[Ghanaian Times] Introduction

[Capital FM] Nairobi -- President William Ruto has tasked Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe with prioritizing fertilizer distribution, as he takes up his new docket.

[RFI] South African rescuers on Thursday ended their attempts to find anyone left in an illegal gold mine where at least 78 people died during a months-long police siege. The Giwusa labour union called the operation the "worst state-sponsored massacre" since the end of apartheid.

[Prosper Africa] Prosper Africa and African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to boost trade and investment between the United States and Africa in key sectors. This strategic partnership aims to leverage the unique strengths of both organizations to mobilize trade opportunities and investment capital, with a focus on creative industries, critical minerals, emerging technologies, and textile manufacturing.

[New Times] No illegal miners remain underground after four days of a rescue operation at the abandoned Stilfontein gold mine in South Africa's North West Province, police confirmed Thursday.

[GroundUp] 246 miners rescued, 78 bodies retrieved

[SAnews.gov.za] The Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, has designated FlySafair's request for ministerial exemption from complying with some provisions of the Air Service Licensing Act, as premature.

[SAnews.gov.za] Eskom says it has not yet made a decision with regard to the potential disconnection of bulk electricity supply to the Tokologo Local Municipality in the Free State.

[SAnews.gov.za] The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, has announced the extension of Community Work Programme (CWP) contracts for participants aged 55 and older.

[Premium Times] An official explained that upgrading the hotel was a joint venture between the Enugu State Government and the Landmark group.

[Premium Times] The 2025 budget is expected to fast-track the revitalisation of various sectors of the Osun State economy

[Premium Times] The CBN launched the initiative on Wednesday

[Capital FM] Embu -- The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) has reiterated that the nationwide strike for all clinical officers set to commence on Sunday is on course.

[Capital FM] The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) is set to host the World Chambers Federation (WCF) Summit in Nairobi, marking a first for Africa.

[Capital FM] Nairobi -- Economist Ashish Chadda has faulted Treasury's 2025 budget proposal, calling on the government to review the Draft 2025 Budget Policy Statement for the fiscal year 2025/26 to 2027/28.

[Capital FM] Nairobi -- The Council of Governors (CoG) has defended the issuance of county-administered bursaries, citing social protection grounds and the principle of separation of powers.

[Daba Finance] TLDR

[Daba Finance] TLDR

[Liberian Observer] -- Union demands immediate reforms or may cast vote of no confidence in their DG

[Liberian Observer] Liberia's quest to transform its critical rail infrastructure is gaining momentum as a U.S.-backed consortium led by TSC Global and Railroad Development Corporation (RDC) has reaffirmed its commitment to upgrading and operating the Yekepa-Buchanan railway at no cost to the Liberian government. Sources within the government have confirmed the consortium's readiness to deliver a fully funded solution that addresses both fiscal constraints and infrastructure challenges while ensuring fair access for all rail

[Daily Trust] The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has revealed that petrol prices could drop below N600 per liter if the naira strengthens to less than N1,000 per dollar.

[Daily Trust] The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has forecast global oil demand growth rate at 1.4 million barrels per day (mb/d) in 2025, with a similar growth rate expected in 2026.

[Daily Trust] The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, says the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano dual carriage way will be ready for use in 14 months.

[New Zimbabwe] Zimbabwean companies are grappling with severe economic challenges, including soaring inflation, a skewed exchange rate, and escalating operational costs, forcing some to retrench workers and others to reduce stock levels.

[VOA] Sparrows Point -- Most Americans and visitors to the United States encounter Customs and Border Protection agents when they enter or return to the country at land crossings or airports. But CBP also is responsible for inspecting goods leaving the country, which creates a nearly impossible assignment of trying to intercept all stolen automobiles being shipped out of the U.S.

[Independent (Kampala)] Kigali -- The Rwanda Mines, Petroleum, and Gas Board (RMB) has announced the discovery of 13 oil wells in Lake Kivu, marking a significant step in the country's pursuit of energy resources. The revelation was shared by RMB's CEO, Francis Kamanzi, during a meeting with the Parliamentary Committee on Governance, Gender Equality, and the Ministry of Environment on January 15, 2025.

[VOA] A court in the Democratic Republic of Congo has sentenced three Chinese nationals to seven years in prison for engaging in activities related to illegal mining.

[CCA] Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) had much to celebrate throughout 2024 including some key events in the last quarter of the year. There was, however, no greater honor in wrapping up a successful year at CCA than to be invited by the White House to be part of President Biden's official delegation to Angola - the last overseas trip of his presidency and ahistoric one no less. As the first sitting U.S. President to visit Angola, we had an amazing few days engaging with the private sector,

[CCA] Florie Liser, Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) President and CEO, was honored to represent CCA as a member of the official delegation of President Joseph Biden's trip to Angola.  To fulfil a commitment to travel to Africa made during the December 2022 U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, President Biden traveled to Angola December 1-4, 2024.  Others on the delegation included heads of civil society organizations including the NAACP and National Council of Negro Women, a woman whose family can trace

[IPS] Moscow -- With heightening geopolitical interest in building a new Global South architecture, Ghana's administration is considering joining the 'partner states category' of BRICS+, an association of five major emerging economies (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa).