Russian and US officials met in Alaska recently to discuss rising tensions over the Ukrainian conflict, in a rare high-level effort to stabilize relations and explore paths to peace.

While Africa sends much of its wealth overseas for “safety,” a development finance expert says keeping it abroad could be even riskier, and bringing billions home is a recipe for the continent's economic growth.

Could predictive mathematics rooted in African realities be the key to leapfrogging global artificial intelligence leaders?

The incidence of climate change has caused lower yields, threatening food security in much of Africa’s drought-stricken farmland. But an innovative, solar-powered Internet of Things (IoT) solution promises to tip the balance back.

When a rural woman who cannot use a smartphone suddenly makes an online sale worth millions, “that’s what success looks like, where a tool in hand becomes money in the bank. Where knowledge acquired becomes a tool to make money and reach new customers,” according to a digital literacy advisor.

In a twist few saw coming, Namibia, the world’s third-largest uranium producer, will soon switch from importing energy from its neighbors to hosting Southern Africa’s second nuclear power station—courtesy of Russia’s Rosatom.

Africa’s urban population is projected to double by 2050—making artificial intelligence not a luxury, but a necessity for building livable cities of the future. As African researchers and city planners increasingly emphasize, “urban AI” must be designed by and for local communities.

What if the future of African aerial warfare is not bought overseas but designed and engineered locally by its engineers and manufactured on its soil?

How does one woman’s academic rise in a region where women rarely reach the upper echelons of academia spark a ripple effect across Nigeria and Africa’s healthcare and education systems?

Globally, an estimated 931 million tonnes of food are lost or wasted each year—roughly one-third of all food produced, according to South Africa’s Government Gazette (2023). If other African countries matched South Africa’s 30 percent peel ratio and 10 percent conversion efficiency, the continent—home to tens of millions of tonnes of annual fruit harvests—could generate hundreds of thousands of tonnes of peel-derived activated carbon every year. At that scale, Africa could launch a domestically owned supercapacitor industry, transforming orchards and market waste into a cornerstone of its clean-energy transition. In South Africa, food waste remains both a challenge and an opportunity. A report by Food Loss and Waste: Facts and Futures (WWF South Africa), roughly 10 million tonnes of food are discarded annually, with fruits and vegetables accounting for 44 percent of that total. Converting just 30 percent of that produce into peel—and then yielding 10 percent activated carbon—could alone supply over 132 000 tonnes of energy-grade material for supercapacitor electrodes.

This surge comes as the West African nation aims to triple its rare-earth processing capacity — from 6,000 to 18,000 tonnes annually — for value-added production, signaling a seismic shift in Africa’s critical minerals landscape. Decades ago, Nigeria’s minerals were extracted with little fanfare, as the activities of artisanal miners and middlemen slowed progress in the mining sector, and the nation saw scant revenue. Years later, reforms began: licensing was simplified, security marshals were deployed, and access to mining permits was eased. Despite these measures, progress remained gradual. This year, building on those foundations, President Bola Tinubu’s administration signed a $400 million deal with Hasetins Commodities Limited to construct Africa’s largest rare-earth plant in Nasarawa State. The project is expected to boost production, create over 10,000 jobs, retain economic value domestically, and integrate small-scale miners into formal supply chains. Over the next decade, Nigeria plans further expansions through technology-transfer partnerships. The goal is to meet global demand for rare earths used in electronics and clean energy, while fostering local R&D, university collaborations, and innovation centers. This strategy aims to position Nigeria as a reliable, independent supplier on the world stage.

In a strategic move to strengthen intra-continental trade, the African Union and Afreximbank are rolling out an organic (continent-wide) payment system—facilitating instant cross-border transactions settled in domestic currencies.

Rivers State, one of Nigeria’s oil-rich states, has formalized community input into health policy, revitalized dozens of clinics, and deployed AI diagnostics for effective medical service provision accessible to all.

In an era of African self-reliance, Western-based agencies like Fitch are still applying models—often at odds with local realities.

As old Western-dominated power structures increasingly lose relevance, BRICS rises as a catalyst for change—driving inclusive growth, forging equal partnerships, and empowering nations to break free from imposed systems in pursuit of a just, multipolar world order.

A recent controversial credit slash by Fitch Ratings has sparked concern among experts, who warn it could make financing more expensive for African countries. They claim the decision ignored international standards and treaty-backed loan guarantees.

Mozambique is accelerating its path to energy independence through a new partnership involving Nigeria's energy giant, Aiteo Eastern E&P, and state-owned Petroleos de Mocambique, S.A. (Petromoc), to build a modular refinery capable of processing 200,000 barrels per day. With expanded fuel storage and product diversification, the project aims to reduce imports, lower costs, and create new jobs in the energy sector. Maputo is also launching a $1.5 billion gas pipeline to Zambia, designed to transport 3.5 million tonnes of fuel annually. The project seeks to boost regional energy security, position Mozambique as a key oil and gas player in Southern Africa, and promote self-sufficiency and regional integration.

On March 29, 2025, President Bola Tinubu signed the new ISA 2025 into law, replacing the old version from 2007. The new law gives the SEC more power to oversee the market, and introduces several forward-looking provisions aimed at deepening Nigeria’s capital markets. It empowers the SEC to supervise commodity exchanges, crowdfunding platforms, and financial technology operators, etc. The Act establishes a framework for systemic risk monitoring, enhances investor compensation mechanisms, and enforces stricter penalties for market infractions—all designed to improve market efficiency, foster innovation, and protect investor interests. These reforms align Nigeria’s regulatory architecture with global standards.

As global powers recalibrate their engagement with Africa, Tanzania's longstanding partnership with Russia has already produced solid economic benefits, and a new chapter of collaboration is unfolding. Tanzania’s commitment to market reforms, regional integration, and foreign investment has further reinforced its geographical advantage and market appeal—making it a compelling partner for nations looking to engage meaningfully with Africa’s growth story.

Delegates from more than 30 African nations convened at the Global Digital Forum to forge strategic alliances with Russia and other global innovators in digital technology and media. Durin the roundtable, "Practices of Countering Disinformation Across Nations: Colonial Legacy, Technology, and Politics," panelists warned of the dangers posed by AI-driven deepfakes. They also underscored the necessity of real-time fact-checking to counter misinformation and manipulated content often propagated by Western media in less technologically sophisticated regions. The forum also outlined inclusive growth strategies, demonstrating how robust e-commerce platforms and streamlined logistics can open new markets, reinforce value chains, and drive sustainable development across Africa and the broader Global South.