Lesotho’s Public Procurement Authority (PPA) has cited Ghana as a leading example in public procurement governance, following a benchmarking visit aimed at strengthening the southern African nation’s newly established procurement system.

Thandy Pino, Board Chair of the Lesotho Public Procurement Authority, said the visit was part of a strategic learning exercise to enhance transparency, efficiency, and value for money in public spending. She noted that Lesotho’s procurement system remains in its early stages, having been established under the country’s 2023 Public Procurement Act.

“So Lesotho is still fairly new in terms of public procurement regulation. The Act was only passed in 2023, while Ghana has over 20 years of experience under its Public Procurement Act,” Pino said.

She stated that the delegation was not seeking to replicate Ghana’s system directly, but rather to adapt best practices to Lesotho’s specific governance and economic context.

“We are not here to copy and paste what Ghana is doing. We are here to understand what we can adapt and tailor to our environment,” she added.

Ghana’s procurement framework is governed by the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663), which has been widely credited with improving transparency in public spending, strengthening competitive tendering processes, and reducing procurement irregularities through institutional oversight mechanisms.

Over the years, Ghana’s reforms have focused on e-procurement systems, audit compliance, and value-for-money assessments in public contracts.

For Lesotho, the engagement forms part of broader efforts to modernize its procurement architecture, reduce inefficiencies, and strengthen accountability in public financial management.

The Lesotho Public Procurement Authority (LPPA) is expected to play a central role in centralizing procurement oversight and improving compliance across government institutions.

Harare, Zimbabwe – President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared a national State of Disaster following a devastating road accident in which a commuter omnibus exploded into flames, killing all 18 passengers on board.

The tragedy occurred on Thursday, April 16, along the busy Bulawayo-Beitbridge Highway as the victims, mourners returning from a funeral in Nkayi, were heading home.

According to police and government officials, the vehicle caught fire and was rapidly engulfed in flames, resulting in an explosion that left no survivors.

Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe, who visited the accident scene, confirmed that some bodies were burnt beyond recognition, while others have been identified. He described the incident as one of the deadliest road accidents in recent months.

“President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared a State of Disaster following the incident along the Bulawayo-Beitbridge Road,” Minister Garwe said. “ZRP and other security agents are busy investigating, so the cause of the accident is not yet known, but we are so saddened as Zimbabweans and the government.”

President Mnangagwa conveyed his personal condolences to the bereaved families through the minister, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of life.

The Bulawayo-Beitbridge Highway is one of Zimbabwe’s major transport corridors, frequently used by commuter omnibuses. Road accidents are common on Zimbabwean highways due to poor road conditions, overloading, and vehicle maintenance issues, but the fiery explosion in this case has heightened public concern.

As investigations continue, authorities have not yet determined whether the fire was caused by a mechanical failure, speeding, or another factor. The declaration of a State of Disaster will allow the government to mobilize additional resources for emergency response, victim identification, and support to affected families.

This latest tragedy comes amid ongoing national efforts to improve road safety in Zimbabwe, where traffic accidents remain a leading cause of death.

Lagos, Nigeria – In a landmark shift for Africa’s largest oil producer, Nigeria has become a net exporter of petrol for the first time, thanks to surging output from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

In March 2026, the Dangote Refinery exported 44,000 barrels per day (bpd) of petrol while imports fell to just 41,000 bpd, creating a small but historic surplus of roughly 3,000 bpd.

The development ends decades of paradox in which Nigeria exported vast quantities of crude oil but imported nearly all its refined fuel needs.

The 650,000-bpd refinery — the world’s largest single-train facility — processed 565,000 barrels of crude per day in March, its second-highest monthly intake since starting operations in late 2023. Market intelligence from Kpler confirms that petrol imports hit their lowest level on record as domestic refining capacity finally began meeting — and exceeding — local demand.

Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man and founder of the refinery, credited President Bola Tinubu’s administration for creating a supportive policy environment that restored investor confidence in the energy sector. The refinery has already begun expanding its reach: in March it shipped a 317,000-barrel petrol cargo to Mozambique — its first delivery to East Africa — with a follow-up cargo scheduled for Beira in April.

Strategic Implications

Analysts say the milestone will strengthen Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings, ease pressure on the naira, and reduce the country’s long-standing vulnerability to global fuel supply shocks. It also positions Nigeria as an emerging player in the global refined products market, potentially disrupting traditional supply routes from the Middle East and Europe.

The Dangote Refinery’s rapid progress — from cutting import bills to supplying West Africa and now East Africa — marks a major turning point in Nigeria’s energy story after years of underinvestment in domestic refining capacity.