| Africa |
| Forbes named Nigerian Aliko Dangote and South African Patrice Motsepe in its 2008 International Rich List making them the first two black African billionaires. |
| The World Economic Forum launched its list of
Young Global Leaders for 2008, containing several
Africans:
From Cameroon, Achankeng Leke (Partner of Mckinsey & Company); from DR Congo, President Joseph Kabila; From Kenya, James Shikwati (Founder of the Inter-Region Economic Network) and Mugo Kibati (Chief Executive of East African Cables); From Nigeria, Kola Karim (Chief Executive of Shoreline Energy); From Senegal, Karim Wade (Special Advisor and son to the President); and from South Africa, Ferial Haffajee (Editor of the South African Mail and Guardian), Yolanda Cuba (Chief Executive of Mvelaphanda Holdings), Michael Jordaan (Chief Executive of First National Bank), Lisa Kropman (Founder of Investec Ltd) and Tumi Makgabo who also resigned her position within the 2010 World Cup organising committee. |
| East Africa |
| Rwandan President Paul Kagame reacted angrily to a Spanish judge issuing arrest warrants for 20 Rwandan army officers. |
| Lailizamane Abdou Cheik was sworn in as the interim president of Anjouan in the Comoros, following the ousting by AU troops of Mohamed Bacar. |
| Central Africa |
| Demonstrations against President Paul Biya took place in Cameroon and in Washington D.C., principally over proposals to amend the country's constitution. |
| Southern Africa |
| Botswana completed an efficient transfer of power from ex-President Festus Mogae to new incumbent Ian Khama. |
| The office of Mokotedi Mpshe, acting head of the South African National Prosecuting Agency, was quarantined after the office received a poison letter |
| West Africa |
| Prince Ogbulafor was elected as Chairman of the ruling PDP in Nigeria. Anti-corruption investigations in Nigeria have uncovered a series of questionable business deals secured during the presidency of Olusegun Obasanjo. As part of these investigations, ex-President Abdulsalami Abubakar has been implicated in allegations of wastage from his energy company Energo Nigeria Ltd. Peter Odili former governor in oil-rich Rivers State won legal immunity from investigation by the EFCC. Niger Delta Vigilante leader Tom Ateke was accused of diverting refined oil product from the Port Harcourt Refinery for sale at his own private residence. |