Know Afrika

  The World Bank’s latest MENA Economic Update, released on Wednesday, projects the UAE’s GDP to grow by 3.3% in 2024, increasing to 4.1% in 2025. Titled “Growth in the Middle East and North Africa,” the report highlights that the UAE will lead the region in real GDP per capita growth, with rates expected to reach 2.5% in 2024 and 3.4% in 2025. This growth is driven primarily by strong performance in the non-oil sector. The report also predicts a decline in the UAE’s current account surplus, from 9.2% of GDP in 2023 to 7.5% in 2024, despite ongoing diversification efforts. However, the UAE is anticipated to maintain fiscal surpluses of 4.9% of GDP in 2024 and 4.7% in 2025. Regionally, the MENA economy is expected to grow by 3.8% in 2025. Growth in GCC countries is forecast to rise to 4.2% in 2025, up from 1.9% in 2024. Developing oil exporters are projected to grow by 2.7% in 2024, while developing oil importers will see a slower growth rate of 2.1%. Overall, the region’s GDP growth is

  The African Union Commission (AUC) is set to officially launch the African Space Agency (AfSA) at the 2025 NewSpace Africa Conference, hosted at Egypt Space City in Cairo. Following its establishment, AfSA will serve as the central organization promoting space cooperation across the continent. It will be responsible for implementing the African Space Policy and Strategy, working towards the space-related goals outlined by the African Union. AfSA will also be the primary liaison for Africa’s collaboration with global partners, particularly Europe. One of the agency’s key goals, as defined in the African Space Agency Act, is to enhance space missions across Africa, ensuring the accessibility of space-derived data, services, and products. AfSA will help streamline space initiatives at the national, regional, and continental levels, minimizing redundancy and inefficiency. As the primary governing body, it will oversee the implementation of Africa’s space agenda, ensuring that the contine

  A tragic bus accident in northeastern Egypt has claimed the lives of at least 12 university students and left 33 others injured, according to the Egyptian Ministry of Health. The bus, carrying Galala University students from Suez, overturned on the Ain Sokhna Highway while returning to their dorms after classes. Local media reported that the driver has been arrested as part of the ongoing investigation, though the cause of the crash remains undisclosed. Emergency services, including 28 ambulances, swiftly responded to the scene, transporting the injured to the Suez Medical Complex. However, there was no immediate update on their condition. Both the Ministers of Higher Education, Ayman Ashour, and Health, Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar, extended their condolences to the families of the victims. Road accidents like this are unfortunately common in Egypt, where thousands of fatalities occur annually due to poor road conditions, speeding, and insufficient traffic law enforcement.

  Following the passing of Tito Mboweni, former finance minister and South African Reserve Bank governor, tributes have continued to pour in from across the country. A tweet from 2018 has resurfaced, where Mboweni reflected on his life’s accomplishments and expressed his contentment with what he had achieved. In the tweet, Mboweni shared a conversation with his son, stating that he had done everything a reasonable person could wish for and only requested a decent burial when his time came. Mboweni, aged 65, passed away on Saturday night after a brief illness. Known for his private family life, he often engaged his 1.5 million social media followers with humor and commentary on political events. Mboweni served as South Africa’s finance minister from 2018 to 2021 and was the country’s first black governor of the Reserve Bank, a role he held from 1999 to 2009. His career also included a tenure as labor minister from 1994 to 1999. President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed deep sorrow at Mboweni’

  The ongoing conflict in northeastern Nigeria, driven by Boko Haram’s insurgency, has worsened hunger and malnutrition among displaced populations, according to humanitarian workers and local sources. Although organizations like the World Food Program (WFP) are delivering food and essential aid to some displaced individuals, many in hard-to-reach areas remain without assistance, particularly in regions still dominated by extremist violence. Since Boko Haram began its campaign in 2009 with the goal of imposing Islamic Sharia law, the group has caused widespread devastation. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of at least 35,000 people and displaced 2.1 million, according to U.N. figures. The insurgency’s impact extends beyond Nigeria, affecting neighboring countries like Cameroon, Chad, and Niger. In Borno state, the group continues to pose a threat, with 1.8 million civilians impacted since 2020 alone. Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the WFP, recently visited Damasak near the

  Recently, His Excellency Dr. Salem Al Naqbi, UAE Ambassador to Nairobi and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), met with Kenya’s Minister of Environment and Forestry, His Excellency Aden Parry Duale. This meeting represents a significant milestone in strengthening environmental cooperation between the UAE and Kenya. During the meeting, both leaders discussed strategies to advance collaboration in environmental conservation and sustainable development. The UAE, a steadfast advocate of global environmental initiatives, reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with Kenya, a nation recognized for its progress in environmental management and conservation efforts. At a time when the world faces mounting environmental challenges, the cooperation between the UAE and Kenya serves as a model for international partnerships. This collaboration underscores the critical need for global soli