Africa: African Development Bank Partners With Interpol to Combat Financial Crime and Strengthen Anti-Corruption Efforts in Africa

[African Development Bank (AfDB)] The African Development Bank Group has taken a significant step forward in its fight against corruption and financial crime by signing a Letter of Intent with the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) today. The Bank Group is the first multilateral development bank to establish such a collaboration with Interpol. Source

Africa: Paving the Way for a Stronger and More Integrated Africa - African Development Bank Reaffirms Its Commitment At Casablanca Ministerial Roundtable

[African Development Bank (AfDB)] The African Development Bank has reinforced its dedication to regional integration, highlighting the transformative potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in creating a united market that could boost intra-African trade by 52 percent by 2035. Source

Africa: Official List of Candidates for the Election of the Next President of the African Development Bank

[African Development Bank (AfDB)] The Steering Committee of the Board of Governors on the Election of the President of the African Development Bank met on 11 and 12 February 2025 at the Bank Group's headquarters in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. The Steering Committee, after examining the candidatures cleared the following list of candidates for the office of the President of the African Development Bank during the next election to be held on 29 May 2025: Source

Rwanda: US Imposes Sanctions On Rwandan Minister Kabarebe and M23 Publicist Kanyuka

[Nile Post] The financial sanctions are expected to cripple the operations of the M23 with the US claiming the war in DR Congo was curtailing its investments in Rwanda, far cry from its recent foreign policy stance Source

Nigeria: How Black and White Can Together Escape the Shackles of Racism

[This Day] Black History Month, being observed this February in the United States and many other countries around the world, including Nigeria, affords one the appropriate opportunity to share some thoughts on the rather consequential subject of systemic racism - racism of the kind that is not ad hoc, but seems built into the system itself. Source

Liberia: Senate to Look Into USAID Audit Request

[New Dawn] The Liberian Senate says it is reviewing call to audit all USAID-funded programs in the country. Source

Lesotho: Prominent Doctor Accused of Preying On Female Clients

[Lesotho Times] MEDICAL doctors' consultation rooms are supposed to be safe spaces for their patients, where the sterile walls and medical charts symbolise professionalism. However, this has not been the case for the embattled Dr Hlalele Mofubelu of Naledi Family Clinic, who has allegedly been sexually harassing his patients. Source

Eritrea: Training to Enhance National Food Safety System

[Shabait] Asmara, 21 February 2025 - The Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Representative in Eritrea, conducted a training program aimed at strengthening the National Food Safety Control System. The training took place from 17 to 20 February at the National Confederation of Eritrean Workers premises and was attended by over 50 experts from relevant ministries, higher education institutions, food processing corporations, and the Eritrean Standards Institute. Source

Gambia: EU to Expedite Deportation of Irregular Gambian Migrants

[The Point] The European Union (EU) under its new "Migration and Asylum Pact" is currently pushing for urgent changes in order to expedite the deportation of failed Gambian asylum seekers and other undocumented migrants presently living within the block. Source

Gambia: UDP Condemns Arrest of Luis Boutanos, Calls for 'Immediate' Release

[The Point] The United Democratic Party (UDP) strongly condemns the arrest of Mr. Luis Boutanos, a Gambian citizen, on 17th February 2025, for expressing his frustration with the Barrow Government's governance of The Gambia. Mr. Boutanos' arrest, reportedly stemming from a social media video in which he criticized the government, is a blatant violation of his constitutional right to freedom of speech as enshrined in the Constitution of The Gambia. Source

Guinea Bissau: Dr Ceesay Vows to Strengthen Cross-Border Communication Between Gambia and Guinea-Bissau

[The Point] Dr Ismaila Ceesay, the Minister for Information, Media, and Broadcasting Services, has vowed to strengthen cross-border communication between the Gambia and Guinea-Bissau as he welcomed Bissau Communications minister to The Gambia. Source

Gambia: Barrow Inaugurates First High Voltage Energy Infrastructure Project in Salaji

[The Point] President Adama Barrow yesterday presided over the inauguration of the country's first high voltage flagship energy infrastructure project at a colourful ceremony held at Salaji. Source