Izili acquired off-grid solar firm Qotto, active in Benin and Burkina Faso. The group secured $5 million in convertible bonds to support growth. The deal strengthens Izili’s off-grid power presence in West Africa. Izili Group announced yesterday it had acquired Qotto, a company specializing in off-grid solar solutions operating in Benin and Burkina Faso. The transaction...

Nigeria approved the immediate launch of the Ogun State deep-sea port project. Authorities designed the port to ease congestion at Lagos ports. The project may align with Aliko Dangote’s integrated logistics and energy assets. The Nigerian government approved the launch of construction works for the Ogun State deep-sea port in the southwest, according to statements from Ogun...

Benin raised $500 million through its first international sovereign sukuk. The state also reopened its 2038 eurobond for $350 million. Total investor demand exceeded $7 billion. Benin announced yesterday it had completed its first international sukuk issuance. The country became the first African sovereign to launch an international sukuk in 2026, according to an...

DR Congo extended temporary import restrictions on selected goods for another 12 months. Authorities aim to cut the import bill and support domestic manufacturing under the “Made in Congo” strategy. Officials cite falling prices and rising exports of locally produced goods as early results. The Ministry of Foreign Trade announced the signing of several ministerial decrees...

Burkina Faso inaugurated two government mini-datacenters costing $28.6 million. Authorities aim to keep public and private data hosted inside the country under a digital sovereignty strategy. Officials expect savings of about 30 billion CFA francs over five years by cutting foreign hosting costs. Burkina Faso has stepped up efforts to develop its national digital...

Lualaba province signed 16 memorandums of understanding with Emirati companies covering sectors including mining, agriculture, and infrastructure. Authorities have not disclosed the identities of the Emirati firms or the financial terms of the agreements. The talks reflect growing Gulf interest in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s mining, logistics, and energy...

AfDB approves $150 million financing for Mozambique’s Coral Norte gas project Funding supports $7.2 billion offshore LNG development led by Eni Project targets 7 million tonnes annual capacity by 2028 The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved $150 million in financing for the Coral Norte gas project, which is being developed offshore Mozambique in the Rovuma Basin....

Côte d’Ivoire, Benin agencies sign MoU to boost cross-border investment Deal covers information sharing, project support and business matchmaking Both economies post strong growth and improved business climates The Investment Promotion Center in Côte d’Ivoire (CEPICI) and Benin’s Investment and Export Promotion Agency (APIEx) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to...

Talks held with Tanzania’s Kiluwa Group on local production Growing mechanization boosts demand for tractors and farm equipment Belarusian agricultural machinery maker Minsk Tractor Works (MTZ) is considering setting up a tractor assembly plant in Tanzania. BelTA reported on Jan. 21 that the plan was discussed at a meeting in Minsk between MTZ executives and a delegation from...

Cameroon plans 150 billion CFA franc bond on Bvmac in 2026 Issuance depends on market conditions after past cancellations Cameroon remains one of Bvmac’s largest sovereign borrowers Cameroon plans to issue a new bond worth 150 billion CFA francs (about $268.5 million) on the Central African Securities Exchange (Bvmac) in 2026. Bvmac is the unified financial market for Cemac...