Ethiopia: Ethiopian Editor Seized From Addis Standard Newsroom By Unidentified Men

[CPJ] Nairobi -- The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Ethiopian authorities to do everything in their power to locate and free Addis Standard managing editor Million Beyene who was taken by unidentified men from his newsroom in the capital Addis Ababa on Wednesday morning. Source

Kenya: Relief At the Pump As MPs Slash Fuel Vat to 8 Percent

[Capital FM] Nairobi -- The National Assembly has approved the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2026, lowering VAT on petroleum products from 16 percent to 8 percent for a period of three months, in a move lawmakers say is aimed at cushioning Kenyans against rising fuel prices. Source

Kenya: Why World Athletics Rejected Bid By Kenyan Athletes to Change Nationality to Turkey

[Capital FM] NAIROBI -- World Athletics have rejected an appeal by five Kenyan athletes, including former world record holder Brigid Kosgei, to change their nationality to Turkey. Source

Nigeria: Lassa Fever Death Triggers Emergency Response in Oyo

[Vanguard] The Oyo State Government has activated emergency response measures following the death of a 44-year-old woman from Lassa fever at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. Source

Zimbabwe: At Least 18 Dead After Commuter Omnibus Catches Fire, Explodes Along Bulawayo-Beitbridge Highway

[New Zimbabwe] AROUND 18 people have died after a commuter omnibus caught fire and exploded along the Bulawayo Beitbridge Highway Thursday afternoon, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed. Source

Botswana: Death Row Cell Where Dawn Is Memory and Grave Is Roommate

[Botswana Daily News] Gaborone -- A heavily guarded metal door swings open. Entrance is restricted and monitored by guards. Source

South Africa: Cape Town Health Workers Protest, Demand Permanent Jobs

[GroundUp] Community health workers marched through the streets to the provincial legislature in Cape Town on Thursday to demand that the provincial health department employ them permanently. Source

Kenya: Supreme Court Clarifies Definition and Role of Local Tribunals

[Capital FM] Nairobi -- The Supreme Court has has allowed an appeal filed by the National Assembly seeking to overturn an Appellate Court Judgement on the legal framework for operation of tribunals. Source

Burundi: Mystery Shrouds Death of Burundi Information Minister

[New Times] The Burundian Minister for Media and Communication, Gabby Bugaga was found dead in the morning of Thursday, April 16, according to media reports from the neighbouring country. Source

Rwanda: Kigali's Industrial Exports Reach $290 Million

[New Times] Industries operating within the Kigali Special Economic Zone (KSEZ) exported processed goods worth approximately $290 million in 2025, as authorities advance expansion preparations for Phase III and Phase IV. Source

Gambia: Cruise Ship Oceania Sirena Docks As Gambia Eyes Growth in Cruise Tourism

[The Point] The Gambia Tourism Board (GTBoard), in partnership with West African Tours, on Wednesday welcomed the arrival of the cruise ship Oceania Sirena to the country's shores, marking another milestone in the growth of cruise tourism in The Gambia. Source

Nigeria: Police Extradite Fugitive to UK Over Murder, Drug Trafficking

[Vanguard] The Nigeria Police Force has extradited a fugitive, Matthew Chukwuemeka Adebiyi, to the United Kingdom over alleged involvement in murder and drug trafficking. Source