Africa

Varun Beverages' growth strategy could prove beneficial for investors

The VBL board approved the acquisition of SBC Tanzania for Rs 1,304 crore and SBC Beverages Ghana for Rs 127 crore

Morocco produces Africa's 1st mpox tests as continent rely less on imports

After African countries struggled to get testing kits during the COVID-19 pandemic, officials vowed to make the continent less dependent on imported medical supplies. Now, in a first for Africa, a Moroccan company is filling orders for mpox tests as an outbreak continues. Moroccan startup Moldiag began developing mpox tests after the World Health Organisation declared the virus a global emergency in August. Africa's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported more than 59,000 mpox cases and 1,164 deaths in 20 countries this year. The WHO has also announced a plan to provide mpox tests, vaccines and treatments to the most vulnerable people in the world's poorest countries, after facing criticism for moving too slowly on vaccines. It recommends all suspected mpox cases be tested. But in some far-flung areas of the mpox outbreak, tests have to be delivered to distant labs for processing. Most of Congo's 26 provinces don't have such facilities. And some areas have no tests.

'Disease X' outbreak spreads more as UN sends health team to Congo

Outbreak is centered in a remote rural area of Kwango province, where poor road conditions and heavy rains mean it takes nearly 48 hours to reach from Kinshasa

Cause of 'Disease X' investigated after it killed 79 people in Congo

Almost 200 of the 376 afflicted with a flu-like illness are younger than five, said Jean Kaseya, director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention

Joe Biden on his maiden visit to Angola; seeks to strengthen US-Africa ties

President Joe Biden arrived for his long-awaited first presidential visit to sub-Saharan Africa on Monday to the cheers of thousands in Angola, where he will highlight an ambitious US-backed railway project meant to counter China's influence on the continent of over 1.4 billion people. Biden's three-day visit to Angola will focus largely on the Lobito Corridor railway redevelopment in Zambia, Congo and Angola. It aims to advance the US presence in a region rich in the critical minerals used in batteries for electric vehicles, electronic devices and clean energy technologies. Biden's trip comes weeks before Republican Donald Trump takes office on Jan. 20, finally delivering on Biden's pledge to visit sub-Saharan Africa. On his way to Angola, he stopped in the Atlantic Ocean island nation of Cape Verde for a brief, closed-door meeting with Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva. Biden plans to meet with Angolan President Joo Loureno in the capital, Luanda, where crowds lined the stree

Joe Biden begins long-awaited Africa trip to secure win against China

At stake are vast supplies of minerals like copper and cobalt, which are found in Congo and are a key component of batteries and other electronics, and China is the top player in Congo as of now

In a first, France's Macron calls 1944 killings of West Africans 'massacre'

French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday for the first time recognised the killing of West African soldiers by the French Army in 1944 as a massacre in a letter addressed to the Senegalese authorities. Macron's move, on the eve of the 80th anniversary of the World War II killings in Thiaroye a fishing village on the outskirts of the Senegalese capital of Dakar comes as France's influence is declining in the region, with Paris losing its sway in the former French colonies in West Africa. Between 35 and 400 West African soldiers who fought for the French Army in the Battle of France in 1940 were killed on Dec 1, 1944 by French soldiers after what the French described as a mutiny over unpaid wages. The West Africans were members of the unit called Tirailleurs Senegalais, a corps of colonial infantry in the French Army. According to historians, there were disputes over unpaid wages in the days before the massacre but on that Dec 1, French troops rounded up the West African soldie

Biocon Biologics, Diabetes Africa collab over nurses project in Ethiopia

Ethiopia, with a 2-3 per cent diabetes prevalence rate, ranks among the top four countries in sub-Saharan Africa for adult diabetes cases

WHO Africa director-elect dies while receiving treatment in India

The World Health Organisation's regional director-elect for Africa died while receiving medical treatment in India, Tanzania's parliament speaker said Wednesday. Plans to repatriate the body of Tanzania's Dr Faustine Ndugulile, 55, were underway, Speaker Tulia Ackson said, adding that funeral plans would be announced later. She didn't disclose Ndugulile's ailment. No other details were available. Ndugulile served as a member of parliament for Kigamboni Constituency in Tanzania's commercial capital, Dar es Salaam. He was also the East African country's health assistant minister between 2017-2020 and the information and communication minister until 2021. He was elected as the WHO's African director in August and was set to start his new role in February 2025, following Dr Matshidiso Moeti who served in the role for two terms. In his acceptance speech, Ndugulile expressed a firm commitment to advancing the health and well-being of people in Africa. Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu .

Honda Motors recalls CRF1100 Africa Twin units to fix throttle operation

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India on Thursday said it is recalling certain units of CRF1100 Africa Twin to rectify issues with throttle operation. The voluntary recall is aligned with the global market action, the two-wheeler maker said in a statement. The recall affects certain units of this adventure motorcycle manufactured between February 2022 and October 2022, it said. The company has identified a concern with the motorcycle's throttle operation, HMSI said. During acceleration, the wheelie control system may get activated unexpectedly which in some cases may lead to loss of balance, it stated. As a corrective measure, Honda will update the ECU software in the affected motorcycles with the correct programming, HMSI said. This will be done free of cost irrespective of the warranty status of the vehicle and shall be carried out at BigWing Topline dealerships across India, it added. Customers can also check if their vehicle falls under this campaign by submitting their unique .

Africans worry Trump will reimpose abortion 'gag rule' governing US aid

Carrying her infant daughter, 19-year-old Sithulisiwe Moyo waited two hours to get birth-control pills from a tent pitched in a poor settlement on the outskirts of Zimbabwe's capital, Harare. The outreach clinic in Epworth provides Moyo with her best shot at achieving her dream of returning to school. I am too young to be a baby-making machine," she said. "At least this clinic helps me avoid another pregnancy. But the free service funded by the US government, the world's largest health donor, might soon be unavailable. As he did in his first term, US President-elect Donald Trump is likely in January to invoke the so-called global gag rule, a policy that bars US foreign aid from being used to perform abortions or provide abortion information. The policy cuts off American government funding for services that women around the world rely on to avoid pregnancy or to space out their children, as well as for heath care unrelated to abortion. Four decades of on-again, off-again ...

PM concludes Nigeria visit, boosts ties with Africa's largest democracy

PM Modi's visit to Nigeria is part of his three-nation tour, which will also take him to Brazil and Guyana from November 17 to 21

Africa shows low expectations, some hope for second Trump presidency

African leaders may have been quick to congratulate Donald Trump on his election, professing a desire for mutually beneficial partnerships, but there are meagre expectations that his presidency will change things for this continent of over 1.4 billion people. In the wake of Trump's win, Kenya's William Ruto said his country stands ready to deepen its ties with Washington. Nigeria's Bola Tinubu spoke of a second Trump administration ushering in an era of earnest, beneficial, and reciprocal cooperation. Still, observers say African countries once described by Trump as shithole countries are definitely not going to be high on his to-do list. Low priority or not even a concern? U.S. foreign policy has not made Africa a priority for a long while beyond seeing the continent through the lens of countering rivals such as Russia and China, said Charles Ray, chair of the Foreign Policy Research Institute's Africa Program. President Joe Biden talked about Africa as a key partner, said Ray

L&T wins 'major' orders in West Asia, Africa to expand high-voltage grid

The orders are estimated to be valued between Rs 5,000 crore and Rs 10,000 crore

FM Sitharaman urges G7, G20 members to boost support for African nations

Finance Minister Sitharaman participated in the G7 African Ministerial Roundtable on Saturday (local time), the Ministry of Finance stated

Ramaphosa calls on Brics to help in industrialisation of African continent

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on its BRICS partners to extend assistance in the industrialisation of the countries on the African continent. He said the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACTFA) has been unlocking massive opportunities for trade, investment and industrial growth and the continent seeks partnerships that would unlock the dynamism and potential of its 1.3 billion people. "The success of ACFTA requires a substantial investment in infrastructure. We, therefore, call on fellow BRICS countries to partner with us to build the roads, ports for imports and exports, rail, energy and telecommunications networks that will enable Africa to industrialise and trade with other countries across the world," Ramaphosa said at the BRICS Business Forum in the Russian city of Kazan. Making a plea to the grouping to extend support to women-owned and small businesses, he said, "Africa is home to a population that is young, digitally connected and increasingly ...

Prez Biden slowly losing Africa; Harris or Trump unlikely to fare better

Whenever the US gets kicked out of a country, moreover, it not only leaves an opening for Russia but also becomes less effective at fighting terrorists in the region

Prez hails Malawi's Indian community as 'living link' between two nations

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday hailed the Indian community in Malawi as a "living link" between the two nations, praising their contributions to the African country's society and economy while urging their participation in India's developmental journey. Murmu arrived here earlier in the day on the final leg of her three-nation visit to Africa. Addressing the Indian diaspora at a reception here, the president said the "Indian community in Malawi is a living link between the two countries", her office shared in a post on X. "She appreciated their contribution to the society and economy of Malawi. She urged them to take part in the developmental journey of India," it said, sharing some photographs of the event. Murmu also emphasised the Indian government's commitment to the welfare of its nationals living abroad. "The welfare of our countrymen living outside India is the top priority of our government. We are committed to working with our partners across the world to address th

Prez Murmu arrives in Malawi on last leg of three-nation visit to Africa

President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Malawi on Thursday on the final leg of her three-nation visit to Africa, during which she will hold talks with the country's top leadership and interact with trade and industry leaders. It is the first visit to the African nation by an Indian Head of State. "In the final leg of her three-nation visit, President Droupadi Murmu landed at the Kamuzu International Airport, Lilongwe, Malawi," her office said in a post on X. She was received by Malawi's Vice President Michael Usi at the airport. She was accorded a ceremonial welcome. Children greeted the President and a traditional cultural performance was presented before her. "This is the first-ever State visit from India to Malawi," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a post on X. Murmu is visiting Malawi from October 17-19 at the invitation of the Malawian President Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera. During her visit, Murmu "will hold bilateral meetings with Malawi's leadership; interact with key

President Murmu interacts with Indian community in Algerian capital

The Government of India and the Indian society have always valued and appreciated the contribution of the Indian community in enhancing India's position, prestige and standing abroad, President Droupadi Murmu said here in the Algerian capital. Murmu reached here on Sunday evening on the first leg of her three-nation visit making it the first-ever visit by an Indian Head of State to deepen India-Africa ties. President Murmu is slated to meet Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on Monday. She is also likely to visit the King Abdulla Science and Technology Centre built by an Indian firm Shapoorji Pallonji. Earlier, soon after her arrival at the capital Algiers on Sunday evening, she interacted with the Indian community. President Droupadi Murmu graced an Indian Community Reception in Algiers. The President said that the Indian community in Algeria was a bridge taking forward India's interests and soft power, said a post from Rashtrapati Bhavan on X. With the collective efforts of