Ryan Musser
@ryanmusser.bsky.social
Posts about current events/politics/development in Africa, building better cities, local Washington DC issues, and how biking is the best form of transportation. Live in Ward 8/EOTR. Lover of front porches and #bikeDC.
Check out my Africa starter packs.
Check out my Africa starter packs.
Ugandan private sector has room to grow.
Local firms have won 98% of government contracts but only 59% of the total value. The remaining 41% of value (2% of contracts) went to foreign firms. These firms only used 18% Ugandan goods and services.
www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/busin...
Local firms have won 98% of government contracts but only 59% of the total value. The remaining 41% of value (2% of contracts) went to foreign firms. These firms only used 18% Ugandan goods and services.
www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/busin...
Local firms win 98% of govt contracts but miss out on big-ticket projects
The Private Sector Development (PSD) Programme shows that local service providers secured 29,521 out of 30,176 contracts awarded during the year, representing 98 percent
www.monitor.co.ug
February 12, 2026 at 1:21 PM
Ugandan private sector has room to grow.
Local firms have won 98% of government contracts but only 59% of the total value. The remaining 41% of value (2% of contracts) went to foreign firms. These firms only used 18% Ugandan goods and services.
www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/busin...
Local firms have won 98% of government contracts but only 59% of the total value. The remaining 41% of value (2% of contracts) went to foreign firms. These firms only used 18% Ugandan goods and services.
www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/busin...
For decades tens of thousands of people have lived in homes on stilts above the lagoon in Makoko, one of Africa’s oldest & largest waterfront communities. But to developers & authorities, it’s valuable waterfront property in the hands of some of Lagos’ poorest people
apnews.com/article/nige...
apnews.com/article/nige...
Mass evictions in Lagos displace thousands including baby twins now living in a canoe
A family including baby twins has been forced to live in a wooden canoe after their home in a historic Lagos neighborhood was demolished.
apnews.com
February 1, 2026 at 3:16 PM
For decades tens of thousands of people have lived in homes on stilts above the lagoon in Makoko, one of Africa’s oldest & largest waterfront communities. But to developers & authorities, it’s valuable waterfront property in the hands of some of Lagos’ poorest people
apnews.com/article/nige...
apnews.com/article/nige...
Ethiopia’s new airport in Bishoftu, south of Addis, will have 4x the capacity of its current Bole airport, which is already one of the primary hubs in Africa. The $12.5 billion project will be the largest aviation infrastructure project ever in Africa
www.reuters.com/world/africa...
www.reuters.com/world/africa...
Ethiopia begins $12.5 billion construction of 'Africa's biggest airport'
Ethiopian Airlines is Africa's biggest carrier. It added six extra routes in 2024-25.
www.reuters.com
January 13, 2026 at 6:50 PM
Ethiopia’s new airport in Bishoftu, south of Addis, will have 4x the capacity of its current Bole airport, which is already one of the primary hubs in Africa. The $12.5 billion project will be the largest aviation infrastructure project ever in Africa
www.reuters.com/world/africa...
www.reuters.com/world/africa...
Kenya has paused signing a trade agreement with China after US pressure, as Nairobi weighs protecting access to key US trade benefits like AGOA and its export jobs over deeper economic ties with Beijing.
africa.businessinsider.com/local/market...
africa.businessinsider.com/local/market...
Kenya halts China trade deal following pressure from the US
Kenya has delayed formalizing a trade agreement with China, according to reports citing anonymous sources
africa.businessinsider.com
January 13, 2026 at 3:35 PM
Kenya has paused signing a trade agreement with China after US pressure, as Nairobi weighs protecting access to key US trade benefits like AGOA and its export jobs over deeper economic ties with Beijing.
africa.businessinsider.com/local/market...
africa.businessinsider.com/local/market...
Beijing capitalizes on fresh US-Africa tensions and pushes soft power on annual diplomatic swing through Africa
www.africa-confidential.com/article/id/1...
www.africa-confidential.com/article/id/1...
Foreign Minister Wang Yi pushes soft power on annual swing through Africa
Beijing’s diplomatic campaign capitalises on fresh US-Africa tensions in new year
www.africa-confidential.com
January 12, 2026 at 9:11 PM
Beijing capitalizes on fresh US-Africa tensions and pushes soft power on annual diplomatic swing through Africa
www.africa-confidential.com/article/id/1...
www.africa-confidential.com/article/id/1...
In Nigeria’s northwest, where communities have been at the mercy of bandits and have been severely affected by mass kidnappings, these communities have been striking peace deals with bandits in exchange for access to mines
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Nigeria's kidnapping crisis: 'Too scared to speak' - villagers on living in the midst of bandits
Parents of kidnapped children know where the bandits hide out, but are too scared to inform the authorities.
www.bbc.com
January 2, 2026 at 3:33 PM
In Nigeria’s northwest, where communities have been at the mercy of bandits and have been severely affected by mass kidnappings, these communities have been striking peace deals with bandits in exchange for access to mines
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
“This is what governance has become in parts of the Northwest: not development, not schools or healthcare, not roads or justice systems, but simply permission to survive by arming oneself”
Poignant piece from Yusuf Anka about northern Nigeria’s desensitization to violence
medium.com/@YusufAnka/s...
Poignant piece from Yusuf Anka about northern Nigeria’s desensitization to violence
medium.com/@YusufAnka/s...
Silence… The New Normal in the Northwest
Over the last few years, I have shuttled between Abuja and the core Northwest states of Nigeria affected by bandit violence. In the past…
medium.com
January 1, 2026 at 3:10 PM
“This is what governance has become in parts of the Northwest: not development, not schools or healthcare, not roads or justice systems, but simply permission to survive by arming oneself”
Poignant piece from Yusuf Anka about northern Nigeria’s desensitization to violence
medium.com/@YusufAnka/s...
Poignant piece from Yusuf Anka about northern Nigeria’s desensitization to violence
medium.com/@YusufAnka/s...
The Sudanese and Chadian militaries have accused the Rapid Support Forces of carrying out an attack on a military position inside Chad, as two Chadian soldiers were killed in a drone strike
sudantribune.com/article/308715
sudantribune.com/article/308715
Sudan, Chad accuse RSF of cross-border drone attack - Sudan Tribune
December 27, 2025 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese and Chadian militaries on Saturday accused the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of carrying out an attack on a military position inside Chad, along the border wit...
sudantribune.com
December 28, 2025 at 1:13 PM
The Sudanese and Chadian militaries have accused the Rapid Support Forces of carrying out an attack on a military position inside Chad, as two Chadian soldiers were killed in a drone strike
sudantribune.com/article/308715
sudantribune.com/article/308715
AGOA has gotten a last-minute reprieve, with the House of Rep’s trade-writing panel scheduling a vote on Wednesday. The legislation calls for a simple three-year extension of AGOA, which is more than the 1-year extension endorsed by White House
www.theafricareport.com/401858/congr...
www.theafricareport.com/401858/congr...
US/Africa: Congress announces vote on AGOA renewal
The House trade committee has just released a three-year extension of the duty-free trade scheme.
www.theafricareport.com
December 9, 2025 at 8:55 PM
AGOA has gotten a last-minute reprieve, with the House of Rep’s trade-writing panel scheduling a vote on Wednesday. The legislation calls for a simple three-year extension of AGOA, which is more than the 1-year extension endorsed by White House
www.theafricareport.com/401858/congr...
www.theafricareport.com/401858/congr...
“Where does Africa rank as a strategic priority for the US? At the bottom. Literally. In a short, 33-page document written in large font, the continent merits just three paragraphs on the very last page,” writes @julianpecquet.bsky.social
www.theafricareport.com/401739/secur...
www.theafricareport.com/401739/secur...
Security: 5 questions to understand Trump’s new Africa strategy
The United States’ new National Security Strategy treats the African continent as an afterthought.
www.theafricareport.com
December 9, 2025 at 8:47 PM
“Where does Africa rank as a strategic priority for the US? At the bottom. Literally. In a short, 33-page document written in large font, the continent merits just three paragraphs on the very last page,” writes @julianpecquet.bsky.social
www.theafricareport.com/401739/secur...
www.theafricareport.com/401739/secur...
December 9, 2025 at 1:45 PM
A draft amendment is being introduced in Zimbabwe to revise the constitution to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term by two years. www.thestandard.co.zw/news/article...
Inside Zanu PF plans to change constitution
Inside Zanu PF plans to change constitution
www.thestandard.co.zw
December 9, 2025 at 1:36 PM
A draft amendment is being introduced in Zimbabwe to revise the constitution to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term by two years. www.thestandard.co.zw/news/article...
“Tehran is leveraging what it sees as a "strategic opportunity," directing its diplomacy toward strengthening ties with Sahel nations. This diplomacy is a blend of anti-colonial rhetoric, political solidarity, and promises of cooperation in technical & economic sectors.”
en.isna.ir/news/1404090...
en.isna.ir/news/1404090...
en.isna.ir
December 4, 2025 at 5:26 PM
“Tehran is leveraging what it sees as a "strategic opportunity," directing its diplomacy toward strengthening ties with Sahel nations. This diplomacy is a blend of anti-colonial rhetoric, political solidarity, and promises of cooperation in technical & economic sectors.”
en.isna.ir/news/1404090...
en.isna.ir/news/1404090...
Mali has recovered $1.2 billion in arrears from mining companies after an audit that uncovered massive shortfalls for the state and paved the way for a new mining code. The law raised royalties, boosted state stakes in mining companies & scrapped stability clauses.
www.reuters.com/world/africa...
www.reuters.com/world/africa...
Mali recovers $1.2 billion in arrears from miners, eyes annual windfall under new code
Mali has recovered 761 billion CFA francs ($1.2 billion) in arrears from mining companies following a sweeping audit, its finance minister said, marking one of the country’s biggest clawbacks from its...
www.reuters.com
December 3, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Mali has recovered $1.2 billion in arrears from mining companies after an audit that uncovered massive shortfalls for the state and paved the way for a new mining code. The law raised royalties, boosted state stakes in mining companies & scrapped stability clauses.
www.reuters.com/world/africa...
www.reuters.com/world/africa...
Left-wing Cameroonian opposition figure Anicet Ekane has died in detention, 5 weeks after being arrested. Anti-corruption lawyer Akere Muna described his death as "the extinguishing of a fierce & passionate flame" that burned for democratic emancipation.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Anicet Ekane: Cameroon opposition firebrand dies in detention aged 74
Anicet Ekane's lawyer says the family was given little explanation - "his wife was just presented the corpse".
www.bbc.com
December 1, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Left-wing Cameroonian opposition figure Anicet Ekane has died in detention, 5 weeks after being arrested. Anti-corruption lawyer Akere Muna described his death as "the extinguishing of a fierce & passionate flame" that burned for democratic emancipation.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
“While wealthy residents benefit from greater security and economic growth, gentrification is a problem for the poorer parts of Mogadishu. This leads to evictions, some of them violent, and people losing access to schools and clinics.”
www.dw.com/en/somalias-...
www.dw.com/en/somalias-...
Somalia's capital Mogadishu gets a fresh start – DW – 11/29/2025
After decades of war, Mogadishu is experiencing a remarkable construction boom. Despite poverty, hopes are growing in the Somali capital for a new economic and social beginning.
www.dw.com
December 1, 2025 at 11:34 PM
“While wealthy residents benefit from greater security and economic growth, gentrification is a problem for the poorer parts of Mogadishu. This leads to evictions, some of them violent, and people losing access to schools and clinics.”
www.dw.com/en/somalias-...
www.dw.com/en/somalias-...
“For more than 7 years, Abubakar Shekau’s compound in Ukuba sat only a loudspeaker’s reach from the army’s fortified garrison in Bitta, 7-12 km apart. The soldiers could hear Ukuba’s call to prayer drifting over the scrub, & the fighters heard Bitta’s in return.”
humanglemedia.com/the-making-a...
humanglemedia.com/the-making-a...
humanglemedia.com
November 30, 2025 at 2:03 PM
“For more than 7 years, Abubakar Shekau’s compound in Ukuba sat only a loudspeaker’s reach from the army’s fortified garrison in Bitta, 7-12 km apart. The soldiers could hear Ukuba’s call to prayer drifting over the scrub, & the fighters heard Bitta’s in return.”
humanglemedia.com/the-making-a...
humanglemedia.com/the-making-a...
My wife gave birth to a healthy baby girl this morning. This is our second child that she pushed for 3 hours without the baby progressing & needing to get a c-section to get the baby out. Really thankful for the wonders of modern medicine. Can’t imagine doing childbirth before such reduced risks.
November 28, 2025 at 7:16 PM
My wife gave birth to a healthy baby girl this morning. This is our second child that she pushed for 3 hours without the baby progressing & needing to get a c-section to get the baby out. Really thankful for the wonders of modern medicine. Can’t imagine doing childbirth before such reduced risks.
This is Randy Clarke’s race to lose
BREAKING
Muriel Bowser, the Mayor of Washington DC, says she will NOT be seeing a fourth term.
Muriel Bowser, the Mayor of Washington DC, says she will NOT be seeing a fourth term.
November 26, 2025 at 2:25 AM
This is Randy Clarke’s race to lose
Priorities for next mayor:
1) Make DC more family friendly
2) Make DC more livable, walkable, and bikable
3) Make DC more affordable
1) Make DC more family friendly
2) Make DC more livable, walkable, and bikable
3) Make DC more affordable
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser announces she will not seek a fourth term
November 26, 2025 at 2:24 AM
Priorities for next mayor:
1) Make DC more family friendly
2) Make DC more livable, walkable, and bikable
3) Make DC more affordable
1) Make DC more family friendly
2) Make DC more livable, walkable, and bikable
3) Make DC more affordable
Senator John Kennedy has introduced a new bill to extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) for two years that would ensure participating countries support US interests, rather than adversaries like Beijing and Moscow.
businesstech.co.za/news/governm...
businesstech.co.za/news/governm...
United States tables new bill to punish South Africa
United States senator John Kennedy has introduced a new bill to extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) for two years that would explicitly exclude South Africa.
businesstech.co.za
November 26, 2025 at 12:07 AM
Senator John Kennedy has introduced a new bill to extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) for two years that would ensure participating countries support US interests, rather than adversaries like Beijing and Moscow.
businesstech.co.za/news/governm...
businesstech.co.za/news/governm...
The album cover of my toddler’s next punk rock album
November 24, 2025 at 1:29 AM
The album cover of my toddler’s next punk rock album
Truly astounded at how red the leaves of this Japanese Maple was near Eastern Market
November 23, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Truly astounded at how red the leaves of this Japanese Maple was near Eastern Market
Sexual slavery is happening in Sudan. Women and girls are being abducted, raped, trafficked by the RSF across borders and sold in areas controlled by the RSF.
And no one is being held accountable.
alhurra.com/en/7461
And no one is being held accountable.
alhurra.com/en/7461
I Was Reporting on Sudan. Then a Word Stopped Me Cold: “Enslavement.” | Alhurra
Last week, the Sudanese Doctors Network confirmed 32 rape cases in a single week involving girls forcibly taken from El Fasher to the town of Tawila after the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seized cont…
alhurra.com
November 23, 2025 at 3:46 AM
Sexual slavery is happening in Sudan. Women and girls are being abducted, raped, trafficked by the RSF across borders and sold in areas controlled by the RSF.
And no one is being held accountable.
alhurra.com/en/7461
And no one is being held accountable.
alhurra.com/en/7461
Interesting point in this article on Africa’s energy challenge. Some economists like Charlie Robertson argue that there is too much focus on electrifying rural households. Instead states should prioritize electrifying industry to build exports, wealth & jobs
www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...
www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...
Africa’s Energy Shortage Is Stalling Its Industrial Revolution
Africa’s young population will make up a quarter of humanity by 2050. To capitalize on it, the continent needs to fix its power problems fast
www.bloomberg.com
November 16, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Interesting point in this article on Africa’s energy challenge. Some economists like Charlie Robertson argue that there is too much focus on electrifying rural households. Instead states should prioritize electrifying industry to build exports, wealth & jobs
www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...
www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...