Ghana may revive syndicated bank loans to finance cocoa purchases after abandoning the system in 2024. Lower global cocoa prices reduced traders’ willingness to prefinance the 2025/2026 campaign. Cocoa export revenue nearly doubled to $3.86 billion in 2025, the central bank said. The possibility of a return to syndicated loans to finance cocoa marketing is no longer off the table in...

Nigeria and Turkey signed eight legal instruments and a joint declaration on January 27, 2026. The agreements cover diaspora policy, media, higher education, halal infrastructure, defense, and education. Turkey aims to raise bilateral trade to $5 billion from about $2 billion. Nigeria and Turkey signed eight legal instruments and a joint declaration on Tuesday, January 27, 2026,...

StartupBlink ranked 25 African countries in its global innovators index, with 13 in the top 100. South Africa ranked first in Africa at 61st globally, followed by Kenya at 68th. Ivory Coast ranked 81st globally and fifth in Africa, driven by strong access to finance and competitive taxation. Twenty-five African countries feature in the global StartupBlink ranking that evaluates...

China cut lending to Africa by 46% in 2024 to $2.1 billion, down from 2023 levels. Large projects above $1 billion shifted from loans to foreign direct investment and trade financing. Five countries received all Chinese loans in 2024, with Angola capturing nearly 70%. China reduced lending to African countries by 46% in 2024 to $2.1 billion, according to a report published...

Ethiopia inaugurated a large cold storage facility for fruits, vegetables, and animal products in Addis Ababa. The $10.9m project targets post-harvest losses that affect over a third of horticultural output. Authorities expect the facility to improve food security and export supply conditions. Ethiopia has inaugurated a new cold storage facility dedicated to fruits, vegetables, and...

Egypt’s parliament plans legislation to regulate children’s access to social media. Lawmakers aim to limit psychological and behavioral risks linked to early exposure. The move aligns Egypt with a growing global debate on online child protection. Egypt’s parliament said on January 25 it plans to draft legislation to regulate children’s use of social media. In a statement, the House...

Togo’s inclusive finance fund reviewed its model to adapt to economic and social changes. New priorities for 2026 focus on efficiency, coordination, and wider national impact. The fund has disbursed CFA117.7bn in cumulative loans since its launch in 2014. Togo’s National Inclusive Finance Fund is reviewing its operating model to adapt to economic and social changes. Officials of the...

Algeria issued its first sovereign sukuk worth about $2.3bn to fund development projects. The 7-year sukuk offers a fixed annual return of 6%, paid as rent and tax-exempt. Authorities aim to tap domestic savings and ease pressure on public finances. Algeria launched its first sovereign sukuk on January 27, raising 296.65 billion dinars, or about $2.3 billion, to finance...

South Africa is overhauling its automotive policy to strengthen local manufacturing and growth. The review includes tariff changes, battery manufacturing plans, and fiscal measures. The auto sector faces pressure from global competition and trade uncertainty. South Africa is conducting a comprehensive review of its automotive policy to stimulate local production, address structural...

Afreximbank finalized a $1.75bn syndicated receivables-backed facility for Sonangol. The deal aims to support Angola’s oil and gas sector and secure export revenues. Oil accounted for 30% of GDP and 94% of export earnings in 2024. The African Export-Import Bank has finalized a $1.75 billion syndicated receivables-backed facility for Angola’s state-owned oil company, Sonangol....