Today in Africa — July 31, 2025: Death Toll Rises in Angola Fuel Price Protests, DRC Signs $50M Deal With FC Barcelona, Kenya Bans Alcohol Sales in Restaurants & Supermarkets

Angola Fuel Price Protests Leave 22 Dead, Over 1,200 Arrested

At least 22 people have died and over 1,200 have been arrested following violent protests in Angola sparked by a sharp fuel price hike. The unrest began in Luanda on Monday, July 28, during a minibus taxi strike and quickly spread to other provinces, with reports of looting, vandalism, and clashes with police. The government raised diesel prices by a third as part of an IMF-backed plan to cut fuel subsidies and ease fiscal pressure.

President João Lourenço’s cabinet says 197 people were injured and dozens of shops and vehicles were damaged. Angola began phasing out fuel subsidies in 2023, a move that continues to draw anger from citizens facing economic strain. Despite the deadly fallout, global investors view the reforms as a key indication that the oil-rich nation is serious about addressing its public finances.

DRC Inks $50M Shirt Deal With FC Barcelona, Critics Question Priorities

The Democratic Republic of Congo and Spanish football giants FC Barcelona have signed a four-year sponsorship deal, worth a reported €44 million (about $50 million). Starting next season, players will wear “DR Congo – Heart of Africa” on their training kits. The agreement includes youth training camps, sports programs, and an exhibition at Camp Nou highlighting Congolese culture. Officials say the deal will boost the country’s global image and attract tourism and investment.

However, the deal has sparked backlash at home, where critics argue that the money could be better spent on the DRC’s struggling domestic league and the country's urgent national needs. With ongoing conflict in the east and long-standing concerns about governance and human rights, some say the move reflects misplaced priorities. Still, the government insists it’s part of a broader strategy to “reposition” the country, citing similar deals with AC Milan and AS Monaco.

Kenya’s Bold Alcohol Crackdown Draws Industry Backlash and Public Outrage

Kenya’s National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada) has proposed sweeping new rules to curb alcohol abuse, including raising the legal drinking age from 18 to 21 and banning alcohol sales in supermarkets, restaurants, and online platforms. Under the plan, drinks would only be sold in bars and licensed liquor stores, while celebrity endorsements and alcohol delivery services would also be outlawed. Authorities say the measures are necessary to tackle rising substance abuse, especially among youth, but many Kenyans view the proposals as excessive and out of touch.

Industry groups and traders have slammed the draft policy as unrealistic and exclusionary, warning it could devastate the hospitality sector and fuel a surge in illicit alcohol. Nacada insists the policy is only a “road map” for future legal reforms and not yet enforceable. Still, memories of past failed crackdowns have sparked fresh debate over how best to address addiction without punishing legitimate businesses or jobs tied to the alcohol economy.

Cholera Crisis Deepens in West and Central Africa as 80,000 Children at Risk

UNICEF has warned that over 80,000 children across West and Central Africa face a severe cholera risk as seasonal rains trigger outbreaks in the DRC and Nigeria and threaten to spread further. The DRC is experiencing its worst cholera crisis in years, with more than 38,000 cases and 951 deaths in July alone — over a quarter involving children under five. Chad and Nigeria are also reporting rising infections, with flooding, poor sanitation, and displacement worsening the situation. Health officials are calling for urgent regional action to expand access to clean water, sanitation, and lifesaving treatment.

South Africa Scrambles to Avoid U.S. Tariffs as Deadline Looms

South Africa is rushing to submit a last-minute trade proposal to the U.S. to avoid steep 30% tariffs set to take effect on Friday, August 1. Trade Minister Parks Tau confirmed the revised offer follows pressure from U.S. officials, though uncertainty remains. A 30% tariff could threaten 100,000 jobs, hitting key exports like cars, citrus, and wine. Tensions around South Africa’s Black Economic Empowerment policies and its genocide case against Israel have added strain to already fragile talks.

WFP Runs Out of Food in Nigeria as Aid Cuts Threaten to Fuel Boko Haram Recruitment

The World Food Programme has run out of aid for over a million displaced people in northeast Nigeria, raising fears that hunger will push more youth into the arms of Boko Haram, a jihadist militant group. Cuts from major donors — including the US, UK, and EU — have already triggered spikes in child malnutrition, with Médecins Sans Frontières reporting over 650 child deaths this year alone. The Nigerian government has acknowledged the crisis, but aid workers warn that without urgent funding, even basic survival will become impossible for many.

CAR President Confirms Third-Term Bid as Opposition Cries Foul

Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadera will run for a third term in December, backed by his party after a 2023 referendum scrapped term limits. The opposition, which boycotted the vote and accuses the government of fraud, warns that this paves the way for lifelong rule. Civil society groups say the electoral process is already compromised, citing irregularities in voter registration and a lack of international funding. As Touadera eyes another seven years in power, his critics demand a national dialogue to salvage trust in the country’s fragile democracy.

Tunisian Transport Strike Paralyzes Cities as Workers Demand Change

Public transport in Tunisia came to a halt yesterday, Wednesday, July 30, as a three-day strike led by the UGTT union kicked off, demanding better pay, working conditions, and urgent sector reforms. Metro stations and buses in the capital were out of service, leaving commuters stranded and forced to rely on private options. The strike comes amid growing frustration with deteriorating public services and rising costs, piling pressure on President Kais Saied’s government. While the union called the strike a full success, the transport ministry dismissed the wage demands as unrealistic, citing financial strain on public companies.