Somalia’s Central Bank mandates microfinance institutions to obtain licenses by December 6, 2025, under new financial regulations. The licensing rules require clear governance, minimum capital, limited service scope, and regular reporting to boost transparency and public trust. This reform is part of a broader effort to regulate financial sectors, including Islamic insurance,...

Algeria plans to offer interest-free loans up to 150 million dinars to small-scale farmers to build refrigerated storage. The loans will have a 10-year repayment period with a five-year grace, encouraging investment in cold chain infrastructure. The government aims to reduce food losses, stabilize markets, and improve farmers’ incomes through better storage. Post-harvest losses...

CrossBoundary Energy and Standard Bank South Africa secure $60 million loan to accelerate solar power plant equipment procurement for Kamoa-Kakula copper complex. The 223 MWp solar plant with 526 MWh storage will reduce diesel use and CO₂ emissions under a 17-year power purchase deal. This deal bolsters clean energy adoption in African mining and sets a regional benchmark for...

President William Ruto unveils 4,000 paid internships in the construction sector under the Affordable Housing Program. The initiative aims to reduce youth unemployment, build affordable homes, and formalize informal artisans. The move responds to recent social unrest, rising living costs, and ongoing youth job pressures. Kenyan President William Ruto (photo) declared on July 15,...

Namibia plans to introduce tax reforms on alcohol and tobacco to reduce consumption and ease the strain on its health system. The country faces a high prevalence of smoking (11.2% adults) and alcohol use (12 liters per capita annually), well above global averages. Non-communicable diseases linked to tobacco and alcohol cause significant mortality, pushing Namibia to act through policy...

Export bans in Burkina Faso, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, and Togo shake up global shea supply. Shea butter demand rises as a cheaper cocoa butter alternative in confectionery. Local processors may benefit, but price volatility and production gaps persist. West Africa’s shea industry is entering uncharted territory as a wave of export bans unsettles global trade. Since late 2024, four...

Canadian miner Pioneer Lithium secures exploration licence for the 815 km² Botsalano uranium project in Botswana. Botsalano joins Namibia’s Gaobis and Warmbad in Pioneer’s growing African uranium portfolio. CEO Michael Beven says the move strengthens Pioneer’s goal of supplying minerals crucial to the global clean-energy transition. Pioneer Lithium announced on July 15...

Group seeks approval to build new port in Olokola Free Trade Zone near Lagos Port to support fertilizer exports, LNG shipments, and regional logistics Project could ease congestion at Apapa and compete with Lekki Deep Sea Port The Dangote Group has submitted a formal request to local authorities for the construction of a deep-sea port in the Olokola Free Trade Zone, about 100...

$1.2 billion Sankofa gas project triggered long-term “take-or-pay” liabilities Energy oversupply and rigid contracts push annual debt to $500 million Report urges end to fossil fuel projects and shift to public renewable systems In 2007, Ghana discovered large offshore oil and gas reserves, a moment seen as a turning point for the country’s energy future. The World Bank...

Shell moves forward with onshore and ultra-deep offshore exploration in Africa Company signs deal in Libya and gains drilling approval off South Africa Operations continue in unstable legal and political environments As competitors like TotalEnergies, Eni, and BP reduce their presence in Africa’s upstream oil and gas sector, Shell is choosing a different path. The Anglo-Dutch...