Kenya plans to import 1.05 million tonnes of palm oil in 2025/2026, near its highest ever level. Malaysia supplies 90% of Kenya’s palm oil, sharply overtaking Indonesia since 2019. Kenya acts as a regional hub, re-exporting 10% of refined palm oil to neighboring countries. Kenya relies heavily on palm oil, which accounts for more than 90% of its total oil and fat consumption....

EBRD grants $100 million loan to Banque Misr to expand credit access for SMEs and women-led businesses. Loan supports Egypt’s green finance goals and sustainable development. Partnership furthers EBRD’s long-term investment in Egypt’s private sector and green economy. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) approved a $100 million loan to Banque...

Power Africa closed after 12 years, leaving a gap in Africa’s electrification push. Mission 300 aims to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030 using diverse financing. Risk perception limits green energy investment despite Africa’s vast renewable resources. Access to reliable electricity remains a critical challenge across Africa. Hundreds of millions of people...

Upskill Universe partners with Google and HP to train 10,000 SMEs in Nigeria and South Africa. The program targets digital marketing, e-commerce, and AI use to boost business agility. Women-led businesses are a key focus, aiming for inclusion and broader workforce impact. Africa’s SMEs face a digital skills gap that threatens their survival in a fast-evolving economy. A new...

Côte d’Ivoire has pre-sold 850,000 tons of 2025/26 cocoa, nearing the 1.3M ton cap The cap aims to reduce delivery risks amid uncertain weather High cocoa prices prompt Barry Callebaut to forecast a 7% sales drop Côte d’Ivoire has already sold 850,000 metric tons of cocoa export contracts for the 2025/2026 season, putting authorities ahead of schedule on forward sales...

Flutterwave gained a BCEAO license to operate in Senegal, expanding to 35 African countries. It targets growth in Africa’s booming $1.5T digital payments market despite lacking profitability. Faces strong competition, especially from Senegal-based rival Wave. Nigerian fintech unicorn Flutterwave announced last week it has obtained a payment institution license from the...

Canada’s Orezone Gold filed for an AUD 75M (USD 50M) IPO on the ASX to fund phase 2 of its Bomboré mine expansion in Burkina Faso. The move follows similar listings by Canadian miners like Robex, amid rising interest in ASX’s stable environment and investor liquidity. Orezone aims to boost gold output to 220,000-250,000 ounces annually by end-2026, up from 130,000 in...

UTB’s restructuring delayed to end-2026 due to incomplete audits; reorganization plan expected by March. Despite a CFA 15.2B injection, the bank still violates key prudential rules and faces structural issues. IMF ties further aid to a stronger reform plan ensuring profitability and reduced fiscal risk. The full restructuring of Union Togolaise de Banque (UTB), a key part of...

Russia to supply 50% of North Africa’s wheat imports in 2024/2025, led by 13.5M tons shipped Russia dominates Egypt’s market and overtakes France in Morocco; strong gains in Libya and Tunisia Ukraine’s wheat exports to Algeria and Tunisia surge after earlier wartime decline Russia is projected to account for 50% of North Africa's total wheat purchases, according to the U.S....

The former Nigerian president has passed away. A feared military figure and controversial head of state, he left a lasting mark on several generations of Nigerians, beginning in the 1960s. News of former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari's death on July 13, 2025, at age 82, caught much of Africa’s political class off guard. His family announced his passing, which followed an illness, and...