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GERD: Ethiopia’s Power Play and Egypt’s Existential Dilemma

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On 9 September 2025 Ethiopia officially inaugurated the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), a 5,150-megawatt hydropower project on the Blue Nile that Ethiopia bills as the continent’s largest single clean-energy investment and a pillar of its industrialisation strategy. The $4–5 billion project (built largely with Ethiopian funding) will dramatically increase Ethiopia’s generation capacity, while also re-shaping downstream hydrology for Sudan and Egypt; two states that see the Nile as central to their national security. Why Ethiopia wanted to build the dam — numbers and incentives Electricity deficit and development needs. Ethiopia has one of the lowest levels of modern energy access in the region: recent World Bank reporting shows Ethiopia still has a large share of the population without reliable Tier-1+ electricity access (roughly ~44% at the last multi-tier assessment), meaning tens of millions remain off-grid or under-served. The GERD’s ~5,150 MW of capacity is explicitly des...
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12,000 Displaced, and 13 Dead as Lagos govt Demolishes Oworonshoki Favela for Planned Luxury Builds.

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A tense protest unfolded on the Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos’s vital artery connecting the Island and Mainland, after the state government launched an aggressive demolition campaign in Oworonshoki. Early on a Monday morning, residents, furious at the loss of their homes, blocked inward-bound lanes in defiance. The action left commuters stranded, forced diversions across the city, and plunged a significant stretch of Lagos traffic into chaos. The protest was a visible manifestation of community outrage and desperation. At the heart of the unrest lies the demolition of structures along Oworonshoki’s coastal line. Government task forces, supported by police units, arrived with bulldozers in the middle of the night, levelling hundreds of homes. Many residents recounted being woken abruptly as their roofs were torn down, unable to salvage personal belongings or business materials. What began in July 2023 with widespread clearance of waterfront communities has now escalated, displacing thou...
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Goma has fallen: DRC cut ties with Rwanda as M23 takes greater control

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  The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is engulfed in violence as M23 rebels, allegedly backed by Rwanda, advance deeper into the mineral-rich eastern region. The recent offensive has pushed the DRC government to sever diplomatic ties with Rwanda, marking a critical escalation in an already volatile situation. As the world watches, the crisis threatens to destabilise not just the DRC but the entire Great Lakes region. M23’s Advance and the Fall of Goma On January 26, 2025, the M23 rebel group captured Goma, a strategic city with a population of over 2 million. The capture came after the group issued a 48-hour ultimatum for Congolese forces to surrender. Reports indicate mass panic, with civilians fleeing in masses while the United Nations struggled to manage the humanitarian fallout. The DRC government has labelled M23’s advance a "declaration of war" and accused Rwanda of direct involvement, allegations Kigali denies. Intelligence reports suggest that Rwandan Defense...
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A Trump Like Comeback For Mahama: Analysing the Ghana 2024 elections

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 The 2024 Ghanaian presidential election has culminated in a historic victory for former President John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). This triumph, with Mahama securing 56.39% of the vote against Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), signifies not just a leadership change but a broader message from the electorate. The election was shaped by economic turmoil, environmental concerns, and voter disillusionment, reflecting critical shifts in Ghana's political and societal dynamics. Economic Realities as Election Drivers Ghana’s economic crisis played a central role in determining the election’s outcome. The country grappled with soaring inflation, which reached 54% in 2022, and a subsequent $3 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout to stabilize its finances. These challenges exacerbated unemployment, pushed nearly 850,000 Ghanaians into poverty, and strained public confidence in the NPP government under President Nana A...
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Namibia’s Historic First Female President: A Landmark Victory with Layers of Complexity

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Namibia has entered a new chapter in its democratic history with the election of Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as its first female president. Garnering 57% of the vote, her victory under the ruling South-West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO) is not only a significant milestone for gender representation but also a bittersweet reflection of the country’s political, economic, and social challenges. As Namibia celebrates this historic achievement, the road ahead remains fraught with obstacles that demand careful navigation. Nandi-Ndaitwah’s journey to the presidency reflects her resilience and dedication. A veteran of Namibia’s independence struggle, she endured imprisonment during her youth and contributed significantly to the country’s liberation movement in exile. Over the years, she has held multiple high-ranking positions, including foreign minister and vice president, solidifying her reputation as a seasoned leader. Her election as Namibia’s first female president represents a broad...
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Analysing the Nigeria-France State Visit: Economic and Strategic Implications

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The state visit of Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to France marks a significant milestone in Nigeria-France relations, as it is the first such visit by a Nigerian leader in over two decades. Hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, the visit highlighted a strategic effort to deepen bilateral ties and foster economic cooperation amidst shifting dynamics in Africa. This meeting was not only symbolic of renewed diplomacy but also served to address practical issues such as trade, investment, and security, positioning both nations to strengthen their economic and geopolitical influence. France’s recent pivot towards Anglophone Africa reflects its efforts to rebuild influence on the continent following strained relations with Francophone countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. These nations have increasingly leaned towards alliances with Russia, reducing France’s traditional clout. Nigeria, as Africa’s largest economy and a key player in Anglophone West Africa, represents ...
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The 2024 Ghanaian Elections: Dynamics, Implications, and Likely Outcomes

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O n December 7, 2024, Ghana will conduct its presidential and parliamentary elections, a critical event in the country’s democratic journey. This election holds substantial importance for assessing Ghana's political stability, governance trends, and economic trajectory. As a leading democratic example in sub-Saharan Africa, the election reflects a maturing democracy, albeit with emerging complexities such as voter dynamics, socio-economic challenges, and increased political competition. Democratic Significance of the Election The upcoming election marks Ghana’s fifth presidential transition since its return to multiparty democracy in 1992. Ghana is lauded for its peaceful power transfers, even between rival parties like the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Such transitions reinforce the nation's democratic norms and set an example for the broader region​. A growing share of swing voters underscores the evolution of Ghana’s electorate. ...
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