Subsidies cost $180M in 2024; removal could raise fuel prices up to 30% Reform postponed to 2026 pending social protection and market conditions Gabon’s government will keep fuel subsidies in place for now.  Petroleum and Gas Minister Sosthène Nguema Nguema announced the decision on Nov. 6, according to local media. He said the measure was needed to protect economic stability...

Aminata Ndiaye Niang named CEO of Orange Madagascar, effective Nov. 1, 2025 Niang brings leadership experience from Sonatel, OMEA, and Orange subsidiaries Orange targets subscriber growth, financial inclusion, and expanded rural coverage Senegalese executive Aminata Ndiaye Niang has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Orange Madagascar, effective Nov. 1, 2025. She succeeds Frédéric...

Nigeria to revive inland water transport in Niger Delta via ferry services New public-private body NDFS to develop safe, sustainable transport framework Sector plagued by accidents; Nigeria led 2023 inland water fatalities in Africa The Nigerian government plans to revive inland water transport in the Niger Delta. Regional Development Minister Abubakar Momoh revealed the plan earlier this...

IFC reviewing €7.5M loan for Catramp’s regional logistics expansion in Central Africa Project to boost warehouse capacity in Cameroon, Chad, and CAR; €10.1M total cost Catramp commits to environmental, social safeguards ahead of IFC board review The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, is reviewing a €7.5 million...

Gunvor drops bid for Lukoil’s foreign assets after U.S. sanctions warning Deal covered major African oil stakes; valued at $22B with no debt U.S. stance blocks approval; Lukoil must find new sanctioned-compliant buyer Swiss commodities trader Gunvor said on Nov. 6 it had withdrawn its bid for the overseas assets of Russia’s Lukoil. The move followed the U.S. Treasury’s...

Biovac opens mRNA-capable vaccine lab in Cape Town, backed by global donors Facility enables full vaccine production, supporting Africa’s health sovereignty goals Project aligns with AU plan to boost local vaccine output to 60% by 2040 The facility will support full vaccine and therapeutic manufacturing for diseases prevalent in Africa. The Cape Town facility is funded by the Gates...

South Africa extends Koeberg Unit 2 nuclear license by 20 years to 2045 Unit 2 ran 241 days at full capacity; major upgrades completed Extension supports 5,000 MW nuclear plan under IRP 2025 energy strategy The National Nuclear Regulator has approved a 20-year extension of the operating license for Unit 2 of South Africa’s Koeberg power station. South African power utility Eskom said...

The agri-food sector has been identified as a primary driver of global forest loss over the past two decades. While the focus often falls on the companies involved, recent studies are highlighting the crucial role of banks in fueling this expansion and the resulting deforestation. Global banks poured $72 billion into high-risk agricultural supply chains tied to deforestation over the past...

France, EU launch $2.5B fund to protect Congo Basin forests Congo Basin stores 90.9B tons carbon; faces deforestation threats COP30 to unveil donor-backed “Belem Call” forest protection plan France and its European partners are setting up a $2.5 billion fund over five years to help preserve the Congo Basin’s ecosystem, one of the planet’s most critical natural carbon...

The Central Bank of Guinea plans a payment system modeled on Kenya’s M-Pesa. The initiative aims to reduce reliance on cash and expand digital payments. The country’s liquidity crisis has eased but structural issues persist. To prevent future tensions from cash shortages like those seen in recent months, the Central Bank of the Republic of Guinea (BCRG) has developed a strategy to...