Newscast - Africa

The Central Bank of Nigeria has directed financial institutions and payment service providers to do more to enhance transparency and proper disclosure of Digital Financial Services going forward.
The central bank directed the institutions to monitor fraud reports to identify emerging fraud issues and sensitise their customers on how they can protect their assets, following the growing threats to cybersecurity in recent times.
The central bank noted that DFS has the potential to expand access to financial services for the Nigerian population and spur innovation in the financial services industry.

Human rights activist and senior lawyer, Femi Falana, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to submit a supplementary budget for the appropriation of the sum of N200 billion required to revamp federal universities across the country.
Mr. Falana says President Buhari’s recent lament over the prolonged strike was unnecessary.
He also faulted the Federal Government’s claim that it does not have the funds to meet ASUU’s demands, noting that the government has allocated trillions to address issues such as fuel subsidy and agriculture policy.

The United States has extended Temporary Protected Status for Venezuela for an additional 18 months, shielding Venezuelans residing in the US as of early March 2021 from potential deportation.
US Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas says that Venezuelans in the country as of March 8 last year would be eligible to apply.
Majorkas says the move was one of many ways the Biden administration is providing humanitarian support to Venezuelans at home and abroad.

The United Nations Security Council looks set to continue crucial cross-border aid to millions of people in northwestern Syria until January after days of wrangling with Russia over the huge operation.
The United States, France, and the United Kingdom have argued six months is not long enough for aid groups to plan and operate effectively, but a proposal for a one-year extension, which was supported by 13 council members, was vetoed by Russia on Friday.
Russia says the UN aid operation violates Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and that more assistance should be delivered from inside the country.

The Vatican has spoken of its willingness to help resolve the conflicts in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Pope Francis says South Sudan had a bright future but said the implementation of the peace agreement was crucial.
He added that the Catholic Church is always open to intervention, for instance mediation.

EU’s border agency chief warned that the EU must brace for new waves of migrants forced to uproot because of the food crisis aggravated by the war in Ukraine.
The interim executive director of the Frontex agency, Aija Kalnaja says while Ukrainian refugees were being handled well and they have to prepare for refugees coming from other areas because of the food security.
She noted in particular that grain transport from Ukraine is hampered, and that will create waves of migration.

The ruling Conservative party says the new UK prime minister to replace the outgoing Boris Johnson will be announced on September 5, with 11 hopefuls currently vying for the job.
The influential 1922 Committee of non-ministerial Tory MPs in parliament outlined a timetable for the party’s leadership election.
The joint-executive secretary of the 1922 Committee, Bob Blackman, said they were committed to doing that before parliament breaks for the summer on July 21.

The main Mozambican trade union federation has denounced the government's plans for passenger transport, in unusually strong language.
The OTM General Secretary, Alexandre Munguambe, says the government's promise of a passenger subsidy is just a way of entertaining the public and the Famba Card is unworkable.
He says the OTM wants a reduction in the Value Added Tax paid on basic goods and fuel.
Munguambe pointed out that none of the country's minimum wages come anywhere near covering the cost of a basic package of goods and services.

Zulu lithium Mines' chief executive, George Roach, says that the firm selected Suzhou TA&A Ultra Clean Technology Co. from a number of Chinese, European, and Australian investors.
Suzhou has agreed to invest $35 million in the construction of a pilot plant at the Zulu mine, which will help the facility produce up to 50,000 tones of lithium-containing rocks annually.
He says the new investment sets the company on the path to achieving vertical integration of the lithium battery supply chain.

Nigeria's petroleum minister, Timipre Sylva, says funding for the project will come from Europe and that authorities are already holding talks with European firms and countries.
President Muhammadu Buhari, says Nigeria is ready to fill the natural gas gaps in Europe predicated by the current Russian-Ukrainian war.
Buhari says with over 200 million, mainly young people, Nigeria is ready to be the hub of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Buhari urged Portugal to consider Nigeria as a valued and trusted partner in Africa.