Sierra Leone imported $78 million of iron and steel products in 2023. The country, home to one of Africa's largest iron mines and a significant exporter of metallurgical goods, seeks to enhance its role within its production chain. Sierra Leone has inaugurated its first iron bar factory, owned by Odhav Multi Industries (SL) Limited, a Guinean company specializing in steel manufacturing....

Arrow Minerals is making significant strides in the bauxite mining sector with its Niagara bauxite project in Guinea. The Australian company launched its initial drilling program earlier this year, aiming to tap into Guinea's vast bauxite reserves, which rank as the third largest globally. On November 25, 2024, Arrow Minerals announced the results of its first drilling program at the Niagara...

Burkina Faso adopted a new mining code in 2023, to increase its mining revenues. Since then, the country has been eager to implement the decrees detailing the reform’s terms.  On November 20, 2024, Burkina Faso's Council of Ministers approved the 2023 mining code implementing decrees, completing the regulatory framework designed to maximize mining revenues.  One significant change...

While Africa has an overall score lower than the global average, nine countries on the continent stand out, offering high investment potential in AI, thanks in part to strong digital infrastructure, a skilled workforce, and a favorable regulatory environment. A report released on November 20 by the French Development Agency (AFD) has identified Morocco, Mauritius, and Gabon as the top countries...

This is the first official visit by a sitting U.S. president to Africa since Barack Obama's trip in 2015. It comes at a time when the U.S. is changing leadership. Angola is a strategic country with the largest trade surplus in U.S. dollars on the continent. Outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden (pictured) will make an official visit to Angola from December 2 to December 4, 2024. This was announced...

Fitch indicates that improving the bank's rating would require lowering its exposure to sovereign bonds from the Sahel, diversifying its assets, and achieving a lasting improvement in the quality of its loan portfolio. On the other hand, deteriorating regional economic conditions could heighten its vulnerability. Fitch Ratings reaffirmed yesterday United Bank for Africa Senegal’s (UBA Senegal)...

Collaborations between telecom companies are crucial in boosting digital adoption across Africa. These partnerships are vital in overcoming the continent’s unique challenges, such as limited infrastructure, high costs, and digital divides. MTN South Africa has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with China Telecom and Huawei to collaborate on advancing 5G, cloud computing, artificial...

In 2023, Sub-Saharan Africa had one billion mobile subscriptions, but only 51% were linked to smartphones, according to the GSMA. Smartphone shipments in Africa reached 18.4 million units in Q3 2024, showing a modest 3% increase from the same period in 2023. This growth was slower compared to the 24% and 6% growth rates seen in the first and second quarters of 2024, according to data from...

This compensation is part of Zimbabwe's efforts to rebuild trust with investors and start fresh negotiations with creditors, supported by the African Development Bank and former Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano. The goal is to restructure its debt, which equals 81% of GDP, and reconnect with the global financial system. Zimbabwe has announced plans to pay $331 million to 439 white...

Social media ads, originally designed for commercial purposes, can also play a role in fighting diseases like malaria. In India, a Facebook campaign showed how an effective digital strategy can influence behavior and lower the rate of infection. A campaign in India shows how Facebook Ads can help in the fight against malaria and offers ideas for Africa, where the disease is most severe. From...