Sahel Region: African Union Appoints Special Envoy
Opportunity to Boost AU Engagement, Promote Human Rights The African Union’s (AU) appointment of Burundi’s president as its special envoy for the Sahel region strengthens the AU’s capacity to address the most pressing human rights challenges facing Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, Human Rights Watch said today in a letter to President Evariste Ndayishimiye. The […]
South Africa, US Agree on Framework in Tariff Negotiations
South Africa has taken a crucial step in avoiding looming US tariffs by signing a preliminary trade framework with the US Trade Representative’s office. Although it is not yet a binding agreement, the document outlines conditions that must be met before a deal is finalized between the two countries. The move comes as President Trump’s threatened […]
Africa Becomes Top Destination for China’s Belt and Road Investment in 2025
Africa has emerged as the leading destination for China’s Belt and Road investments in the first half of 2025, attracting $39 billion, according to a new report. Private Chinese firms, such as East Hope Group, Xinfa Group, and Longi Green Energy, fueled the surge. Notably, Africa’s oil and gas sector attracted the largest share of investments, setting a new record. At […]
Nigeria’s Economy Surges 30% Following GDP Recalculation
Nigeria’s economy has been upgraded by nearly 30% after the country recalibrated how it calculates GDP for the first time in over a decade. The country’s National Bureau of Statistics recalculated GDP by updating the base year from 2010 to 2019, aiming to account for booming sectors like digital services, pension funds, and the informal economy. […]
Can Mahama’s Vision of a 24-Hour Economy Reshape Ghana?
Ghana’s President John Mahama has unveiled an ambitious 24-hour economy policy aimed at transforming the country’s economic landscape and reducing unemployment. By running key sectors like agriculture and manufacturing in three eight-hour shifts, the initiative seeks to create 1.7 million jobs and boost productivity. While the idea is bold, experts warn that weak infrastructure, limited power supply, […]
Zimbabwe: Informal Sector Accounts for 76% of the Economy
Zimbabwe’s first economic census has revealed that 76% of the country’s economic activity happens in the informal sector, highlighting a major challenge for tax collection. The informal boom stems from years of economic instability, including currency collapse and hyperinflation. Wholesale and retail trade dominate this informal economy, followed by manufacturing. However, while the informal sector provides vital […]
Singapore’s West Africa Trade Soars 85% in Five Years
Singapore’s trade with West Africa surged 85% between 2020 and 2024, reaching $7.47 billion and accounting for over half of Singapore’s total trade with Africa. This boom reflects deepening ties, driven by sectors such as agro-processing, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs), and green technologies. While Ghana-Singapore trade more than doubled year-on-year to $215.9 million in 2024, Nigeria saw […]
Zambia’s $1.1B Refinery Deal Sparks Energy Independence Drive
Zambia has taken a bold step toward energy independence with a $1.1 billion deal to construct a major oil refinery in Ndola, Copperbelt Province. Once completed, the facility will process about 60,000 barrels of crude oil daily, more than enough to meet Zambia’s fuel needs. The move promises to slash the country’s reliance on expensive fuel […]
Bilateral Boost: Nigeria and Egypt’s Trade Hit $315 Million in 2024
Trade between Nigeria and Egypt surged to $315 million in 2024, up from $187 million the previous year, according to Egypt’s Foreign Minister Dr. Badr Abdelatty. Despite the growth, officials from both countries acknowledged that trade volume still falls short of their economic potential. They called for more diversified trade and better use of frameworks like the African […]
Togo’s Trade Gateway Gains US Backing in Africa Expansion Push
Togo’s Port of Lomé, now Africa’s fourth busiest container port, is attracting US attention as a gateway for expanding US trade across the continent. Recently, US Chargé d’Affaires Joann Lockard Michaels toured the port to identify potential areas for US private sector investment. Following the tour, the embassy highlighted the port’s deep-water capabilities, cutting-edge logistics, and strategic West […]
