Spotlight | South Africa
BRICS seeks to reinvent itself at Johannesburg summit

South Africa, Zambia
Kerfuffle over AfDB candidate backed by Pretoria

Cyril Ramaphosa is suggesting that Pretoria is now backing the Zambian Samuel Maimbo to head the African Development Bank. This about-turn has dismayed local banks, which were backing South African candidate Swazi Tshabalala, who is still supported by the finance minister.

Spotlight | Ethiopia
How Meridiam's $2bn geothermal project ran out of steam

Work on the vast scheme in the Oromia region has been at a standstill for almost a year and is now set to be abandoned for good. Africa Intelligence dissects a far from isolated case of project failure as attacks in the region call into question the government's security strategy there.

Niger
General Tchiani's junta makes contact with BRICS alliance

On 29 January, the Nigerien transition president met discreetly with Ahoua Don Mello, the West and Central Africa representative of the alliance formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

Nigeria, South Africa
Lagos and Gauteng rapprochement signals growing power of governors

Two of Africa's richest provinces are once again discussing a partnership. This budding parallel diplomacy reflects the increasingly high profile of state governors abroad.

The New Guard
Morocco, Angola, Kenya

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence spotlights a new generation of movers and shakers in business and politics.

MoroccoManar Belfqih, flag-bearer of Rabat's economic and digital sovereignty

AngolaIrene Carindi, robotics champion

KenyaAgricultural entrepreneur Talash Huijbers weaves her web in the sub-region

Gambia
BRICS countries woo Gambia's President Barrow

Ahoua Don Mello, the Ivorian in charge of promoting partnerships between the countries of West and Central Africa and the BRICS alliance, was in the Gambian capital from 2 to 6 October.

Africa
Rome calls off its Italy-Africa summit

African governments have just been notified that the Italy-African summit planned for 5-6 November in Rome will not go ahead.

Africa
Sahel and Somalia on the agenda for Centrist Democrat International meeting in Praia

The Cape Verdean capital is preparing to welcome dozens of political personalities for the annual meeting of the African section of the Centrist Democrat International (CDI). With a number of figures due to make the trip from Burkina Faso and Chad, discussions on the Sahel are on the agenda.