Burkina Faso’s interim leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, has sparked controversy by dismissing democracy as a pathway to national development, claiming no country has achieved progress through democratic governance.
Speaking at a recent flag-raising ceremony at the Koulouba Palace, Traoré asserted that the notion of democracy as a prerequisite for development is false. “It is impossible to name a country that has developed in democracy. Democracy is only the result,” he stated.
Traoré clarified that Burkina Faso is currently undergoing a “popular, progressive revolution,” and that the concept of democracy is not applicable to the nation’s current state. “If we have to say it loud and clear here, we are not in a democracy, we are in a popular, progressive revolution,” he declared.
He further elaborated on his stance, arguing that unrestrained freedom of speech and action leads to societal disorder. “As much as you think you are free to speak and act, the other is also free to speak and act, and there we end up with a society of disorder,” Traoré said.
The 37-year-old military leader, who assumed power following the September 2022 coup that ousted interim president Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, has positioned his government as a revolutionary force focused on national transformation, explicitly rejecting democratic principles.
Traoré’s comments are likely to draw international scrutiny and raise concerns about the future of democratic governance in Burkina Faso.

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has departed Abuja for Dakar, Senegal, to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the country’s 65th Independence Day Anniversary celebrations.Senegal celebrates its Independence Day on April 4 each year, commemorating its freedom from French colonial rule in 1960. The day is marked by national pride, with ceremonies, parades and cultural events.

The Vice President’s attendance at the annual event is in honour of an invitation extended to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by the Senegalese President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, following the strong mutual relationship between Nigeria and Senegal.

Stanley Nkwocha Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications (Office of The Vice President) in a statement said the Independence Day celebrations will be held at the Place de la Nation in Dakar, with President Faye playing host to Vice President Shettima and other distinguished guests from across Africa and beyond. The Vice President is expected to return to Nigeria on Friday after the one-day event.

••Pay TV Giant’s Subscriber Base Plummets from Over 23 Million to 19.3 Million.

MultiChoice, Africa’s biggest pay TV company, is facing ongoing challenges that have led to a significant drop in subscribers and earnings. The company, which operates DStv, has seen its subscriber base shrink from over 23 million to 19.3 million in less than two years. This decline comes amidst a tough economic climate, with households feeling the pinch of a cost-of-living crisis. Many families have cut back on entertainment spending, while rising inflation has increased MultiChoice’s operating costs across its 50 markets. Additionally, changing consumer habits, with a shift towards gaming and social media, have added pressure on the business.

The company recently shared an update highlighting that the cost-of-living crisis, combined with high inflation and interest rates in many regions, continues to impact its performance. This is expected to negatively affect its financial results for the year ending March 2025. Despite returning to a positive equity position, MultiChoice is focusing on preserving capital due to the challenging environment. At the halfway point of the year, the company reported a drastic fall in annual profit, dropping from R1.5 billion to just R7 million, largely due to foreign exchange volatility and broader economic issues. Subscriber numbers, measured on a 90-day active basis, fell by 11% to 19.3 million, with South Africa alone losing 400,000 customers, particularly in the premium segment.

On the revenue front, MultiChoice saw a 4% increase to R25.4 billion on an organic basis, driven by price hikes and new product growth. However, when accounting for foreign exchange pressures and a stronger rand, reported revenue dropped by 10%. The company also cautioned that dividends for Phuthuma Nathi shareholders, who own 25% of MultiChoice SA through a successful BEE scheme, are likely to be much lower this year. Meanwhile, MultiChoice is navigating a takeover bid from French broadcaster Canal+, which owns over a third of the company and aims to buy the rest at R125 per share. The deal’s completion has been delayed to October due to regulatory hurdles.

By Anastasia John E.

Billionaire Aliko Dangote has experienced a remarkable surge in wealth, with his net worth soaring to $23.9 billion, according to Forbes. This achievement secures his position as the richest person in Africa and the 86th richest globally.

In 2024, Forbes had previously ranked Dangote as the 144th richest individual in the world, with a net worth of $13.4 billion.

Forbes attributes Dangote’s substantial wealth primarily to his 92.3% ownership stake in Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals. At 67 years old, he has re-entered the top 100 richest individuals worldwide—a status he has not held since 2018, as per the Forbes Real-Time Billionaires List.

Dangote’s wealth places him well ahead of South African businessman Johann Rupert, who ranks 161st globally with an estimated net worth of $14.4 billion, and significantly above Nigeria’s second richest individual, Mike Adenuga, who is 481st in the world with a net worth of $6.8 billion.

He has made waves in the oil industry by breaking the government’s oil monopoly with the construction of Africa’s largest petroleum refinery. After 11 years of investment totaling $23 billion and overcoming numerous challenges, the Dangote Refinery commenced operations last year.

Situated on a sprawling 6,200-acre site in the Lekki Free Zone, the refinery is designed to process an impressive 650,000 barrels per day at full capacity, making it the seventh-largest refinery in the world and the largest in Africa. Additionally, the adjacent petrochemical complex boasts an annual production capacity of 3 million metric tons of urea, establishing it as Africa’s leading fertilizer producer.