Algeria and Mauritania’s business council seeks a preferential agreement to strengthen bilateral trade The council advocates for barter mechanisms and removal of market access barriers Trade volume between the two countries reached $215.8 million in 2024 The Algerian-Mauritanian Business Council has proposed the signing of a preferential trade agreement to deepen commercial...

The Central Bank of the West African States (BCEAO) licenses nine fintechs for digital payment services in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) The requirement follows new BCEAO regulations effective January 23, 2024, reigniting debate over the lack of a single regional license Just over a month after the Central Bank’s deadline for payment service providers to obtain...

The African Development Bank commits $100 million to support Arise IIP’s expansion in Africa The investment targets special economic zones and agro-industrial processing platforms Arise IIP has mobilized $7 billion and created 50,000 jobs across 47 sectors The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a $100 million equity investment in Arise Integrated Industrial...

Sweden’s Jord AB secures 300 hectares in Sakar for bioenergy development, with plans to scale to 1,000 hectares The project will produce 50,000 tons of solid biofuel annually and support Senegal’s 40% renewable energy target by 2030 Local authorities expect strong socio-economic benefits, including job creation and land restoration Swedish energy company Jord AB has secured 300...

Senegal raises CFA196.8 billion ($339 million) through a three-year treasury bond Over 60% of funds came from Côte d’Ivoire investors, revealing Senegal’s narrow investor base The issue comes amid budgetary pressure, political transition, and IMF concerns over hidden debt Senegal has returned to the regional debt market, raising nearly CFA196.8 billion ($339 million) on May...

Kenyan government plans to divest part of its Safaricom shares to raise $1.15 billion by mid-2026 The initiative aims to finance the national budget under a broader privatisation programme Safaricom’s strong performance positions it as a key asset for attracting investor interest Kenya is preparing to sell part of its stake in Safaricom, the country’s largest...

ADF aligns with Islamic State and spreads recruitment across East Africa The group now operates beyond Congo, using bombings, raids, and smuggling Experts urge a regional crackdown on its support and financial networks A new report by the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI), released on May 21, warns that the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) are no longer just a local...

Madagascar invests $2.2 million in airport upgrades as part of a broader €23.5 million modernization plan Ivato airport tarmac expansion is 80% complete; domestic terminal set for end-2025 completion Government aims to surpass one million annual tourist arrivals by 2028 Madagascar has made airport modernization a central part of its strategy to stimulate tourism and...

Tunisia and Iraq central banks sign cooperation protocol to advance banking oversight and digital payments The agreement supports financial inclusion, cybersecurity, and alignment with international standards Tunisia aims to enhance banking sector stability amid inflation control and regulatory tightening Tunisia and Iraq have signed a cooperation and coordination protocol between...

Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George (MP), has directed the National Communications Authority (NCA) and the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) to provide a full briefing on mobile network service quality across the country. He also instructed both agencies to urgently convene a meeting with the Chief Executive Officers of...