Robust International plans to build a new cashew processing plant in Ogun State, Nigeria. The project will raise the company’s total processing capacity to 220 tonnes per day, from 100 tonnes currently. GuarantCo provided a $75 million debt facility to finance the project. In Nigeria, Singapore-based agricultural commodities trader Robust International plans to build a...

The World Bank approved $150 million to improve water and electricity services in Gabon. The project will target service quality, reliability, and financial sustainability, with climate objectives. The program will benefit about 535,000 people, including rural and peri-urban populations. The World Bank announced on February 5, that it approved $150 million in...

Family background continues to strongly shape social and economic outcomes in Africa. More than 85% of young African workers hold informal and vulnerable jobs with limited mobility. The ILO links stronger intergenerational mobility to education quality, labor-market skills, and decent job creation. Intergenerational mobility describes an individual’s ability to reach a...

SolarAfrica closed 1.5 billion rand ($94 million) in financing for the 114 MW SunCentral 2 solar plant. FirstRand Bank, through Rand Merchant Bank, and Investec Bank provided the financing. The project will supply power to companies through a wheeling model, with commissioning expected in 2026. SolarAfrica Energy, a South Africa–focused solar project developer, reached...

Kenya and Italy signed an MoU on higher education, training and research on Feb. 9, 2026. The agreement targets academic mobility, joint research and strategic technologies including artificial intelligence. Kenya expanded student loan access in 2023, nearly doubling private university enrolment by 2024. Italy’s Minister for Universities and Research, Anna Maria Bernini,...

Ethiopia opened its first fully automated smart police station on Feb. 9, 2026. The project forms part of the government’s “Digital Ethiopia 2030” strategy. Limited internet access and power reliability pose risks to nationwide rollout. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed inaugurated the country’s first smart police station on Feb. 9. The facility operates without...

The Tunisian government assigned Tunisie Télécom four core missions to digitise the national health system, including broadband connectivity, a sovereign cloud, artificial intelligence and a digital call centre. The project aims to address chronic shortages of healthcare staff and regional inequalities while strengthening data sovereignty and system resilience. Authorities now...

The support program dubbed “She Wins Africa” is expected to expands from 100 to 1,000 women entrepreneurs across Sub-Saharan Africa. Program mobile.sed over USD 4 million in start-up financing in its first phase, Herconomy and Eco Charge Limited are among the beneficiaries. Women represent 26% of entrepreneurs in Africa, driving inclusive economic growth. An additional 900...

South Africa pursues a China trade deal as Western markets tighten, seeking duty-free access for key exports like wine, fruit, and macadamia nuts. China's agricultural imports fell 3.6% overall in 2025, but fruit purchases rose 6.7%, aligning well with South Africa's export strengths. CAEPA represents targeted diversification rather than a wholesale shift, with success depending on...

Angola targets diamond production of 17 million carats by 2027 despite weak prices and rising competition from synthetic diamonds. Diamond sales revenue fell 14% in the first half of 2025 even as export volumes rose 109% year on year. Angola diverges from rivals such as De Beers, which cut output amid fragile market conditions. After two years of record performance, Angola...