Niger’s economy grew 10.3% in 2024 and is projected to expand 6.6% in 2025. Yet non-performing loans hit 27.4%, far above the WAEMU average, exposing banks to heavy losses. High debt costs, weak bank capital, and lingering effects of sanctions weigh on financial stability. Niger is recording some of the fastest growth in Africa, yet its banking sector is weighed down by weak loan...

Government adopts 2025–2029 defense strategy to boost army capacity Plan targets stronger operational readiness and international presence Defense budget up 18% in 2025 to CFA118 bln ($209 mln) amid security threats Benin’s government has approved the Ministry of Defense’s 2025–2029 strategic plan, aiming to improve performance, ensure operational readiness of the armed...

SanlamAllianz life new business +12%, value of new business +31% normalized despite FX shocks. Reported Pan-Africa earnings fell, but margins at 11.9% stay strong; Allianz stake raised to 49% for $245m. JV diversifies away from SA, resilience shown; risks remain from Nigeria, Morocco claims and weak FX. In the six months to June 30, SanlamAllianz disclosed constant-currency,...

Sanlam-TymeBank JV awaits final approval, eyed as possible gateway to Africa’s vast credit market opportunities. Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya could be prime targets for digital lending rollout. JV could pioneer insurer-backed nano-loans, boosting Africa’s financial inclusion. Sanlam Ltd.’s plan to build a joint venture with TymeBank is awaiting final regulatory approval in South...

• WAEMU states plan to raise CFA1,300 bln ($2.3 bln) from Sept–Nov 2025• Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal lead issuers with CFA240 bln and CFA190 bln programs• Annual target set at CFA10,700 bln, above CFA8,127 bln raised in 2024 WAEMU countries plan to raise CFA1,300 billion ($2.3 billion) on the regional public securities market between September and November 2025, according to a...

• EFAfrica Group secures $7.2M from AgDevCo to expand agricultural leasing in East/Southern Africa.• Funding targets agri-food SMEs in Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia for equipment acquisition.• Efag has financed over 4,000 contracts ($100M+) since 2013, boosting regional mechanization. EFAfrica Group Limited (Efag), a Mauritius-based agricultural equipment leasing firm, has secured an...

(GSMA)  Registration is officially open for GSMA MWC25 Kigali, which will return to the Kigali Convention Centre from 21-23 October 2025. MWC Kigali will convene government, enterprise, and startup leaders from across the technology ecosystem to define how innovation can accelerate the Africa continent’s digital transformation. Convening global thought leaders Joining our...

• Ecobank CI H1 net profit up 13.8% to $51.5M, driven by lower risk cost & strong deposit growth.• Net banking income rose 6.9%; return on equity at 31.4%, highest in Ivorian market.• Loans fell 8.8% to FCFA 924B, reflecting cautious strategy amid economic uncertainties. Ecobank Côte d'Ivoire, the Ivorian subsidiary of the pan-African Ecobank group, announced a net profit of CFA28.9...

• Ivory Coast industrial sector revenue up 25% by June 2025, driven by extractive, energy, and manufacturing.• Extractive industries surged 68.3%; energy grew 9%; manufacturing rose 7.4%.• Government targets industrialization, private sector key, with focus on value chains & SME financing. Ivory Coast's industrial sector recorded a 25% year-on-year increase in turnover by the end of June...

• Bolt, Glovo, Chowdeck expand fast, all relying on automated order updates via messaging APIs.• WhatsApp has strong position with 80%+ reach; Meta charges per message, routed through BSPs like Beem, Infobip.• API use remains hidden; regulators eye metadata, but every new order drives traffic and rising costs. Bolt Market launched in Kenya in December 2024 and says grocery orders have...