• Cape Verde reclassified as an upper-middle-income country due to a 16.8% rise in GNI per capita.• Namibia downgraded to lower-middle-income after a 12.9% decrease in GNI per capita.• Cape Verde’s growth fueled by strong tourism, reduced unemployment, and economic reforms supported by the UN. Two African economies have changed categories in the latest World Bank income-based country...

• Ivory Coast grants two new four-year gold exploration permits to Global Industries Sarl and Rampage Exploration Sarl.• National gold production reached 58 tonnes in 2024, with a target of 100 tonnes annually by 2030.• Exploration is recognized as a long-term process requiring sustained investment before commercial production. Ivory Coast continues to support its booming gold sector by...

• Global coffee consumption projected to hit a record 169.4 million 60-kg bags in 2025/2026, up from 166.5 million in 2024/2025.• China’s coffee demand more than doubled in a decade, becoming the world’s sixth-largest consumer.• Despite sharp price increases, coffee demand remains resilient, with limited impact on retail prices. Global coffee consumption is set to reach a new all-time...

• Benin creates the Agency for the Development of Ruminant Farming (ADER) to boost local cattle, sheep, and goat sectors.• National ruminant meat production meets only 49.3% of demand, forcing imports of nearly 58,000 tons annually.• Structural challenges include traditional farming, low-quality breeding stock, inadequate feeding, and underinvestment. Benin is turning to a new public...

• Two new H5N1 outbreaks confirmed in North West and Mpumalanga provinces.• Government plans first-ever mass poultry vaccination campaign underway.• Past 2023 epidemic led to culling of 10.5 million birds and $529 million losses. South Africa’s poultry sector faces renewed threats from avian influenza after two new H5N1 outbreaks were reported, raising fears of another crisis in an...

The Gerewol tradition is a fascinating ritual celebrated by the Bororo Fulani, a nomadic community primarily located in Chad and Niger. This annual festival, striking both visually and culturally, revolves around a unique concept: a male beauty contest. It highlights the importance of aesthetics, charm, and identity expression within Sahelian pastoral societies. During Gerewol, young Bororo...

(EBID) - The Board of Directors of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) held its 92nd Ordinary Session on June 30, 2025. The Board approved a total amount of EUR 174 million and USD 125 million to finance projects aimed at stimulating economic growth and fostering industrialisation for the sub-region. The approved sums will go towards the following projects: • A EUR 50...

• The IMF approved a $261.9 million disbursement under DR Congo’s credit program• Economic growth hit 6.5% in 2024, driven by the extractive sector• Rising security spending pushed the 2024 budget deficit beyond targets The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved the first review of its credit program for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), paving the way for an immediate...

• Ghana’s Parliament approved a $360 million loan from the World Bank’s IDA• The funds will help pay road sector arrears, support vulnerable groups, and fight poverty• Ghana’s total disbursements under the World Bank program now stand at $660 million Ghana’s Parliament has approved a new $360 million loan from the International Development Association (IDA), part of...

(AMETRADE) - The 15th edition of the annual Africa PPP Summit (#APPP2025) is set to take place on 28 – 31 October 2025 at Hilton Hotel, Windhoek, Republic of Namibia. The continent’s largest Pan-African Infrastructure Finance, Investment & Partnership Summit, Africa PPP, will once again unite industry leaders from key growth enabling sectors to accelerate private sector investments and...