• World Bank lowers growth forecast to 3.7% for 2025 and 4.2% for 2026–27• Downgrade reflects rising trade barriers and weakening global conditions• Risks include debt pressures, conflicts, and geopolitical tensions The World Bank has revised its growth projections for sub-Saharan Africa, lowering its 2025 forecast to 3.7% and projecting average growth of 4.2% for 2026–27. The update...

• EU to decide next week on SES's $2.9B acquisition of Intelsat• Deal expected to receive unconditional approval after UK clearance• Merger may reshape Africa’s satellite TV landscape The acquisition of American satellite operator Intelsat by Luxembourg-based Société européenne des satellites (SES) is expected to receive unconditional approval from the European Commission next...

• Rwanda signs MoU with Cotti Coffee to raise global coffee market value• Deal includes building a Sino-Rwandan coffee demonstration park• Coffee production and exports have declined steadily since 2019 Rwanda’s Ministry of Agriculture has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Chinese coffee chain Cotti Coffee International to enhance the global value of Rwandan coffee. The...

• African startups raised $1.055B from Jan–May 2025, up 40% year-on-year• Egypt, South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya attracted 84% of all funding• Egypt also led tech M&A, with 3 of 4 deals recorded continentwide African startups raised $1.055 billion during the first five months of 2025, a 40% increase compared to the same period in 2024, according to data published on June 10 by...

Border carbon taxes planned by rich nations threaten more than 500,000 South African jobs 78% of South Africa’s exports go to countries with net-zero targets or carbon pricing plans Basic metals, agriculture, and auto sectors face the highest risk without a fast energy shift A June 9 report from the Net Zero Tracker initiative warns that more than 500,000 jobs in South Africa are at risk...

Rwanda's 2025/2026 budget rises 21% to $4.8B, approved on June 9 Funds target new airport, RwandAir expansion, and key development sectors IMF forecasts continued growth, though external risks remain The Rwandan government approved on June 9 a FY2025-26 budget of over 7,000 billion Rwandan francs (about $4.8 billion), up 21% from the previous year’s revised budget. The...

Africa's mobile broadband rate rose from 20% in 2015 to 52% in 2023 Internet use remains lowest globally at 38% in 2024, vs. 68% global average High costs, poor infrastructure, and urban-rural gaps hinder progress Africa’s mobile broadband subscription rate rose by 160% between 2015 and 2023, climbing from 20% to 52%, according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)....

World Bank approves $1.5B loan to support reforms and infrastructure in South Africa Funds to help add 3,500 MW of renewable capacity, 200 km of transmission lines Energy crisis has cut potential GDP by 20% since 2008, says PIC South Africa has secured a $1.5 billion loan from the World Bank to support structural economic reforms and improve infrastructure, the...

$500 million project to set up vaccine and pharma centers with Chinese tech  Aims to cut imports, boost jobs, and make Kenya a health manufacturing hub Healthcare budget rises to $1.58B; key reforms include universal coverage Kenya and China plan to establish local vaccine and pharmaceutical production centers using Chinese technology, the Kenyan Ministry of Health...

Regulatory gaps hinder electricity access for 600 million Africans Lack of shared rules slows regional energy trade and raises project risks Standardization efforts underway but structural barriers remain Harmonizing energy rules could support electricity interconnection projects, enable regional trade, and help build a competitive market. These points were raised by an expert...