First Independent Mena Newspaper
Africa has taken decisive steps to reclaim control over value creation from its natural resources as global demand for critical metals accelerates. The Marrakech Declaration adopted by Morocco’s International Mining Congress, held Nov. 24 -26, marks a strategic milestone in continental resource governance. The energy transition narrative long focused on replacing fossil fuels with renewable […]
Gold prices surged to historic highs in 2025, repeatedly approaching $4,000 an ounce, according to the World Gold Council, as geopolitical tensions, global inflation and aggressive central bank buying drove demand for the safe-haven metal. The rally has reignited debate over Africa’s role in the global gold market. The continent holds nearly 30% of global […]
Dakhla Atlantic Port remains a strategic lever for southern provinces development, embodying Morocco’s vision of a strong Atlantic facade open to Africa and the Sahel. King Mohammed VI emphasized during the 45th Green March anniversary that this mega-project positions Dakhla-Oued Eddahab as a new African economic integration interface, ensuring continental influence. The project aligns with […]
The second Morocco Showcase Summit convened November 19-20 in Casablanca with renewed ambitions positioning tourism investment as a rapidly growing sector across Morocco and Africa. Jointly organized by the Moroccan Society of Tourism Engineering (SMIT) and API Events, the gathering attracted over 300 participants including experts, investors, operators, and national and international tourism decision-makers from […]
The African Ministerial Conference on Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) of child soldiers, held Thursday in Rabat, was crowned with the adoption of a joint statement, pledging to combat the recruitment and use of children in armed conflicts. The Rabat Declaration, endorsed by participating African Ministers and Heads of delegations, is a collective African response […]
In a landmark move to address Africa’s mounting debt crisis, finance ministers across the continent have adopted the African Debt Monitoring Mechanism (ADMM) — a real-time, continent-wide system designed to track both domestic and external debt. Approved during the 8th Ordinary Session of the African Union’s finance-focused committee in South Africa, the ADMM is hailed […]
Sub-Saharan African nations are facing mounting fiscal strain as they increasingly turn to domestic banks to fund government budgets, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned in its latest Regional Economic Outlook. With global capital markets still hesitant and aid flows uncertain, governments are borrowing more at home — paying higher rates and placing pressure on […]
Economic leadership that was long concentrated in the West has decisively shifted towards emerging economies, whereby this historic global shift in trade and power is redefining Africa’s role in the world economy, says a new book ‘West to East: A New Global Economy in the Making’. Its author, economist Arno van Niekerk, described in a […]
In 2025, African fashion is no longer a rising trend — it’s a global force reshaping the industry with bold design, sustainability, and cultural authenticity. Valued at $31 billion in 2020, Africa’s fashion market is projected to surpass $50 billion by 2030, according to McKinsey & Company. With exports of textiles, apparel, and footwear reaching […]
The European Union has announced a funding package of nearly €545 million (approximately $638 million) to support renewable energy initiatives across Africa, aimed at expanding electricity access, strengthening regional power grids, and advancing the continent’s transition to clean energy. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled the commitment in a video message during the […]