South Africa’s insurance penetration reached 11.54% in 2024 Namibia ranked second with 7.41%, both above the global average Insurtech firms drive micro-insurance and digital inclusion across Africa South Africa and Namibia recorded the highest insurance penetration rates in Africa in 2024, according to the annual report of the African Insurance Organization (OAA) published on...

Drone strikes near Khartoum airport on October 21 raised security concerns ahead of the planned resumption of domestic flights on October 22. The airport’s reopening marks the first civilian operations since April 2023, following more than two years of closure due to the conflict between the army and the RSF. The move signals a tentative return to stability in Sudan’s capital and...

Senegal and Kenya signed a three-month visa waiver agreement to facilitate travel, trade, and tourism. Bilateral trade remains low at $4.5 million in 2024, according to the International Trade Center. A joint commission will be established to address barriers to investment and commerce. Senegal and Kenya signed on Tuesday, October 21, a visa exemption agreement allowing...

Coca-Cola HBC to acquire a 75% stake in Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) for $2.6 billion. The deal could rise to $3.4 billion if HBC exercises its option to buy the remaining 25%. The acquisition will expand HBC’s presence to 14 additional African countries and make it Coca-Cola’s second-largest global bottler. Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company (HBC) announced on...

Operations at the Loulo-Gounkoto gold mine, Mali’s largest, reportedly resumed last week after a nine-month suspension, though neither Barrick nor Malian authorities have issued official confirmation. The mine, which accounts for 43% of Mali’s industrial gold output, has been mired in a dispute over a state audit claiming hundreds of billions of CFA francs, leading to Barrick’s...

Air Tanzania launched direct flights from Dar es Salaam to Accra, a month after opening its Lagos route. The expansion aligns with the African Union’s Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and supports growing intra-African trade and tourism. Ghana’s visa-free policy for African nationals and Tanzania’s goal to reach 8 million annual tourists by 2030 underpin the...

Moroccan firm CANNAFLEX achieved the first international sale of a cannabis-based medicine, prescribed to a patient in South Africa on October 17, 2025. The operation was conducted through a strategic partnership with South Africa’s DRA Pharmaceuticals, ensuring international compliance and quality standards. The deal signals Morocco’s entry into the global medical cannabis...

Egypt launched a nationwide project to modernize export procedures using digitalization and artificial intelligence. The government allocated EGP 45 billion (about $947 million) in the current budget to support exporters and upgrade infrastructure. The Nafeza platform now connects 130 customs sites and 35 government entities to streamline trade processes. Egypt has launched a...

Appian Capital Advisory announced a $1 billion fund backed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to invest in critical minerals projects, with a focus on Africa. The fund will finance mining projects at all stages — from construction to expansion — and marks the first mining vehicle dedicated exclusively to emerging markets. Africa holds 30% of global critical...

Libya plans to raise crude oil production to 1.6 million barrels per day (bpd) by the end of 2026, up from 1.38 million bpd today. The state oil company NOC expects $3–4 billion in new investments to modernize infrastructure and restore production capacity. Libya has launched its first oil licensing round in 17 years, signaling a reopening to foreign investors. Libya aims to...