizing our abilities, assets, and knowledge, we strive to hasten the common objectives of economic diversity, employment generation, and enhanced service provision in both Nigeria and Ghana,” she mentioned additionally.
Additionally, Ghana’s Minister of Environment, Science & Technology (MEST), Hon. Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, stated: “Innovation plays a crucial role in fostering a robust and equitable economy. The Sankore initiative will serve as a driving force behind positioning Ghana as a leader in scientific progress and technological development within the area. We are excited about working alongside numerous collaborators contributing their knowledge and skills to this collective effort.”
Furthermore, the Honorable Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation in Nigeria, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji stated: “At the FMIST, we aim to promote sustainable growth by encouraging locally developed innovations while incorporating international scientific advances to secure Nigeria’s advancement globally. The project known as Sankore signifies a crucial step forward in our significant and fruitful collaboration with the United Kingdom, working together towards a prosperous future for all Nigerians via state-of-the-art technologies and enhanced economics.”
Sankore will be provided by UNESCO and R4D working alongside local and international collaborators to guarantee successful execution and knowledge sharing.
The project will span 15 months, coming to an end by March 31, 2026.
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by admin | Mar 24, 2025 | africa, crime, cybercrime, financial crime, police and law enforcement
In a major cross-border effort, law enforcement agencies from seven African nations have apprehended 306 individuals and confiscated 1842 gadgets as part of an extensive international crackdown on cybercrime, specifically focusing on fraudulent activities and scams conducted online.
Known as Operation Red Card, this initiative was active from November 2024 until February 2025. It aimed at disrupting cybercrime organizations that bilked more than 5000 individuals via mobile banking fraud, fraudulent investments, and deceptive messaging apps, as reported by infosecurity-magazine.com.
In Nigeria, law enforcement apprehended 130 individuals, among whom were 113 foreigners, for their involvement in illicit investment scams and illegal online gambling operations.
Officials discovered that criminals channeled illegal funds into digital assets to hide their monetary tracks.
The investigations revealed indications of human trafficking, with certain people being forced to take part in the fraud schemes.
The authorities confiscated: 26 cars; 16 residences; 39 parcels of land; along with 685 electronic gadgets.
In Rwanda, authorities detained 45 people in 2024 who were behind a social engineering scheme that tricked victims out of over $305,000.
Fraudsters pretended to be telecom staff members and misleadingly told their targets they had won lotteries to obtain confidential data.
Some pretended to be hurt relatives asking for urgent financial aid.
The authorities retrieved $103,043 and confiscated 292 devices.
In South Africa, law enforcement apprehended 40 people and seized more than 1000 SIM cards, alongside 53 desktop computers and towers, all connected to an advanced SIM box scam operation.
This configuration enabled cybercriminals to mask international calls as local ones, making widespread SMS phishing campaigns possible.
In Zambia, authorities arrested 14 individuals who were part of a cybercrime group involved in malware attacks.
The perpetrators dispatched phishing messages with harmful links, which contaminated the victims’ devices and seized control over their messaging and banking applications. This allowed them to infiltrate financial accounts and propagate more fake links.
The operation was conducted via INTERPOL’s African Joint Operation against Cybercrime (AFJOC), an initiative aimed at aiding law enforcement agencies as they work to counteract cyber threats.
Under the AFJOC initiative, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office provided £2.6 million for Operation Red Card to boost Africa’s ability to detect and prevent cybercrimes, thereby enhancing law enforcement capacities across the continent.
The seven participating nations—Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Togo, and Zambia—are continuing their collaboration on intelligence-driven cybercrime investigations.
“The success of Operation Red Card highlights the effectiveness of global collaboration in tackling cybercrime, which transcends national boundaries and can lead to severe consequences for people and societies,” stated Neal Jetton, who leads Interpol’s cybercrime division.
The retrieval of substantial assets and equipment, along with the apprehension of major suspects, clearly indicates to cyber criminals that their actions will face serious consequences.
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