Africa

Governments have been pushing to bridge rifts at the world's largest climate conference, which kicked off just under two weeks ago at the Egyptian seaside resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.
COP27

Five things to know as the clock ticks down at COP27

Delegates rush to reach deal on last scheduled day of summit on Friday

18 November 2022
From left to right, Yessie Mosby, Anjali Viswamohanan, Chongrak Thinagul and Jose Cobangbang IV have a wide range of reasons for being at the world's largest climate summit.
COP27

'Why I'm at COP': Climate summit attendees tell their stories

Huge conference in Egypt drawing thousands of people from around the world

13 November 2022
China's chief climate negotiator Xie Zhenhua speaks during a news conference at the COP27 climate summit in Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on Nov. 9.
COP27

China, U.S. resume informal talks on climate cooperation at COP27

Beijing says it supports developing nations on issue of loss and damage

10 November 2022
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif speaks at the COP27 climate summit in Egypt's Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on Nov. 8.
COP27

Pay for climate change, Pakistan and others tell rich nations

Prime Minister Sharif calls his country's floods a 'man-made disaster' at COP27

9 November 2022
The COP27 climate summit is drawing attendees from around the world to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt.
COP27

U.N. targets 'greenwashing' with new standards for companies

Guidelines announced on second full day of COP27 summit in Egypt

8 November 2022
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says the world is "on a highway to climate hell with our foot still on the accelerator."
COP27

The world is on a 'highway to climate hell,' says U.N. chief

Developing country leaders seek 'loss and damage' compensation

8 November 2022
The World Meteorological Organization says ambitions to limit global warming to 1.5 C above preindustrial averages are now "barely within reach."
COP27

U.N. says last 8 years were hottest on record

Report comes as COP27 climate summit starts in Egypt

7 November 2022
Over 40,000 delegates are registered to attend COP27, including leaders from some of the world's most powerful nations.
COP27

COP27 climate change summit kicks off: 5 things to know

Key event begins on Sunday, drawing leaders from around the world

6 November 2022
A cargo train departs the port depot in Mombasa for Nairobi in 2017: Vanity projects have ballooned into costly white elephants.
Opinion

Africa needs more help with its Chinese debts

Waiver of interest-free loans does little to lighten burden amid slowing growth

4 November 2022
Mariama Kuyateh holds up a picture of her late son, who died from acute kidney failure, in Banjul, Gambia, on Oct. 10. Cough syrups made by an Indian company are under investigation in connection with dozens of similar deaths.
Pharmaceuticals

Gambia child deaths threaten India's 'pharmacy of world' position

Company suspended over cough syrups suspected in nearly 70 fatal cases

21 October 2022
Foreign currency reserves in countries such as Turkey are below levels the IMF considers safe.
Economy

Emerging-market debt breaches 250% of GDP, making it G-20 focus

Impact of strong dollar and rising interest rates likely to be on agenda

13 October 2022
Victims of flooding walk with their cattle in Sehwan, Pakistan, on Sept. 9: The country will be difficult to live in because of flooding within thirty years.
Opinion

Emerging problems can only be effectively addressed globally

Conflict within and between nations to grow as planet heats

21 September 2022
The logo of the Belt and Road Forum held in Beijing 2019
Belt and Road

China slows foreign lending as Belt and Road problem loans triple

Sri Lanka falls into debt crisis while Pakistan is strapped for cash

20 September 2022
Flood victims in Pakistan. Countries already dealing with extreme weather and the pandemic now have to cope with higher interest rates.
Interview

'Compounding crises' threaten debt-burdened poor nations: World Bank VP

Akihiko Nishio sees urgent need for broad cooperation to help struggling states

12 September 2022
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida attends the TICAD 8 joint press conference online from the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 28. (Courtesy of the Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
The Nikkei View

Japan must build sustainable relationship with Africa

The continent is developing rapidly and Tokyo should adapt accordingly

31 August 2022
President Yoon Suk-yeol has made nuclear power plant exports a major economic policy, leveraging the technological capabilities of domestic manufacturers.
Energy

South Korea wins $2.5bn order to build Egypt's first nuclear plant

Contract flags an acceleration of the Yoon government's export ambitions

25 August 2022
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is expected to attend the upcoming TICAD meeting in Tunisia virtually.
International relations

Japan to push investment in human resources at TICAD Africa conference

PM Kishida taps 'new capitalism' concept to compete with China's deep pockets

24 August 2022
A solar power project in Burkina Faso. NEXI's credit insurance will cover the development of renewable energy, as well as transition projects.
Climate Change

Japan readies credit insurance for Africa's decarbonization

State-backed NEXI to partner with Afreximbank to spur energy transition

23 August 2022
An expressway connecting central Nairobi to the capital's international airport was built under a public-private partnership that lets China collect tolls revenue for 27 years. (Photo by Takeshi Kumon)
International relations

Kenya's new highway signals shift in China's lending blitz in Africa

Instead of giving loan, Beijing-backed operator will collect tolls for 27 years

20 August 2022
Pakistani and Chinese flags fly above a construction site in Gwadar, Pakistan. Much of the construction associated with the Belt and Road Initiative in the town remains unfinished. 
The Big Story

Road to nowhere: China's Belt and Road Initiative at tipping point

Pakistan, Sri Lanka debt crises threaten Beijing's regional influence

10 August 2022
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, with Naledi Pandor, South Africa's minister of international relations and cooperation, in Pretoria on Aug. 8.
International relations

U.S. takes aim at Chinese and Russian influence in Africa strategy

Document discusses human rights sanctions, food and climate change aid

9 August 2022
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has been working to secure support from the International Monetary Fund.
International relations

Zambia emerges as a test case as China joins debt relief talks

Beijing's consent to negotiate sets potential precedent for other indebted nations

5 August 2022
A monkeypox vaccine is administered at a U.S. clinic. The vaccine supply in the New York region has been unable to keep up with demand.
Society

WHO declares monkeypox emergency: 5 things to know

Countries rush to offer vaccines against disease that carries symptoms similar to smallpox

25 July 2022
Rohingya refugees near Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh in 2017. The African nation of Gambia filed the case in 2019. 
International relations

U.N. court rejects Myanmar claims, will hear Rohingya case

Decision sets stage for hearings airing evidence of atrocities against the ethnic minority

23 July 2022
South Africa's Koeberg plant, near Cape Town, is currently Africa's only nuclear power station.
Energy

Russia and China throw weight behind Africa's nuclear power drive

Continent's growing energy needs tie into tug of war for regional influence

22 July 2022