All eyes on Addis

Hello readers ????

African heads of state and government are jetting to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for the African Union’s annual summit this week, amidst a raft of continental challenges. Delegates need to urgently respond to conflicts in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, address the disintegration of ECOWAS and mounting tensions in the EAC, and confront considerable geopolitical headwinds. But the most pressing item on the agenda? The election of a new AU Commission chair, with incumbent Moussa Faki Mahamat having reached his two-term limit. Three East African candidates are vying for the position: Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Djibouti’s Minister of Foreign Affairs; Richard Randriamandrato, Madagascar’s ex-finance minister; and Raila Odinga, Kenya’s former prime minister. While 80-year-old Odinga possesses the greatest name recognition, hailing from a political dynasty and renowned for his continental connections, Youssouf has an extensive knowledge of AU institutions and their workings, while he and Randriamandrato have age on their side. The three men have made several cross-continental trips over the past year in an effort to garner support for their respective candidacies – but it all comes down to a secret ballot on 15 February, with the winner requiring a two-thirds majority.

Yours in wheeling and dealing,

AP editorial team

?? 115%

In 2024, African shipping rates were 115% above pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels and double the 2023 average costs, according to the new UN Trade and Development Economic Development In Africa Report 2024. Global trade route disruption – including Red Sea shipping lanes – have driven up logistics and trade costs.

???? DOGE-y launch

The Central African Republic became the first African nation to launch a memecoin, a cryptocurrency inspired by internet memes. President Faustin-Archange Touadéra described the coin, called $CAR, as an experiment demonstrating the unifying power of a meme, its potential to support national development, and its capacity to enhance the country's international profile. This is not the country's first venture into cryptocurrencies, having become the world's second nation to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender in April 2022, after El Salvador. Three months later it launched a bitcoin-backed national digital currency called Sango Coin, however, the country’s constitutional court ruled that many of the benefits of the coin, such as e-residency, were unconstitutional. Despite President Touadéra's claim of $CAR’s launch being a resounding success, the memecoin's ambitions have faltered from the outset. An X account created for updates and announcements on the memecoin was suspended due to suspicions of being fake and the currency itself traded at only USD 0.03 on platforms on Tuesday, having plummeted nearly 90% since its launch.

???? Military gains

Sudan’s military has made significant advances in Khartoum North, reclaiming Kafouri and pushing the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to the outskirts. The army has also secured nearly all of Gezira State, barring Giad and surrounding villages. These gains mark a turning point in the conflict, with military sources stating that a wartime government will be formed once Khartoum is fully recaptured. Army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan on Tuesday 11 February ruled out a Ramadan ceasefire as proposed by the United Arab Emirates, unless the RSF halts its offensive in Darfur, where it seeks control of al-Fashir. The conflict, which has so far seen over 12 million displaced and half of Sudan’s population facing hunger, is becoming even more fatal, with reports of army perpetrated civilian killings in Wad Madani and an RSF attack on a market near Khartoum killing dozens. Even if the conflict can be resolved, the prospect of an army-dominated governance structure further raises concerns over Sudan’s future.

???? Diamond deal

A new agreement between Botswana and the De Beers Group, finalised earlier this month, comes amidst plunging global sales and Botswana’s ambitions for economic diversification. The agreement for the 50:50 joint venture Debswana renews the sales terms for rough diamond production, extends mining licenses until 2054, and establishes a development fund that will receive USD 75 million in initial capital from De Beers. The USD 80 billion diamond industry has been facing an increasingly tough sales market, a result of competition from lab-grown gems and reduced demand in key markets like China. Anglo American, majority owner in De Beers, is seeking to offload the ailing company in an IPO, with Botswana looking to increase its 15% stake and Mines Minister Bogolo Kenewendo contemplating majority ownership. Cognisant of its overreliance on diamonds – which account for around 80% of exports and 25% of GDP – Botswana’s new government has announced a raft of new plans as part of an economic reset.?

???? NGO watchdog

Niger's junta has established a technical committee to regulate and oversee the governance of NGOs, ensuring they align with the junta's strategic vision. The stated priorities include "strengthening security and social cohesion," steps towards "economic sovereignty," and the "promotion of good governance." The ministry indicated that to ensure NGOs remain compliant, the committee could monitor their activities in the field and review annual reports. Interior Minister General Mohamed Toumba had hinted at increased oversight of NGOs in January, declaring they would be "reborn" and alleging that "many NGOs are in contact with partners who bring us war through subversion missions." The establishment of the committee also follows the junta's order for the International Committee of the Red Cross to leave the country immediately on 6 February for undisclosed reasons.

? Red card

FIFA has suspended the Republic of Congo from international football competitions until further notice. This suspension was prompted by the Congolese Minister of Sports establishing a special committee to manage the national football federation FECOFOOT in September 2024, an action that FIFA and the Confederation of African Football view as a violation of their rules against political interference in national football federations. To lift the ban, the Congolese government must dissolve the ad hoc committee and restore full control of the national football federation's offices, funds, and decision-making to FECOFOOT. Until these conditions are met, Congo will be prohibited from participating in international matches, impacting World Cup qualifiers and preventing club teams from competing in continental tournaments.

??? Kilele 2025

The Kilele Music Tech and Innovation Summit returns for its second edition from 18-22 February 2025 in Nairobi. Kilele serves as a platform for exploring East African and global music and culture, featuring showcases, panels, workshops, and installations. This year's edition brings together international music brands and underground collectives to delve into three thematic areas: ecological creativity, decolonising instrument design, and sound communities.

?? Africa Scholarship Programme 2026

The Nordic Africa Institute’s 2026 African Scholarship Programme offers early career researchers based in Africa to work and develop their ongoing research at the Nordic Africa Institute. Successful applicants will enjoy access to the Institute's library, engage with its researchers, and benefit from networking opportunities. Deadline is 31 March.?

??Creative Cities in Africa – Jonathan Cane & No?leen Murray (eds)

The modern notion of the "creative" or "smart" city is a dominant trope of international progress and development. This series of essays on architecture and urbanism critically explores how politicians, planners, and power brokers have deployed creativity – or not – across the history of African cities, from the colonial era to the present. Cities analysed in this collection include Durban, Johannesburg, Maputo, Nairobi, Lubumbashi, Dakar, Douala and Dalaba.

?? Labdi – Pakruok

Ladbi’s Pakrouk is an exploration of Dholuo oral literature through Pakruok, a genre of praise poetry, set against ethereal electronic production. Anchored by her single-stringed fiddle (Orutu), the track balances lush yet minimal sound design, ensuring every element feels intentional. Ladbi’s voice weaves through the composition like a spectral presence, guiding listeners through a deeply personal introduction to her identity – both as an artist and as an individual.

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