The two groups intend to create the largest African non-banking financial services entity.  Sanlam, Africa’s largest insurance company, announced Wednesday, May 4, an agreement with Allianz “to combine current and future operations across Africa.” According to a joint release, the agreement aims to “create the largest pan-African non-banking financial services entity on...

The Western Cape wants to facilitate access to broadband internet for all its residents. A few weeks ago, MTN announced a US$51.1 million investment in its broadband infrastructure.  In South Africa, the Western Cape government has secured a ZAR20 million (US$1.3 million) grant from the U.S. government for the feasibility studies of a broadband expansion project. The grant agreement was...

In early September 2021, diplomatic sources announced the arrival of Wagner group in Mali following an agreement with transition authorities. The latter have always denied the fact claiming instead that only Russian advisors and instructors were present alongside their armies.  The Russian paramilitary group Wagner is indeed present in Mali. The information was confirmed by Sergei Lavrov...

All across Africa, demand for telecom services is booming. To keep up with the demand, operators are increasing investments. Zimbabwean parastatal telecom operator TelOne inaugurated, Thursday (April 28), a data center and a customer experience center in Bulawayo, the second-largest city in the country.  Both facilities were deployed to enhance the speed of the internet connection offered...

The final closing is announced two years after the first closing to fund SMEs in frontier markets over the coming 10 years.  Belgian Investment Company for Developing Countries (BIO), announced Friday (April 29), the final closing, at €36 million (about US$38 million) of its SDG Frontier Fund.   With the investment vehicle, BIO will indirectly invest in a dozen...

In Cameroon, 8 percent of GDP contribution in the agricultural sector is compromised every year because of the challenges facing the sector, according to the World Bank. This situation has a direct impact on the living conditions of close to two million residents. Therefore, local authorities are trying to address the issues with the support of international partners.   The World Bank...

Liquid Intelligent Technologies aims to become the leading internet service provider in Africa. It sees DRC as a strategic market to fulfill that ambition.  Pan-African Internet service provider Liquid Intelligent Technologies is expanding its network in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Last Thursday (April 28), the firm announced it would connect Limete, Gombe, and Ngaliema to its...

Within three days, Swvl made two strategic acquisitions to expand into Europe and the US. With Zeelo, the Egyptian firm will be present in 21 countries worldwide.  The Egyptian mass transit group Swvl, announced Thursday (April 28), the acquisition of British smart bus platform Zeelo, for an undisclosed amount.  The deal allows Swvl to enter three new strategic markets: the United...

In 2017, Nigeria raised US$300 million with its diaspora bonds, which offers the government alternative funding means.  Nigeria is currently considering the issuance of new disposal bonds, Bloomberg reports citing Patience Oniha, Director-General of the country’s Debt Management Office (DMO).  The exact amount the country intends to raise via that mechanism is not revealed yet but...

Ghana’s ambition to implement a national roaming regime is gradually getting into its active phase. A few days ago, AirtelTigo and Glo made a similar announcement. Two operators have joined the bandwagon.  MTN and Vodafone Ghana announced, Wednesday (April 27), a national roaming agreement. The telecom operators will begin this strategic partnership with a pilot phase in the Volta Region...