• Zimbabwe's lithium exports jumped 30% year-on-year by mid-2025, despite an 80% global price drop.• National production surged 222% in 2024, with further growth expected this year.• Mining firms in Zimbabwe remain optimistic, citing future demand tied to the global energy transition. Lithium prices plunged over 80% between March 2023 and March 2024, according to Fastmarkets. The global...

• Candi Solar plans to raise “tens of millions” in new Series D funding by 2026.• Current funds will deepen its footprint in South Africa and India’s fast-growing solar markets.• The company targets innovation and talent growth to serve the rising demand from businesses. Candi Solar, a specialist in decentralized solar energy, targets a fresh funding round to speed up expansion in...

• Congo’s cobalt embargo and China’s rare earth restrictions pushed prices up sharply.• Lithium and graphite prices continued to fall amid oversupply and delayed production.• Manganese prices rose but face a mixed outlook as demand for batteries grows. As the first half of 2025 came to a close, metal prices diverged sharply—some were lifted by geopolitical restrictions, others...

• MTN Uganda graduates 298 vulnerable young women in coding, graphic design, and cybersecurity.• Women face higher unemployment and training gaps, with nearly 40% of Ugandan women aged 15-24 not in education or work.• MTN plans to expand the initiative nationwide, linking training to self-employment and job placements. Companies address Africa’s digital skills shortage by targeting young...

• Citic Construction commits $250 million over five years to develop 100,000 hectares in Angola.• Initial clearing underway on 8,000 hectares; target to cultivate up to 20,000 hectares by next year.• Angola will export 60% of crops to China, aiming to reduce Beijing’s dependence on U.S. imports. Angola’s agricultural sector currently represents about 10% of its GDP, yet farmers...

• President Mahama launched phase two of the Blekusu coastal protection project on July 19• The four-year project will cover 8 km of coastline and includes community development works• Ghana remains highly vulnerable to climate change, with major adaptation funding needs Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama officially launched the second phase of the Blekusu Coastal Protection Project on...

• Telecom operators report a rise in vandalism since May, affecting services nationwide• Critical equipment like fiber cables, generators, and batteries are being stolen or destroyed• ALTON calls for urgent security action as vandalism threatens digital progress and service quality In Nigeria, telecom operators are raising alarms over a renewed wave of vandalism targeting critical network...

• TRC begins phase 2 of the Intermodal and Rail Development Project backed by a $200 million IDA credit• The project will rehabilitate 2,707 km of meter-gauge railway to improve regional connectivity• Tanzania aims to become a key trade route for landlocked neighbors, competing with Kenya Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) has launched the second phase of its Intermodal and Rail...

- Micro, small, and medium enterprises received over half of business loans in WAEMU in 2024 - Bank loans to SMEs rose by 13.5%, while lending to large firms increased by only 3.8% - Service and industrial sectors led credit growth, while agriculture saw a sharp decline In 2024, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) received 52% of all bank loans granted to businesses in the West African...

• Starting September 1, 2025, companies must allocate at least 30% of labor costs to local workers in World Bank-funded international public works projects• The goal is to boost local employment, build skills, and strengthen developing economies• The measure is part of a wider push to modernize public procurement and tackle youth unemployment, especially in Africa The World Bank will...