Spotlight | China, East Africa
Xi Jinping's new ambitions for China-Africa trade take shape

The New Guard
Madagascar, Morocco, Tanzania

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

Madagascar Ketakandriana Rafitoson targets transparency

Morocco Ali Moutaïb, spin doctor on the up and up

Tanzania Geophrey Tenganamba, agriculture 2.0

African Union, Ethiopia, European Union
EU Africa experts expected in Addis

The African directors of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of all 27 member states to AU headquarters in Addis-Ababa on 27-28 April. They will likely discuss common policy on strategic partners.

Egypt
River Nile ports set to be handed over to the private sector

The Egyptian state is in the process of withdrawing from the management of commercial ports on the River Nile. The United Arab Emirates is ready to take advantage of the new market this will create.

Congo, France, Gabon
Sassou to meet Macron in Paris on 17 December

The French presidential palace is to host Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso on 17 December, on his return from the US-Africa summit in Washington, for a tête-à-tête with French President Emmanuel Macron.

India
Narendra Modi's team to look into African Union joining G20

The decision on whether to initiate the process to admit the African Union to the G20 will largely fall to the Indian PM Narendra Modi, who will be overseeing the next summit of the organisation in India in 2023.

Palace Intrigues
Mohammed VI, Emmanuel Macron, Brigitte Touadéra, Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah

Intrigues big and small. Every Tuesday, Africa Intelligence takes a peek into the corridors of power in Africa and beyond.

MoroccoMohammed VI's Parisian residence keeps its Alberto Pinto décor.

CARFirst lady Brigitte Touadéra pays Moscow a low-key visit.

LiberiaForeign Minister Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, persona non grata in Washington.

Africa
EU pushes ahead on roadmap with the AU

The European Union (EU) and African Union (AU) joint committee is to convene in Brussels on 30 November.

Africa
Senegal, Benin, Kenya, Somalia

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence reveals the next generation of movers and shakers in business and politics.

Guinea
Beijing plugs its "narrative" through Guinean press

As part of its efforts to improve its image on the African continent, China ramped up its media presence in Guinea last month, including pushing its "narrative" on the thorny Taiwan issue.

China, Djibouti
Beijing puts Djibouti at odds with West by helping equip its army

Beijing is pushing ahead with its policy of providing military equipment by donating 160 Dongfeng trucks to the army, having already supplied two vessels to the Djibouti navy last year. However, this strategy could be harmful to Djibouti, which is trying to realign itself with the West on both economic and security matters.

Africa
Chinese diplomats instructed by telegram to buck up their media ideas

Until now little bothered by its tarnished image in Africa, China has decided to launch a major diplomatic charm offensive.

Western researchers, business leaders set for closed-door confabs with CCP at CASS and CDF

During two events scheduled for late March, European and American researchers and business leaders will meet in Beijing to discuss political and economic issues related to Xi Jinping's new term in office.

Chinese Politburo divided over economic policy

The Politburo chose not to publish the conclusions of its January meeting, indicating tension within the powerful CCP governing body over macroeconomic policy.

Xi Jinping invites foreign experts into closed-door meetings on China's challenges

The Chinese Communist Party is increasingly relying on small meetings with foreign participants to tackle the country's problems. It has launched a new LinkedIn recruitment campaign with the aim of building a database of foreign experts who can be called upon at short notice when needed.

CSIS under fire from Canadian parliament after stand-off between Trudeau and Xi Jinping

As relations between the two countries become increasingly tense, the federal intelligence service has been ordered to account for its efforts to counter supposed Chinese interference in Canadian affairs.

Beijing takes action behind the scenes for control of Ushuaia naval base

Despite US opposition, Tierra del Fuego governor Gustavo Melella is making the most of the energy emergency to help keep Chinese investors in the region.

Xi screens for loyalty ahead of party congress

The Chinese Communist Party has approved a new regulation to assess the political loyalty of civil servants, military command and directors of state companies in the space of a few weeks. The aim is to weed out any underperformers or potential disloyalty as soon as possible.

Beijing's painstaking work to open up Cambodia's political and royal doors

In order to have a free hand to develop its naval holdings in the country, Beijing has ensured that it has a dedicated team of businessmen in Prime Minister Hun Sen's entourage.

China Mineral Resources Group serves as template for Xi's new key sector conglomerates

China Mineral Resources Group looks to be serving as a model for the Chinese Communist Party's efforts to boost the strategic influence of public sector companies in key sectors through the creation of conglomerates formed by existing state-owned groups.