The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group has recently approved a $19.85 million grant over two years to support a humanitarian and resilience operation in Sudan, with a strong focus on improving livelihoods of vulnerable populations and easing the impact of the ongoing conflict on communities and infrastructure.  

In the short term, the Crisis Response for Women and Affected Communities in Sudan project, co-financed by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) will train and mobilize frontline workers such as health professionals, water and sanitation specialists, and market facilitators. The project will also restore up to five health facilities and four emergency centers in conflict zones, as well as rehabilitate water and energy systems in urban and rural settings.

The financing also facilitates delivery of emergency food aid, such as lentils and sorghum and other staples, like tea leaves and sugar. Some 60,000 people will receive farming inputs like fertilizers and seeds this year alone. Cash grants to support livelihoods, with a focus on women and their dependents, as well as survivors of gender-based violence will also be provided.  

Flutterwave, Africa’s leading payments technology company, recently unveiled the Flutterwave Accelerate Workshop, a two-day virtual coaching program designed to equip young Africans with practical skills for success in the tech industry.

The workshop targets university students, recent graduates, and early-career professionals, providing direct access to industry expertise in four high-demand career paths: Data privacy and Cybersecurity, Design, Marketing, and Product Management. Sessions will be led by accomplished tech professionals from within and beyond Flutterwave, including Ted Oladele, CEO of Mira and former VP of Design & Product at Flutterwave; Noel Ozoemena, Senior Manager of Branding and Storytelling; Nujinim Egwegbete-Odukwu, Head of Infrastructure Security; Abisola Epoyun, Data Privacy Manager; and Oluwatobiloba Animashaun, Product Manager at Flutterwave.  

This initiative stems from Flutterwave’s belief that providing youth access, and opportunity can unlock Africa’s potential. The company recognises that the continent’s greatest asset is its young, dynamic population and remains committed to enabling innovation through both financial solutions and talent development programs.

General Odowaa Yusuf Rage, the Chief of Defence Forces of the Somali National Army (SNA), who made a return recently after dismissal, has since written to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, asking for exit from the SNA leadership. Credible reports indicate that the Chief of Defence Forces is said to have written to President Hassan, expressing his intention to leave the forces, at a time the Somali National Army is facing setbacks from the battle against Al-Shabaab militants. The Somali National Army lost strategic Adan Yabaal town in Middle Shabelle, highlighting a serious gap in the operations, with the US Africa Command forced to intervene by activating an airstrike while assisting the local forces in the fight against the group. For this, President Mohamud is also expected to reshuffle senior military leadership to boost operations against al Shabaab, as the group has recently intensified attacks and regained control of previously lost territories. General Odawaa Yusuf Rage rejoined the military in November 2024 after two years of absence, having been replaced by General Ibrahim Sheikh Muhyiddin. Odowaa was brought back to spearhead the operations by the military against al-Shabaab. (Garowe Online)

The East African Community (EAC) Council of Ministers is meeting in Arusha this week to discuss issues affecting the region, including the deteriorating security situation in eastern Congo and budgetary constraints hampering the operations of the Secretariat. The ministers are expected to review the interventions of the joint EAC-SADC (Southern African Development Community) initiatives to restore peace, security and stability in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. A paper from the Secretariat notes that since the start of the year, more than 700,000 people have been displaced in the Congolese provinces of North and South Kivu due to the resurgence of the M23 armed group…The ministers will also review the bloc’s financial situation, which has affected the implementation of its mandate and the payment of statutory obligations, including staff salaries. (The EastAfrican)