🇲🇱🇲🇦 Mali and Morocco sign economic partnership agreements

Mali and Morocco have signed economic partnership agreements as part of the two countries’ Business Forum, which opened on 23 July in Bamako. This was reported by the Malian government.

The opening ceremony of the forum, held as part of the 4th session of the Joint High Commission on Co-operation between Mali and Morocco, was attended by Mali’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation Abdoulaye Diop as well as Ministers of Industry and Trade of Mali and Morocco Moussa Alassane Diallo and Ryad Mezzour.

The signing of economic partnership agreements marked a concrete step during this ceremony,” the statement said.

The government noted that the Business Forum serves as a platform for a fruitful exchange of views, which will help the two countries achieve comprehensive economic growth, productive investment, structural economic transformation and sustainable development.

During the forum, the parties also discussed strengthening infrastructure, creating added value through the processing of raw materials, and expanding trade links.

African Initiative | Subscribe

SCO Summit to discuss co-operation with African Union

The heads of state of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO) will consider a decision on establishing co-operation between the organisation’s Secretariat and the African Union (AU) at the summit in Bishkek. This was announced by the organisation’s Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev at a meeting of the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers.

A proposal to establish co-operation between the SCO Secretariat and the African Union is being put forward for consideration by the heads of state. We regard the development of partnerships with international and regional organisations as an effective means of strengthening the SCO’s international standing and expanding opportunities for practical co-operation,” — TASS quotes Yermekbayev as saying.

The SCO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Cholpon-Ata marked the final stage of preparations for the summit in Bishkek, which will take place from 31 August to 1 September under the chairmanship of Kyrgyzstan. At the meeting, the ministers are finalising a package of documents to be approved by the heads of state.

The Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO) is an international organisation established in June 2001, when the heads of state of Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan signed the relevant Declaration.

The African Union (AU) brings together 55 states on the continent and is Africa’s largest regional organisation.

African Initiative | Subscribe

🇲🇱 880 fuel tankers reach Mali's capital under army protection

A convoy of 880 fuel tankers arrived in Bamako, the capital of Mali, on the morning of 24 July. The convoy was escorted by the country’s Armed Forces, reports the Malian national newspaper L’Essor.

Mali’s Directorate-General for Trade, Consumption and Competition noted that these fuel deliveries would help to stabilise the situation on the country’s fuel market.

The Directorate-General for Trade, Consumption and Competition, in co-ordination with the national police, will exercise strict control over the distribution of fuel in the interests of the population and economic operators,” the department’s statement added.

Earlier in July, a convoy of 950 fuel tankers, escorted by the Malian Armed Forces, arrived in Bamako.

African Initiative | Subscribe

🇲🇱 Malian Armed Forces eliminate terrorist groups in two regions

On 23 July, the Malian Armed Forces (FAMa), with the support of their partners, eliminated terrorist groups in two regions of the country as part of Operation Dougoukoloko. This was reported by the General Staff of the Malian Army.

In the vicinity of the city of Kidal, concentrations of terrorist groups from the JNIM*/FLA coalition and their vehicles carrying weapons were detected,” according to a communiqué from the General Staff of the Malian Armed Forces.

On the same day, terrorist groups and armed vehicles were spotted in the suburbs of Soribougou, Kita District, in the Koulikoro Region.

All targets detected during reconnaissance and search operations were successfully struck by aircraft.

African Initiative | Subscribe

🇳🇬 Nigerian president approves recruitment of 28,000 personnel into army

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 28,000 people into the army as part of the reorganisation of the armed forces. This was reported in an army press release published on 23July.

As part of the reforms approved by the country’s leader, four new divisions with headquarters in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo, and Benin City will also be added to the Armed Forces to strengthen security across the country and enhance the response to the terrorist threat.

The president has approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army’s structure from eight to twelve divisions, including the recruitment of 28,000 personnel,” the statement said.

As noted by the Army’s press office, the implementation of the new structure of the Armed Forces will take place in two phases, with the reorganisation to be completed by December.

African Initiative | Subscribe

🇸🇴 Somali National Armed Forces kill 18 Al-Shabaab militants during airstrike

The Somali National Army (SNA), in co-ordination with international partners, killed 18 militants from the Al-Shabaab group during an airstrike in the Hiiraan region. Another 21 terrorists were wounded, according to the Ministry of Defence.

On 21April, the SNA, in co-operation with international partners, conducted an airstrike on an Al-Shabaab hideout approximately 17 kilometres south of Teedaan in the Hiiraan region. As a result of the operation, 18 Al-Shabaab terrorists were neutralised, and another 21 sustained serious injuries,” the statement said.

During the strike, the armed forces destroyed the militant group’s equipment as well as its defensive fortifications.

African Initiative | Subscribe

🇳🇪Niger’s prime minister receives AES biometric passport

Niger’s Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine received a biometric passport from the Alliance of the Sahel States (AES), which also comprises Burkina Faso and Mali. The data registration took place on 23 July, according to the Niger Press Agency (ANP).

During the meeting, the prime minister learnt about the system of five types of new passports—official, diplomatic, civilian, pilgrim passports for the Hajj (the pilgrimage to Mecca), and refugee passports.

Niger’s prime minister praised the data collection process for the new-style document, which includes fingerprinting, noting that the new system will help prevent fraud attempts.

I believe that all the precautions taken will prevent any attempts at fraud. <…> Information [about the new passports] will soon be available to all residents of Niger,” he said.

The registration ceremony was also attended by the Head of the Territorial Surveillance Directorate Abdoulaye Maman and the Head of the AES committee monitoring the biometric ID cards and passports project Abdou Ibrahim.

African Initiative | Subscribe

🇹🇿Tanzanian president urges Africa to increase domestic investment in healthcare

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has called on African countries to increase domestic investment in healthcare in order to build sustainable and self-sufficient systems for managing the sector. She made the statement at a special African Union summit of heads of state and government on health in Accra.

The summit discussed ways to accelerate the implementation of Africa’s health agenda, including ensuring equal access to services, ending AIDS, improving maternal and child health and combating non-communicable diseases.

Hassan noted that the continent has the necessary knowledge and resources to transform its healthcare systems. According to her, Tanzania has already begun implementing the African Union Health Roadmap to 2030 by integrating it into the National Five-Year Development Plan. The main efforts are focused on investment in medicine production and increasing countries’ self-reliance in medical services.

“Africa has the knowledge, human resources and potential to transform its healthcare systems. All we need now is stronger political will, domestic investment and continental solidarity,” Samia Suluhu Hassan said.

The country’s leader also reported on Tanzania’s specific achievements. The Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority (TMDA) became the first institution in Africa to achieve WHO Maturity Level 3 for medicines regulatory systems, while the country’s health sector budget grew from $683.7m in 2024/25 to $1.2bn in 2026/27.

African Initiative | Subscribe

🇹🇿Tanzania to expand scholarships for AI specialists

Tanzania will increase the number of scholarships for training specialists in artificial intelligence (AI) and related disciplines in order to ensure productive use of the technology and minimise the risks of its use. Minister for Education, Science and Technology Professor Adolf Mkenda said this at the opening of the 2nd International Conference on the Advancements of Artificial Intelligence in the African Context, Tanzanian outlet Nipashe reports.

According to the minister, the government recognises both the potential of AI to improve people’s lives and the risks associated with its uncontrolled use. Among the key problems are threats to data privacy and the possibility of dangerous medical advice being obtained from unverified systems. The authorities believe that training qualified personnel will help reduce these risks and raise public awareness of the safe use of AI.

“A person enters a request: ‘How should I be treated if I have such-and-such symptoms?’ and artificial intelligence can only cause harm by recommending the wrong medicine or the wrong dosage. Artificial intelligence is also still poorly developed in the field of personal data protection. Of course, we cannot ban people from using AI; the whole world uses it. But we must be ready to explain how to use it properly,” the minister said.

To address these tasks, the government is expanding specialist training through Tanzania’s presidential scholarship programme, the National Digital Economy Fund and the National Research Agenda. Particular attention is being paid to increasing the number of scholarships in these specialisms and developing educational programmes at the country’s leading universities.

African Initiative | Subscribe

🇬🇭🇷🇺Ghanaian president and Russian ambassador discuss deepening partnership in trade and investment

Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama received Russian Ambassador Andrei Ordash, with the parties discussing the deepening of the two countries’ trade and investment partnership. The Russian Embassy in Accra reported this.

“Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Ghana Andrei Ordash paid a courtesy visit to President of the Republic of Ghana John Dramani Mahama,” the statement said.

During the discussions, Mahama and Ordash also touched on preparations for the participation of Ghana’s delegation in the third Russia–Africa Summit, which will be held in Moscow in October. The Ghanaian leader is expected to attend the event in person.

African Initiative | Subscribe

🇲🇬🇷🇺Russian chargé d’affaires takes part in Russian-Malagasy TV programme

Russia’s Chargé d’Affaires ad interim in Madagascar Alexey Buryak appeared as a guest on the Russian-Malagasy television programme RUSSAMADA TV. On air, he spoke about the shared cultural values of the two countries, an African Initiative correspondent reports.

“The Russian and Malagasy peoples share such important values as respect for traditions, hospitality, solidarity and mutual support. These shared values strengthen mutual understanding and contribute to the development of co-operation between the two countries,” Buryak stressed.

The diplomat added that both Russia and Madagascar are multicultural countries, but that despite this diversity, “different communities live in mutual respect, giving priority to dialogue”.

During the programme, viewers were also told about the latest news in Russian-Malagasy co-operation.

African Initiative | Subscribe

“Dangote’s empire”. How pan-African self-sufficiency works

The fortune of the continent’s richest man is estimated at $30.4bn. He owns cement plants in 10 African countries, the continent’s largest fertiliser production complex and Africa’s largest oil refinery, capable of producing 650,000 barrels a day. In the long term, the magnate plans to invest $45bn in expanding all his production facilities in Africa.

“Most of our leaders made a mistake. They were busy looking for foreign investors who would come and perform a miracle for them. But if I do not invest in Africa, I cannot convince you to come and invest,” he said.

African Initiative studied how Dangote’s business empire works and asked experts whether the magnate can change the picture of the continent’s development. Read the article on the AI website.

African Initiative | Subscribe

🇪🇹🇷🇺 Ethiopia has asked Russia to supply 60,000 tonnes of thermal coal a month for cement production, Russia’s trade representative in Ethiopia, Yaroslav Tarasyuk, said during the webinar An Hour with the Trade Representative.

According to him, Russian business can find several promising areas in Ethiopia:

Coal

We have a request to supply about 60,000 tonnes of thermal coal a month for cement production.

Ethiopia is seeking to develop its own coal production, but for now remains dependent on imports of this raw material.

Pharmaceuticals

Pharmaceuticals are also a promising area.

The country has created a specialised pharmaceutical industrial park in Kilinto, where Russian companies have already found partners for contract manufacturing.

Energy

Ethiopia is a country where electricity production, or at least electricity production potential, is three times higher than consumption.

At the same time, about half of the country’s population and territory still have no access to electricity, so there are prospects in energy transmission and distribution. Russia and Ethiopia are also discussing a project to build a nuclear power plant.

Machinery, chemicals, metallurgy and e-commerce

Among other niches, the trade representative named agricultural and construction equipment, timber industry products, chemical industry goods, metallurgy and e-commerce.

Special economic zones

A whole range of special economic zones has been created — industrial and agro-industrial zones.

According to him, the Dire Dawa Free Trade Zone could become one of the most convenient sites for locating production.

Read more on the AI website.

African Initiative | Subscribe

🇷🇺🇪🇹 Trade representative: trade between Russia and Ethiopia develops at a healthy pace

Trade between Russia and Ethiopia is developing at a healthy pace, with Russian exports having increased several-fold in 2025. This was stated by Yaroslav Tarasyuk, Russia’s trade representative in Ethiopia, on 23 July during the webinar An Hour with the Trade Representative, organised by the Moscow Region Foreign Economic Activity Support Fund.

Among the most popular export items, he cited machinery and technical products, mineral fertilisers, wheat, sunflower oil, petroleum products, newsprint and ferrous metals.

Trade is developing at a fairly good pace. <...> Last year, Russian exports increased several-fold. We supplied machinery and technical products, mineral fertilisers – primarily diammonium phosphate – wheat and sunflower oil,” said Tarasyuk.

In June, Ethiopia requested a large volume of fertilisers from Russia amid the situation in the Middle East.

African Initiative | Subscribe

🇧🇯🇲🇦 Benin and Morocco sign 14 co-operation agreements in economic sphere and tourism

Morocco’s Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and his Beninese counterpart Corinne Amori Brune signed 14 co-operation agreements in the fields of the economy, security and education following the seventh session of the Joint Commission on Co-operation on 21 July in Cotonou. A corresponding communiqué was published by the Beninese government.

The parties agreed to step up economic co-operation, with a particular focus on developing trade and involving the private sector in joint projects.

Morocco also agreed to increase the number of scholarships for students and professionals from Benin. Furthermore, Rabat expressed its willingness to consider introducing a visa-free regime for all Beninese citizens. At present, an e-visa system is available to Beninese citizens travelling to Morocco.

This meeting has given new impetus to the excellent relations of friendship and brotherhood between the two countries,” the joint communiqué states.

During the meeting, Benin reaffirmed its support for Morocco’s territorial integrity, including the Sahara region, and welcomed the Moroccan autonomy initiative as a basis for resolving the dispute.

African Initiative | Subscribe

🇷🇺🇪🇹 Meeting of Russian-Ethiopian Intergovernmental Commission and Business Forum to take place in late 2026 — trade representative

A meeting of the Russian-Ethiopian Intergovernmental Commission (IGC) on Economic, Scientific and Technical Co-operation and Trade, as well as the Russian-Ethiopian Business Forum, is scheduled to take place in late 2026. This was announced by Russia’s Trade Representative in Ethiopia Yaroslav Tarasyuk on 23 July during the webinar An Hour with the Trade Representative, organised by the Moscow Region Foundation for the Support of Foreign Economic Activity.

According to the trade representative, the business forum may take place on the sidelines of the 10th session of the IGC in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. The Russian side of the commission is chaired by Maxim Reshetnikov, minister of Economic Development, while the Ethiopian co-chair will be appointed in the autumn following the formation of a new government in the African country.

A meeting of the intergovernmental commission is scheduled to take place in Ethiopia at the end of this year. Traditionally, the Russia–Ethiopia Business Forum is held in conjunction with the commission <…>,” he said.

In addition, the trade representative spoke about the plans of the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade to send a business mission to Ethiopia in September, against the backdrop of the African country’s interest in supplies of Russian agricultural machinery. The mission will be led by the deputy head of the Department of Agricultural, Food and Construction and Road Machinery.

African Initiative | Subscribe

🇲🇱 Malian Armed Forces destroy four terrorist bases in Kidal region

On 21 July, the Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) destroyed four terrorist bases in the Kidal region. This was reported by the General Staff of the Malian Army.

Four gathering points for militants belonging to the JNIM*/FLA terrorist coalition were discovered in the vicinity of the town of Kidal, along with several of their vehicles carrying heavy weaponry,” the General Staff’s communiqué stated.

Another major terrorist base, containing the militants’ military equipment, was discovered in the Kongosambougou forest, approximately forty kilometres from the village of Didiéni.

FAMa troops, supported by their partners, destroyed all the identified targets.

African Initiative | Subscribe

🇸🇸 President of South Sudan removes legal obstacles for 2026 elections

President of South Sudan Salva Kiir has signed amendments to the 2018 revised peace agreement, removing a number of legal obstacles to the holding of general elections in December 2026. This was reported by the President’s office.

The amendments remove the requirements to complete the drafting of a permanent constitution and to conduct a national census prior to the elections. The President’s office stated that this decision provides a clear constitutional and legal framework for the country’s democratic transition. These procedures will be completed after the vote.

The document officially came into force following its approval by the president and has become part of national legislation. Preparations for the elections will be carried out on the basis of the current transitional Constitution and electoral legislation.

The President’s Office emphasised that the entry into force of the amendment provides the necessary legal certainty for the conduct of free, fair and credible elections in accordance with the Constitution and the electoral legislation of South Sudan.

At the end of June, South Sudan’s National Elections Commission (NEC) set 22 December as the date for the first general elections since the end of the country’s civil war and the formation of a coalition government in 2020.

African Initiative | Subscribe

President of Ghana calls on Africa to manufacture its own medicines

African countries must accelerate the development of their own pharmaceutical production and strengthen their national health systems in order to reduce their dependence on imports. This was stated by President of Ghana John Dramani Mahama at the African Union (AU) Extraordinary Health Summit in Accra, according to the local news portal MyJoyOnline.

He emphasised that the summit’s outcomes should result in better equipment for healthcare facilities, wider access to medicines, timely diagnosis of diseases and improved healthcare standards.

According to the head of state, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted Africa’s vulnerability to external crises, with many countries facing difficulties in obtaining vaccines despite having the funds to purchase them.

Africa imports around 70 per cent of its medicines, over 90 per cent of its medical devices and over 99 per cent of its vaccines. We have learnt a bitter lesson,” the head of state noted.

The president pointed out that successful examples of pharmaceutical industry development are already emerging across the continent, including vaccine production in Senegal, the development of mRNA technology in South Africa, the growth of the biotechnology sector in Rwanda, and Ghana’s plans to establish its own vaccine manufacturing industry.

He also reported that the African Medicines Agency (AMA) is becoming fully operational, and that continental mechanisms for joint procurement and the development of pharmaceutical ingredient production should support local manufacturers.


African Initiative | Subscribe

🇳🇬 Nigerian Armed Forces kill chief propagandist of ISWAP* militants

The Nigerian Armed Forces have killed Abu Salim al-Barnawi— the chief propagandist of the Islamic State in West Africa* (ISWAP) militants — as well as other members of the terrorists’ media group in the north-east of the country. This was reported in a press release from the Nigerian Army published on 22 July.

Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) has confirmed the elimination of Abu Salim al-Barnawi, a notorious Boko Haram/ISWAP raid commander turned chief photographer and propaganda operative, during the failed terrorist attack on a military location last week. Further reports confirmed Abu Salim was eliminated alongside other members of the ISWAP* mobile media unit, including Abu Umar Khattab and Abu Khalid Usman,” the statement said.

As noted by the army’s press office, intelligence indicates that al-Barnawi had previously led cross-border terrorist raids in Cameroon. He was later transferred to the group’s media wing, where he was responsible for photographing and filming attacks, producing propaganda and recruiting fighters.

According to the Armed Forces, the terrorists have confirmed the death of the head of their propaganda apparatus.

African Initiative | Subscribe