GI-TOC report links cattle theft to insecurity across key illicit hubs Extremist groups use stolen livestock to fund operations in multiple countries Report urges stronger market regulation and regional cooperation Cattle theft plays a major role in insecurity and instability in West Africa and parts of Central Africa, alongside illicit arms and gold trafficking and...

Eswatini received $5.1M from U.S. for accepting foreign deportees Up to 160 migrants expected; first arrivals came from five countries Deal supports U.S. deportation policy; Eswatini joins other African host nations Eswatini’s government confirmed on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, that it had received $5.1 million from the United States under an agreement to accept...

UAE’s Abu Dhabi Ports explores investments in DRC’s Matadi, Boma ports Talks included infrastructure, mining, trade, and financial cooperation plans UAE-DRC trade imbalance persists; UAE expanding mining and energy footprint Abu Dhabi Ports, the UAE’s state-owned ports operator, is exploring potential investments in the ports of Matadi and Boma in the Democratic Republic...

Côte d’Ivoire approved $595M budget for higher education in 2026 Funds target infrastructure upgrades, faculty hiring, and research improvements Sector faces strain from rising enrollment, outdated facilities, and digital gaps Côte d’Ivoire approved a 338.78 billion CFA franc ($595 million) budget for the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research on...

Benin's ABRI inaugurated its Scientific Council to guide research priorities Council includes nine global experts, meets thrice yearly to advise leadership Move aims to boost innovation amid low awareness and structural challenges Benin’s research and innovation agency , ABRI, took a step toward full operation on Monday, November 17, by inaugurating its Scientific Council...

Cameroon backed $44.9M in BDEAC loans to three private firms Treasury guarantees cover 50% of loans for hotel, plant, logistics projects Revamped credit scheme targets private sector, SND30 priority sectors Cameroon quietly activated part of its 200 billion CFA franc (about $335 million) sovereign-guarantee facility in August 2025, allowing three private firms to...

Dei Biopharma opens a $50 million cassava plant in Namasagali, Kamuli Output will supply its Matugga pharmaceutical factory and export markets Project needs 500 tons of cassava per day, raising supply and food security concerns Dei Biopharma, a pharmaceutical and biotechnology company, has commissioned a cassava processing plant in Namasagali in the Kamuli district. In a statement...

State buys back 95 % of ENEO from Actis for CFA78 billion ($137 million) Government plans to refinance ENEO’s CFA800 billion debt and tighten billing Measures target higher industrial demand and reduced fraud across the grid The Cameroonian government has regained control of ENEO, the country’s main electricity supplier, by acquiring the 95 % stake held by the British fund...

AMMC approves SGTM’s IPO involving 20 % of its share capital Share sale could reach 5.04 billion dirhams, with tiered pricing for investors SGTM aims to expand capital base, boost transparency, and support long-term growth The Moroccan Capital Market Authority announced on November 18 that it has approved the listing of Société Générale des Travaux du Maroc on the Casablanca...

IFC to provide a $120 million guarantee for SME loans in six African countries Two dedicated funds will support agriculture and small business financing Program includes advisory support with a focus on women-led enterprises The International Finance Corporation plans to provide a $120 million guarantee to microfinance group Baobab to cover risks linked to loans granted to small...