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The Continent @thecontinent.org · 7d
All Protocol Observed

Welcome to Issue 226 of The Continent

The story of Kenya’s first semiconductor plant shows how quickly geopolitics can turn promise into collateral damage for the Global South.

bit.ly/226_TC
This is the cover of The Continent, dated 31 January 2026, Issue 226. It is illustrated by Tanzanian satirist Gado. The background is deep blue and textured like a computer circuit board, with thin silver lines and nodes spreading across the page. At the centre is a microchip, tilted slightly. On the chip is the Kenyan flag — black, red, white, and green — with the national shield and spears in the middle. Beneath the flag, in bold white letters, are the words “MADE IN KENYA.” The chip is embedded into the circuitry, as if it is part of the system. Surrounding the chip are dark, shadowy silhouettes of large hands reaching inward from the top and bottom edges of the cover. The hands are not detailed — they appear almost like cut-out shadows. At the top, the newspaper’s name “The Continent” appears in large white letters. Along the very top edge, in smaller text, it reads “AFRICAN JOURNALISM | 31 JANUARY 2026 | ISSUE 226.” On the right-hand side, stacked in white text, is the headline: “The fight to save Kenya’s first microchip maker.”
thecontinent.org
All Protocol Observed
Welcome to Issue 227 of The Continent

In this week’s issue: what the Rubaya mine collapse tells us about the global economy and DRC’s governance void.

WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram:
+27 73 805 6068 Or email: [email protected] to get the paper.
February 6, 2026 at 5:47 PM
thecontinent.org
The only thing better than great news is FREE great news. Get The Continent delivered for free every week!

Here’s the deal: No long prose. No sign-up forms. Just write “Subscribe” and send it to us. We’ll handle the rest.

#TheContinent #FreeNews #SubscribeNow #Africa
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February 5, 2026 at 8:43 AM
Reposted by The Continent
kahuubire.bsky.social
I’ve been reading @thecontinent.org, it’s sharp, independent African journalism that treats readers with respect. Thought you’d enjoy it.

If I could, I would give them all my monies.

You can subscribe here. www.thecontinent.org/subscribe
Subscribe | The Continent
Subscribing to quality African journalism is easy and free.
www.thecontinent.org
February 3, 2026 at 10:26 AM
thecontinent.org
Land-rights activist and MP Tšepo Lipholo has sought police protection, after receiving what his party describes as persistent death threats sent via text messages. Lipholo is adamant that South Africa must return vast tracts of land to Lesotho.
‘Return the land’ leader says his life is in danger
After 156 days in detention, threatening text messages have followed the MP home.
continent.substack.com
February 3, 2026 at 8:47 AM
Reposted by The Continent
afrobarometer.bsky.social
This week marked the observance of both the International Day of Peaceful Coexistence and Africa Day of Peace and Reconciliation. But what do Africans think about their government’s attempts to prevent or resolve violent conflict?

Dive into our latest @thecontinent.org piece.

#VoicesAfrica
February 2, 2026 at 12:43 PM
thecontinent.org
A recent survey found that the average Nigerian company experienced more than 300 power outages a year. The World Bank says Nigeria loses 5% to 7% of GDP a year to its lack of reliable power. At $25‑billion, this is one of the largest structural drags to its economy.
Another entry in the long log of Naija blackouts
Small businesses in a powerless country are paying for a failed Bretton Woods experiment.
continent.substack.com
February 2, 2026 at 8:06 AM
Reposted by The Continent
sebphilatelie.bsky.social
'The Continent' 226,31 janvier 2026:
- Perfides USA pour le 1er fondeur de puces kenyan.
- Réseau électrique fragile au Nigeria malgré privatisations.
- Retirer des espèces à Goma, sous contrôle de l'AFC-M23 (+ récit-photo de 2025).
- En dernière page, le Quadball (et une légende photo 😈).
#Afrique
thecontinent.org The Continent @thecontinent.org · 7d
All Protocol Observed

Welcome to Issue 226 of The Continent

The story of Kenya’s first semiconductor plant shows how quickly geopolitics can turn promise into collateral damage for the Global South.

bit.ly/226_TC
This is the cover of The Continent, dated 31 January 2026, Issue 226. It is illustrated by Tanzanian satirist Gado. The background is deep blue and textured like a computer circuit board, with thin silver lines and nodes spreading across the page. At the centre is a microchip, tilted slightly. On the chip is the Kenyan flag — black, red, white, and green — with the national shield and spears in the middle. Beneath the flag, in bold white letters, are the words “MADE IN KENYA.” The chip is embedded into the circuitry, as if it is part of the system. Surrounding the chip are dark, shadowy silhouettes of large hands reaching inward from the top and bottom edges of the cover. The hands are not detailed — they appear almost like cut-out shadows. At the top, the newspaper’s name “The Continent” appears in large white letters. Along the very top edge, in smaller text, it reads “AFRICAN JOURNALISM | 31 JANUARY 2026 | ISSUE 226.” On the right-hand side, stacked in white text, is the headline: “The fight to save Kenya’s first microchip maker.”
January 31, 2026 at 11:53 AM
thecontinent.org
Jonglei State is seeing renewed fighting between government forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and an armed opposition aligned with former first vice-president Riek Machar. More than 180,000 people have already been displaced in the South Sudanese region.
Tensions soar as Juba seeks to retake Jonglei
The South Sudanese army is preparing to retake seized towns from opposition forces.
continent.substack.com
February 1, 2026 at 8:06 AM
thecontinent.org
Kenya's nascent semiconductor manufacturer initially thrived under Washington’s ‘friend-shoring’ strategy. Now it’s being elbowed aside by Trump’s ‘America First’ imperative.
Kenya’s first chipmaker caught in superpower crossfire
The nascent manufacturer initially thrived under Washington’s ‘friend-shoring’ strategy. Now it’s being elbowed aside by Trump’s ‘America First’ imperative.
continent.substack.com
January 31, 2026 at 8:43 AM
thecontinent.org
All Protocol Observed

Welcome to Issue 226 of The Continent

The story of Kenya’s first semiconductor plant shows how quickly geopolitics can turn promise into collateral damage for the Global South.

bit.ly/226_TC
This is the cover of The Continent, dated 31 January 2026, Issue 226. It is illustrated by Tanzanian satirist Gado. The background is deep blue and textured like a computer circuit board, with thin silver lines and nodes spreading across the page. At the centre is a microchip, tilted slightly. On the chip is the Kenyan flag — black, red, white, and green — with the national shield and spears in the middle. Beneath the flag, in bold white letters, are the words “MADE IN KENYA.” The chip is embedded into the circuitry, as if it is part of the system. Surrounding the chip are dark, shadowy silhouettes of large hands reaching inward from the top and bottom edges of the cover. The hands are not detailed — they appear almost like cut-out shadows. At the top, the newspaper’s name “The Continent” appears in large white letters. Along the very top edge, in smaller text, it reads “AFRICAN JOURNALISM | 31 JANUARY 2026 | ISSUE 226.” On the right-hand side, stacked in white text, is the headline: “The fight to save Kenya’s first microchip maker.”
January 30, 2026 at 6:21 PM
thecontinent.org
Magi mixer: High priests celebrate Timket, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church’s celebration of Jesus’s baptism and the revelation of his divinity during Epiphany, on the shore of lake Dembel, in Batu on 18 January.

Photo: Amanuel Sileshi/AP
High priests celebrate Timket, the Ethiopian Epiphany, on the shore of lake Dembel, in Batu, Ethiopia, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Amanuel Sileshi)
January 30, 2026 at 4:23 PM
thecontinent.org
Review: Could this be the definitive biography of Nkrumah and analysis of his impact on the world? Howard W. French’s brilliant and thoroughgoing treatment of the life of Francis Nwia Kofi Nkrumah very well might.
Review: Nkrumah, who fought the wind
This book troubles the record of the larger-than-life liberator of the Gold Coast from the clutches of Britain, also reminding us how important he was on the world stage.
continent.substack.com
January 30, 2026 at 9:33 AM
thecontinent.org
The night before Christmas was indeed a silent one in Eruku. As other parts of Nigeria enjoyed Christmas Eve service and Detty December concerts, the town lay under a heavy quiet, broken only by hushed conversation and the occasional moving vehicle.
Silent night in Eruku
Hovering bandits, lingering trauma, and a military presence stole the Christmas spirit.
continent.substack.com
January 29, 2026 at 8:35 AM
thecontinent.org
Sudan’s military-led government has returned to Khartoum, after nearly three years of operating from the eastern city of Port Sudan. The officials and other residents are returning to a war-scarred city still littered with deadly ordnance.
Citizens clean up with karos and chutzpah
Khartoum is the capital again, and residents are risking life and limb to make it safe.
continent.substack.com
January 28, 2026 at 8:05 AM
Reposted by The Continent
kooyjan.bsky.social
Met The Continent (@thecontinent.org) breekt Lydia Namubiru (@namlyd.bsky.social) bewust met de conventies van internationale verslaggeving.

Het blad werkt uitsluitend met journalisten met wortels in het continent zelf.

Must-read @nrc.nl⤵️
Lydia Namubiru: ‘Ik lees veel Afrika-verslaggeving waarbij de auteur er geen rekening mee hield dat iemand als ik die zou lezen’
Lydia Namubiru | hoofdredacteur The Continent Het pan-Afrikaanse blad The Continent positioneert zich nadrukkelijk als document dat het beeld van Afrika opnieuw ordent. Hoofdredacteur Lydia Namubiru z...
www.nrc.nl
January 28, 2026 at 8:01 AM
thecontinent.org
Kenya plans to spend 100-million shillings ($775,000) paying influencers and bloggers to push its narrative in a bid to formalise long-reported, co-ordinated online campaigns to counter youth-led protests.
Need for Speed: Ruto shells out for shiny shills
Kenya is spending a small fortune on an ‘influencer fund’ aimed at defanging youth-led resistance to the president.
continent.substack.com
January 27, 2026 at 8:05 AM
Reposted by The Continent
frausturmflut.bsky.social
If you're interested in the African perspective on Africa, follow @thecontinent.org and subscribe to their issues (also possible via Signal). Clearly a recommendation.
January 27, 2026 at 7:24 AM
Reposted by The Continent
frausturmflut.bsky.social
Wenn Euch die afrikanische Perspektive auf Afrika interessiert, folgt @thecontinent.org und abonniert ihre Ausgaben (das geht auch über Signal). Ich kann das nur wärmstens empfehlen.
January 27, 2026 at 7:21 AM
Reposted by The Continent
rimaanabtawi.bsky.social
So sad. Timket celebrates the baptism of Christ in the Ethiopian Orthodox and Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Churches.
It’s one of the most important religious holidays, as significant as Easter and Christmas.
thecontinent.org The Continent @thecontinent.org · 12d
Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Christians around the world celebrated Timket, or Epiphany, on 19 January. In the US, ICE knocked the wind out of the holiday in Minneapolis and St Paul in Minnesota, where many people who immigrated from the Horn of Africa live.
A holy day on ICE
ICE agents are deployed in Minnesota as part of Operation Metro Surge. It is the Trump administration’s largest-ever immigration-enforcement operation, involving up to 2,000 federal agents.
continent.substack.com
January 26, 2026 at 8:29 AM
Reposted by The Continent
hararereview.com
In the first @thecontinent.org of 2026, my review of @hofrench.bsky.social 's illuminating The Second Emancipation: Nkrumah, Pan-Africanism, and Global Blackness at High Tide.

Download this issue of The Continent (pdf) here: www.thecontinent.org/_files/ugd/2...
Screenshot of 3 pages of The Continent
January 26, 2026 at 3:20 PM
thecontinent.org
Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Christians around the world celebrated Timket, or Epiphany, on 19 January. In the US, ICE knocked the wind out of the holiday in Minneapolis and St Paul in Minnesota, where many people who immigrated from the Horn of Africa live.
A holy day on ICE
ICE agents are deployed in Minnesota as part of Operation Metro Surge. It is the Trump administration’s largest-ever immigration-enforcement operation, involving up to 2,000 federal agents.
continent.substack.com
January 26, 2026 at 8:04 AM
Reposted by The Continent
margteixeira.bsky.social
One of the best independent journalism models is @thecontinent.org, probably the one African publication that I can read calmly in the balcony in Lisbon as it is delivered straight to my WhatsApp (for free!)- feels like getting a weekly newspaper delivered on my doorstep, thousand of miles away
January 24, 2026 at 3:54 PM
Reposted by The Continent
ivorhartmann.bsky.social
Good review by by Jacqueline Nyathi @hararereview.com of The Second Emancipation: Nkrumah, Pan-Africanism, and Global Blackness at High Tide by Howard W. French in the @thecontinent.org
thecontinent.org The Continent @thecontinent.org · 14d
All Protocol Observed

Welcome to Issue 225 of The Continent

Superpowers don’t only control African minerals with loans, bribes and threats. Sometimes it’s through financial sleight of hand, as is the case of a Malawian mining licence granted in 2017.

bit.ly/225_TC
At the very top, on a wide mustard-yellow band, there’s small black text that reads: African Journalism | 24 January 2026 | Issue 225. Beneath it, dominating the upper third, is the magazine’s title, “The Continent,” in large, bold black letters. The background is soft and hazy, painted in warm pastels, peach, cream, and light gold, like late afternoon light. Draped across the entire upper half of the cover are thick chains, coloured pink and orange, looping and overlapping. They hang loosely but heavily, suggesting weight and restraint, almost like something looming overhead. In the centre of the image, five men sit cross-legged on the ground in a loose circle. They are drawn in a semi-cartoon style but clearly adult, middle-aged, and dressed formally in dark business suits, white shirts, and ties. Each of them wears a pointed party hat — pinks, purples, and yellows — giving the scene a strange, forced celebratory feel. Confetti is scattered across the ground around them in small bright flecks of colour, reinforcing the sense of a “party,” though the mood feels tense rather than joyful. One man, seated on the left, is leaning forward and handing something small and rectangular — it looks like a stack of cards or money — to the man opposite him. The others watch closely, their hands either open or gesturing, as if negotiating, receiving, or approving the exchange. Slightly behind the group, in the background, there is a sixth figure. He sits apart from the circle, hunched forward with his elbows on his knees and his head resting on his hands. He is darker, less detailed, and shaded in muted tones, giving the impression of distance, exclusion, or quiet distress. At the bottom left of the cover, in bold black text, the headline reads: “The Chinese takeover Malawi never saw coming.” Below that, in much smaller text, is the illustration credit: Illustration: Wynona Mutisi.
January 24, 2026 at 11:50 AM
Reposted by The Continent
loelof.bsky.social
New Year, new season of The Continent being published weekends, highly recommended!
thecontinent.org The Continent @thecontinent.org · 14d
All Protocol Observed

Welcome to Issue 225 of The Continent

Superpowers don’t only control African minerals with loans, bribes and threats. Sometimes it’s through financial sleight of hand, as is the case of a Malawian mining licence granted in 2017.

bit.ly/225_TC
At the very top, on a wide mustard-yellow band, there’s small black text that reads: African Journalism | 24 January 2026 | Issue 225. Beneath it, dominating the upper third, is the magazine’s title, “The Continent,” in large, bold black letters. The background is soft and hazy, painted in warm pastels, peach, cream, and light gold, like late afternoon light. Draped across the entire upper half of the cover are thick chains, coloured pink and orange, looping and overlapping. They hang loosely but heavily, suggesting weight and restraint, almost like something looming overhead. In the centre of the image, five men sit cross-legged on the ground in a loose circle. They are drawn in a semi-cartoon style but clearly adult, middle-aged, and dressed formally in dark business suits, white shirts, and ties. Each of them wears a pointed party hat — pinks, purples, and yellows — giving the scene a strange, forced celebratory feel. Confetti is scattered across the ground around them in small bright flecks of colour, reinforcing the sense of a “party,” though the mood feels tense rather than joyful. One man, seated on the left, is leaning forward and handing something small and rectangular — it looks like a stack of cards or money — to the man opposite him. The others watch closely, their hands either open or gesturing, as if negotiating, receiving, or approving the exchange. Slightly behind the group, in the background, there is a sixth figure. He sits apart from the circle, hunched forward with his elbows on his knees and his head resting on his hands. He is darker, less detailed, and shaded in muted tones, giving the impression of distance, exclusion, or quiet distress. At the bottom left of the cover, in bold black text, the headline reads: “The Chinese takeover Malawi never saw coming.” Below that, in much smaller text, is the illustration credit: Illustration: Wynona Mutisi.
January 24, 2026 at 9:47 AM
Reposted by The Continent
tomioladipo.bsky.social
I Want You To Get The Word Out There That We Back Up The Wire GIF
ALT: I Want You To Get The Word Out There That We Back Up The Wire GIF
media.tenor.com
January 24, 2026 at 10:05 AM