(AfDB) - In June 2025, a quiet but important decision marked a real turning point in African urban finance. The African Development Bank's Board of Directors approved a ZAR 2.5 billion ($139 million) corporate loan for the City of Johannesburg, marking the first time the Bank has extended financing without a sovereign guarantee to a subnational government in Africa. This funding will have a...

• Morocco to build 500 MW green-powered data center in Dakhla to boost cloud infrastructure• Part of Digital Morocco 2030, aiming for data sovereignty and regional digital leadership• Key project details still undisclosed, including cost and timeline Morocco plans to build a 500-megawatt data center powered entirely by renewable energy. This initiative is part of efforts to strengthen its...

• Séguéla gold mine produced 76,686 ounces in H1 2025, up 13% from the same period in 2024• Fortuna Mining maintains 2025 output guidance of 134,000–147,000 ounces, despite a slight Q2 dip• Mine targets further growth in 2026, aiming for 160,000–180,000 ounces Séguéla gold mine in Côte d’Ivoire produced 76,686 ounces of gold in the first half of 2025, according to figures...

• South Africa’s CEF takes over dormant Sapref refinery for 1 rand, with no restart plan or cost assessment.• State may face $1B revival and cleanup costs, as Shell and BP have no future obligations.• Move aims to cut fuel imports, but lacks financial clarity and viability details. The future of South Africa's Sapref refinery, which has a capacity of 180,000 barrels per day, is...

• Uganda’s Zembo gets $1M from FMO to expand electric motorcycle rentals• Aims to cut pollution and boost youth jobs in Kampala• Needs support in regulation, credit, and infrastructure to scale regionally Zembo Motorcycles, a Ugandan startup specializing in electric motorcycles, has secured $1 million in funding from FMO, the Dutch development bank. Local media reports indicate...

• Ghana partners with Onesta on $50M Redgold palm oil project covering 10,000 hectares• Project targets jobs, sustainability, and reduced rural poverty through farming and processing• Supports national strategy to cut palm oil imports, which averaged 257,400 metric tons annually The Ghanaian government has partnered with agribusiness company Onesta Ghana Ltd to launch the Redgold Oil...

After 15 years on the UNESCO List of World Heritage in Danger, Madagascar's Atsinanana Rainforests have officially been deemed safe. This decision marks a significant milestone for Madagascar, seen not only as international recognition of the government’s conservation efforts but also as the start of a new chapter. This new era promises bold green diplomacy, a revitalized ecotourism sector, and...

Standard Bank granted Paymenow a $22 million loan to expand its early wage access service in Southern Africa. Paymenow helps employees access earned wages early without fees, reducing reliance on high-interest informal loans. South Africa faces a household savings crisis, with many workers turning to unregulated credit to cover expenses. Standard Bank granted Paymenow, a South...

Africa imported a record 3 million tonnes of Thai rice in 2024, a 23.3% increase over 2023. South Africa, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Mozambique, and Benin accounted for over 70% of imports. Analysts warn imports may drop in 2025 but note rising demand for Thai parboiled rice in West Africa due to price and quality advantages. Thailand ranks as the world’s third-largest rice...

Côte d’Ivoire will receive $234 million for a sustainable urban mobility project in Abidjan. Gambia will receive $32.2 million to build a medical school and tackle healthcare worker shortages. Mauritania will receive $30.72 million to expand its national cardiology center. The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has approved nearly $297 million to fund major...