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Africa

Africa
Africa
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Africa. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Skyscrapers in Hong Kong’s Central district. Photo: Shutterstock
Hong Kong property

Hong Kong’s largest flex-office provider seeks deals with landlords

Partnering with International Workplace Group ‘makes a lot of sense to tap into growing demand for hybrid working’, CEO says.

War and conflict

Congo and Rwanda aim for peace as US eyes mineral deals

Sudan

‘We’re suffering’: UN to reduce food help to Sudan over huge cash shortfall

Pope Francis

Outside In | Why the next pope may be Asian or African

The centre of faith is moving away from the West, a shift that could add impetus to the late pope’s reforms.

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Pilgrims and visitors queue at St Peter’s Square to enter the St Peter’s Basilica and pay their respects to the late Pope Francis in the Vatican on April 23. Photo: AFP
IPO

Xpeng-backed maker of EV dump trucks plans US$30 million Hong Kong IPO

The Shanghai-based company is selling 13 million shares at HK$18 each, with trading to start on May 7.

Diplomacy

Opinion | In Africa, China must focus on both the infrastructural and the emotional

Unlike the West’s approach, China’s aid is mostly state-led. The lack of a strong grass-roots presence leaves it open to misconceptions.

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DR Congo

Opinion | Trump’s Africa policy zeroes in on minerals and militarism

As China tightens mineral export controls, the US is recalibrating its approach towards resource-rich African nations.

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Members of the M23 rebel group stand guard as people attend a rally in Bukavu, the Democratic Republic of Congo, on February 27. Photo: Reuters
US-China relations

Editorial | China defies trade war doubters with bumper turnout at Canton fair

Deals with US buyers may be few and far between, but the rest of the world is out in force to buy the country’s goods.

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Scams and swindles

Southeast Asia’s scam gangs go global as crackdown bites

A new United Nations report warns of a global surge in Asian-led scam centres, operating as far afield as Nigeria, Angola and Brazil.

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Malaysia

Trump tariffs are keeping Malaysia on edge. What new markets is it eyeing?

Africa, with a combined estimated US$3 trillion economy and a population of about 1.3 billion, offers potential for trade and investments.

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Palm oil is one of Malaysia’s biggest exports to Africa. Photo: Reuters
Italy

Explainer | Who could succeed Pope Francis in the Vatican’s secretive conclave?

Several contenders have emerged to replace Pope Francis, with each bringing unique qualities and influences to the Vatican’s future leadership.

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A person stands next to a photograph of Pope Francis inside Saint Anthony Catholic Church in Istanbul, Turkey on Monday. Photo: AP
China-Africa relations

China-Africa trade makes ‘moderate’ gains despite US tariffs, currency weakness

First quarter customs data shows Chinese exports to Africa climbed 11.3% to US$45.92 billion while imports from the continent fell 9.4%.

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China-Africa relations

Women protesters attack Chinese-run mine in Guinea Bissau

A protester said they had acted after authorities failed to respond to complaints that mining was damaging farms and ruining the environment.

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Indonesia

Is Indonesia destined to be a footnote in Africa’s growth story?

Despite President Prabowo’s heartfelt words and promises of partnership, analysts question Indonesia’s commitment to the continent.

Workers use sewing machines at a textile factory in the small African kingdom of Lesotho. Photo: AFP
South Africa

South Africa church holds mass Easter weddings for 3,000 people, some polygamous

Sunday’s ceremonies would see some men marry their sixth or seventh wives, a church spokesman said. Other grooms would marry multiple brides.

Brides and bridegrooms arrive to take part in a mass wedding ceremony at the International Pentecostal Holiness Church in Zuurbekom, west of Johannesburg, South Africa on Sunday. Photo: Reuters
Donald Trump

Trump to gut US diplomacy in Africa, cut global soft power: report

‘Non-essential embassies and consulates in sub-Saharan Africa shall be closed’ and remaining missions to be consolidated, draft order says.

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Easter

Ethiopians mark Easter with call for peace and charity

Christians of all denominations vowed to embrace sacrifice in a country facing armed conflict and still recovering from a war ended in 2022.

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China-Africa relations

African mining interests at stake: China wades into DR Congo-Rwanda conflict

As M23 rebels cause havoc in the DR Congo, China has taken the unusual step to speak out. But experts say it isn’t a total policy departure.

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After years of fighting and insurgency in eastern DRC, Beijing has urged Rwanda to withdraw troops and end its support of the M23 rebels, pictured in Bukavu, in a departure from China’s non-interference policy. Photo: Reuters
Crime

Caught: Indian man trying to move US$2.8 million in cash and gold out of Zambia

Those involved in transnational organised crime activities will be punished, Zambian officials warn.

Diplomacy

Opinion | Will Trump’s chaos galvanise the Global South?

With trust in Western-dominated institutions waning, the Global South is rallying for a new order that reflects its diverse voices.

Sudan

Sudan paramilitary chief declares rival government 2 years after war erupted

The conflict has triggered the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with tens of thousands killed and 13 million people displaced.

Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, head of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), delivers a speech in Khartoum, Sudan, in May 2019. Photo: Reuters
Belt and Road Initiative

Why China is worried about its growing reliance on Africa’s resources

China has heavily invested to secure raw materials from African nations, but US accusations over those deals pose new risks.

A mine worker in the Democratic Republic of Congo holds up a lump of cobalt. China has invested heavily to set up cobalt and copper mines in the country. Photo: AFP
China-Africa relations

Ghana bans foreigners from local gold trading in major overhaul

Ban takes effect on May 1. Many Chinese nationals have been active in Ghana’s informal gold mining and trading ecosystem.

Gabon

Gabon junta chief Oligui Nguema wins presidential election

President faces litany of problems in oil-rich country, from crumbling infrastructure to widespread poverty, while dealing with heavy debt.

War and conflict

Sudan paramilitaries kill 56 in 48 hours in retaken town, say activists

The conflict has seen tens of thousands die, uprooted over 12 million and created what has been called ‘the biggest humanitarian crisis recorded’.

Sudanese Red Crescent volunteers work near bodies recovered from a well in the state of Khartoum, Sudan, in March. Photo: Reuters
Conservation

African conservationists aim to change mindsets about unpopular vultures

Vultures are nature’s ‘best sanitation services’, and are estimated to worth US$1.8 billion a year to certain ecosystems in southern Africa.

A Cape vulture is seen in its enclosure at the Vulture Programme at Boekenhoutkloof near Hartbeespoort Dam, South Africa. Photo: AP
War and conflict

‘War weapon’: thousands of Congo children raped, assaulted in just 2 months

Toddlers were among the victims, Unicef said, with rape and other forms of sexual violence taking place once every 30 minutes on average.

United States

Tariffs impact on developing nations may be worse than foreign aid cuts: UN

Tariffs on imports to the US mean developing economies risk sliding back on gains made in recent years, says the United Nations’ trade agency.

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