Author: Opinion

This open letter is in response to a new effort on the part of United States, specifically U.S. President Donald J. Trump in meddling in the Ethiopia Egypt conflict over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which Ethiopia is building on the Blue Nile. While it is frequently described in terms of promoting “regional stability,” this intervention raises fundamental questions about sovereignty, legitimacy and power relations in Africa. The Nile River runs through and is used by many countries, most prominently Egypt, which has historically held outsize political influence over waters of the Nile due to colonial-era agreements. The construction of the GERD…

Benin once again erupted in sound and colour this weekend as Cotonou shook to the beat of a rarefied music festival organized by the President’s son. International acts, a dazzling set-up, huge publicity: it was all planned to give the country two-and-a-half-hours of collective euphoria despite Benin’s political instability. But as the spotlight shone on stage, another reality lurked in the shadows. What makes this contrast politically significant is not the existence of entertainment itself, but the timing, messaging, and national attention it commands when public debate is narrowing and material hardship is rising. In such moments, celebration can become…

Ending digital gender-based violence is central to achieving inclusive growth, human dignity, and the promise of Africa’s digital future. The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign is an international campaign led by the United Nations to challenge violence against women and girls. From 25 November – 10 December, this year’s 16 Days campaign targets how to end digital violence against women and girls. African Development Bank Director for Women, Gender and Civil Society Jemimah Njuki and Senior Programme Officer Ndey Oley Cole share five bold moves to end digital gender-based violence and unlock Africa’s digital promise.Every day, countless…

To achieve stronger Africa’s energy future, policymakers must facilitate with stable fiscal regimes, predictable contract terms, and anti-corruption measures. These reforms help de-risk projects and give investors the confidence to commit long-term capital. Investor confidence in Algeria’s energy sector is climbing. The country — already one of Africa’s most active oil and gas producers — has seen even more momentum in 2025. In October, Algeria’s national oil company, Sonatrach, announced a USD5.4 billion partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Midad Energy to explore and develop new fields in the Illizi Basin. The government has also entered advanced talks with ExxonMobil and Chevron…

The Benin Coup Attempt: A Crisis Years in the Making Ten years of constitutional tinkering, regional destabilization and trans-border repression under President Patrice Talon made rupture unavoidable. The peace of West Africa now hinges on recognizing that the genuine threat to Benin did not start in the barracks. We must condemn the botched coup in Benin. For those of us who have spent our careers upholding democratic governance, the rule of law and peaceful transfer of power, there is no doubt: Soldier interventions are an illegitimate breach with constitutional order and a slap in the face to the principles that…

A Tribute to Kwezi Mngqibisa: Life & Professional Impact… Brothers and sisters, distinguished colleagues, and friends, We gather here today with heavy hearts to honour the life, the work, and the spirit of our dear brother, Kwezi Kennedy Mngqibisa. On the 1st of December, I received the news from my sister, Martha Kiiza Bakwesegha, that Kwezi had been recalled to higher office on the 27th of November 2025. In that moment, I felt what we call in Kirundi Agahinda—a deep, quiet, overwhelming sadness. Today, we share that sorrow. But we also share gratitude for having known him. A Meeting That…

Artificial intelligence in Africa is no longer the stuff of science fiction or a distant technological curiosity. Already, it has entered into the political, social and security landscape of the heart of the continent, sometimes whispering, other times screaming and now and again with radical effect. For a continent struggling with entrenched conflicts, demographic pressures, misinformation and geopolitical shifts, AI represents both an extraordinary opportunity as well as an urgent governance challenge. Africa is now at a cross point: we can define AI, or be defined by it. AI, Governance and Peacebuilding in Africa Across the continent, AI systems now…

Through blockchain ecosystem, millions of Africans are getting the opportunity to save funds, receive payments, and even access credit using nothing more than a smartphone and an internet connection. For informal savings groups, such as South African stokvels, blockchain and smart contracts are increasing transparency and automating payouts, reducing disputes and making small-scale lending easier. Supply-chain transparency is another area where blockchain is making a tangible impact. As Binance Blockchain Week, taking place from 3 to 4 December, approaches, it’s clear that blockchain is no longer just a buzzword for cryptocurrency traders. Across South Africa and the wider continent, it is…

Traditional grid extension to drive energy access is rarely feasible for rural communities in Africa, but distributed generation (DG) systems and microgrids offer scalable, cost-effective, and increasingly low-carbon solutions that can deliver reliable power to schools, health centers, and households. The countries facing the most severe access gaps include Burkina Faso, Burundi, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Malawi, Niger, and South Sudan, each with electrification rates below 30%. Decentralized systems, such as solar home units and mini-grids, deliver energy precisely where it’s needed: directly to households, schools, and businesses that national utilities cannot reach…

Universal energy access must be the anchor of Africa’s climate roadmap. African governments and their partners must weave energy access into the heart of climate policy. This means scaling renewable energy investments, strengthening grids, reforming utilities, and designing transition pathways that reflect Africa’s demographics, industrial goals, and financing constraints. With COP30 underway in Belém, Brazil, the global community is once again confronted with the urgency of climate action. For Africa however, the conversation must begin with a more fundamental question: how do we power the continent so that climate ambition does not outpace development reality? While advanced economies frame climate progress…