Niger, like most Sahel countries, is facing an economic and security crisis. In 2020, the country’s economic challenges were worsened by climate shocks. To support government reconstruction efforts, several partners are contributing financial and technical support.  The World Bank granted, Friday (April 15), US$250 million to improve municipal management in Niger, according to a release...

The coronavirus pandemic accelerated digital transformation in Africa but it has also boosted demand for high-speed internet. To meet the rising demand, operators are stepping up infrastructure investments. Telecommunications companies Camtel, SudaChad Telecom, and Sudatel plan to build a fiber optic cable that will interconnect their respective countries: Cameroon, Chad, and Sudan. The project,...

For Standard Chartered Bank the exit will allow the group to focus on the most profitable markets. The exit calendar and the potential buyers are yet to be revealed. British banking group Standard Chartered Bank announced Thursday (April 14), its plan to sell some of its activities. According to the release published on its website, the activities to be sold include five subsidiaries as well as...

Faced with tough security challenges, Nigeria is trying to build its military capabilities with the acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment. With each of the arms deals, partners demand human rights guarantees.   The U.S. State Department recently approved the sales of US$997 million in military equipment to Nigeria. The information was confirmed, Thursday (April 14), in a release...

In the past few years, Airtel made significant investments in Tanzania to outrun the leader of the telecom market, Vodacom. Its new bet in that endeavor is the 4G.  Mobile phone operator Airtel Tanzania is moving to expand the coverage of its upgraded 4G network and improve service quality for users. In that regard, it recently announced the 80% completion of its project to upgrade 4G sites...

In the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), their impact on economic activities is rising gradually. These institutions are microfinance firms. Based on their total balance sheets, Ecofin Agency makes a Top 10 list of the most important in the union.  Microfinance institutions are important financial actors that fund segments most of the time left out by mainstream banks....

Ethiopian state-owned telecom operator Ethio Telecom signed, Monday (April 11), an exclusive three-year contractual agreement with five virtual service providers to resell its Internet service. The service providers are WebSprix IT Solutions PLC, VIVATECH Trading PLC, Zergaw ISP, Skynet IT Solution PLC, and Dulle Business Group.  “Per the signed contract, the mentioned five partner firms...

Côte d’Ivoire will invest US$825.8 million to boost its tourism sector by 2025. The announcement was made on Tuesday, April 12, by the Director-General of the tourism and hotel industry, Klo Fagama (photo), during a press conference.  The country will notably fund a project “Tour de la Nation,” a project consisting of the construction, renovation, and development of various...

Dutch finance company Oikocredit approved, Tuesday (April 12), a €1.4 million (US$1.5 million) long-term financing facility for solar grids builder Weziza Benin. The facility will enable the company to connect about 40,000 people living in rural areas to solar power over the next 10 years. According to Siebren Wilschut, Oikocredit’s investment officer, “With Oikocredit’s support,...

Google will land its Equiano cable system in Nigeria this month. The plan was presented, Thursday (April 7), by Google’s Director for the West African region, Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazor (photo, left), during an audience with Isa Ali Pantami (photo, right), Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy. “Nigeria is a major landing point for the Equiano cable and the launch of this...