US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday arrived in Cape Verde, a tiny island nation off the west coast of Africa, starting a week-long tour of the continent where he is seeking to champion US investment as China and Russia look to expand their influence in the region.
The National is travelling with Mr Blinken for the trip, which will also bring regional issues in the Sahel and security challenges in Nigeria into focus.
It marks his first trip to sub-Saharan Africa in 10 months as he briefly pauses from focusing on the Israel-Gaza war.
Mr Blinken started the Cape Verde visit by meeting Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva and touring Porto da Praia, in the capital city.
The Millennium Challenge Corporation invested more than $54 million to revamp the port from 2005 to 2010.
It is Cape Verde’s biggest and provides one of Africa’s smallest countries with more than 50 per cent of its container traffic.
Mr Blinken promoted Washington’s involvement in the project as an example of US investment in the region.
“All of that has created an incredibly vibrant place, a much stronger gateway to Africa for us and other countries,” he said.
He said the port project was "further evidence" that "the United States is all in with Africa".
"We see Africa as an essential, critical, central part of our future," Mr Blinken said.
He arrived only days after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited several countries on the continent, including Ivory Coast, which the Secretary of State visited on Monday evening to attend an Africa Cup of Nations match between the host country and Equatorial Guinea.
While the match was a lopsided affair, with Equatorial Guinea routing Ivory Coast, Mr Blinken praised the unifying power of sport.
"Especially when it comes to football – to soccer for some of us in the United States – it may be the most powerful unifier in the world," he said.
Mr Blinken said his visit was another opportunity for the US to build "bridges" with the continent.
The US has struggled to counter the growing influence of China and Russia. China has invested heavily in Cape Verde and Beijing's presence can be felt throughout the capital, with some signs in Chinese.
"This trip ... really does focus on President [Joe] Biden’s commitment and conviction that the United States and Africa are joined in partnership for the future," Mr Blinken said.
Molly Phee, US assistant secretary of state for African affairs, rebuffed the idea that Mr Blinken was travelling to the region to compete with any other country.
“Africa is important for its own sake and it's important for American interests,” she said.
In addition to Cape Verde and Ivory Coast, Mr Blinken will also travel to Nigeria and Angola.
Mr Blinken earlier announced that the US will provide $45 million in new funding to help Ivory Coast and its neighbours prevent conflict and promote stability in the face of regional threats.
On his last trip to the region in March 2023, Mr Blinken became the top US official ever to visit Niger, hoping to show support for elected president Mohamed Bazoum.
US investments are helping countries including Ivory Coast to address underlying drivers of conflict, the State Department said.
"These efforts are yielding results as local communities and security officials work together to enhance early warning systems, push back on fake news, and counter violent extremism," an official statement read.
In Nigeria, the country with the largest population in Africa, he is expected to discuss the security challenges facing the country including the threat from ISIS and Boko Haram.
In Angola, Mr Blinken is expected to highlight the Lobito project, a joint effort with the EU and regional partners to develop a rail corridor connecting Angola, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
JOKE'S%20ON%20YOU
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Company%20Profile
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Bugatti Chiron Super Sport - the specs:
Engine: 8.0-litre quad-turbo W16
Transmission: 7-speed DSG auto
Power: 1,600hp
Torque: 1,600Nm
0-100kph in 2.4seconds
0-200kph in 5.8 seconds
0-300kph in 12.1 seconds
Top speed: 440kph
Price: Dh13,200,000
Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport - the specs:
Engine: 8.0-litre quad-turbo W16
Transmission: 7-speed DSG auto
Power: 1,500hp
Torque: 1,600Nm
0-100kph in 2.3 seconds
0-200kph in 5.5 seconds
0-300kph in 11.8 seconds
Top speed: 350kph
Price: Dh13,600,000
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 4 (Gundogan 8' (P), Bernardo Silva 19', Jesus 72', 75')
Fulham 0
Red cards: Tim Ream (Fulham)
Man of the Match: Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City)
Result
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 – Group 1 (PA) $65,000 (Dirt) 2,000m; Winner: Brraq, Ryan Curatolo (jockey), Jean-Claude Pecout (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap (TB) $65,000 (Turf) 1,800m; Winner: Bright Melody, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby
7.40pm: Meydan Classic – Listed (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Naval Crown, Mickael Barzalona, Charlie Appleby
8.15pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy – Group 3 (TB) $195,000 (T) 2,810m; Winner: Volcanic Sky, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
8.50pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (T) 2,000m; Winner: Star Safari, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
9.25pm: Meydan Challenge – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Zainhom, Dane O’Neill, Musabah Al Muhairi
The specs
Engine: 8.0-litre, quad-turbo 16-cylinder
Transmission: 7-speed auto
0-100kmh 2.3 seconds
0-200kmh 5.5 seconds
0-300kmh 11.6 seconds
Power: 1500hp
Torque: 1600Nm
Price: Dh13,400,000
On sale: now
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
The biog
Born: Kuwait in 1986
Family: She is the youngest of seven siblings
Time in the UAE: 10 years
Hobbies: audiobooks and fitness: she works out every day, enjoying kickboxing and basketball
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, semi-final result:
Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona
Liverpool win 4-3 on aggregate
Champions Legaue final: June 1, Madrid
Dhadak
Director: Shashank Khaitan
Starring: Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khattar, Ashutosh Rana
Stars: 3
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Saturday (All UAE kick-off times)
Valencia v Atletico Madrid (midnight)
Mallorca v Alaves (4pm)
Barcelona v Getafe (7pm)
Villarreal v Levante (9.30pm)
Sunday
Granada v Real Volladolid (midnight)
Sevilla v Espanyol (3pm)
Leganes v Real Betis (5pm)
Eibar v Real Sociedad (7pm)
Athletic Bilbao v Osasuna (9.30pm)
Monday
Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (midnight)
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
Publisher: Activision
Console: PlayStation 4 & 5, Windows, Xbox One & Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5