Kenya plans to expand its orthodox (specialty) tea production capacity from 15,000 to 200,000 tons by 2030 under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). The government launched its first specialty tea auction in Mombasa on September 24, with prices expected at $3–$10/kg, compared with $2.28/kg for bulk black CTC tea. Kenya exported 594,500 tons of tea in...

The first Africa Xchange Summit will be held on October 15–16 in Cologne to link African and European creative industries. Nigeria’s Nollywood and Afrobeats drive Africa’s cultural exports but funding remains limited, with only 3% of African startup financing directed to entertainment in 2023. UNESCO estimates Africa’s film and audiovisual sector already generates $5...

Pasofino's Dugbe gold project in Liberia holds an estimated 71 tonnes of gold. The company faces scrutiny for unpaid mining fees totaling $3.48 million since 2019. Liberian authorities have issued an ultimatum, threatening to revoke Pasofino's mining agreement. Pasofino Gold Inc. has encountered significant challenges in Liberia regarding its Dugbe gold project. The...

Cameroon promotes cassava to cut wheat imports, boost exports Women-led cassava hubs planned; few operational, key pilot underway Hurdles remain: quality, infrastructure, funding challenge program scale Cameroon is turning to cassava as a strategic crop to reduce its heavy reliance on imported wheat and to seize new opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)....

Tanzania sets an ambitious target to attract $15 billion in annual FDI by 2026, with Vice President Philip Mpango pitching U.S. investors at the UN General Assembly. Bilateral trade with the U.S. has more than tripled since 2020, driven by value-added exports, while remittances and mobile-money flows highlight growing economic links. Priority sectors for investment include critical...

Orange Egypt now lets wallet users trade gold from EGP 5, marking a shift from payments to savings and trading. WAEMU stock market (BRVM) hit record $295m turnover in 2025, yet mobile access remains untapped offering Orange’s 21m wallets in WAEMU an expansion opportunity. However Regulation may slow rsuch a ollout, but Orange’s first-mover edge could unlock phone based financial...

HRW reports surge in arrests, harassment of Ethiopian journalists New laws expand state control over media licensing, sanctions Ethiopia drops to 145th in RSF press freedom ranking Hopes for a free press in Ethiopia are diminishing following a surge in arbitrary arrests and detentions, according to a report from Human Rights Watch (HRW) released on Monday, September 22. HRW documented...

Seacom unveils AI-ready Seacom 2.0 subsea cable project Connects Africa to Middle East, Mediterranean, Southern Europe Expected to cut internet costs, boost data center growth Pan-African digital infrastructure company Seacom announced plans for a new subsea cable system, Seacom 2.0, at the Submarine Networks World 2025 conference in Singapore on Wednesday, September 24. The project is...

M-KOPA sold 1.3M smartphones in 2025, reaching 6.4M devices sold since 2020. 42% of buyers got their first smartphone via M-KOPA, rising to 45% among women. Nairobi plant produced 2M devices in 2025, employing over 400 workers. M-KOPA, a UK-based fintech, sold 1.3 million smartphones across Africa in 2025, according to its latest Global Impact Report. The milestone reflects the company’s...

Chad will open an embassy in Cotonou, replacing its consulate general.        Benin plans to establish a diplomatic mission in N’Djamena in return.        Both countries signed a visa exemption accord to ease mobility and trade. Chad announced yesterday it will soon open an embassy in Cotonou, Benin, replacing its consulate general. The decision...