Building With Women: How Microfinance Is Powering Women-Led Businesses In Africa
By: Gregoire Danel Fedou Across Africa, women-led businesses face well-documented barriers that hinder their growth and access to finance. Many women cannot use land, property, or significant assets as collateral because they do not own them. Instead, they often rely on informal financial services, such as savings groups. Distrust of banks, sometimes stemming from past […]
South Africa pushes for ratings transparency to aid developing economies
At the recent G20 finance chiefs’ meeting in Washington, South African Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago called for greater transparency in credit ratings to help developing nations access affordable capital. He emphasized that countries should be able to review and challenge rating agencies’ methodologies to ensure fair evaluations. South Africa, holding the G20 presidency, has prioritized reducing […]
West African stock exchange hits record market cap
West Africa’s stock market, the Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières (BRVM), has reached a record market capitalization of $23.8 billion, marking a major milestone for the region’s financial ecosystem. This growth reflects a 29.13% rise since the end of 2024 and an impressive five-year cumulative increase of nearly 198%, highlighting the exchange’s resilience and dynamism. The BRVM […]
Shell doubles down on Nigeria offshore with $7B gas investment
Shell is making a major strategic pivot in Nigeria, channeling over $7 billion into new offshore projects just months after its high-profile exit from onshore operations. The scheme, in partnership with Sunlink Energies and Resources, will deliver 350 million standard cubic feet of gas per day to Nigeria LNG (NLNG), supporting both domestic supply and Shell’s global […]
Domestic debt boom in sub-Saharan Africa could strain banks, IMF warns
A new IMF report reveals a precarious shift in how sub-Saharan African governments are funding their budgets, creating a complex web of economic risks. With access to international markets limited, nations are increasingly turning to expensive domestic borrowing from local banks. While this provides crucial financing, it comes at a high cost, as these loans are […]
Botswana pushes local ownership with new diamond mining rule
Botswana, the world’s leading diamond producer by value, has introduced a new rule that requires mining companies to sell a 24% stake in new concessions to local investors if the government declines to purchase it. The policy, proposed last year, aims to strengthen local ownership of the country’s mineral wealth, encourage value-adding activities within Botswana, and mandate […]
South Africa secures breakthrough fruit export deal with China
South African agriculture is ripe with new opportunity following a landmark trade protocol signed with China. This groundbreaking deal grants South Africa access to the Chinese market for five key stone fruits: apricots, peaches, nectarines, plums, and prunes. The agreement is projected to unlock an estimated $23 million over the next five years, providing a major boost […]
Dangote Cement expands footprint with new Ivorian plant
Dangote Cement has launched a new $160 million plant in Attingué, Côte d’Ivoire, marking the conglomerate’s 11th cement production site in Africa. Spanning 50 hectares, the facility can produce up to 3 million tons of cement annually, strengthening Côte d’Ivoire’s infrastructure and construction capacity amid rapid urbanization. The plant is expected to generate over 1,000 direct and […]
Istanbul Forum showcases Türkiye’s expanding footprint across Africa
The economic partnership between Türkiye and Africa is flourishing, with trade volume soaring past $37 billion in 2024 and a bold $40 billion target set for 2025. This remarkable growth, highlighted at the recent Türkiye-Africa Business and Economic Forum in Istanbul, represents a sevenfold increase since 2003. The relationship extends far beyond simple trade, as Turkish contractors […]
How the UAE became Uganda’s biggest trade partner
The United Arab Emirates has become Uganda’s largest export market, overtaking Kenya, Tanzania, and South Sudan for the first time in 2024. Bilateral trade between the two nations surged to $2.85 billion last year, up from just $600 million in 2018. Uganda’s exports—led by gold and coffee—now total about $1.35 billion, with frequent flights between Kampala […]
