The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in Morocco on December 21, marking the second time the nation hosts the event since 1988. Morocco, entering with a stellar record, is a favorite to clinch the title amidst scheduling challenges due to the tournament's overlap with holiday periods and club commitments.

A new Afrobarometer report highlights widespread disrespect faced by Africans accessing public services, with significant dissatisfaction in Angola and Mozambique. The report suggests a link between disrespect in services and distrust in leadership, contrasting with Cape Verde's more positive outcomes.

Africa's mining sector is embroiled in rising legal disputes as countries like Mali and Burkina Faso ramp up resource nationalism, affecting companies like Barrick Gold. The shift towards partnerships with nations such as China and Russia, alongside political and environmental challenges, is reshaping the landscape for Western operators.

Apple refutes claims by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) of using conflict minerals tied to human rights abuses. Despite legal actions in Europe, Apple ceased sourcing from the region earlier this year.

Mali's Issa Traore, a standout in the 2023 U17 World Cup, joins Bayer Leverkusen after a stellar defensive performance leading Mali to a fourth-place finish. Despite signing, he remains with Djoliba AC Bamako until 2026, training with Leverkusen's U19 squad during visits.

Rwanda officially declared the end of its first-ever Marburg Virus Disease outbreak on December 20, 2024, following 42 days without new cases. The outbreak resulted in 66 infections and 15 deaths, mostly affecting healthcare workers, with swift containment efforts lauded by the WHO.

The UN World Food Programme reports over 40 million people in West and Central Africa suffer from food insecurity, potentially rising to 52 million by mid-2025. Despite some improvements, conflict and climate issues continue to exacerbate the crisis, with countries like Nigeria and Chad facing severe challenges.

Chad and Senegal have ended military cooperation with France, highlighting rising anti-French sentiment in West Africa. As France pivots to Anglophone Africa, skepticism persists about its reliability.

Singapore's TSC Global and Nigeria's Del-York Group have inked a $4.5 billion deal to create Lagos Film City, aiming to make Lagos a global creative hub. Set to start in 2025, Kebulania will generate thousands of jobs and boost Nigeria’s economy, while focusing on sustainability and industry collaboration.

The World Bank approved a $250 million investment to transform Morocco's agri-food systems, addressing climate change impacts and improving food safety for 1.36 million people. This initiative aligns with Morocco's Generation Green 2020-2030 plan, aiming to boost resilience and sustainability in agriculture by expanding organic farming and enhancing food quality standards.

S&P has upgraded South Africa's debt outlook to positive, buoyed by a stable coalition government and structural reforms in energy and logistics sectors. This shift is expected to enhance economic growth and private investment, with major banks reporting earnings growth and expanding into African markets.

Afreximbank and Ecobank Group have launched a collaboration to boost African trade through the Ecobank Single Market Trade Hub. This initiative leverages the MANSA Digital Repository to enhance compliance and due diligence for businesses across the AfCFTA market, promoting transparency and streamlined transactions.

The Basketball Africa League (BAL) announces its fifth season starting April 5, 2025, in Morocco, with the finals on June 14 in South Africa. Meanwhile, a BAL4HER camp in January 2024 aims to empower young female athletes.

EliTe Solar broke ground on a new solar manufacturing facility in Egypt's TEDA Suez Economic Zone, aiming to boost the country's solar market influence. Set to open in 2025, the plant will enhance Egypt's renewable energy capabilities, supporting its 2030 green energy goals.

Nelson Amenya, a Kenyan MBA student, exposed a $2 billion, 30-year airport management deal between Kenya and the Adani Group, sparking public outrage and worker strikes. The Kenyan government canceled the agreement after US authorities indicted Adani on bribery charges, citing corruption as the reason.

Egypt's President El-Sisi signed the country's first asylum law, sparking criticism for its security-centric focus and potential to undermine refugee rights. Human rights groups argue it lacks transparency and could lead to arbitrary asylum denials, as it shifts registration from the UNHCR to local authorities.

STEM METS celebrated its 10th anniversary in Lagos, emphasizing the pivotal role of STEM education in Africa. The event highlighted its impact on over 30,000 youths and featured discussions on educational reform.

Morocco is set to launch the E-Police portal on December 20, 2024, revolutionizing access to police services by digitizing and centralizing them. This initiative, backed by World Bank funding, is part of a broader government effort to enhance digital governance and improve service accessibility for citizens.

The Human Rights Foundation has awarded 7 BTC in grants to 20 projects worldwide to boost human rights via Bitcoin technology. Key initiatives include enhancing Bitcoin's codebase in Africa and developing decentralized financial solutions in authoritarian regions.