• WAEMU's economy is projected to grow by 6.5% in Q2 2025, driven by agriculture and a stable services sector.• Despite the overall growth, the construction sector continues to shrink, with negative contributions to GDP for the third consecutive quarter.• Rising public debt costs, security-related spending, and budget constraints are weighing on investment in large infrastructure...

• Niger saw the highest growth rate in WAEMU in 2024, reaching 8.8%, compared to 2.4% in 2023.• The country's industrial production and oil sector saw a major boost, contributing to the strong performance.• Despite challenges, including floods and sanctions, Niger’s economy is expected to continue growing, with a 7.9% forecast for 2025. Niger posted the highest growth rate in the West...

• The court in Abidjan has ordered the removal of opposition leader Tidjane Thiam from Côte d’Ivoire’s voter list.• The decision questions his eligibility to run in the October 2025 presidential election over a nationality issue.• This ruling deepens political uncertainty in a country already facing divisions ahead of the vote. It is a major setback for the Democratic Party of Côte...

Chinese imports from Africa dropped 9.4% in Q1 2025, totaling $26.69 billion. The decline is attributed to fears over the impact of new protectionist measures targeting "Made in China" goods. Despite this, China's exports to Africa increased by 11.3%, bringing the total trade value to $72.6 billion in Q1 2025. Chinese imports from Africa decreased by 9.4% in the first...

Manzima Holding, controlled by the Diagou family, now owns nearly 69% of NSIA Participations. The shift follows the purchase of shares from the National Bank of Canada, which exits the group. The move is part of a broader strategy to bring NSIA fully back under Ivorian control. Manzima Holding SA, the family investment vehicle of Ivorian businessman Jean Kacou Diagou, has increased its...

IMF lowers 2025 growth forecast for Sub-Saharan Africa from 4.2% to 3.8% Trade tensions and tariff hikes by the United States are dragging down the global economy South Africa and Nigeria among the hardest hit in the region The International Monetary Fund has cut its growth outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa in 2025, citing growing uncertainty and trade disputes between major economies. In its...

Algeria and Saudi Arabia signed five agreements on April 20 to strengthen economic cooperation. The deals cover tourism, trade, industry, and legal services. Both countries aim to expand investment, create jobs, and deepen bilateral ties. Algeria and Saudi Arabia have taken another step toward building stronger economic relations. On April 20, during the Algeria–Saudi...

Côte d’Ivoire ranks third in Africa for fiber optic development, behind Mauritius and South Africa. The country moved up five spots in one year, surpassing major economies like Nigeria, Egypt, and Kenya.  A government-backed broadband rollout is accelerating, with full activation expected by September 2025. Côte d’Ivoire has broken into the top three African...

Mobile data in Sub-Saharan Africa cost 3.9% of monthly income in 2024, the highest rate globally Only 38% of the population had access to the Internet, compared to a global average of 68% High prices and poor rural coverage continue to fuel the region’s deep digital divide In 2024, a basic mobile data plan offering 2 gigabytes per month cost the equivalent of 3.9% of the...

The launch of the agency’s headquarters marks a turning point for Africa’s collective ambitions in space, signaling a new chapter of continental ownership, strategic partnerships, and innovation. On April 20, Africa officially launched the Africa Space Agency (AfSA) headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, marking a landmark moment in the continent’s quest to harness space science and technology for...