Sub-Saharan Africa

Tens of thousands of Moroccans temporarily crossed into Spanish-controlled Ceuta, with Morocco attributing the influx to online misinformation and human trafficking. Spain plans to expedite repatriation of irregular migrants, while Italy paused some Schengen movement privileges for Spain, highlighting EU migration tensions.

Climate change is shifting childhood malaria risk in sub-Saharan Africa, creating new risk areas in the east and south while reducing it in western regions. A study in Nature attributes these changes to rising temperatures and highlights that public health measures, not climate, are the primary driver of malaria risk shifts.

Global HIV funding fell by 18% in 2025 to $7.3 billion, the lowest level in two decades, risking a resurgence of the HIV epidemic. The U.S. cut HIV-related funding under President Donald Trump in January 2025, and sub-Saharan Africa saw significant declines in prevention programs like PrEP.

Global funding to combat HIV fell by 18% to $7.3 billion in 2025, raising fears of a resurgence. Prevention programs, especially in sub-Saharan Africa where donor reliance reached 83%, are critically impacted. The decline is attributed to reduced government funding, high debt burdens in affected countries, and setbacks in human rights and gender equality.

The article discusses how South Africa's use of parks and community gardens offers strategies for cities to adapt to climate change. It highlights the growing impact of climate change on cities and the opportunities for sub-Saharan African cities to implement new adaptation methods.

Nigeria is becoming sub-Saharan Africa’s largest small-scale solar market as businesses and households adopt solar alternatives due to unreliable grid electricity. Utility-scale investment in the country remains stalled, according to a BloombergNEF report.

The IMF reports that AI could boost Sub-Saharan Africa's economic output by 4% over the next decade, but this requires significant investments in electricity, internet connectivity, and digital skills. The analysis highlights infrastructure and skill development as critical enablers for AI adoption in the region.

Africa's data center growth requires power sector reforms to attract private investors and meet AI's energy demands. The continent hosts only 160 data centers, aging grids hinder expansion, and 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa lack electricity access. The IMF warns that without improved power and digital infrastructure, AI's economic benefits for Africa will be minimal.

The article highlights early AI applications in sub-Saharan Africa, such as a Kenyan farmer receiving weather advice via phone, a Nigerian teacher using a chatbot for math tutoring, and South Africa's revenue authority employing data analytics for tax audits. These examples illustrate AI's potential to drive broader economic transformation in the region.

Afriski in the Maluti Mountains is the only operating ski resort in sub-Saharan Africa south of the equator. It recorded over 1,600 day visitors and overnight guests on its busiest day in 2025 and employs 227 full-time and seasonal workers, mostly Lesotho nationals.

Nigeria recorded $59 billion in crypto-asset inflows between July 2023 and June 2024, ranking second globally in crypto adoption. Stablecoins like USDT and USDC account for 43% of crypto volume in Sub-Saharan Africa, driven by households and SMEs. Regulatory shifts are reshaping cross-border payments in the region.

Lesotho's Afriski Mountain Resort is the only ski resort in sub-Saharan Africa, attracting thousands of visitors annually despite the region's typically warm climate. The resort uses artificial snow to ensure operations during winter and contributes to Lesotho's economy, with most visitors coming from South Africa. Tourism accounts for 7% of Lesotho's GDP, and the resort employs nearly 230 people, mostly locals.

The U.S. Trump administration is imposing restrictions on funding for organizations promoting abortion access in Africa, leading to increased unsafe abortions and maternal deaths. Anti-abortion groups, emboldened by these policies, aim to overturn limited safe abortion access outlined in the Maputo Protocol.

Austin Doctor predicted an influx of foreign fighters aiding Islamist extremist groups in Sub-Saharan Africa. Six years later, the article revisits the forecast to assess its accuracy and current status.

A Unesco report reveals that 113 developing countries spent more on repaying foreign debt than on education in 2025, with 18 spending five times more on loans. Global aid to education is projected to decline by up to 30%, while sub-Saharan Africa countries spent 3.6 times more on debt than education.

Children with sickle cell anaemia in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa face a high risk of not surviving to their fifth birthday without proper intervention, significantly contributing to the region's under-five mortality rates.

Chinese police researchers found that attacks on Chinese citizens and businesses in sub-Saharan Africa often rise after increased Chinese investment, though the study clarifies investment itself is not the direct cause. The analysis notes investment tends to concentrate in politically unstable, resource-rich regions, which may correlate with higher violence risks.

Rising fuel costs in sub-Saharan Africa, driven by the Iran war, are slowing overall vehicle sales but boosting electric vehicle (EV) purchases. Chinese EVs are priced similarly to internal combustion engine alternatives, and high fuel costs in import-reliant markets like Kenya are making EVs more attractive for high-usage consumers and fleet operators. However, weak charging infrastructure, unreliable electricity supply, and high financing costs may limit widespread EV adoption.

Sierra Leone granted exploration rights for four offshore oil blocks to Nigeria’s Marginal Energy to boost investor interest in the industry. The move follows agreements with Shell and Eni to explore over 20 oil blocks and aligns with rising investment in sub-Saharan Africa’s upstream oil and gas sector.

DR Congo raised $1.25 billion through its first-ever Eurobond, a dual-tranche deal, as part of a Sub-Saharan Africa trend returning to international debt markets in 2026.

Globally, 655 million people lack electricity access, with Sub-Saharan Africa accounting for 560 million without power. An additional 970 million in the region lack clean cooking solutions, relying on polluting fuels that endanger health. The article emphasizes the urgent need to address these energy access gaps.

An eye surgeon couple from Mysuru is leading a camp in Ghana to address the urgent need for pediatric eye care in Sub-Saharan Africa, where an estimated 80,000 children require cataract surgery.

ARM-Harith has secured $76 million in a first close for a climate transition fund aimed at mobilizing African institutional capital. The fund will focus on energy transition and climate-resilient infrastructure projects in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Sun King's off-grid solar energy infrastructure serves over 50 million customers in sub-Saharan Africa. The company is highlighted for its success in the 'age of electricity.'

A UN report suggests that reducing polite language in interactions with AI chatbots could save energy equivalent to the annual needs of 760,000 sub-Saharan Africa residents, emphasizing AI's significant environmental impact. The study, published by the United Nations University's Institute for Water, Environment and Health, highlights the hidden costs of artificial intelligence.

Mining activities in sub-Saharan Africa are causing large-scale deforestation of dense tropical forests, with key energy transition minerals like cobalt driving the environmental impact.

An analysis in the journal Nature examines how mineral mining contributed to deforestation in tropical regions, specifically in sub-Saharan Africa between 2001 and 2020. The study focuses on areas near mines to assess the environmental impact and inform conservation strategies.

WHO chief Tedros Ghebreyesus arrived in Kinshasa ahead of a planned visit to the eastern province of Ituri, the epicenter of an outbreak. The article also mentions an investor returning to Congo to grow chillis and an exhibition at the Caen Memorial in France focused on sub-Saharan Africa.

Africa's informal economy, which constitutes nearly 90% of sub-Saharan Africa's jobs, is clashing with governments' efforts to expand tax collection. While African countries have low tax-to-GDP ratios, digitization of tax systems and mobile money services like M-Pesa are raising concerns about increased taxation without improved public services, particularly in rural areas.

Archeologists analyzing incense burner residue from Pompeii have identified African resin evidence suggesting trade links between the ancient Roman city and sub-Saharan Africa. The discovery indicates that resins from African rainforests were traded via the Red Sea from at least the first century BC, revealing Pompeii's connections to civilizations far beyond its Mediterranean borders.

Tether and Gnosis co-led a $4.4 million seed round for Sorted Wallet, which plans to expand geographically to Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. The funding will support Sorted's growth. Sorted Wallet is a lightweight mobile-friendly wallet.

Airtel Africa reported $6.4 billion in revenue for the year to March, a nearly 30% year-on-year increase, with data revenues becoming its largest revenue component at 35.2% growth. The telecom operator, which serves 14 sub-Saharan African countries, grew its customer base by 10% driven by strong growth in data and mobile-money subscribers. However, CEO Sunil Taldar warned that rising energy costs from the Iran war could increase operational cost inflation.

A $8800 house design in sub-Saharan Africa is shown to prevent fatal diseases like malaria and respiratory infections in children by improving indoor air quality and reducing mosquito entry. The study, published in Science.org, highlights the potential of simple architectural solutions to address public health crises in low-resource regions.

JD Vance is set to lead a U.S. delegation to Pakistan if Iran agrees to further talks as a ceasefire deadline approaches. The article also highlights the war's impact on developing countries, including rising food and fuel inflation, and displacement linked to sexualized attacks in Palestine.

NodeWeaver is positioning itself as a cost-effective alternative to VMware for edge computing in remote locations, capitalizing on Broadcom's recent price hikes and policy changes. The company's CTO highlights its lightweight infrastructure, suitable for environments ranging from cruise ships to solar farms in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The article explores the varied protest movements across Africa, highlighting their cultural and political significance. It emphasizes how these protests reflect diverse societal issues and aspirations across the continent.