Business Features Finance Headlines

AfDB and INTERPOL join forces to combat financial crime, corruption in Africa

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has partnered with the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) to enhance efforts in fighting financial crime and corruption across Africa. The two organizations signed a Letter of Intent last week to strengthen their collaboration in tackling illicit financial flows, cybercrime, and money laundering. This partnership is the first for a […]

Africa Columns Emerging Markets Features Finance Headlines International

BCP’s subsidiary Atlantique Finance dominates WAEMU financial market in 2024, captures 25% market share

Atlantique Finance, a subsidiary of Morocco’s pan-African Banque Centrale Populaire (BCP) group, has emerged as the leading investment and brokerage firm in West Africa’s economic and monetary union, achieving a remarkable 25% market share and transaction volume of 235 billion CFA francs (approximately $358 million) in 2024. The firm’s ascent to market leadership among 36 […]

Finance Headlines Tunisia

Tunisian Central Bank, latest episode in Kais Saied power-grab

President Kais Saied urged lawmakers to end the independence of the monetary policy in the country by adopting a law that would allow the treasury to borrow directly from the central bank. The move is the latest in a series of moves to concentrate all powers in his firm grip, after he sapped the democratic […]

Finance Headlines Libya

London Court of Appeal backs £16 Million award against Gaddafi’s Libyan assets

The Court of Appeal in London has upheld a ruling on a property in the capital linked to the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. The court sided with a US defense contractor in its bid to collect a £16 million award issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against the Libyan State. The dispute centers […]

Africa Columns Emerging Markets Finance Headlines International

African Nations launch alternative credit rating agency to challenge global giants

Africa is set to establish its own credit rating agency by June 2025, marking a significant shift in how the continent’s economies are evaluated. The Africa Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA) aims to provide more nuanced sovereign ratings by incorporating local contexts often overlooked by traditional agencies like Moody’s, Fitch, and Standard & Poor’s. This initiative […]

Finance Headlines Libya

Libya: Audit Bureau approves $2.3 billion family support grants

The Libyan Audit Bureau has granted approval for the distribution of family support grants for the fourth quarter of 2024, following a thorough examination of data provided by the Ministry of Social Affairs. The total amount authorized for disbursement is $2.3 billion (1.15 billion Libyan dinars). The funds are set to benefit thousands of individuals, […]

Africa Asia Emerging Markets Finance Headlines International

Investment risk in Africa ten times lower than in L’America, Eastern Europe — AfDB chief

African leaders and business executives, at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, sought to strongly challenge the persistent myths about investment risks in Africa. Speaking in one of the panels, Akinwumi Adesina, president of the African Development Bank (AfDB), presented data revealing that Africa’s risk profile is far lower than commonly believed, with a loss […]

Emerging Markets Energy Europe Finance Headlines International Morocco

Germany backs Morocco’s OCP green hydrogen plant with $32 Million

Germany is backing Morocco’s green hydrogen production with a $32 million (€30 million) investment in OCP Group’s green hydrogen plant in Jorf. The funding by the German PtX Development Fund is intended to support sustainable fertilizer manufacturing, according to German media reports. The PtX Development Fund, endowed with a budget of €270 million, is initiated […]

Africa Emerging Markets Finance Headlines International

Sumsub’s report highlights key challenges faced by African crypto industry in 2025 and beyond

As the African crypto-currency industry navigates a pivotal period of growth, crypto providers will have to address three critical challenges, including security threats, technology capabilities, and regulation, in order for the industry to succeed in 2025, says a new State of the Crypto Industry 2025 report. The Sumsub’s newly released report, which provides an in-depth […]

Emerging Markets Finance Headlines International Morocco

IMF commends Morocco’s tax reforms

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) commended Morocco’s tax reforms which enabled an enlargement of the tax base, narrowed the fiscal deficit and helped finance key reforms. “As a result, tax revenues in 2024 have been greater than expected. With only a small part of the additional tax revenues being saved, the central government’s deficit for […]