First Independent Mena Newspaper
Somalia’s government has firmly denied allegations that it entered into a secret agreement with Sweden to accept deported Somali nationals in exchange for redirected development aid. In an official statement, the Office of the Prime Minister rejected claims that Somalia received $9 million in Swedish aid as part of a covert deal. There is “no […]
Rabat, Morocco’s capital city, will host the new regional headquarters of the World Bank, according to local press report. The move strengthens the Kingdom’s economic attractiveness and position as a gateway to African markets. Morocco has gained the trust of the World football governing body for hosting FIFA Africa Office. The World bank followed suit, […]
Sub-Saharan Africa’s economy is expected to grow by 3.8% in 2025, a modest but meaningful rebound driven by easing inflation, stabilizing currencies, and improving investment conditions, according to the World Bank’s latest Africa Pulse report released Tuesday (7 Oct). The forecast marks an upgrade from April’s 3.5% projection and reflects renewed optimism in key economies […]
Niger’s Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine delivered a scathing address at the United Nations General Assembly, accusing France of actively undermining his country’s sovereignty through what he called a “sneaky and subversive destabilization plan.” Zeine alleged that since French troops were expelled from Niger in 2023, Paris has been “training, financing, and equipping terrorists” […]
The African Union (AU) is calling for a global map correction, challenging the centuries-old Mercator projection that drastically shrinks Africa’s size and influence in global perception. Backed by advocacy groups Africa No Filter and Speak Up Africa, the ‘Correct The Map campaign urges the adoption of the 2018 Equal Earth projection to accurately reflect the […]
Misjudged risk assessments and persistent financial bias are costing African countries a staggering $75 billion annually in inflated borrowing costs and lost revenues, according to the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC). AFC President Samaila Zubairu described the misperception as a “prejudice premium,” arguing that Africa’s default rates are “really, really exaggerated.” Research by Moody’s Ratings supports […]
Mali has achieved a breakthrough in its push for greater control over its mineral wealth, with three gold producers — Endeavor Mining, Faboula Gold, and Bagama Mining — agreeing to operate under the country’s controversial 2023 mining code. Announced by Finance Minister Alousseni Sanou in a televised address, the agreement marks a rare win for […]
The World Bank has urged Mauritania to adopt decisive reforms to safeguard macroeconomic stability and promote more inclusive and sustainable economic growth. In a statement shared on social media, the Bank stressed the critical need for economic diversification, highlighting the overreliance on the mining sector as a major vulnerability. It recommended that revenues from mining […]
The African Single Electricity Market (AfSEM), an ambitious initiative to unify the continent’s electricity grids, is making substantial strides, according to African Union (AU) officials at a high-level technical meeting in Addis Ababa. AfSEM aims to create a seamless, affordable, and reliable continental electricity market, interconnecting all 55 AU member states. Kamugisha Kazaura, AU Commission’s […]
Tunisia’s economic prospects have taken a hit as the World Bank revised its growth forecast downward, projecting a modest 1.9% expansion in 2025, down from an earlier estimate of 2.2%. The outlook for the following years is even more subdued, with growth expected to slow to 1.6% in 2026 and 1.7% in 2027. The downgrade […]