78.6% of working-age population active in 2024–2025 Over 90% of jobs estimated to be informal Youthful population adds pressure to formal job creation Burundi’s labor market presents a distinct profile. A large share of the population participates in economic activity, but most workers hold precarious or unregulated jobs. In 2024–2025, about 78.6% of the working-age population was...

Congo regulator says MTN signals detected in Goma and Rutshuru Authorities cite illegal use of frequencies and digital sovereignty risks Case highlights broader cross-border spectrum management challenges Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo have accused MTN Group of illegally providing mobile and internet services within national territory. In a statement issued February 11,...

More than CFA2 trillion invested in mining over the past decade Government plans CFA11.4 trillion in mining funding by 2040 Gold production rose from 5 tons in 2010 to nearly 60 tons in 2024 Côte d’Ivoire has secured more than CFA2,000 billion ($3.6 billion) in cumulative mining investment over the past 10 years, according to data reported this week during the Mining Indaba conference...

Absa Kenya hires M-PESA’s Sitoyo Lopokoiyit, signalling a shift from branch banking to a telecom-style digital platform mindset. The move shows that Absa is opened to scale, adopt data-driven lending, and adopt a super-app style of engagement in retail and private banking. As banks battle fintechs, Absa is importing mobile money DNA to defend deposits and grow digital credit...

FNB now lets stokvels open accounts fully online, removing the need for three members to visit a branch together. SA’s 800,000 stokvels manage about R50bn, making digital access a major banking opportunity. The three-signatory control stays in place, but onboarding, deposits and payouts are now fully digital. First National Bank (FNB) has completed the full digitalisation of its stokvel...

Minister calls for local device production to lower prices and boost digital use GSMA says device affordability remains key barrier to internet adoption Uganda counts 45.7 million mobile lines but 17 million internet subscriptions Ugandan authorities are calling for local manufacturing of phones and computers to reduce costs and accelerate digital adoption. The announcement was...

Marsa Maroc signs management contract with Liberia’s port authority Deal covers rehabilitation and bulk handling at two Monrovia jetties Concession for new multipurpose terminal planned in second phase Marsa Maroc and the National Port Authority of Liberia have signed a management contract for the operation of two jetties at the Port of Monrovia. The agreement formalizes a...

New Kenya plant has 200,000-ton annual capacity, expandable to 260,000 Group added three African factories in 12 months, one more planned African feed market seen reaching $54.9 billion by 2032 Dutch animal nutrition company De Heus said last week it had completed construction of an animal feed plant in Athi River, Kenya. The facility that required an investment...

Mamadou Koné won 101 of 201 votes at FANAF’s 50th congress He succeeds César Ekomie-Afene for a three-year term Koné aims to boost insurance penetration and market integration Mamadou G.K. Koné, president of the Association of Insurance Companies of Côte d’Ivoire (ASA-CI) and chief executive officer of SanlamAllianz Côte d’Ivoire, has been elected president of the...

Electric vehicles could cost less to own than petrol cars across Africa before 2040. Researchers calculated total cost of ownership without taxes, subsidies or import duties. Electric vehicles accounted for about 1% of new car sales in Africa in 2025. Electric vehicles (EVs) could become cheaper to own than petrol-powered cars across Africa before 2040, according to an...