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New financial centre to allow Tanzanian firms issue bonds, raise equity, and access global capital

Tanzania is set to establish an International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) to attract investment and fund major development projects.

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Dangote-backed Alterra Capital buys Pollmanโ€™s Tours as part of a $500m Africa investment strategy

Alterra Capital, backed by Dangote and Rubenstein, has acquired Kenyaโ€™s iconic Pollmanโ€™s Tours โ€” a bold private equity move into East Africaโ€™s recovering tourism sector.

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Almost 70% of Nigerians against further interest rate hike โ€” Central Bank

The Central Bank of Nigeria has stated in its latest report that more than 69% of Nigerians are against a further increase in monetary interest rates (MPR).

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Saudi, Germany listed as top buyers as Ethiopia records historic $1.8bn coffee export

East African powerhouse, Ethiopia, has reportedly recorded a historic increase in coffee export amounting to over $1.8 billion.

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Angola forced to post $200m in JPMorgan swap as bond prices plunge

The Angolan government acknowledged that while the swap offered cost benefits, it also exposed the country to new financial pressures.

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Congo clings to IMF support amid conflict, fiscal and debt strain

Despite escalating conflict and economic headwinds the Republic GDP grew by 6.5% in 2024 and is projected to remain above 5% driven by a stable exchange rate and tighter monetary policy.

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Namibian currency in use hits $306m with fewer counterfeits

The southern African country saw a 10.7% yearly decline in counterfeit notes in 2024, attributed to improved security features, including holographic stripes, microtext, tactile elements, and transparent windows.

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Nigeria cuts fiscal deficit, grows at 3.4% despite inflation pressures says World Bank

According to the multilateral lender, Nigeriaโ€™s 2024 economic growth was the strongest since 2014, driven by robust fourth-quarter momentum and an improved fiscal position.

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Kenya ditches IMF loans, taps World Bank and AfDB for next three years

Although the eastern African leader has no plans to seek further funding from the IMF in the near term, its outstanding obligations to the lender, currently over SDR 2.8 billion, remain a concern.

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Q1 2025: Absa Ghana posts record profit as assets climb to $2.2bn

The lenderโ€™s robust earnings were buoyed by stronger interest income, which rose to $66.8 million from $55 million in Q1 2024.

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Tanzania lifts Treasury bill bid limit tenfold to grow local debt market

The latest adjustment is poised to rebalance the governmentโ€™s domestic debt profileโ€”currently dominated by Treasury bondsโ€”by attracting a broader pool of investors into the short-term market.

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Egyptโ€™s inflation rises to 13.9%, fuelling doubts over central bankโ€™s dovish tiltย 

With inflation trending upward once again and external risks mounting, the CBE may be forced to reconsider its easing cycle and adopt a more cautious stance in the months ahead.

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Oil imports surge push Namibiaโ€™s trade deficit to $148m in March 2025

According to the countryโ€™s statistical bureau, oil imports jumped by nearly $55 million and accounted for 20% of total imports recorded during the reviewed month.

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Kenyaโ€™s second revenue downgrade widens 2025/26 fiscal deficit to $6.8bn

Despite the expansion, the fiscal gap falls within the National Treasuryโ€™s target of 4.5 percent of GDPโ€”an improvement from the deficits recorded in 2023/24 and 2024/25, which stood at 5.3 percent and 5.1 percent of GDP respectively.

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SAโ€™s Absa Group names new chair in major leadership overhaul

Absa Group has announced Rene Van Wyk as its new board chair, succeeding Sello Moloko amid the broader leadership overhaul

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Kenya bets on private sector to drive 2025 growth

Perhaps the most disruptive economic event of 2024 was the wave of anti-government protests triggered by steep tax hikes, which hampered business operations and resulted in multiple deaths.

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Weak demand and output slump push Egyptโ€™s PMI to four-month lowย 

The sector saw its worst performance since the beginning of the year in April, as new orders and output declined at the fastest pace in four months amid fragile demand and rising cost pressures.

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Nigeria targets import cuts with new public procurement policyย 

While the policy is seeks to boost local production, its success largely hinges on the nationโ€™s ability to drastically reduce its reliance on imported raw materials, which could undermine the intended economic benefits.

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Pakistan lender, Bank Al Habib, exits Kenya, eyes faster-growing markets

The bankโ€™s latest move highlights a growing shift among foreign financial institutions in Africa, as many reassess their presence amid evolving regulatory landscapes and changing market dynamics.

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Nigeria court backs apex bank amidst trademark lawsuit over eNaira

Nigeria High Court ruling backs CBN’s right to use eNaira, easing investor concern over Nigeria’s digital currency

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Tanzania plans to launch an International Financial Services Centre International Financial Services Centreย to attract local and foreign investment. The centre will fund key projects, support businesses, create jobs, and help stabilize the economy.


Dangote-backed Alterra Capitalโ€™s acquisition of Pollmanโ€™s Tours showcases a strategic push into East Africaโ€™s booming consumer experience economy.


The Central Bank of Nigeria has stated in its latest report that more than 69% of Nigerians are against a further increase in monetary interest rates (MPR).


East African country, Ethiopia, has reportedly recorded a historic increase in coffee export amounting to over $1.8 billion.


Angola was forced toย cough up a $200 million margin call to JPMorgan following a sharp drop in the price of bonds used as collateral for a $600 million financing deal, its finance ministry said on Tuesday.


The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will move aheadย with efforts to secure fresh financial support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), despite its soaring debt burden.


Namibiaโ€™s currency in circulation rose to $305.9 million in 2024, a 6.9% increase from the $284 million in the previous year, according to the latest figures from its apex bank.


Nigeriaโ€™s economy expanded 2024 โ€” the fastest annual growth in nearly a decade โ€” driven by strong fourth-quarter momentum in key sectors and an improved fiscal position.


Kenya has indicated that it has no plans to finance its budget for the next three years with funds from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), marking a significant departure from the countryโ€™s previous reliance on the multilateral lender.

 


Absa Bank Ghana has posted its highest first-quarter profit in nearly a decade, with gross earnings up over 44% in Q1 2025 buoyed by a rising asset base.


In bid to boost investor participation and enhancing pricing efficiency, the Bank of Tanzania has raisedย the maximum bid amount under the non-competitive window from $18,600 to approximately $186,000 per auction.


Egyptโ€™s urban inflation rate rose for a second month in a row in April, climbing to 13.9% from 13.6% in March, according to new data released on Saturday by the state statistics agency, CAPMAS.

 


A surge in petroleum imports worsened Namibiaโ€™s trade balance in March, lifting its trade deficit by $38.4 million to $148 million.


Kenya has once again slashed its revenue projections for the fiscal year that starts July 1, pushing the expected fiscal deficit to $6.8 billion or 4.5% of gross domestic product (GDP), according to the latest figures from the Medium-Term Fiscal Framework.


Rene Van Wyk appointed Absa Group Chair as part of sweeping leadership overhaul to restore stability and investor confidence


Kenyaโ€™s economy expanded by just 4.2 percent in 2024, the slowest pace since the pandemic-induced contraction of 2020, pushingย the government to place private sector growth at the centre of its 2025 recovery plan

 


Egyptโ€™s non-oil private sector plungedย deeper into contraction territory in April, as weaker demand led to a reduction in output, purchasing and hiring.


Nigeriaโ€™s federal government has barred public agencies from procuring foreign goods or services where local alternatives are available as part of its efforts to reduce import dependency and boost domestic production.


Pakistanโ€™s Bank Al Habib Limited (BAHL) has disclosed plans to close its Representative Office in Kenya by May 15, 2025 as part of its broader objective to consolidate its international operations and focus on higher-growth markets.


The Federal High Court in Abuja has refused to stop the CBN from using the name eNaira, ruling that halting its use could harm the economy and public trust.