Africa International

UNCTAD warns of social unrest amid slow economic growth in Africa

The weak growth trajectory of Africa’s three largest economies, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa, which together account for about 60% of Africa’s GDP, could exacerbate social unrest in the region, a report by UNCTAD, the United Nations trade body, has warned. Growth prospects in South Africa and across the continent have deteriorated, which threatens to […]

Energy

Shell acquires Nigeria’s Daystar to enter African renewable energy market

The acquisition of Nigeria-based Daystar Power by Shell is significant for the UK-headquartered oil giant, which has long been active in the continent’s hydrocarbons market, as it must look for new sources of growth as fossil fuels are phased out. Shell has acquired Daystar Power, a Nigeria-based provider of hybrid solar power solutions to commercial […]

Business Finance

“Very difficult” 18 months ahead for African banks — Fitch 2022-23 Outlook

The next 12-18 months will be “very difficult” for African banks as widespread inflation, currency devaluations and interest-rate hikes sweep the region, a senior director of credit ratings agency Fitch said on Wednesday (21 September). African economies have struggled over the last year in the face of external forces including lingering effects from the COVID-19 […]

Business Emerging Markets Headlines

Africa’s richest nations, including Morocco, control 66% of continent’s total wealth

Only three African nations control about 56% of the continent’s total wealth, according to the 2022 Africa Wealth Report published by UK investment consultancy firm Henley & Partners in partnership with South African wealth intelligence firm New World Wealth. South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, Morocco, and Kenya are Africa’s wealthiest countries. The first three countries possess […]

Energy International

Nigeria drops to Africa’s 4th biggest oil producer, as 437,000 barrels are stolen daily

Nigeria is facing a record reduction in oil production, dropping from the first largest producer in Africa to the fourth, behind Angola, Algeria and Libya, according to the latest report of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). The monthly oil market report for August, published by the oil cartel OPEC, showed that Nigeria’s production […]

Africa Americas Energy Headlines International

US warns against long-term oil, gas projects in Africa, pledging support to Nigeria’s clean energy

Investing in long-term gas projects in Africa as countries wrestle with powering their development with clean energy may not be a very good idea, United States’ special envoy on climate John Kerry has noted, as African countries denounce developed nations’ pledge to curb fossil fuel investment is unfair. “We are not saying no gas,” he […]

Africa Europe International

Mixed legacy: in Africa, not everyone mourns Queen Elizabeth II

As Africa reflects on the legacy of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, from Kenya to Nigeria to South Africa, the monarch’s passing has reignited a sensitive debate about Britain’s colonial past in parts of the continent, particularly the queen’s role as head of state during British rule. The death of the British monarch has prompted an […]

Africa International

Ethiopia’s Tigray rebels offer conditional truce, agree to AU-led peace process

Tigrayan rebels from Ethiopia’s northern region called for an “immediate” cease-fire Sunday (11 September) and said they would accept a peace process with the federal government led by the African Union (AU) after three weeks of renewed fighting ended a fragile truce. In a statement to mark the beginning of the Ethiopian new year, the […]

Business Emerging Markets

Central African states inked deal to create regional oil, gas pipeline network and hubs

Central African countries have signed an agreement to create a regional oil and gas pipeline network and hub infrastructures which proponents say will strengthen energy supply and reduce dependence on imports of refined products. The deal, inked on Thursday (8 September), aims to construct three multinational oil and gas pipeline systems of around 6,500 km, […]

Comments Community Headlines

Sahel emergency: the world’s most neglected and conflict-ridden region

Africa’s volatile Sahel region risks becoming a forgotten crisis because of the many competing emergencies around the world, a senior United Nations official has warned. The head of the regional office for West and Central Africa for the Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Charles Bernimolin, noted that millions of people in six Sahel […]