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The third edition of Biashara Africa opened on Monday in Lomé, bringing together African leaders, investors, manufacturers and business executives for a three-day conference focused on boosting trade and industrialisation across the continent under the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Among the leaders attending the opening ceremony were H.E. Faure Gnassingbé, H.E. Wamkele Mene and former Niger President H.E. Mahamadou Issoufou, alongside delegates from across Africa, the United States and Dubai.

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) has appointed Senegalese expert Dr. Malle Fofana as its new Deputy Executive Director and Head of Green Growth Implementation, marking a major milestone for African leadership in global climate action.

Dr. Fofana becomes the first African to join the GGGI Executive Team, a move seen as a strong step toward giving developing countries a bigger voice in global climate and green growth decisions.

Based in Seoul, Republic of Korea, the appointment follows an international selection process. Dr. Fofana hails from Senegal and brings more than 20 years of experience in climate policy, sustainable development and international cooperation.

Rwanda is stepping up its role in shaping Africa’s global trade outlook following fresh engagement between the AfCFTA Secretariat and its diplomatic mission in Canada.

On May 5, Wamkele Mene met Prosper Higiro in Ottawa to review progress under the African Continental Free Trade Area and explore opportunities to strengthen Africa–Canada trade ties.

The AfCFTA, which brings together 54 African countries into a $3.4 trillion market of over 1.3 billion people, is increasingly being used as a platform to attract global investment not just boost intra-African trade.

The next chapter of Africa’s trade story will unfold from May 18 to May 20, 2026 in Lomé, as leaders, businesses, and innovators gather for Biashara Africa under the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

This edition comes at a decisive moment. AfCFTA is no longer just a vision on paper. It is a system in motion, with real expectations from governments, private sector players, and millions of Africans whose livelihoods depend on trade.

At least 20 people are believed to have died after a tragic boat accident on the Nguse River in western Uganda, in yet another reminder of the persistent safety challenges facing water transport across East Africa.

The incident occurred on Tuesday evening when a locally made wooden canoe, reportedly carrying more than 30 passengers, capsized while crossing the river. According to early reports from local authorities, the vessel was heavily loaded with sacks of charcoal in addition to passengers raising concerns about overloading, one of the most common causes of fatal boat accidents in the region.

Mali’s Defence Minister, General Sadio Camara, has been killed during a series of coordinated attacks on military targets across the country, according to an official government statement.

Government spokesperson Issa Ousmane Coulibaly confirmed that Camara died after armed assailants attacked his residence in the garrison town of Kati on Saturday. The attack was part of a wider offensive carried out simultaneously in multiple regions.

Kati, located about 15 kilometres northwest of the capital Bamako, is considered one of Mali’s most secure military strongholds. Despite this, fighters linked to the al-Qaeda-affiliated group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), alongside Tuareg rebels from the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), managed to breach the area.

Pope Leo XIV delivered a message of solidarity and hope to inmates at a prison in Equatorial Guinea on Wednesday, telling them they are “not alone” while drawing attention to long-standing concerns over prison conditions and human rights abuses.

The visit took place in the port city of Bata and followed a tradition established by Pope Francis, who frequently met with prisoners during international trips to offer encouragement and support.

As Sudan’s civil war enters its fourth year, the capital, Khartoum, is beginning to show tentative signs of recovery. Yet despite limited progress, the scale of destruction and humanitarian need remains severe.

Three years into the conflict and one year after the city was retaken by the Sudanese army much of Khartoum remains subdued. Large sections of the capital still bear the scars of intense fighting, with major buildings heavily damaged or destroyed. Among them is the Corinthia Hotel Khartoum, one of the city’s most prominent landmarks, which stands gutted after sustaining significant damage during the الحرب.

Donald Trump has announced an extension of a fragile ceasefire with Iran, citing a request from Pakistan and stating that he is awaiting what he described as a “unified proposal” from Tehran.

The decision comes as a two-week truce approaches its expiration, with diplomatic prospects appearing increasingly uncertain. Trump said the ceasefire would remain in effect until Iran submits a proposal and negotiations are concluded “one way or the other.”

A newly released song by one of Ethiopia’s most prominent artists is generating widespread discussion, as its message appears to question the country’s current direction and leadership.

Teddy Afro, whose birth name is Tewodros Kassahun, has unveiled a track titled “Das Tal,” meaning “pitch the tent.” Within days of its release, the song attracted millions of views online, reflecting both his enduring popularity and the public’s curiosity about its themes.