Category: English

Posted on

Social Grant beneficiaries urged to switch to Black Cards before deadline

Source: Government of South Africa

Social Grant beneficiaries urged to switch to Black Cards before deadline

Postbank has reminded all social grant beneficiaries currently using South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) Gold Cards to urgently replace them with the new Postbank Black Cards before the 31 August 2026 deadline. 

In a statement on Wednesday, Postbank said there was only two grant payment months left before SASSA Gold Cards stop working, and beneficiaries are encouraged not to wait until the last minute as delays and long queues may occur closer to the deadline date. 

Failure to replace the SASSA Gold Cards before the deadline may result in beneficiaries being unable to access their social grant payments using the old cards. 

Postbank has warned that the deadline to replace SASSA Gold Cards will not be extended. 

“The window period for replacing SASSA Gold Cards is closing fast and we are concerned that many beneficiaries may think that they still have sufficient time, or the period will be extended. 

“Anyone without a Black Card after the deadline will need to first obtain a new card before they can access payments,” Postbank Chief Commercial Officer, Thami Cele, said. 

Cele said that Postbank is making a special appeal to social grant beneficiaries to get their new cards while there is still time. 

The replacement process is free of charge and can be completed at designated Postbank service points in participating retail outlets nationwide. 

The agency reminded beneficiaries that:

  • The replacement of SASSA Gold Cards with Postbank Black Cards is free of charge. 
  • Existing Gold Cards will no longer function after the deadline. 
  • Beneficiaries must carry a valid ID or temporary ID when collecting the new card. 
  • Black Cards can be collected from any Postbank site inside selected retailers that include Shoprite, Checkers, Usave, Pick n Pay, Boxer and Spar stores. Dial *120*355# to locate a nearby card collection site. 
  • Cards can be collected from any province, even if that is not the province in which a person’s SASSA grant got approved. 
  • Postbank Black Cards work immediately upon issue, and there is no need to go to a SASSA office once you have received your new card. Any funds balance currently in a customer’s Gold Card will automatically be reflected. 
  • Beneficiaries are urged to remain vigilant against scams and ensure that the Black Card they are being offered is written Postbank in the front. If it’s not written Postbank, then it is a scam. 
  • No forms are required and if you are asked to complete, or sign any form, the card is not a Postbank Black Card. Don’t accept it, and call Postbank’s toll-free number for help. 

Beneficiaries may contact Postbank on 0800 5354 55 for more information. 

Postbank said it remains committed to ensuring that beneficiaries continue receiving their grants safely, securely, and without interruption. – SAnews.gov.za

 

DikelediM

0

Posted on

Hon. Senator Heineken Lokpobiri to Speak at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 as Nigeria Posts Record $18.2B Investment Surge

Source: APO


.

Hon. Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Federal Republic of Nigeria, has been confirmed as a featured speaker at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026, where he is expected to outline Nigeria’s accelerating upstream transformation and its expanding role as one of Africa’s leading oil and gas investment destinations.

Nigeria’s energy sector has recorded one of its strongest investment cycles in a decade, driven by regulatory reforms under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), improved fiscal incentives and renewed confidence from international oil companies (IOCs) and indigenous operators.

In 2025 alone, Nigeria approved 28 new Field Development Plans valued at $18.2 billion, unlocking an estimated 1.4 billion barrels of crude oil reserves, according to government disclosures. These approvals mark a decisive shift toward accelerating project execution timelines and reversing years of stalled upstream development.

Lokpobiri has consistently credited this momentum to reforms under the PIA, alongside faster licensing processes and investment-friendly fiscal adjustments. Speaking in Abuja earlier this year, he noted that Nigeria secured four of seven major Final Investment Decisions in Africa between 2024 and 2025, positioning the country as a leading upstream investment hub on the continent.

A central pillar of this resurgence is Shell’s Bonga deepwater complex, where the company has taken a $5 billion final investment decision on the Bonga North project, a subsea tie-back expected to add over 300 million barrels of recoverable resources and significantly boost long-term output from the FPSO hub. The development is widely viewed as a benchmark for Nigeria’s renewed deepwater competitiveness.

Meanwhile, ExxonMobil’s planned investment in the Usan deepwater oil field is expected to inject up to $1.5 billion between 2025 and 2027, supporting production revitalization through new drilling and infrastructure upgrades.

Alongside IOC-led expansion, Nigeria’s indigenous producers are increasingly central to near-term output growth, with Heirs Energies targeting up to 100,000 barrels per day as it ramps up development across its onshore Niger Delta portfolio, including OML 17. This momentum is complemented by Seplat Energy’s optimization of its expanded onshore portfolio following the ExxonMobil acquisition, reinforcing the growing role of local operators in stabilising production and driving Nigeria’s short-term output gains.

Lokpobiri is also expected to highlight Nigeria’s broader energy transition framework at AEW 2026, which seeks to balance oil production growth with gas monetization, domestic refining expansion and increased local content participation. His policy messaging has consistently emphasized that Nigeria’s oil and gas sector is structured to accommodate both IOCs and a growing base of indigenous operators.

“Nigeria is once again proving what is possible when policy meets execution,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. “Under leaders like Heineken Lokpobiri, we are seeing renewed seriousness about production, investment and getting projects across the line – from deepwater developments to indigenous-led growth. This is exactly the kind of momentum Africa needs: not promises, but barrels, projects, and bankable deals.”

As AEW 2026 prepares to convene policymakers, investors, and operators from across Africa and beyond, Lokpobiri’s address is expected to serve as one of the defining policy moments of the conference – spotlighting Nigeria’s resurgence at the center of Africa’s upstream growth story and its ambition to convert recent investment momentum into sustained production gains.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Posted on

SunTrust Atlantic Energies Brings Niger Delta Expansion Strategy to African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 as Gold Sponsor

Source: APO


.

Nigeria-based SunTrust Atlantic Energies will participate at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 as a Gold Sponsor, reinforcing the company’s growing profile as one of the Niger Delta’s most active indigenous upstream operators. Scheduled for October 12–16 in Cape Town, the event is set to provide SunTrust Atlantic with a platform to showcase its drilling campaign, infrastructure strategy and regional growth ambitions across West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea.

Having emerged as Africa’s premier energy investment event, AEW 2026 will convene operators, financiers, policymakers and service companies to advance project development and energy access across the continent. SunTrust Atlantic’s participation comes as Nigerian independents increasingly leverage the fiscal incentives introduced under the Petroleum Industry Act to expand services, accelerate production and strengthen local infrastructure ownership in mature onshore basins.

SunTrust Atlantic has accelerated upstream activity through a multi-year drilling campaign centered on the Umusadege field in OML 56, onshore Delta State. In February last year, the company and joint-venture partner Midwestern Oil & Gas commenced drilling operations on the Umu-C2 development well, targeting deeper untapped reservoirs to offset natural production decline across mature zones of the field.

The Umu-C2 well was designed as a slightly deviated development well targeting all primary oil-bearing sands within the Umusadege Central culmination. Planned to reach a total depth of 10,859 feet, the well forms part of a broader redevelopment strategy launched in 2024 to sustain production efficiency and improve long-term reservoir recovery across the structurally complex onshore asset.

SunTrust Atlantic currently maintains a baseline production average of approximately 10,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd) from the Umusadege field through 20 production strings across 17 active wells. Since commercial production commenced, the field has produced more than 54.1 million barrels of crude oil. The asset contains 13 known multi-horizon hydrocarbon reservoirs requiring intensive seismic interpretation and directional drilling programs.

Alongside OML 56, SunTrust Atlantic is advancing development of the Egbolom field under the petroleum prospecting license 202, securing during Nigeria’s 2020 marginal field bid round. The company holds a 35.82% participating interest in the asset, which was carved out of the former OML 23 block. The field is estimated to contain 220 million barrels of stock take oil initially in place and approximately 85 million barrels of recoverable 2P reserves.

The company’s infrastructure pipeline position remains a major differentiator among Niger Delta independents. SunTrust co-owns the 51.4-km Umugini Pipeline, a 12-inch crude excavation line with a nameplate capacity of 100,000 bpd. The pipeline links the Umusadege field to Shell Nigeria’s trunkline network at Eriemu, allowing crude evacuation through both the Forcados and Brass export terminals under dual-terminal agreements.

“SunTrust Atlantic Energies’ participation at African Energy Week 2026 reflects the growing strength and ambition of indigenous Nigerian operators driving the continent’s upstream expansion. Their continued investment in production growth, infrastructure ownership and redevelopment demonstrates exactly the type of African-led energy development that AEW was created to champion,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber.

Looking ahead, SunTrust Atlantic is positioning itself to capitalize on Nigeria’s revised fiscal framework under the Petroleum Industry Act, which offers royalty and tax incentives for marginal field operators. The company plans to transition Egbolom from a processing license into a long-term petroleum mining license while utilizing cash flow from Umusadege production and existing evacuation infrastructure to support future drilling, flow station expansion and regional asset optimization initiatives.

Orama going to chair the energy finance track on the energy finance summit at AEW.

Acme – company created by Afrexim– Orama is the chairman of Acme. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Posted on

Botswana Deepens Angola Partnership as Minister Bogolo Kenewendo Joins Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2026

Source: APO


.

Bogolo Kenewendo, Minister of Minerals and Energy of Botswana, has joined the upcoming Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2026 Conference and Exhibition, taking place September 9-10 in Luanda with a pre-conference day scheduled for September 8. Her participation comes as the two countries expand bilateral cooperation across refining, fuel security and mineral development, reflecting a broader regional push toward integrated African energy and mining value chains.

As a landlocked and import-reliant economy, Botswana has increasingly prioritized long-term fuel security through regional infrastructure partnerships. Angola’s refining ambitions – anchored by the Lobito refinery project – have emerged as a strategic opportunity as the country seeks to diversify supply routes and reduce exposure to external fuel market volatility. In April 2026, Minister Kenewendo visited the construction site of the refinery alongside her Angolan counterpart Diamantino Azevedo. The parties discussed a possible strategic partnership in oil refining and investment in the facility.

Currently under development in Benguela, the Lobito Refinery will be Angola’s third facility once operations commence in 2027. With a capacity of 200,000 barrels per day, it will also be the country’s largest, providing a much-needed boost to domestic refining. While construction is commencing, Angola is currently seeking $4.8 billion in investment to fill the financing gap for the facility, highlighting a strategic opportunity for regional neighboring seeking alternative fuel supplies.

Beyond refining, Botswana and Angola have taken steps to strengthen cooperation within the mineral industry. As Africa’s biggest diamond producers, the countries face similar challenges, including the rise of lab-grown alternatives. Both countries are also vying for a stake in De Beers and have recently joined the World Federation of Diamond Bourses as National Affiliate members, signaling a new phase in southern Africa’s push to integrate more deeply into the global diamond trading ecosystem. These moves following a meeting held between the ministers in November 2025. Minister Azevedo travelled to Botswana to engage in discussions on mineral cooperation.

Against this backdrop, AOG 2026 will serve as a critical platform to advance dialogue and cooperation between Angola and Botswana. The conference has increasingly evolved beyond a traditional oil and gas event, positioning itself as a broader platform for discussions around regional infrastructure, refining, mining, energy security and industrial development.

Minister Kenewendo’s participation underscores the growing convergence between the energy and mining sectors across Southern Africa, particularly as countries pursue integrated strategies focused on industrialization, supply chain security and intra-African trade. As Angola and Botswana deepen cooperation across refining and minerals, the event provides an opportunity to translate bilateral discussions into commercially viable regional initiatives that strengthen long-term energy and industrial resilience across Southern Africa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

Posted on

KZN Finance encourages Public-Private Partnership approach for Ugu water project

Source: Government of South Africa

KZN Finance encourages Public-Private Partnership approach for Ugu water project

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Finance Francois Rodgers has urged the Ugu District Municipality to consider adopting a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model for the proposed Cwabeni Bulk Water Supply Upgrade Project.

In a letter addressed to Ugu District Mayor, Sikhumbuzo Mqadi, Rodgers underscored the strategic importance of the project in strengthening water infrastructure and improving service delivery across the district.

The proposed Cwabeni Bulk Water Supply Upgrade Project is aimed at improving bulk water supply capacity in the district. Once implemented, the project is expected to improve reliable access to water for communities, support local economic development, and contribute to sustainable long-term service delivery.

Rodgers described the Ugu District Municipality as a vital partner within the local government sphere in advancing infrastructure development that directly benefits communities.

“Public-Private Partnerships allow us to bring together public oversight and private-sector expertise to fast-track delivery. For the people of Ugu, this means improved access to reliable water, better infrastructure, and services delivered in an efficient and sustainable manner,” Rodgers said.

He added that PPPs play a critical role in building a capable and ethical state by strengthening accountability, improving performance, and ensuring value for money in public infrastructure investments. – SAnews.gov.za
 

GabiK

0

Posted on

Minister welcomes increase in tourist arrivals

Source: Government of South Africa

Minister welcomes increase in tourist arrivals

Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has welcomed the increase in international tourism arrivals in the month of April 2026 which is the highest increase the country has seen since the start of the year.

“This is our highest monthly year-on-year increase since the start of the year. This means that despite the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has led to global flight disruptions and ticket fare price increases South Africa has not only defended its markets but has also grown in some regions, “Minister de Lille said on Wednesday.

According to Statics South Africa’s monthly International Tourism Report, which was released on Wednesday, the month of April recorded 989 329 tourist arrivals marking a 19.5% increase when compared to the same period last year.

Inbound travel from Singapore increased by 70.5% (938 arrivals) in April 2026 while arrivals from Brazil increased by 37.5% (5 953 arrivals).

The total number of arrivals from January 2026 to April 2026 increased by 14.1% year-on-year, to 3 899 358. This is an additional 482 935 increase in international arrivals when compared to Jan-April 2025.

The Minister said that in July Brazilian carrier LATAM airline will launch three weekly direct flights between São Paulo and Cape Town. 

“The airline was initially scheduled to launch these flights in September but has brough the date forward due to increased demand. Meanwhile, on 24 June 2026 Spanish carrier, Air Europa will launch its inaugural direct flight between Madrid and Johannesburg,” said the Minister.

According to the report, overseas tourists constituted 18.4% (181 796) of all tourists. –SAnews.gov.za

 

Edwin

7

Posted on

Marion Island overwintering team returns to SA

Source: Government of South Africa

Marion Island overwintering team returns to SA

The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Willie Aucamp, has welcomed the 2025/26 Marion Island overwintering team back to South Africa, after his instruction for their urgent evacuation after delays affecting the departure of the SA Agulhas II relief voyage. 

The team comprises experts from various disciplines, including meteorology, engineering, medicine, and communications. Each member plays a crucial role in ensuring the success of South Africa’s Antarctic research programme. 

“While the temporary closure of the base is unfortunate following the emergency evacuation, my team and I felt it was important to prioritise the safety and well-being of our people. That is why I ordered the evacuation and it was worth it,” Aucamp said on Wednesday.

The delays were caused by the unavailability of crucial fuel products that are blended with normal diesel and used to produce the special polar diesel required to keep the base running in extremely low outside temperatures that would otherwise crystallise normal diesel. 

The vessel was authorised to sail on “Ice Mode”, which is the use of maximum speed to reach Marion Island as quickly as possible. 

Owing to the importance of the research and environmental management programmes being undertaken at the base, Minister Aucamp has confirmed that the department is working hard to get the base back up and running, with a full team and adequate supplies. 

It is hoped that this can be achieved within two to three weeks, depending on a couple of factors, including safe weather conditions that allow helicopter operations at the base.

During the engagement with the team, the Minister thanked the overwintering team and their families for their patience and support during the past couple of weeks, after which he and the Director-General, Nomfundo Tshabalala, handed out certificates to the whole team.

“Now that we have secured the well-being of our people, we will work to restart the systems at the base, undertake repairs, restock the food and fuel supplies, while also initiating various interventions to mitigate against future risks during all voyages to the three South African remote scientific bases,” the Minister said.

To start with, the department has secured an 18-month supply of polar diesel so that the base has a sufficient contingency of fuel. 

“We are also looking into the procurement of a large fuel depot facility where this polar fuel could be stored, not only for our own use, but also for the potential use of other countries that operate polar bases. 

“South Africa remains committed to its Antarctic and sub-Antarctic research programme, which contributes significantly to climate science, biodiversity conservation, oceanographic research, and global environmental monitoring,” the Minister said. –SAnews.gov.za

nosihle

8

Posted on

Qatar Affirms Commitment to UN Charter, Calls for Ending Ongoing Breaches

Source: Government of Qatar

New York, May 27, 2026

The State of Qatar has underscored that it is thoroughly committed to the United Nations Charter and called for ending the persistent breaches of this Charter.

Qatar pointed out that it will steadfastly continue its efforts, as well as its regional and international partnerships, to reinforce the UN-centric, Charter-based international order.

This was declared in the State of Qatar’s statement delivered by HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani before the High-level Open Debate: Upholding the UN Charter and Strengthening the UN-Centred International System, convened at the UN headquarters in New York.

The UN Charter, whose pillars had been established by the end of WWII, has never been merely a legal document on a single day, but rather a moral treaty based on an enduring pledge to keep the scourge of wars at bay, Her Excellency underlined.

She noted that the Charter-based international order is currently facing unprecedented challenges demonstrated in the egregious attacks on the sovereignty of nations and their territorial integrity.

These assaults erode the UN’s credibility and create a sorely needed credible political will that confirms commitment to this Charter and strengthens plurality through the United Nations, she continued.

Her Excellency further clarified that the current global challenges require a collective international response that aligns with the purposes of the Charter and the founding objectives of the United Nations.

In this regard, Sheikha Alya stressed the importance of the thorough implementation of the Charter principles, indicating that it is essential to avoid selectivity when it comes to interpreting the Charter’s provisions.

In addition, Her Excellency highlighted the principle of equality in sovereignty among nations, emphasizing that the use of force or the threat of using it must be prohibited, especially amid the current conditions that mark flagrant violations of international law and international humanitarian law.

The State of Qatar recognizes that it is critical for the UN to remain the pivotal framework of the existing international order, the Representative underlined, adding that the State of Qatar stresses the need to accelerate the UN system overhaul to have a more inclusive and effective international order that fits the challenges of the twenty-first century, while strengthening the United Nations financially, in human resources, and institutionally to fulfill its mandate.

Her Excellency focused on the importance of investing in the conflict-prevention system and addressing the root causes of these conflicts through backing mediation and preventive diplomatic dialogue mechanisms in alignment with the Charter’s objectives, as well as the relevant UN resolutions.

The Qatari Representative recalled that the State of Qatar touts its prominent role in the areas of mediation and preventive diplomacy as core pillars in its foreign policy. 

She pointed out that Qatar has distinguished itself as a strategic partner of the UN and a trusted international mediator, whose efforts encompassed the facilitation of ceasefire agreements, prisoner exchanges, conflict resolution, and peace accords across various continents.

In this context, Her Excellency reiterated that the State of Qatar is grateful for the ongoing Pakistan-led mediation between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran and backs these efforts.

She confirmed that the State of Qatar fully supports these mediation efforts for de-escalation, which ultimately help boost peace and stability in the region. 

Posted on

Bafana Bafana have “the nation behind them”

Source: Government of South Africa

Bafana Bafana have “the nation behind them”

President Cyril Ramaphosa says Bafana Bafana will carry the hopes and dreams of the nation with them as they head to the FIFA World Cup, which will be held in Mexico, the United States of America, and Canada from next month.

The President said this on Wednesday night during a send-off dinner for the men’s national football squad and the announcement of the final 26-man team by Bafana Bafana Head Coach, Hugo Broos.

President Ramaphosa assured the team that as they travel to the tournament, they will be wrapped in the support of South Africans nationwide.

“You will carry with you the hopes, the dreams, and the prayers of more than 62 million South Africans. Our people will be with you every step of the way,” said the President.

He said Bafana Bafana were back with belief and purpose. 

“They’re back with courage, and they’re back where they belong among the giants of world football.

“For many years, the people of South Africa have longed for this moment. Through triumphs and disappointments, and through difficult qualifying campaigns and rebuilding seasons, South Africans never stopped believing in this team. 

“We supported you as a team in our homes, in our communities, in our stadiums, and in our hearts. And today, that faith has been rekindled and rewarded,” President Ramaphosa said.

The senior men’s national football team last qualified for the FIFA World Cup in 2002 with the last participation coming via host nation status in 2010.

President Ramaphosa emphasised that qualification alone should not be the end, encouraging the squad to aim for ultimate glory.

“By qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time in more than two decades, you have already written your names into the proud sporting history of our country.

“But fellow South Africans are not satisfied with just qualifying alone. No. We do not want group stages. We do not want early exits. We do not want to hear the words, eliminated or bowing out. We want to see you compete with courage, determination and believe until the very end.

“We want to see you bring that trophy back home,” he urged.

The President acknowledged the rigorous journey the team had travelled to reach this point, having faced strong opposition from the Nigerian, Zimbabwean, Lesotho, Rwandan and Benin national teams for a qualifying berth.

“The road to the World Cup has required resilience, sacrifice, discipline and long-term commitment by everyone.

“It has demanded investment in football development and grassroots structures, in coaching, in clubs, our wonderful clubs that not only win here at home, like Orlando Pirates…and we congratulate them. We also congratulate [Mamelodi] Sundowns who have conquered football on the nation, and they stand, and they sit at the top of the continent,” he said.

He told the team they were not just footballers, but “ambassadors of our democracy, of our resilience and of our national spirit”. 

“The diversity of this squad and the technical team reflects the true character of South Africa. A constitutional democracy founded on dignity, equality, non-racialism and opportunity for all. You represent the very best of who we are as a people,” he said.

Furthermore, their participation is a “rare opportunity” not only for themselves, but for the entire nation.

“History has now presented this generation of Bafana Bafana with a very rare, precious opportunity to rise again and to reclaim South Africa’s place among the elite nations of world football.

“We ask you to do one thing: Seize the moment. This is your moment, but we want you to know that this is also South Africa’s moment. Play with freedom, play with pride of a very proud nation. Play for one another but play for South Africa and its people,” President Ramaphosa concluded.

The Bafana Bafana squad that will take on the world’s best at the 2026 FIFA World Cup are:

  • Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Captain), Ricardo Goss and Sipho Chaine.
  • Defenders: Khuliso Mudau, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Ime Okon, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Khulumani Ndamane, Aubrey Modiba, Samukelo Kabini, Thabang Matuludi, Olwethu Makhanya, Kamogelo Sebelebele and Bradley Cross.
  • Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena, Jayden Adams, Sphephelo Sithole and Thalente Mbatha.
  • Forwards: Oswin Appollis, Iqraam Rayners, Tshepang Moremi, Relebohile Mofokeng, Evidence Makgopa, Themba Zwane, Lyle Foster and Thapelo Maseko.

Bafana Bafana will face Mexico in the tournament opener on 11 June 2026. – SAnews.gov.za

 

NeoB

3

Posted on

Demand for civic space holds strong across Africa as supply of freedoms wanes

Source: APO

Africans broadly express support for their right to join any organisation and for the media’s freedom from censorship and its responsibility to report on government mistakes, the latest Afrobarometer (www.Afrobarometer.org) Pan-Africa Profile (https://apo-opa.co/4vjzCDv) shows.

Yet their experience of these freedoms is highly uneven and, in many contexts, eroding, increasingly constrained by the very governments that are formally committed to protecting them. The new report, based on 50,961 interviews across 38 African countries in 2024/2025, shows that while many citizens say they can associate freely and vote without pressure, only 13 of the countries have majorities who feel “completely” free to say what they think.

Perceived freedom of speech has declined over the past decade, and only a slim majority of Africans consider their media free.

Key findings

  • On average across 38 countries, more than six in 10 Africans (64%) affirm the right to join any organisation of their choice (Figure 1).
    • Clear majorities support media freedom: 65% endorse the media’s right to publish without government control, and 72% say the media should investigate and report on government mistakes and corruption.
  • About two-thirds (65%) of citizens say they feel “somewhat” or “completely” free to say what they think (Figure 2).
    • In 25 of the 38 surveyed countries, fewer than half of citizens feel “completely” free to say what they think. The sense of complete freedom of speech is especially scarce in Eswatini (18%), Togo (15%), Comoros (8%), and Congo-Brazzaville (7%).
    • Across 28 countries surveyed consistently since 2014, assessments of this freedom have declined by 7 percentage points (Figure 3).
  • Strong majorities say they feel “somewhat” or “completely” free to join any political organisation they want (77%) and to vote for their preferred candidate without feeling pressured (86%) (Figure 4).
    • The picture is starkly different in Comoros and Congo-Brazzaville, where citizens report some of the lowest levels of freedom to associate and to vote.
  • A slim majority (53%) see the media in their country as “somewhat” or “completely” free to report without government interference (Figure 5).
    • Perceived media freedom declined significantly in 20 of the 30 countries surveyed consistently between 2019 and 2025.

Afrobarometer surveys

Afrobarometer is a pan-African, nonpartisan survey research network that provides reliable data on African experiences and evaluations of democracy, governance, and quality of life. Ten survey rounds in up to 45 countries have been completed since 1999. Round 10 surveys (2024/2025) cover 38 countries.

Afrobarometer’s National Partners conduct face-to-face interviews with nationally representative samples of adults in the language of the respondent’s choice that yield country-level results with margins of error of +/-2 to +/-3 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afrobarometer.

For more information, please contact:
Daniel Iberi
Communications coordinator for East Africa
Email: diberi@afrobarometer.org
Telephone: +254 725 674 457
Visit us online at www.Afrobarometer.org.

Social Media:
Facebook
LinkedIn
YouTube
Instagram
Whatsapp
Bluesky Social

Follow our releases on #VoicesAfrica

 

Media files

.