Sub-Saharan Africa

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced the reversal of the proposed Value-Added Tax (VAT) increase, confirming that the VAT rate will stay at 15% from 01 May 2025. The decision, announced on 24 April 2025, follows widespread discontent over its potential impacts on the average South African and how it would disproportionately affect low-income households already struggling with the rising cost of living.

Over the past month, the territorial control of the RSF has been shrinking rapidly in favour of the army across several states, including Khartoum, Al-Jazira, White Nile, North Kordofan, Sennar and Blue Nile. The army and RSF have been fighting since mid-April 2023. More than 20,000 people have been killed, and 14 million have been displaced, according to the UN and local authorities. Research from US universities, however, estimates the death toll at around 130,000.