Account ownership, or the capacity to hold and manage a bank or mobile money account, is one of the most important measures of financial inclusion globally. In Africa, where millions of people have historically been shut out of formal financial systems, account ownership is particularly crucial. Despite global progress, millions in Africa remain excluded from…
Protests in Madagascar’s capital, Antananarivo, came to a halt after demonstrators in the region decided to catch a break. Protests in Madagascar’s capital, Antananarivo, temporarily paused for 24 hours as a strategic move by demonstrators. Youth-led movement Gen Z Madagascar announced the suspension, emphasizing plans to return stronger. The demonstrations have significantly impacted the political…
According to recent survey data from Numbeo, a global platform tracking user-contributed information on safety and crime, the Crime Index, based on ratings by citizens, expatriates, and visitors, provides a comparative assessment of safety across African cities and countries. The index incorporates responses on general crime perceptions, safety during daytime and nighttime, and concerns over…
Ivory Coast, the world’s top cocoa producer, is ramping up its gold ambitions after granting 11 new mining exploration permits to local and international firms. Ivory Coast, leading in cocoa production, is diversifying its economy by intensifying mining activities. The government has granted 11 new exploration permits for gold, cobalt, and copper. Stability in the…
Senegal is pushing ahead with plans to expand its energy infrastructure, announcing a $5 billion project to build a second oil refinery aimed at closing the country’s domestic fuel gap and reducing dependence on imports. Senegal plans to construct a second oil refinery to address its domestic fuel gap and reduce dependency on imports. The…
South Africa has failed to improve its position in the latest Global Economic Freedom of the World report, ranking 83rd out of 165 countries for the second consecutive year. South Africa ranked 83rd out of 165 countries in the Global Economic Freedom report, unchanged from last year. The Free Market Foundation warned that high government…
Nigeria’s daily oil and gas output plunged during a brief nationwide strike by the oil workers’ union PENGASSAN, which ended Wednesday after government-brokered talks with the Dangote Refinery, according to an impact report. Nigeria’s oil and gas output significantly decreased during a brief strike by the PENGASSAN union. The strike followed the dismissal of over…
Strive Masiyiwa, Zimbabwe’s wealthiest individual, has bolstered his family’s control of his telecommunications conglomerate through the appointment of his daughters, Sarah Masiyiwa and Elizabeth Tanya, to senior executive roles within Econet Wireless. Strive Masiyiwa has enhanced his family’s influence in Econet Wireless by appointing his daughters, Sarah and Elizabeth, to senior roles. Sarah Masiyiwa, with…
Ford Motors has confirmed it will cut nearly 500 jobs at its South African plants, citing weakening European demand for its Ranger pickup and the impact of international tax changes that have unsettled its export markets. Ford is retrenching 474 workers across its Silverton (Pretoria) and Struandale (Gqeberha) plants due to weak demand in Europe.…
