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As Nigeria continues to see a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases, authorities in Lagos, Nigeria’s economic hub and epicenter have expanded its response capacity with the accreditation of seven private laboratories to boost its testing capacity and three private hospitals for case management. The total number of cases in the most populous African…

A small-scale miner in Tanzania has become an overnight millionaire after selling two rough Tanzanite stones – the biggest ever find in the country. Saniniu Laizer earned £2.4m ($3.4m) from the country’s mining ministry for the gemstones, which had a combined weight of 15kg (33 lb). “There will be a big party tomorrow,” Mr Laizer,…

Lazarus Chakwera has been sworn in as president of Malawi after winning an election rerun. “Time has come for us to wake up and to make our dreams come true,” Mr Chakwera said in his victory speech. He defeated incumbent Peter Mutharika with 58.57% of the vote in Tuesday’s poll. In February, Malawi’s constitutional court…

Madagascar is celebrating its 60th independence anniversary from France with a series of activities across the country. The island nation gained its independence on the 26 of June 1960. Elaborate commemorative ceremonies are being led by President Andry Rajoelina with a grand parade held at the independence avenue where troops lined the streets as the…

Thousands of Burundians on Friday lined the road to the capital Gitega as the body of former president Pierre Nkurunziza was escorted under heavy security for a state funeral after his sudden death earlier this month. Nkurunziza, who was president for 15 years, died at the aged 55 of what the government said was “heart…

Senegalese final year students have resumed classes under strict instructions as the country battles Covid-19. The are expected to wear face masks and respect social distance measures. The reopening involves over 500,000 students out of the 3.5 million children instructed to stay at home by the government. The schools have intensified their efforts to ensure…

Senegalese President Macky Sall has quarantined himself as a precaution after coming in contact with someone who tested positive for the novel coronavirus, according to a presidential statement late Wednesday. Although Sall tested negative for the virus, he will be undergoing a quarantine process of 15 days based on medical recommendations. Yeya Diallo, a lawmaker…