China’s Huaxin Cement Challenges Dangote and BUA with Major African Expansion
Chinese cement giant Huaxin Cement has shaken up Nigeria’s cement industry with a $1 billion acquisition of Holcim’s majority stake in Lafarge Africa. The deal hands Huaxin control of four major plants with a combined capacity of 10 million tons, making it the third-largest player in the country behind Dangote Cement and BUA. Founded in 1907 […]
High Tech Costs Threaten Africa’s Growth, But IFC Sees Huge Opportunity
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has revealed that African businesses are paying up to 35% more for technology than their global peers, hindering digital adoption and growth. Speaking at GITEX Nigeria 2025, IFC’s Dahlia Khalifa stated that despite widespread mobile and internet access, challenges like inadequate infrastructure, limited financing, and skills gaps prevent firms from maximizing […]
South Africa’s Business Activity Inches Forward as Exchange Rates Improve
South Africa’s private sector showed a slight improvement in business conditions in August, as easing cost pressures helped lift business activity, according to the S&P Global Purchasing Managers’ Index. The index registered 50.1, just above the growth threshold, marking the fourth consecutive month of expansion. Firms reported the first rise in output since May, supported by a […]
Dangote Refinery Gasoline Unit Faces Months-Long Shutdown Following Catalyst Leak
Nigeria’s Dangote refinery has taken its key gasoline-producing unit offline due to catalyst leaks and technical issues, according to industry monitor IIR Energy. The outage, which began around August 29, affects the refinery’s 204,000-barrel-per-day Residue Fluidized Catalytic Cracking Unit, a critical part of its operations. While a restart attempt is planned for September 20, extensive repairs could […]
Ghana Inflation Eases for Eighth Consecutive Month
Ghana’s inflation rate continued its downward trend in August, slowing for the eighth consecutive month to 11.5%—the lowest level since October 2021. According to the government statistics service, food and non-food prices eased, though food remains the largest contributor to overall inflation. This sustained decline signals a robust recovery for the West African nation, which is recovering […]
