From Railways to Cyber Wars: Power Plays Reshape Africa’s Future 

Welcome back to The Vault! Here’s our bulletin on recent policy developments.

Nigeria

  • Nigeria Affected as U.S. Embassies Reduce Social Media Updates Over Washington Shutdown
  • Tinubu Appoints New Heads of Biosafety, Tourism, and Investment Agencies
  • FG Secures N250bn for Kaduna, Kano Light Rail Projects
  • FG Secures N250bn for Kaduna, Kano Light Rail Projects

Ghana

  • President Mahama Swears in 18-Member Joint National Cyber Security Committee
  • U.S. Lifts Visa Restrictions on Ghana

South Africa

  • Court Dismisses Bid to Stop Retrenchment of SA Breweries Workers
  • SA Launches National Action Plan to Combat Substandard Medical Products
  • SARS, Tax Ombud Join Forces Against Cybercrime

Kenya

  • Nairobi Securities Exchange Launches Banking Sector Index to Track Listed Banks
  • High Court Revokes Title of 76,000-Acre Kamuthe Wildlife Conservancy

Ethiopia

  • U.S. Pledges Support for $10bn Airport Project in Ethiopia, Considered Trump’s First Major Horn of Africa Initiative
  • High Court Revokes Title of 76,000-Acre Kamuthe Wildlife Conservancy
  • Ethiopia, Italy Sign €4.1 Million Agreement to Strengthen Shire & Gondar Hospitals

Angola

  • Government Suspends Fishing Ban on Apasil Members
  • Angola Officially Joins UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves

Feel free to share your thoughts with us and If you need insight into any key legislation, please tell us.

NIGERIA

Nigeria Affected as U.S. Embassies Reduce Social Media Updates Over Washington Shutdown

On October 1, 2025, Nigeria became one of several countries affected as U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide scaled back their social media updates due to a partial government shutdown in Washington, D.C.. The U.S. Embassy in Nigeria announced the suspension of routine updates on its official platforms, citing a lapse in appropriations caused by a budget deadlock between Congress and President Trump. While regular social media communications have ceased, urgent safety and security information will still be shared with the public as needed, ensuring critical alerts remain accessible. Despite reduced online engagement, essential consular services—including passport and visa processing—remain operational for Nigerians, though future delays cannot be ruled out if the shutdown persists. The shutdown has prompted concern among Nigerians planning travel or seeking embassy information, underscoring the broader impact of U.S. political decisions on global diplomatic services.

Tinubu Appoints New Heads of Biosafety, Tourism, and Investment Agencies

President Bola Tinubu appointed three new leaders for key federal agencies on September 30, 2025, aimed at revitalizing the biosafety, tourism, and investment sectors. Bello Bawa Bwari was named Director-General of the National Biosafety Management Agency, Hon. Barr. Aminu Junaidu became Chairman/CEO of the Investment and Securities Tribunal, and Olayiwola Nurudeen Awakan was appointed Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation. These changes aim to enhance regulatory oversight in biotechnology, boost tourism targeting 10 million annual visitors, and streamline investment dispute resolutions. The appointments reflect Tinubu’s focus on institutional stability and are expected to foster innovation in agriculture, rejuvenate tourism, and build investor confidence, ultimately supporting Nigeria’s economic growth.

FG Secures N250bn for Kaduna, Kano Light Rail Projects

The Federal Government of Nigeria secured approximately N250 billion in funding for the development of modern light rail systems in Kaduna and Kano states, as announced on September 29-30, 2025. The allocation earmarks N150 billion for the Kano light rail project and N100 billion for Kaduna, reflecting a strong commitment to enhancing mass transit infrastructure in Northern Nigeria. Construction progress has reached 53%, with completion expected in 2026, aiming to ease traffic congestion in major urban centers and improve transportation efficiency for residents. This infrastructure investment is part of broader reforms to empower subnational governments with greater financial autonomy and stronger governance. The initiative is poised to boost economic activities, reduce road congestion costs, and improve citizens’ daily commute in key northern cities. President Tinubu’s administration emphasizes this development as critical to inclusive growth and sustainable urban modernization.

GHANA

President Mahama Swears in 18-Member Joint National Cyber Security Committee

President John Mahama inaugurated an 18-member Joint National Cyber Security Committee (JCC) on October 1, 2025, at Burma Camp, Accra, marking a significant advancement in Ghana’s digital security strategy. The committee unites key representatives from intelligence, security, and cyber agencies to ensure coordinated responses and proactive defense against cyber threats under the Cyber Security Authority’s framework. Mahama emphasized the importance of unity, clear strategy, and disciplined education in tackling borderless cybercrime, warning that isolated efforts are insufficient in the digital age. Ghana plans to ratify and sign the United Nations Convention on Cybercrime later in October, enhancing its legal tools to investigate cyberattacks and protect critical infrastructure. This initiative strengthens Ghana’s cybersecurity posture by promoting international cooperation and reinforcing licensing and certification of cybersecurity professionals and products.

U.S. Lifts Visa Restrictions on Ghana

On September 27, 2025, the US lifted visa restrictions on Ghana, restoring five-year multiple-entry visas and other consular privileges. This diplomatic achievement followed negotiations between Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Ablakwa and US officials, announced during the UN General Assembly. The restrictions had previously limited visas to a single-entry, three-month validity due to visa overstays, affecting travel and relations. The lifting of these curbs is considered a significant win for Ghana, improving access to long-term visas and reflecting Ghana’s cooperation in accepting US deportees, which is expected to enhance travel flexibility and boost economic and educational exchanges between the countries.

SOUTH AFRICA

Court Dismisses Bid to Stop Retrenchment of SA Breweries Workers

The South African Labour Court dismissed an urgent bid on October 2, 2025, aimed at stopping the planned retrenchment of 233 workers at South African Breweries (SAB), particularly within its logistics division. This decision allows SAB, part of global brewing giant AB-InBev, to proceed with its operational restructuring aimed at reducing role duplication and improving efficiency across its depot network. The retrenchments, starting August 2025, follow ongoing tensions with the Food and Allied Workers Union (FAWU), which has opposed job cuts linked to SAB’s 2016 merger with SAB-Miller and subsequent cost-cutting measures. The union argues that the cuts breach regulatory conditions and worsen employment conditions through outsourcing, amidst a sluggish South African labor market. SAB defends the restructuring as necessary to align with business needs, introducing new roles to replace phased-out positions.

SA Launches National Action Plan to Combat Substandard Medical Products

South Africa launched its first National Action Plan (NAP) on September 29, 2025, to combat substandard and falsified medical products. Health Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi highlighted the serious threat of fake medicines, which harm global health systems. Developed by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), the Department of Health, and the WHO, the five-year NAP outlines strategies for prevention, detection, and multi-sector responses. It aims to enhance market surveillance, enforce actions against offenders, and raise public awareness, thereby strengthening regulatory frameworks and protecting patient safety.

SARS, Tax Ombud Join Forces Against Cybercrime

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) and the Office of the Tax Ombud (OTO) issued a joint statement on September 26, 2025, addressing the rise in cybercriminal activity targeting taxpayer eFiling profiles, which has resulted in significant financial losses. They emphasized their collaborative effort to enhance the security of the tax system, particularly through improved authentication protocols, while also addressing complaints and providing solutions to combat identity theft and unauthorized access. With over 6 million active eFiling users, the initiative aims to bolster taxpayer protection and reduce hijacking incidents, thereby preserving the integrity of SARS’s R2 trillion annual collections and maintaining public trust. This partnership follows a year-long investigation by the OTO and is expected to influence regional strategies for cyber fiscal defense, highlighting the importance of vigilance against emerging online threats.

KENYA

Nairobi Securities Exchange Launches Banking Sector Index to Track Listed Banks

The Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) launched a new Banking Sector Index on October 1, 2025, to track the performance of 11 listed Kenyan banks including KCB Group, Equity, Absa Kenya, and Diamond Trust Bank. This market capitalization-weighted, float-adjusted index aims to provide investors with a transparent benchmark reflecting the banking sector’s overall health and performance. The index supports product innovation such as exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and other sector-linked investment products, deepening market activity and broadening investor participation. NSE CEO Frank Mwiti highlighted the index as a key tool for portfolio allocation and economic growth, strengthening Kenya’s position as a competitive financial hub. The banking sector demonstrated robust earnings and balance sheet growth from January to September 2025, underscoring its pivotal role in the economy. The index enhances visibility for listed banks while aiding sector-based research and informed investment decisions.

High Court Revokes Title of 76,000-Acre Kamuthe Wildlife Conservancy

The High Court in Kenya revoked the title and licence of the 76,602-acre Kamuthe Wildlife Conservancy on September 29, 2025, citing violations of constitutional requirements for public participation and community land rights. Justice Julius Mutungi deemed the establishment of the conservancy unlawful due to a lack of necessary environmental impact assessments from NEMA and the failure to consult local pastoralists, who lost grazing rights. The court’s ruling not only nullified the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) licence but also mandated proper approvals for future land use, highlighting the procedural flaws in the original allocation that occurred without community consent. This decision reflects ongoing tensions in northern Kenya between conservation efforts and indigenous land rights and underscores the judiciary’s role in promoting inclusive governance. The ruling could restore local access to rangelands, empowering communities and potentially preventing conflicts, while also challenging the operational and funding frameworks of the conservancy that supported eco-tourism.

ETHIOPIA

U.S. Pledges Support for $10bn Airport Project in Ethiopia, Considered Trump’s First Major Horn of Africa Initiative

The United States is providing substantial financial and technical support for Ethiopia’s $10 billion Bishoftu International Airport project, a major business initiative announced by U.S. Senior Advisor for Africa Massad Boulos on September 29, 2025.The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), in partnership with Boeing, is backing the project, which aims to alleviate congestion at Bole International Airport. Ethiopian Airlines will cover 20% of the costs for this large-scale airport development designed to accommodate 60 million passengers annually, expandable to 110 million, as well as significant cargo capacity. The project, including an “airport city” with hotels and recreational facilities, supports Ethiopia’s economic recovery and positions it as a key hub in East Africa, enhancing trade and connectivity while competing against Kenya and Rwanda and countering Chinese influence. It is expected to trigger transformative impacts, create jobs, and catalyze foreign direct investment, signifying renewed U.S. engagement in infrastructure to support sustainable development in the region.

Ethiopia Launches National Health Security and One Health Strategic Plans to Prevent Public Health Threats

Ethiopia launched its National Health Security Implementation Plan and One Health Strategic Plan on October 1, 2025, to enhance its capacity for preventing, detecting, and responding to public health threats. These plans integrate human, animal, and environmental health to address emerging diseases and ensure food security, with a focus on collaboration among government agencies, NGOs, and international partners like WHO and FAO. The framework aims for coordinated funding and action while emphasizing early detection and multisectoral surveillance. It demonstrates Ethiopia’s commitment to international health standards, workforce development, and infrastructure improvements, positioning the country as a leader in integrated health security in Africa, ready to mitigate public health emergencies.

Ethiopia, Italy Sign €4.1 Million Agreement to Strengthen Shire & Gondar Hospitals

On September 29, 2025,Ethiopia and Italy signed a €4.1 million agreement to strengthen healthcare services at Shire and Gondar hospitals, located in the conflict-affected Tigray and Amhara regions respectively. The project aims to restore essential healthcare for over 15 million people, ensuring safe childbirth, lifesaving care for children, and dignity for displaced populations. Ethiopian Finance Minister Ahmed Shide and Italian Ambassador Agostino Palese highlighted the significance of this partnership, which is part of the broader Ethio-Italian Cooperation Framework valued at €250 million, including soft loans and grants. Beyond healthcare, cooperation extends to sectors like agriculture, renewable energy, education, and post-conflict recovery, reflecting a holistic approach to sustainable development. The initiative signifies Italy’s longstanding support for Ethiopia’s resilience and recovery efforts after years of conflict and displacement. The investment is expected to improve access to quality healthcare, boost regional stability, and complement ongoing national health reforms.

ANGOLA

Government Suspends Fishing Ban on Apasil Members

The Angolan government has suspended the fishing ban on the Luanda Artisanal, Semi-Industrial and Industrial Fishing Association (APASIL) as of October 1, 2025, following a memorandum signed with the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources. The ban was originally implemented due to illegal fishing near oil platforms and protected areas, involving prohibited species and unlawful fishing practices. New guidelines permit regulated fishing within two miles of the coast, aiming to balance sustainable practices with marine conservation. This decision highlights Angola’s commitment to reorganizing its fisheries sector, enhancing economic viability while supporting the livelihoods of artisanal fishermen and preserving marine biodiversity. The government is engaging with fishing communities to promote better resource management.

Angola Officially Joins UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves

Angola achieved a significant milestone in environmental conservation by joining UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves on September 28, 2025, with the establishment of the Quiçama Biosphere Reserve. Located along 206 kilometers of coastline south of Luanda, it includes Quiçama National Park and various ecosystems, serving as a habitat for diverse species such as savanna elephants and over 200 bird species. This initiative, led by Secretary of State for the Environment Iury Valter de Sousa Santos, aligns with global sustainable development goals and seeks to reconcile conservation efforts with community livelihoods. The designation comes amid UNESCO’s push for member states to create reserves by 2035 and contributes to broader efforts to combat habitat loss, while also enhancing ecotourism and local economic growth in coastal communities.