Investors scramble for Nigeria’s Islamic bond, defy religious criticism and bid $2b

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari ABUJA, Oct 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nigeria’s third Sukuk bond has fetched $2.1 billion, an oversubscription of the targeted $533 million offered to investors, despite the paper eliciting religious controversy. The oversubscription of 446 per cent may reflect the high prospects the Islamic bonds present to Africa’s…

Covid-19: Nigeria develops ‘much faster’ test kit

Nigeria has tested 500,000 people from a population of 200 million ABUJA, Oct 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nigeria has developed a COVID-19 test kit that can give results in less than 40 minutes and be used by low-skilled people. The Health Minister Olurunimbe Mamora said it is much faster and 10 times cheaper…

Ban on protests in Ivory Coast ends ahead of polls

ABIDJAN, Oct 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ivory Coast has lifted a ban on protests. The ban on public demonstrations in the country ends Wednesday just as the opposition plans to begin a campaign of civil disobedience against president Alassane Ouattara’s third term bid. President Ouattara’s candidacy has caused tension in the…

Rise in Tunisian migrants crossing to Europe – Reports

Nearly 10,000 migrants since the beginning of the year have left the country for Europe TUNIS, Oct 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Once, it was just the jobless young men who set off from Tunisia’s rocky northern beaches for Sicily, usually defying their parents in hopes of a better future. Now Tunisian…

Algerian lawyers strike over political pressure

Mass protests against Algeria’s elite started in February last year ALGIERS, Oct 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Lawyers in Algeria have been holding a nationwide strike in protest at what they say is increasing political pressure on the country’s judicial system.The two-day national strike is in solidarity with lawyers in the capital…

Update: Regional court rules against reinstating Uganda election age limit

The ruling means President Yoweri Museveni is free to stand in the next election ARUSHA (Tanzania), Oct 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The East African Court of Justice has dismissed a case which challenged the Constitutional Amendment Bill, removing the age limit to contesting the presidency in Uganda. This means President Yoweri…

Ethiopia readies to launch second satellite, plans for 10 more by 2035

Ethiopia’s first-ever satellite, known as ETRSS-1, is launched on a Long March-4B carrier rocket ADDIS ABABA, Oct 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ethiopia is in the final stages of launching its second remote-sensing satellite into space, with the help of China, as the country seeks to advance its space science development. The…

Congolese activist goes on trial over French museum protest

The Quai Branley museum displays artefacts from all over the world PARIS, Oct 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A Congolese activist and four others go on trial in France’s capital, Paris, for trying to take an African funeral staff from France’s indigenous art museum. It was part of a protest against colonial-era…

French court rules Rwanda genocide suspect will be tried in UN tribunal in Tanzania

Félicien Kabuga was once one of Rwanda’s richest men PARIS, Oct 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — France’s top civil court has ruled that Rwandan genocide suspect Félicien Kabuga can be handed over to a United Nations tribunal in Tanzania for trial.Kabuga was arrested in May at his home outside Paris after 26…

Kenyan Pres Kenyatta visits Paris, to sign major contracts

Kenya’s leader Uhuru Kenyatta will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace PARIS, Oct 1 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — After receiving the French president in March last year, Kenya’s leader Uhuru Kenyatta is on a visit to Paris. The President will meet his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron at the…