News & Information on Africa
The African continent is home to 54 countries and more than 800 million
people. Sub-Saharan Africa comprises 48 countries, and North Africa comprises
6 countries. All but the disputed territory of Western Sahara (which is
occupied by Morocco) are members of the United Nations.
On this page, you will find links to basic information and current news
for every country in Africa. For a map of the African continent, see the
Maps page.
Headlines from Africa
BBC News | Africa | World Edition Ghana's new leader takes office
John Atta Mills is sworn in as Ghana's new president amid celebrations in the capital, Accra, after his narrow election victory. Kenya anger over massacre burial
Relatives of Kenyans torched inside a church in poll violence a year ago protest at burial plans. Guinea's junta makes army arrests
Guinea's military junta has made a series of arrests, including some senior officers, army sources say. Congo rebel mutineer 'no traitor'
DR Congo rebel leader Gen Nkunda says disciplinary action is being taken against a commander who tried to oust him, but he will not face execution. No reopening for Zimbabwe schools
The reopening of Zimbabwe's schools is delayed, officially to mark exams, but many teachers are refusing to work. Somali pirates free Turkish ship
A Turkish ship and its crew held by Somali pirates since October has been released, the ship's owner says. Nigerian pirates free nine crew
Nine crew members of a French ship taken hostage at the weekend off the coast of Nigeria have been released. Peacekeeper killed in Mogadishu
An African Union peacekeeper is killed in the Somali capital as a UN worker is shot dead in a separate attack. UN warned of South Sudan violence
The UN must boost peacekeepers' mandate in Sudan to protect civilians amid fears political violence could erupt in the south, says an aid agency. Nigerian motorcyclists wear pumpkins to evade helmet law
Nigerian authorities are cracking down on motorcyclists who try to dodge fines for not having a helmet by wearing dried pumpkin shells. Child elopers' Africa plan foiled
Two German children aged six and five are stopped by police on their way to Africa for a secret "wedding" in the sun. Uganda stay top as Tanzania win
Uganda remain top of Group A and are in a good position to progress to the semi-finals of the Cecafa Cup after a 4-0 win over Somalia, while Tanzania beat Rwanda. Aviacao appoint Brazilian Peres
Angola's AS Aviacao have appointed former Brazilian World Cup captain Marinho Peres as their new coach. Cricket: SA concede one to Australia
Australia dismiss South Africa for 272 with 10 balls remaining to win the third and final Test by 103 runs in Sydney. Itching to work
Zimbabwean accountant's UK asylum ordeal In pictures
Who wins the booby prize in Mali cattle crossings? Year of change?
Mugabe's exit and other forecasts for Africa in 2009 Kiss of life
Brave doctors try to revive Nigeria's health system World Cup hopes
Africans hope to cash in on the 2010 football tournament Wind of change
Narrow win for Ghana opposition in presidential run-off Ethiopia imposes aid curbs
Ethiopia's parliament passes a bill imposing restricting aid work, for example promoting the rights of children. Congo rebels back 'ousted' chief
Rebel commanders in eastern DR Congo pledge loyalty to Gen Nkunda after claims he had been toppled. Gunmen kidnap Nigerian novelist
Renowned Nigerian writer and novelist Elechi Amadi has been kidnapped by gunmen in the Niger Delta region, say officials.
Zuma 'seeks to take third wife'
South Africa's ruling party says there is "nothing sinister" in its leader Jacob Zuma wishing to take a third wife. Ebola alert shuts Angolan border
Angola closes its borders with DR Congo to stem the spread of the deadly virus Ebola.
Niger awards uranium licence
A French company is to operate what could be Africa's biggest uranium mine, in Niger. Kidnap reporter 'feared for life'
A British journalist seized by kidnappers in Somalia and held for 40 days has spoken of how he feared for his life. Fuelling greed in Nigeria
The distortion of values in oil-rich Nigeria Good old days?
Why some fondly recall Bokassa dictatorship Suzman 'brave voice'
South African MP who spoke out against apartheid Harare diary: Best of 2008
A look back at the lows and highs of 2008 in Zimbabwe Cocoa prices hit a 23-year-high
London cocoa futures hit a 23-year-high as it proves to be the most lucrative commodity in 2008. WTO scraps plan for trade talks
World Trade Organization chief Pascal Lamy says there is not enough consensus to resume world trade talks this year. What lessons from Ghana's poll?
Ghana's recent polls have been hailed as a model for the rest of Africa. How important are role models?
Children are usually encouraged to adopt role models, but do they really need to do so these days? How does poor hygiene harm you?
How do you deal with personal hygiene matters on yourself or on others? 
Data Sites (sites with country-specific
data files)
UN CyberSchoolBus
http://www.un.org/Pubs/CyberSchoolBus/infonation/e_glance.htm
The UN CyberSchoolBus includes country-specific information about
population, economy and mission addresses.
CIA Factbook
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook
Geography, government, economy, and other reference data.
Mbendi
http://www.mbendi.co.za/cyaf.htm
Brief background summaries from a business-oriented site.
U.S. Department of Energy
http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/international/contents.html
Energy production and trade data by country.
Electronic Embassy
http://www.embassy.org/embassies/index.html
A listing of all the foreign embassies in Washington.
Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com
The world's largest on-line bookshop.
Meta Sites (sites with large collections
of country-specific links)
African Governments on the Web
http://www.gksoft.com/govt/en/africa.html
African Governments on the Web provides direct links by country
to more than 290 web sites produced by African political parties and official
government institutions, including overseas embassies.
University of Texas
http://menic.utexas.edu/menic/menic.html
This Middle East Network contains country specific information for North
Africa.
Stanford University Africa South of the Sahara
http://www-sul.stanford.edu/depts/ssrg/africa/guide.html
This guide to selected internet resources contains sections on African
regions and many individual African countries. Each entry is annotated,
and a wide range of information is included.
University of Pennsylvania African Studies
http://www.sas.upenn.edu/African_Studies/AS.html
Penn's site is one of the most comprehensive academic sites for Africa
information, fully searchable, with a wide range of accumulated material
and many links to other sites.
The Norwegian Council Index on Africa
http://www.afrika.no/index/
A comprehensive guide, with an extensive list of country specific sites
for all 54 African countries, as well as various topical and news-related
links.
Woyaa!
http://www.woyaa.com
A comprehensive site with both country-specific and subject links, in
English and French.
Columbia University
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/indiv/africa/cuvl/
This is a resource guide that links to regional sources for news, politics,
economics and culture.
News Sites with Country-Specific Information
AllAfrica.com: Africa News Online
http://allafrica.com/
This is a gateway site with the greatest volume of up-to-date news coverage
from the entire continent.
BBC Africa Page
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/default.stm
Current country-specific news from the leading international radio news
outlet.
CNN Africa Page
http://edition.cnn.com/WORLD/africa/archive/
Current Africa news from the leading international television news outlet.
Daily Reports from IRIN
http://www.irinnews.org/
The Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN), a branch of the United
Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, provides
regional and country-specific humanitarian news updates.
Online Newspapers
http://www.onlinenewspapers.com/index.htm
Online Newspapers provides access to daily and weekly on-line newspapers
from around the continent.
Books by Countries
Amazon has African history sections for browsing on the countries listed
below. For countries not listed, and for more links on each region, click
on the regions.
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News & Information on Africa
