Zimbabwe generated $3.4 billion in mineral export revenues in 2025, excluding gold and silver, according to the MMCZ. Total mining revenues remained far below the $12 billion target, reaching $5.56 billion in 2024 after $5.4 billion in 2023. Gold production rose 17% to a record 46.7 tonnes in 2025, but authorities have not disclosed the revenue impact. The Minerals...

IFC to set up CFA17bn guarantee for Orange Bank digital SME loans Facility covers up to 50% of loans in Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal Scheme targets SMEs, women-led firms via Tik Tak app The International Finance Corporation (IFC) plans to set up a 17 billion CFA franc ($30.6 million) guarantee facility to guarantee digital loans issued by Orange Bank Africa Côte d’Ivoire (OBA CI), the...

Nigeria issues 501bn naira bond to clear power sector arrears Institutional investors fully subscribed to inaugural PPSDRP offering Programme aims to restore liquidity, boost electricity investment The Nigerian federal government announced in late January the successful issuance of its first 501 billion naira ($360 million) bond under the Presidential Power Sector Debt Reduction Programme...

DR Congo, UAE sign CEPA aiming to double trade to $10bn Deal opens UAE market to 6,000 Congolese products Agreements cover ports, mining cooperation and diplomatic training The Democratic Republic of Congo plans to double trade with the United Arab Emirates from $5 billion to $10 billion by 2030, the Congolese presidency said on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, as the two...

Blaise Diagne airport passenger traffic rose 0.46% to 2.94m in 2025 Growth led by Europe/North Africa routes; transit passengers fell 15.9% Airport near 3m capacity as flight movements and freight declined Passenger traffic at Senegal’s Blaise Diagne International Airport edged up 0.46% in 2025 from a year earlier, with the airport handling 2.94 million passengers. This...

UNDP, Africell partner to boost UniPods connectivity in Sierra Leone, Gambia Africell to supply high-speed internet, 4G MiFi and IoT tools Initiative supports Timbuktoo goal to scale African startups, jobs The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and telecom operator Africell announced a partnership last week to improve internet access at University Innovation Pods...

Fela Kuti received a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy He is the first African artist recognized by the Grammys for an entire career The award follows the 2025 induction of his album Zombie into the Grammy Hall of Fame The Recording Academy has posthumously awarded Nigerian musician Olufela Ransome-Kuti, known as Fela Kuti, a Lifetime Achievement...

The plan targets connectivity, e-government, cybersecurity, and digital inclusion Authorities aim to expand access, especially in rural and marginalized areas Liberia still ranks low in Africa on e-government and cybersecurity indicators Liberia has officially launched a national roadmap to guide its digital transformation through 2029, as the government seeks to build a more...

Mariama Ciré Sylla was named economy and finance minister on February 2 She replaces Mourana Soumah following a partial cabinet reshuffle The appointment comes amid fiscal, mining revenue, and debt management pressures Guinea has appointed Mariama Ciré Sylla (pictured) as minister of economy and finance following a partial cabinet reshuffle announced on February 2 by...

More than 60% of Somalis aged 15–34 were not in jobs, education, or training Youth unemployment among 15–24 year-olds stood at about 34% A World Bank-backed program targets 28,000 youth jobs by 2029 More than 60% of Somali youth aged 15 to 34 were neither employed nor enrolled in education or training in 2025, according to the Institute of Economics Affairs (IEA) Somalia....