Africa

Personal Democracy & Governance

• Burkina Faso’s Polarizing Leader
  Ibrahim Traoré continues to cultivate a dual image: a Pan-African champion promoting local agriculture, infrastructure development, and electric vehicle ambitions, while drawing criticism for authoritarian tendencies, repression, and Russian-backed disinformation campaigns.
• Upcoming Elections & Democratic Credibility
  The 2025 African electoral calendar includes around ten national polls, mainly concentrated in West and Central Africa. Credibility remains a concern in many, as characteristics such as term limit manipulation, weakened election bodies, and orchestrated outcomes threaten democratic integrity.
• AI and Electoral Governance
  International IDEA released a new briefing on August 22, highlighting the risks of generative AI on electoral integrity, and urging ethical and inclusive governance in AI’s role in democratic processes across Africa.

Smarter Communities & Digital Infrastructure

• A Data Safety Agenda for AI in Africa
  A recent research paper—“Toward an African Agenda for AI Safety”—calls for African-specific AI safety frameworks. It proposes establishing an African AI Safety Institute, improving public AI literacy, and creating early-warning systems for harmful AI use, especially around elections and misinformation.

Clean Energy & System Upgrades

• Surge in Chinese Solar Imports
  Africa imported a record-breaking 1.57 GW of solar panels from China in just one month (May 2025), with smaller nations—including Algeria—leading the uptake. Algeria alone imported 0.76 GW (a 6,300% year-over-year rise), marking a significant shift toward affordable renewables across the continent.
• Entrenched Energy Access Shortfalls
  Over 600 million Africans still lack reliable electricity. Although renewables now represent 55% of the energy mix, funding needs are huge (~$64 billion annually). Investments in solar and green infrastructure are accelerating in countries like Nigeria and South Africa, but grid improvements and equitable access remain urgent priorities.
• Utility-scale Renewable Initiatives
  • South Africa: Eskom launched its first-ever Renewable Energy Offtake Programme, signaling commitment to integrate clean power sources.
  • Uganda: The Ituka Solar Power Station (24 MW) is nearing completion, expected to be commissioned in late 2025, aiding rural electrification in West Nile.
• Private-Sector Momentum
  • Pan African Resources entered a 10‑year agreement with NOA Group for 44 MW_ac of renewable energy, supplying mining operations with 112 GWh annually, and cutting ~137,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year.
  • Ampli Energy, launched in 2025, offers a renewable energy trading platform for South African businesses—providing flexible, cash-rebate-backed green power from Sasol’s 69 MW wind farm.

4. Food Systems, Circularity & Planetary-Personal Health

• AI‑Powered Agricultural Innovation in Ghana
  Degas Limited pledged $100 million to establish Ghana’s first AI‑powered agricultural hub. Leveraging satellite monitoring and AI-driven farming methods, it already supports over 86,000 smallholder farmers across 122,000 acres—promising leaps in efficiency, resilience, and food security.
• Digital Tools for Farmland Resilience
  The EU-funded PrAEctiCe project introduced a decision-support tool that helps East African smallholders adopt agro‑ecological and climate-resilient practices, addressing biodiversity loss and food insecurity.
• Precision Fermentation Growth
  The Middle East & Africa precision fermentation market is valued at approximately USD 48 million in 2025—reflecting growing consumer demand and support for alternative proteins across the region,
• Sustainable Agricultural Extension
  The Africa-Wide Agricultural Extension Week (AAEW) kicked off in Malawi, backed by AFAAS and CIMMYT, focusing on modern, digitized extension services to drive inclusive commercialization and circular food systems.

Summary Table: Africa (Aug 16–22, 2025)