March 31, 2026 11:21 AM

Inflation to slower growth, West Asia shock to shape global economy in various ways: IMF

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said the ongoing US-Israel and Iran war could shape the global economy in different ways — all roads leading to higher prices and slower growth. The IMF said the war in the Middle East is upending lives and livelihoods in the region and beyond. “It is also dimming the outlook for many economies that had only just shown signs of a sustained recovery from previous crises. The shock is global, yet asymmetric. Energy importers are more exposed than exp...

January 21, 2026 4:50 PM

Gates and OpenAI team up for AI health push in African countries

The Gates Foundation and OpenAI are setting up a $50 million partnership to help African countries use artificial intelligence to improve their health systems. The partnership, called Horizon1000, plans to work with African leaders to work out how best to use the technology, starting with Rwanda. "In poorer countries with enormous health worker shortages and lack of health systems infrastructure, AI can be a gamechanger in expanding access to quality care," said Gates in a blog post announcing...

November 30, 2025 2:06 PM

Another coup in Africa! Guinea-Bissau falls

The African country of Guinea-Bissau falls under military rule. Again! On the morning of 26th November, gunfire erupts near the Presidential Palace. Witnesses describe sustained automatic fire, explosions, and, armoured vehicles sealing off the city centre. By noon, State television flickers to life, not with the result of a just-concluded presidential election, but with a group of soldiers in military fatigues. The Army proclaims total control; deposes the incumbent President, Umaro Sissoco E...

November 6, 2025 12:58 PM

Can Africa ride critical minerals wave to economic boom?

As global powers scramble for critical minerals, African countries are pushing for new investment to process more of their own raw materials and meet their people's demands for economic growth and jobs, analysts say. To capitalise on the burgeoning demand, the continent must address power shortages, skills gaps, trade barriers and limited industrial capacity. "This is an unprecedented opportunity for Africa to get on the value-chain bandwagon," said Hany Besada, senior fellow at the Firoz Lalj...

July 1, 2025 7:35 PM

India–Ghana relations to get fresh push with PM Modi’s landmark two-day visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to Ghana from July 2, marks a landmark moment in India–Ghana relations. This will be the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Ghana in more than three decades and PM Modi’s first bilateral engagement with the West African nation. The visit is expected to deepen cooperation in trade, development partnership, capacity building and cultural exchange, strengthening a warm relationship that has endured since Ghana’s independence. Historical ...

October 17, 2024 7:11 PM

President Droupadi Murmu receives ceremonial welcome in Malawi on historic Africa tour

President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Malawi on Thursday, marking the second leg of her landmark three-nation tour of Africa. She was greeted with a ceremonial welcome by Malawi’s Vice President Dr. Michael Usi, underscoring the significance of the first-ever state visit from India to the southern African nation. The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, shared the news on X, saying, "President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Lilongwe, Malawi today. She was warmly received by Vi...

October 15, 2024 4:25 PM

India reaffirms support for Africa, calls UNSC exclusion a “historical injustice”

India has reiterated its unwavering commitment to Africa, with Ambassador Yojna Patel, India’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, calling for global action to address the continent’s challenges. Speaking at the UN General Assembly's plenary meeting on "Partnerships for Africa," Patel emphasized that Africa’s exclusion from the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as a permanent member is a "historical injustice" that must be corrected swiftly. Patel outlined India's initiatives ...

September 12, 2024 6:05 PM

Rich nations have millions of mpox shots as Africa’s outbreak spreads; Will they share?

Rich countries have several hundred million doses of vaccines that could help fight an mpox outbreak in Africa, where donated shots fall far short of what is needed, according to a Reuters tally of public statements, documents and estimates from non-governmental organizations. The shots have been stockpiled for years by countries such as Japan, the United States and Canada in case smallpox, an eradicated disease that is the more dangerous cousin of mpox, ever makes a comeback. Some of the vacci...

September 2, 2024 3:04 PM

Africa faces steep costs as temperatures soar, says WMO

Africa faces an increasingly heavy toll from climate change with many countries having to spend up to 9% of their budgets battling climate extremes, a World Meteorological Organization (WMO) report said on Monday. Despite producing far lower greenhouse gas emissions than other continents, Africa's temperatures have risen more rapidly than the global average. African countries are now losing on average 2%–5% of gross domestic product responding to deadly heatwaves, heavy rains, floods, cyclon...

September 16, 2024 4:03 PM

Sweden reports first case of contagious mpox strain outside Africa

Sweden confirmed on Thursday the first case of mpox Clade I, a viral infection that spreads through close contact and is a more dangerous variant of the mpox disease, Al Jazeera reported. The Swedish government announced this on Thursday, marking the first case of the variant outside of Africa. "We have now also during the afternoon had confirmation that we have one case in Sweden of the more grave type of mpox, the one called Clade I," Health and Social Affairs Minister, Jakob Forssmed told a ...