African News for November 4, 2026

Here is the African news to remember today, selected from the press. Each headline links to the full article on its publisher's website.

AFIS 2026: Mary Vilakazi, from Alexandra township to the top of FirstRand, named Banker of the Year — As the first woman to lead the South African banking giant FirstRand, the native of a disadvantaged Johannesburg neighborhood quickly held positions of responsibility. Today, she is pushing her group to innovate, by... (Jeune Afrique)

Guinea: to fight school absenteeism, police detain children in Kankan and Conakry — The justice system has chosen a radical method to combat what it describes as a resurgence in school absenteeism: the detention of children. Since last week, at least a dozen students have been... (RFI)

Local elections in South Africa: a new test for the ANC marked by the erosion of its electorate — South African citizens are called to the polls this Wednesday, November 4, for local elections. More than 500 parties are registered with the Electoral Commission, attempting to win the approximately 10,000... (RFI)

In Benghazi, Niamey moves closer to the Haftar camp to secure the Niger-Libya border — The Prime Minister of Niger concluded a visit to Benghazi, Libya, on Monday, November 2, 2026. Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation with the Haftar camp, which controls the East... (RFI)

Senegal: the supplementary budget rejected by deputies — In this edition, we head to Senegal, where the rejection of the finance bill by the National Assembly, despite a new review by the finance committee, did not convince the Pastef deputies. A decision... (France 24)

OIF: how Félix Tshisekedi and his allies are trying to thwart the re-election of Louise Mushikiwabo — Facing the outgoing Secretary General who is running for a third term, a front led by the DRC is questioning the appointment process for the head of the International Organization of La Francophonie during the next... (Jeune Afrique)

FirstRand, KCB, Attijariwafa… Who are the true champions of financing the African economy? — Jeune Afrique has established a new ranking of African banks that finance the real economy the most. While South African institutions dominate, the Ivorian group AFG has climbed onto the podium and three banks... (Jeune Afrique)

Why did a disagreement between the United States and Russia spark celebrations in Morocco? — The impasse between the United States and Russia at the UN means that its peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara has ended after 35 years. (BBC Afrique)