• Inflation within the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) fell to a two-year low of 0.6% in May, bolstered by a decline in food costs. • The Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) cut its main interest rate by 25 basis points to 3.25% to maintain macroeconomic stability amid notable external uncertainties. Annual inflation in the West African Economic and Monetary Union...

The announced reforms are pivotal in expanding affordable connectivity, building a future-ready digital workforce, and establishing Ghana as a frontrunner in Africa’s telecom and digital economy landscape. Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has outlined reforms and key milestones in the country’s digital transformation agenda. This...

When fully operational, SEA-ME-WE-6 is expected to significantly improve internet connectivity and resilience across participating regions, enhance data traffic efficiency, and meet surging demand for high-speed international bandwidth. Telecom Egypt, together with global subsea data system supplier SubCom, announced, on July 2, the successful completion of the Southeast Asia-Middle East-Western...

Kenya plans to replace 20,000 transformers as part of a 4.3 billion KSh ($33 million) investment. The project aims to reduce outages and improve grid reliability, especially in rural areas. Kenya’s electricity tariffs remain higher than neighboring countries, impacting affordability. Kenya faces a challenge: about 25% of its population, mostly in rural areas, still lacks...

President Mahama introduces free tuition fees for all first-year students in public universities. Ghana’s university enrollment rates remain low due to high tuition costs and recent fee hikes. Universities struggle with funding, impacting infrastructure, research, and program growth. Ghana’s President John Mahama launched the “No Fees Stress” policy to make higher education...

South Africa plans to boost citrus exports from 164.5 million cartons in 2024 to 260 million cartons by 2032, a 58% increase. The sector faces trade barriers, including tariffs from the US, India, China, and ongoing disputes with the EU. Logistics inefficiencies cost the industry 5.2 billion rands ($295 million), threatening competitiveness. South Africa, the world’s...

• Perseus Mining holds 80% of Tanzania’s $523 million Nyanzaga mine.• Tanzania’s government maintains a free 20% stake.• Nyanzaga will add 200,000 ounces of gold a year by 2027. Perseus Mining is tightening its grip on Tanzania’s mining future. The Australian-based company has broken ground on the Nyanzaga gold mine, a $523 million project set to reshape the country’s...

• Guinea secured €95.16 million to build three micro-hydro plants.• The plants will generate 30 MW total for underserved central regions.• Guinea targets SDG 7 by boosting electrification, especially in rural areas. Guinea faces a chronic electricity shortage and regular blackouts. To fix this, the government is fast-tracking renewable energy projects and grid interconnections....

• Interbank volumes rose 18.7% in May, while rates declined across the market• The BCEAO cut its main policy rate to 3.25% following a sharp drop in inflation• Credit to the private sector increased by 11.5%, signaling renewed economic activity The West African Monetary Union (WAEMU) is seeing clear signs of easing on its regional interbank market, just weeks after the Central Bank of West...

As cybersecurity asserts itself as a pillar of digital sovereignty in West Africa, technology-free zones are taking on a strategic role in safeguarding national ecosystems. Speaking on the sidelines of the 2025 Cyber Africa Forum, held in late June in Cotonou, Yann-Gabriel N’ZI, Chief Technical Officer at the Village of Information Technology and Biotechnology (VITIB SA), outlined key...