International and Diplomacy

By Jonathan Paterson Video is enjoying a golden age. Again. Supercharged by social platforms, video’s power to distill complex issues in engaging, accessible formats is a hit with audiences. The Reuters Institute Digital News Report found two-thirds of audiences watch short-form news videos weekly, and over half engage with longer-form…

Government of Kenya, in collaboration with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, has hosted a High-Level Consultative Meeting on the Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative (AGII). The initiative aims to position Africa as a global leader in green manufacturing and climate-smart industrial development. To accelerate Africa’s green industrial transition…

Secretary-General, African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Secretariat, H.E. Wamkele Mene, has emphasized the critical need for advanced medical facilities and quality health services in Africa. The $350m African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) in Abuja, Nigeria, is a strategic investment in Africa’s future, delivering world-class medical care and promoting…

African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat has expressed grave concern over the recent downgrade of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) by Fitch Ratings from ‘BBB’ to ‘BBB-‘ with a negative outlook. The Secretariat believes that this assessment may not fully reflect the evolving realities, priorities, and vision of the…

Michael Olumide His Royal Majesty Jeroboam Yah Nii Armah Blackwell, known as Yahu Blackwell, has emerged as a leading candidate in the 2026 Senate race in Maryland, captivating public attention with his unique blend of royal heritage and progressive vision. As a member of the Republican Party, Blackwell is poised…

USA-Based Anioma Indigenes Converged to Celebrate Ighade As She Bags North Carolina University’s Doctorate in Business Administration. Prominent Anioma/Ika indigenes of Delta state, Nigeria, resident in the United States of America (USA) recently celebrated their very own, Dr Anne Ighade, a native of Ibusa, Oshimili North Local Government Area, married…

By H.E. Wamkele Mene We meet at a time of profound global uncertainty, marked by shifting geopolitics, rising protectionism, and persistent trade and financial fragmentation. The lingering impacts of pandemics, climate shocks, and inflation have further exposed deep vulnerabilities in global supply chains. In this evolving environment, Africa must respond…

Stanley Ihedigbo The 2025 inaugural African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Digital Trade Forum, held in Lusaka, Zambia, brought together over 1,500 participants to discuss the future of digital trade in Africa. The forum highlighted the urgent need for investment in digital infrastructure, harmonized regulations, and capacity-building initiatives to equip…

Stanley Ihedigbo The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, in partnership with the Republic of Zambia, recently concluded the inaugural AfCFTA Digital Trade and Services Forum in Lusaka, Zambia. The three-day forum brought together Heads of State and Government, Ministers, the private sector, development partners, and innovators from across…

Stanley Ihedigbo African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, in collaboration with the Government of Djibouti, recently concluded an inaugural Regional Conference on Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Djibouti. The conference brought together senior government officials, SEZ authorities, development finance institutions, private sector leaders, and international partners to explore how…