In September 2024, she officially announced her bid for a second term as head of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Now reappointed to her role, she faces significant challenges ahead. Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (photo) has been unanimously re-elected for a second term as Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The former Nigerian Minister was re-elected during a special WTO...

The Kibali mine, which produces almost all this volume, sold its gold at an average price of $46,214.8 per kilogram in Q1 2024. That is nearly $20,000 less than how much Primera Gold (now DRC Gold Trading) sold its gold at in the same quarter. Meanwhile, global gold prices were up by 37% over the period. Recent data from the Cellule Technique de Coordination et de Planification...

Mali has put a hold on issuing new mining titles until 2022 and introduced a new mining code in 2023, creating uncertainty for mining companies. However, with the recent release of decrees to implement the new code, the outlook is improving. On November 28, Canadian mining company Desert Gold announced plans to publish a preliminary economic assessment for its SMSZ gold project in early 2025....

As of the end of October 2024, Morocco's total imports increased by 5.8%, driven mainly by purchases of finished goods and food products, according to the Foreign Exchange Office. Morocco’s trade deficit increased by 5.2% by the end of October 2024, reaching 249.83 billion dirhams (about $25 billion), compared to 237.49 billion dirhams in the same period in 2023. This information comes...

The European Union (EU) presently gets most of its African graphite from the Molo mine in Madagascar. However, the Old Continent buys up to 97% of its natural graphite from China. Meanwhile, demand in the European market is expected to surpass 500,000 tonnes per year by 2030. This is good news for Africa which could supply this market. Blencowe Resources has joined SAFELOOP, an EU-funded...

Smart Africa Alliance started in 2013 with a goal to turn Africa into one big digital market by 2030. Digital technology is now a major force for development, making this mission even more important to solve many of Africa’s challenges. At the 2024 Digital Transformation Forum (ATDA) in Abidjan, Smart Africa’s CEO, Lacina Koné, talked to Ecofin Agency (EA) about the alliance’s projects and...

Safaricom Ethiopia announced on November 22 that it has expanded its 4G network to Nekemte City, enhancing connectivity and digital access. The rollout, supported by 32 advanced towers and a fiber backbone, brings high-speed internet to the region. This expansion also creates employment opportunities for 250 residents through five distributor shops. The initiative reflects Safaricom’s...

The Mauritanian government continues to push telecom operators to provide quality services to consumers. For instance, on October 31, Mauritel announced an investment program worth about $35 million to modernize and expand its telecom network. On November 26, the Mauritanian Regulatory Authority (ARE) announced that it had imposed both financial and administrative sanctions on telecom...

Africa faces significant connectivity gaps, despite rapid mobile penetration. ORAN is especially valuable in emerging markets like Africa, where cost-efficient solutions are crucial for expanding rural coverage and modernizing networks to support growing data demand. On November 28, MTN Group announced a partnership with the ORAN Development Company (ODC) based in Northern Virginia. This...

The progression from 5G to 5G-Advanced represents a critical step in telecommunications.  This advancement aligns with the continent's need for smart, scalable solutions that drive economic resilience and inclusivity. MTN South Africa, in collaboration with integrated ICT solutions provider ZTE Corporation, has launched a 5G-Advanced (5G-A) public experience. The event, announced on...