Friday’s African Short News Roundup

Welcome to The Rio Times’ essential African news source, offering an overview of the continent’s most impactful stories.

The following news have been the focal point of discussions in local African media.

Mozambique’s Wage Woes

The International Monetary Fund IMF has raised concerns about Mozambique’s public sector salaries, citing them as a significant fiscal challenge.

Despite efforts to manage the budget, a 3.3% GDP slippage occurred in 2022, with salaries reaching 15.1% of GDP in 2023, exceeding the targeted 13.8%.

Nigeria’s Minimum Wage Agreement

Following extensive negotiations, Nigeria has set a new minimum wage at 70,000 nairas ($43), a consensus reached under President Bola Tinubu.

This new wage reflects a compromise from the initial union demand of 250,000 nairas ($153).

DRC: A Lucrative Banking Market

The Democratic Republic of Congo DRC has become the most profitable market for Kenyan banks in East Africa, according to the Central Bank of Kenya.

Profits soared to Ksh66.13 billion ($504.81 million) in 2023 from Ksh32.51 billion ($248.17 million) the previous year.

Morocco’s Summer Success

Morocco’s Marhaba 2024 campaign has welcomed about 538,000 travelers, marking a 4% increase over last year.

This surge highlights improvements in maritime, air, and road transport capacities.

Angola’s New Political Force

Angola’s Constitutional Tribunal has officially certified a new political party, CIDADANIA – Citizens’ Initiative for Angola’s Development.

This came after meeting all legal requirements, such as gathering over 7,500 signatures.

The tribunal’s president judge, Laurinda Cardoso, confirmed the signatures, which included at least 150 from each of Angola’s 18 provinces, as of July 9.

Cabo Verde’s Clean Energy Milestone

A major clean energy project was launched in Cabo Verde’s Chã das Caldeiras, featuring a 40 kWp solar photovoltaic system and a 150 kWh battery storage system.

This project, complete with a 5 km underground distribution network, will provide electricity to about 800 residents for the first time.

Guinea-Bissau’s Media Dispute

In Guinea-Bissau, President Umaro Sissoco Embaló has called on the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Ministry of Social Communication to act against the Journalists’ Union’s outdated leadership.

This follows the union’s recent boycott of the President’s activities, a move Embaló claims he had already preempted.

Nigerian Lawmakers’ Pay Cut for Food Security

To combat rising living costs, Nigeria’s House of Representatives has decided to cut their salaries by 50% for six months.

This reduction will contribute around 648 million nairas ($400,000) to national food security efforts.

Revitalizing Morocco’s Historical Medinas

Morocco plans to invest 7.9 billion dirhams (approximately 730 million euros) in revitalizing 21 historical medinas.

This investment aims to preserve cultural heritage and boost tourism in cities such as Salé, Meknès, Fès, Tétouan, Marrakech, and Essaouira.

Senegal’s Push for Policy Reform

President Faye of Senegal is advocating for substantial public policy reforms to foster sustainable democracy.

Amidst parliamentary disputes, he urges better government communication to engage the public effectively.

BADEA’s SME Support Initiative

The Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) has launched an initiative to aid one million SMEs across Africa.

This effort, involving a partnership with the AfCFTA secretary general, aims to stimulate economic growth continent-wide.

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