Bantu Gazette

26/05/2026

The Republic of Congo will open its borders to all African nationals without visa requirements starting Jan. 1, 2027, President Denis Sassou-N’Guesso announced Monday, making it one of the continent’s most open destinations for intra-African travel.

Sassou-N’Guesso made the announcement at a ceremony marking Africa Day in Brazzaville, held alongside the opening of the African Development Bank Group’s 61st annual meetings.

He said the move would be subject to minimal administrative and security provisions.

“Starting Jan. 1, 2027, entry into the Republic of Congo will no longer require a visa for all African peoples,” Sassou-N’Guesso said.

Read More https://bantugazette.com/republic-of-congo-goes-visa-free-for-all-africans-starting-january-2027/

26/05/2026

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has appointed veteran central banker Ahmadou Alhaminou Mohamed Lo as Senegal’s new prime minister, three days after dismissing Ousmane Sonko amid widening tensions over the country’s fiscal management.

Lo took office Monday with a sober acknowledgment of the economic strain facing his administration. “In these crucial moments in the life of the nation, we must all be conscious of the emergency context in which our country finds itself, particularly the state of public finances and its impact on the economy,” he said.

https://bantugazette.com/senegal-appoints-new-prime-minister-as-faye-moves-to-contain-fiscal-crisis/

25/05/2026

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Saturday called on Namibians to preserve the country’s cultural heritage and indigenous knowledge systems, saying they remain essential to national unity and long-term development.

Speaking at the 2026 Omagongo Cultural Festival at the Uukwambi Royal Palace Grounds in the Omusati Region, the president described the annual celebration as an important symbol of nation-building, cultural pride and unity in diversity.

Read More https://bantugazette.com/namibia-president-calls-for-preservation-of-cultural-heritage/

25/05/2026

There was a period when African countries entered many global conversations through external interpretation, external framing, and external priorities that shaped how the continent was understood across politics, economics, development, health, culture and many more.

International media systems, foreign institutions, and outside observers often determined which African stories received sustained visibility and which realities remained absent from international attention, creating a narrow understanding of a continent defined by extraordinary diversity, complexity, ambition, and transformation.

That dynamic is steadily changing across African societies, institutions, creative industries, research spaces, and digital ecosystems that are increasingly shaping global understanding from within the continent itself.

Africa Day now reflects far more than symbolism, ceremony, or official declarations because it increasingly represents a broader continental movement toward narrative ownership, intellectual confidence, cultural influence, and institutional self-definition across global conversations that affect Africa’s future.

From media and technology to politics and culture, Africa is shaping its global image through stronger voices, institutions, and ideas across a changing world today

24/05/2026

Romuald Wadagni was officially sworn in as president of Benin on Sunday, promising to deepen economic reforms, strengthen social development and preserve regional stability after a landslide victory in the April 12 presidential election that reflected broad support for policy continuity and economic transformation. https://bantugazette.com/benins-romuald-wadagni-sworn-in-pledges-continuity-and-inclusive-growth/

23/05/2026

The African Export-Import Bank posted a 25% jump in first-quarter net income, the Cairo-based lender said in a statement Friday, as expanded lending activity drove profit higher across all key income lines.

Denys Denya, Afreximbank's Senior Executive Vice President, said the growth in net interest income and profitability confirmed the strength of the bank's operating model and the continued relevance of its mandate.

Read More:

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) posted a 25% jump in first-quarter net income, the Cairo-based lender said in a statement Friday, as expanded lending activity drove profit higher across all key income lines. Profit for the three months ended March 31 reached $268.9 million, up from $215...

23/05/2026

Mali Minister Urges Youth to Reject ‘Easy Money’ and Promote Social Cohesion

Visits to vocational training centers focused on patriotism, civic responsibility and unity among young people during Mali’s transition period

The initiative followed what the ministry described as a terrorist attack on April 25 that killed Mali’s defense minister, Gen. Sadio Camara, whom the statement called “a worthy son of Mali.”

Read More https://bantugazette.com/mali-minister-urges-youth-to-reject-easy-money-and-promote-social-cohesion/

22/05/2026

Ethiopia, Djibouti Plan Pipeline Corridor to Boost Horn of Africa Energy Trade

According to Djibouti’s Ministry of Energy, the first phase would focus on fuel imports for landlocked Ethiopia.

The second phase would involve separate pipelines for crude oil and natural gas from Ethiopia’s Somali Regional State to Djibouti’s coast for export to global markets.

ADDIS ABABA Ethiopia and Djibouti have launched talks on a cross-border oil and gas corridor to reshape energy trade and logistics in the Horn of Africa, the Djibouti Ministry of Energy, which oversees natural resources, announced Thursday. Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh met with Brook Taye,...

22/05/2026

Uganda is positioning tourism as a major driver of investment, jobs, and regional visibility as the country prepares to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, government officials and tourism leaders said at the 10th Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo in Kampala.

Government and industry leaders highlight sports tourism, film, hospitality and regional integration during the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo

Read More: https://bantugazette.com/uganda-positions-tourism-for-regional-growth-ahead-of-2027-afcon/

21/05/2026

Nigeria has launched GovGuide, an artificial intelligence-powered platform designed to help citizens navigate information from more than 35 federal ministries and over 60 government agencies through WhatsApp and the web.

WhatsApp integration puts federal services within reach of low-literacy and underserved communities

https://bantugazette.com/nigeria-launches-ai-powered-government-information-platform-in-four-languages/

20/05/2026

Nigeria’s minister of industry, trade and investment praised Togo’s head of state Tuesday for his engagement on African economic integration, as senior continental trade officials gathered in Lomé for the third edition of the Biashara Afrika business forum.

Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, who is set to become the next president of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Council of Ministers, met with Togo’s President of the Council Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé on the sidelines of the forum, which opened May 18 at the Togolese capital.

Lomé meeting signals growing political will behind Africa's trade ambitions

https://bantugazette.com/nigeria-backs-togos-leadership-on-african-free-trade-at-lome-forum/