Business Emerging Markets

Rail sector development is key to regional integration in Africa — SARA

As the Southern African Railway Association (SARA) announced it is pushing ahead with the drafting of a regional railway master plan, Namibia State-owned freight utility TransNamib is engaging with the Development Bank of Southern Africa on the viability of the plan. During the SARA Rail Conference hosted last week, CEO and SARA Vice President Johny […]

Africa International

Ethiopian Airlines-led consortium to help newcomer Nigeria Air take-off

Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest air carrier by fleet size, is reviving Nigeria’s bid for a national flag carrier, as it seeks to build its regional network and add to its portfolio of stakes in airlines across the continent. After many failed attempts to launch a profitable airline, Nigeria’s federal government has enlisted Ethiopian Airlines to […]

Business Emerging Markets

US-Zambia inaugural business summit to boost trade, investment

Zambia is hosting a two-day business summit in Lusaka this week to try to attract American investors to the country, in effort to diversify the economy and decrease dependence on extractive industries such as copper, according to Zambian officials. Moving away from dependence on extractive industries, which account for most of the country’s exports, is […]

Africa Finance International

IMF aims to complete Chad, Zambia debt restructuring by year-end

Debt restructuring efforts for Chad and Zambia could be completed by the end of the year, which would pave the way for more countries to seek help, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said. Speaking with civil society groups at the start of the annual IMF and World Bank meetings, Georgieva said a […]

Business Emerging Markets

A perfect storm: debt crisis looms for Ghana, other emerging economies in Africa

Ghana is a classic case of emerging economies in Africa and other parts of the world who have been caught in a perfect storm and are struggling to service their foreign currency denominated loans owing to a strengthening US dollar, rising global interest rates and that is made worse by their excessive borrowing. Ghana is […]

Energy

Zambia in talks with Saudi Arabia to secure “cheap oil”

Zambia had launched talks with Saudi Arabia to secure “cheap oil” supplies, while also seeking support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Zambian Minister of Energy Peter Kapala noted an attempt at a deal with Saudi Arabia by the previous government, but said there was a change of approach. Rather than buying the petroleum goods […]

Africa Finance International

IMF approves $1.3bn loan for debt-stressed Zambia

Zambia, the first African country to default on its debt in the COVID-19 era, has won International Monetary Fund board approval for a $1.3bn support package, an important step towards the nation restructuring its debt and a boost for the global effort to help indebted developing nations. The lending plan — an Extended Credit Facility […]

Africa International

Ozone pollution: scientists look to solve hidden threat to Africa’s food security

The ozone gas can cause substantial losses by quickly aging crops before they reach full production potential and scientists are particularly worried about Africa, which will see more vehicle traffic and waste burning as the population is set to double by mid-century. More vehicle traffic and waste burning means more ozone pollution, a major challenge […]

Africa Finance Headlines International

IMF reforms and funding in Africa: focus on Ghana, Zambia, Kenya and Tanzania

Many, if not most, African economies have endured a torrid time over recent years, as their finances have been hard hit by two global crises – Covid-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war. As a result, numerous states across Africa have turned to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for assistance. Ghana is expecting to receive $3 billion […]

Africa International

UK-Rwanda Asylum Deal: Despite Global Outcry, Zambia Eyes a Similar Migration Deal

The deal to relocate asylum seekers from the United Kingdom to Rwanda has caused widespread controversy, yet some African voices welcome its promise of human development. Talks on a similar deal to deport asylum seekers arriving in the UK to Zambia are underway, according to sources in the Zambian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The potential […]