FAO food price index slips 0.4% in January to 123.9 points Sugar, dairy, and meat prices decline, offsetting gains in oils and cereals Strong global grain supply expected to limit price pressures Global food prices started 2026 on a softer note, extending their downward trend for a fifth consecutive month, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. In a...

Government targets expansion from current plantation area by 2028 Ghana produced 544,773 tons of coconuts in 2024, about 24% of Africa’s output Expansion aims to lift coconut export revenues by 60% Ghana plans to expand the area dedicated to coconut farming to 180,000 hectares by 2028, double the size of the country’s current plantations, according to Peter Boamah Otokunor, Director of...

Authorities say no formal application was filed before the announcement Transaction requires prior regulatory approval to be recognized Decision comes as Namibia tightens oil sector regulation Namibia has suspended recognition of TotalEnergies’ acquisition of a stake in the offshore exploration license PEL104, citing the absence of a formal application and prior approval by the relevant...

IMF and Zimbabwe reach agreement on a 10-month staff-monitored program Program focuses on fiscal discipline, monetary stability, and governance reforms Recent gains include lower inflation, stronger growth, and higher reserves The International Monetary Fund announced on Feb. 6 t it has reached a staff-level agreement with Zimbabwe to help the country implement new reforms and consolidate...

Standard Bank narrowly led Africa’s investment banking fees in 2025, but Afreximbank’s surge signals a shifting balance of power. Afreximbank’s rapid rise reflects a strategic pivot into capital markets and advisory, boosted by geopolitics and sovereign issuance. Global banks returned via mega-deals, while weak M&A and strong capital markets reshaped Africa’s investment banking...

Electricity access reached 84% in 2024, with full urban coverage Power mix to shift toward gas and renewables by 2030 Electricity demand expected to grow about 8% annually through 2030 Senegal is on course to achieve universal access to electricity by 2029, one year ahead of the global Sustainable Development Goal 7 target set for 2030, the International Energy Agency said in its February...

IMF approves $10.48 million in disbursements under ECF and RSF programs Program targets largely met, with progress on governance reforms Growth seen at 5.2% in 2025, inflation around 2% Cabo Verde could receive $10.48 million from the International Monetary Fund as part of its ongoing reform programs, the institution said. In a Feb.26 statement, the IMF announced that it...

Senegal targets digital hub status by 2034 but faces connectivity-profitability tradeoff 540 uncovered zones, 7 million affected, upgrades costly amid margin pressure Operators urge incentives, infrastructure sharing, and regulatory support to sustain investment The telecommunications sector is a central pillar of Senegal’s New Technological Deal, which aims to turn the country...

Mali plans to raise CFA1,450 billion on the WAEMU financial market in 2026 Issuance will be spread quarterly through Treasury bills and bonds Regional market remains central to Mali’s budget financing strategy Mali has officially launched its 2026 public securities issuance calendar, setting a target of CFA1,450 billion, or about $2.6 billion, to be raised on the WAEMU regional...

Essaouira is a coastal city in Morocco, on the Atlantic Ocean, in the Marrakech–Safi region, about two and a half hours by road from Marrakech. It stands out for its mild, windy climate, which shapes both daily life and the visitor experience. Its manageable size and seaside atmosphere make it feel very different from the country’s larger tourist hubs. The medina of Essaouira, listed as a...