🇱🇾LibyaNorth Africa
Suhail Abu Shiha assumes duties as Libya's new Minister of Economy and Trade
via Libya Herald5 min read
Suhail Abu Shiha, the new Minister of Economy and Trade based in Tripoli and former Deputy Minister, officially assumed his duties on April 5, 2026, after a nearly month-long delay. The handover process from his predecessor, Mohamed Hwej, was completed by a committee appointed by the Cabinet Office. The Tripoli government stated that the ceremony followed established administrative procedures, ensuring continuity of institutional performance. Abu Shiha's appointment is part of ministerial changes announced in March by Prime Minister Abdel Hamid Aldabaiba, aimed at enhancing government efficiency. Media speculation arose due to the delay, with some suggesting opposition from Hwej or his local militia. There is also a view that Aldabaiba lacks the authority to appoint new ministers, as this power is considered to be vested in parliament, leading the Tripoli government to refer to ministers as Acting Ministers. Critics believed Hwej's removal was overdue, citing a lack of innovative policies and an inability to solve Libya's economic problems due to his Qaddafi-era outlook.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Libya Herald.
Must ReadArmed clashes and exchanges of fire in the city of Zawia intensified, affecting areas near the Zawia Oil Refinery complex. The refinery reported that heavy caliber shells fell within its compound, reaching operating areas. This necessitated an emergency shutdown of the refinery and the evacuation of tankers from the port to ensure safety. The Libyan Red Crescent branch in Zawiya received distress calls from citizens, noting widespread anxiety and panic due to the clashes. The Zawia Security Directorate, representing the Tripoli-based Libyan government, launched a security operation against outlaw hideouts, urging citizen cooperation and warning wanted individuals against resistance. Zawia is described as a politically polarized city, with this polarization contributing to a security vacuum exploited by various groups involved in illicit trade.
Must ReadThe African Development Bank AfDB has expressed a strong desire to support the Libya Africa Investment Portfolio LAIP's Two Transit Corridors Project. The AfDB's offer includes mobilizing international funding from donors to secure partial or full financing for the project's technical and economic studies and subsequent phases. This offer followed a meeting on May 6 between LAIP's High Committee for the project and an AfDB delegation led by Malin Blomberg, the Bank’s Deputy Director, at the Land Transport Authority of the Tripoli-based Libyan Ministry of Transport. The meeting highlighted the project's strategic importance and its potential to enhance transportation, logistics, and connectivity among African nations. Both parties agreed to continue coordination, cooperation, and the exchange of technical data to advance the project.
The Attorney General’s Office in Libya has launched an investigation into alleged illicit financial benefits from banking operations at Al-Wahda Bank’s Souq Al-Thulatha branch. The Anti-Corruption Prosecution, under the Tripoli Court of Appeal, is examining information related to the collection of US$2.8 million in documentary credits without the corresponding deposit of Libyan dinars. Authorities have ordered the detention of the official responsible for managing documentary credit affairs at the time of the transaction and a representative of the company that benefited from the alleged fraud. Other participants in the incident are also being sought for questioning. Separately, Libya's Administrative Control Authority ACA continues to receive complaints and reports from citizens and residents through its Raqeeb whistleblowing website, aiming to enhance transparency and legal accountability while protecting whistleblowers.
Al-Hadba Al-Khadra General Hospital in Libya successfully performed the country's first wireless pacemaker implantation on a patient with a slow heart rate. This procedure, part of the Ministry of Health's 100-day Plan, marks a significant medical milestone for Libya and is the eighth such implantation on the African continent. The Ministry of Health highlighted that this achievement demonstrates the efficiency of Libyan medical staff in utilizing advanced wireless pacemaker technology, which is implanted directly into the heart without traditional wires, thereby reducing risks and accelerating patient recovery. This initiative reflects the Ministry's commitment to developing the healthcare sector and improving services for Libyan citizens, underscoring the positive impact of investing in national medical expertise and providing a suitable technical environment.