Angola launches 260 km Benguela Railway extension linking Luena to Saurimo $1.16 billion project awarded to Odebrecht under national transport plans Link to Lobito Corridor to boost regional trade, logistics ambitions The Angolan Ministry of Transport on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2025, launched construction of a new Benguela Railway (CFB) branch line linking Luena, in Moxico province,...

South Africa recorded 10.48 million tourists in 2025, up 17.6% Tourism minister cites policy focus, public-private collaboration Sector drives jobs, GDP, backed by 2025-2030 growth plan South Africa welcomed 10.48 million international tourist arrivals between January and December 2025, up 17.6% from 2024, marking a record for the country. Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille...

Mali denies reports of imminent AES single currency launch Denial aims to curb uncertainty amid high financing needs Investor caution persists as Mali faces security, budget pressures Reports circulating in some media outlets and on digital platforms about a roadmap for the imminent launch of a single currency within the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) have prompted a swift...

As Africa’s leading gold producer, Ghana launched a series of reforms in 2025 to better regulate and structure the sector. The effort is being driven in particular by the state-run Ghana Gold Board, whose early results in formalising artisanal gold trade appear encouraging. Ghana’s export revenues rose to $31.1 billion in 2025 from $19.1 billion in 2024, according to data released...

Djibouti completed a four-month artificial intelligence training program for education inspectors to improve school oversight. The initiative aims to strengthen data-driven supervision, pedagogical evaluation and administrative efficiency. The program complements World Bank funding targeting access, quality and equity gaps in Djibouti’s education system. The Djiboutian...

WAEMU states target 12.7 trillion CFA francs in 2026 auctions 2025 issuance hit record 11.9 trillion as external funding tightened Secondary market rebounded, but liquidity remains short-term focused The regional government securities market of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) is set to reach a new milestone after a record year in 2025. Member states plan to...

ECOWAS cut aviation taxes and reduced passenger and security charges by 25% from Jan. 1, 2026, but ticket prices have yet to fall. Member states have not fully transposed the decision into national regulations, preventing airlines from adjusting fares. Fiscal dependence on aviation taxes and new charges introduced by states and regional agencies offset expected price...

CEI Africa and Energise Africa mobilized $2.9 million to finance nine rural solar mini-grids in Benin. The projects will supply continuous electricity to about 4,700 households and local businesses outside the national grid. The financing combines secured debt and results-based grants to support off-grid electrification. Clean Energy and Energy Inclusion for Africa (CEI...

As delays in university programs weigh on youth employability and workforce competitiveness, the appointment of a new president at Joseph Ki-Zerbo University marks a turning point in the governance of one of Burkina Faso’s leading public institutions. Professor Antoine Béré took office on Wednesday, Jan. 28, as president of Joseph Ki-Zerbo University (UJKZ), the largest public university in...

Africa shifted from a net recipient of Chinese financing to a net payer over the past decade. Debt repayments to China now exceed new lending across low- and lower-middle-income countries. Multilateral lenders have replaced China as the main source of development financing. China has moved in recent years from a net provider of financing to Africa to a net beneficiary, driven...