BCEAO lowers main rate from 3.50% to 3.25% effective June 16, 2025 Inflation eased to 2.3% in early 2025 amid stable macroeconomic outlook Policy aims to support credit access and economic activity across WAEMU The Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) has lowered its key interest rate from 3.50% to 3.25%, effective June 16, 2025. The move, announced by Governor Jean-Claude...

Côte d’Ivoire adds kola nuts to new agricultural commodity exchange in Abidjan Sector faces declining output, poor structure, and lower export earnings Market listing aims to improve pricing, financing, and global integration Côte d’Ivoire, the world’s second-largest kola nut producer and its leading exporter, is taking steps to revive a struggling sector by listing kola...

Angola to add 1,200 km of new railway lines under its transport reform plan Intelligent systems will improve safety and operational efficiency Project supports economic diversification beyond the oil sector As part of its economic diversification strategy, Angola plans to expand its railway network by at least 1,200 kilometers, according to a June 3 announcement by the Ministry of...

Government suspends small-scale mining to reduce accident risk during rains Artisanal mining produces 6 tons of gold yearly but is often unsafe Most output bypasses official channels, contributing no state revenue Mali will suspend artisanal gold mining activities from June 15 to September 30, 2025, according to a statement released June 3 by the Ministry of Mines. The measure...

Coffee output projected to reach 11.56 million bags or 694,000 tons Growth driven by rejuvenated plantations and high-yield varieties USDA sees yield and harvest area increasing in 2025/2026 cycle Ethiopia’s coffee production is forecast to reach 11.56 million bags, or 694,000 tons, in the 2025/2026 season, marking a 9% increase from 638,000 tons the previous cycle, according to...

 TRC to begin freight operations on Dar es-Salaam–Morogoro SGR line in July Rail service aims to ease road traffic and improve regional logistics Tanzania positions itself as a key East African transport hub The Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) will begin freight services on its standard gauge railway (SGR) network in July, marking a step toward integrated national and...

Wingu Africa raised $60 million from South Africa’s Rand Merchant Bank Funds will expand data infrastructure in Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Tanzania Project aims to improve connectivity and support East Africa’s digital growth Wingu Africa, a neutral data center operator in East Africa, has secured $60 million in funding from Rand Merchant Bank (RMB), a South African...

Just six African countries account for 50% of the continent’s external debt in 2025 Public debt burdens remain high, with over 60% of African nations above the 50% debt-to-GDP threshold Afreximbank urges tighter fiscal policies and stronger domestic resource mobilization In a report released on May 28, the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) revealed that just six African...

• Fitch downgrades Afreximbank’s rating from BBB to BBB- with a negative outlook• Concerns include loan quality transparency and exposure to high-risk countries• Downgrade may raise borrowing costs and affect investor confidence Fitch Ratings has expressed concerns over a lack of transparency and heavy dependence on countries in difficulty, calling on the bank to revisit its strategy to...

• IRH to acquire majority stake in Alphamin, owner of Bisie tin mine in DRC• Deal adds 20,000-ton annual tin capacity to IRH’s mining portfolio• Alphamin cuts 2025 forecast to 17,500 tons due to regional security risks UAE-based International Resources Holding (IRH) announced on June 3 a definitive agreement to acquire a 56% stake in Alphamin Resources, the owner of the Bisie tin mine in...