Author: The Editorial Staff

The designation of Alassane Ouattara on June 22, 2025 for a fourth presidential term is part of a political continuity strategy of the Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP), but also raises questions about democratic alternation in Ivory Coast. At 83 years old, the outgoing president seems to rely on his aura as the “father of stability” in a West African sub-region undergoing political and security reconfiguration. Facing institutional reconfigurations in the Sahelian region, the Ivorian case appears as an exception of relative stability. While the Alliance of the Sahel States (AES) – including Mali, Burkina Faso, and…

Through a dedicated day held in Dakar on June 18, 2025, the National Bank for Economic Development (BNDE) confirmed its strategic positioning in supporting local companies active in the extractive sector. This initiative is part of the concrete implementation of the agreement signed with the National Monitoring Committee for Local Content (CNSCL) in August 2024. At the intersection of financial, industrial, and strategic issues, BNDE aims to become the reference bank for Senegalese SMEs in mining, gas, and oil. In front of a gathering of public and private actors, Dr. Mor Bakhoum, technical secretary of the CNSCL and representative of…

Abuja, June 20, 2025 – The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) will hold its 32nd Annual Meetings (AAM2025) from June 25 to 27, 2025 in Abuja, Nigeria, bringing together an impressive panel of heads of state, ministers, central bankers, investors, and business leaders from Africa, the Caribbean, and beyond. This strategic meeting will place trade, investment, and innovation at the heart of priorities for the continent. Expected personalities include H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, and Ambassador Albert Muchanga, Commissioner of the African Union in charge of economic development, trade, tourism,…

In finance, is perception more important than reality? The second day of the 2025 General Assemblies of the African Trade Insurance Agency (ATIDI), held in Luanda, was marked on Friday, June 20th, by a high-intensity intellectual roundtable on the perception of African risk and capital mobilization. In front of an audience composed of financiers, institutional investors, rating agencies, and representatives of multilateral organizations, experts confronted African realities with persistent representations of a high-risk continent. 88 billion USD covered by ATIDI In his introduction, Manuel Moses, CEO of ATIDI, highlighted the agency’s growing role in supporting investments in Africa: “ATIDI currently…

Abidjan, June 20, 2025 – The Regional Stock Exchange (BRVM) continues its remarkable ascent. As of June 20, 2025, the market capitalization of the stock market reached a historic peak of 12,070 billion CFA francs, or more than 21 billion dollars. This performance represents an increase of nearly 2,000 billion CFA francs in just six months, a rise of +19.76% since December 31, 2024. Over a five-year period, the BRVM has recorded a cumulative growth of +176%, supported by a series of strong annual performances: +39.33% in 2021, +24.23% in 2022, +5.38% in 2023, and +26.51% in 2024. Including the…

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Water Distribution Authority (Regideso) produced a total volume of 336,284,849 cubic meters of water in 2024, generating revenues of 464.8 billion Congolese francs (approximately 163 million US dollars). The announcement was made by the general director of the public company, David Tshilumba, during the official presentation of the financial statements held on Thursday, June 19, 2025 in Kinshasa. This initiative is part of a stated commitment to transparency and accountability in a vital sector where the needs of the population remain largely unmet. Since 2020, Regideso has shown a progressive growth in its…

The court of first instance in Ariana, Tunisia, has sentenced Sahbi Atig, a high-ranking official of the opposition party Ennahda and former deputy, to 15 years in prison for money laundering, his lawyer announced on Friday, June 20th. According to the court’s decision, Sahbi Atig is found guilty of forming an agreement for money laundering,...

On June 14th, the U.S. Department of State announced that the United States could include Tanzania and 24 other African countries on the initial list of 19 countries banned, totally or partially, from entering the United States. Following this declaration, Tanzania has started negotiations with Washington to try to overturn the latest restrictions imposed by the Trump administration on Africans traveling abroad. This Wednesday, June 18th, the spokesperson for the Tanzanian government, Gerson Msigwa, stated in a press release that discussions had begun with the Donald Trump administration to change its position on a potential restriction on Tanzanians entering the…

Inflation is slowing down in Morocco. According to the latest data published by the High Commission for Planning (HCP), the consumer price index (CPI) recorded a monthly decrease of 0.4% in May 2025, after an annual increase of 0.7% observed in April. On an annual basis, inflation now stands at 0.4%, down from 0.7% the...

Investors operating in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) financial market showed strong interest in Benin’s treasury bills and bonds during a simultaneous auction of these public securities with maturities of 182 days and 3, 5, and 7 years held on Thursday, June 19, 2025. Seeking 25 billion CFA francs, the State of...

The international hotel group IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a franchise agreement with the developer Senegindia SA for the opening of a Holiday Inn in SD City Dakar, in the urban hub of Diamniadio. The 150-room property, scheduled to open in 2027, will be managed by Valor Hospitality Partners, a specialist in hotel management. This project is part of a total investment estimated at 540 million rands (29 million USD), covering two new properties franchised by IHG: the Holiday Inn SD City Dakar in Senegal and a Crowne Plaza in Lagos, Nigeria. “Senegal is a key market for our…

Rwandan authorities have arrested Victoire Ingabire, a prominent figure in the opposition and president of the unrecognized party DALFA-Umurinzi (Development and Liberty for All). She is currently being held in a detention center in Kigali, the capital, announced the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) on Thursday, June 19th. According to the RIB, she is accused of...

The World Bank has approved $250 million in financing for Morocco to support the implementation of its social protection reform. This initiative aims to strengthen the effectiveness of the system by improving access and distribution of cash transfers, while expanding social benefits for vulnerable households, according to a statement released on Thursday, June 19. This new financial support is in line with the direct social assistance program launched in December 2023 by the Moroccan government, which is an essential component of the national social protection reform. By March 2025, this program was already benefiting over 3.9 million households. The project…

The World Bank has approved a financing of 100 million dollars for Madagascar to support the implementation of structural economic reforms. This operation aims to stimulate private sector growth and promote job creation, through targeted actions in key sectors such as telecommunications, energy, and mining, according to a statement from the Ministry of Economy and...

The West African Development Bank (BOAD) signed a loan agreement of 50 billion CFA francs (approximately 76.22 million euros) with the Nigerien authorities on Wednesday, June 18 in Niamey, in order to strengthen the financial stability of the Nigerien Bank (SONIBANK), the country’s leading public bank. According to both parties, this financing will notably help...

The Nigerien government has announced the nationalization of the Société des mines de l’Aïr (Somair), a uranium joint venture previously operated by the French company Orano, marking a definitive break with one of its oldest mining partners. In a statement broadcast on national television on Thursday, June 19, the Nigerien government mentioned the end of...

Benin confirms its upward trajectory on the African economic scene. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved, on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, a disbursement of $90 million to the country, highlighting “solid” economic performance and exemplary budget management. This decision comes after the sixth review of the MEDC/FEC program (Extended Credit Facility and Extended Fund Facility)...

Morocco has just reached a strategic milestone in its transition to sustainable agriculture. It is among the six African countries selected to benefit from the Acumen Resilient Agriculture Fund II (ARAF II), a $132 million investment fund aimed at strengthening the climate resilience of small-scale farmers on the continent. By joining this exclusive circle alongside Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, and Uganda, the Kingdom confirms its commitment to supporting the adaptation of the agricultural sector to the challenges of climate change. This new funding illustrates the recognition of Morocco’s strategy in smart and inclusive agriculture. A vision of sustainable and…

The National Telecommunications Company of Senegal (SONATEL) will proceed, on July 16, 2025, to the payment of semi-annual interest and partial repayment of the capital of its bond loan named “Sonatel 6.50% 2020-2027” for an amount of 11.514 billion CFA francs (20.726 million dollars), announced the leaders of this company based in Dakar. The semi-annual...

The State of Mali will repay, on July 12, 2025, a debt of 27.824 billion CFA francs (50.084 million dollars) from its bond loan called “State of Mali 6.50% 2019-2027”. In order to mobilize resources for the financing of certain investments planned in the 2019 budget, the State of Mali, through the National Treasury and...

Rabat, June 19, 2025 – Morocco Telecom is undergoing a transformation. The telecommunications giant has decided to break away from its dual governance model (Management Board and Supervisory Board) to adopt a unified structure centered around a Board of Directors. Officially, the stated objective is clear: “to strengthen the strategic coherence and decision-making efficiency of the Group.” In reality, this shift raises more questions than it answers. The newly formed Board of Directors is nothing more than a recycling of the old Supervisory Board. All its members are being reappointed, seemingly to better lock in the internal power balances. Behind…

Abuja, June 17, 2025 – The 4th annual meeting of the Africa Sovereign Investors Forum (ASIF) was held from June 15 to 17 in Abuja, Nigeria, under the theme: “Harnessing African sovereign funds to mobilize global capital for transformative development in Africa”. This strategic meeting brought together African sovereign funds, institutional investors, and international partners around a common ambition: to make sovereign investment a sustainable lever for the transformation of the continent. On this occasion, Ithmar Capital (Morocco) and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) concluded a collaboration agreement to create a common sovereign investment platform. This initiative aims to…

Kinshasa, June 19, 2024 – Rawbank closes the year 2024 with robust results, confirming the relevance of its responsible growth strategy and its position as the leading bank in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Net banking income amounts to USD 514 million, up 6.2% year-on-year. Net profit reaches USD 212.7 million, reflecting sustained profitability despite a challenging economic environment. The bank reports a return on equity (ROE) of 32.99%, a return on assets (ROA) of 3.43%, and a Basel III solvency ratio of 20.44%, demonstrating a solid financial foundation. Gross loan portfolio reaches USD 2.08 billion (+34%), while deposits increase…

These agreements are part of the TDB Group’s regional energy access financing platform, supported by the World Bank’s ASCENT program as part of the “Mission 300” initiative to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030. Cape Town, June 19, 2025 – The Trade and Development Bank Group (TDB Group) has reached a milestone by signing a series of financial agreements with two major distributed energy (DRE) and clean cooking sector companies: Burn Manufacturing and Ignite Power, on the sidelines of the Africa Energy Forum (AEF). The immediate goal is to provide access to clean energy to three million people…

Abidjan, June 19, 2025 – Société Générale Côte d’Ivoire (SGCI) announces the appointment of Wilfried Assi as Director of Communication and Foundation, effective June 16, 2025. This appointment is part of a dynamic to strengthen the bank’s image strategy, social responsibility, and community engagement. With over 18 years of international experience, Wilfried Assi brings proven expertise in strategic communication, marketing, ESG (Environment, Social, and Governance), and talent development to SGCI. A graduate of ESCA at INP-HB and holder of an Executive Master with triple certification from HEC Paris, Wilfried Assi began his career in 2009 at Unilever, as part of…

The Senegalese Treasury officially launched, on Thursday, June 19 in Dakar, a bond issue through a public offering of 300 billion CFA francs (approximately 457.35 million euros). This operation, included in the 2025 Finance Law and the strategic framework of the Senegal 2050 Project, aims to mobilize resources for financing the national budget, especially projects...

Zimbabwe has just set a new national record for tobacco production, with over 300 million kilograms of leaves sold since the opening of the marketing season in March, for a value exceeding one billion US dollars, announced the Zimbabwean Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) on Wednesday, June 18. This volume surpasses the previous record of 296 million kilograms reached in 2023, confirming a remarkable growth in the sector. “The 2025 season is historic. As of June 18, Zimbabwe has officially crossed the threshold of 300 million kilograms of tobacco sold,” said Chelesani Tsarwe, TIMB’s public affairs manager. According to…

The Nigerian bank Zenith Bank Plc has announced its intention to exit the regulatory forbearance regime imposed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) by June 30, 2025. This decision comes in the context of strengthening banking supervision by the regulator, especially regarding credit concentration limits. “In relation to forbearance granted on other credit facilities,...

The Egyptian Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA) has adopted new rules regulating insurance and reinsurance brokerage, as part of the implementation of unified insurance law No. 155 of 2024. This reform aims to professionalize the sector, strengthen consumer protection, and align the market with international standards. The decision requires brokers to register on the FRA’s electronic platform within 45 days, extends the validity of licenses to five years, and sets a minimum social capital of 5 million EGP (approximately 111,000 USD). Companies must also open two branches within three years, have a qualified board of directors, and report any cessation of…

African sovereign funds are gradually emerging as essential levers for financing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), according to the Sovereign Impact Report 2025 published by IE University. Facing an estimated annual financing gap of $4.2 trillion to achieve the SDGs by 2030, these instruments, still modest in volume compared to Asian or Middle Eastern giants,...