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According to data from the Finance Ministry, the East African nation posted a surplus of $147.26 million in January 2026, reversing a $206.43 million deficit in December 2025 and a $215.28 million shortfall a year earlier.
Despite the scale of tariff increases, the US retained its position as South Africa’s third-largest trading partner after China and Germany in 2025, reinforcing its influence in Pretoria’s trade architecture.
South Africa’s Revenue Service (SARS) achieved a historic milestone by collecting $119.73 billion (R2.01 trillion) in net revenue for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026, marking an 8.4% increase from the previous year.
Nigeria’s National Assembly has approved a $49.38 billion budget for 2026, a 17% increase from President Tinubu’s original proposal, aimed at addressing capital projects and fiscal stability.
Analysts warn Nigeria’s heavy reliance on Chinese goods exposes it to external shocks, including changes in China’s economic conditions, supply chain disruptions or shifts in trade policy.
In 2023, Ghana’s economy was in distress. The Ghanaian cedi had lost much of its value, inflation was running hot, and a sovereign debt crisis had forced the government into restructuring. For investors, the story was simple: stay away.
Nigeria and Ghana generated about 90% of MTN’s 2025 profit, underscoring strong growth in West Africa while raising questions about earnings concentration and exposure to regulatory and currency risks.
Credit ratings agency SP Global Ratings has downgraded Senegal’s local currency sovereign rating to CCC+/C, signaling increased refinancing risks as the country struggles with a debt overhang of $13 billion and stalled IMF negotiations.
New data from the National Bank of Ethiopia’s (NBE) third financial stability report shows state-owned CBE’s market share rising across key balance sheet indicators in the year to June 30, 2025, even as medium and small banks lose ground.
The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has maintained its repo rate at 6.75% amid rising inflation risks due to soaring global oil prices linked to the ongoing conflict in Iran.
Standard Bank Group, Africa’s largest lender, forecasts an 8-12% compound annual growth in headline earnings per share from 2026 to 2028, alongside revenue growth of 7-10%.
Angola is moving to strengthen its debt profile and capitalise on soaring oil prices, launching a $1.75 billion debt buyback alongside plans for new dollar-denominated bond sales
Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz has drastically impacted global fertiliser trade, cutting off one-third of supplies and causing urea prices to surge over 30%. This disruption threatens food security, especially in sub-Saharan Africa…
Thungela Resources Limited reported a headline loss per share of $0.38 for 2025, down from earnings of $1.50 in 2024, amid a 17% revenue decline to $1.73 billion. The sharp drop in export prices and significant impairments of $514 million highlight challenges.
The IMF report comes after Africa’s industrialised nation recorded its fifth consecutive quarter of expansion, with gross domestic product rising 0.4% in Q4 2025 pushing annual growth to 1.1% — the highest since 2022.
According to the African Centre for Supply Chain, the country loses an estimated $14.2 billion annually to inefficiencies at key seaports, driven by congestion, outdated infrastructure and bureaucratic delays — challenges the deal aims to rectify.
South Africa’s National Treasury warns of limited capacity to shield the economy from a looming fuel price crisis due to escalating Brent crude oil prices. With the potential for record fuel price hikes and rising inflation, local businesses may pass costs to consumers.
Kenya has raised $820 million from the IPO of its state-owned pipeline company — a first for Africa’s oil and gas sector, and a template for how governments can unlock capital without losing control.
Morocco’s central bank, Bank Al-Maghrib, has maintained its benchmark interest rate at 2.25%, reflecting a supportive policy amid an upgraded economic growth projection of 5.6% for 2026, primarily driven by a significant agricultural rebound.
For decades, moving money across Africa has often taken a strange and long-winding route. A Kenyan entrepreneur paying a supplier in Ghana might see the payment leave Nairobi, pass through banks in Europe or the United States
