South Africa’s central bank on Thursday forecast the economy will shrink by 8.2 per cent in 2020, but some forecasts foresee a double-digit contraction due to a fallout from coronavirus pandemic. The bank revised downwards its outlook as the impact of the lockdown imposed in March, becomes clearer. “The bank now forecasts a GDP contraction […]

The Chinese Consulate in Lagos, Thursday, said China had made major strategic achievements in the battle against COVID-19, especially via international solidarity.

Sudan has arrested 41 people and seized a large amount of explosives big enough to blow up the capital Khartoum, authorities said on Wednesday. The materials included ammonium nitrate, the same chemical that caused a deadly explosion in Lebanon on August 4. “Forty-one people were arrested in possession of explosives, enough to destroy (the capital) […]

South Africa will reopen its borders to most countries next month, the president said Wednesday, part of a wider easing of anti-coronavirus measures announced as figures continue to improve. The continent’s most industrialised economy shuttered its borders at the start of a strict nationwide lockdown on March 27 to limit the spread of the virus. […]

The military junta that seized power in Mali last month said Wednesday that the country could face a “total embargo” from West African countries if it does not quickly appoint civilian leaders. The 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) imposed sanctions on Mali after the August 18 coup in a bid to push […]