AfCFTA in the news as Benin pushes reform amid security concerns; Benin’s Wadagni (finance minister) is steering economic fixes in a tense environment.
Ghana presents itself as a stable, investor-friendly gateway to West Africa and the AfCFTA, stressing political stability, mature institutions, and a young, entrepreneurial workforce. Presidents Mahama emphasises reforms, digitisation, and partnership opportunities, while signaling broader regional opportunities in energy, industry, and the green transition.
Kenya has withdrawn its tariff review application, with government saying the move protects households and businesses from cost escalation while safeguarding growth, jobs and industrial competitiveness. The Energy and Petroleum Ministry confirms that tariff decisions will follow the Energy Act 2019 processes, including EPRA evaluations and public participation; current tariffs remain in force.
South African authorities have set up an overflow deportation centre near Durban to process thousands of Malawian nationals after large groups camped at Sherwood awaiting repatriation. Police have used rubber bullets and stun grenades against protesters; governments including Malawi, Ghana and Nigeria have organised buses or flights to take citizens home and tensions are continuing across multiple provinces.
South Africa has announced a set of diplomatic initiatives to address migration, including deploying envoys to engage origin, transit, and destination countries. The talks with Kenya's President Ruto emphasised continental cooperation, economic development, and regional integration as ways to ease migration pressures and boost AfCFTA-driven trade.