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...

Morocco’s legal cannabis sector continues to expand five years after legalization, supported by rising private investment. Family-owned Cannablanca plans to launch a pharmaceutical cannabis processing unit in 2026 with a $16 million investment. Authorities continue to support local value creation through regulatory protection and industrial zoning. In Morocco, family-owned company...

Orezone agreed to acquire Hecla Quebec for up to C$593 million to diversify away from Burkina Faso. The deal gives Orezone full ownership of the Casa Berardi mine and a pipeline of Canadian exploration assets. Canadian peers including Iamgold have accelerated diversification as Burkina Faso tightens control over its gold sector. Orezone Gold announced earlier this week the acquisition of...

Moniepoint, Opay, Kuda, and others gain national status with tighter oversight A naira 5 billion minimum capital requirement now applies to national operators Nigeria’s fintech market is valued at $1.13 billion and projected to reach $4.24 billion The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has upgraded the licenses of several financial technology companies and microfinance banks to...

KRA and KPA announced measures to decongest Mombasa Port, cut dwell times, and speed clearances. Long-stay cargo will be evacuated; Pre-Arrival Processing expanded; RECTS upgraded with multi-vendor seals. The reforms target faster clearance, higher revenue, and competitiveness, backed by KPA’s 40M tons, 2M TEUs, and strong efficiency benchmarks. The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), in...

The updated deal expands routes between West Africa, the UAE, and London New destinations include Banjul, Dakar, Freetown, and Monrovia The partnership aligns with stronger Nigeria-UAE economic ties Emirates and Nigeria’s Air Peace have announced an update to their interline agreement signed in February 2025. The partnership allows passengers to travel on a single ticket with simplified...

XSML Capital closed African Rivers Fund IV at $142m, above its $135m target The fund aims to finance about 50 small and medium-sized businesses Investments focus on Eastern Africa, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of Congo XSML Capital said on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, that it had completed the final close of its fourth investment vehicle, African Rivers Fund IV (ARF IV),...

Global LNG exports rose 8.3% year on year in December to 40.5 million tons Angola, Nigeria, Mauritania, and Senegal were among contributors to the increase The US and Canada remained the main drivers of global export growth Four African countries were among the exporters that contributed to the month-on-month rise in global liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments in December 2025, according...