From Algeria’s strategic development push and Morocco’s industrial ambitions to deepening crises in Mali and Sudan — explore the latest developments shaping North Africa and the Sahel’s political, economic, and security landscapes.
Read the North Africa Weekly on LinkedIn or join the conversation on X: @StimsonNAfrica
On Our Radar
The headlines shaping politics, security, and economics across North Africa and the Sahel.
FINANCIAL TIMES
Jihadism and Russia: a toxic mix in the Sahel
The article explores how jihadist groups and Russian influence are combining to deepen instability in the Sahel region, arguing that the West needs a clearer strategy as violence spreads into the coastal states.
FINANCIAL TIMES
Jailed Tunisian politicians go on hunger strike against presidential crackdown
In Tunisia, imprisoned opposition figures have launched hunger strikes in protest of governmental repression under President Kais Saied, highlighting rising authoritarian pressures and the shrinking space for civil society.
UPSTREAM
Chevron confirms Libya and Iraq talks as exploration strategy shifts
Major oil company Chevron Corporation has confirmed it is in discussions with both Libya and Iraq about new exploration projects, marking a strategic pivot into more high-risk upstream markets.
THE AFRICA REPORT
US-Africa Week Ahead: Team Trump defends record on Nigeria, South Africa and global health
The U.S. State Department and administration officials prepare for a spotlight on Africa, as Washington defends its recent engagements in Nigeria and South Africa and stumbles on global-health commitments amid shifting U.S. policy.
BLOOMBERG
Egypt holds interest rates after surprise uptick in inflation
The Central Bank of Egypt opted to keep interest rates unchanged despite a sudden rise in inflation, signaling a cautious approach to monetary policy while macro-economic pressures build.
REUTERS
Egypt selects Hartree Partners in $4 billion natural-gas deal, deputy energy minister says
Egypt’s government has selected Hartree Partners for a major natural-gas investment deal worth roughly $4 billion, underscoring Cairo’s push to bolster its energy sector and export capacity.
AFRICA BUSINESS INSIDER
Top 10 African countries with the lowest fuel costs in November 2025 (priced in US $)
A new ranking highlights which African nations currently offer the cheapest fuel prices globally when converted into US dollars—an indicator of subsidy levels, policy choices and domestic market distortions.
AFRICA BUSINESS INSIDER
Morocco breaks records with US$1 million lemon exports to UK
Morocco has achieved a milestone in agricultural exports, selling one million US dollars’ worth of lemons to the UK in a single shipment, reflecting growth in horticultural trade and supply-chain capability.
REUTERS
Rival Libya parliaments agree unified development programme, central bank says
In Libya, competing legislative bodies have agreed to a unified national development plan according to the country’s central bank, aimed at reducing fragmentation and restoring institutional coherence.
REUTERS
Egypt annuls first-round parliament vote in quarter of constituencies over violations
Egyptian authorities have cancelled the first round of voting in approximately 25% of parliamentary constituencies due to alleged procedural violations, raising concerns about election fairness and institutional integrity.
LE POINT
Algérie : diplomatie 1 – Tontons flingueurs 0
Algeria’s diplomatic position is described in combative terms as its foreign policy team engages with multiple fronts, suggesting a shift toward more hard-edged international posturing.
BLOOMBERG
Morocco is a booming meteorite-hunting hub
Morocco has emerged as a global hotspot for meteorite-hunting, as rising interest among collectors and scientists drives exploration across its desert regions.
CNN
Egypt high-speed rail: Siemens Velaro and Desiro trains SPC
Egypt is upgrading its rail infrastructure with high-speed trainsets from Siemens (Velaro and Desiro models), signaling major investment in modernizing its transport sector.
CONSTRUCT AFRICA
Chad moves US$30 billion development plan
Chad’s Ministry of Water and Electricity has launched a US$30 billion national development program focused on expanding the country’s electricity sector and regional energy linkages.
AGENZIA NOVA
Irini Lammiraglio – Casa Pieri a Nova: ripresa la cooperazione con la Libia, svolto addestramento basico dei primi 30 militari
Italy’s “Irini” naval mission and Casa Pieri have resumed cooperation with Libya through the training of the first 30 Libyan military personnel, marking a renewed phase in bilateral security engagement.
AFRICANEWS
Mali sees record surge in foreign kidnappings by jihadist groups
Mali’s opposition accuses the military junta of failing to stem a dramatic increase in foreign kidnappings by jihadist groups, amid an ongoing fuel-crisis and deteriorating security environment.
AL-MONITOR
Morocco’s UN-backed Western Sahara plan offers investors some reassurance
Morocco’s new UN-supported roadmap for the Western Sahara region is providing investors with increased confidence, as it pledges institutional reforms and clearer frameworks for energy and mining-project development.
AL-MONITOR
US options constrained in Sudan as RSF snubs Washington, sanctions fail
Despite U.S. sanctions and diplomatic pressure, Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) is continuing its operations without meaningful adjustment, limiting Washington’s leverage and deepening the crisis in the region.
ANADOLU AGENCY
UN chief warns security situation in West Africa & Sahel growing more critical by the day
The UN Secretary-General issued an urgent warning over deteriorating security across West Africa and the Sahel, pointing to mounting casualties, expanding militant activity and rising fragility in state governance.
ENERGY CAPITAL & POWER
Morocco-Mauritania sign two-year environment plan
Morocco and Mauritania have committed to a two-year bilateral environmental cooperation plan, focusing on shared sustainable resource management and climate resilience in a region coping with climate stress and cross-border ecological challenges
ARAB NEWS
Niger junta chief’s road trip bids to calm militant jitters
Niger’s ruling General Abdourahamane Tiani has been criss-crossing the unstable country’s oft-poor highways in recent weeks, visiting regions hard-hit by the growing militant insurgency in an attempt to reassure fearful civilians.
MOROCCO WORLD NEWS
Morocco signals a new era for Africa’s industrial rise as IMC 2025 approaches
As the Morocco International Mining Congress 2025 (IMC 2025) nears, Morocco is positioning itself as a key platform for Africa’s industrial transformation—hosting mining, battery-materials and logistics investment with a clear eye on value-chain integration.
SOUTHERN AFRICAN TIMES
AfDB supports Algeria’s ambitious rail and mineral development plan
The African Development Bank (AfDB) is backing Algeria’s new multimodal rail and mining-sector development plan, signalling enhanced investment in transport-mining-industry linkages and strategic infrastructure.
WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME
Italy provides crucial funds to WFP to support Sudanese refugees in Libya
Italy has pledged key financing to the World Food Programme to assist Sudanese refugees in Libya and host-communities, underscoring continuing humanitarian pressures in the region.
Reports & Analysis on the Region
Deeper dives from experts, think tanks, and research institutes.
COMMENTARY
Africa in China’s future energy security
Stimson Center North Africa Program Director Hafed Al-Ghwell analyzes how African energy assets shape Beijing’s long-term strategic planning.
REPORT
Libya’s divisions harden
A detailed assessment of Libya’s continuing fragmentation, this report explores how entrenched rival administrations and competing governance structures are undermining prospects for national coherence and reconstruction.
COMMENTARY
China in the Maghreb: forging a new era of geopolitical influence
This ME Council commentary piece examines how Maghreb states are becoming strategic arenas for China’s increasing economic and diplomatic leverage, and what that means for regional power dynamics.
COMMENTARY
Women, Water, and Adaptation in Ait Khabbash
This Carnegie Endowment for International Peace analysis examines how women’s experiences and local social bonds shape climate-adaptation efforts in the Moroccan town of Ait Khabbash, arguing that resilience depends as much on rebuilding relationships and cultural continuity as on securing water and livelihoods.
COMMENTARY
Can Europe and Africa Mend Fences?
This Carnegie Endowment for International Peace commentary explores the evolving ties between Europe and Africa, assessing whether recent frictions can be healed and what a renewed partnership might require in terms of mutual respect, investment dynamics and geopolitical recalibration.
COMMENTARY
Sudan’s deadly divide: The RSF and SAF’s reign of terror
An in-depth analysis by the Brookings Institution of the conflict between Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), this piece documents how both forces flout international humanitarian law and commit widespread atrocities, while external actors fuel the violence amid a collapsing state.
Tune In
Hear the latest insights from regional experts.
A Conversation with H.E. Sabri Boukadoum, Ambassador of Algeria to the United States
The Stimson Center’s North Africa Program hosted Ambassador Sabri Boukadoum to discuss Algeria’s reforms, regional security, and U.S.–Algeria relations.
Why al-Qaeda’s Sahel branch is blocking fuel to Mali
This Al-Jazeera podcast episode investigates how the Sahel branch of Al-Qaeda is leveraging fuel blockades in Mali as part of its destabilization strategy, and why such tactics matter for regional security.
Armed Conflict Survey 2025 – Book Launch
International Institute for Strategic Studies launches overview of conflict trends, with new data and forecasts relevant to North Africa and the Sahel.
Job Opportunities
Career moves, fellowships, and calls for applications—all in one place.
International Rescue Committee
Grants Coordinator (Bamako, Mali)
A role focusing on managing grant allocations and donor reporting in humanitarian operations—closing date: 19 Dec 2025.
Norwegian Refugee Council
Shelter & WASH Specialist (Burkina Faso)
Position for a specialist in shelter and water-sanitation-hygiene interventions in Burkina Faso—closing date: 5 Dec 2025.
Norwegian Refugee Council
Protection Cluster Co-Coordinator(Bamako, Mali)
A senior coordination role for the protection cluster in Mali—closing date: 5 Dec 2025.
