• USDA forecasts 8% increase in paddy rice output, reaching 2.96 million tons• Cultivated area projected to expand 8% to 850,000 hectares• Improved climate, reduced pest pressure, and policy support drive optimism In Mali, rice is the second most consumed grain after maize. Despite ongoing climatic uncertainties and security challenges, the country continues efforts to stabilize...

• Visa appoints Aminata Kane as Senior VP for West and Central Africa• Kane brings over 10 years of experience in digital finance and telecoms• She will lead efforts to expand financial inclusion and digital payments Global payment giant Visa announced on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, the appointment of Aminata Kane as Senior Vice President overseeing operations in West and Central Africa. She...

• J.P. Morgan voices confidence in Afreximbank's bonds, despite the bank's exposure to sovereign debt and potential for further rating downgrades• Afreximbank's dubious credits have hit 7.1% at end of 2024, amid concerns over debt restructuring in countries such as Ghana and Zambia• Bonds trade at a premium, offering attractive returns despite rising risks Despite a rating downgrade by...

• CNPC and South Sudan sign plan to rehabilitate key oil blocks 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7• Output remains at 60,000–90,000 barrels/day amid ongoing export disruptions• CNPC commits resources and tech support; concerns linger over governance, impact South Sudan is partnering with China’s state-owned CNPC to revive its struggling oil sector, aiming to boost output that currently ranges between...

• President Museveni signs law allowing military courts to judge civilians• Move follows Supreme Court ruling barring such trials as unconstitutional• Critics see the measure as undermining rule of law ahead of 2026 elections Human rights organizations are denouncing what they call an authoritarian shift in Uganda as the 2026 presidential elections approach. On Monday, a new law...

• Government to invest $30.9 million yearly to boost sugar sector• Funds sourced from a 4% Sugar Development Levy on local output and imports• Allocation to cover plantation expansion, infrastructure, research, and factory upgrades The Kenyan government has announced a new plan to support the country’s sugar industry. On June 16, Agriculture Minister Mutahi Kagwe unveiled an annual...

• Giyani Metals receives EXIM Bank interest for $225 million in project financing• K.Hill to become Botswana’s first manganese mine, with $284 million capex• Site expected to produce 80,000 tons of battery-grade manganese sulphate annually Giyani Metals is advancing plans to establish Botswana’s first manganese mine through its K.Hill project. A preliminary economic review...

• Fixed broadband remains too expensive across Africa, limiting access and usage• High setup fees and limited fiber network coverage hold back adoption• Experts call for stronger investment and public policies to cut costs and expand reach Fixed broadband is meant to be the backbone of Africa’s digital transformation. But for most people on the continent, it remains a luxury. Despite...

Jobless rate drops 0.8 points year-on-year, steady quarter-on-quarter Youth and women see unemployment rise despite overall improvement Member states pursue national strategies to boost job creation The unemployment rate across the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) stood at 11.6% in the first quarter of 2025, down 0.8 percentage points year-on-year, according to the...

$13.7 million disbursed under ECF and RSF agreements Funds to support macroeconomic stability and climate resilience Growth forecast cut to 3.2% amid tourism slowdown The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a disbursement of $13.7 million to Seychelles under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) and the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). The announcement...