Category: Finance

CIBAFI & Albaraka Forum join hands for a New Era of United Global Representation for the IF Industry

In a landmark gathering that signals a new era of coordinated leadership for the global Islamic finance industry, the General Council for Islamic Banks and Financial Institutions (CIBAFI), in partnership with AlBaraka Forum for Islamic Economy, convened a high-level Roundtable Meeting of Islamic Banking Associations in Istanbul, Türkiye, under the theme: “Elevating the Global Voice of Islamic Banking: Strengthening Representation, Alignment, and Collaboration through CIBAFI’s Leadership.” according to an official statement issued in Istanbul,Thursday. The meeting,the statement noted, represents the first initiative of its kind in the history of the Islamic…

AfDB-Gov’t of Rwanda launch Results Based-Financing II program to accelerate universal energy access

The African Development Bank Group, in partnership with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the Government of Rwanda, has launched the Energy Sector Results Based Financing Phase II (RBF II) Program, to drive achievement of universal access to reliable, clean, and affordable energy in the country. With a total program cost of $300 million, phase two will be financed through a loan of $200 million from the African Development Bank and a $100 million loan from AIIB,  reflecting strong multilateral collaboration to scale up impact in Rwanda’s energy sector. RBF II…

LSEG Islamic Investment Review 2025 Launched in London

Story: Mohammed A. Abu The London Stock Exchange Group(LSEG) Data & Analytics, has announced in London,Teusday, the launch of its latest report “LSEG Islamic Investment Review 2025: 50 Years of Exponential Growth”. The report provides a comprehensive, data‑driven assessment of global Islamic investment markets, examining developments across sukuk, Shariah‑compliant equities and Islamic funds at a time of heightened macroeconomic uncertainty and market volatility. Offering a detailed snapshot of market size, growth and structural evolution in 2025, the report highlights the continued expansion and resilience of Islamic investment markets despite tighter…

Deepening Cross-border Investments…EDB, Mauritius takes Pragmatic action

Story: Mohammed A. Abu Cross-border investment in West Africa is a complex mix of formal Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) concentrated in key hubs like Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal, and massive Informal Cross-Border Trade (ICBT) that supports local livelihoods. While regional integration efforts remain high, investors face challenges such as infrastructural deficits, regulatory inconsistencies, and security issues Key Drivers and Sectors  Mineral Resources & Energy: Mining (bauxite, manganese, gold) and infrastructure projects are the primary recipients of capital. Substantial multinational and regional capital flows target energy transitions and clean energy corridors.…

Village Capital backs two Ghanaian startups with $350,000 from latest fund

By Opeyemi Kareem,First Published,6th May, 2026 Village Capital, a global nonprofit that backs high-impact startups across emerging markets, has deployed $350,000 from its latest fund into two Ghanaian startups, marking the first investments from a vehicle designed to channel capital to early-stage African companies building essential services. The funding comes from the Africa Ecosystem Catalysts Facility (AECF), a $4 million investment fund launched in July 2025 in partnership with the Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency. The facility targets startups addressing economic mobility and climate resilience through locally grounded…

Dangote Cement signs $1bn deal with Sinoma for 12 new plants across Africa

by Caleb Obiowo, Nairametrics First Published- February 28, 2026 Dangote Cement Plc has signed a $1 billion agreement with Sinoma International Engineering for the construction of 12 new cement plants and the expansion of existing facilities across Africa. The deal was disclosed by MarketForces Africa following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Lagos on Friday. The agreement supports Dangote Cement’s drive to scale production, expand its market footprint, and consolidate its leadership across the continent What they are saying  Aliko Dangote, President and CEO of Dangote Industries Limited, described the projects as key enablers for reaching a production…

AIFF Launched to Strengthen Continental Financial Sovereignty

African Heads of State and Government on February 14, 2026, formally launched the Africa Infrastructure Financing Facility (AIFF), a coordinated, Africa-led platform designed to accelerate the preparation and facilitation of financing for priority cross-border infrastructure projects aligned with Agenda 2063,says an official statement issued in Addis Ababa,Wednesday. The launch took place during the Third Presidential High-Level Dialogue of the Alliance of African Multilateral Financial Institutions (AAMFI), convened on the margins of the 39th African Union Summit under the theme: “Strengthening Africa’s Financial Architecture to Finance Agenda 2063.” Held under the patronage of H.E.…

Upbeats on Non-Interest Banking & Finance in Ghana: Inputs of SEC and NIC Due Soon

Report: Mohammed A. Abu The Special Advisor to the Governor of Bank of Ghana on Non-Interest Banking and finance Prof John Gartchie Gatsi,has disclosed that the Securities Exchange Commission(SEC ) and National Insurance Commission(NIC) have gone very far regarding sukuk and Takaful Guidelines expected to be out, between March-April, 2026. Prof Gasti therefore  advised potential local and foreign  parties interested in rendering services relating to sukuk (non-interest bond) and Takaful (non-interest insurance) to rather  consider engaging directly SEC and NIC and not the Bank of Ghana. The two institutions, he…

African startups get $180 billion from a small, rich island and Gulf financiers

Chinedu Okafor First published, 27 January 2026 04:25 PM Africa, in the last decade, has emerged as one of the fastest-growing tech markets, given its rapid tech and mobile adoption, underpinned by a youth population. Africa has become a rapidly growing hub for technology, driven by high mobile adoption and a youthful population. Significant investments exceeding $180 billion have been made by advanced economies, including Japan and Gulf states, into Africa’s tech sector. Japanese organizations and funds, along with institutions like JICA, have played a crucial role in reshaping Africa’s…

Ghana Makes Strides in Non-Interest Banking  Introduction

…..As Country’s Central Bank Finally Issues Guidelines Report: Mohammed A. Abu Ghana’s Central Bank (Bank of Ghana) has finally issued its Guidelines for the Regulation and Supervision of Non-Interest Banking 2025, bringing to an end, the decades long much expected introduction of  the globally  most patronized alternative financing model into the country’s financial system. The introduction of Non-interest banking came out as one of the key policy recommendations during last year’s National Economic Forum which tended to have stimulated the pursuit of a series of pragmatic action measures by the…