AFRICA

Farming in Nigeria is not for the fainthearted. Ilorin, Nigeria | AFP | Intermittent electricity means generators are needed half the time. Chronically potholed roads make transport slow and expensive. Fake fertiliser has previously devastated crops, while toxic feed ruined one dairy farm. But for a group of 13 hardy farmers …

Lusaka, Zambia | AFP |  The Zambian presidency on Saturday condemned as “regrettable” a police decision to halt a prayer meeting this week at which the main opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema was due to appear. On Thursday heavily armed police blocked entry to the capital’s Anglican cathedral where the United …

Luanda, Angola | AFP |  One of Angola’s main opposition parties plans to contest the results of last week’s general election, alleging unfair conduct during the vote that kept the ruling party of former president Jose Eduardo Dos Santos in power. The ruling MPLA party won just over 61 percent …

Equatorial Guinea gives President Museveni highest honour Malabo, Equatorial Guinea | PPU | SATURDAY | The people of Equatorial Guinea have presented the highest honour of their country, the Great Collar of Independence Award, to Uganda President Yoweri Museveni who is on a 4-day state visit to the Central African nation …

Why giving more women access to male occupations can raise productivity by 25% COMMENT |Graça Machel| Julius Nyerere, the founding president of Tanzania, once said that “unity” will not make Africa rich, but “it can make it difficult for Africa and the African peoples to be disregarded and humiliated.” But, …

Abuja, Nigeria | AFP | Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari took to state TV on Monday in his first speech since returning from a long medical absence in Britain, in a bid to dampen mounting separatist tensions in the country. The 74-year-old, who received treatment for an undisclosed condition in London, appeared …

Abuja, Nigeria | AFP |  Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari returned home on Saturday after spending more than 100 days in London receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness. His plane touched down around 4:35 pm (1535 GMT) at the international airport in Abuja, an AFP correspondent said. Wearing a black caftan …

Luanda, Angola | AFP |  Angolan President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos, in power since 1979, will not contest Wednesday’s general election, meaning he will soon lose his place as Africa’s second longest-serving leader. The continent is home to many men who have held office for two decades or more, and …

Luanda, Angola | AFP |  When Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos steps down and his successor is chosen in Wednesday’s elections, it will bring to an end a 38-year reign dominated by his unrelenting authoritarian style. Though seldom seen in public, he has been a looming presence in daily …

  Luanda, Angola | AFP |  Angola goes to the polls Wednesday in a historic election marking the end of President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos’s 38-year reign, with his party set to retain power despite the country’s economic crisis. The MPLA (People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola), which has …