The U.S. announced it is suspending part of its assistance to Gabon, in response to the coup that took place in the country on August 30. An official statement signed by Secretary of State Antony Blinken indicates that the decision will last for the time it takes to “evaluate the unconstitutional intervention by members of the country’s military.” “We are (however) continuing U.S....

The number of smartphones shipped to Africa increased 7.6% from 18.1 million in Q2 2022 to 19.6 million in Q2 2023, according to the Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker recently issued by the International Data Corporation (IDC). South Africa, Nigeria, and Egypt were the top African destinations over the period with Chinese Transsion's brands (Tecno, Itel, and Infinix) remaining...

During the 63rd ECOWAS ordinary session in July, the Heads of State instructed relevant institutions to accelerate works on the Abidjan-Lagos corridor. The first roundtable of Financial Institutions for the construction of the Abidjan-Lagos Highway opened yesterday in Abidjan. The event, co-organized by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Economic Community of West African States...

Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) announced yesterday it has reached a $300 million financing deal with the Chinese Export-Import Bank (CEXIM). This 3-year agreement was signed on the sideline of the annual meetings of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in Egypt, we learned. The facility will be used to boost trade finance and investments in Africa and promote economic growth...

The Movement for the Salvation of Azawad vigorously opposed the armed conflict in northern Mali and instead called for stronger anti-terrorism measures. In the two weeks leading up to the outbreak of the conflict, the Movement criticized the breach of the peace agreement and the military operations announced by CSP-PSD. Shortly before the hostilities began, it distanced itself from these...

The presidential election in Mali, initially scheduled for February 4 and 18, 2024, has been postponed. The transitional government explained this delay in a statement, citing technical reasons, including the "hostage-taking" of a database by the French company IDEMIA, to which the government refuses to pay CFA5 billion. Mali's presidential election will be postponed, according to an official...

The African Development Bank Group, on 25 September 2023, announces the 15-month debarment of Joycot General Contractors Ltd. effective 8 September 2023. Joycot General Contractors Ltd. is a construction company registered under the laws of Kenya. An investigation conducted by the Bank’s Office of Integrity and Anti-Corruption found that Joycot General Contractors Ltd. engaged in fraudulent...

Between January and June, this year, West Africa weathered 1,814 terrorist attacks, which killed 4,593 people, according to ECOWAS. To better fight the scourge, the organization will benefit from the support of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT). The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) signed a...

Starlink’s commercial services are already operational in five African countries: Nigeria, Rwanda, Mozambique, Kenya, and Malawi. The firm intends to cover 23 more countries across the continent by the end of the year. Paratus, the Pan-African broadband connectivity provider has signed a distribution agreement with US company Starlink. According to the deal, which Paratus announced last...

Since gaining independence, Africa has tested different governance systems, including democracy, with mixed results. The Guinean president criticized democracy's effectiveness in Africa and appealed to the UN for self-determination on the continent.  "Africa [...] is suffering from a governance model that has been imposed on it,” said Mamady Doumbouya (photo), President of the Guinean...