By Ray Langa, Group Chief Executive – Leagas Delaney South Africa and Dark Arts Studio As the year edges to a close, this piece offers a sharp reflection on how 2025 reshaped Leagas Delaney South Africa and Dark Arts Studio, from creative breakthroughs to global expansion, and sets the stage for the ambitions guiding 2026. It explores the growth of the group, the rise of Dark Arts Studio as a global delivery partner, and the lessons drawn from a year defined by pace and possibility. The perspective comes from Ray Langa, Group Chief Executive, whose fifteen years in creative and strategic leadership bring…
Author: Montage Africa
The failed coup in Benin has revived debate over whether ECOWAS can reclaim its authority after years of military takeovers across West Africa. When rebels briefly claimed power in Cotonou, swift coordination between Benin’s loyalist forces and regional allies—led by Nigeria—helped keep President Patrice Talon in office. The intervention marked ECOWAS’s first military deployment in nearly a decade and contrasted sharply with its inaction during recent coups elsewhere. Analysts suggest ECOWAS was motivated to defend one of West Africa’s most stable democracies and prevent Benin from joining the alliance of military-led states. Still, analysts caution that one success does not erase deeper…
By Rédaction Africanews and AP Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi rallied countries from the Global South on Wednesday to stand up for themselves and stand together. Modi was speaking to MPs in Ethiopia, where he’s on the second leg of a three-nation tour. “Solidarity is strength, and cooperation is power. Today, as nations of the Global South and as ancient civilisations, as friends, India and Ethiopia are standing together.” He reminded his audience of their victory in a 19th century battle against Italian invaders. “This morning, I had the honour to lay a wreath at the Adwa Victory Monument,” Modi…
The fall in cocoa prices has accelerated, with a 45% drop since the beginning of the year. This decline in prices began in January. Key figures : 45% = fall in cocoa prices since January 2025 $5,000 = current price of a ton of cocoa 60% = share of Ivory Coast and Ghana in global cocoa production ‘After two years of tension, the current correction is bringing cocoa prices back to more rational levels. But it would be illusory to talk about normalization: the sector remains fragile due to structural constraints and a very high geographical concentration of bean production.’ Simon…
Rwanda and the Gambia are at the top spot of the 2025 Africa Visa Openness Index (AVOI), with both countries being the most visa-open countries to Africans. This year’s index report saw 11 African countries increase their index score, while nine decreased, and 34 countries made no changes to their visa rules. The index measures the extent to which African countries are open to visitors from other countries on the continent, taking into account visa requirements across African Union member states. Both Rwanda and the Gambia scored a perfect 1.000 on the index, indicating the ease of access for African…
By AP In Kakamega Country, bullfighting is more than just a tradition; it also contributes to the economy and promotes social solidarity. It’s match day in western Kenya’s Kakamega County, locally known as the home of bullfighting, where two bulls are brought to face off in a dusty arena as thousands cheer. The derby is a rematch between a relative newcomer bull Shakahola, named after the forest where more than 400 people linked to a cult died in 2023, and another named Promise that has been a longtime favorite, losing only a few matches in over 10 years. The bullfighting…
Aliko Dangote has reignited his battle with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, accusing the regulator of allowing “unethical” fuel imports that undermine local refining. Dangote argues that continued imports, despite his refinery’s growing capacity, threaten Nigeria’s downstream sector and violate the Petroleum Industry Act. The dispute escalated as he personally alleged that the regulator’s chief used public funds for his children’s foreign education, calling it “economic sabotage.” The authority insists that imports remain necessary to cover supply gaps, citing recent data showing that demand still outpaces domestic output. Analysts warn the dispute risks destabilizing a sector just finding its…
For seven days in Ghana, young Black professionals from around the world stepped into an experience that blended leadership, service, and cultural connection. GLF25 Ghana, led by the Young Black Leadership Alliance, offered more than travel. It created space for reflection, action, and shared purpose across borders. Designed for YBLA YoPros, the experience brought together leadership development, professional growth, and hands-on service. Participants followed focused leadership tracks, engaged with local communities, and explored Ghana’s history and contemporary life. From Accra to surrounding communities, the journey emphasized learning by doing and leading with intention. A vision shaped by purpose At the…
By Rédaction Africanews with AP Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Moscow will seek to extend its gains in Ukraine if Kyiv and its Western allies reject the Kremlin’s demands in peace talks. Speaking at an annual meeting with top military officers on Wednesday, he said Moscow would prefer to achieve its goals and “eliminate the root causes of the conflict” by diplomatic means. But he said that “if the opposing side and its foreign patrons refuse to engage in substantive dialogue, Russia will achieve the liberation of its historical lands by military means”. US President Donald Trump is…
Lagos has turned its streets into open-air galleries with the launch of its first Street Art Festival, celebrating the city’s energy, diversity, and ambition. Titled “Legendary Lagos: City of Dreams,” the festival brings together 12 artists—mostly Nigerian—to create large-scale murals and graffiti across Lagos. Organizers say the aim is to move art beyond galleries and place it directly in people’s daily lives, using creativity to spark dialogue and social change. The artworks capture the city’s unique spirit, from Lithuanian artist Andrey Adno’s depiction of Lagos’s frenetic energy to local talent HK Locks’s celebration of its unifying hustle and diversity. The works reflect…