Nigeria's army chief Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru died in a plane crash on an official visit to the northern state of Kaduna, which has had security challenges in recent months, three military sources told Reuters.

Covax, the Covid-19 vaccine acquisition alliance, on which most African countries are reliant, has struck a deal with Johnson & Johnson.

Zimbabwe's new foreign minister arrived in South Africa, his first official visit here since taking up his position.

One person was killed and several others injured in Ivory Coast's main city Abidjan after a fake news video on social media provoked attacks on Niger nationals in the city.

Africa's dilemma highlights the vast inequality between rich nations, who were able to corner vaccine supplies early on, and poor countries dependent upon COVAX and donations.

This should have been a promising year for Africa in its plans for an economic recovery. Instead, a lack of access to vaccines threatens to make things worse.

Kenya's health ministry said it is in talks with vaccine manufacturers such as Johnson and Johnson as it seeks alternatives to the AstraZeneca Covid-19 shot after shipment delays of the drug from India.

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 3 419 488 people since the outbreak emerged in China in December 2019, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP.

Nigerian Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau has been seriously wounded after trying to kill himself to avoid capture during clashes with rival Islamic State-allied jihadists in the north of the country, two intelligence sources have said.

Zimbabwe has detected the first cases of the new coronavirus variant that emerged in India, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga said, adding that all travellers from the Asian nation would be required to undergo mandatory quarantine.

The destruction of 19 610 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine was a publicised event.

Unidentified assailants killed 15 people who were gathered for a baptism at a village in northern Burkina Faso, the government said.

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 3 406 803 people since the outbreak emerged in China in December 2019, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP.

French President Emmanuel Macron touted a "new deal" for Africa at a Paris summit attended by about 30 African heads of state.

A Muslim leader has been shot dead after evening prayers in Beni, in the troubled east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, local community leaders have said, the second such killing this month.

Namibia issued emergency travel documents to the twin daughters of a gay couple who have been battling to take them home following their birth to a surrogate in South Africa, one of the fathers told Reuters.

Nigeria has received 4.2 million pounds ($5.9 million) looted by a former governor, who was jailed in Britain for money laundering and fraud, the justice minister said Tuesday.

Drugs with a street value of nearly €100 million have been seized in operations in Africa and the Middle East, including two major busts that show how traffickers are packing larger loads into their shipments, according to Interpol.

Egypt is seeking to restore its regional clout by mediating between Israel and Hamas to douse the week-long conflict in Gaza that has cost more than 200 lives.

Lesotho faces having €50 million of its assets seized around the world after breaching the terms of a contract with Frazer Solar GmBH.