Driven by rapid urbanization, increasing infrastructure development projects, and rising construction activity, Africa’s cement market is surging. The boom is also resetting the continent’s cement production landscape with the entry of new players.

Facing a stagnant property market which has affected prices, and stringent environmental regulations back home, Chinese cement makers have been running to establish or acquire operations in Africa.

Led by Huaxin, Chinese companies invested in nine new cement projects in Africa in 2023, and five in 2024.

“We’ve got this enormous infrastructure deficit in Africa. We’ve got this enormous demographic story that’s continuing to play out,” says Aly-Khan Satchu, the CEO of the East African Financial Portal.

”And therefore, I think the Chinese are looking at the medium term and saying to themselves, you know, this is potentially another China not so monolithic and not so linear, but potentially a similar story. And I think that’s what they’re really looking at,” Satchu adds.

With 10 cement plants with a production capacity of about 18 million tonnes per year, Huaxin is now sub-Saharan Africa’s second largest cement producer. Dangote remains the region’s leading cement maker, with an annual capacity of 52 million tons.

Industry experts predict demand to stay strong in Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, and Ghana.

“With respect to the likes Dangote, Dangote understands Africa. I mean, we know that. I think I expect him to grow his business. He took a big bet. I think that bet will spread geographically and I expect the Chinese all said, you know this, who I see in cement expansion, I think is going to be the start of something much bigger as more Chinese players enter the market. And I should expect other BRICS types entities to look at the African continent more aggressively. India, for example, and maybe even the likes of Brazil,” Satchu explains.

Cement production is associated with pollution. EXperts say African governments need to emphasize environmental sustainability, and to enact strong policies to balance growth with local industry development.

John Mahama has been sworn in on Tuesday, January 7 as Ghana’s president for the third time, as the country faces its worst economic crisis in a generation.

Mahama, who started his political career as the communications minister, won the presidential election late last year after pledging to tackle the economic crisis, corruption and unemployment.

The 65 year old, who was previously Ghana’s president between July 2012 and January 2017, replaces former President Nana Akufo-Addo. Mahama was first sworn in as president when President John Evans Atta Mills died in July 2012. He served the rest of that term and then won an election in 2012.

Mahama promised to “reset” the country on various fronts during a campaign that prioritized the economy and largely appealed to young Ghanaians who saw the vote as a way out of the country’s economic crisis.

The election in December for both president and members of parliament was held against the backdrop of the country’s worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation and was seen as a litmus test for democracy in a region shaken by extremist violence and coups. West Africa’s regional bloc of ECOWAS said the election was generally peaceful, a continuing trend in Ghana.

Andrew Takyi, founder of a local fintech company, Zee Pay, told The Associated Press: “l am hopeful that President Mahama will use the 24-hour economy he campaigned on to improve the country. He can use that to widen the tax base of small and medium enterprises to improve revenue.”

Innocent Appiah, a senior media research officer at the Precious Minerals Marketing Company, said he expects the Mahama administration to “prioritize transparency and accountability in the extractive industry, ensuring that the PMMC plays a more effective role in regulating and monitoring the sector.”

“I anticipate policies that promote value addition, local content development and community engagement, ultimately leading to increased revenue generation and socio-economic benefits for Ghanaians,” he said.

Enyonam Agble, a trader attending the inauguration, said: “There was so much corruption under President Akufo-Addo and all we want is the recovery of all that had been stolen to rebuild the country.”

The individual behind the tragic truck attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day, which resulted in the deaths of 14 people, had previously visited the city twice and recorded footage of the French Quarter using hands-free glasses, according to an FBI official on Sunday.

Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a U.S. citizen from Houston, also made trips to Cairo, Egypt, and Ontario, Canada, prior to the incident.

However, it remains uncertain if these travels are linked to the attack, as stated by Deputy Assistant Director Christopher Raia during a press conference.

The assault, which occurred early Wednesday, was executed by Jabbar, a 42-year-old former U.S. Army soldier from Houston.

He was shot and killed by police during a confrontation at the scene of the tragic event on Bourbon Street, renowned for its lively atmosphere in New Orleans’ historic French Quarter.

“We have not identified any signs of an accomplice within the United States, but we are actively investigating potential associates both domestically and internationally,” Raia noted.

Lyonel Myrthil, the FBI special agent overseeing the New Orleans Field Office, revealed that the suspect travelled to Cairo in the summer of 2023, followed by a trip to Canada shortly thereafter.

“Our agents are diligently uncovering details about his travels, including who he was with and how these journeys may relate to his actions here,” Myrthil explained.

Additionally, Jabbar had visited New Orleans in October before the attack. Myrthil mentioned that video evidence shows the suspect cycling through the French Quarter while wearing “meta glasses” capable of recording or livestreaming.

A team of medical experts from China has officially launched a free cataract surgery program at Tirunesh Beijing Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital.

The initiative known as the China-Ethiopia Brightness Journey features a dedicated Chinese medical team made up of 10 experienced ophthalmologists and nurses.

They are on a mission to perform cataract surgeries for over 500 patients, with 80 individuals already benefiting from successful procedures as of Friday.

This phase of the Brightness Journey will last for more than 20 days, providing local medical professionals with essential training in advanced treatment techniques.

Amsale Belay is one of the fortunate individuals benefiting from the project.

Thanks to the assistance of the Chinese medical team, her eyesight has been fully restored.

“I’m so indebted to the medical team. I have been seeking treatment for more than two and a half years at various hospitals, but I found no solution. I was told there was no hope. But now, I have full hope,” she shared.

During the launch event of the project on Friday, Ethiopian Minister of Health Mekdes Daba highlighted the extensive advantages that the initiative brings.

“…We will be building skills for healthcare professionals in here because through the procedures… our community will have an additional shared experience… We really, deeply value this project and the support that we are getting,” she said.

Chen Hai, the Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia, emphasized that the project exemplifies the friendship shared by the two countries.

He stated, “The ‘Bright Journey’ project is a clear indication of our all-weather strategic partnership and deep-rooted friendship.”

Cataracts are the primary reason for blindness and vision impairment in Ethiopia, affecting more than five million individuals, as reported by the health ministry.

Orthodox Christians gathered in Bethlehem in the West Bank on Monday, marking Christmas Eve; unlike other branches of Christianity, the Orthodox Church marks Christmas on 7th January.

The Orthodox Church uses the Julian calendar for its liturgical schedule, whereas other Christian groups follow the Gregorian calendar launched by Pope Gregory XIII in 1500.

During the service, the Greek Orthodox patriarch of Jerusalem was welcomed by the faithful in the city’s Manger Square.

It was a discreet event, with those who gathered marching with whistles amid streets with very few decorations.

It marks the second time Orthodox Christians are observing Christmas under the shadow of the conflict in Gaza, not far away.

The war has been raging for more than a year, with no ceasefire deal appearing to be in sight.

Senegal and neighbouring Mauritania have become gas producers, using the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim field which straddles the maritime border between the two countries.

British company BP, one of the businesses involved in the project, said in a press statement that it had ”started producing gas from the wells of the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA)” field.

Along with BP, US group Kosmos energy, Mauritania’s SMH and Senegal’s Petrosen will also be using the field.

After six years of planning, the project’s launch has been welcomed by Senegal’s Oil minister, who described it as ”historic”.

It’s estimated that the field will produce some 2.5 million tonnes of liquified natural gas per year.

Although the country won’t match the production levels of the world’s gas heavyweights such as Russia and Qatar, it’s hoping to generate billions of dollars from the field in order to transform its economy.

An occasion of joy turned into tragedy in Jigawa State after food served to guests at a wedding was allegedly poisoned by the bride.

According to reports, the incident which occurred in Jahun Local Government Area resulted in the death of one of the guests, with the groom critically ill.

Those who witnessed what happened shared that the bride’s action may have been motivated by personal vendetta.

Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Shi’isu Adam revealed that an investigation had begun.

“We received a report that the bride had tainted the food served at the wedding reception, leaving the groom critically ill.

“Police have arrested two suspects in connection with the alleged food poisoning incident that occurred during a wedding ceremony in the state,” Adam said.

Speaking further, he disclosed that the bride and another female were the two suspects and that they had been placed in custody.

Adam added that both women are being quizzed by the Criminal Investigation Department of the command.

“We will do everything in our power to ensure that justice is served.

“The command is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, and we will provide more details as soon as possible.

“For now, we can confirm that the incident occurred, and we are working tirelessly to unravel the facts. We urge the public to remain calm and assured that justice will be served.”

Nigerian telecommunications companies have submitted a proposed 100 per cent increase in their tariffs to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

During an interview with Arise TV on Thursday, the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola, stated that the increase is to address rising operational costs, including inflation and increased service delivery expenses.

Toriola, however, expressed uncertainty about the proposal being approved by telecom regulator NCC.

He said the hike became imperative to sustain the industry bedevilled by significant financial pressures due to rising operational costs.

“We’ve put forward requests of approximately 100 per cent tariff increases to regulators.

“I doubt they’re going to approve that quantum of increases because they are very, very sensitive to the current economic situation in the country,” Toriola stated.

“I believe we’re all on the same side, the policymakers, the regulators, our Chairman of ALTON, Gbenga Adebayo, and the industry.

“We’re united because we share concerns about a few fundamental issues. First, human rights, are critical to driving any economy.

“Without a sustainable industry, the broader economy and the well-being of the people will be negatively impacted,” he added.

The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, has announced that the state will host three major summits in 2025 in furtherance of efforts to actualise his administration’s ARISE Agenda.

He explained that the summits focusing on Power, Tourism, and Corporate Business would bring together Akwa Ibom indigenes who are key players in the corporate world, both within and outside Nigeria.

The governor stated this at the Special Inter-Denominational New Year Thanksgiving/Covenant Service held at the state’s International Worship Centre in Uyo on January 2.

According to Eno, the primary objective is to intensify efforts, through strategic partnerships, to foster growth and progress in Akwa Ibom State.

He noted the state’s commitment to achieving uninterrupted power supply and emphasised the need for a summit to outline practical steps toward this goal.

The governor also highlighted Akwa Ibom’s status as a tourism destination within Nigeria, stressing the importance of developing a tourism master plan to enhance the state’s tourism potential.

The governor also underscored the need to leverage the expertise of Akwa Ibom indigenes excelling in the corporate world.

According to him, the Corporate Business Summit would provide an opportunity to identify, celebrate, and collaborate with these individuals to advance the state’s development agenda.

He maintained that the summit would also focus on mentoring the state’s youth through the experiences of these accomplished professionals.

Eno, who is a seasoned entrepreneur, reiterated his administration’s dedication to the ARISE Agenda and affirmed plans to collaborate with stakeholders across the state to drive progress.

He further revealed plans to commence town hall meetings at the Federal Constituency level starting February.

Eno urged stakeholders in each constituency to work together and present unified positions that reflect the actual needs of their communities.

The governor stated that, during the town hall meetings, 62 Small and Medium-Scale Entrepreneurs (two from each Local Government Area) would be empowered with ₦5 million each, alongside other empowerment packages.

He assured Akwa Ibom residents that despite an ambitious lineup of activities for the year, all plans would be accomplished with God’s multiplied grace.

Rededicating the state to God, the governor thanked attendees for participating in the service and extended his wishes for a prosperous New Year to all Akwa Ibom people.