The Government of Kenya has unveiled a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) skilling program aimed at equipping public servants with the knowledge and skills needed to leverage emerging technologies in governance and service delivery. The initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy, seeks to train thousands of government employees across various ministries, departments, and agencies. The program will cover AI fundamentals, data management, and ethical considerations in technology use. Speaking at the launch, ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo said the move aligns with Kenya’s Digital Master Plan and positions the country as a leader in AI adoption within Africa’s public sector. He emphasized that the program will enhance efficiency, transparency, and innovation in government operations. The government also announced plans to collaborate with global technology partners and local universities to deliver the training modules, ensuring both technical and policy aspects of AI are addressed.

South Africa has initiated a comprehensive “national dialogue” aimed at fostering societal consensus and addressing critical threats such as poverty, inequality, crime, corruption, and an unemployment rate exceeding 30%. The two-day convention in Pretoria marks the formal beginning of this all-inclusive process. Announced in response to civil society demands following the ANC's loss of its parliamentary majority in the 2024 elections, the dialogue intends to unite government officials, political parties, civic organizations, and everyday citizens. Discussions will unfold both in person and online across all nine provinces. President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasized that the platform must prioritize citizen voices The national dialogue must be a place where everyone has a voice… a people-led, society-wide process to reflect on the state of our country in order for us to reimagine our future. Nonetheless, concerns have already emerged over the initiative’s projected $40 million cost, with critics including the Democratic Alliance labeling it fiscally irresponsible and possibly politically motivated. The MK Party has likewise declined to participate. The first of potentially several nationwide discussions, the dialogue is a critical test of South Africa’s commitment to equitable policy and inclusive governance amid persistent economic and social challenges.

The African Union (AU) has given its official backing to the “Correct the Map” campaign, a growing movement advocating for the adoption of the Equal Earth projection a world map realigned to depict Africa in true proportion, rather than on the historically inaccurate Mercator projection. The Mercator map, conceived in the 16th century for navigational purposes, distorts global geography by exaggerating the size of regions at higher latitudes like North America and Greenland while disproportionately shrinking equatorial regions such as Africa. This misrepresentation, says AU Commission Deputy Chair Selma Malika Haddadi, perpetuates a false narrative of Africa as "marginal," despite it being the world’s second-largest continent with over a billion inhabitants. Led by advocacy groups Africa No Filter and Speak Up Africa, the campaign urges international bodies including the UN and World Bank to abandon Mercator in favor of the more accurate Equal Earth projection, introduced in 2018. While the World Bank has already begun phasing out Mercator for static maps, the UN is still reviewing the recommendation. The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has also backed the initiative, calling Equal Earth a rejection of colonial-era narratives embedded in outdated mapping systems. The AU plans to mobilize member states to take deliberate action to promote the Equal Earth projection in educational materials, official documentation, and policy publications part of a broader agenda to reclaim Africa’s “rightful place on the global stage.”

The United States government, through its Department of State, has approved a possible foreign military sale of precision munitions worth approximately $346 million to Nigeria, according to the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA). The transaction is now awaiting certification by Congress. What’s Included in the Package: 1,002 MK-82 general-purpose 500 lb bombs 1,002 MXU-650 Air Foil Groups (for 500 lb Paveway II GBU-12) 515 MXU-1006 Air Foil Groups (for 250 lb Paveway II GBU-58) 1,517 computer control groups for the Paveway II systems 1,002 FMU-152 joint programmable fuzes 5,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) all-up rounds, each comprising a guidance section, warhead, and rocket motor Additional support: fuzes, bomb components, practice rockets, integration support, and logistical and engineering services Major defense contractors involved in the deal include Lockheed Martin, RTX Missiles and Defense, and BAE Systems. Strategic Rationale: The DSCA emphasized that this sale aligns with U.S. foreign policy by bolstering the defense capabilities of a key partner in Sub-Saharan Africa. The munitions are expected to support Nigeria's efforts in countering terrorism and combating illicit maritime trafficking in the Gulf of Guinea region, without shifting regional military dynamics.

Sudan — Humanitarian conditions in Sudan have reached a critical tipping point as displaced populations face simultaneous crises of starvation and disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns of widespread hunger affecting over 25 million people, with 770,000 children under five expected to suffer from severe acute malnutrition. Cholera has surged across the country since July of the previous year, with nearly 100,000 cases recorded, and the outbreak has also spread to refugee camps in neighboring Chad. Overall, funding shortages, collapsed health infrastructure, and worsening conflict have combined to deepen the humanitarian toll. In North Darfur’s Abu Shouk displacement camp, a brutal attack by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) shattered already devastating conditions; at least 40 people were killed and 19 injured. The camp, home to approximately 450,000 displaced individuals, also faces famine, with at least 60 more deaths from malnutrition in a single week all while aid convoys are blocked from reaching those most in need. The ongoing civil war, now in its third year, has disrupted every facet of Sudanese life from healthcare to food supply chains and has spurred one of the largest internal displacement crises in modern history.

Nairobi, Kenya —  The Kenyan media community is in mourning following the passing of Charles Omuga Kabisae, a revered broadcaster at Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC). Kabisae died on 11 August 2025, after a prolonged illness, according to official statements. His body has been transferred to a morgue in Nairobi as his family prepares for funeral arrangements.  Known for his iconic and dignified delivery of “Matangazo Maalum Na Ya Vifo”—special and death announcements—Kabisae’s calm yet commanding voice became a calming presence in Kenyan homes for decades. His start in the media industry began at KBC’s Dholuo Service in Kisumu before transitioning in the early 1990s to the Kiswahili Service, expanding his reach nationwide.  Tributes poured in across the country, highlighting his humanity and professionalism. KBC described Kabisae as “a legend whose inspiration runs deep in the media fraternity.” Media consultant Martin Mwangi fondly remembered him as “simple, good-natured, understanding, and a teacher to those of us who worked with him.”  Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi paid emotional tribute, noting: For decades, Charles was a familiar and trusted voice across the airwaves… His mastery of news delivery… earned him the admiration and respect of countless listeners.”  Former KBC colleague Bonnie Musambi called him “a consummate professional,” while former Editors Guild President Churchill Otieno added: “More than just a broadcaster, he was a cultural institution… Your voice a trusted sound in many homes.” 

Calabar — The Cross River State House of Assembly has passed a ₦642.16 billion supplementary budget for the 2025 fiscal year, representing an increase of about ₦142 billion from the original appropriation. The initial budget, tagged “Budget of Sustainable Growth”, was signed into law in December 2024 at ₦538.5 billion. The new figure reflects an expansion to accommodate additional programmes and address emerging needs in key sectors. Presenting the report before the House, Chairman of the Appropriation Committee, Hon. Okon Nyong Owuna, said the supplementary budget was necessary to fund new obligations, emergency interventions, and strategic projects. He noted that the revised spending plan would be financed through a mix of internally generated revenue, federal allocations, grants, and FAAC disbursements. According to him, priority areas for the increased allocations include Administration, Economic Development, Law and Justice, as well as Regional and Social Services, with a focus on enhancing service delivery across the state. Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, commended the executive arm for following due process in presenting the supplementary proposal and expressed optimism that the additional funds would improve the welfare of citizens across the 18 local government areas. With the Assembly’s approval, the supplementary budget now awaits the governor’s assent to take effect.

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has announced that 449,039 students have benefited from its loan scheme, with a total of ₦86,347,458,384 disbursed as of August 6, 2025. Disbursement breakdown includes: ₦47.63 billion routed directly to 218 accredited institutions to cover tuition fees. ₦38.72 billion distributed to students as upkeep allowances to support their living expenses. The NELFUND portal has seen significant uptake—371,140 students have registered, with 720,732 successful loan applications, indicating a 98% success rate. NELFUND emphasized that the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, reinforcing its commitment to expanding educational access across the country.

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has disbursed more than ₦100 billion in a high-impact initiative aimed at bolstering medical sciences training across selected Nigerian tertiary institutions. TETFUND's Governing Board Chairman, Aminu Masari, disclosed this funding during an interview in Katsina State. The move is part of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to addressing the chronic shortage of skilled personnel in the national healthcare system. The intervention targets the expansion of training capacity in disciplines such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, and related fields. TETFund has selected three tertiary institutions from each geopolitical zone, with each institution receiving ₦4 billion to facilitate academic and infrastructure upgrades. Key allocations include: ₦70 billion for facility rehabilitation ₦15 billion for new hostels Establishment of medical simulation laboratories All aiming to double enrollment and strengthen healthcare workforce development. These efforts align with the broader High Impact Intervention Project for Medical Schools Rehabilitation, designed to revamp lecture theatres, labs, clinical environments, and student accommodations across 18 universities. The first phase of the program represents Nigeria’s strategic push to invest ₦1.5 trillion in medical education over the next five years.

Kaduna, Nigeria — A total of 260 middle-cadre officers of the Nigerian Army are currently sitting for the Senior Staff Course Qualifying Examination (SSCQE) 2025, a pivotal milestone in their military careers. The week-long exam began on Sunday at the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps Centre, located within the Jaji Military Cantonment.  The examination, administered by the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), serves as a crucial step toward selection for the Senior Staff Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC) and other international staff colleges.  Addressing both candidates and directing staff, the President of the Examination Board, Major General Kelvin Aligbe, underscored the exam’s stringent curriculum,which spans eight subjects, including tactics, low-intensity conflict, geopolitics, and military law,and reiterated the importance of discipline and fairness in the process.  Major General Aligbe emphasized that only candidates scoring at least 50% in all subjects will qualify for selection, and the assessment is designed to identify the next generation of leaders within the Nigerian Army. He also reminded officers that Army Headquarters allows a maximum of three attempts for passing the SSCQE. 

Bouaké, Ivory Coast — The nation marked its 65th independence anniversary from France with grand military celebrations on August 7, underscored by a spectacular parade in Bouaké. Themed "Defense and Security Forces, Guardians of Hope and Fraternity," the event aimed to showcase national unity and strength alongside international solidarity. The parade featured nearly 4,900 military and paramilitary personnel and showcased 550 specialized vehicles and equipment. A visually striking torchlight procession lit the opening ceremony on August 6, followed by the main parade on Independence Day. Notably, military contingents from the United States, France, and Morocco participated, signaling robust defense partnerships amidst shifting regional alignments in West Africa. Cultural celebrations complemented the military display. The public enjoyed interactive exhibits at the new Bouaké stadium, including showcases of military hardware and parachute demonstrations. The festivities closed with a vibrant artistic performance representing the country's five geographic zones, blending heritage with hope. President Alassane Ouattara, present at the ceremony, used the occasion to reaffirm his role as the nation’s commander-in-chief and reinforce his security credentials, ahead of the upcoming elections.  

Dodoma, Tanzania — The nation is in mourning following the death of Job Ndugai, a veteran politician and former Speaker of Parliament, who passed away in Dodoma on Wednesday at the age of 62. President Samia Suluhu Hassan expressed her condolences in a statement, saying she received the news “with sorrow” and extended sympathy to the deceased’s family and friends. Ndugai had served as a Member of Parliament for 25 years and was preparing to defend his Kongwa seat in the upcoming general elections after recently securing the ruling party’s nomination.  Ndugai rose through the political ranks to become Deputy Speaker in 2010, later ascending to the role of Speaker in 2015. He made history as the first Speaker in Tanzanian history to resign from office he stepped down in January 2022 following a public dispute with President Hassan over the country’s rising external debt. His remarks warning that Tanzania risked being “auctioned” due to excessive borrowing ignited national debate.  In his resignation, which he framed as a personal decision taken in the interest of the nation, Ndugai apologized for his controversial comments and expressed gratitude to his colleagues and constituents.  The ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), described him as a courageous leader, patriot, and dedicated public servant who strengthened the institution of Parliament. Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced shortly