Author: Emmanuel Mbemba

A New Chapter of Financial Isolation Algeria has entered increasingly turbulent economic waters as the implications of its inclusion on the European Union’s list of high-risk countries unfold. The EU’s blacklisting, effective as of June 10, 2025, spotlights Algeria’s systemic vulnerabilities, echoed by the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) earlier greylisting in 2024. This classification compels European financial institutions to adopt stringent due diligence on Algerian transactions, inevitably raising barriers in trade, elevating operational costs, and causing significant interruptions in cross-border financial activities. The Enduring Strain on Algeria’s Financial System The EU’s decision serves to exacerbate Algeria’s financial seclusion, straining…

Scaling the Financial Ladder Amidst economic uncertainties and a growing fiscal deficit, Kenya has ascended to the fourth position among the largest beneficiaries of the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) project financing for the year 2024. This advancement places Kenya just behind South Africa, Morocco, and Nigeria, marking a notable achievement in the nation’s economic policies under President William Ruto. Current Financial Standings Leading the pack, South Africa has secured project approvals worth $1.42 billion, followed by Nigeria with $881.2 million, and Morocco with $614.8 million. Trailing not far behind, Egypt claims the fifth spot with $516.3 million. The AfDB’s overall…

A Bold Venture in Deep Waters In a setting marked by economic aspirations and geopolitical strategies, Gambia embarked on a significant offshore oil exploration initiative. Under President Adama Barrow’s administration, this project represented a bold step towards economic diversification, with the two wells being drilled at a staggering cost of $100 million. However, as revealed during Barrow’s recent address to the National Assembly, the venture did not result in commercially viable oil discoveries. Economic Hopes and Realities The push for offshore drilling was driven by Gambia’s desire to reduce economic dependency on agriculture and fishing. The administration envisioned oil production…

Current Economic Landscape The Republic of the Congo has long been reliant on its abundant oil reserves, which have historically driven its economy. However, the volatility of oil prices has exposed the vulnerabilities in this resource-dependent economic model. Recent global shifts, particularly in the energy sector, have compelled the country to reconsider and diversify its economic strategies. Challenges in Policy Implementation Implementing economic reforms is a formidable challenge for the Congo. The nation faces internal hurdles such as political instability and bureaucratic inefficiencies that hinder policy execution. Moreover, the fact that corruption perceptions continue to taint the administrative processes only…

Paradigm Shift: Public Sector Reforms Bearing Fruit In recent years, Angola has embarked on a transformative journey, implementing comprehensive reforms within its public sector. The overhaul of state-owned enterprises has begun to yield tangible results, with significant improvements in organizational efficiency, service delivery, and governance standards. These changes have positioned public enterprises as crucial agents of modernization and transformation within the national development milieu, as emphasized by State Secretary for Public Administration, Domingos Filipe. Employment and Economic Indicators on the Rise A key outcome of Angola’s reforms is the creation of approximately 55,000 jobs within the public sector. In assessing…

Contextualizing Heineken’s Loss in Eastern Congo The Dutch brewing giant Heineken has found itself ensnared in the enduring turbulence of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), losing grip over its key industrial sites in Bukavu, Goma, and Uvira. This dislocation is attributed to the aggravating incursions by the M23 rebel group. Reminiscent of previous instability episodes in the region, notably during the late 1990s and early 2000s, these events bring forth unprecedented economic implications for the company, which operates through its local subsidiary, Bralima. The delicate balance between geopolitical unrest and corporate operations becomes glaring as Heineken loses what amounts…

A New Milestone in Togo’s Industrial Strategy The inauguration of Star Garments’ textile factory on June 18th by President Faure Gnassingbé heralds a transformative stage in Togo’s industrial strategy. Embodying the goals of the 2018-2022 National Development Plan, this venture, situated at the Plateforme Industrielle d’Adétikopé (PIA), is aimed at leveraging the nation’s robust assets including a dynamic youth and the prominent maritime hub at the Port of Lomé. Togolese authorities expect the employment of over 4,520 individuals by 2030 as a DIRECT consequence of this initiative. Manuella Modoukpe Santos, Togo’s Minister of Industry, elucidates the government’s vision: positioned as…

A Strategic Investment in Airport Infrastructure The Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) has declared an ambitious investment of over R21 billion dedicated to airport infrastructure development over the coming five years. At the core of this decision lies the need to enhance the operational capacity of South Africa’s airports, which play a pivotal role in the nation’s economy. With their contribution extending to over 100,000 direct and indirect jobs, these airports are a critical asset that requires continual upgrades to maintain competitiveness on a global scale. Responding to Infrastructure Challenges The impetus for this substantial investment stems partly from…

Apec and Rac Foster Cooperative Dialogue In a momentous stride toward constructive consumer relations, the Association professionnelle des établissements de crédit du Congo (Apec), comprising nine major banks, has inked a landmark agreement with the Réseau des associations des consommateurs (Rac), which represents seven consumer groups. This agreement, formalized on June 13, 2025, at a ceremonial signing in Brazzaville, aims to establish a continuous dialogue fostering mutual understanding and problem-solving within the banking sector. Signatories Pledge to Cultivate Ongoing Communication The agreement was officiated by Calixte Tabangoli, Director General of the Banque postale du Congo and President of Apec, alongside…

Strategic Overview Amidst Global Tensions The 2024 annual meeting of the Pointe-Noire Port Authority (PAPN) took place on June 20 under the guidance of Jean-Louis Osso, advisor to the Head of State and Chair of the Board. This year’s discussions highlighted the port’s resilience amidst prevailing financial navigational challenges and geopolitical tensions. Remarkably, PAPN has maintained and even boosted its performance, reflecting its steadfast commitment to stakeholders. The Port’s Developmental Trajectory Central to the session were the initiatives towards strengthening and diversifying the port’s developmental trajectory, as part of an urgent implementation of its master development plan and a five-year…