Africa Business News

Oil-producing countries grouped together under the OPEC+ alliance led by Saudi Arabia and Russia agreed on output increases as of next month at a ministerial meeting on Thursday.A statement from the alliance says that they had agreed to boost output by no more than 0.5 million barrels per day in May, June and July.The decision comes despite the expectation ahead of the meeting that the bloc would err on the side of caution.Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdelaziz bin Salman stressed that the decision could still be changed in the alliance’s monthly meetings.Salman praised the OPEC+ alliance nations for more than fulfilling their commitments to restrain output.The OPEC+ group is enforcing drastic cuts in production, meaning seven million barrels that could be shipped to markets every day are being left in the ground.

The head of the IMF and the African Caucus says Africa needs carefully-calibrated domestic policies and stronger support from the international community to recover from the COVID-19 crisis and return to its path of stronger growth.International Monetary Fund, Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and Domitien Ndihokubwayo, Chairman of the African Caucus, issued a joint statement after a meeting of the African Consultative Group, which includes senior representatives from 12 African countries.They said the key priority remained to significantly scale up COVID-19 vaccine production capacity and accelerate vaccine roll-out, but it was also essential to prioritize policies to help protect livelihoods and vulnerable groups.The IMF and African Caucus leaders say the recovery was likely to be much slower in Sub-Saharan Africa noting that per capita incomes in many countries were not expected to return to pre-crisis levels before 2025.They called for transformative policies, including increased investment in digital technologies and climate-resilient infrastructure.

Mauritius has extended its lockdown for another month starting Thursday, and police will enforce a new Temporary Restrictions of Movement Order.Failure to wear a mask can now result in a fine of up to Mauritian rupees 500,000 and also a jail term. Police say 2,674 people have been fined for not wearing face masks and another 7,127 fined for breaching the restriction of movement order.No public gatherings will be allowed and markets and fairs will remain closed.People aged 18 and under will not be allowed to leave their homes except for examinations or medical emergencies.Mauritius has so far recorded 12 deaths as a result of coronavirus.

Malawian president Lazarus Chakwera postponed the announcement of a new cabinet line-up, saying he needed more time.His office says he had received cabinet assessment reports from Vice-President Saulos Chilima and could not make the changes immediately - as the reports were substantial and needed the president's thorough review. The president had on Monday told Malawians that there would be a cabinet reshuffle in 48 hours.He has asked for patience, saying he will announce the Cabinet the instant he completes this sacred duty in a manner that conforms with the constitution.

Nigeria primary healthcare chief told Reuters that the country hopes to receive up to 70 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine this year through the African Union amid concerns about delayed deliveries of AstraZeneca shots.Nigeria has recorded 2,049 deaths from COVID-19 and began vaccinations this month, plans to inoculate 40% of its people this year and another 30% in 2022.Johnson & Johnson says it will supply the AU with up to 400 million doses of its single-dose vaccine beginning in the third quarter.The head of Nigeria’s National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Faisal Shuaib told Reuters that Nigeria expects to initially receive 30 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in July through the AU.

The Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, says Nigerians who fail to enrol for the National Identity Number risk imprisonment.Pantami explained that the decision to imprison those without a NIN was in line with the Nigerian Constitution, saying no one should enjoy government services without the number.Pantami made the emphasis that while obtaining a Subscriber Identity Module card may be optional, NIN is mandatory, noting that a lot of transactions in the country should not be conducted without the NIN.He noted that rather than the population census which can be manipulated, NIN will determine the accurate number of Nigerians because of its uniqueness and tamper-proof.He stressed that the government would not renege on the ban on SIM registration for security reasons arising from a huge compromise of the process.

The President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan has called on Nigerians to continue to support the Federal Government in its efforts to tackle insecurity and provide an enabling environment for the country’s economic growth. He assured that the National Assembly will continue to work for the people in achieving peace in the country.He urged Nigerians to continue to support the Government in its efforts to provide security and an enabling environment for economic growth and prosperity.He says the ninth National Assembly will always work to support the policies of the government.He added that the various Committees are currently working on the various proposals for amendment of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Reforms Act to mention just a few as well as the Petroleum Industry Bill.

The Independent National Electoral Commission says the Continuous Voters Registration exercise will resume on June 28 across the country.INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed that the electoral umpire has set aside the Direct Data Capture Machine, and would introduce a new device being developed by its in-house software engineers.Professor Yakubu explained that the new device, INEC Voter Enrolment Device was developed to be compatible with the android operating system.He hinted that the engineers were also developing a portal where Nigerians can register for the exercise to reduce the usual rush experienced and avoid breach of the COVID-19 protocols.

President Muhammadu Buhari urged Nigerians not to allow those he described as a few mischief mongers to destroy the country’s unity.Buhari also acknowledged the efforts of frontline health workers in the nation’s fight to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.The president, in his Easter message to Nigerians, commended law enforcement agents and military personnel, who continued to confront evil-minded individuals through the darkest of nights to keep us safe.Buhari expressed the conviction that the new resolve of the security personnel to combat insecurity would be successful.Buhari also acknowledged the sacrifices of doctors, nurses and other frontline health workers who have made the difference in saving lives and ensuring the reduction of the spread of the virus.

A group of 14 countries has raised concerns over a new report by the World Health Organization into the origin of the coronavirus, citing delays and a lack of full access to data, while the agency’s own chief called for further investigation into a theory the outbreak was the result of a laboratory leak.The WHO team composed of 17 international experts concluded in the report it was extremely unlikely COVID-19 sprang from a lab leak, a position that was first advanced by the United States last year. China has strongly rejected such allegations.The scientists say it was likely to very likely that the virus was introduced among humans through an intermediate host, and that it was possible-to-likely that the virus was transmitted to humans from animals.