Category: AFRICA

African ministers hold strategic dialogue on visa-free movement to propel regional integration agenda for Africa’s Transformation

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, February 19, 2025/ — On the sidelines of the 38th African Union Summit, African leaders discussed obstacles to the continent’s economic integration, underscoring visa-free movement to reduce illegal migration and strengthen official travel channels. The high-level dialogue, convened by the African Development Bank Group and the African Union Commission alongside the AU Summit, brought together trade ministers and business leaders who pointed to Rwanda’s experience as evidence that open borders enhance, rather than compromise, security. African Development Bank Group Vice President for Regional Development, Integration and Business…

The Djibouti Forum returns for its second edition:a unique platform for investment and dealmaking in Africa

Djibouti City, Djibouti – 19 February 2025–The second edition of the Djibouti Forum, under the theme “Unlocking opportunities for regional and global growth”, will take place from the 6th to the 8th of April 2025. Organised by the Fonds Souverain de Djibouti (Sovereign Wealth Fund of Djibouti), this landmark gathering seeks to positively shape the African agenda while highlighting the Horn of Africa’s pivotal role as a catalyst for growth and development in the region. Positioned at the crossroads of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, the eastern corridor of…

For a successful integration, Africa needs an operating system update (By Amadou Hott)

DAKAR, Senegal, February 19, 2025/ — Senegal’s official nominee for the position of President of the African Development Bank, Former Minister of Economy and planning, Senegal (www.AmadouHott.com). Ask any traveler about their experience moving across parts of Africa, and you will likely hear about familiar challenges: high costs, indirect routes, and unpredictable schedules that can make even the simplest journeys more complicated and costly. These travel hurdles highlight the immense opportunity to further strengthen Africa’s integration and unlock seamless connectivity across the continent. The potential is undeniable. According to the…

Maximizing Gold Mining Benefits and the GoldBod Idea in Ghana

Interview Story: By Mohammed A.Abu Hari Iyer, Chief Executive Officer(CEO) and Managing Director(MD) of the Sakthi Tading Group, a prominent international gold trade industry player, has noted that, a strict eco-friendly or sustainable mining regime is crucial for Ghana to address the significant socio-ecological costs of gold mining, such as deforestation, water pollution, and soil degradation. By adopting sustainable practices, Mr. Iyer intimates, Ghana can protect the environment, ensure long-term economic sustainability, and improve community welfare. A focus on responsible mining he contends, will enhance global competitiveness, attract ethical market…

Islamic Finance Expands Africa’s Energy Investment Landscape, Strengthening Arab-African Cooperation

PARIS, France, February 17, 2025/ — Africa’s energy sector is seeing growing interest from Islamic financial institutions, as demonstrated by the recent $400 million Murabaha financing secured by Africa Finance Corporation (AFC). This transaction not only underscores the growing role of Islamic finance in Africa’s infrastructure development, but also highlights significant opportunities for deeper financial cooperation between Arab and African nations in the energy sector. The strong demand for AFC’s facility, which attracted 11 Islamic financial institutions – including Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Al Rajhi Bank and Emirates Islamic Bank…

Wa Gold Project, Upper West Region, Ghana gets a Booster

Report: Mohammed A.Abu A quite impressive mineralisation encountered at the Kpali Gold Prospect  under the Wa Gold Project announced recently by Castle Minerals comes as a further boost to the Upper West Region’s image as an emerging gold province The project with multiple prospects is the single largest commercial gold concession in the entire Northern sector that promises to offer a maiden  commercial mining operation in the region. Castle Executive Chairman, Stephen Stone, commented “The Kpali Gold Prospect is developing into a robust discovery and is a strong indicator that…

Africa Finance Corporation and the Export-Import Bank of China (CEXIM) Strengthen Partnership to Drive Trade and Infrastructure Growth Across Africa

BEIJING, China, February 14, 2025/ — Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) (www.AfricaFC.org), Africa’s leading infrastructure solutions provider, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Export-Import Bank of China (CEXIM) to deepen collaboration in financing strategic infrastructure and trade projects across Africa. The agreement builds upon an existing relationship between the two institutions, dating back to 2018, and reinforces a shared commitment to accelerating economic development through sustainable investments. To date, AFC has secured a total of US$700 million in financing from CEXIM, including a US$300 million facility in 2018…

African Mining Week (AMW) to Showcase Africa’s Rising Investment Potential in the Mining Sector

International investments in Africa’s mining sector are surging as global demand for both traditional and emerging minerals continues to grow. For example, Australian mining firms saw their asset value in Africa reach $60 billion in 2024, while Canadian firms’ assets climbed to $37 billion. China also launched an ambitious $50 billion, three-year investment strategy targeting increased stakes in Africa’s most lucrative opportunities including in the mining sector. This was contained in a recent official statement issued by Energy Capital Power The upcoming African Mining Week Summit, scheduled for October 1…

Mission 300: African leaders pledge to advance clean cooking solutions for Africa at milestone Energy Summit

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania, February 1, 2025/ — African countries have taken bold commitments to implement clean cooking energy solutions to offset the devastating effects of open fire cooking which kills roughly 600,000 women and children annually across the continent. In energy compacts (apo-opa.co/40Fdx4z) signed during the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit, held in Tanzania 27-28 January, 12 African countries signalled their intent to  accelerate the pace of access to electricity and clean cooking solutions on the world’s fastest-growing continent, in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 7 and…

Africa: The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) and Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) College Announce Strategic Partnership to Deliver Entrepreneurial Leadership Programs

The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) (https://IsDBInstitute.org/) and Prince Mohammed bin Salman College of Business & Entrepreneurship (MBSC) have signed agreements to foster entrepreneurial skills and leadership excellence in IsDB Member Countries and Muslim Communities. This collaboration aims to launch two innovative programs: the Entrepreneurial Mindset Development Program and the Strategic Business Leadership Program. These programs integrate Islamic finance values and instruments to foster economic growth in Member Countries. The programs will be hosted by MBSC and delivered jointly by both institutions. Dr. Sami Al-Suwailem, Acting Director General of IsDBI, and Dr.…