A devastating fire at a school in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo, has claimed the lives of several children. The blaze occurred in the M23‑rebel‑held city, underscoring the perilous conditions in conflict‑affected areas. Meanwhile, Senegal is advancing its ambitions to launch a domestic satellite programme, seeking to bolster its space capabilities. African urban centres are also confronting mounting challenges as they grapple with rapid population growth and climate change, issues that were highlighted at the Kenya architecture biennale in Nairobi.