• Benin unveils green finance framework to mobilize funds for climate initiatives• Ten priority sectors include renewable energy, transport, water, and agriculture• Move builds on July 2024 climate finance roundtable with World Bank and IMF Benin has launched its green finance framework to raise funding for eco-friendly and climate-related projects. Announced on September 3, 2025, the...

• Niger asks IMF for technical help to improve governance and transparency• Request comes amid security risks, budget pressures, and weak oversight institutions• Economy grew 10.3% in 2024, with 6.6% growth projected for 2025 The government of Niger entered talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) seeking the institution’s support to improve governance. As part of this effort,...

• Benin adopts a CFA996 billion ($1.7 billion) health development plan for 2026-2030• Program aims to improve governance, services, and access to quality care nationwide• Linked to ARCH project offering health insurance, credit access, and pensions for workers Benin has approved its National Health Development Plan for 2026-2030, valued at more than CFA996 billion (about $1.7...

• Niger seeks IMF technical aid for governance, transparency.• IMF notes corruption, urges oil sector reforms.• Strong 2024 GDP growth (10.3%), 2025 forecast 6.6%. Niger has formally requested technical assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to bolster its governance framework. This initiative comes as the Sahelian nation navigates a complex economic landscape, marked by...

• African AI startups raised $1.25 bln between Jan 2019 and March 2025, led by South Africa• The “Big Four” ecosystems—South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and Egypt—captured 86% of funding• Tunisia’s InstaDeep acquisition by BioNTech for $550 mln marked a milestone for Africa’s AI scene African startups focused on artificial intelligence secured $1.25 billion in...

• China approves Zimbabwean blueberry imports, opening new market.• Chinese blueberry imports grew 17.56% annually, reaching $355M in 2024.• Zimbabwe's blueberry output to rise 50% to 12,000 tons in 2025. China has granted approval for the import of blueberries from Zimbabwe, a significant development that opens a new and rapidly expanding market for the Southern African nation's...

• De Heus invests $25M in Ugandan fish feed plant, 100K tonnes/year capacity.• Local production aims to boost aquaculture, reduce import reliance.• Uganda's aquaculture grew 20.29% annually (2005-2022), reaching 101K tonnes. De Heus Animal Nutrition, the Dutch animal feed giant, has officially commissioned a new fish feed manufacturing unit in Njeru, Buikwe District, Uganda. The...

• Nigeria partners Kaspersky to combat $500M annual cybercrime losses.• MoU focuses on training, threat intel, and critical infrastructure protection.• Nation actively fights cybercrime, but ITU notes need for more development. Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kaspersky Global, a move aimed at...

• Mauritania's artisanal fishing faces high fossil fuel costs, up to 40% of expenses.• IRENA proposes solar solutions with 12-24% IRR, saving 96,200 tons CO2 annually.• Financing remains a hurdle; new €12M fund helps, but more needed for transition. Mauritania’s artisanal fishing sector, a cornerstone of the nation’s economy, is grappling with an energy dilemma that threatens...

• Casablanca-listed firms post $18B revenue, up 7% in H1 2025• Banking, construction, and healthcare sectors drive growth• IMF forecasts Morocco’s 2025 GDP growth at 3.9% Companies listed on the Casablanca Stock Exchange in Morocco reported a combined revenue of 165.2 billion dirhams ($18 billion) in the first half of 2025, according to data from brokerage firm M.S.IN cited by...