Africa News Live Updates: Nigeria rebuilds schools, South Africa fights extinction, Mediterranean faces climate strain

General

General Africa News Live Updates: Stay tuned to our live coverage bringing you the pulse of Africa as it happens. We’re tracking unfolding political shifts, peace and security developments, regional cooperation milestones, breakthroughs in business and technology, the effects of climate change, population movements and community-led change. Watch how nations across the continent engage with the world and confront challenges at home and abroad across every sphere of life

general Africa News Live Updates: Nigeria rebuilds schools, South Africa fights extinction, Mediterranean faces climate strain

Good morning, Africa — here’s what’s unfolding today. From Borno’s push to rebuild schools after years of insurgency, to a public health alert over a new mosquito-borne disease, Nigeria is seeing major developments in education, health and security. Across the continent, South Africa confronts the near-extinction of the Taita falcon, Mediterranean nations grapple with mounting environmental threats and Lagos tightens safety checks on ride-hailing services. We’re also tracking moves to boost financial inclusion, a cybercrime-arms arrest with big investment implications, and the latest from BBNaija 10. Follow along for live updates as the day develops:

General Live Updates

Africa News Live Updates: Stay tuned to our live coverage bringing you the pulse of Africa as it happens. We’re tracking unfolding political shifts, peace and security developments, regional cooperation milestones, breakthroughs in business and technology, the effects of climate change, population movements and community-led change. Watch how nations across the continent engage with the world and confront challenges at home and abroad across every sphere of life

August 11, 2025, 23:55:44 (IST)

Rwanda’s nationwide storm alert highlights climate risks for agriculture and infrastructure

Rwanda’s national meteorology agency, Meteo Rwanda, has issued a nationwide alert for rainfall and thunderstorms for the evening of August 11, as per a report in The New Times. This public safety warning underscores significant economic risks for the nation, particularly for its largely agrarian economy, where such events can damage crops and affect food security. The alert also brings into focus the country’s long-term development strategies, testing the resilience of urban drainage, transport infrastructure, and construction projects against the increasing frequency of severe weather events linked to climate change.

August 11, 2025, 23:53:58 (IST)

Former lawmaker calls for Nnamdi Kanu’s pardon to address economic disruption in Nigeria

A former Lagos lawmaker has called on Nigerian President Bola Tinubu to pardon and release Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Premium Times says in a report. The plea is positioned as a political solution to the persistent insecurity and economic instability, including disruptive ‘sit-at-home’ orders, that have impacted Nigeria’s Southeast region. Kanu has been held since June 2021 on terrorism charges following his controversial repatriation from Kenya. His release is seen by supporters as a critical step towards de-escalation and regional reconciliation, which could improve the investment climate, though a presidential pardon bypassing the judiciary also raises questions about the rule of law for the business community.

August 11, 2025, 23:52:12 (IST)

Service delivery dispute in Namibian port city signals political risk ahead of elections

Sophia Shaningwa, secretary general of Namibia’s ruling Swapo party, has been accused of politicising a community meeting concerning poor municipal service delivery in the key port city of Walvis Bay, The Namibian said in a report. The incident, where Shaningwa was to receive a petition from a residents’ association, underscores growing public discontent with governance, a factor that could create uncertainty for businesses and investors. For a city that serves as Namibia’s primary commercial port and a significant economic hub, persistent issues with service delivery and the perception of political maneuvering over substantive solutions may be viewed as a risk to the local business environment, particularly with general elections scheduled for late 2024.

August 11, 2025, 23:51:37 (IST)

Former Namibian president urges officials to stop stealing public funds

Former Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba has publicly called on leaders and officials to stop stealing public resources amid a series of corruption scandals, according to a report in The Namibian. Speaking during a visit from Ohangwena Governor Kadiva Hamutumwa at his homestead, Pohamba’s remarks are a direct response to ongoing issues such as the ‘Fishrot scandal,’ which has implicated high-ranking officials in corruption and led to arrests. The former leader specifically urged members of the ruling SWAPO party to be content with their government salaries and cease the misappropriation of public funds.

August 11, 2025, 23:50:27 (IST)

South Africa ends Guinea’s unbeaten record with 2-1 victory in CHAN match

South Africa’s national football team, Bafana Bafana, secured a 2-1 victory over Guinea, ending the latter’s long-standing unbeaten record, according to a report in The Star. The win occurred during a Group C match of the African Nations Championship (CHAN), which was held in Kampala. The report notes that the South African team showcased a strong performance to achieve the result.

August 11, 2025, 23:50:06 (IST)

South Africa’s opposition DA backs 4,000MW nuclear plant, raising fiscal and energy policy questions

South Africa’s opposition Democratic Alliance (DA), through its Shadow Minister of Finance Dion George, has backed a proposal for a new 4,000-megawatt nuclear power plant, a significant policy stance amid the nation’s severe energy crisis, as per a report in Mail & Guardian. This development signals a potential shift in the political approach to solving chronic power shortages, but it also triggers immediate economic and fiscal concerns. Environmental groups and economic analysts have warned of the project’s high capital costs, the risk of construction delays and budget overruns seen in past projects, and the potential impact on South Africa’s national debt. The proposed 4,000MW capacity notably exceeds the 2,500MW allocated for nuclear energy in the current Integrated Resource Plan (IRP 2019), suggesting a major revision to the country’s long-term energy strategy would be required.

August 11, 2025, 23:47:05 (IST)

Abia state government announces start date for 2025 leadership academy

The government of Abia State in Nigeria has announced the official start date for the first group of participants in the 2025 Abia Leadership Academy, as per a report in Premium Times. The initiative, under the administration of Governor Alex C. Otti, is designed to train young residents of the state for leadership positions. This programme is presented as part of the governor’s broader agenda, which focuses on human capital development within the state.

August 11, 2025, 23:45:56 (IST)

Nigeria’s $21.5bn borrowing plan faces calls for transparency amid rising debt concerns

Following the Nigerian Senate’s approval of a $21.5 billion external borrowing plan for 2025-2026 proposed by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, a civil society group has urged the government to ensure complete transparency regarding the loans and national debt, according to a report in Premium Times. The approval comes as Nigeria grapples with significant economic challenges, including high inflation and a large existing public debt portfolio, which stood at approximately N97.34 trillion as of December 2023. The call for transparency underscores concerns about debt sustainability and the effective utilisation of the new funds, which the government intends to use for critical infrastructure and to stimulate economic growth.

August 11, 2025, 23:45:33 (IST)

Nigeria’s Akwa Ibom state targets diaspora for tourism investment to diversify economy

The governor of Nigeria’s Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, has made a strategic call for the state’s diaspora to champion tourism and cultural preservation in a move to diversify the regional economy beyond oil revenues, Premium Times says in a report. Governor Eno extended a formal invitation to the Akwa Ibom State Association of Nigeria (USA), Inc. (AKISAN) to hold its 2026 convention in the state capital, Uyo. The governor urged the association to begin immediate planning with the state government for the event, which is part of a broader strategy to leverage diaspora engagement for economic development.

August 11, 2025, 23:43:00 (IST)

Death toll rises to 13 after Adamawa communal clash

The death toll from a recent communal clash in Adamawa State, Nigeria, has now reached 13, Premium Times says in a report. The conflict, which was reportedly over farmlands, had initially led to 10 confirmed fatalities. In response to the initial outbreak of violence in July, the state government imposed a curfew in the affected area.

August 11, 2025, 23:42:49 (IST)

Zulu King Misuzulu moves annual Reed Dance ceremony to new palace

Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has decided to relocate the annual Reed Dance (Umkhosi woMhlanga) ceremony to Mashobeni palace, The Star says in a report. This decision is seen as a strategic manoeuvre to assert and consolidate his authority following a heavily contested succession to the throne. The relocation from the traditional venue of Enyokeni Palace, associated with his late father, to Mashobeni, which is linked to his mother, Queen Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu, is interpreted as a way to distance the key cultural event from contested spaces and royal rivals. While the Zulu monarch holds no direct executive power, his cultural influence is substantial, and this decision has political implications for the stability of the KwaZulu-Natal province, a key consideration for regional business and investment.

August 11, 2025, 23:39:20 (IST)

Shooting Stars assistant coach Akin Olowokere has died

Akin Olowokere, the assistant coach for the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) team Shooting Stars, has passed away, according to a report in Premium Times. Olowokere had only recently joined the Ibadan-based club to serve as an assistant under the newly appointed Technical Adviser, Nurudeen Aweroro.

August 11, 2025, 23:36:49 (IST)

Protest causes traffic gridlock around Lagos airport

A protest organised by the Farmcraft Centre for the Blind is causing significant traffic disruption around Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, Nigeria, according to a report in Premium Times. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) issued a public notice advising passengers and the general public of the ongoing demonstration. FAAN warned that the protest may affect vehicular movement to and from the airport.

August 11, 2025, 23:29:25 (IST)

Internal dissent in Namibia’s SWAPO party highlights governance risks

Leaders of Namibia’s ruling SWAPO party in the Okahandja district face allegations of corruption, financial mismanagement, and irregular leadership appointments from their own members, according to a report in The Namibian. Tensions reportedly escalated after members locked the party’s district office in protest. The dispute points to broader concerns regarding internal party democracy and accountability, which are significant for political stability and investor confidence, particularly in the context of previous national corruption scandals that have affected Namibia’s business environment.

August 11, 2025, 23:21:50 (IST)

South Africa names netball squad for New Zealand and Australia tour

South Africa’s national netball team, the Proteas, has named its squad for an upcoming tour of New Zealand and Australia, The Star says in a report. This tour is considered a crucial element of the team’s preparations for two major future events: the next Commonwealth Games and the Netball World Cup, which is scheduled to be held in 2027.

August 11, 2025, 23:16:30 (IST)

Namibian fishing industry faces job risks amid delay in pilchard quota allocation

Namibia’s fishing industry is concerned about potential job losses due to a delay in the allocation of a recently approved 10,000-tonne pilchard quota, The Namibian says in a report. Although Namibia’s Cabinet approved the total allowable catch (TAC) two weeks ago for the remainder of the 2025 season, the industry is still awaiting the final allocation. The delay is critical as the pilchard stock is currently migrating north towards Angolan waters, threatening to move the resource out of reach of Namibian fishers and risking the economic benefits of the quota.

August 11, 2025, 23:15:37 (IST)

Police in Nigeria arrest suspected IPOB member with stolen vehicle

Police in Nigeria have arrested a man they identify as a suspected member of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in connection with a stolen vehicle, Premium Times said in a report. The arrest was made on Sunday in Anambra State, where authorities recovered a vehicle that had been reported stolen from the neighboring Imo State.

August 11, 2025, 23:14:37 (IST)

Namibian political leader criticises N$1-million parliament budget for ‘tea and roses’

Job Amupanda, leader of Namibia’s Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement, has questioned a N$1-million budget allocated for flowers and refreshments for the country’s National Assembly, according to a report in The Namibian. Amupanda criticised the expenditure, highlighting that it comes amid a lack of basic supplies like parliamentary stationery. He alleges the budget was secretly allocated to the Office of the Speaker and has formally addressed his concerns in a letter to National Assembly secretary Esther Kaapanda.

August 11, 2025, 23:09:52 (IST)

South African insurers reassess property risk due to rising crime and climate events

Insurance firms in South Africa are fundamentally altering how they assess and price risk for business and personal property, driven by the dual pressures of persistent high crime rates and the increasing severity of climate-related events, according to a report in The Star. This shift in underwriting strategy is a direct response to the rising financial impact of property damage from both criminal activity and extreme weather, such as recent floods and droughts. Consequently, property owners and businesses are facing more frequent reviews of their insurance policies and significant adjustments to their premiums as the industry adapts to a new risk environment.

August 11, 2025, 22:20:34 (IST)

South Africa’s Home Affairs partners with Capitec and FNB to expand ID services

South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs has entered into a public-private partnership with Capitec and FNB to broaden the availability of Smart ID and passport services, The Star says in a report. The initiative will use the banks’ branch networks to offer these services, aiming to address historical inefficiencies and long queues at government offices. The stated goals of the collaboration are to improve convenience for citizens, thereby making it easier to obtain documents required for formal economic participation. The partnership is also intended to increase customer foot traffic for the banks and integrate them further into the country’s service delivery framework.

August 11, 2025, 21:30:52 (IST)

First malaria treatment for newborns approved, a major development for Africa

A new malaria treatment, the first specifically for newborn babies, has received regulatory approval, marking a critical milestone in public health, The Washington Post reports. This development is particularly significant for the African continent, where children under five accounted for 76% of the 597,000 global malaria deaths in 2023. The approval validates substantial investment from international donors and global health bodies like the WHO, while placing pressure on African governments to fund procurement and ensure equitable distribution. For pharmaceutical companies, the move offers positive public relations but also invites scrutiny over pricing and accessibility. Economically, the treatment is viewed as a cost-effective intervention that could boost human capital and reduce national healthcare expenditures by lowering child mortality.

August 11, 2025, 21:29:04 (IST)

Gemfields sells Fabergé stake for $50 million to focus on core African mining operations

Gemfields Group has divested its holding in the luxury brand Fabergé, selling the stake to SMG Capital for $50 million (approximately R889 million), as per a report in The Star. This strategic move signals the company’s intention to concentrate on its core business of mining and marketing coloured gemstones, primarily sourced from its operations in Zambia and Mozambique. The sale marks an exit from the downstream luxury retail segment, allowing Gemfields to streamline its activities and focus on its primary African extractive operations amid a broader trend of companies re-evaluating investment strategies in the continent’s resource sector.

August 11, 2025, 21:20:53 (IST)

South African court denies bail to parolee in business fraud case

A parolee in South Africa, Thabo Enoch Theletsane, has been denied bail by the Hatfield Magistrate’s Court after allegedly impersonating a senior police official from the elite Hawks unit to defraud a businessman, The Star says in a report. The court’s decision to deny bail was influenced by Theletsane’s existing criminal record and the nature of the alleged offences committed while on parole.

August 11, 2025, 21:17:46 (IST)

Orlando Pirates to face Gallants after early league setback

Following an early season setback that has impacted their title ambitions, South African soccer club Orlando Pirates aims to bounce back in their next match, according to a report in The Star. The team, which had a close finish last season, is now scheduled to travel for a clash against Gallants at the Dr. Petrus Molemela Stadium. The focus for the club is to put the recent disappointment behind them and secure a positive result.

August 11, 2025, 21:15:28 (IST)

Cameroon announces plan for more economical and ecological public lighting

The government of Cameroon has unveiled a new initiative for public lighting that is intended to be more economical and ecological, Cameroon Tribune says in a report. The plan, announced by the Minister of Water and Energy, Gaston Eloundou Essomba, aims to address long-standing challenges within the nation’s energy sector, such as inefficient power consumption and poor infrastructure. This initiative aligns with the country’s broader goals of modernizing public services and meeting sustainable development commitments.

August 11, 2025, 21:13:03 (IST)

Cameroon announces commitments to decentralization and civil registry reform

The Cameroonian government has outlined its commitments to further the country’s decentralization process, enhance local development, and modernize the civil registry, or ‘état civil’, Cameroon Tribune says in a report. These efforts, part of the ongoing implementation of the 2019 General Code of Decentralization, are aimed at improving local governance and service delivery. The focus on modernizing the civil registry is intended to secure citizens’ legal identities and access to services, which is a critical component for effective local planning and development.

August 11, 2025, 21:06:12 (IST)

Nigerian fighter Patrick Ocheme wins at PFL Africa tournament in Johannesburg

Nigerian featherweight Patrick Ocheme defeated Mohamed Camara by unanimous decision at the Professional Fighters League (PFL) Africa Tournament held in Johannesburg, The Star said in a report. The event is part of the global PFL’s tournament series and featured fighters from across the continent. Ocheme, representing Nigeria, secured the victory in the featherweight bout hosted in the South African city.

August 11, 2025, 20:11:19 (IST)

More than 3 million displaced people have returned home in DRC, UN says

More than 3 million internally displaced people in the Democratic Republic of Congo have returned to their homes, though the country’s overall humanitarian situation remains dire, according to a report in Africanews. New data released by the United Nations indicates a significant number of returns for those displaced by conflict. However, the UN also highlights that the humanitarian crisis persists, with many returnees facing precarious conditions in areas that may still lack security and essential services.

August 11, 2025, 20:03:22 (IST)

African Development Bank to provide $500 million for new Ethiopian airport project

The African Development Bank (AfDB) plans to provide $500 million in financing for the development of a new airport in Ethiopia, The New Times said in a report on Monday. This capital injection is a significant contribution towards the total cost of the proposed mega-airport, which is designed to enhance or replace the existing Bole International Airport near Addis Ababa. The project is a key component of Ethiopia’s infrastructure-led growth strategy, aimed at establishing the nation as a dominant aviation and logistics hub in East Africa.

August 11, 2025, 20:02:18 (IST)

South African police officers arrested for selling blank affidavits

Two police officers in South Africa have been arrested for allegedly selling commissioned blank affidavit forms to the public for R100 each, according to a report in The Star. The incident has raised significant concerns about corruption within the South African Police Service. In response, the Western Cape Provincial Commissioner has issued a stern warning regarding corruption within the police ranks.

August 11, 2025, 20:00:34 (IST)

Rwandan farmers warn rising pesticide costs threaten potato and maize yields

Farmers of Irish potatoes and maize in Rwanda have raised concerns about a probable decrease in crop yields as the cost of essential agricultural inputs like pesticides and fungicides continues to escalate, according to a report in The New Times. The rising prices are compelling some farmers to make difficult choices, including scaling down the size of their cultivated land, which poses a direct threat to the country’s food production targets for these staple crops.

August 11, 2025, 19:58:00 (IST)

Golden Arrows and Richards Bay to meet in first KZN derby of the season

In South Africa’s Premier Soccer League, Golden Arrows and Richards Bay will face off in the season’s first KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) derby on Wednesday at King Zwelithini Stadium, The Star says in a report. Both teams are entering the match under early-season pressure, seeking to secure their first victory after suffering defeats in their respective opening-day games. The match represents an important opportunity for both clubs to gain momentum in the league.

August 11, 2025, 19:53:13 (IST)

Chevron appoints new country manager for Namibia and West Africa

Chevron has appointed Beatrice Bienvenu as its new country manager for Namibia and West Africa to oversee exploration in the nation’s oil and gas sector, according to a report in The Namibian. The appointment follows recent major discoveries in Namibia’s Orange Basin, which have increased the region’s profile as an oil and gas frontier. Bienvenu has met with officials from Namibia’s Upstream Petroleum Unit, the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor), and the Petroleum Training and Education Fund (Petrofund).

August 11, 2025, 19:48:56 (IST)

Young women in South Africa face significant barriers to property credit access

In South Africa, young women encounter significant and intersecting barriers when trying to access credit for property, according to a report in The Star. The challenge is twofold, combining the general economic precarity faced by the nation’s youth—such as high unemployment and a lack of credit history—with systemic gender-based disadvantages in the financial system. A primary obstacle is the requirement for collateral in secured lending. Due to historical and societal factors, young women are less likely to possess the necessary assets, like property, to secure such loans, which effectively curtails their ability to build wealth and participate fully in the economy. This situation highlights a significant gap between the stated policy goals of economic and gender empowerment and the practical reality for a key demographic, with substantial implications for economic inclusion and development.

August 11, 2025, 19:03:28 (IST)

Candidate in Anambra 2025 election urges voters to reject vote-buying

A candidate for the upcoming 2025 gubernatorial election in Nigeria’s Anambra State has called on the electorate to shun “money for vote” practices, according to a report in Premium Times. The candidate stated that citizens have a responsibility to improve society by actively participating in the political process and obeying the law. This call addresses the illegal practice of offering financial or material inducements for votes, an issue that was reportedly widespread during Nigeria’s 2023 general elections.

August 11, 2025, 19:00:10 (IST)

Insurgents kill six and abduct one in Nigeria’s Borno and Yobe states

Insurgents have killed six people and abducted one person in recent attacks in Nigeria’s Borno and Yobe states, according to a report in Premium Times. One of the attacks occurred in Kirawa, a border town in Borno State where both the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) and Cameroonian soldiers maintain military bases.

August 11, 2025, 18:54:07 (IST)

Chinese firm to invest $32m in South African manufacturing plant

Chinese building materials producer China Lesso Group will invest $32 million in a new manufacturing facility in South Africa after securing land for the development, Daily Sun said in a report. The plant will locally produce a range of goods, including plastic pipes, sanitary ware, and fire-fighting equipment. The investment is seen as strategically significant as it includes the manufacturing of solar panels, directly addressing South Africa’s ongoing energy crisis, and aligns with the government’s industrial policy focused on localisation and attracting foreign direct investment to boost the manufacturing sector.

August 11, 2025, 18:51:14 (IST)

Former Lagos governor Ambode endorses President Tinubu, denies defection rumours

Former Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has publicly backed President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), ending speculation that he would defect to another party, Premium Times said in a report. The endorsement is notable given that Ambode, who was governor from 2015-2019, was denied a second-term ticket by the party in a move widely attributed to Tinubu. In his statement, Ambode expressed support for a potential second term for Tinubu beginning in 2027, marking an early start to the next election cycle.

August 11, 2025, 18:50:55 (IST)

Manie Libbok named starting flyhalf for Springboks against Australia

South Africa’s national rugby team coach, Rassie Erasmus, has named Manie Libbok as the starting flyhalf for the Springboks’ opening match of the Rugby Championship against Australia, The Star says in a report. The selection is for a strong squad assembled for the tournament opener against the Wallabies.

August 11, 2025, 18:48:55 (IST)

Lax security at Ethiopia’s Bole airport highlights regional drug trafficking concerns

A significant security lapse at Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport has led to a Kenyan citizen facing execution in Vietnam for drug trafficking, highlighting a major vulnerability at the key African hub, according to a report in Mail & Guardian. The incident at the airport, often cited as Africa’s busiest by passenger traffic, underscores broader regional challenges, as East Africa increasingly serves as a transit route for illicit drugs. The security failure raises concerns about potential systemic governance issues and could cause significant reputational damage to the airport. Furthermore, the case draws attention to the severe capital punishment laws for drug offenses in nations like Vietnam and puts diplomatic pressure on both the Kenyan and Ethiopian governments to address the situation and bolster security protocols.

End of Liveblog