Nigeria: 12 Rescued, One Dies, As Nigerian Tugboat Capsizes Off South Africa Coast

[This Day] Abuja -- A maritime tragedy has struck off the South African coastline after a Nigerian tugboat, LEO, sank in turbulent waters late Saturday night, leaving one crew member confirmed dead, five missing and 12 others rescued in a coordinated emergency response. Source

South Africa: Families Borrow At High Interest Just to Buy Food

[Scrolla] The February 2026 Household Affordability Index shows the cost of a basic food basket has risen again, placing severe pressure on low income households. Many workers now rely on mashonisa loans to buy groceries, often paying back far more than they borrowed due to high interest charges. Source

Ghana: MFA Advises Ghanaians to Avoid Non-Essential Travel to Middle East

[Ghanaian Times] THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has advised Ghanaians to avoid non-essential travel to and from the Middle East amid escalating hostilities that are raising serious security concerns. Source

Uganda: When Uganda's Emergency Crises Become Cash Cows

[Independent (Kampala)] Kampala, Uganda -- In Uganda, disasters ranging from seasonal floods, landslides, to public health emergencies--rarely spare ordinary citizens. Families displaced by floods can spend weeks in makeshift shelters, while overstretched health facilities struggle with dwindling medical supplies. Yet, even when emergency funds are allocated, aid often fails to reach the people who need it most. Where funds are released for infrastructure refurbishment as was the case when the River Katonga bridge along the Kampala-Masaka Highway Source

South Africa: Government Calls for Regulatory Assurance for Menstrual Hygiene Products

[SAnews.gov.za] The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) has formally engaged the University of the Free State (UFS) following the release of a peer-reviewed study identifying the presence of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in various sanitary pads and pantyliners available in South Africa. Source

South Africa: Turkish FMD Vaccines Arrival Scales Up National Vaccination Drive

[SAnews.gov.za] Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has confirmed the arrival of a major consignment of 1.5 million Dollvet Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccines at OR Tambo International Airport on Sunday, 1 March 2026. Source

Kenya: System Failure At SHA Halts Critical Healthcare Approvals Services Nationwide

[Capital FM] Nairobi -- The Social Health Authority (SHA) has announced a major service interruption affecting its digital health platform, disrupting pre-authorisation services across contracted healthcare facilities nationwide. Source

Uganda: Prisons Explains Process of Pardoning of Convicts

[Nile Post] Uganda Prisons Service has clarified the legal process through which convicted prisoners may be granted a presidential pardon, emphasizing that the authority to forgive offenders rests solely with the President. Source

Nigeria: Nigeria to Receive Twice-Yearly HIV Prevention Injection in March - Official

[Premium Times] The agency also disclosed that landscape and readiness assessments have been completed in 10 states; Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Benue, Cross River, Ebonyi, FCT, Gombe, Kano, Kwara and Lagos,to evaluate service delivery capacity and identify implementation needs Source

South Africa: FSCA Slaps Ex-Steinhoff Legal and Treasury Chief Grobler With R359m Fraud Fine

[Daily Maverick] The net tightens around Steinhoff's inner circle. With a R359-million penalty, the FSCA signals that accountability for one of South Africa's biggest corporate collapses will not end with boardroom exits or tragedy, but with personal financial consequences. Source

South Africa: Middle East Conflict - Oil and Gold Price Surge Will Shock South Africa

[Daily Maverick] The spectre of oil at $100 (R1,607) a barrel will haunt the South African Reserve Bank's efforts to contain inflation. At the start of this year there were high hopes that the Bank would deliver at least two more 25-basis-point rate cuts this year. Those may now be dashed. Source

South Sudan: Dozens of MSF Staff Missing After Escalation of Violence

[MSF] On 3 February 2026, MSF hospital in Lankien, Jonglei state, South Sudan, was hit in an airstrike by the government of South Sudan forces. Source