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Africa
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Africa

Africa
Africa
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Africa. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Kenyan President William Ruto tightens a railway line bolt during a groundbreaking ceremony for the Naivasha-Kisumu–Malaba Standard Gauge Railway extension in Narok, Kenya, on March 19. Photo: Xinhua
China-Africa relations

China and Kenya partner to finish ‘most consequential’ rail project

New financing breathes life into long-stalled Standard Gauge Railway extension across African country at estimated cost of US$5.4 billion.

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Taiwan

Names and games: Taipei hits back over ‘China’ label, but will it pay off?

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Crime

Mob retaliates after gunmen kill 12 in Nigeria bar

Artificial intelligence

ByteDance adds watermarking, IP checks to Seedance 2.0 ahead of global launch

TikTok parent ByteDance says guardrails will protect Seedance 2.0 as it expands globally despite intense scrutiny from Hollywood.

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Video-generation model Seedance 2.0 is displayed at the Zhongguancun Exhibition Center in Beijing on March 25.Photo: Xinhua
China-Africa relations

Why are smugglers swarming East Africa for ants to send to China and Europe?

A black market in harvester ants has sprung up in Kenya, with big implications for the environment.

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Trade

Opinion | As Trump wrecks trade, WTO meeting in Cameroon is a show of defiance

Trade ministerial conference shows that most nations still value multilateral cooperation over the chaotic whims of a hegemon.

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China-Africa relations

Kenya secures trade deal with China amid rising debt, US competition

Nairobi reaches a zero-tariff trade agreement with Beijing allowing Kenya to expand exports but it must tread carefully due to Washington.

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Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng met with Kenyan President William Ruto in Nairobi, Kenya, on March 24 and the two countries reached key trade and infrastructure deals. Photo: Xinhua
United Nations

UN designates African slave trade as ‘gravest crime against humanity’

US, Israel and Argentina opposed the UN measure, while Britain and EU member states abstained.

US, Israel war on Iran

African producers may have energy edge in Iran war, if they can overcome hurdles

Analysts say oil from Africa may be lower-risk alternative, coinciding with a fresh push for infrastructure to supply Europe.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Iran war delivers new stress to African economies emerging from older shocks

Afreximbank is implementing measures to give financial help to African countries dependent on fuel imports, bank president says.

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In Africa, the squeeze on fertiliser imports because of the US-Israel war on Iran comes at a crucial time, at the start of the rains and the planting season. Photo: AP
Mergers & Acquisitions

China’s Zijin Mining clinches US$2.6b Chifeng Gold takeover in expansion drive

The acquisition boosts Zijin’s reserves amid resource nationalism, giving it control of Chifeng’s assets in Asia and Africa.

The acquisition comes two months after Zijin Mining proposed to buy Canadian Allied Gold as part of its global expansion. Photo: Shutterstock
100 Top Tables: Cities of Gastronomy

International Cities of Gastronomy Fest Macao launches 10-day celebration

As the city hosts the 10-day celebration, its centuries-old fusion cuisine is embracing a new wave of global chefs and bold ideas.

Supported by
Macau Government Tourism Office
100 Top Tables: Cities of Gastronomy

Young chefs are turning food traditions into tools for global change

Flora Igoe of the Youth Culture Programme is mobilising young chefs to safeguard food heritage and drive agrifood systems transformation.

Supported by
Macau Government Tourism Office
Sudan

64 killed – including 13 children – in attack on Sudan hospital, WHO says

Healthcare facilities have been a regular target throughout the war between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

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WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus looks on during a press conference in Geneva in December 2024. Photo: AFP
Madagascar

Madagascar’s leader orders lie detector tests for prospective ministers

President Randrianirina orders polygraph screening, seeking people who are more than ‘60 per cent clean’.

President Michael Randrianirina. Photo: Reuters
European Union

Hundreds die crossing Mediterranean as 2026 already smashes records

At least 655 migrants died or went missing in January and February taking one of the deadliest migration routes in the world.

China food security

China taps reserves as Iran war disrupts 30% of global fertiliser trade

War in the Middle East is causing global disruption – from oil to agriculture – as countries, including China, enter spring planting season.

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Hong Kong stock market

China-based Cosco Shipping Ports expects ‘limited’ impact from Iran conflict

Unit of Cosco Shipping reports 1.1 per cent profit increase on 6.2 per cent rise in throughput in 2025.

An automated container handler moves a Cosco shipping container at the Long Beach Container Terminal at the Port of Long Beach in California on January 14, 2026. Photo: AFP
Crime

Chinese and Kenyan charged after nearly 2,000 live ants seized

Pair appear in a Nairobi court, accused of supplying ⁠live ants to foreign traffickers.

Islamic militancy

Suicide attacks in Nigeria kill 23, wound more than 100

Attacks in Maiduguri are among the deadliest in the conflict-battered city in recent history.

United States

Trump administration can resume ‘third-country’ deportations, appeal court rules

Attorney General Pam Bondi called the ruling, that deports undocumented migrants to countries that are not their own, a ‘key win’.

US Attorney General Pam Bondi. Photo: EPA
US-China relations

Beijing on Iran war, Trump trade plan, new AI arena: 7 US-China relations reads

From a new US maritime strategy to the Iran crisis, here are highlights from SCMP’s overseas correspondents in the first half of March 2026.

Plumes of smoke rise over Tehran, Iran, on March 1. Photo: Mowj/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images/TNS
China-Africa relations

China’s supply chain meets the wall of African resource nationalism

As resource-rich nations introduce export bans and other limits, analyst says investment may not automatically follow.

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Kenya

Kenya floods death toll rises to 62, police say, including 8 children

The capital, Nairobi, was the worst hit, with ⁠33 deaths. Dozens of people have also died in Ethiopia.

China-Africa relations

China’s new security era in Africa: protecting assets, citizens in volatile nations

Analysts say China’s five-year plan suggests layered security, and PLA training to protect diplomats, nationals and assets from terror hits.

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China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, whose visit to Somalia in January was cancelled over safety concerns, has highlighted the “complex and severe risks of terrorism”. Photo: EPA
US, Israel war on Iran

How Gulf conflict and soaring oil prices will affect Angola’s Chinese debt deals

The African nation has a clause in its deal with Chinese lenders that could help fresh up extra cash for new projects.

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Angola is one of Africa’s major oil producers. Photo: AFP
Kenya

Kenya seizes 2,238 live garden ants from Chinese national at airport

The case has exposed a growing, organised ant-smuggling network threatening the African nation’s biodiversity.

China exports

China’s exports surge 21.8% to start 2026 – biggest gain in 4 years

Despite an 11 per cent drop in US exports, China’s trade soared, buoyed by robust demand from Asean, the EU and other markets.

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