Africa Finance Headlines International

Kenya to re-introduced controversial taxes at risk of igniting protests

Kenya prepares to re-introduce an amended version of the eco-levy tax that has been at the heart of popular discontent that plunged the country into violent protests this summer. Treasury Secretary John Mbadi told local media that “about 49 measures” were being considered as part of a tax amendment bill. Some of the scrapped taxes […]

Finance Headlines Libya

Libya’s Central Bank suspends operations following the “kidnapping” of an employee

The Central Bank of Libya (CBL) said on Sunday August 18 that it had suspended all operations in the country, after one of its employees was “kidnapped” by unidentified individuals. “The Central Bank of Libya condemns the kidnapping of the Director of the Information Technology Department, Musab Musallam, by an unknown person in front of […]

Africa Emerging Markets Finance International

Africa’s BRICS currency dilemma: feasible alternative or definite non-starter?

Discussions among the BRICS member countries continue over the formation of a united currency that would facilitate trade between BRICS nations and decrease reliance on the ‘greenback’, though whether this ambitious plan succeeds is far from certain, many analysts say. In May, BRICS member countries India and Nigeria announced they had officially signed an agreement […]

Emerging Markets Finance Headlines Morocco

Moroccan government expects 4.6% growth in 2025

The Moroccan government is preparing the 2025 budget based on expectations of an economic growth at 4.6% and a budget deficit of 3% of GDP, as it continues to attach priority to social safety nets, investments and employment. This came in the directive of the head of the government regarding the priorities of next year’s […]

Africa Americas Community Finance Headlines International

The US to offer DRC $414 million in humanitarian aid

The United States said it will offer the DR of the Congo $414 million to help the country address its worsening humanitarian crisis. The DRC is a vast country where at least a quarter of its population depends on humanitarian aid, notably in the war-torn east, where rebel groups have taken vast sqathes of territory. […]

Emerging Markets Europe Finance Headlines International Morocco

France top investor in Morocco in 2023

France retained its position as the first source of foreign direct investments in Morocco in 2023 with 680 million dollars, compared with 380 million a year earlier, Morocco’s foreign exchange office said. French investments represented 61% of overall investments in Morocco last year, the office said in a report. The UAE came second with investments […]

Africa Business Emerging Markets Finance Headlines International

African start-ups break record with securing $1.2bn funding in 2024 — report

African start-ups recorded an impressive fundraising performance in July 2024, raising $420 million, the highest monthly figure since the tracking began in 2019, according to a recent report by Africa: The Big Deal. This sum also represents 2.5 times the average monthly amount raised over the past one year, signaling a strong rebound in investment […]

Emerging Markets Finance Headlines Morocco

Morocco forecasts 4.6% growth in 2025 appropriation bill

The Moroccan government is preparing the 2025 appropriation bill based on a forecast of 4.6% growth rate, from an estimated 3.3% this year, the finance minister said. The government will press ahead with its social project, which includes generalization of safety nets and financial assistance to the needy, in addition to investing in infrastructure and […]

Emerging Markets Finance Headlines International Morocco

Fitch Solutions expect Morocco’s central bank to cut benchmark rate to 2.25% in H2

Morocco’s central bank is expected to take more monetary easing steps in the second half of this year by cutting the benchmark rate to 2.25% from 2.75% currently, Fitch Solutions said. “We forecast that BAM will cut its policy rate in another two steps of 25bps in September and December 2024, to 2.25% by end-year […]

Emerging Markets Finance Headlines Morocco

BAM Governor presents to King 2023 financial year report on economic, monetary, financial situation

King Mohammed VI, accompanied by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan and Prince Moulay Rachid, received, on Monday at the Royal Palace in Tetouan, Abdellatif Jouahri, Governor of the Central Bank (Bank Al-Maghrib), who presented to the Sovereign the Bank’s annual report on the economic, monetary, and financial situation for the 2023 financial year. In his […]