• Uganda’s Zembo gets $1M from FMO to expand electric motorcycle rentals• Aims to cut pollution and boost youth jobs in Kampala• Needs support in regulation, credit, and infrastructure to scale regionally Zembo Motorcycles, a Ugandan startup specializing in electric motorcycles, has secured $1 million in funding from FMO, the Dutch development bank. Local media reports indicate...

• Ghana partners with Onesta on $50M Redgold palm oil project covering 10,000 hectares• Project targets jobs, sustainability, and reduced rural poverty through farming and processing• Supports national strategy to cut palm oil imports, which averaged 257,400 metric tons annually The Ghanaian government has partnered with agribusiness company Onesta Ghana Ltd to launch the Redgold Oil...

After 15 years on the UNESCO List of World Heritage in Danger, Madagascar's Atsinanana Rainforests have officially been deemed safe. This decision marks a significant milestone for Madagascar, seen not only as international recognition of the government’s conservation efforts but also as the start of a new chapter. This new era promises bold green diplomacy, a revitalized ecotourism sector, and...

Standard Bank granted Paymenow a $22 million loan to expand its early wage access service in Southern Africa. Paymenow helps employees access earned wages early without fees, reducing reliance on high-interest informal loans. South Africa faces a household savings crisis, with many workers turning to unregulated credit to cover expenses. Standard Bank granted Paymenow, a South...

Africa imported a record 3 million tonnes of Thai rice in 2024, a 23.3% increase over 2023. South Africa, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Mozambique, and Benin accounted for over 70% of imports. Analysts warn imports may drop in 2025 but note rising demand for Thai parboiled rice in West Africa due to price and quality advantages. Thailand ranks as the world’s third-largest rice...

Côte d’Ivoire will receive $234 million for a sustainable urban mobility project in Abidjan. Gambia will receive $32.2 million to build a medical school and tackle healthcare worker shortages. Mauritania will receive $30.72 million to expand its national cardiology center. The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has approved nearly $297 million to fund major...

Africa’s adoption of small modular reactors (SMRs) varies widely, revealing gaps in regulatory and institutional readiness. Ghana and Rwanda lead with active projects and partnerships, while countries like Egypt and Nigeria proceed cautiously. Experts call for a harmonized continental framework to unlock Africa’s full SMR potential and avoid falling behind global trends. Nearly...

Brazil’s robusta coffee harvest is set to more than double since 2016/2017, narrowing the gap with Vietnam. Brazil’s robusta thrives due to its tolerance of drought, disease resistance, and higher yields. Increased Brazilian robusta supply could ease global stock pressures amid climate change and rising demand. Brazil and Vietnam dominate the global coffee market, with Brazil...

India and Namibia signed MoUs in disaster resilience, cybersecurity, education, health, and entrepreneurship. Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted cooperation in energy, defense, and critical minerals. Bilateral trade hit $654 million in 2023, with expanding ties in oil, mining, and investment. India and Namibia maintain strong political, economic, cultural, and military...

Government covered 59.16% of billed power costs with CFA536.4 billion in subsidies Debt to power producers now exceeds 4 trillion naira, straining the energy sector Reforms continue under President Tinubu amid persistent supply and infrastructure issues The Nigerian government allocated 536.4 billion naira ($350 million) to electricity subsidies in the first quarter of 2025,...