The Senegalese government bets on digital technologies to spur socio-economic development.  For that purpose, the country is multiplying initiatives and investments to generalize the use of ICT tools nationwide.  National roaming is scheduled to become effective in Senegal next May 17. The project, which is one of the 10 priorities of the telecom regulator ARTP, was presented to media...

Since the beginning of April, the WAEMU government securities market has been gradually recovering, after the slowdown observed in the first quarter. The dynamic is strengthening with subscription rates rising and institutional investors showing renewed interest. However, those operations are becoming more expensive for governments.    WAEMU states raised CFAF134.84 billion ($226...

Last year was difficult for Unilever's Ivorian subsidiary, as it faced challenges in its export markets, particularly Mali, and the sale of its tea business. The company experienced a loss of revenue and margins. Unilever Côte d'Ivoire, the Ivorian subsidiary of the food and hygiene products giant, ended 2022 with a net loss of CFA6.3 billion, compared to a profit of CFA175,000 in...

All sectors of activity attracted more FDIs, except the energy sector. FDIs in the latter were reduced as almost no permit was issued for oil and gas exploration. Foreign direct investments (FDI) to Tunisia reached 652.9 million dinars ($215 million) in the first quarter of 2023, up 10.2% compared to the same period of 2022, according to data released on Wednesday, May 3 by the Foreign...

The recent fighting in Sudan has already displaced 300,000 people. The UN is appealing for help as it fears it would not be able to provide the required aid to the growing number of refugees.   The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) expects some 860,000 refugees and returnees from Sudan by October 2023. According to the Interagency Regional Refugee Response Plan...

Last year, Rain attempted to merge with Telkom to improve its position in the growing South African telecom market. However, after the merger fell through, the operator decided to enhance and diversify its offerings. South African data provider Rain recently unveiled its 4G services, "becoming the fourth telco to do so after Vodacom, MTN, and Telkom, with a network that offers national coverage...

The investment is the mezzanine fund manager’s third in Morroco and 34th in Africa. The operation marks the exit of AfricInvest, which will leave Promamec after 5 years of collaboration. Vantage Capital, the Africa-focused mezzanine fund manager, announced, Thursday (May 4), a €30 million ($33 million) equity investment in medical device wholesaler Promamec.  With this investment,...

Pioneer in renewable energy in Africa, Africa REN announces a change in the shareholding of Senergy 2 solar power plant. Historical shareholders have sold to a new investment vehicle set up by Africa REN and its partners. Located in Bokhol, in the north of Senegal, Senergy 2 was commissioned in 2016, making it the first solar photovoltaic power plant in West Africa. In 2021, Africa REN raised a...

In September 2022, MTN became the first telecom operator to deploy 5G in Nigeria. In a context marked by growing demand for broadband internet, the operator wants to accelerate the adoption of the latest generation of mobile technology in the country. Telecom operator MTN Nigeria hopes to cover 10% of the Nigerian population with its fifth-generation (5G) mobile network by the end of the year....

DRC's economy grew from 5.7% in 2021 to 8.9% in 2022. The growth was driven by strong performance in the mining sector and the revival of non-extractive activities. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) reached a staff-level agreement with the IMF for 152.3 million special drawing rights ($203 million) in balance-of-payments support. The support was announced in a release published by the...