B-Empire Live
Continuous news feed — flashes, briefs and explainers, with cited sources. Times shown in Africa/Lagos, UTC+1.
China leads medal tally at 2026 Dakar Youth Olympic Games as Kenya and Madagascar make historic wins
China tops the medal count at the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympic Games with nine gold medals. Kenya became the first African nation to win the women's rugby sevens tournament, while Madagascar won its first Olympic medal in the same event. Egypt and South Africa also secured gold medals, highlighting Africa's growing presence at the Games hosted in Senegal.
Sudan conflict leaves millions without shelter as UN funding falls short
The United Nations has raised alarms over the shelter crisis facing millions displaced by Sudan's ongoing civil war. Despite 15.4 million people needing emergency shelter, UN agencies have reached only 10% due to severe funding shortages. The conflict, ongoing since April 2023, has killed over 200,000 and displaced millions internally and across borders. Humanitarian aid funding is less than half of the $2.9 billion required, worsening the crisis amid soaring food prices and weather challenges.
ANC Support Drops to 32% in South Africa’s Municipal Polls
South Africa's African National Congress (ANC) is on track for its worst-ever election result, securing about 32% of the vote in the 2026 municipal elections after 80% of votes were counted. This marks a significant decline from previous elections and reflects public dissatisfaction with local service delivery. The Democratic Alliance (DA) and the new MKP party made notable gains, setting the stage for complex coalition talks.
Only 7% of Plastic Recycled by Kenyan Waste Pickers at Dandora
In Nairobi, Kenya, around 2,000 tonnes of waste are dumped daily at the Dandora landfill. Thousands of waste pickers work to recover recyclable materials despite health risks. However, only 7% of the plastic waste is successfully recycled, highlighting challenges in waste management and recycling efficiency in Kenya.
Africans recruited by Russia face violence and abandonment in Ukraine war
A study by researcher Thierry Vircoulon reveals that Africans recruited by Russia to fight in Ukraine, often drawn by promises of education or employment, endure brutal frontline conditions and are now abandoned by their home countries. The prisoners, mostly civilians with no prior military experience, include students and urban workers from diverse backgrounds. Their testimonies highlight the dangers they faced and the lack of protection from their African states.
Refugee athletes compete at Senegal’s first Youth Olympics
For the first time, a refugee team is competing at the Youth Olympics in Senegal. The team, formed by the IOC and managed by the Olympic Refuge Foundation, includes athletes from Kenya and Uganda participating in judo, taekwondo, and track and field. They aim to demonstrate their talent and inspire hope despite their challenges.
Violence in Ethiopia’s Moyale region displaces tens of thousands to Kenya
Violent clashes between Ethiopian Somali and Oromo communities in Moyale, southern Ethiopia, have forced around 50,000 people to flee into Kenya since October 18. The conflict continues daily, with deaths reported and heavy artillery fire heard across the border. Kenyan border areas face strain as displaced people seek shelter, while the Ethiopian government focuses on northern conflicts.
Experts urge urgent reforms to boost intra-African trade at Moonshot 2026
Experts at Moonshot 2026 in Lagos emphasized the need for urgent reforms to unlock the potential of intra-African trade, which remains below 17% of the continent's total trade despite the African Continental Free Trade Area's promise of a $3.4 trillion market. Regulatory barriers, fragmented financial systems, and costly cross-border payments continue to obstruct businesses. Calls were made for technology-driven solutions and active business engagement to push governments toward implementation.
Namibia hosts major nuclear test detection drill with 250 experts
A major nuclear test verification exercise is underway in Namibia's desert, involving 250 experts testing capabilities to detect nuclear weapons tests. This is the first large-scale drill on African soil under the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty framework, which 188 countries have signed.
Morocco’s Jassad Festival Highlights Six Women Theatre Directors
The fourth edition of the Jassad international theatre festival in Rabat, Morocco, featured six women directors from Egypt, Spain, Greece, Morocco, and France. The festival presented plays addressing contemporary themes such as family dynamics, alienation, political memory, and war trauma, aiming to diversify narratives in theatre and highlight women's perspectives.
Zambian food security depends more on farming methods than donor aid source
A study by University of Zambia researchers reveals that in eastern Zambia, local farming practices have a stronger influence on household food security than whether aid comes from Norwegian or Chinese donors. Conservation agriculture leads to better food security outcomes than conventional farming, while food insecurity remains structural and affects women-headed households disproportionately.
Smartphones and football fuel youth sports betting boom in Africa
Sports betting in Africa is expanding rapidly, especially among young people using smartphones and mobile money to bet on football. Markets such as South Africa, Nigeria, and Ghana are among the largest, with betting revenue projected to grow from $3.5 billion in 2021 to $19.4 billion by 2030. Research highlights that betting is not just entertainment but often seen as a potential income source amid economic uncertainty for youth.
Egypt and US sign $625 million framework agreement to boost mutual prosperity
Egypt and the United States signed a $625 million framework agreement over five years to advance mutual prosperity. The deal targets economic growth through improvements in water management, artificial intelligence, energy, food security, education, health, and governance. The US committed $125 million annually in grants, aiming to modernize Egypt's infrastructure and foster private sector investment.
Photography legend James Barnor receives top award for documenting Ghana and London
James Barnor, a pioneering Ghanaian photographer who documented Ghana's independence in 1957 and the African diaspora in 1960s London, will receive the Outstanding Contribution to Photography award at the 2027 Sony World Photography Awards. At 97, Barnor is recognized for his decades-long impact on African photography and visual history.
Nearly 3,000 displaced Haitians shelter in former Port-au-Prince school
In Port-au-Prince, nearly 3,000 people displaced by escalating violence have taken refuge in a former school building. Among them is Michel, a former teacher, who now shares a classroom with his family and dozens of others. The school, once home to 500 pupils, has become a crowded shelter with communal kitchens and scarce privacy. Residents face uncertain futures amid ongoing displacement affecting 1.5 million Haitians, with many relying on aid to survive.
Russia-Africa relations scrutinized as trade falls short of $40 billion goal
Following a Moscow summit with 48 African countries, experts debated the economic impact of Russia-Africa relations. While Russia aims to boost trade to $40 billion annually, current figures are around $29 billion. Analysts highlight the need for greater investment, technology transfer, and stronger African negotiation to ensure tangible benefits amid competition from China and expanding security ties in the Sahel.
China’s booming demand for donkey skins drives African trade surge
A new book by Lauren Johnston explores the rapid growth of China's demand for donkey skins over the past 15 years, driven by the traditional medicine ejiao. This demand has fueled a significant trade with African countries, where donkey populations are impacted. The ejiao market has expanded from medicinal use to a variety of consumer products, with prices soaring in China.
Nigeria’s Dangote looks to list refinery shares on multiple African exchanges
Following the successful $1.6 billion IPO of its Lagos refinery, Nigeria's Dangote Group is seeking to make shares available to investors across multiple African stock exchanges. The company is exploring options such as Global Depositary Receipts to overcome regulatory challenges and is supported by calls for mutual recognition among African regulators to facilitate cross-border listings.
South Africa begins vote counting in critical local elections amid public frustration
South Africa began counting votes on November 4 in local government elections dominated by public anger over water and power supply failures. The elections for 257 councils are seen as a key indicator of political mood ahead of the 2029 national elections. Despite the ANC expected to remain the largest party, its support is projected to decline further amid frustrations over infrastructure and high unemployment.
Madrid hosts 30th Ibero-American Summit with 22 nations amid political divides
The 30th Ibero-American Summit opened in Madrid with 22 member countries represented. Only 10 heads of state or government attended, reflecting political divisions in the region. Spain prepares for general elections on 29 November as leaders discuss key issues.