Israel and Morocco continue the process of warming their relations, which officially started a few days ago. On Tuesday, December 22, they signed an agreement to quickly establish "full" diplomatic relations.According to the declaration, the two countries agreed to "resume without delay full official contacts and to establish full, peaceful and friendly diplomatic relations.” The document lays...

Liberia will benefit from $48.8 million in aid from the International Monetary Fund. In an official statement published last Dec 21, the institution said the money will be used to cut the country’s budget deficit. The disbursement follows the completion of the first and second review under the extended credit facility for the country. For overall financing of $214.30 million, this...

The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank has approved a $7 million grant from the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA), for a new technical assistance initiative meeting the needs of the continent’s fast-evolving renewable mini-grid industry. The Africa Mini-Grid Market Acceleration Programme (AMAP), which aims to expand private mini-grid investment on...

The European Union said it will increase its humanitarian aid for Ethiopia, Kenya, and Sudan, affected by the Tigray conflict. In an official Dec 19 statement, the institution announced additional assistance of $29 million for the countries.  Nearly $23 million of the new funding will be granted to humanitarian partners working in Ethiopia, while $2.4 million will enable...

The International Monetary Fund announced yesterday it has approved $177.9 million to help Benin strengthen its response plan against the coronavirus pandemic. The money includes $118.6 million granted under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) and $59.3 million under the Rapid Credit Facility (RCF). It will be used to meet the country’s urgent budget and balance of payment...

On Thursday, December 17, the Burkinabe Parliamentary Committee of Investigation on mobile phone system made 33 recommendations to the government. These recommendations, according to the parliamentary team, require an amendment to the law on the general regulation of electronic communications networks and services. The law review mainly focuses on maximizing investment so that underserved areas...

European private equity firm Charterhouse Capital Partners announced an undisclosed investment in the capital of Vermeg, a banking and insurance software solutions provider. The operation saw Charterhouse acquire part of the shares owned by French Crédit Mutual Arkéa in Vermeg. Although the financial details of this transaction remain unknown, it is known that the European PE firm...

In 2020, terrorism escalated in the North of Mozambique forcing more than 530,000 to flee their homes. In addition to a military response, the United Nations wants to strengthen its humanitarian mobilization for the country from next year. In a Dec 18 statement, the institution said it wants to raise $254 million to assist terrorism-affected people in Mozambique. The plan will be deployed...

The group of intermediaries working on the bond issue currently being carried out by the Moroccan Banque Centrale Populaire (BCP) will share nearly MAD4.5 million (just over $500,000) in fees and commissions. These beneficiaries include the central depository (Maroclear), the Moroccan Capital Market Authority (AMMC), and the State, through legal fees, securities brokers, legal and financial...

The Algerian government announced it will start a vaccination campaign against Covid-19 from next month. The announcement was made last Dec 20 by the president Abdelmadjid Tebboune (pictured) himself. "I instructed the Prime Minister to chair without delay, a meeting with the Scientific Committee to monitor the evolution of the coronavirus pandemic, to choose the appropriate vaccine, and to...