Author: The Editorial Staff

Nouakchott hosted, on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, the launch workshop of the project “technical assistance for the program of affordable access to clean and renewable energy”, marking a new step in the transformation of the Mauritanian energy sector. In a tense international context on energy markets and facing the imperatives of ecological transition, the country is accelerating the implementation of its structural reforms with the support of its European partners. Carried out jointly by the Mauritanian authorities and the European Union, this initiative aims at a clear objective: to ensure universal access to reliable, sustainable, and financially accessible electricity by…

Africa confirms its shift towards a structured digital economy, driven by the rapid growth of instant payment systems (IPS). According to the SIIPS 2025 report published by the AfricaNenda Foundation, the continent now has 36 operational systems in 31 countries, with a cumulative volume close to $2 trillion and over 64 billion transactions in 2024. A profound transformation of African financial infrastructures This dynamic reflects a profound transformation of African financial infrastructures. With an average annual growth of 35% in volume since 2020, IPS are emerging as a strategic foundation, reducing transaction costs and accelerating the circulation of economic flows.…

Facing the intensification of climate risks, West Africa is undergoing a strategic shift. The World Bank Group approved a financing of $240 million on March 17 in Washington to launch the first phase of the WACA+ program, dedicated to coastal resilience and the development of the blue economy. This hybrid financing – combining $207 million from the IDA, support from the PROBLUE fund, and private sector mobilization – illustrates a major evolution in development policies: making climate investment a lever for growth and economic attractiveness. Through WACA+, the ambition is clear: to protect coastlines while structuring sustainable value chains and…

At the head of Wave Mali, Mah Bintou Coulibaly embodies a new generation of African female leaders, both rigorous, close to the field, and deeply committed to financial inclusion. With a decade of experience at HSBC Bank USA in Washington, she now puts this requirement at the service of a clear mission: to make financial services simpler, more accessible, and more useful on a daily basis for Malians. In this interview, she reflects on her journey, her vision of mobile money in Mali, and Wave’s priorities in a rapidly transforming sector. As General Manager of Wave Mali, what does this…

Ivory Coast confirms its status as a strategic mining hub in West Africa with the acceleration of the gold project in Boundiali, led by the Australian company Aurum Resources. The company has announced its intention to raise approximately $20 million to support the development of this high-potential future gold mine, in an international context marked by increasing demand for gold assets. This financial operation, carried out through a share placement, benefits from the strategic support of Perseus Mining, a recognized operator of Ivorian mines in Sissingué and Yaouré, which plans to acquire up to 9.9% of Aurum’s capital. The support…

In South Africa, the upcoming meeting of the central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee, scheduled for March 26, 2026, is crystallizing market expectations. While the slowdown in inflation had strengthened the scenario of a rate cut in recent weeks, the rise in external risks now complicates the monetary equation. For investors, the central question is no...

Markets Buy Peace and Sell War At the opening on Monday, March 23, the markets welcomed President Donald Trump’s comments about supposed “productive” discussions between Washington and Tehran to end the war. Within minutes, the S&P 500 surged by over 2%, erasing nearly $2 trillion in market capitalization and triggering a strong bullish movement in...

Guinea is exploring a new financing avenue by considering mobilizing $500 million through a Sukuk issuance, a flagship instrument of Islamic finance. The project was presented on march 18th to Mariama Ciré Sylla, Minister of Economy, Finance, and Budget by the financial intermediation firm NOMAD AFIIP, as part of a structuring offer aimed at supporting...

The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) is set to unveil its new cohort of young African entrepreneurs on Sunday, March 22, 2026, following a particularly competitive selection process across the continent. This announcement comes after a high-level exchange session with African media, led by the Foundation’s Managing Director, Somachi Chris-Asoluka, who presented the program’s key directions and its growing impact on the African entrepreneurial ecosystem. A rigorous selection from over 265,000 applications For the 2026 edition, approximately 3,200 entrepreneurs were selected from over 265,000 applications received across Africa. This number illustrates both the entrepreneurial dynamism of the continent and the ongoing…

Mauritanian expert in gender, social inclusion and economic development, Binta Baba Sy belongs to this generation of African women who link equality to economic performance. Trained as a lawyer, with degrees from the University Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and the University of Perpignan, she also holds a master’s degree in Gender, Migration and Human Rights from the Complutense University of Madrid. For over fifteen years, Binta Baba Sy has been supporting public institutions, banks and international partners in integrating gender and social inclusion into economic policies and development programs. As the founder and CEO of Debbo Consulting, a social and solidarity-focused…

Financial Afrik took part, on March 16, in a high-level video conference dedicated to the preparation of the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (CM14), scheduled to take place in Yaoundé. This meeting comes at a time marked by rumors circulating about a possible postponement or relocation to Geneva. The meeting brought together the Director-General of the WTO, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Chair of the General Council, the President of the CM14, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, the Vice-Presidents of the Conference, and the facilitator ministers in charge of negotiations. Discussions focused on finalizing the format of the conference, organizing…

The Burkina Faso officially denied information that had gone viral on social media, mentioning an increase in its electricity imports from Côte d’Ivoire, as well as a debt of 328 billion CFA francs. The Burkinabe Ministry of Energy reacted briefly, calling these claims “false.” In a context marked by recurrent power outages in Ouagadougou during...

The race for the presidency of the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM) is entering its operational phase. A few weeks before the deadline for candidacies, a first duo has declared itself to succeed Chakib Alj: Mehdi Tazi, candidate for the presidency, and Mohamed Bachiri, candidate for the position of general vice-president. This announcement marks...

Dakar, March 18, 2026 — Senegal has reached a new milestone in the governance of its natural resources. According to an official statement released this Wednesday, the country has achieved an overall score of 89 out of 100 in the implementation of the 2023 EITI Standard, confirming its position among the most advanced jurisdictions in...

In 2026, African states are expected to raise $155 billion on commercial markets, an increase from the $140 billion in 2025, but more importantly revealing an unrelenting mechanism: refinancing past debt while continuing to finance persistent deficits. Behind this figure lies a less spectacular but more structuring reality: nearly $80 billion will be used solely...

Following the publication of an article entitled “Two barons clash over former TotalEnergies assets” in the March 12, 2026 issue of the French media Africa Intelligence, Barka Energies expresses its astonishment at its content. This publication portrays Barka Energies as a predator, whereas in reality it is a victim of the Participation and Investment Company (S.P.I) of Mr. Sanoh Mamady, who has taken legal action against it. It should be noted that Mr. Sanoh Mamady’s company applied, along with many other investors, to purchase the assets of TotalEnergies Marketing Burkina, but their offer was not accepted by the TotalEnergies Group,…

“In a context marked by the resurgence of geopolitical tensions and the proliferation of high-risk maritime zones, maritime transport insurance is once again a central parameter of the global economy. The increase in premiums, and even the introduction of non-insurance clauses on certain strategic corridors, directly threatens the fluidity of international trade. For Africa, heavily dependent on imports of energy products, cereals, and fertilizers, these developments represent a major challenge to the stability of supply chains. In this interview, Moses Emmanuel, CEO of ATIDI (African Trade & Investment Development Insurance), deciphers the implications of these turbulences and outlines ways to…

Re-election of Marième Tamata-Varin-Watt in Yèbles, Seine-et-Marne, stands out for its almost arithmetic clarity. On Sunday, March 15, 2026, this Mauritanian-born elected official was re-elected at the head of the municipality with 100% of the votes cast, totaling 279 votes, following a vote marked by a turnout of 50.84% (303 voters out of 596 registered)....

The World Bank has approved a budgetary financing of $45 million for Zambia, signaling renewed confidence in the economic reforms undertaken by Lusaka in a context marked by high debt, moderate growth, and increasingly frequent climate shocks. Granted through the International Development Association, this financial support is part of the second phase of the country’s Development Policy Program for Climate and Economic Resilience. The objective is to support government efforts to stabilize public finances, strengthen the business environment, and accelerate the transition to a more climate-resilient economy. Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane emphasized that this funding will help improve budget management,…

By Jean Charles Biyo’o Ella In the East of Cameroon, classrooms are emptying while rivers are filling up with children in search of gold. Between the hope of quick wealth and poverty, the future is sacrificed on the altar of gold mining. “We did not receive any students this year in CM2. They have all deserted to go look for gold in the mines,” testifies Adamou Oumarou Théophile. With a heavy heart, the teacher and director of the public school in Zamboi, 45 km from Garoua-Boulaï, recounts the reality of his students in this village surrounded by several gold mining…

Under the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, particularly the war in Iran, and the volatility of energy prices, Mauritania is accelerating the securing of its supplies of oil products and basic commodities. The stated objective is to limit the risks of shortages, contain imported inflationary pressure, and preserve purchasing power in a globally more uncertain environment. During a government weekly press conference held on March 11, 2026, the Minister of Energy and Petroleum, Mohamed Ould Mohamed Malainine Ould Khaled, stated that five ships loaded with oil products were expected by the end of the month to strengthen national reserves.…

The beginning of the year marks a clear shift in the hierarchy of African stock markets. The Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) takes the lead in the continental ranking with a performance of +78% in dollars and +72% in euros, according to data from African Markets tracking performances between January 1 and March 13, 2026. A...

The World Bank announced on March 16, 2026, the appointment of Djibrilla Issa as Division Director for five strategic countries in West Africa: Senegal, Mauritania, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, and The Gambia. Based in Dakar, he will be responsible for overseeing a regional portfolio estimated at nearly $6 billion, aimed at supporting the economic and social transformation of these economies. This appointment comes at a time when West Africa is accelerating its efforts to strengthen inclusive growth, modernize its infrastructure, and attract more international investments. In his new role, Djibrilla Issa will be tasked with coordinating the operational and strategic engagement…

On the eve of the Monetary Policy Council meeting, there is almost unanimous consensus among analysts and investors: the key rate of Bank Al-Maghrib is expected to remain unchanged. In an international context marked by strong geopolitical uncertainties, caution now seems to be the preferred option for the central bank. According to a survey conducted...

Recently promoted as Director of Business Development & Marketing at SOAGA, Jocelyne GBAH embodies a generation of financial leaders committed to the concrete transformation of the West African ecosystem. A commercial engineer, certified in HEC Paris Finance & Business Strategy, certified in AMF France Financial Markets Regulation, graduate of ITB CFPB France, she also intervenes at ITB in training bank executives in banking, finance, and market professions. For over ten years, she has been working with a clear conviction: finance creates value only when it becomes understandable, accessible, and useful to the population. Far from an exclusively institutional approach, she…

Clean victory and political symbol. The candidate supported by La France insoumise (LFI) and allied with the French Communist Party (PCF), Bally Bagayoko, won a resounding victory on Sunday during the 2026 municipal elections in the city of Saint-Denis, in Seine-Saint-Denis. With approximately 50.8% of the votes, according to initial estimates provided by his entourage,...

The curve of the Senegalese eurobond “4.75% maturing in March 2028” published by Cbonds offers a very instructive reading of investors’ perception of risk over the past three months. Between December and mid-February, the bond was generally on an upward trajectory. For the markets, Senegal was then seen as a relatively credible African issuer, comparable...

On the occasion of March 8, International Women’s Rights Day, Aïssata LY WANE publishes “The Colors of Marriage,” a book of reflection and awareness dedicated to one of the oldest and most complex social institutions: marriage. Often idealized, marriage is nevertheless crossed by multiple, sometimes contradictory realities. Through this book, the author offers a lucid and deeply human exploration of married life. Far from simplistic discourses, she invites the reader to look at what really happens behind the doors of households: the joys, tensions, misunderstandings, but also the capacities for resilience and reconstruction. The book is based on a hundred…

Senegal honored the sensitive deadline of March 13, 2026 on its international debt by paying approximately 471 million dollars of principal and coupons to its creditors, thus avoiding any immediate risk of default. Finance Minister Cheikh Diba (pictured), at the forefront of the debt issue, managed to find a solution that was even more unexpected...

Caught in the turmoil of the debate on mining and industrial agreements reignited by Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, cement manufacturers operating in Senegal have chosen to respond with numbers. In a joint statement released this Friday, they claim to have committed over 600 billion CFA francs in investments over the past five years and to...