At least 17 African countries are expected to hold elections before the end of 2025, according to Stears Open Data. As AI is increasingly explored as an innovative tool for election management, Chinasa Okolo cautions that AI-generated propaganda poses a threat to democracy and outlines some practical steps to mitigate these risks.

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), a key platform for global diplomacy, kicked off this month, with ongoing conflicts in Europe and the Middle East likely to dominate discussions. For African leaders, Cristina Duarte and Landry Signé discuss what UNGA’s 80th anniversary means for Africa, including the call for multilateral reforms amidst foreign aid cuts to development.

• The completion and commissioning of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Africa’s largest hydroelectric dam, has raised hopes for expanded access to green energy in Ethiopia and across the East African region. Faisal Ali and Dr. Tom Lavers examine the historical and contemporary politics surrounding its construction as they relate to Ethiopia’s developmental state. In a similar vein, Dr. Ato Onoma’s new book, The Undulating Capacity of the State, highlights how the success of infrastructure projects in Africa, such as those in Senegal, often hinges on political leaders’ ability to build trust with their citizens.
• At the action-packed 2025 World Athletics Championships, African athletic elites achieved major milestones, including an all-women sweep of 7 gold medals from 800m up to the marathon, as well as gold and bronze wins in the men's 4x400m relay.
• A group of women in Mauritius have turned to farming after the 2020 oil spill devastated the marine ecosystem that once supported their livelihoods.
• Africa Business explores emerging trends among African elites, including patterns in homeownership, consumption, philanthropy, and succession planning.

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Image: Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. 24 August 2024. Photo Credit: Office of the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, public domain.