DRC orders miners to transfer 5% capital to employees Requirement stems from 2018 Mining Code revision Government extending 5% employee stake rule to telecoms Mining companies operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo must transfer 5% of their capital to Congolese employees by July 31, 2026. The deadline was established in a January 30, 2026 letter from Mines Minister Louis Watum...

Madagascar renews disaster management partnership with Yas Yas serves 14.6 million subscribers, 68% market share Deal strengthens emergency alerts via SMS and digital platforms Madagascar's National Office for Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC) and telecom operator Yas Madagascar announced the renewal of their partnership on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, under the Private Sector...

Beltone acquires Baobab Group for €197.6 million Deal expands footprint into seven sub-Saharan countries Baobab serves 1.6 million customers, €848.8 million portfolio Egyptian holding company Beltone has completed its acquisition of Baobab Group, a leading financial inclusion player in Africa, for €197.6 million (approximately $235 million). The deal was announced...

Nigeria’s BoI launches CBN-approved Islamic finance window Bank to offer Ijara leasing and Mudaraba contracts Move targets underserved businesses, expands Sharia-compliant financing Nigeria's Bank of Industry (BoI) said on Tuesday it had received approval from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to launch an Islamic finance window. The move allows the bank to offer Sharia-compliant...

Heineken to cut 5,000-6,000 jobs globally by 2027 2025 sales volumes fell 1.2% amid weaker demand Company expects 2-6% operating profit growth in 2026 Dutch brewer Heineken will cut between 5,000 and 6,000 jobs worldwide over the next two years as part of a broader strategy through 2030, the world’s second-largest brewer said on Wednesday, February 11. “We really do this to strengthen...

DRC to tender Tenke-Kolwezi-Dilolo rail rehabilitation in April 2026 Project costs estimated at $400-410 million World Bank confirms $500 million financing support DRC Transport Minister Jean-Pierre Bemba said the government will launch an international tender in April 2026 to rehabilitate the Tenke-Kolwezi-Dilolo railway section, with construction scheduled to begin in the final...

Jumia will cease operations in Algeria in February 2026, a market that accounted for about 2% of its 2025 gross merchandise volume (GMV). The company reduced its 2025 pre-tax loss by 38% year-on-year to $60.1 million, while revenue rose 11% to $188.93 million. Jumia aims to achieve adjusted EBITDA breakeven and positive cash flow in Q4 2026, and to return to profitability in...

The IMF approved a $4.87 million disbursement to Comoros following the fifth review of its Extended Credit Facility (ECF) program. The four-year ECF arrangement, approved in June 2023, totals $43 million and supports fiscal and structural reforms. The IMF projects economic growth of 3.8% in 2025 and 4.1% in 2026, driven by public investment and a recovery in domestic credit. The...

Cape Verde launched the “Strengthening Opportunities and Fostering Integration” project to support ECOWAS nationals residing in the country. ECOWAS is financing the initiative with €100,000 ($119,000). Authorities tightened entry rules from Jan. 1, 2026 for 96 countries while maintaining visa exemptions for ECOWAS citizens. Cape Verde’s National Immigration Council launched on...

Rwanda signed a memorandum of understanding with U.S. technology firm Oracle to launch a nationwide digital skills development initiative. Oracle will deploy Oracle Academy and Oracle University programs to deliver industry-recognized training in cloud computing, AI and cybersecurity. The initiative targets a skills gap in a country where unemployment reached 40.2% in 2023, while internet...