Mali’s gold output is said to have dropped 32% after Barrick halts the Loulo-Gounkoto mine. The government enforces a 35% local ownership requirement, thereby increasing state influence. Over 560B XOF spent to expand gold and lithium development. Mali’s gold sector appears to be heading towards significant disruption in 2025, as a dispute between the military-led government and Barrick...

Growth forecast raised from 2.1% in 2025 to 2.8% in 2027 Energy reforms, agriculture and services expected to drive recovery $12 billion sought to finance 2024–2028 National Development Plan The Central African Republic’s economy is expected to gradually strengthen, reaching 2.8% growth by 2027, according to a World Bank report published on Friday, September 26, 2025. The...

President Traoré signals plan to expand state role in gold exploitation New mining code allows state to raise free stake to 15% and buy 30% more Burkina Faso eyes 50% in Kiaka mine after moves on Boungou and Wahgnion Burkina Faso’s government plans to continue tightening its grip on gold mining, President Ibrahim Traoré said on September 28, during a wide-ranging interview with...

Nigeria’s pension regulator raised minimum capital for pension fund administrators (PFAs) to ₦20 billion from ₦5 billion, and for pension fund custodians (PFCs) to ₦25 billion from ₦2 billion. The recapitalization must be completed by December 31, 2026, with biennial compliance checks and a 90-day deadline to cover any shortfall. The reform could trigger sector consolidation...

Aurum will drill up to 130,000 meters in 2025 at its Boundiali gold project, up from the initially planned 100,000 meters. Resources at Boundiali already rose 50% this year to 2.41 million ounces, with a new estimate expected in Q1 2026. The company holds A$40 million ($26 million) in cash to finance work at Boundiali and its second Ivorian asset, Napié. Aurum Resources said...

Mark Bristow, who led Randgold before its 2019 merger with Barrick, has stepped down with immediate effect. The board has yet to name a permanent successor, appointing Mark Hill as interim deputy CEO. The resignation comes amid tensions with Mali’s government over the Loulo-Gounkoto mine, which produced 15% of Barrick’s output in 2024. Barrick Gold Corp. announced Monday that...

• MNT-Halan launches Egypt’s first digital secured loan by a fintech• Users access up to 80% of investments via Halan app• Service expands offerings for 8M users, with regional growth planned Egyptian financial technology company MNT-Halan announced on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, the launch of the country's first digital secured loan solution offered by a non-bank financial institution. The...

• Ecobank sells 99% stake in Mozambique unit to FDH Bank• Move aligns with strategy to focus on core competitive markets• FDH Bank takes full control; Ecobank to support via partnerships Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) has finalized the sale of its 99 percent stake in Ecobank Mozambique (EMZ) to FDH Bank Plc, a Malawian bank listed on the local stock exchange. The transaction,...

• U.S. DFC invests $4.6M in Malawi’s Songwe Hill rare earth project• Funds support engineering studies; repayment tied to project success• Move aligns with U.S. push to reduce rare earth reliance on China The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has signed an agreement to inject $4.6 million into the Songwe Hill rare earth project in Malawi. The announcement...

• Uganda aims to cut $900M steel imports using local iron ore• New DRI plant, mining projects launched to boost steel production• Region sees similar moves; major projects underway in Nigeria, Guinea Uganda plans to capitalize on its iron ore reserves to reduce its annual steel import bill, which currently exceeds $900 million, President Yoweri Museveni indicated in a X post on...