Financial Services &amp; Investments

May 1, 2026

Kenya growth steady at 4.6% in 2025

Kenya’s economy grew 4.6% in 2025, nearly unchanged from 2024, but officials warned that the Iran war could cloud the outlook.

May 1, 2026

IMF warns Angola debt will hit ceiling

The IMF says Angola’s public debt is set to reach its legal ceiling in the medium term as declining oil production weakens the country’s fiscal position.

Angola

April 30, 2026

BNP Paribas to sell BMCI stake to Holmarcom

BNP Paribas has agreed to sell its 67% stake in Moroccan lender BMCI to Holmarcom Finance Company, pending regulatory approvals.

Morocco

April 29, 2026

Namibia keeps key rate at 6.5%

Namibia’s central bank left its main interest rate unchanged at 6.50% as the Iran war and weaker growth prospects darkened the inflation outlook.

Namibia

April 28, 2026

Standard Chartered and IFC launch Africa supply chain facility

Standard Chartered and the International Finance Corporation have launched a $300 million risk-sharing facility to expand supply chain finance across eight African markets.

April 28, 2026

South Africa plans exchange-control overhaul

South Africa has proposed sweeping reforms to its exchange-control rules, including easing capital-flow restrictions, allowing local management of non-rand funds and regulating crypto assets.

April 24, 2026

South Africa inflation increases

South Africa’s annual inflation rose to 3.1% in March as higher housing, food and education costs offset still-easing goods prices.

April 22, 2026

Morocco inflation edges up

Annual inflation in Morocco rose to 0.9% in March as higher fuel costs prompted new subsidies for transport operators and other household supports.

Morocco

April 22, 2026

Nigeria cuts import duties to ease living costs

Nigeria will lower duties on food, vehicles and industrial inputs from July 1 as it tries to curb inflation and soften pressure on households and businesses.

April 21, 2026

Battle-scarred developing nations search for a way out of permacrisis

Developing countries are leaving the IMF-World Bank meetings frustrated, with few new tools to cope with repeated shocks, rising debt and food and fuel pressure.

April 21, 2026

Kenya seeks World Bank cash to soften Iran war shock

Kenya has asked the World Bank for emergency support as fuel costs rise, growth slows and pressure builds on the shilling and public finances.

April 17, 2026

IMF and World Bank meetings expose limits of crisis response

Global finance chiefs left Washington with little more than promises of support as Middle East energy shocks and fading faith in U.S. crisis leadership reshaped the outlook.

April 17, 2026

Middle East shock tests Africa's economies

Rising fuel costs and tighter financing are putting pressure on African economies, even as some countries are better prepared than before.

April 17, 2026

Citi sees three sovereign debt defaults in Africa in coming two years

Senegal, Mozambique and Malawi could default on their debts over the next two years as the Iran oil shock adds pressure to already fragile public finances, according to Citi’s David Cowan.

April 16, 2026

Ghanaian and Zambian currencies seen under pressure

Traders expect Ghana’s cedi and Zambia’s kwacha to face renewed pressure next week, while Kenya’s shilling and Uganda’s shilling are seen holding steady.

April 16, 2026

Nigeria’s inflation picks up for first time in a year in test for Tinubu

Nigeria’s annual inflation rose to 15.38% in March as higher fuel costs fed into food prices and added pressure ahead of next year’s election.

April 15, 2026

Zambia Forgoes $200 Million in Revenue With Fuel Tax Suspension

Zambia is giving up about $200 million in revenue to soften the impact of the Iran war on fuel prices, households and businesses.

Zambia

April 14, 2026

‘Blend’ Countries Pay Billions Extra as Access to Cheap Multilateral Loans Narrows

A new report says developing countries are paying far more for essential projects because concessional MDB lending is too limited and too slow.

April 14, 2026

IMF Predicts Lower Growth, Bigger Current Account Deficit for Debt-Laden Senegal

The IMF cut Senegal’s growth outlook and warned of a wider current account deficit as debt pressures continue to weigh on the economy.

Senegal

April 14, 2026

Nigeria Seeks IMF, World Bank Support as Iran Shock Hits Reforms

Nigeria wants stronger external backing as surging fuel costs from the Iran war feed inflation and complicate its reform agenda.

April 13, 2026

South African Rand Weakens as US-Iran Blockade Threat Drives Oil Above $100

The rand fell and South African bonds weakened as investors reacted to surging oil prices and a planned U.S. naval blockade of Iranian shipping routes.

April 13, 2026

Sub-Saharan Africa Faces Slower Growth as US-Iran War Raises Costs

The World Bank cut its 2026 growth forecast for Sub-Saharan Africa as the Middle East war lifted fuel and fertilizer costs and worsened financing pressures.

April 7, 2026

Moody’s Revises Ghana’s Outlook to Positive on Domestic Financing Improvement

Moody’s said stronger domestic financing conditions and a better fiscal position have improved Ghana’s outlook, though the country still faces heavy credit risks.

April 10, 2026

Libya Signs First Unified State Budget in More Than a Decade

Libya’s rival legislative bodies have agreed on a 190 billion dinar budget in a rare step toward financial stability and national unification.

Libya

April 10, 2026

Kenya Says Reserves Can Cushion Shilling Volatility

Kenya’s central bank said its foreign exchange reserves are strong enough to absorb pressure on the shilling from the Iran war and higher global energy prices.

April 10, 2026

Ethiopia Reaches Debt-Treatment Resolution With China

Ethiopia has secured a new step in its debt restructuring, easing bilateral tensions with China while legal risks from bondholders still hang over the process.

April 3, 2026

Africa Faces Sharper Growth Slowdown if Conflict Drags On

Prolonged fighting in the Middle East could hit Africa’s trade, energy and fertiliser flows, raising living-cost pressures even as a few exporters gain from higher prices.

April 2, 2026

Afreximbank Raises $2 Billion in Record Syndicated Loan

Afreximbank ups its borrowing after strong investor demand, tapping lenders across Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia to refinance debt and fund general expenditures.

March 31, 2026

AfDB Says Africa’s Growth Risks Were Already Tilted Lower

African economies face weaker growth, heavier debt and higher import costs, with the Iran conflict adding pressure to currencies, inflation and fiscal budgets across the continent.</u>

March 30, 2026

Ghana’s inflation slows for 15th straight month in March

Inflation eased to 3.2% as food prices kept falling, though rising fuel costs from the Iran conflict may add pressure later.

March 27, 2026

US vows to seek WTO alternatives after Cameroon meeting fails to renew e-commerce moratorium

Trade ministers left Cameroon without a WTO reform breakthrough, prompting the U.S. to pursue digital trade deals outside the body.

Cameroon

March 26, 2026

South African rand set for third weekly loss as investors eye rate decision next week

The rand fell 1.7% as oil-driven risk aversion and a stronger dollar weighed on sentiment ahead of the South African Reserve Bank’s policy decision.

March 23, 2026

South African rand shrugs off local data, falls 1% as dollar strengthens

The rand fell 1% as a firmer dollar and higher oil prices outweighed better-than-expected South African inflation and retail sales data .

March 18, 2026

South African rand steady as Middle East tensions weigh

The rand was little changed as markets weighed Middle East tensions, higher oil prices and the coming U.S. Federal Reserve decision.

March 17, 2026

South African Rand Strengthens Softer Dollar Offsets Fed Rate Cut Delay

Rand trades 16.77/$ +1% stronger previous close Top-40 index +1.3% 2035 bond yield falls 8.91% (-2bps) as softer dollar offsets fading US Fed near-term rate cut hopes amid elevated energy prices gold steady key SA export.

March 16, 2026

World Bank $350M Unlocks $10B Private Infrastructure Funding South Africa

World Bank provides $350M credit guarantee facility mobilising $10B private capital over 10 years for South Africa power transmission grid expansion; Finance Minister Godongwana hails massive investments ending decade power cuts economic reform agenda.

March 13, 2026

South African Rand Stocks Bonds Slide Amid Middle East War Oil Shock

Rand trades 16.72/$ (-0.4%) Top-40 index -2% 2035 bond yield spikes 8.435% (+19.5bps) as US-Israel-Iran conflict escalates Israel strikes Beirut/Tehran Iran hits Tel Aviv driving safe-haven dollar flows higher oil prices.

March 12, 2026

Standard Bank Targets 8-12% Earnings Growth Betting Africa Trade Infrastructure Boom

Africa’s largest lender Standard Bank eyes 8-12% annual headline earnings growth 2026-28 ROE 18-22% revenue 7-10% via energy/infra $300bn gap critical minerals copper/cobalt East/West Africa/Egypt expansion Africa ex-SA 45% group earnings.

March 11, 2026

Angola Projects Non-Oil Taxes to Surpass Oil Revenue in Historic 2026 Shift

Angola's 2026 budget forecasts non-oil revenue at 10.6 trillion kwanza ($11.4 billion, 7.8% GDP) exceeding oil receipts for first time, driven by tax reforms, customs digitalisation, and base expansion reducing oil dependency (historically 95% exports/60% fiscal).

Angola

March 5, 2026

Egypt Unlocks $2.3bn IMF Funding After Completing Key Reform Reviews

Egypt gains immediate access to $2bn from Extended Fund Facility 5th/6th reviews plus $273m Resilience and Sustainability Facility tranche, bolstering buffers amid privatisation delays, CBE easing, and Red Sea shipping risks.

Egypt

March 4, 2026

Zambia Officials Slam "Overblown" Sovereign Debt Risk Perceptions Costing Billions

Zambian Treasury officials argue investor prejudice premiums inflate borrowing costs by nearly 3 percentage points despite successful $6bn+ debt restructuring, calling for recalibration as copper-dependent economy stabilises post-2020 default.

Zambia

March 4, 2026

Senegal Narrows Trade Deficit to $2.4bn Despite Import Dependence

Senegal recorded a $2.4 billion trade deficit in 2025 (60% improvement YoY) as exports surged 51% to $10.67 billion driven by gold ($372m Dec record) and petroleum, though imports remained structurally higher at $13.09 billion.

Senegal

March 3, 2026

Ghana Stock Market Surges 9% Weekly as Africa Equities Show Regional Divergence

Ghana’s GSE led African markets with a 9.01% weekly gain to 46.74% YTD, followed by BRVM +3.81% and JSE +4.42%, while Nigeria slipped 1.11% despite +23.91% YTD; CBN cuts rates 50bps to 26.5% and NGX suspends Zichis after 859% surge.

March 3, 2026

Africa’s Mobile Coverage Reaches 91% but 64% Usage Gap Persists, GSMA Warns

GSMA reports Africa’s mobile broadband coverage gap has shrunk to just 9% from 41% in 2015, yet a massive 64% usage gap remains due to smartphone affordability, data costs, and digital skills—potentially costing $700bn in forgone GDP by 2030 if unaddressed.

March 2, 2026

African Regional Blocs Rally Behind AfDB’s New Financial Architecture to Unlock $4tn Capital

African Development Bank president Dr Sidi Ould Tah secured backing from all eight Regional Economic Communities for the New African Financial Architecture (NAFA), a blueprint to mobilise domestic capital, rebuild financial sovereignty, and close the continent’s multi-trillion-dollar development financing gap.

March 2, 2026

M-KOPA Unlocks $170 Million Credit Driving Nigeria’s Financial Inclusion

M-KOPA has extended $170 million (₦230 billion) in credit to over 1 million Nigerian customers—its fastest-growing market—via smartphone financing and flexible loans tailored to informal earners, boosting income for 77% and household expenses for 81%.

February 26, 2026

Kenya Proposes KSh 5 Trillion Infrastructure Fund Without Sovereign Borrowing

The National Infrastructure Fund Bill 2025 proposes a KSh 5 trillion corporate vehicle to mobilize private/non-traditional capital for highways, rail, airports and energy—explicitly prohibiting fund-level borrowing while targeting 10x investment multiplier through asset monetization and pension allocations.

February 25, 2026

South Africa’s Debt Stabilises for First Time in 17 Years

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced South Africa’s debt-to-GDP ratio will stabilise at 77.3% for 2026/27—first time in 17 years after peaking near 80%—with further decline to 76.5% next year, signaling restored credibility via S&P credit upgrade and money-laundering grey list exit.

February 24, 2026

China to Scrap Tariffs on Imports from 53 African Partners from May 1

China will eliminate tariffs on all imports from 53 diplomatically tied African countries starting May 1, 2026, President Xi Jinping announced at the AU Summit in Addis Ababa, aiming to rebalance $348.05 billion bilateral trade marked by a record $102 billion African deficit

February 24, 2026

Investment in African Fintech Unlocks Cross-Sector Growth Opportunities

African fintech leads tech funding with eight of nine unicorns and explosive growth (700+ firms funded yearly by 2022, x7 since 2015), enabling infrastructure gains in health/agri/climate as $130-170 billion annual needs exceed $80 billion investments, per IFC data.

Africa’s Capital Markets Revive with Creative Funding Structures

East African Breweries refinanced a KES 11 billion bond via KES 16.7 billion medium-term note at 11.8%—first under new KES 20 billion programme—oversubscribed 152.4% as Kenya’s 10-year yield hit 13.3% lowest since mid-2022, signaling liquidity return and borrower creativity in syndicated/blended finance.

West African Development Bank Clarifies Sovereign Bond Strategy Amid Regional Issuance Surge

The West African Development Bank (BOAD) explained its treasury management via investments in member-state bonds—distinct from budget support—viewing them as safest WAEMU instruments with zero defaults over 50 years, as issuance rises 27.7% to 15.143 trillion CFA francs ($27.86 billion) in 2026.

African Sovereigns Pivot to MDBs as Debt Distress Risks Persist, S&P Says

African governments will increasingly rely on multilateral development banks (MDBs) for funding in 2026 amid elevated debt distress risks for over 20 countries, while Eurobond markets remain selective despite a strong start with $6 billion issuance, S&P Global Ratings' Samira Mensah said.

Africa in Brief: February 20, 2026 – VC Share at 0.5%, Venture Debt Gap Widens

Africa captured $2.1 billion in venture capital in 2025, just 0.5% of $425 billion global total across ~27,000 deals, with volume flat at 432 but value down 21% YoY as AI absorbed $210 billion (49%) per Crunchbase/AVCA data.

February 20, 2026

Frontier Markets News: African Sovereign Issuances Surge, Sahel Gains IMF Boosts

African sovereigns tapped markets amid cheap cash, with Kenya launching $500 million eurobond buyback funded by $1.5-2 billion new issue, Côte d’Ivoire raising $1.3 billion 14-year bond oversubscribed fivefold, and Sahel states securing IMF approvals including $91 million for Niger projecting 6.7% 2026 growth.

February 20, 2026

Africa M&A Activity Holds Firm, Set to Persist Strongly into 2026 Amid Uncertainty

African M&A deal activity remained robust in 2025 with inbound value up over 40% and outbound surging nearly 85% from 2024 levels, despite fewer mega intra-Africa deals, signaling investor confidence that should sustain into 2026 per Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer analysis.

February 18, 2026

Standard Bank Convenes African Policymakers and Global Investors at 2026 Conference

Standard Bank Corporate and Investment Banking will host the second African Markets Conference from February 22 to 24, 2026, in Cape Town, uniting global investors, sovereign funds, and African policymakers to drive capital into critical sectors amid a $75 billion annual infrastructure funding gap.

February 18, 2026

Africa Fintech Forum 2026 Spotlights South Africa’s $1-7bn Digital Finance Growth

South Africa’s fintech market enters 2026 valued between $1-7 billion, with double-digit growth projected through the decade driven by payments, digital lending, and embedded finance, positioning the country as a continental leader alongside Nigeria, Kenya, and Egypt.

February 17, 2026

Africa Business Forum 2026 Opens In Addis Ababa Spotlighting Jobs Innovation Financing

The 9th Africa Business Forum opened February 16 at UNECA's Africa Hall in Addis Ababa, convening African heads of state, policymakers and private sector under “Financing the Future of Africa: Jobs and Innovation for Sustainable Transformation” to mobilize blended finance for youth jobs and innovation ecosystems.

February 16, 2026

SA Economy In Best Shape In Decade – Standard Bank

Standard Bank chief economist Goolam Ballim states South Africa’s economy enters its strongest phase in 10 years, forecast for 1.2% growth in 2025, 1.4% in 2026 and 2.1% by 2028, fueled by credit upgrade, coalition stability, utility reforms, firmer rand and mining tailwinds.

February 12, 2026

Stablecoins Could ‘Break Apart’, Warns South African Reserve Bank Governor

South African Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago warned at the 2026 Warwick Economics Summit that stablecoins risk fragmenting despite surging adoption—7.8m users on top exchanges by mid-2025—potentially undermining monetary unity, exchange controls and financial stability absent robust regulation.

February 11, 2026

2026 Outlook For Africa: Uncertainty Is The New Certainty

Sub-Saharan Africa’s economy has outperformed global growth since 2022 at 3.0% in 2023, 3.7% in 2024 and 4.0% in 2025, with World Bank forecasting 4.3% expansion in 2026 amid Trump administration tariffs, armed conflicts and geoeconomic confrontation ranked as top global risks.

February 10, 2026

Ghana Curbs Offshore Investments To Protect Cedi, Boost Stability

Ghana’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has directed local fund managers to limit offshore investments to 20% of assets under management, with previously unrestricted funds capped at 70%, aiming to safeguard the cedi and reinforce macroeconomic stability as the country nears completion of its three-year IMF program in August.

February 9, 2026

S&P Sees Egypt And Nigeria Banks’ Profits Shrink In 2026 As Rate Cuts Hit Margins

Banks in Egypt and Nigeria face shrinking profits in 2026 as central banks accelerate rate cuts amid cooling inflation, S&P Global Ratings forecast in its Africa Banking Outlook.

Egypt

February 6, 2026

South African Reserve Bank Governor Warns Stablecoins Could ‘Break Apart’ Amid Rising Adoption

South African Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago warned that the growing popularity of stablecoins carries significant risks, as these assets could “break apart” and threaten financial stability.

February 5, 2026

Afreximbank Lines Up $8bn Financing Package For South Africa’s Mining, Auto And Manufacturing Sectors

Afreximbank has prepared an initial $8 billion financing package for South Africa, its newest member, targeting mining, manufacturing and automaking projects, the pan‑African trade bank announced.

February 5, 2026

Africa Confronts $90bn Debt Repayment Wall In 2026 Amid Rising Rollover Risks

African governments face heightened debt risks in 2026 as external debt repayments surpass $90 billion — more than triple the 2012 level — pressuring buffers and raising rollover challenges, S&P Global Ratings warned.

February 4, 2026

Ethiopia Targets 10.2% Economic Growth In 2025/26 As Reforms Advance, Says Prime Minister

Ethiopia’s economy is expected to grow by 10.2% in the 2025/26 fiscal year, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed told lawmakers, marking an upgrade from earlier official projections.

February 4, 2026

South African Business Activity Stabilises In January As Demand And Price Pressures Ease PMI

South Africa’s private sector business conditions stabilised in January after a tough end to 2025, as demand steadied and inflationary pressures cooled, an S&P Global survey showed.

February 3, 2026

Kenya Private Sector Growth Cools In January As Construction, Retail Weaken

Kenya’s private sector expanded again in January, but at a slower pace as weaker performance in construction and in wholesale and retail trade weighed on overall activity, a survey showed.

February 3, 2026

Egypt’s Non‑Oil Private Sector Output Extends Growth Run In January, But Demand Softens PMI

Egypt’s non-oil private sector output expanded for a third straight month in January, the longest stretch of growth since late 2020, although demand conditions eased, according to S&P Global.

Egypt

February 3, 2026

Harsh Ratings Cost Africa $100 Billion In Credit Lines, AU Expert Says

An AU credit-ratings adviser said Africa loses over $100 billion a year in foregone investment and higher interest costs from rating methodologies, as Afreximbank’s break with Fitch intensifies debate over fairness.

February 2, 2026

Nigeria Looks To Sustain NGX Rally In 2026 As Reforms Deepen And Policy Risks Test Investor Confidence

Nigeria’s equity rally has pushed the NGX All‑Share Index to a record and market value toward N100 trillion, but sustaining gains in 2026 will hinge on policy credibility, market reforms and stable macro conditions.

February 2, 2026

Ethiopia Bondholders Plan English Court Action As Creditors Block Initial $1 Billion Restructuring Deal

A key bondholder group said it will pursue legal action after official creditors led by China and France blocked a draft $1 billion Eurobond restructuring, citing comparability rules under the G20 framework.

February 2, 2026

Africa Finance Corp Says New S&P ‘A’ Rating Will Support Cheaper Funding And Wider Lending

Africa Finance Corp’s CEO said S&P Global’s first rating for the lender should improve market access, lower borrowing costs over time and support expanded infrastructure lending across Africa.

January 30, 2026

Ethiopia To Reopen $1 Billion Eurobond Talks After Official Creditors Reject Draft Terms

Ethiopia will restart talks with bondholders after official creditors said a draft Eurobond restructuring, featuring an export-linked value recovery instrument, fell short of comparability requirements.

January 30, 2026

XSML Capital closes African Rivers Fund IV at $142m

XSML Capital said it completed the final close of African Rivers Fund IV (ARF IV) at $142 million to finance about 50 African SMEs, with a focus on Eastern Africa, Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

January 28, 2026

African nations now send more money to China than they receive in new loans

New analysis from ONE Data says China has shifted from being a net provider of finance to a net receiver for many developing economies, with Africa seeing a $52 billion swing as inflows in 2015–2019 turned into net outflows in 2020–2024 due to rising debt repayments and reduced new lending.

January 27, 2026

IMF expects staff visit to Gabon in February despite no formal request for programme

The IMF said it expects to send staff to Gabon in February to review macro and fiscal conditions and discuss reforms after the country’s new administration stepped up engagement, even though Libreville has not yet made a formal request for an IMF-supported programme.

Gabon

January 26, 2026

South African rand stutters around 16/$ mark while traders eye rate decision next week

The rand hovered near its strongest level since mid-2022 as traders looked ahead to the South African Reserve Bank’s rate decision, with support from record-high gold prices and a weaker dollar, though analysts warned the currency’s gains could prove fragile.

January 23, 2026

Exclusive: Ghana deal with Afreximbank gets official creditor backing, source says

Ghana’s agreement to restructure a $750 million Afreximbank loan has gained support from official creditors, a step that would typically imply the lender accepted a form of debt treatment and that could intensify scrutiny of Afreximbank’s credit ratings and claimed preferred creditor status.

January 23, 2026

South African rand hovers around strongest in three years as geopolitical tensions ease

The rand held near its strongest level since August 2022 as safe-haven demand eased after U.S. President Donald Trump backed down from tariff threats and ruled out using force to obtain Greenland, while South African stocks and bonds also firmed.

January 22, 2026

China's Africa lending nearly halved in 2024, shifts to yuan

Chinese lending to Africa fell to $2.1 billion in 2024 as Beijing pivoted from dollar-denominated megaprojects to smaller, more commercially viable financing increasingly denominated in yuan, Boston University data showed.

January 22, 2026

South African inflation ticks up but more rate cuts expected this year

South Africa’s headline inflation edged up to 3.6% in December, but economists still see room for further interest-rate cuts in 2026 as price pressures remain contained and the rand has strengthened.

January 21, 2026

In Davos, African president pitches business deals to Trump’s son Eric

Somaliland’s president used meetings at the World Economic Forum, including with Eric Trump and Israel’s president Isaac Herzog, to push recognition and pitch investment opportunities such as the Berbera port.

Somaliland

January 21, 2026

South Africa’s Nedbank Offers Cash-and-Stock Deal to Buy 66% of Kenya’s NCBA for $856 Million

Nedbank said it has offered to acquire a 66% stake in Kenya’s NCBA in a 13.9 billion rand cash-and-stock deal to expand in East Africa, while the remaining shares would keep trading on the Nairobi Securities Exchange.

Can Africa Cut Its Borrowing Costs as Risk Premiums and Data Gaps Distort Pricing?

African Business says Africa’s high “risk premium” keeps capital-market borrowing far costlier than concessional finance, arguing that better data, stronger institutions and domestic capital mobilisation are key to lowering debt-service pressures and unlocking investment

Africa Business Forum 2026 to Spotlight Blended Finance, Youth Jobs and Investment Partnerships in Addis Ababa

UNECA said the Africa Business Forum 2026 will convene leaders and financiers alongside the AU Summit in Addis Ababa to mobilise partnerships and blended finance for jobs, innovation and creative sectors, including a new “Jobs Wall Commitment Tracker” to monitor pledges.

South Africa Inflation on Track for 3% Target in 2026, Reserve Bank Governor Says

SARB Governor Lesetja Kganyago said inflation is on course to hit the 3% target in 2026 and that the central bank’s model still allows for two additional 25-basis-point rate cuts this year.

IMF Board Completes Fourth Review of Ethiopia Program, Clearing About $261 Million Disbursement

The IMF approved the fourth review of Ethiopia’s $3.4 billion programme, triggering an about $261 million disbursement as Addis Ababa advances reforms and seeks approval for a preliminary deal to restructure its sole $1 billion Eurobond.

January 19, 2026

South African Rand Slips Ahead of Inflation Data as Stocks and Bonds Weaken

The rand fell to 16.4050 per dollar as traders awaited December inflation data for signals on South Africa’s rate path, while the JSE Top-40 slid and the 2035 bond yield rose to 8.36%.

January 19, 2026

Tanzania Holds Key Rate at 5.75% Again as Central Bank Targets Robust Growth

Tanzania’s central bank kept its benchmark rate at 5.75% for a second straight meeting, saying it expects favourable conditions and inflation to stay within its 3%–5% target range.

Tanzania

January 13, 2026

Senegal PM Sonko Says Debt Can Be Managed Without Restructuring Despite Tough 2026 Schedule

Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko said Senegal believes it can exit its debt crisis without restructuring, even as the IMF cites debt at 132% of GDP and investors warn repayment pressures could force a rework.

Senegal

January 13, 2026

Zambia Plans New IMF Programme as Current Facility Nears Expiry; Bonds Pare Losses

Zambia will pursue a new IMF programme instead of extending its current arrangement, a shift authorities framed as a transition after completing reviews under the existing facility as investors tracked the impact on the country’s dollar bonds.

Zambia

January 12, 2026

South African Rand Steady Ahead of US Jobs Data; Reserves Rise, 2035 Yield Edges Up

The rand held steady near 16.50 per dollar as markets awaited US labour data for clues on the Fed path, while South Africa’s net foreign reserves rose and the benchmark 2035 bond yield ticked higher.

January 12, 2026

Gulf and Asian Capital Targets African Platforms Amid 2026 Financing Shift

Petrodollars and Asian project finance converge on logistics, energy, and data infrastructure as Africa prioritizes credibility over growth.

January 8, 2026

Enko Hedge Fund Sees Africa Risks Rising After Dollar-Linked Gains

Africa-focused Enko Partners warns of currency and debt headwinds in 2026 after dollar strength drove strong returns in 2025.

January 8, 2026

Benin Advances Preparations for Africa’s First Eurobond of 2026

Benin launches roadshow for debut dollar bond, targeting $500 million amid West Africa’s improving fiscal profile.

Benin

January 8, 2026

Flutterwave Acquires Mono in $25 Million to $40 Million All-Stock Deal

Africa's largest payments provider buys Nigeria's leading open-banking startup to integrate data verification and bank payment APIs into its cross-border network.