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/ location

Nigeria

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Nigeria. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Abuja

Head of State

President Bola Tinubu

Head of Government

President Bola Tinubu

Chinese AI models including DeepSeek, Alibaba’s Qwen and Moonshot AI’s Kimi are gaining ground with African businesses. Photo: Shutterstock

China-Africa relations

African businesses keep options open as Chinese AI gains ground

Lower costs, downloadable models and greater language flexibility are helping Chinese AI models gain ground across the continent.

2 hours agovideocam

China technology

Opinion | Asia is reaching for the open road that Chinese AI offers

6 hours agovideocam

Vietnam

Wax-sealed secrets: Vietnamese gangs keep ivory trade alive after China’s ban

22 Aug 2026 - 11:00AM

China-Africa relations

Why the Chinese yuan could soon be Africa’s most important currency

The continent’s banks are signing up for China’s Swift alternative, smoothing transactions and potentially avoiding sanctions.

16 Aug 2026 - 2:54PMvideocam

China is Africa’s largest trading partner and the primary financier of the continent’s megaprojects. Photo: Felix Wong

China-Africa relations

How China’s ‘magic’ rice seeds are transforming the fortunes of Nigerian farmers

Beijing’s hands-off approach challenges traditional Western aid models, prompting Washington to counter with agribusiness interventions.

9 Aug 2026 - 4:00PMvideocam

Africa

1,500 couples tie the knot at mass wedding in Nigeria

The two-day ceremony in Kano State was aimed at people who, for financial reasons, would otherwise struggle to afford a wedding.

9 Aug 2026 - 5:50AM

Pakistan

Pakistan, Bangladesh face economic squeeze as US-Iran crisis widens

Another energy-price shock could mean renewed pressure on their currencies, subsidies and public finances.

31 Jul 2026 - 8:53PM

A worker refuels a vehicle at a petrol station in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Monday, amid rising fuel prices. Photo: EPA

United States

US government map of Africa at summit gets every country wrong

Errant slide contained watermark signaling graphic was generated using OpenAI tools during State Department presentation.

31 Jul 2026 - 11:36AM

United Nations

Opinion | Can the gigacities of tomorrow keep human connection alive?

We have learned to accommodate more people in larger metropolises while losing the ability to bring those people together into families.

29 Jul 2026 - 8:30PM

China-Africa relations

Spurned by the US, African students turn to China for a university degree

Chinese universities emerge as a promising option as they rise up the rankings and Washington tightens visa rules.

29 Jul 2026 - 3:38PMvideocam

Africa

‘Super’ El Nino: Africa facing mass migration, US$20 billion in damages

A UN report estimated that by 2035 developing countries ‌will collectively need around US$365 billion each year to tackle climate change.

26 Jul 2026 - 5:02PMvideocam

A shepherd watches livestock near Khi Solar One, a solar thermal plant that converts the sun’s light energy into electricity, outside Upington, South Africa, in Northern Cape province, August 29 last year. Photo: AP

China-Africa relations

How China is using film diplomacy to project a better image across Africa

From Burundi to Kenya to Morocco, film screenings, co-productions and cultural exchanges are helping to shape a new frontier of influence.

25 Jul 2026 - 7:00PMvideocam

Fifa World Cup 2026

Meet Maduka Okoye’s baby mama Jelicia Westhoff, who’s accused him of cheating

The Dutch model, who shares a son with the Nigerian goalie voted the world’s sexiest footballer, went on a rant after he was spotted with rapper Cardi B.

22 Jul 2026 - 6:00PM

Science

China’s AI weather warning system Mazu expanding across Global South

The system has been designed to provide ‘tailored’ services that help developing countries better prepare for extreme weather events.

19 Jul 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

The weather warning system on display at the World AI Conference in Shanghai last week. Photo: Getty Images

US-China relations

Boko Haram exploited US and Chinese AI chatbots for attacks: Cambridge study

Former fighters say AI helped with bomb-making, planning and propaganda, raising calls for US-China action on terrorist misuse of chatbots.

15 Jul 2026 - 5:52AM

Former Boko Haram members said foreign operatives trained them to use AI chatbots with laptops equipped with VPN and encryption software. Photo: Shutterstock

Trip Inspiration

Cabo Verde’s sun-soaked Sal sees a revival through a generation of returnees

Cabo Verde has won over many hearts with its brave showing at the Fifa World Cup, but there’s a lot more to this West African archipelago and former Portuguese colony.

5 Jul 2026 - 9:20AM

Scams and swindles

Fake Dubai prince scam: how AI deepfakes love-bomb victims to steal hearts and money

Fraudsters use real-time face-swapping tech and the likeness of royal ‘Fazza’ to ensnare vulnerable targets.

3 Jul 2026 - 1:36PM

China's military weapons

Should China worry more about keeping defence customers than winning new deals?

A study of the risks and opportunities for Chinese weapons exports in global markets cautions against a reductive assumption about quality.

30 Jun 2026 - 5:55PMvideocam

Chinese-made J-10C fighter jets belonging to the Pakistan Air Force. Photo: AFP

Africa

Switzerland returns 18 historic Benin Bronzes to Nigeria

The repatriation marks the latest victory in Africa’s push to reclaim priceless artefacts looted by British colonial forces.

30 Jun 2026 - 10:59AM

Donald Trump

New poll shows eroding global trust in Trump and America

Pew survey across 36 nations found just 23 per cent of respondents had confidence in Trump to do the right thing in world affairs.

24 Jun 2026 - 2:00PMvideocam

Fifa World Cup 2026

Meet Nigeria’s goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, dubbed the world’s sexiest footballer

Nigeria may not have qualified for the 2026 World Cup, but there’s a reason the team is still attracting a lot of attention: Maduka Okoye.

23 Jun 2026 - 6:09PM

Is Maduka Okoye the sexiest football player in the world right now? Photo: @madukaokoye/Instagram

China-Africa relations

China and Africa’s evolving partnership

From funding vital infrastructure and industrial growth to a growing wave of cultural exchange, ties between Beijing and Africa are entering a new phase. In this ongoing series, we explore the deepening economic, cultural and diplomatic relations between China and African countries.

27 Jun 2026 - 9:04AM

Workers collect cotton in a field in Soclogbo, Benin, on January 13, 2025. Photo: AFP

China-Africa relations

More and more Africans want to learn Chinese. But who will teach them?

African nations are adding Chinese to their national curricula, but the roll-out is hampered by a lack of qualified teachers.

19 Jun 2026 - 4:56PMvideocam

The Philippines

How drowning of 2 athletes exposes gaps in Philippine collegiate sports safety

The tragedy shows how young players could be pushed into risky training situations as universities compete for prestige, sports experts say.

14 Jun 2026 - 2:30PM

United States

US to slash number of embassies in Africa that process visas

US State Department consolidation will force applicants across the continent to travel to 20 central hubs.

2 Jun 2026 - 10:32AM

US President Donald Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Photo: EPA

Africa

Nigeria’s opposition divided, incumbent Tinubu eyes second term

Despite economic pains and an Islamist insurgency, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu is viewed as the front runner in January’s elections.

31 May 2026 - 7:02PM

Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (centre) displays his certificate of return as the flag bearer of his party after emerging victorious during the All Progressive Congress (APC) presidential primary election at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre on May 24. Photo: AFP

Africa

Joint Nigeria-US strikes kill 175 Isis fighters

Following the death of a regional deputy, joint operations claim another top strategist responsible for planning and logistics.

20 May 2026 - 2:34PM

United States

20 dead as US, Nigeria carry out more strikes on Islamic State

The air strikes came the day after a joint mission killed Abu Bakr al-Mainuki, described as the group’s global second in command.

18 May 2026 - 7:43PM

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Nigeria

African businesses keep options open as Chinese AI gains ground

Lower costs, downloadable models and greater language flexibility are helping Chinese AI models gain ground across the continent.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Asia is reaching for the open road that Chinese AI offers

Wax-sealed secrets: Vietnamese gangs keep ivory trade alive after China’s ban

Why the Chinese yuan could soon be Africa’s most important currency

The continent’s banks are signing up for China’s Swift alternative, smoothing transactions and potentially avoiding sanctions.

How China’s ‘magic’ rice seeds are transforming the fortunes of Nigerian farmers

Beijing’s hands-off approach challenges traditional Western aid models, prompting Washington to counter with agribusiness interventions.

1,500 couples tie the knot at mass wedding in Nigeria

The two-day ceremony in Kano State was aimed at people who, for financial reasons, would otherwise struggle to afford a wedding.

Pakistan, Bangladesh face economic squeeze as US-Iran crisis widens

Another energy-price shock could mean renewed pressure on their currencies, subsidies and public finances.

US government map of Africa at summit gets every country wrong

Errant slide contained watermark signaling graphic was generated using OpenAI tools during State Department presentation.

Opinion | Can the gigacities of tomorrow keep human connection alive?

We have learned to accommodate more people in larger metropolises while losing the ability to bring those people together into families.

Spurned by the US, African students turn to China for a university degree

Chinese universities emerge as a promising option as they rise up the rankings and Washington tightens visa rules.

‘Super’ El Nino: Africa facing mass migration, US$20 billion in damages

A UN report estimated that by 2035 developing countries ‌will collectively need around US$365 billion each year to tackle climate change.

How China is using film diplomacy to project a better image across Africa

From Burundi to Kenya to Morocco, film screenings, co-productions and cultural exchanges are helping to shape a new frontier of influence.

Meet Maduka Okoye’s baby mama Jelicia Westhoff, who’s accused him of cheating

The Dutch model, who shares a son with the Nigerian goalie voted the world’s sexiest footballer, went on a rant after he was spotted with rapper Cardi B.

China’s AI weather warning system Mazu expanding across Global South

The system has been designed to provide ‘tailored’ services that help developing countries better prepare for extreme weather events.

Boko Haram exploited US and Chinese AI chatbots for attacks: Cambridge study

Former fighters say AI helped with bomb-making, planning and propaganda, raising calls for US-China action on terrorist misuse of chatbots.

Cabo Verde’s sun-soaked Sal sees a revival through a generation of returnees

Cabo Verde has won over many hearts with its brave showing at the Fifa World Cup, but there’s a lot more to this West African archipelago and former Portuguese colony.

Fake Dubai prince scam: how AI deepfakes love-bomb victims to steal hearts and money

Fraudsters use real-time face-swapping tech and the likeness of royal ‘Fazza’ to ensnare vulnerable targets.

Should China worry more about keeping defence customers than winning new deals?

A study of the risks and opportunities for Chinese weapons exports in global markets cautions against a reductive assumption about quality.

Switzerland returns 18 historic Benin Bronzes to Nigeria

The repatriation marks the latest victory in Africa’s push to reclaim priceless artefacts looted by British colonial forces.

New poll shows eroding global trust in Trump and America

Pew survey across 36 nations found just 23 per cent of respondents had confidence in Trump to do the right thing in world affairs.

Meet Nigeria’s goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, dubbed the world’s sexiest footballer

Nigeria may not have qualified for the 2026 World Cup, but there’s a reason the team is still attracting a lot of attention: Maduka Okoye.

China and Africa’s evolving partnership

From funding vital infrastructure and industrial growth to a growing wave of cultural exchange, ties between Beijing and Africa are entering a new phase. In this ongoing series, we explore the deepening economic, cultural and diplomatic relations between China and African countries.

More and more Africans want to learn Chinese. But who will teach them?

African nations are adding Chinese to their national curricula, but the roll-out is hampered by a lack of qualified teachers.

How drowning of 2 athletes exposes gaps in Philippine collegiate sports safety

The tragedy shows how young players could be pushed into risky training situations as universities compete for prestige, sports experts say.

US to slash number of embassies in Africa that process visas

US State Department consolidation will force applicants across the continent to travel to 20 central hubs.

Nigeria’s opposition divided, incumbent Tinubu eyes second term

Despite economic pains and an Islamist insurgency, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu is viewed as the front runner in January’s elections.

Joint Nigeria-US strikes kill 175 Isis fighters

Following the death of a regional deputy, joint operations claim another top strategist responsible for planning and logistics.

20 dead as US, Nigeria carry out more strikes on Islamic State

The air strikes came the day after a joint mission killed Abu Bakr al-Mainuki, described as the group’s global second in command.

Opinion | Asia is reaching for the open road that Chinese AI offers