Cape Town fintech Loop applied to the Bank of Algeria for a payment-processor licence, confirmed on 24 September. The filing is the first from a South African fintech since Algeria issued Instruction ...

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is negotiating agreements for new industrial gold mines. Gold prices have surged over 40% year-to-date, trading above $3,700 per ounce. The initiative aims to ...

Lesotho claims that US lawmakers promised to extend AGOA by one year, but no formal action has yet been taken. Thirty-two countries are fully eligible, yet only 18 benefit significantly; Lesotho’s ...

M-KOPA sold 1.3M smartphones in 2025, reaching 6.4M devices sold since 2020. 42% of buyers got their first smartphone via M-KOPA, rising to 45% among women. Nairobi plant produced 2M devices in 2025, ...

The first woman to hold the position of Governor of the Central Bank of Mauritius, she takes the helm of the institution following internal tensions. Her second Deputy Governor is Ramsamy Chinniah, a ...

Asia Potash plans a $1.6 billion fertilizer production complex in Algeria The project will process phosphate deposits and produce ammonia, urea, and compound fertilizers Algeria holds over 4 billion ...

Nigerian oil unions reject plan to sell NNPC JV assets • Say divestment threatens revenue, jobs, and sector stability • Unions warn of possible action; government yet to respond Nigerian oil unions ...

Benin approves 2025–2029 jobs plan to boost youth employment • Strategy targets underemployment, informal work, and skills gaps • Backed by budget, performance metrics, and stakeholder input Benin has ...

IFC, Access Bank sign $10M deal to boost SME lending • At least 25% of loans reserved for women-led businesses • Program targets financial inclusion, job growth in Sierra Leone The International ...

Cameroon promotes cassava to cut wheat imports, boost exports Women-led cassava hubs planned; few operational, key pilot underway Hurdles remain: quality, infrastructure, funding challenge program ...

Mastercard teams up with SmileID to roll out secure digital identity solutions The deal integrates SmileID’s verification tools into Mastercard’s ecosystem Partnership aims to fight identity fraud and ...

Visa hosts compliance forum to strengthen Cameroon's financial system • Focus on AML, digital ID, and AI to boost trust, security • Aims to align African compliance with global investor standards ...