Standard Chartered’s Women In Tech Programme Crowns Top Innovators As Third South African Cohort Graduates
Ten women founders building tech and tech-enabled businesses have graduated from the third South African edition of the Standard Chartered Women in Tech (WiT) Programme, with five of them awarded US$10,000 each in equity-free seed funding at a graduation event in Johannesburg. The graduation marks another milestone in Standard Chartered’s global Women in Tech journey. […]
AOT Lagos 7.0 Advances Strategic Innovation As Stakeholders Drive Lagos’ Tech-Enabled Transformation
The seventh edition of the Art of Technology Lagos (AOT Lagos 7.0) brought together policymakers, founders, investors, researchers, government representatives, venture capitalists, startups and tech talent at the Landmark Event Centre for a day of strategic engagements on how emerging technologies can accelerate Lagos’ evolution as a leading technology hub in Africa. Held under the […]
Marriott International Enters The Democratic Republic Of The Congo With The Opening Of Two Hotels In Kinshasa
Marriott International has made its debut in The Democratic Republic of the Congo with the openings of Protea Hotel by Marriott Kinshasa and Four Points by Sheraton Kinshasa. The launch of these two distinct hotels introduces globally recognised brands to Kinshasa, offering tailored experiences for business and leisure travellers in one of Africa’s most vibrant and […]
Dangote Refinery eyes 2026 IPO
Aliko Dangote has announced plans to list 10% of his $20 billion refinery on the Nigerian Exchange by 2026, marking a major step toward opening the megaproject to public investors. The move comes alongside discussions with regulators to allow dividends to be paid in US dollars. This unique structure, designed as a hedge against currency volatility, would […]
AfCFTA’s scorecard after five years
Five years after its launch, the African Continental Free Trade Area has achieved significant legal and political milestones, yet its promise of continental industrialization remains largely unfulfilled. While nearly 50 countries have committed to tariff liberalization, intra-African trade remains stalled at just 16–17% of total trade, constrained by deep-seated structural barriers. Non-tariff measures, complex rules of […]
South Africans seek end to B-BBEE?
A new study reveals a significant shift in South African public opinion, with a majority now favoring an end to the nation’s flagship Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) policy. According to the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation, 54% of citizens believe the rules should be phased out, arguing that hiring and promotions should prioritize merit. Meanwhile, two-thirds […]
African startup funding rebounds in 2025
African startups have staged a remarkable funding comeback in 2025, crossing the $3 billion mark, after declining between 2023 and 2024. This represents a significant 33% increase from the previous year, signaling a renewed wave of investor confidence across the continent. Much of the momentum has come from major late-year deals, including Spiro’s $100 million raise and […]
Nigeria launches gas trading platform
Nigeria has launched Africa’s first gas trading platform, marking a major step toward unlocking the country’s vast natural gas potential. The platform, licensed to JEX Markets and backed by regulators including the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and the Securities and Exchange Commission, is designed to bring transparency and efficiency to the domestic gas […]
AfDB backs Morocco’s airport overhaul
Morocco has secured a $316 million loan from the African Development Bank to upgrade its airports ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal. The funding supports a broader $4 billion national plan to more than double airport capacity to 80 million passengers by 2030, preparing for the expected surge […]
Chinese exports to Africa maintain momentum
Chinese exports to Africa are set to surpass $200 billion in 2025, highlighting Beijing’s growing commercial footprint despite ongoing trade tensions with the United States. Data from Chinese customs shows that $122 billion in goods were shipped to the continent during the first eight months of the year, with projections pointing to a full-year record. Africa’s exports […]
