Starlink is expanding its presence in Africa with plans to address the digital divide. In Liberia, approximately 70% of the population lacked internet access at the start of 2024, according to DataReportal. The satellite internet provider, a subsidiary of the American company SpaceX, is focusing on Liberia for its operations. Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, presented the initiative to Liberian...

In Q1 2024, Nigeria's GDP growth dropped to 2.98% from 3.46% in Q4 2023, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recently revised its growth forecast for Nigeria, lowering it by 0.2 percentage points. The country's economic growth is now expected to reach 3.1% in 2024, down from the 3.3% estimated in April. This update comes from the...

Namibia is Africa's top producer of uranium, with three active mines. After being in care and maintenance for about six years, the Langer Heinrich mine came back online on March 30, 2024.  Paladin Energy announced on July 22 its first uranium shipment since the Langer Heinrich mine resumed activity. The shipment of 319,229 pounds left the Walvis Bay port on July 12. The mine had been...

Zambia, Africa's second-largest copper producer after the DRC, is working to increase its copper exports and revenues as new deposits are discovered. Zambia’s copper production is expected to rise by 40%, reaching one million tonnes by 2027, up from about 700,000 tonnes in 2023. The figures are under the government's Medium Term Budget Plan for 2025-2027. According to Zambian authorities,...

The project aims to valorize Gabon’s mining potential. It will improve the sector’s management, by monitoring businesses that explore and exploit the country’s resources, and by expanding available date on geological potentiel. Gabon’s Ministry of Economy seeks a firm to draft application texts for Law N°037/2018, which regulates the country’s mining industry. The African Development...

After raising $520 million over the past three years, Egyptian financial services company MNT-Halan has secured an additional $157.5 million to fuel its growth beyond its domestic market. Egyptian fintech MNT-Halan announced on July 20 that it has raised $157.5 million to support its growth and geographical expansion. Of this amount, the International Finance Corporation (IFC)...

Operational since January 2024, Dangote Refinery has been compelled to rely on crude oil imports due to insufficient deliveries from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote announced on July 20 that his oil refinery plans to reach 85% of its production capacity by the end of the year, targeting 550,000 barrels per day (bpd). "The refinery,...

The Airbus A321XLR powered by CFM LEAP-1A engines has received its Type Certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), preparing the way for the entry-into-service of the new aircraft at the end of the summer. The Type Certificate was handed over by Florian Guillermet, Executive Director of EASA, to Isabelle Bloy, A321XLR Chief Engineer. Certification of the Pratt & Whitney...

The National Communications Authority (NCA) is setting new conditions to facilitate telecom interconnections between operators. The guidelines for disconnecting telecom connections were released on the NCA’s website on Thursday, July 18. The NCA has published the "Guidelines on Procedure for Granting Approval to Disconnect Telecommunications Service Operators" on its official website. The...

In the first quarter of 2024, France emerged as Nigeria's largest trade partner, surpassing Spain and the United States for the first time in recent years. French imports from Nigeria totaled 2,125 billion naira ($1.4 billion), accounting for 11.05% of Nigeria’s total exports. This figure positions France ahead of Spain, which had led for the past five years, and the United States. If this...