Africa Business Europe Finance International

Congo slams Societe Generale’s sale of its local branch to Vista Group

Authorities of Congo Brazzaville have rejected Societe Generale’s sale of its country subsidiary to Vista Group because the bank did not give it a right of first refusal, and wields legal action, Reuters reports. The Finance ministry of the central African country in a statement indicated that it was surprised by the announcement by SocGen […]

Africa Americas Finance International

US-Africa Leaders Summit: evaluating progress made six months on

US special presidential representative has reassured that the global superpower remained committed to maintaining strong trade ties with the African continent, something the Biden administration believed faltered with Trump’s presidency. The special presidential representative for the United States-Africa Leaders Summit, Johnnie Carson, made these comments Tuesday (13 June) as a way to reassure America’s African […]

Africa Finance International

AfDB donates Madagascar $1.5m to help join AfCFTA

https://guardian.ng/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/AfCFTA.jpg The African Development Bank has granted Madagascar $1.5 million in view of helping the African country work on its adherence to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), local media “Madagascar Tribune” reported. The agreement signed between the Abidjan-based continental bank and the ministry of Finance and Economy will reduce tariffs between the zone’s […]

Business Emerging Markets Finance Headlines Tunisia

Fitch downgrades Tunisia rating to ‘CCC-‘, confirming fears over economic collapse

The political and economic crisis is worsening in Kais Saied’s Tunisia. The uncertainties and fears over the collapse of this country has pushed Fitch agency to downgrade its Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘CCC-‘ from ‘CCC+’. The downgrade of Tunisia’s IDRs, which is becoming a failed state, comes after failure of Tunisia’s authorities […]

Africa Business Emerging Markets Finance Headlines International

East African households urged to have own grain reserves to eliminate food insecurity

African households are highly recommended to have their own grain reserves as one of the solutions to food insecurity, The East African Business Council (EABC) has suggested in a new report that analyzes the effect of food inflation in the region. The EABC, a regional private sector body, says the grain reserves held by households […]

Africa Business Emerging Markets Finance Headlines International

Africa: Digital transformation in banking industry well underway — report

Banking access across Africa has increased in 2022, with 48% of the population having access to banking services, compared to 45% in 2017, according to the latest edition of the African Digital Banking Transformation Report, that attributes the growth to the popularity of mobile money and digital banking. Overall, the new survey paints a picture […]

Africa Emerging Markets Finance Headlines International Morocco

AfDB supports Morocco’s healthcare in rural areas with €120 Mln funding

The African Development Bank has announced a €120-million funding to support Morocco’s efforts to improve women-children’s healthcare in rural areas, especially in the regions of Beni Mellal-Khenifra, Draa-Tafilalet and Guelmim-Oued Noun. The bank’s financial support is destined to improve access to healthcare centers, modernize health services through innovative solutions that improve connectivity and streamline their […]

Emerging Markets Europe Finance Headlines International Morocco

OECD forecasts 3.5% growth rate for Morocco in 2023

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) projected the Moroccan economy to grow by 3.5% this year and 3.7% next year, in an optimistic forecast that is closer to the government’s expectations of 4%. In its recent projections, Morocco’s central bank sees the economy growing by 2.6% this year from 1.2% last year. The […]

Africa Business Europe Finance Headlines International

France-Africa: Société Générale pulls out of four African countries

Paris-based multinational financial services company, Société Générale, also known as SocGen, has withdrawn from four African countries, namely Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Mauritania. The company announced this Thursday that it has signed agreements with two pan-African banking groups for the sale of its subsidiaries in the four African countries. The company has not disclosed […]

Emerging Markets Finance Headlines Morocco

WB expects Morocco’s growth to reach 2.5% in 2023 & 3.3% in 2024

Morocco’s economic growth is expected to reach 2.5 pc in 2023 before rebounding to 3.3 pc in 2024, according to the World Bank’s latest Global Economic Prospects report. The persistent drought and high inflation are weakening growth in Morocco, with unemployment rising to above its pandemic peak in March 2023, said the WB. However, growth […]