Author: Contribution

By Seynabou Dia Sall*, Founder & CEO, Global Mind Consulting, Strategic Advisory & Public Affairs. Africa – Europe – Middle East. Africa is not only evaluated on its economic performance. It is equally judged on how these performances are perceived, interpreted, and translated into trust. This perception directly influences the cost of capital, investment decisions, institutional credibility, and ultimately, the maneuvering room of states. Mastering its narrative is therefore not a luxury or an exercise in image. It is a major economic and strategic issue, at the heart of the competitiveness and sovereignty of the continent. In my work with…

By Dr. Abderrahmane Mebtoul, University Professor, international expert in strategic management The tensions between the United States and Iran, both members of the BRICS+ and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) — two cosmopolitan groupings bringing together heterogeneous political regimes and strategic alliances — clearly show that the current and likely future architecture of international relations is based not on feelings, but on interests. The recent experience of Venezuela is a striking illustration of this. In this context, the UN appears largely powerless to influence major contemporary world events, often limiting itself to verbal condemnations with limited effects, underpinned by implicit…

Family businesses are the backbone of our economies, generating nearly 70% of the continent’s GDP. However, only a minority of them survive beyond the second generation. When these businesses collapse, the consequences extend far beyond the family realm: jobs disappear, supply chains weaken, and local economies lose essential stabilizing forces. This vulnerability is not inevitable. It is the direct result of two chronic weaknesses that continue to undermine family businesses across the continent: poorly structured governance and the lack of succession planning. As long as these flaws are not addressed, Africa risks facing further business losses. For example, the downfall…

By Benoit S NGOM, President of the African Diplomatic Academy. The year 2026 must be solemnly celebrated as marking the 40th anniversary of the entry into force of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which occurred in October 1986. This anniversary is a moment of memory, but above all of critical reflection on the African trajectory in terms of promoting and protecting human rights. Indeed, by adopting this fundamental legal instrument, Africa asserted, as early as the mid-1980s, to the world that it was fully sensitive to the issue of human rights, while claiming the right to offer…

In a context where economic relations between Africa and Europe are scrutinized in terms of demand, sustainability, and transparency, Note 35 of SYSCOHADA could well constitute a silent revolution. Still largely unknown, not public and not published, this too discreet specific and unique provision paves the way for a real African extra-financial reporting, focused on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. However, in a world where investors, regulators, and economic partners demand more transparency, Africa has here a leading normative weapon that the African Union should even seize by generalizing it!!! A unique African proprietary tool to reduce information asymmetry…

By Charles Blondin Since the military junta took power following the Z generation protests in Madagascar, a hardening of the political climate has occurred in recent months. Contrary to a peaceful political transition, the government seems to have embarked on a palace revolution that could harm the interests of the Malagasy people in the long term. In the fall of 2026, protests by the Z generation (Gen Z) erupted on the red island. Denouncing water and electricity distribution issues, the population took to the streets at the urging of opposition members of the Antananarivo Municipal Council, the capital of Madagascar.…

Why do we accept the rule… and why does its transgression shock us so much? By Idrissa Diabira, Founder Sherpafrica The Senegal-Morocco final not only aroused sporting emotions. It provoked a deeper, almost collective disturbance. What unfolded in Rabat went beyond the score and referee decisions to touch on something much more fundamental: our relationship to the rule, order, justice, and legitimacy of contestation. Organizational sociology reminds us of an often forgotten truth: the rule is never neutral. As Michel Crozier and Erhard Friedberg have shown, it is not simply a tool designed to discipline behavior or resolve conflicts. It…

By Thierno Seydou Nourou SY President and Founder of Nourou Financial Consulting (NFC) – Dakar, Senegal www.nouroufinancial.com For decades, the Senegalese peanut sector has been evolving in an almost immutable cycle: produce, collect, store, arbitrate in urgency, and repeat. This system, inherited from a time when the state structured the entire value chain, is now running out of steam. The question is no longer who should buy the peanuts, but how to transform them sustainably into economic, social, industrial, and environmental value. A historically integrated sector, now fragmented The creation of ONCAD, then SONACOS, was based on a systemic vision:…

By Prof. Amath NDIAYE, FASEG-UCAD. In the UEMOA, the question of bank liquidity is often mentioned without being clearly explained. However, the figures for the third quarter of 2025 provide a central lesson: banks in the region are structurally dependent on the Central Bank, and this dependence is closely linked to the financing of state budget deficits. Bank liquidity refers to the ability of banks to meet their immediate obligations: withdrawals by depositors, interbank payments, settlements with the State, and normal credit granting. It is, in a way, the daily fuel of the banking system. A bank can be financially…

By Pr Amath Ndiaye, FASEG-UCAD. The public debate in Africa often attributes to the CFA Franc (FCFA) the responsibility for underdevelopment and the maintenance of many African countries in the category of Least Developed Countries (LDCs). However, a factual analysis of United Nations data shows that this accusation does not hold up to scrutiny. According to the official list of LDCs established by the United Nations for the year 2024, Africa has 32 LDCs. Among them, only 10 countries belong to the CFA Franc zone, representing 31.25%. And if we exclude Senegal, which has been engaged in a process of…

By Prof. Amath Ndiaye, FASEG-UCAD. The African public debate often attributes to the CFA Franc (FCFA) the responsibility for underdevelopment and the maintenance of many African countries in the Least Developed Countries (LDC) category. However, a factual analysis of United Nations data shows that this accusation does not hold up to scrutiny. According to the official list of LDC established by the United Nations for the year 2024, Africa has 32 LDC. Among them, only 10 countries belong to the CFA Franc zone, which is 31.25%. And if we exclude Senegal, which has been engaged in a process of exiting…

By Abderrahmane Mebtoul, University Professor, international expert accountant from the Higher Institute of Management in Lille, France, Doctor of Economics

By Abderrahmane Mebtoul, University Professor, international expert accountant at the Higher Institute of Management in Lille, France, Doctor of Economics

By Thierno Seydou Nourou SY, President and Founder of Nourou Financial Consulting (NFC) Dakar-Senegal. Despite a satisfactory evolution of the main indicators of the microfinance sector in the WAEMU over the past two (2) decades, marked notably by a predominance of large institutions representing nearly 90% of the sector’s assets by the end of 2024, a significant portion of our population, especially the most vulnerable groups, remains excluded from access to financial services. The promotion of a new type of microfinance institution called Participatory Microfinance Cooperative Companies (SCMP) could be a relevant first step in addressing this issue. For two…

By Fatimetou Mint BOUTEBIB, PhD in Law. Today, we are witnessing a radical transition towards renewable energies worldwide, where green hydrogen is one of the most promising solutions contributing to environmental sustainability and carbon emissions reduction. It is in this context that Mauritania has taken the lead in Africa by enacting its Green Hydrogen Code, which aims to regulate the sector, attract investments, and ensure sustainable development based on clean energy sources. Green hydrogen is a key pillar of Mauritania’s strategy to achieve an inclusive and sustainable energy transition, as it is produced from renewable sources, making it an environmentally…

By Mr. Raphaël Nkolwoudou Afane Doctor of Law, Legal Tech Specialist and Legal Ops Officer In Africa, mobile phones are more than just communication tools: they have become the digital wallets of hundreds of millions of people. With over a billion active mobile money accounts since the advent of MPesa in Kenya – by Safaricom,...

For decades, the economic history of Africa has been characterized by a repetitive scenario: exporting raw materials, importing finished products, leading to a constant imbalance in the trade balance. In collaboration with public authorities, Afreximbank and its industrialization partner Arise IIP are contributing to the development of industrial zones that promote the flow of value-added products that transform Africa’s contribution to international trade. The development of these industrial zones is based on the availability of raw materials and the significant technological advancements that the African continent can leverage to accelerate its industrial transformation and create a different economic experience. One…

By Thierno Seydou Nourou SY, Banker, Founder of Nourou Financial Consulting (NFC) Dakar- Senegal. Senegal is going through a complex economic period, characterized by high public debt (nearly 110% of GDP), persistent twin deficits (Budget deficit forecasted at 7.1% of GDP in 2025 and current account deficit between 12% and 14% in 2025), and eroded partner confidence. Yet paradoxically, the country has considerable assets: natural resources (oil, gas, minerals), a young population, a dynamic diaspora, and ambitious vision plans (SND 2025-2029, Vision 2050). The central question is not one of lack of vision, but one of financing and execution means.In…

By Yasmine Aboubacar Sedikhe SY* A continent in motion, elites out of sync? Africa is going through a phase of transformation of an intensity rarely seen in its contemporary history. Data from the African Development Bank (AfDB, African Economic Outlook 2024) indicates that six of the ten fastest-growing economies in 2024 are African. At the same time, demographic projections from the United Nations (World Population Prospects 2022, United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs) predict a continent that will have nearly 2.5 billion inhabitants by 2050, with around 60% being under the age of 25. This dynamic creates an…

Dr. Laëtitia MAKITA-NGADI, Founder & CEO SEMEN AFRICA Consulting, Initiator of the Summit on Investments in Health Systems in Africa (SISSA) Within the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC), the high number of medical evacuations abroad is no longer just a symptom of fragility: it now embodies a true financial hemorrhage and a revealer of systemic dependence. Member states, already weakened by chronic budget deficits and debt sometimes exceeding 70% of the annual GDP, a threshold set by Regulation No. 12/07-UEAC-186-CM-15, see their foreign exchange reserves evaporate to cover external care. This currency drain is not just a budget…

By Thierno Seydou Nourou Sy, Banker, President and Founder of Nourou Financial Consulting (NFC) Dakar-Senegal The new partnership between the State and BOAD paves the way for a strategic valuation of public assets, requiring careful and rigorous implementation. The recent signing of a memorandum of understanding between the State of Senegal and the West African Development Bank (BOAD) for the creation of the Senegal Asset Valuation Fund (FOVAS) marks an ambitious step. This mechanism, aimed at harnessing the economic potential of public infrastructure to generate new financing, is a commendable initiative. However, its success will depend on a thorough analysis…

By Raphael NKOLWOUDOU AFANE, PhD in Law & Legal Ops Officer Africa is winning the battle of digital transformation, but it risks losing the one for cybersecurity. With a rapidly growing mobile penetration rate, financial innovation revolutionizing banking services, and a dynamic fintech ecosystem, the continent is skipping technological stages at a frantic pace. However, this dazzling success is severely compromised by a silent and omnipresent threat: cybercrime. The recent report Check Point 2025 African Perspectives on Cyber Security delivers a stark assessment: African organizations face an average of more than 3,000 attacks per week, with peaks exceeding 4,200 in…

A vital issue for African citizens, businesses, and institutions By Dr. Mohamed H’Midouche, former International Senior Official – expert in Governance and Development. The digital transformation of Africa is now one of the major drivers of economic and social modernization of the continent. The rise of mobile money, fintech, e-government, educational and healthcare platforms, and digital administration has profoundly changed behaviors and stimulated growth. This technological revolution opens up a wide range of opportunities: financial inclusion, innovation, transparency, productivity, and improved public services. But this dynamic digital ecosystem simultaneously amplifies the exposure to cyber threats. Cybercriminals, better organized, more agile,…

Gora DIOP, a graduate of IEDES at SORBONNE. The objective of this theme is to present the gains as well as the challenges of coordinating monetary policy. However, initially, it seems appropriate to revisit inflation, or more precisely its origins, effects, and the policies often implemented to counter it. The goal is to show that inflation can have external origins, as a necessary condition for coordinating monetary policies is the existence of externalities. It will be referred to as imported inflation. Indeed, a major advantage that can result from countries’ willingness to coordinate their policies is that cooperation can allow…

By M. Morel SYLLA Cultural diplomat, Director of the PMC Consulting Cabinet, President of the Maraguiri Association, Technical Partner of the KANIA SOLY Festival At a time when the global map of influences is being redrawn, culture is once again becoming an instrument of sovereignty and a strategic asset now rivaling technologies, data, and finance. The central question is no longer “who produces the content?”, but “who imposes the narrative?”. The Guinean case shows that a country with intact symbolic capital can transform its intangible heritage into a lever for negotiation, attractiveness, and international competitiveness. The narrative as a new…

Absolutely avoid default or turn crisis into opportunity By Doudou Ka, former Minister of Economy of Senegal A moment of national truth Senegal is going through an unprecedented crisis: cash flow tensions, collapse of eurobonds, institutional uncertainties, lack of financing agreement with the IMF… The risk of default is no longer theoretical, it is real! But a crisis is not a condemnation. It can become a historic turning point if faced with courage, clarity, and unity. In 1998, Malaysia, hit hard by the Asian crisis, avoided default thanks to a sovereign, coherent, and courageous strategy. This choice of leadership restored…

By Raphael NKOLWOUDOU AFANE, Doctor of Law & Legal Ops Officer. What if our pan-African dream of a unified digital market evaporated with every power outage? While digital experts gather in Conakry for the Transform Africa 2025 summit, a stubborn reality persists: harmonizing continental rules on an electrical grid that knows only disorder is impossible. The latency of digital services, the scourge that turns a simple online transaction into an obstacle course, is just the visible symptom of a deeper issue – energy precarity. Yet, in a continent bathed in sunshine 300 days a year, it is inconceivable that photovoltaics,…

by Dr. Maxime Houinato, Socio-Economist and UN Women Regional Director for West and Central Africa The African Union’s permanent membership in the G20, alongside South Africa, marks a milestone for the continent. It offers a new platform to influence global decisions and align them with Africa’s priorities. The value of this representation will be measured by tangible results for women and girls — particularly in West and Central Africa, where women drive economic resilience, social cohesion, and innovation. The G20 influences more than 80 percent of global GDP and most of international trade. Its agenda on finance, climate action, digital…

By El Hadji Abdoulaye Seck, Economist-researcher at the École nationale d’administration publique du Québec. The following lines do not concern the entirety of Senegal’s public administration debt, but rather the illegal portion contracted in violation of the laws and regulations in force.Since the publication of the Court of Auditors report in February 2025, revealing debt agreements concluded outside the framework set by Organic Law No. 2020-07 of February 26, 2020 on public finance laws and Decree No. 2020-978 of April 23, 2020 on the general regulation of public accounting, the country has been facing a series of turbulences: a decrease…

By Pr Amath NDIAYE – Economist, FASEG-UCAD As Senegal’s public finances face increasing pressures, the question of an orderly debt restructuring becomes unavoidable. With an estimated debt-to-GDP ratio ranging between 118% and 132%, and a gross financing need of 5,715.5 billion CFA francs in 2025, the country is at a decisive turning point: continue borrowing at prohibitive conditions or restructure its debt to restore confidence. A vicious cycle of refinancing Senegal is stuck in a logic of permanent refinancing. Each new loan taken out to meet previous obligations increases the debt stock due to the additional interests it generates. Debt…