Africa this week – August 26, 2019: Kenya exports its first crude oil

Kenya exports its first crude oil

It appears to be a new dawn in Kenya’s economic fortunes as the country recently exported its first batch of oil. President Uhuru Kenyatta flagged off crude shipment from the port of Mombasa on Monday, 26 August. Kenya is expected to earn $84m from crude exports over the next two years.

US FBI arrests 78 Nigerians for fraud

The United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), announced last week that it had arraigned suspected fraudsters in what is one of the largest cases of online fraud in American history. Eighty defendants were charged of which 78 are Nigerians.

DR Congo announces new government seven months after president’s inauguration

The Democratic Republic of Congo recently formed a coalition government following the inauguration of the country’s new president, Felix Tshisedi. DR Congo’s former leader, Joseph Kabila, stepped down last year after 18 years in office. The former president, however, appears to still wield influence within the country’s political structures as majority of the new members of cabinet are from his Common Front for Congo (FCC) coalition.

Facebook launches programme to include more African languages

Facebook has announced the introduction of more African languages in its bid to curb ‘fake news’. They include Afrikaans, widely spoken in South Africa, Swahili, widely spoken in Kenya, Yoruba widely spoken in Nigeria, Wolof, which is native to Senegal.

Uganda, Rwanda sign peace pact

The Rwandan and Ugandan presidents signed an agreement to end months of tension and rift between the two countries. The agreement was signed in Angola and was witnessed by presidents of Angola, DR Congo, and Congo. Relations between the two countries had been strained following accusations from both sides of military abductions and support of rebel groups.