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The New Guard
Nigeria, Niger, Central African Republic

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

NigeriaAyo Sopitan, trader turned miner

NigerSalim Gado, Tchiani's ambitious right-hand man

Central African RepublicWilliam Ndjapou, the rising adviser

Published on 01/04/2026 at 04:40 GMT Reading time 4 minutes

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Central African Republic
French foreign minister to travel to Bangui

Jean-Noël Barrot is planning to visit Bangui on 12 March to meet with Faustin-Archange Touadéra. This is the first official visit by a French foreign affairs minister to the Central African Republic in nearly seven years.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 09.03.2026

France's Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noël Barrot in Paris on 2 March 2026.

Spotlight | Niger
How Emmanuel Macron's intense lobbying drove Niamey's backtrack on uranium sale

For nearly four months, the Élysée Palace has been stepping up its efforts to prevent the sale of 1,000 tonnes of yellowcake from the Arlit mine, long operated by the French group Orano. These efforts involved discreet missions to Lomé and confidential exchanges between Emmanuel Macron and Faure Gnassingbé in Paris.

Subscribers only Energy, Diplomacy 18.02.2026

View of Tamgak open-pit uranium mine from Areva Somair site in Arlit, Niger on 25 September 2013.

Spotlight | Niger
CNPC tries to retain monopoly despite pressure from junta

The Chinese oil major can feel the pressure mounting as full repayment of its first pre-financing agreement with Abdourahamane Tchiani's regime approaches, potentially opening the door to other traders.

Subscribers only Energy 27.01.2026

Junta leader Abdourahamane Tchiani in Niamey on 15 February 2025.

Central African Republic
Touadéra's all-out strategy to secure re-election

Ahead of the proclamation of the provisional results of the 28 December 2025 elections, the outgoing president looks set for victory. His opponents are complaining of obstacles and unequal access to the electoral terrain.

Subscribers only Politics 05.01.2026

Spotlight | Niger
Junta's difficulties in locating US hostage abducted by jihadists

In conjunction with the Trump administration, General Abdourahamane Tchiani's services began tracking the Christian missionary kidnapped in Niamey in October. While they have managed to gather information on where he was just after he was taken into captivity, they are encountering significant difficulties in pinpointing Kevin Rideout's current whereabouts.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 28.11.2025