The plan to build a naval base in Port-Gentil, as agreed by Beijing and Ali Bongo in 2023, has stalled. But Gabon's transitional president Oligui Nguema is cultivating deliberate ambiguity about the project's future, much to Washington's displeasure.
An Emirati trader's shipment of fertiliser is on its way to Rivers State, despite the fact that the amount of the invoice had been rejected by the import supervisory authority. The move could deal a severe blow to Abuja's centralised purchasing process.
The German ambassador in Mali, viewed by some counterparts in Bamako as too conciliatory towards the junta, is to stay on for an extra year. Germany is meanwhile campaigning for the appointment of a new EU representative in the Malian capital.
The veteran politician has tasked a small group of heavy-hitting loyalists with winning over as many countries as possible to his bid to take the helm of the African Union's executive arm. Nairobi has also seconded several seasoned diplomats to the cause.
Russia is trying to boost cooperation in the medical sector with Uganda, which is on the outs with Western countries and looking for new partners. It is also looking to step up collaboration in the nuclear and space sectors.
Madagascar's state coffers are running low, but the president has nevertheless pledged to settle the debts that the national utility company owes to the multimillionaire boss of Axian Energy. Africa Intelligence reveals the contents of this confidential agreement.
Behind the Dubai-based company is a Chinese firm with the same name, operating its first contract in Libya. It is aiming to establish a foothold in the country as the NOC seeks to increase the number of wells in its concessions.
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune is hoping to see a resurgence of Algerian film production, which last enjoyed a golden age in the 1970s. But while his wish has generated support for major initiatives in cinema, the sector remains under tight surveillance.