DW AfricaLink

Every year, powerful world leaders meet at the World Economic Forum in Davos, trade deals are struck, and international partnerships are born. But does Davos really help Africa's economic prospects, considering the continent's economic polices are rarely in the spotlight? DW talks to Wamkele Mene, Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area, the world's largest free trade zone.

In 2024, Malawi recorded over 52,000 abortion cases, twice the number of cases registered in 2021. In Malawi, abortion remains illegal and can only be performed when a mother's life is in danger. To help us break down the situation, Josey Mahachi talks to Judith Nalikungwi, a health practitioner in Blantyre and DW correspondent George Mhango who has covered the story extensively.

Kenya has witnessed the deaths of at least four top female athletes in the recent past due to gender-based violence (GBV). The latest is Rebecca Cheptegei, who was killed in September 2024. Why is Kenya's government not providing stronger protections against gender-based violence and femicide? Josey Mahachi talks to Viridiana Wasike, Director NGAAF and DW correspondent Andrew Wasike in Nairobi.

Tanzania’s main opposition party CHADEMA is determined to unseat the ruling Chama Cha Mapanduzi (CCM) party in this year's election. CHADEMA and rights groups accuse President Samia Suluhu Hassan of clamping down on political dissent. But can they stage an upset? Eddy Micah Jr. talks to Majjid Mjengwa a political analst based in Daaersalem and DW correspondent Naomi Achieng in Dar es Salaam.

With South Sudan resuming oil production, 90,000 barrels per day are initially expected to be drilled – but many challenges remain, as war rages to the north in Sudan, where pipelines and export facilities are under threat. Independent political and economic analyst Boboya James Edimond and freelance journalist Patrick Oyet join us from South Sudan to discuss the country’s future with liquid gold.

Nigeria wants to revive its national carrier after it was liquidated in 2004. Experts say the billions of public funds that have gone into the attempts of establishing a national carrier is enough to set up a profitable airline. Eddy Micah Jr. talks to Captain Ahmed Borodo, CEO Flybird Aircraft Management Services Limited and DW correspondent in Abuja Ben Shemang.

Ethiopia announced that it will collaborate with a new African Union force against Islamist Al-Shabaab insurgents in Somalia. Somalia had previously indicated that Ethiopian troops would not participate due to strained relations between the two countries. Eddy Micah Jr. talks to Somalia's Minister for Information Daud Aweis, and Negash Mohammed DW's Senior Editor at the Amharic Desk.

Cameroon's Catholic bishops are sparking a national debate as they call for leadership change in a country where President Paul Biya has ruled for 42 years. Members of the government are firing back and social media is ablaze as Cameroonians follow the debate closely. Eddy Micah Jr. talks to Rev. Fr. Solomon Lyonga Ikundi of the Diocese of Beuea, Cameroon and DW's Mimi Mefo Newuh.

Ghana's president, John Dramani Mahama, is tackling the country's worst economic crisis in a generation. He aims to create a "24-hour economy" with nighttime jobs and tax incentives. Critics recall severe power cuts during his first term. Mahama plans to renegotiate IMF loan conditions to fund social programs for the 7.3 million Ghanaians living in poverty.

The UN estimates only a fraction of Africans migrate to Europe, with most remaining in neighboring states. That has not stopped sharp anti-migration rhetoric across Europe, or even in host countries across Africa. Eddy Micah Jr. talks to Hardi Yakubu of the pan-Africanist Africans Rising movement, and DW's Diane Hawker in South Africa on how migration is perceived across the continent.

In a historic move, Zimbabwe has abolished the death penalty, following a decision by President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Once sentenced to death himself, Mnangagwa's decision marks a significant shift in the nation's justice system. AfricaLink explores the reasons behind this change and its impact on Africa. Host Cai Nebe speaks to Amnesty's Lucia Masuka and Zimbabwe's Privilege Musvanhiri.

Cameroon has been gripped by a bloody conflict in its Anglophone regions since 2016, sparked by the brutal suppression of peaceful protests. The conflict has caused over 6,000 deaths and displaced more than 1 million people. Displaced women and girls are rebuilding their lives amid precarious conditions, facing domestic violence and resorting to negative coping strategies to survive.

This year promises to be another season of mouthwatering football contests. There will be no shortage of spectacular soccer showpieces in 2025. A diverse array of premier events has been lined up for the players to shine and bank handsome prizes. As for the fans, they'll just sit back, watch, and celebrate the variety.

The African Union's inclusion in the G20 represents a significant shift in global governance and the continent's place at the big table. With concerns of the Global South often appearing to be ignored, will Africa's voice be capable of shaping policies that directly impact its future when it comes to issues like debt relief, and trade reforms like climate change?

Several global events will occur across Africa in 2025. Why should that matter to Africa, and how should it reposition itself amid global challenges?

In 2024, Kenya and Uganda both experienced civil unrest and protests, as citizens tried to hold their governments accountable. So what were the highs and the lows of 2024 in both countries? And what lies ahead in 2025? We're talking to Shikoh Kihika, a youth activist from Kenya and Frank Yiga, DW correspondent in Kampala, Uganda to assess why East African countries dominate the news agenda.

The year 2024 has been a turbulent one in Africa's hotspots and volatile regions like eastern DRC and the English-speaking regions in Cameroon. DW's Eddy Micah Jr. talks to Ivan Mugisha, a social and political commentator on the Great Lakes region, and Jean Marie Ngong Song, DW's correspondent in Bamenda, Cameroon.

Nigeria faced surging inflation and living costs in 2024 after President Bola Tinubu ended a fuel subsidy, tripling food and transport prices. Once Africa's largest economy, Nigeria grappled with insecurity and hardship. Analyst Adamu Kabiru and DW's Ben Shemang analyze the country's struggles in 2024 and its outlook for 2025.

As Russian president Vladimir Putin marks 25 years in power, experts analyze his country’s influence across Africa. So what is Russia’s historical relationship with the continent of Africa, and how is it manifested on the ground today?

DW correspondents in Kenya, Zambia, and Ghana speak about Christmas in their countries and what ordinary people think about the coming year 2025.