Airtel Africa began discussions with the IFC in April 2024. The company had previously received $194 million from the financial institution in December 2022 for six of its 14 subsidiaries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Airtel Africa has secured a new loan of $200 million from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the lender announced Thursday. The money will be invested in three of...

The ICT landscape is rapidly evolving, with technologies like AI, blockchain, and 5G. Existing policies, some decades old, may not cover these advancements. Reforms are needed to keep regulations current and relevant.  Kenya's ICT Sector Working Group (SWG) submitted, on September 16, a comprehensive report to the Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy. The report...

The Organization expects a decrease in the country's public debt-to-GDP ratio and a continued decline in inflation this year and next. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) forecasts Morocco’s economy will grow by 3.5% in 2024 and 4% in 2025, up from 3.5% in 2023, according to a report released on September 11, 2024. This growth is expected due to increased...

Based on satellite images and on-site measurements, the report highlights that the loss of forest cover primarily stems from the expansion of small-scale agricultural land. A report published in August in Nature by a team of African and European researchers reveals that Africa lost 7.4 million hectares of mountain tropical forests between 2003 and 2022. This loss amounts to 18% of the total area...

In Côte d'Ivoire, as in most Sub-Saharan African countries, staple crops play a crucial role in food security. In the country, this category of agricultural products primarily includes grains, tubers, and horticultural products. Care International kicked off the Sustainable Food Systems Strengthening Project in Côte d'Ivoire (PRESACI) on Tuesday in Abidjan, according to a government press...

Nigeria, with its majority Muslim population, spends hundreds of billions annually on halal products. The government sees major potential in this sector to drive economic growth in the coming years. The Federal Government of Nigeria is working on a strategy to position the country as a key player in the global halal economy, aiming to add $1.5 billion to its GDP by 2027. This initiative,...

Rwanda's real GDP grew by 9.7% in Q1 2024, surpassing the 8.2% average growth rate recorded in 2023. The World Bank announced this data in a September 17, 2024 report. The strong growth was mainly fueled by increased household consumption and increased investments. According to the report, the growth came despite a slowdown in the global economy. The World Bank revealed that robust...

Rio Tinto became a major shareholder in Sovereign Metals in July 2023. Through the move, Rio Tinto eyes the Kasiya project in Malawi. This project is expected to produce 244,000 tonnes of graphite and 222,000 tonnes of rutile annually over 25 years. British-Australian Group Rio Tinto has increased its stake in Sovereign Metals to 19.9%, up from 19.76%. Sovereign Metals, owner of the Kasiya...

The Kada gold project in Guinea holds 923,000 ounces of gold, according to a 2023 estimate. To boost this estimate, Asara Resources, the project's owner, plans an exploration campaign by the year’s end. On September 17, Asara Resources announced a share placement to raise $950,000 for its Kada gold project. Asara secured the funds from Barbet L.L.C FZ, a new investor, in exchange for a...

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has recognized seven African countries as cybersecurity role models. These countries have implemented national strategies, passed laws and regulations, and created regulatory bodies to secure their cyberspace. The ITU's Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) awarded Tier 1 status to Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Rwanda, Tanzania, Egypt, and Morocco in...