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As trade tensions between the United States and key global partners escalate, tariff policies introduced under the Trump administration are reshaping Africa’s trade relationships, with China emerging as a consequential beneficiary. USA President, Donald Trump. In 2025, sweeping U.S. tariff increases on a broad range of imports, including levies of up to 50 percent on some African exports, have fundamentally altered historic patterns of trade between Africa and the United States. The tariffs, implemented as the United States moved away from longstanding preferences such as the African Growth and Opportunity Act, have disrupted the duty-free access that supported textile, apparel and manufactured exports from several African nations to the U.S. market. For countries like Lesotho, where a significant share of garment exports depended on AGOA preferences, the introduction of tariffs has had serious implications. Higher export costs have undercut global competitiveness, triggering industrial contractions and rising unemployment in sectors previously buoyed by access to the American market. At the same time, Africa’s trade with China has continued to accelerate. Official data and market reports show that China’s exports to Africa climbed sharply, with growth rates outpacing those to many traditional markets. Chinese firms have redirected shipments away from regions where tariff costs have risen, including the United States, toward African markets where political and economic barriers are comparatively lower. In response, China has expanded preferential treatment for African goods. Discussions at recent Forum on China-Africa Cooperation meetings resulted in tariff waivers for a broad range of products from multiple African countries, deepening economic ties with Beijing. The net effect of these shifts is a reconfiguration of trade dynamics. Africa’s commercial engagement with the United States is contracting as tariffs bite, while China’s role as a trade partner and investor is expanding. Africa’s trade surplus with the United States has eroded and the continent’s export patterns are evolving accordingly. For African policymakers and businesses, the changing landscape presents both challenges and opportunities. Reduced access to traditional markets and tariff barriers have underscored the need to diversify export destinations and strengthen intra-African trade under initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area. At the same time, deeper economic engagement with China, including in infrastructure, manufacturing and investment, presents an alternative axis of commercial partnership with implications for industrial policy, balance of payments and long-term growth strategies. As the global trade environment continues to shift, Africa’s strategic positioning between major powers will increasingly shape the continent’s economic trajectory in the decade ahead.

The Confederation of African Football has confirmed that the Africa Cup of Nations will move to a four-year cycle beginning in 2028, a shift that increases the significance of the next host nation. The 2028 edition will be the first tournament staged under the new format, placing greater emphasis on organisational capacity, infrastructure readiness, and long-term strategic planning. Morocco, currently hosting the 2025 AFCON, is reportedly considering submitting a bid to host the 2028 tournament. While no official announcement has been made, reports suggest that the country’s strong performance as host has reinforced its credentials as a leading contender. The ongoing tournament has drawn praise from teams, players, and fans for smooth organisation, modern stadiums, and efficient transport networks, highlighting Morocco’s ability to manage high-profile continental events. AFCON 2025 has further strengthened Morocco’s reputation for delivering large-scale football events. The country has demonstrated the ability to combine sporting ambition with operational efficiency, an increasingly important factor for CAF in determining hosts for future tournaments. Infrastructure strength underpins Morocco’s case Matches at AFCON 2025 are being played across upgraded venues, many forming part of Morocco’s broader stadium modernisation programme. These investments are part of a longer-term strategy designed to support major sporting events beyond a single tournament cycle. Central to that plan is the Hassan II Stadium in Casablanca, scheduled for completion in 2028. With a planned capacity of up to 115,000 spectators, it is expected to become the largest football stadium in the world, enhancing Morocco’s global sporting profile. Beyond stadiums, Morocco has invested heavily in transport and tourism infrastructure. Airports have been modernised, high-speed rail links extended, and significant funding directed towards hotels and hospitality in cities including Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech, and Tangier. These developments ensure the country is well-prepared to accommodate international visitors and large-scale events. Competition for AFCON 2028 is expected to be strong. South Africa, Egypt, and potentially Algeria all have the facilities and experience to host, while CAF’s principle of geographic rotation may influence the final decision. Rail Transport to the AFCON pictured at a Casablanca rail station. AFCON 2027 has already been awarded to Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. CAF is expected to outline the bidding process for 2028 after the conclusion of AFCON 2025, with Morocco’s current hosting performance likely to play a central role in the evaluation.

Dubai’s dining scene has become a global crossroads, and African cuisine is increasingly claiming its space within the city’s competitive hospitality landscape. From refined grill rooms to vibrant cultural hubs, African-founded restaurants in Dubai are offering visitors a taste of the continent’s diversity, craftsmanship and hospitality. This holiday season, these five destinations stand out for their quality, atmosphere and ability to turn dining into a cultural experience. Kiza Restaurant Kiza has established itself as one of Dubai’s most recognizable African dining destinations. Drawing inspiration from across West, East and Southern Africa, the restaurant combines cuisine, music and performance to create a lively, immersive experience. Its festive atmosphere makes it particularly popular during the end-of-year period. Book Today Enish Restaurant Enish remains a leading destination for Nigerian cuisine in Dubai. Located in Business Bay, the restaurant is known for its consistent delivery of traditional dishes including Jollof rice, soups and grills. Enish attracts both corporate diners and families seeking an authentic yet polished dining experience. Book Today Tribe African Restaurant Tribe offers a contemporary take on African dining, pairing modern interiors with a carefully curated menu. The restaurant’s emphasis on presentation and ambiance positions it as a refined option for group dining, celebrations and holiday gatherings. Book Today The Big Easy Bar & Grill Founded by South African golfing icon Ernie Els, The Big Easy Bar & Grill brings a Southern African sensibility to Dubai’s dining scene. Renowned for premium cuts of meat, a strong wine selection and a relaxed but upscale atmosphere, it appeals to diners seeking quality and sophistication during the festive season. Book Today Hyperama Hypermama is the kind of Dubai spot that feels like a celebration the moment you walk in, bold, playful, and full of flavour. It’s a must visit for anyone who loves a lively atmosphere, comfort food with a creative twist, and a menu that makes sharing inevitable, from stacked burgers and loaded bites to feel good plates that hit every craving. Whether you’re catching up with friends, taking a casual date night, or just want a restaurant that delivers both vibe and taste, Hypermama deserves a top spot on your Dubai list. Book Toda y

Mulatu Astatke. Ethiopian jazz pioneer Mulatu Astatke marked the close of a remarkable six-decade performing career last month in London, offering audiences a final live performance that underscored his enduring influence on global music. At 82, Astatke took to the stage with quiet composure, acknowledging the crowd with raised arms as he brought his touring life to an end. The performance, held on a cold November evening in the UK capital, unfolded inside a West End venue filled with listeners eager to witness one last appearance from the architect of Ethio-jazz. Long before his work reached wider international audiences, Astatke had already reshaped African music by blending traditional Ethiopian sounds with jazz, Latin rhythms, and funk. Since the 1960s, he has described his creative process as a form of musical science, using studios and rehearsal spaces as laboratories to experiment across genres and cultures. Global recognition expanded significantly in the mid-2000s when his music featured on the soundtrack of the 2005 film Broken Flowers . More recently, renewed interest followed the inclusion of one of his recordings in Nickel Boys , a film nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards, introducing his work to a new generation of listeners. On stage, Astatke appeared deliberate and reflective. Dressed in a shirt bearing artwork by Ethiopian artist Afework Tekle, he made his way slowly past a set of congas before settling at his signature instrument, the vibraphone. The moment carried the weight of both personal closure and cultural legacy. While this performance marked the end of his live appearances, Astatke’s influence continues to resonate across Africa’s creative industries and the global jazz landscape. His work remains a reference point for artists exploring the intersection of tradition and modernity, and his role in elevating Ethiopian music onto the world stage is firmly established. In stepping away from live performance, Mulatu Astatke leaves behind not just a catalogue of music, but a framework for African innovation that continues to inspire long after the final note.

777-9 passenger airplane, via Ethiopian Airlines instagram New monthly schedule data from aviation analytics firm OAG offers a clear snapshot of how airlines serving Africa have positioned capacity during the peak December 2025 travel period. Based on one-way departing seats, the figures point to cautious but deliberate planning rather than aggressive seasonal expansion. Across the continent, airlines appear to have prioritized reliability and route consistency as demand builds into the Christmas and broader festive season. Capacity decisions reflect a balancing act between rising passenger volumes and ongoing operational and cost pressures. Scale and stability at the top Ethiopian Airlines retained its position as Africa’s largest carrier by scheduled seat capacity, deploying just over two million departing seats during the month. The airline’s measured year-on-year growth underscores a long-term strategy focused on network depth, frequency, and schedule stability, particularly during high-demand periods when operational reliability becomes critical. Domestic and regional demand drives festive travel Domestic and regional routes accounted for a significant share of December demand. In Southern Africa, carriers such as Safair and Airlink benefited from increased holiday travel within South Africa, while EgyptAir and Royal Air Maroc expanded capacity in line with seasonal tourism flows and diaspora travel associated with the Christmas period. Royal Air Maroc’s capacity growth was particularly notable, signalling a more assertive role in connecting African markets with Europe and other long-haul destinations during the peak season. Royal Air Maroc stewardess and passenger on Royal Air Maroc , via Royal Air Maroc Instagram Legacy carriers return cautiously to peak periods South African Airways recorded the fastest growth among the top ten airlines, with capacity rising by 33.5 percent year-on-year. The increase reflects a careful re-entry into peak travel periods following years of restructuring, rather than a broad-based expansion. December schedules suggest a selective approach, focused on routes where seasonal demand aligns with longer-term commercial sustainability. Africa in global festive travel flows International airlines including Emirates, Ryanair, and easyJet featured prominently in December schedules, highlighting Africa’s continued importance within global travel networks during the festive season. Despite this, African carriers maintained dominance in intra-continental connectivity, reinforcing their central role in regional mobility. Airports shaping capacity decisions Cairo International Airport remained Africa’s busiest by scheduled seats, underlining Egypt’s position as the continent’s largest aviation market. South Africa continued to lead in domestic capacity, supported by sustained internal travel during the holiday period. Cape Town Airport Arrivals , South Africa. Passengers captured leaving the airport. Overall, December seat capacity trends point to a stabilizing aviation market, where scale, discipline, and targeted growth are shaping Africa’s airline landscape as carriers navigate peak demand with caution and intent. Table of Content, African airlines by order of high seat statistics.

I In 2025, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) remained a pivotal external actor shaping African economic policy, with its interventions influencing both macroeconomic stability and domestic social outcomes. While some African nations made significant strides in reducing reliance on IMF programs, others continued to grapple with heavy debt burdens that constrained fiscal policy and affected everyday living standards. Countries such as Ghana, Zambia, Egypt, Kenya, and Angola operated under IMF-supported frameworks that emphasized fiscal consolidation, deficit reduction, and revenue mobilization. While these measures aimed to stabilize economies and restore investor confidence, they often limited governments’ ability to expand public spending or respond flexibly to domestic economic shocks. Initiatives such as fuel subsidy removals, tax increases, and public-sector budget restrictions frequently translated into higher living costs for citizens, prompting debate over the social implications of austerity measures in nations already facing inflation and unemployment pressures. The contrast between countries moving away from IMF dependence and those still heavily indebted highlighted the complex trade-offs associated with external borrowing. In some economies, IMF support contributed to stabilizing currencies and replenishing foreign-exchange reserves, easing balance-of-payments pressures and reducing the risk of further devaluation. However, these macroeconomic gains were often accompanied by high interest rates, tight monetary policy, and constrained public expenditure, slowing broader economic development and limiting job creation. For investors, IMF engagement offered mixed signals. On one hand, it reassured markets that reforms were being implemented and external financing remained accessible. On the other, continued reliance on IMF loans exposed structural vulnerabilities and heightened perceptions of risk in certain markets. For investors and multinational companies, countries under IMF programs offer a mixed picture: the presence of IMF support signals commitment to structural reforms and financial discipline, which can make markets more attractive. At the same time, persistent debt obligations and strict fiscal rules may signal limited domestic growth potential in the short term. Table of top 10 African countries with the highest IMF debt at the close of 2025. Created by Chinedu Okafor, Source: IMF Overall, IMF engagement creates a delicate environment for African business—providing stability and access to external financing while simultaneously imposing constraints that require companies to adapt strategically, optimize efficiency, and plan for longer-term opportunities rather than short-term gains.

Ambassador Isaac Annanias Moyo on the left, on the right; Omar Obaid Alhesan Alshamsi, Undersecretary of the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In a recent diplomatic engagement ,  Omar Obaid Alhesan Alshamsi, Undersecretary of the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs , received the credentials of Isaac Annanias Moyo, Zimbabwe’s newly appointed ambassador to the UAE, underscoring both countries’ intent to deepen bilateral cooperation across key sectors. The meeting in Abu Dhabi marked a strategic moment in strengthening the UAE–Zimbabwe relationship, which spans political, economic, and cultural dimensions. Alshamsi congratulated Ambassador Moyo on his appointment and highlighted the UAE’s focus on partnerships built on mutual respect, shared objectives, and long-term collaboration. He noted the country’s readiness to explore new opportunities with Zimbabwe, particularly in areas that promote innovation, trade, investment, and sustainable development. Ambassador Moyo, who assumes executive leadership of the Zimbabwean embassy in the UAE, commended the UAE’s development trajectory under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He described the country as a respected international actor that has played a key role in fostering stability and economic growth. He also emphasized Zimbabwe’s commitment to strengthening diplomatic ties and driving bilateral initiatives that deliver tangible outcomes. Moyo’s appointment positions the embassy to act as a proactive hub for trade, investment, and cultural diplomacy. Under his leadership, the mission is expected to enhance bilateral engagement, attract strategic partnerships, and expand Zimbabwe’s influence in the Gulf region, translating diplomatic goodwill into measurable economic and social impact. Discussions between the two officials covered a range of sectors, including trade, investment, education, and cultural exchange. Both sides highlighted the potential for collaboration to drive sustainable development, strengthen regional stability, and support mutual prosperity. The exchange of credentials, while ceremonial, represents a practical and symbolic step toward deeper cooperation. With Ambassador Moyo at the helm, Zimbabwe’s diplomatic mission in the UAE is positioned to leverage opportunities in trade, innovation, and cultural diplomacy while advancing the country’s strategic interest on the international stage.

South Africa aerial view South Africa has once again been positioned as Africa’s richest country by total wealth, not only because of the size of its economy, but because of the depth of its markets, its financial plumbing, and the concentration of high net worth individuals living and investing inside the country. Business Insider Africa points to an estimated GDP of about $410 billion in 2025 and argues that private wealth tells the fuller story. Henley and Partners and New World Wealth estimate South Africa is home to about 41,100 dollar millionaires, eight billionaires, and 112 centi millionaires, the largest concentration on the continent. That concentration is not only a luxury statistic. It signals where capital, networks, and deal flow are most likely to cluster, and it shapes which cities become magnets for talent. At city level, Johannesburg remains Africa’s wealthiest city by resident millionaires, while Cape Town continues to strengthen its position as a tech and lifestyle hub and leads the continent in centi millionaires, according to the Africa Wealth Report 2025. This matters for entrepreneurs because wealth is rarely evenly distributed across a country. It is concentrated in metros where strong services, infrastructure, and investment ecosystems allow businesses to scale. The report’s timing is also important. South Africa’s narrative in recent years has been dominated by load shedding and logistics bottlenecks. Yet the tone is shifting. Eskom has reported extended periods without load shedding since mid May 2025, supported by improvements in plant performance and system stability. Meanwhile, the World Bank approved a $925 million loan in November 2025 to support urban service delivery in eight major metros, designed as a performance based programme tied to reforms and measurable results. Then there is the market advantage: South Africa hosts Africa’s largest stock exchange. The Johannesburg Stock Exchange positions itself as the continent’s leading exchange, a key reason global capital still uses South Africa as a gateway into African assets. For Pan African Voice readers, the lesson is not that wealth equals success for everyone. South Africa remains deeply unequal. But from a founder’s lens, it shows what compounding looks like: functioning markets, investable cities, credible institutions, and repeatable systems. Build in places where ecosystems exist, and if you are building outside them, build the ecosystem as part of the product.

Man standing wearing a black coat Africa is carrying the heaviest weight of President Donald Trump’s expanded US travel restrictions, with more African countries affected than any other region as Washington tightens immigration controls ahead of 2026. The updated policy expands on a June 2025 proclamation and takes effect on January 1, 2026. Under the new measures, the US will fully suspend visa issuance for nationals of 19 countries, plus individuals traveling on travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority, with limited exceptions. The latest expansion adds Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, Laos, Sierra Leone, and Syria to the full restriction list, with African nations making up four of the five newly added countries highlighted in the Associated Press reporting carried by ABC News . Fifteen additional countries face partial restrictions, and 12 of them are in Africa: Angola, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, alongside Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Tonga. The State Department says partial restrictions include limits on B1 and B2 visitor visas, F, M, J student and exchange visas, and immigrant visas, again with limited exceptions. Official reactions across the continent have been notably muted, but the business impact is not muted at all. Travel restrictions hit founders and executives where it hurts most: mobility. They complicate investor roadshows, conference attendance, executive education, diaspora led dealmaking, and talent pipelines for African students and professionals building global careers. Even sport is now in the conversation, with new restrictions raising questions for fans around the 2026 World Cup co hosted by the US. The African Union has urged the United States to protect its borders in a manner that is balanced and evidence based, and reflective of long standing partnership. For African founders, the response cannot be only outrage. It has to be strategy. Diversify market access, build multiple mobility pathways, deepen intra Africa commercial routes, and treat compliance, documentation, and credential building as part of competitive advantage. In a world where policy can change the flow of opportunity overnight, resilience is not a slogan. It is an operating system.

Paul van Zuydam, Owner of Le Creuset South Africa has a new name on the global billionaire board, and the story is not built on apps, crypto, or overnight virality. Paul van Zuydam, the owner and chairman of French cookware icon Le Creuset, has been recognised as South Africa’s latest dollar billionaire, with Forbes real time estimates placing his net worth at about $1.7 billion in December 2025. For founders across Africa and the diaspora, this is a reminder of a truth we often forget in the era of fast wins: wealth can be created through mastery of a single product, world class operations, and relentless brand consistency. Van Zuydam acquired Le Creuset in the late 1980s when the business was under pressure and needed a turnaround. What followed was not a marketing miracle. It was an operational rebuild. Under his leadership, production was concentrated in France, automation was scaled, product ranges expanded, and the company pushed into major international markets, including the United States and Asia. The numbers explain why this matters. Business Insider Africa reports that manufacturing capacity was doubled, with output rising to more than 20,000 pieces a day. The business now generates more than $850 million in annual revenue, and it has reportedly grown since 2001 without taking on external debt, a rare discipline in consumer brands chasing aggressive expansion. The founder lesson: build an heirloom brand, not a trend Le Creuset’s power is not only utility. It is identity. Customers buy it because it signals taste, permanence, and quality. That is the playbook African consumer brands should study: create a product people are proud to keep, gift, and display. When your product becomes emotional, your pricing power grows. When your quality becomes non negotiable, your reputation compounds. At Pan African Voice, we believe Africa wins by building businesses that last. This story is not just about a new billionaire. It is a case study in patient excellence, manufacturing credibility, and brand stewardship.

A quiet shift is happening in the Gulf’s dining economy. Premium hospitality is no longer only a downtown story. It is moving into master planned communities where residents live, work, train, and spend seven days a week. South African born Tashas Group is positioning itself right in the middle of that shift with a major growth push across the United Arab Emirates and the wider GCC. In September 2025, Arada announced a AED 100 million joint venture with Tashas Group to open a minimum of 10 outlets over the next two years. The partnership focuses on two brands: the flagship tashas premium cafe concept and the upcoming Cafe Sofi. Five openings are already in the near term pipeline, starting with tashas Aljada in Sharjah in December 2025, followed by Al Ain in January 2026, Nad Al Sheba in February 2026, and Ras Al Khaimah in March 2026, with Cafe Sofi planned for 2026. Why the suburbs are the new battleground For founders watching consumer trends, the lesson is simple: distribution follows people. Arada links the opportunity to rapid population growth, Golden Visa driven long term residency, and the rise of lifestyle first communities that compete on wellness, culture, and hospitality, not just real estate. Tashas Group’s founder and CEO Natasha Sideris has been consistent on one point: community driven, all day concepts win because they become part of people’s routines, not just their weekend plans. She describes the brands as “exclusive but don’t exclude,” a positioning line that speaks to premium experience without shutting out the wider market. A playbook African brands can study Founded in Johannesburg in 2005, Tashas Group has grown into a multi concept hospitality portfolio operating across multiple markets, with the group’s own story emphasising obsessive quality, stunning environments, and engaging service. For African entrepreneurs, this expansion is not just about restaurants. It is about strategy: partner with platforms that already control footfall, design for repeat behaviour, and scale with operational discipline. In the Middle East, where communities are being built at speed, the winners will be brands that can deliver consistency, culture, and experience across locations without losing soul.

Dec 24, 2025 Johannesburg: Koos Bekker, the South African billionaire and long-time chair of Naspers and Prosus, has sold shares in the two companies worth about $136 million, according to regulatory filings published this week. Jacobus Petrus "Koos" Bekker is a South African billionaire businessman, and the chairman of media group Naspers. The sales were carried out by a family trust linked to Bekker over three trading days between December 17 and 19,2025. The money raised will be used to finance property development and refurbishment at hospitality assets owned by the family in South Africa, the United Kingdom and Italy. In Johannesburg, the trust sold 792,800 Naspers N ordinary shares, generating about R860.5 million, or roughly $46 million. Most of the shares were sold on December 17 and 18 at average prices just above R1,084 a share, with a smaller portion sold on December 19, 2025 at a slightly higher price. A larger transaction took place in Amsterdam, Netherlands where the trust sold 1.56 million shares in Prosus for around €81.7 million, equivalent to about $90 million. Prosus is Naspers’ international investment arm and holds the group’s most valuable asset, its stake in Tencent. Both companies said the share sales were undertaken purely to fund the hospitality projects and should not be interpreted as a change in Bekker’s long-term involvement or confidence in the businesses. After the transactions, the trust still holds about 90 percent of its previous stake in both Naspers and Prosus. The disposals were disclosed in line with Johanesburg stock-exchange rules that require directors and senior insiders to report significant share dealings. For investors, the move appears to reflect personal portfolio rebalancing rather than any shift in strategy at either company. More broadly, founder or insider sales often raise questions, but they are common at mature companies, particularly where a large portion of personal wealth is tied to one stock. In this case, Bekker remains closely aligned with other shareholders, especially given Prosus’ continued reliance on Tencent and its broader portfolio of growth assets. For investors, Bekker’s share sale looks like personal portfolio management rather than a warning signal. The trust sold a small portion of its holdings, retained about 90 percent of its stake, and said the proceeds are being used for unrelated property projects. That suggests no change in confidence or strategy at Naspers or Prosus. The core investment drivers Tencent exposure, capital allocation, and discount to net asset value remain unchanged.