Africa: All of Africa Today - August 19, 2026

Zimbabwe has identified 39 additional victims in the Kariba boat tragedy, raising the total number of confirmed fatalities to 83. The latest group includes 21 children, with one being only one month old, and 18 adults. Identification of the remaining victims continues with assistance from families and authorities. The government has implicated ferry captain Sign Patsikadova as responsible for the disaster.

South Africa has assumed leadership of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) with a focus on enhancing regional trade, industry, and infrastructure. Despite recent progress, intra-regional trade comprised only 20% of total trade in 2025. Notably, nine non-tariff barriers persist, and manufacturing's contribution to GDP has declined to 10.9%. President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed concerns over discrimination against undocumented migrants from neighboring countries.

In Nigeria, 25 people, primarily women and children, were killed in an attack on the village of Bin-Per in Plateau State. Armed men reportedly executed residents using machetes, following a series of retaliatory attacks over land and resource disputes between mainly Christian farmers and Fulani herders. Amnesty International estimated that 2,630 individuals were killed in Plateau State between 2023 and May 2025.

Tigray, Ethiopia, has introduced a new general education curriculum after a 16-year hiatus from the previous framework. The curriculum aims to incorporate indigenous knowledge, modern competency-based teaching methods, and adjust to technological advancements such as artificial intelligence. However, funding limitations and a shortage of textbooks may impede implementation.

The government allocated $200,000, insufficient compared to the $550,000 required. Ethical teachings will be introduced in primary schools, while the use of Amharic will be delayed until Grade 7. Secondary-level pathways will be expanded to include both academic and vocational options. Tigray continues to rebuild its education system following extensive disruption due to war.