• The World Bank now expects Sub-Saharan Africa’s economy to grow 3.8% in 2025, up from 3.5%.• Inflation is easing, currencies are stabilizing, and private consumption is rebounding.• Despite this momentum, growth remains too weak to significantly cut poverty levels. The World Bank announced today it has raised its 2025 growth forecast for Sub-Saharan Africa to 3.8%, up from 3.5%...

• Oil majors including TotalEnergies and Chevron are calling for faster approval of exploration permits in Africa.• Governments such as Congo and Angola are revising laws and granting more licenses to attract investors.• NGOs warn that speeding up approvals could weaken environmental and public consultation standards. Major oil companies such as TotalEnergies and Chevron are urging African...

Cameroon exported 42,000 tonnes of raw cotton in Q1 2025, generating CFA47 billion ($83.5 million), showing stable revenues despite a 2.4% volume increase. National cotton production is forecast at 350,100 tonnes in 2025, signaling recovery toward the 400,000-ton strategic target of Sodecoton. Climate variability remains a risk, with droughts and irregular rainfall costing the...

The IMF said Guinea-Bissau met 7 out of 10 performance criteria under its $53.14 million Extended Credit Facility (ECF) agreement. Fiscal pressures mounted in 2025 due to lower-than-expected revenues and higher spending in the first half of the year. The IMF forecasts 5.5% GDP growth in 2025, driven by strong cashew output and improved trade terms. The International Monetary...

Moody’s reaffirmed the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) AAA rating with a stable outlook, citing strong financial fundamentals and robust shareholder backing. AfDB’s debt ratio fell to 208% in 2024, down from nearly 300% in 2019, outperforming the median of AAA-rated institutions (244%). A $3.1 billion capital increase between 2025 and 2032 is set to further strengthen the...

President Bola Tinubu requested parliamentary approval to raise $2.8 billion, including Nigeria’s first $500 million international sukuk. The $2.3 billion in new loans will finance the 2025 budget deficit and refinance eurobonds maturing in November. Fitch Ratings upgraded Nigeria’s sovereign rating to “B” in June 2025, citing major economic reforms that...

Senegal signed new partnerships to turn major tech events into drivers of investment and job creation. The government aims to label over 500 tech startups and generate 150,000 direct jobs. Upcoming events include Dakar SLUSH’D, SIPEN, SALTIS, and NEXTEN Summit 2025.  Senegal is stepping up efforts to strengthen its digital economy by leveraging major technology events to...

African sovereign bonds gain 20.45% YTD, driving renewed investor demand and improved Eurobond market conditions. Key performers Ghana, Zambia, and Morocco post double-digit returns after restructurings and rating upgrades boost sentiment. Eurobond spreads narrow to 388 bps, lowest since 2019, as stable currencies and easing inflation support cheaper African debt. According to data...

Malawi’s telecom regulator launched a national broadband mapping system with support from the ITU and the European Union. The project aims to identify and fill coverage gaps to expand digital access between 2025 and 2028. Despite 75% 4G coverage, only 18% of Malawians actively used the Internet in 2023. The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has launched a...

Djibouti signed a $90 million financing agreement with the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) to secure refined petroleum for electricity production. The funding supports Djibouti’s Vision 2035, targeting universal energy access and 100% renewable electricity generation. Around 70% of Djibouti’s electricity relies on hydro imports from Ethiopia,...