Canada is leading a global push to address Sudan’s civil war by pledging $120 million for food and healthcare as famine conditions spread. With 33 million people now in need, this funding targets the "weaponization of starvation" that has displaced millions. The crisis highlights a growing urgency for international aid as the conflict enters its fourth year without a clear ceasefire in sight.

While war strains the continent’s north, Nigeria has hit a major economic turning point by becoming a net exporter of petrol for the first time in decades. The Dangote refinery is now processing enough crude to replace expensive imports and even supply markets like Mozambique. This shift toward domestic refining aims to stabilize the naira and reduce the country’s long-standing reliance on foreign fuel.

This drive for energy independence is also reshaping the east, where a local billionaire has taken over a key Tanzanian gas field for just $10 after a foreign firm exited. At the same time, the U.S. is securing new shipping routes in the DRC and Zambia to challenge China’s grip on rare earth minerals. From fuel to critical metals, African nations are moving to control their own resources in a shifting global market.

Canada has pledged $120 million in new aid for Sudan as the civil war enters its fourth year. The conflict between the army and paramilitary forces has killed tens of thousands and displaced 13 million people, creating one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.

The funding includes $94 million for emergency food, water, and healthcare for people in Sudan and refugees in Chad and South Sudan. Another $25 million will support education for 60,000 children and help victims of widespread sexual and gender-based violence.

Conditions are dire, with 33 million people needing help and 21 million facing acute hunger. Canada’s Foreign Minister warned that starvation is being used as a weapon of war. While global donors pledged billions in Berlin, the Sudanese government criticized the meeting.

🇺🇸 US counters China’s rare earth dominance in Africa by securing 2 more shipping routes to control supply chains

China is tightening its grip on Africa's rare earth minerals, recently winning a $150 million deal for a major project in Tanzania over a higher U.S. bid. Beijing now controls about 87% of global processing, using these resources as leverage in global trade disputes.

In response, the U.S. is focusing on controlling key maritime routes like the Strait of Hormuz and the Strait of Malacca. By influencing these chokepoints, Washington aims to gain leverage over China’s energy and industrial lifelines, which depend heavily on these sea lanes.

🇨🇦 Canada’s Orca walks away for $10 as Tanzanian billionaire Rostam Aziz takes over key gas asset

Tanzanian billionaire Rostam Aziz is leading a major energy shift as his company, Taifa Gas, acquires a 49% stake in the Songo Songo gas field. Canada’s Orca Energy exited the project for a nominal $10, citing tax disputes and uncertainty over license renewals.

Partnering with Dubai-based Amber Energy, Taifa Gas is stepping in to manage a field that supplies a large share of the country's electricity. This deal marks a significant rise in local ownership, aiming to keep more industrial value and profits within Tanzania's borders.

🇳🇬 Nigeria becomes net petrol exporter for first time in decades as Dangote refinery scales up

Nigeria hit a historic milestone in March 2026 by exporting more petrol than it imported. This shift is powered by the Dangote refinery, which processed 565,000 barrels of crude per day, allowing the country to replace expensive imports with its own refined domestic supply.

The refinery is also reaching new markets, recently sending its first petrol cargo to Mozambique. By processing oil locally instead of just exporting crude, Nigeria aims to boost foreign exchange earnings, support the naira, and become a major energy hub for the entire continent.

The digital trail of the 20-year-old accused of targeting OpenAI CEO Sam Altman

Daniel Moreno-Gama, 20, was arrested for allegedly targeting OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s home with a Molotov cocktail and threatening the company's headquarters. His digital trail shows a young man increasingly fixated on AI as a threat, eventually exploring ideas of martyrdom.

Public defenders say Moreno-Gama has a history of autism and mental illness, arguing his actions were driven by an acute crisis. However, prosecutors charged him with attempted murder, claiming his target list included other tech CEOs, board members, and various AI investors.

Moreno-Gama was active in "PauseAI" forums under an alias, where he advocated for halting data center construction. His posts became urgent in late 2025, calling for action as "midnight" approached. He is part of a growing movement of public discontent toward Big Tech firms.

10 African countries with the highest fuel prices in April 2026

Fuel prices are surging across Africa as global costs hit $1.48 per liter. Malawi leads with a staggering $3.84 per liter, followed by Zimbabwe and the Central African Republic. A lack of local refining and global supply tensions are driving these record-high costs.

Source: Global Petrol Prices

🇿🇦 Ramaphosa’s US ambassador pick triggers fresh political tensions amid apartheid-era legacy concerns

President Cyril Ramaphosa has picked Roelf Meyer as the new US ambassador, sparking a backlash from the EFF. While Meyer helped negotiate the move to democracy, the EFF says his past role in the apartheid security establishment makes his appointment an insult to the struggle.

This move comes after a major diplomatic fallout where both nations recalled their envoys. South Africa withdrew Ebrahim Rasool from Washington, while the US pulled Reuben Brigety from Pretoria. The US has since nominated Leo Brent Bozell III to restore its representation.

The government views Meyer’s experience as vital for resetting ties with the US under the Trump administration. Supporters point to his history in complex negotiations, but critics argue that elevating figures from the old regime undermines the country's democratic legacy.

🇨🇩 Africa’s copperbelt experiment grows as DR Congo miner boosts US supply deal

DR Congo’s state miner, Gécamines, has increased its copper pledge to the U.S. to 500,000 tonnes. This is five times higher than before. The deal, handled by Swiss trader Mercuria, is a key part of Washington’s strategy to secure critical minerals in Central Africa.

The plan turns Gécamines' stakes in major mines, like Glencore’s Kamoto and the Chinese-run Tenke Fungurume, into physical copper flows. This "Copperbelt experiment" allows the state to have more control over exports, following a similar model already used in neighboring Zambia.

While the partnership helps DRC market its own resources, experts warn that building a fully independent trading arm will take time. Global trading requires huge investments in risk management and infrastructure, which the state miner is still working to develop in-house.

Despite its complex history, South Africa is one of the most religiously tolerant countries in the world. According to a major global survey, 92% South Africans say they feel completely comfortable around people with different religious beliefs. This level of openness is higher than in many developed nations, including the UK, USA, and Germany.