Today marks four years since Captain Ibrahim Traoré seized power in Burkina Faso in a military coup. Since then, his government has pursued greater national control over the country's natural resources and reduced reliance on traditional Western partners. This week, Traoré inaugurated Burkina Faso's first gold refinery, as his government seeks to keep more of the value from the country's gold industry at home. But Burkina Faso continues to face a serious security crisis, while restrictions on political activity, journalists and civil society have raised concerns. For more on how these developments are being viewed inside the country, I'm joined by Van Marcel Ouoba, a civil society member and spokesperson for the Coalition of Activists, Journalists and Opinion Leaders in Burkina Faso.

Today marks four years since Captain Ibrahim Traor&eacute; seized power in Burkina Faso in a military coup. Since then, his government has pursued greater national control over the country's natural resources and reduced reliance on traditional Western partners. This week, Traor&eacute; inaugurated Burkina Faso's first gold refinery, as his government seeks to keep more of the value from the country's gold industry at home. But Burkina Faso continues to face a serious security crisis, while restrictions on political activity, journalists and civil society have raised concerns. For more on how these developments are being viewed inside the country, I'm joined by Van Marcel Ouoba, a civil society member and spokesperson for the Coalition of Activists, Journalists and Opinion Leaders in Burkina Faso.

Africa Rise & Shine

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Burkina Faso marks four years under Traoré as gold refinery opens amid security crisis

On Wednesday Profile this morning, we meet a man who has spent much of his life at the intersection of money, business and political power - and who now argues that Africa's great unfinished struggle is an economic one. Jimi Wanjigi is a Kenyan businessman, political strategist and leader of the Safina Party. For years, he was better known as an influential figure behind the political curtain than as the man standing in front of it. Today, he is seeking a much more public role in shaping Kenya's future. He is also preparing to travel to South Africa's historic University of Fort Hare to deliver this year's O.R. Tambo Lecture, where he will turn his attention to one of the defining questions facing the continent: economic inequality. But what leads a successful and wealthy businessman to make inequality his cause? And does political freedom mean very much if millions of Africans remain economically excluded? I spoke to Jimi Wanjigi and began by asking him what in his eraly years shaped the man he became and led him to have such strong views on inequality.

On Wednesday Profile this morning, we meet a man who has spent much of his life at the intersection of money, business and political power - and who now argues that Africa's great unfinished struggle is an economic one. Jimi Wanjigi is a Kenyan businessman, political strategist and leader of the Safina Party. For years, he was better known as an influential figure behind the political curtain than as the man standing in front of it. Today, he is seeking a much more public role in shaping Kenya's future. He is also preparing to travel to South Africa's historic University of Fort Hare to deliver this year's O.R. Tambo Lecture, where he will turn his attention to one of the defining questions facing the continent: economic inequality. But what leads a successful and wealthy businessman to make inequality his cause? And does political freedom mean very much if millions of Africans remain economically excluded? I spoke to Jimi Wanjigi and began by asking him what in his eraly years shaped the man he became and led him to have such strong views on inequality.

Wednesday Profile: Kenyan businessman, Jimi Wanjigi on Africa's economic inequality, political power and unfinished struggle 

South Africa heads to the local government election in less than two months. The Electoral Commission says all its national systems are fully ready for the 4 November polls. In the Northen Cape province, political parties contesting the vote signed the code of conduct on Tuesday (yesterday). A total of 547 registered political parties are contesting the local government elections across the country.To unpack the Northen Cape provincial landscape, we speak to Elkin Topkin, Northern Cape provincial officer for the Independent Electoral Commission South Africa

South Africa heads to the local government election in less than two months. The Electoral Commission says all its national systems are fully ready for the 4 November polls. In the Northen Cape province, political parties contesting the vote signed the code of conduct on Tuesday (yesterday). A total of 547 registered political parties are contesting the local government elections across the country.To unpack the Northen Cape provincial landscape, we speak to Elkin Topkin, Northern Cape provincial officer for the Independent Electoral Commission South Africa

Northern Cape prepares for 2026 local elections as parties sign code of conduct

Nigerian billionaire and industrialist Aliko Dangote says a Kenyan court order halting the groundbreaking of his planned oil refinery in Lamu will not deter him from investing in the country. The 16-billion-dollar project has been put on hold after local residents went to court, claiming ownership of the land earmarked for the refinery. Daniel Ominde has the details from Nairobi.

Nigerian billionaire and industrialist Aliko Dangote says a Kenyan court order halting the groundbreaking of his planned oil refinery in Lamu will not deter him from investing in the country. The 16-billion-dollar project has been put on hold after local residents went to court, claiming ownership of the land earmarked for the refinery. Daniel Ominde has the details from Nairobi.

Burkina Faso marks four years under Traoré as gold refinery opens amid security crisis

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