• MTN Uganda graduates 298 vulnerable young women in coding, graphic design, and cybersecurity.• Women face higher unemployment and training gaps, with nearly 40% of Ugandan women aged 15-24 not in education or work.• MTN plans to expand the initiative nationwide, linking training to self-employment and job placements. Companies address Africa’s digital skills shortage by targeting young...

• Citic Construction commits $250 million over five years to develop 100,000 hectares in Angola.• Initial clearing underway on 8,000 hectares; target to cultivate up to 20,000 hectares by next year.• Angola will export 60% of crops to China, aiming to reduce Beijing’s dependence on U.S. imports. Angola’s agricultural sector currently represents about 10% of its GDP, yet farmers...

• President Mahama launched phase two of the Blekusu coastal protection project on July 19• The four-year project will cover 8 km of coastline and includes community development works• Ghana remains highly vulnerable to climate change, with major adaptation funding needs Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama officially launched the second phase of the Blekusu Coastal Protection Project on...

• Telecom operators report a rise in vandalism since May, affecting services nationwide• Critical equipment like fiber cables, generators, and batteries are being stolen or destroyed• ALTON calls for urgent security action as vandalism threatens digital progress and service quality In Nigeria, telecom operators are raising alarms over a renewed wave of vandalism targeting critical network...

• TRC begins phase 2 of the Intermodal and Rail Development Project backed by a $200 million IDA credit• The project will rehabilitate 2,707 km of meter-gauge railway to improve regional connectivity• Tanzania aims to become a key trade route for landlocked neighbors, competing with Kenya Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) has launched the second phase of its Intermodal and Rail...

- Micro, small, and medium enterprises received over half of business loans in WAEMU in 2024 - Bank loans to SMEs rose by 13.5%, while lending to large firms increased by only 3.8% - Service and industrial sectors led credit growth, while agriculture saw a sharp decline In 2024, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) received 52% of all bank loans granted to businesses in the West African...

• Starting September 1, 2025, companies must allocate at least 30% of labor costs to local workers in World Bank-funded international public works projects• The goal is to boost local employment, build skills, and strengthen developing economies• The measure is part of a wider push to modernize public procurement and tackle youth unemployment, especially in Africa The World Bank will...

Africa is estimated to hold about 30% of the world's critical mineral reserves. While discussions often focus on metals like graphite, lithium, or rare earths, the continent's resources are broader, including other strategic minerals such as niobium. Kula Gold, an Australia-based mining company, announced in early July it secured an exploration permit from the Malawi Mining and Minerals...

• DRC launched "e-Diplôme," a blockchain platform to secure and digitize state diplomas• Enables instant online verification and permanent archiving• Aims to fight fraud, streamline processes, and boost diploma credibility The Democratic Republic of Congo has officially launched "e-Diplôme," a digital platform designed to digitize and secure state diploma issuance using blockchain...

• Mali to invest $322M in 2025 to upgrade 20,000 km of roads under its Road Maintenance Program• Aims to boost security, reduce transport costs, and enhance regional trade links Mali plans to boost domestic mobility, security, and investment appeal through its ambitious Road Maintenance Program (PER). The program has a budget of nearly 182 billion CFA francs, about $322.3 million,...