France seal second World Cup triumph with a convincing 4-2 win over Croatia in a thrilling final. As exciting as Russia 2018, it’s a miserable World Cup for Africa’s representatives, with none of its flagbearers making it out of the group stages.  What went wrong for them at the 2018 World Cup? Our Contributing Editor, Michael Nnaji examines their shortcomings …

The Nigerian-German band BANTU is touring Germany. The 5-city tour begins in Hagen on 18 July and will end in Cologne four days later. The other cities where the band will perform are Recklinghausen, Muelheim a.d. Ruhr and Bochum. The shows, according to band founder and front man Adé Bantu, will feature the complete members of the group, promising “a …

Cameroon’s president, one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders, says he will run again in October’s election. The 85-year-old President Paul Biya, who has been in power since 1982, has announced that he will be a candidate in the 7 October presidential election that would, if he wins, extend his 35-year-rule. Biya tweeted in French and in English on Friday: “I am …

In the run-up to Nigeria’s next general polls in 2019, the country’s political parties have started building alliances to fight an electoral battle that many analysts are already dubbing a watershed in the country’s democratic experience. Twenty-four hours after a group of 38 parties, led by the biggest opposition party People’s Democratic Party (PDP), announced the formation of the Coalition …

Universal Music Africa opens new division in Côte d’Ivoire, kicking off an expansion of live music activity throughout the continent in partnership with Vivendi and CanalOlympia. Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, has announced a significant expansion in French-speaking Africa, with the launch of a new strategic division in the regional market with a focus on …

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has opened the first phase of the country’s first metro-rail service in the capital Abuja – some eleven years after the project was initiated. Abuja Rail Mass Transit, commonly known as Abuja Light Rail, is a commuter rail transport system in the Federal Capital Territory. The first phase of the Abuja light rail system has two …

The Munich state court ruling marks the end of one of the most important trials in Germany's postwar history. It was also one of the most complex, covering five years — more than 430 trial days — and featuring the testimonies of around 600 witnesses. Nine of the NSU's victims were of immigrant background; the tenth was a police officer.

Nigerians in the Diaspora will converge on the British capital on 26-28 July to mark this year’s Diaspora Day, the first time the annual event will be held outside Nigeria. According to Hon. Kenneth Gbandi, Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe (NIDOE), many important personalities from the worlds of politics, business and academia in Nigeria have confirmed their attendance at …

Alternative for Germany (German: Alternative für Deutschland, AfD), a right-wing to far-right political party in Germany, has overtaken the Social Democratic Party (SPD), according to an opinion poll conducted by INSA. The survey of potential voters published by the mass circulating tabloid Bild on Monday gave the centre-left Social Democrats 17 per cent of the vote, with the AfD taking …

The African Union (AU) has described the normalization of relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea as a boost for peace and security in the Horn of Africa region and on the continent as a whole. The AU’s view is also shared by the European Union (EU). Both blocs issued statements on Monday congratulating leaders of Ethiopia and Eritrea – Prime Minister …

French President Emmanuel Macron offered a bold and new vision of France’s relationship with Africa, speaking at an exclusive session hosted by the Tony Elumelu Foundation in Lagos during his visit to Lagos last week. He passionately advocated a new partnership, prioritizing the role of entrepreneurship in driving Africa’s renaissance, highlighting the importance of the private sector and most importantly …

The third edition of the Nigerian Cultural Festival /Adire Carnival took place in the historic city of Vienna on 29-30 June. The event showcases the rich Nigerian cultural heritage and promotes the country’s tourism potential. It also helps to foster the friendly relationship between Nigeria and Austria. The event started with the African drums exhibition on Friday, the 29th of …

Thousands of people took part in demonstrations across Germany on Saturday to show their support for NGOs rescuing refugees in the Mediterranean Sea. NGOs have come under increasing political pressure and been blocked from docking in several European countries. Thousands of people took part in protests in several German cities, including Berlin, Hamburg, Hanover, Bremen, Munich and Ulm. Organizers said …

Italy has handed sea rescue mission responsibility to Libya’s coast guard in an effort to stop migrants reaching Europe. Critics argue the move violates international law and that Libyan authorities are ill-prepared. Bernd Riegert reports. At the recent EU summit one week ago, European leaders once again agreed to protect the bloc’s exterior borders from migrants entering illegally. That meant, …

The UN agency for migration IOM has reported that up to 10,000 migrants are detained in dire conditions in Libya. Over 10,000 migrants who were rescued or apprehended by Libyan coast guards are detained in 20 centres in extreme living conditions due to overcrowding and a heat wave with temperatures reaching over 40 degrees Celsius, Christine Petré, IOM’s spokeswoman for …

Femi Kuti, Afrobeat musician and son of music legend Fela, alongside dance hall singer Yemi Alade thrilled French President Emmanuel Macron and guests at the New Afrika Shrine on Tuesday. Macron, who visited the Shrine to inaugurate the African Cultural Season to be hosted in France in 2020, is believed to be the first head of state to enter the music …

In pursuant of its strategic objectives and core values, Nigerians in Diaspora Organization Europe (NIDOE) has finalized arrangements to commence the pre-enrolment of Nigerians in Europe in the National Identity Database. The pre-enrolment is to ensure that all Diaspora Nigerians are well documented in the National Identity Management System (NIMS) of the Federal Government of Nigeria. The National Identity Management …

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has signed a new five-year contract with the club. The 26-year-old Egypt international joined the Reds for £34m from Roma last summer and has scored 44 goals in 52 appearances for the club. The financial terms were not disclosed.  “I’m very happy to say I have signed a new contract with the club,” he said. “My …

Chancellor Angela Merkel and Bavarian conservative leader Horst Seehofer have reached a deal on migrant policy that could save the governing coalition. But will the Social Democrats accept the deal? Jefferson Chase/DW reports from Berlin. After plenty of political twists and turns over the past few days and weeks, Chancellor Angela Merkel has achieved a last-ditch agreement to end the …

The Dortmund-based AfricanTide Union e.V. has opened its first branch office.  Since 15 June, there is now the opportunity to exchange and develop joint projects in the Gutruf Haus in the immediate vicinity of the Alster in Hamburg. “We are happy to be in Hamburg now. Together with local stakeholders, we want to implement our successfully tested programmes for promoting integration and …