From the Sudan war’s escalating violence to the Iran war driving energy shocks, fuel shortages, and fiscal strain across North Africa, and Europe scrambling to diversify energy sources in North Africa as well as secure new supply routes — explore the latest developments shaping North Africa, the Mediterranean, and the Sahel’s political, economic, and security landscapes.
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From the Stimson Center
Deeper dives from the Stimson Center.
Impacts of the Iran War on North Africa, the Sahel, and the Mediterranean
Stimson Center North Africa, Mediterranean and the Sahel Program Director Hafed Al-Ghwell writes on how the Iran war disrupts energy, trade, and food systems across North Africa and the Sahel, reshaping regional stability.
How Iran War Is Reshaping China’s Geo-Economic Cooperation with North Africa
Dr.Chuchu Zhang writes for Stimson Center on how China shifts energy strategy toward North Africa amid Hormuz disruption, deepening oil diversification and accelerating green cooperation with Algeria, Morocco, and Egypt.
Uncovering the Roots of Crisis in the Sahel
Dr. Federica Saini Fasanotti writes for Stimson Center that state collapse, climate stress, and demographic pressures drive escalating violence and fragmentation across the Sahel, with mounting regional and global consequences.
A Conversation with H.E. Ambassador Duarte Lopes: Europe, North Africa, and the Mediterranean
Join us at this public fireside chat with Ambassador Duarte Lopes on Europe’s engagement with North Africa and the Sahel, Mediterranean security dynamics, and Portugal’s role in EU–Africa partnerships.
On Our Radar
The headlines shaping politics, security, and economics across North Africa and the Sahel.
AP News
Paramilitary attack kills at least 14 in central Sudan, group says
AP report covering the attack by Sudanese paramilitaries and their allied rebels in the central region of Kordofan killed at least 14 people, including five children and two women, a medical group said Sunday,
Euronews
Sexual Violence “Form of Warfare” in Sudan War, UN Representative Says
UNFPA Sudan country representative Fabrizia Falcione told Euronews that sexual violence is being deliberately used as a weapon of war in Sudan’s conflict, targeting women and girls to destroy communities.
El Pais (English)
Western Sahara Conflict Underpins Morocco and Algeria’s Selective Silence on Attack Against Iran
Analysis of how the Morocco-Algeria rivalry over Western Sahara shapes both countries’ carefully calibrated non-responses to the U.S.-Israel war on Iran, with each avoiding statements that would alienate key partners in Washington, the Gulf, or Africa.
Africa Intelligence
Fresh Row Between Algiers and Paris Hampers Macron’s Remembrance Efforts
A new diplomatic dispute between Algeria and France is complicating President Macron’s efforts around colonial memory and war commemoration, with Algiers resisting French framing of the 1962 independence anniversary.
Hespress
Morocco’s Sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla Is Not Open to Foreign Interference
Report on Moroccan civil society reaction to a provocative op-ed by U.S. analyst Michael Rubin urging Trump to recognize Ceuta and Melilla as occupied Moroccan territory and calling for a second Green March.
APA News
Mali and Mauritania Step Up Diplomacy Amid Border Tensions
Following a diplomatic row in which the Malian Armed Forces alleged two soldiers had escaped from a UNHCR refugee camp in Mauritania, foreign ministers from both countries held parallel meetings in Bamako and Nouakchott in March to de-escalate; both sides reaffirmed commitment to dialogue and good neighborliness.
Financial Times
Egypt imposes emergency measures to save fuel
Egypt will reduce street lighting and close shops and cafés early under energy-saving measures as the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran sends fuel prices surging.
Maghrebi.org
Mauritania Condemns Repeated Attacks in Mali
The Mauritanian government issued a formal condemnation of repeated attacks on Mauritanian citizens within Malian territory, describing their protection as a red line and calling on Bamako to conduct credible investigations and hold perpetrators accountable.
IPI Media
The Information Frontline: Press Freedom and the Security Crisis in the Sahel
International Press Institute feature documenting how the Sahel security crisis is devastating press freedom, with journalists across Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger facing detention, expulsion, violence, and information blackouts from both state and non-state actors.
IMF
Morocco: 2026 Article IV Consultation and Review Under the Flexible Credit Line Arrangement
IMF’s 2026 Article IV consultation completed March 20, confirming Morocco continues to meet FCL qualification criteria. The report projects 4.4% real GDP growth in 2026 and flags the Middle East conflict as the main near-term downside risk through higher energy prices and weaker external demand, while praising Morocco’s strong fiscal and reserve buffers.
Financial Times
Italian PM Giorgia Meloni looks for gas supplies in Algeria
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met Algeria’s president on Wednesday in an attempt to secure alternative gas supplies amid the severe disruptions caused by the war in the Middle East.
EU Research and Innovation
EU and Morocco Renew PRIMA Agreement for Mediterranean Research Cooperation
The EU and Morocco renewed the PRIMA partnership (March 27) for joint research on water, food, and agri-food systems in the Mediterranean, continuing a long-standing science diplomacy arrangement.
The Africa Report
Iran War: U.S. Bases in Africa Under Growing Threat of Retaliation Campaign
Analysis warning that the Iran war is generating credible threats against U.S. military installations across Africa, particularly in the Sahel and Horn of Africa, as Iran-aligned networks and sympathizers consider retaliatory options.
Financial Times
African economies brace for fuel shortages as Iran conflict hits energy
Several African economies risk fuel shortages within weeks, as heavy reliance on imported energy leaves the continent especially vulnerable to the market fallout from the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.
Business Insider Africa
DRC Cancels 79-Block Lithium Exploration Permit Held by AVZ Minerals
The DRC government cancelled a major lithium exploration permit covering 79 blocks held by Australian miner AVZ Minerals, marking a significant development in the long-running Manono lithium project dispute.
Mada Masr
Ethiopia Unveils 3 New Hydropower Projects on Nile, Stoking Concerns in Cairo
Ethiopia announced three new hydropower projects on the Nile, raising fresh concerns in Egypt about downstream water availability and adding to existing tensions over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
Financial Times
New ancient human relative unearthed in Egypt
Scientists have discovered an ancient relative of all living apes in northern Egypt, highlighting how the hunt for human evolutionary history spans well beyond celebrated fossils found in east Africa.
Radio France Culture (French)
Territorial Inequalities: The Revolt of the Marginalized
Discussion examining territorial inequalities and the political revolt of marginalized regions and populations left behind by economic development, with relevance to dynamics in North Africa and the Sahel.
Bloomberg
Italy’s Meloni Seeks to Boost Gas Flows from Algeria
Bloomberg report on Meloni’s March 25 Algeria visit, confirming she is seeking increased Algerian gas volumes to compensate for the loss of Qatari LNG; Algeria already supplies around 30% of Italy’s annual gas consumption and now covers a larger share following QatarEnergy’s force majeure declaration.
Business Insider Africa
African Bunkering Hubs Benefit as Ships Avoid Middle East Routes
African ports with bunkering capacity, particularly in West and East Africa, are recording increased business as shipping companies reroute vessels away from the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea due to the Iran war.
Business Insider Africa
Terramin Starts Work on Algeria’s Tala Hamza Zinc Project After $30 Million Land Deal
Australian miner Terramin has begun construction work on the Tala Hamza zinc project in Algeria following a $30 million land deal, advancing one of the region’s more significant zinc deposits toward production.
Business Insider Africa
Niger and Algeria Continue to Ease Their Cold War with Fresh Agreements
Niger and Algeria are continuing to normalize relations after years of tension, signing new bilateral agreements that reflect both countries’ interest in pragmatic cooperation despite political differences.
Business Insider Africa
Drone Bases and Defence Hubs: How a Turkish Investor Is Shaping DRC Congo’s Security
A Turkish investor is developing drone bases and defense infrastructure in the DRC, reflecting Turkey’s growing security footprint in Central Africa and the DRC government’s diversification of security partnerships.
Vatican News
Tunisia Leads African Push for Climate Action and Technology Cooperation
Vatican News report on Tunisia’s role in advocating for African climate action and technology cooperation at a multilateral forum, likely connected to a UN or AU preparatory process.
Business Insider Africa
Nigeria Advances $20 Billion Gas Pipeline Across Chad and Libya Linking Gas Fields to Europe
Nigeria is advancing the long-discussed Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, which would run through Chad and Libya to connect Nigerian gas fields to European markets; the project is gaining new urgency given Europe’s scramble for non-Gulf gas alternatives following the Iran war.
Business Insider Africa
Africa’s Lobito Corridor Records First Copper Shipment as Canadian Miner Exports 997 Tonnes
The Lobito Corridor infrastructure project recorded its first copper shipment, with a Canadian mining company exporting 997 tons of copper through the corridor, marking a milestone for the U.S.-EU-backed transport initiative linking DRC and Zambia to Angola’s Atlantic coast.
OilPrice.com
Why Oil Majors Are Quietly Betting Big on Libya Again
Analysis of the renewed interest from international oil majors in Libya’s upstream sector, driven by improved security in some areas, new licensing rounds, recent Eni gas discoveries, and the global energy supply crunch created by the Iran war.
Bloomberg
Iran War Fires Up Demand for Algeria’s Gas
Bloomberg’s weekly Africa newsletter examining how the Iran war has elevated Algeria’s strategic value as a gas supplier to Europe, with Italy, Spain, and other countries competing for increased Algerian pipeline supply.
Morocco World News
NITDA Chief: Nigeria-Morocco Tech Ties Most Compelling African Opportunity
Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency director described the Nigeria-Morocco technology partnership as Africa’s most compelling bilateral tech opportunity, reflecting growing South-South cooperation in digital infrastructure.
Business Insider Africa
Tunisia Foreign Investment Jumps 30% to $1.2 Billion on Reform Push
Tunisia’s foreign direct investment rose 30.3% in 2025 to approximately $1.2 billion, driven by manufacturing, services, energy, and agriculture, suggesting some investor confidence despite political constraints.
Reuters
Trio of African Countries Eyeing Debt-for-Nature Swaps, Nature Conservancy Says
Three African countries are in active discussions with the Nature Conservancy about debt-for-nature swap deals that would exchange portions of sovereign debt for binding conservation commitments, a financing model gaining traction across the continent amid tight fiscal conditions.
Business Insider Africa
China Set to Cut Solar Incentives for Africa Days After Elon Musk Negotiates
China is preparing to reduce solar energy incentive programs directed at Africa shortly after Elon Musk’s reported negotiations on energy deals on the continent, raising questions about the continuity of Chinese clean energy partnerships and what the shift signals about Beijing’s evolving Africa strategy.
Business Insider Africa
Africa’s Longest Monorail Line Begins Operations as Egypt Opens 565km Cairo Route
Egypt inaugurated a 565km monorail network in and around Cairo, described as Africa’s longest, marking a major milestone in the country’s urban transport infrastructure expansion amid ongoing economic pressures.
African Union
Resolution to Reality: Delivering Water and Sanitation for the Africa We Want
AU press release on progress toward delivering on water and sanitation commitments under Agenda 2063, likely tied to preparatory processes for the 2026 UN Water Conference and the AU’s Year of Unity theme.
S&P Global Ratings
S&P Global Ratings analysis of sovereign credit conditions in Africa, assessing the impact of the Iran war energy shock on ratings and debt sustainability
En Assahifa
Morocco Links Nuclear Energy to Security and Stability, Highlighting Natural Resources
Coverage of Moroccan government framing of nuclear energy as connected to national security and energy independence, with Morocco highlighting its uranium and phosphate resources as assets in any future nuclear energy development.
ECDPM
African Union’s Crisis Diplomacy: U.S.-Israel War on Iran
ECDPM analysis of how the African Union is navigating the diplomatic fallout from the U.S.-Israel war on Iran, examining the AU’s institutional response and the divergent positions of member states.
Al-Monitor
Egypt Closes Stores Early, Jordan Bans AC: Iran War Takes Toll
Al-Monitor report on energy conservation measures across the region: Egypt ordering shops to close early and studying remote work for public employees, Jordan banning air conditioning in public buildings, both responding to the surge in energy costs caused by the Iran war.
Al-Monitor
Africa Becomes Europe’s Gas Lifeline Amid Global Energy Crisis
Al-Monitor analysis of Egypt’s diplomatic balancing act in the Iran war, examining Cairo’s efforts to maintain neutrality while managing its U.S. alliance, Gulf dependencies, economic exposure, and domestic energy pressures.
Al-Monitor
Italy and Spain Eye Algerian Gas as Iran War Slashes Gulf Supplies
Al-Monitor report on parallel Italian and Spanish diplomatic efforts to secure increased Algerian gas, framed against QatarEnergy’s force majeure declaration on LNG contracts following Iranian strikes on its Ras Laffan facilities.
Reports & Analysis on the Region
Deeper dives from experts, think tanks, and research institutes.
REPORT
State of Grocery Retail MENA 2026: Managing the Growth Paradox
McKinsey’s annual MENA grocery retail report examines how retailers are navigating strong consumer demand growth alongside margin pressure from rising input costs driven by the energy price shock.
REPORT
UN: Western Sahara People’s Self-Determination at Risk
Human Rights Watch report on a UN statement warning that the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination is at risk, likely tied to diplomatic momentum around US-backed talks and the current Security Council process.
REPORT
Tracking Global Social Policy Responses to the Crisis in the Middle East
World Bank note analyzes real-time data from 195 countries, showing that the Iran war has triggered 87 social policy responses (69 implemented) across 53 countries—primarily in high- and lower-middle-income settings—within a comprehensive global monitoring framework of social protection measures.
COMMENTARY
A Crisis in Egypt Could Be a Warning Sign for the Global Economy
Atlantic Council analysis arguing that Egypt’s compounding vulnerabilities, including $27 billion in 2026 external debt service, a doubling energy import bill, Suez Canal revenue disruption, and stalled divestment, make it a potential early indicator of broader emerging market stress; warns Egypt could be forced into currency weakening and inflation if investor confidence slips.
COMMENTARY
The Ripple Effects of the U.S.-Israel War on Iran for North Africa
Middle East Institute analysis finding that North Africa’s primary exposure to the Iran war runs through energy import costs and fertilizer market disruption rather than direct security risks. Egypt is most exposed; Algeria and Libya benefit from higher oil revenues in the short term; Morocco faces pressures on both the import and export sides of its phosphate and fertilizer sector.
REPORT
Centre for Democracy and Development report comparing post-coup governance trajectories in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, examining security performance, resource management, and development outcomes under the respective military juntas.
COMMENTARY
Could Mahmoud Hamza Be Next Under Washington’s New Anti-Islamist Sanctions Drive?
Analysis examining whether Mahmoud Hamza, a figure linked to Islamist networks, could be targeted under the Trump administration’s expanding campaign against Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated organizations following the State Department’s Sudan Muslim Brotherhood designation.
COMMENTARY
Africa’s $10 Billion AI Moment
Analysis of the surge in AI investment flowing into Africa, examining which countries and sectors are attracting capital and what governance, talent, and infrastructure gaps need to be addressed.
REPORT
Sahel Dashboard: Humanitarian Overview 2025 Annual Update
OCHA’s annual humanitarian overview for the Sahel documenting displacement trends, food insecurity levels, and humanitarian access constraints across Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and neighboring states throughout 2025.
REPORT
WFP monthly brief on food security and humanitarian operations in Chad, covering both host communities and the over 1.2 million Sudanese refugees, with notes on funding gaps and pipeline challenges.
REPORT
Humanitarian Country Appeal Chad 2026
UNFPA’s 2026 appeal for Chad, covering sexual and reproductive health services, gender-based violence response, and population data needs amid the deepening Sudan refugee crisis.
REPORT
Arab Republic of Egypt: Fifth and Sixth Reviews Under the Extended Arrangement Under the EFF
IMF staff country report completing the combined fifth and sixth reviews of Egypt’s Extended Fund Facility (approved February 26, 2026), unlocking approximately $2.3 billion. The report notes improved macroeconomic stabilization but flags that structural reforms, especially the divestment agenda, are behind schedule and remain critical to medium-term growth.
REPORT
International Crisis Group’s monthly Libya Watch List update for March 2026, tracking political deadlock, the Sharara and El Feel oil disruptions, and escalating risk of renewed conflict between rival factions amid competition over oil revenues.
REPORT
UNHCR Chad: Core Sudan Emergency Situation
UNHCR situation report on the Sudan emergency in Chad, covering fresh refugee arrivals, protection needs including for survivors of sexual violence, and humanitarian response capacity constraints as Sudan’s conflict continues to drive cross-border displacement.
Upcoming Events
Key briefings and conferences to watch.
The World Bank’s MENA Economic Update: Jobs and Women: Untapped Talent, Unrealized Growth
Watch Jesica Torres, Senior Economist at the office of the Chief Economist for the Middle East and North Africa at the World Bank, speaking at the online seminar on “The World Bank’s MENA Economic Update: Jobs and Women: Untapped Talent, Unrealized Growth”.
The Age of Africa 2026
The Age of Africa Annual Symposium at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy is a leading forum for critical analysis and strategic deliberation, dedicated to examining Africa’s central role in shaping the twenty-first century.
LandAc Annual Conference 2026
Announcement for the 2026 conference of the Land Governance research program, covering land rights, tenure security, and governance in developing regions.
Book Launch Conference : the Oxford Handbook of the Moroccan Economy
Launch event in April in Rabat for the Oxford Handbook of the Moroccan Economy, hosted by the Policy Center for the New South.
Tune In
Hear the latest insights from regional experts.
WEBINAR
A Conversation with H.E. Ambassador Sékou Berthe: Mali’s Strategic Outlook
The Stimson Center hosted a public fireside chat with Ambassador Sékou Berthe, Ambassador of Mali to the United States on Mali’s political transition, security challenges, regional diplomacy, and US–Mali relations.
WEBINAR
Libya’s Economic Future: A Conversation with Jonathan Winer
The Stimson Center hosted a discussion with Jonathan M. Winer, former U.S. Special Envoy for Libya, examining the structural challenges shaping Libya’s economic future and investment climate.
WEBINAR
The IETA Africa Webinar is a quarterly virtual roundtable that brings together private sector stakeholders, from across Africa’s carbon markets, to share information on policy and regulatory updates, industry initiatives, experiences and lessons learned, advocacy efforts and collaborative opportunities.
VIDEO REPORT
“The Sahel Is No Longer Fooled,” Niger Civil Society Leader Says
Al Jazeera video interview with a Niger civil society figure arguing that Sahelian populations are growing disillusioned with both Western partners and Russian-backed juntas and are developing independent political analysis of their situation rather than accepting either narrative.
PODCAST
The Great Divide: Escalating Rivalry and Regional Security in the Maghreb, with Amine Ayoub
Middle East Forum podcast examining the deepening Morocco-Algeria rivalry, its security implications for the Maghreb, and how the Iran war is reshaping the regional balance of power.
PODCAST
International Centre for Dialogue Initiatives podcast series on Mediterranean and MENA diplomacy.
PODCAST
Contemporary Islamist Opposition in Morocco: Resisting Inclusion and Moderation
Oxford University podcast examining how Islamist opposition movements in Morocco navigate the tension between integration into formal political structures and maintaining ideological independence.
Job Opportunities
Career moves, fellowships, and calls for applications—all in one place.
Moroccan Association of Public Policies
Call for Papers
Announces the Call for Proposals for the 2nd International Conference on Governance and Public Action, to be held on April 14–15, 2026, at the Faculty of Law, Economics and Social Sciences Agdal, Mohammed V University of Rabat.
Values for Impact
Call for Papers
Under the theme Solidarity, Authenticity, and Prosperity, the conference will convene scholars, policymakers, regulators, and industry professionals to discuss how Islamic finance can promote solidarity-oriented and inclusive entrepreneurship, support authenticity through stronger real-economy linkages, and enable prosperity via trustworthy digital and AI-enabled financial services, while welcoming comparative perspectives on ethical and values-based finance.
EBRD
Principal Banker (Cairo, Egypt)
Senior banker position at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in Cairo.
ACEP Africa
About the Africa Climate Academy
Africa Climate Academy is an educational platform designed to foster a paradigm shift in the understanding and discourse surrounding climate change, energy transition, and its implications for Africa. This one-week programme targets policymakers, media professionals, civil society leaders, and academia, providing them with new perspectives on the risks associated with oil dependence and the abundant opportunities offered by sustainable energy alternatives.
The International Organization for Migration
Project Associate (Cairo, Egypt)
The International Organization for Migration Egypt is hiring a Project Associate (Joint Platform) to support programme coordination and project implementation at the Country Office in Cairo.
The Hague Academy
Shiraka Scholarship
Information on the Shiraka scholarship program at The Hague Academy of International Law, providing funding for participants from Arab Spring countries to attend courses in international law.
United Nations Industrial Development
Market Researcher
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is seeking experienced, qualified market research service providers. We are specifically looking for professionals who can design and conduct comprehensive market research tailored to Egypt’s unique market landscape.
Medecins Sans Frontieres
Consultant for Integrated Nutrition Grant Delivery
MSF UK is seeking Consultants to establish and maintain effective ways of working across public health, operations, supply, logistics and finance systems to ensure optimal results for the communities served by MSF, in full compliance with internal and external reporting requirements.
Finca Ventures Prize Competition
Call for Applications
The 2026 call invites impact entrepreneurs to apply by April 10 for programs supporting innovative fintech solutions that expand financial inclusion for underserved populations.
St. Andrew’s Refugee Services
Deputy Director, Refugee Legal Aid Program (Cairo, Egypt)
Under the supervision of the Director of Refugee Legal Aid Program, the Deputy Director supports management of program services implementation focused on legal advice and representation to urban refugees in matters of refugee status determination, protection, and resettlement.
Plan International
Education Emergencies Specialist
Plan International is looking for an experienced Education in Emergencies Specialist to lead quality, safe and inclusive education programs for crisis affected children and adolescents in Tchad.
Embassy of Ireland in Cairo
Regional Arts Coordinator
Seeking to recruit a Regional Arts & Cultural Coordinator to promote Ireland in The Middle East and North Africa.
