Growth often reveals itself not in grand announcements, but in the confidence to plan further ahead.

Ethiopian Airlines is considering an order for 25 new aircraft as it looks to strengthen domestic and regional connections across Africa, even as higher fuel costs continue to pressure the aviation industry. The move reflects a broader belief that demand for air travel across the continent will keep rising as trade, business and urbanisation expand.

If those growth forecasts hold true, today's fleet expansion could look less like ambition and more like preparation.

Ethiopian Airlines is preparing a major fleet expansion, weighing an order for 25 new narrow-body aircraft to strengthen its domestic and regional operations across the continent.

Chief Executive Officer Mesfin Tasew Bekele stated that a decision is expected within three months as the carrier evaluates offers from Airbus, Embraer, and Boeing.

The airline is considering the Airbus A220, Embraer's E2 family, and Boeing's 737 MAX 7 models. This expansion strategy comes despite rising costs, with the airline currently spending 60% more on jet fuel due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. Read more…

🇿🇦 South Africa commits $72 million in bid to shed its status as the country with the world's largest HIV epidemic

South Africa has allocated R1.3 billion ($72 million) to launch the breakthrough HIV prevention drug Lenacapavir nationwide.

The long-acting injectable requires only two doses per year and showed near-100% effectiveness in clinical trials. The initial phase will target 360 public health clinics across 24 high-burden districts, specifically focusing on adolescent girls, young women, and pregnant mothers. Read more…

Absa faces major investor backlash after awarding new CEO a $9 million pay package to leave rival Standard Bank

Absa is facing a massive shareholder revolt after awarding a remuneration package worth about $9 million (R148 million) to chief executive Kenny Fihla.

Over 43% of shareholders voted against the bank's remuneration report at its annual general meeting. The backlash centers on a $5.9 million buyout award designed to replace incentives Fihla forfeited when leaving rival Standard Bank. Read more…

🇿🇦 One of Africa’s biggest retail groups is closing stores despite growing sales

South African retail giant TFG plans to close more than 100 stores after identifying around 300 underperforming outlets.

The restructuring comes as the group's headline earnings per share plummeted 33.5% and operating profit dropped 36%, despite a 7.2% revenue increase.

Management is now prioritizing lower costs, simplification, and digital sales through its Bash e-commerce platform. Read more…

Africa’s 5 most militarised economies spent over $33 billion on defence in 2025—here’s what they have in common

Africa’s five most militarised economies spent over $33 billion on defence in 2025, accounting for more than half of total African military expenditure. Driven by persistent security pressures, Algeria tops the list with an 8.8% GDP military burden due to tensions with Morocco.

Source: SIPRI

🇿🇦 Ramaphosa disowns vigilante immigration checks as xenophobia fears grow in South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa warned that only state officials can enforce immigration laws, distancing his government from rising civilian-led identity checks.

These street-level checks target migrant communities amid xenophobic violence and job competition.

To preserve the rule of law and regional ties, South Africa plans to tighten policies and work with other African nations. Read more…

🇰🇪 East African importers on standby as Maersk rolls out steep $2,000 container surcharges on critical China trade routes

Maersk announced massive increases in Peak Season Surcharges for shipments from China and Hong Kong to East Africa starting June 15, 2026.

The new surcharge will be $1,000 for a 20-foot container and $2,000 for a 40-foot container bound for Kenya or Tanzania. Since local merchants cannot absorb these sudden costs, they will pass them directly down the supply chain, raising retail shelf prices. Read more…

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is the African country with the most neighboring countries. Situated right in the center of the continent, the DRC shares its international land borders with nine sovereign nations: Angola, Burundi, the Central African Republic, the Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. This unique geographic position makes it a critical hub for cross-border transit, regional trade, and central African logistics.