My name is Caroline Doyle, and I am an associate editor at Horizon Engage. This week, our newsletter covers new leaders from changing party dynamics in Angola’s ruling MPLA, Tinubu’s leadership changes in Nigeria (but no cabinet reshuffle yet), and Indonesia’s new capital, Nusantara, expected to be inaugurated this August. Our quote of the week comes from Ghana’s president, who spoke at the Summit for Peace in Ukraine in Switzerland just a few days ago. Read more below!
Retired Angolan General Announces Run for Party Leadership
Retired general and MPLA heavyweight Higino Carneiro recently announced he was considering running for party leadership in 2026, when President Joao Lourenco’s second term ends. Whoever takes his place will be the party’s candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
Carneiro — one of the party’s most senior and influential members — said “changes were necessary” in his announcement, likely referencing how the MPLA almost lost its majority in the August 2022 general elections. He emphasized internal organization, which is no surprise: Carneiro is one of the MPLA generals who came under legal fire under Lourenco’s leadership, including corruption allegations. He was the subject of a 2019 investigation on multiple suspicions and was eventually cleared in 2022.
Earlier this year, Carneiro denied plans to run. Still, with the 2026 elections coming up, it’s not surprising that some political maneuvering is beginning, especially from those outside of Lourenco’s fan club.
Tinubu Makes Leadership Changes, but no Cabinet Reshuffle Yet
Though the cabinet reshuffle widely expected on the one-year anniversary of Tinubu’s taking office has yet to take place, Tinubu is still shuffling leadership as he sees fit. He recently appointed his longtime ally, Ayodeji Ariyo Gbeleyi, to lead the Bureau of Public Enterprises, a significant, much-coveted job. Additionally, after Ben Akabueze’s second term ended, Tinubu appointed Taminu Yakubu as director general of the Budget Office.
Gbeleyi’s appointment is hardly a shock: He’s an old friend and previously served as a finance commissioner in Lagos State under Tinubu’s mentee. At first glance, Yakubu is a more unlikely pick, mainly because he is an outlier from Tinubu’s tendency to pick fellow Logosians.
Under a closer look, however, motives become clear. Tinubu’s nephew, Wale Edun, is the CEO of the oil company Oando, where Yakubu is an independent, non-executive director. While we remain on the edge of our seats for the long-awaited cabinet reshuffle, we expect Tinubu to continue asserting his authority.
Indonesian Conglomerates to Help Develop New Capital
Indonesia’s new capital, Nusantara, is expected to be inaugurated on 27 August, the republic’s 79th birthday. Outgoing President Joko Widodo announced last month he would begin working from Nusantara and that President-Elect Probowo Subianto would continue the project. Developing the city is a huge undertaking, with the government’s current cost estimates hitting $30bn.
Ten Indonesian conglomerates, led by Sugianto Kusumo of the property giant Agung Sedayu, have formed a consortium to invest in developing Nusantara. Six members have significant interests in energy and mining, particularly coal, and we’d say it’s a safe bet that getting involved in the project is a great way to earn favor with the outgoing and incoming presidents.
That said, growing nationalism in Indonesia may sour the reception of foreign investment. Though FDI would boost the expensive new capital, it could reinforce domestic resentment, which is already growing over the project’s price tag. Flying under the radar may be the safest bet.
Quote of the Week:
At the Summit on Peace in Ukraine, held in Switzerland on 15-16 June, Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo spoke about the global consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“The consequences of the invasion go far beyond the confines of Europe. Indeed, in many ways, Africa has been the greatest victim.”
Though one might disagree about who the greatest victim is, the conflict’s disruption of Ukraine’s grain exports has worsened food insecurity in Africa.
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