Covid-19

Central Africa
SICPA wins Central African CFA franc security contract

The highly secretive Swiss certification and document athentication company, which has a strong presence in the bank note security market, has won a contract to protect the authenticity of Central Africa's new CFA franc bank notes, which are due to start being issued in mid-December.

South Africa
Pretoria's international cooperation fund struggles to make its mark

The government's African Renaissance and International Cooperation Fund was intended as an instrument of soft power across the continent, but its track record is rather underwhelming.

Madagascar
Egypt's EGAAD consortium to build new motorway and invest in local medicine production

EGAAD director general Reda Boulos is carrying out new projects in Madagascar. His group is to take part in the construction of a new motorway between Antananarivo and the port of Toamasina, and negotiating to set up a PPP to invest in the Pharmalagasy pharmaceuticals plant.

Djibouti
Red Sea Power, the owner of the Ghoubet wind farm, starts off in the red

On 19 October, the Djibouti company Red Sea Power, owner and operator of the Ghoubet wind farm, confirmed, filed and certified its accounts for the year 2021.

Cameroon, Central Africa
Yaoundé convinces CEMAC to postpone its timber export ban

A ministerial meeting of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa on 28 October decided to postpone indefinitely the introduction of a ban on log exports - a decision demanded particularly by Cameroon.

The New Guard
Senegal, Egypt and Namibia

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence reveals the next generation of movers and shakers in business and politics.

Senegal Sijh Diagne, former diaspora banker maps out post Covid-19 recovery plan

Egypt Tino Abdellatif Waked, driving Uber's African growth

Namibia Maggy Shino, young advocate for Namibian gas

Egypt Nada El Ahwal, heiress to a shipping logistics empire

Angola
Angolan oil junior Somoil opens up under boss Dos Santos Sousa

After keeping a low profile for years and nearly going under during the pandemic, Angola's biggest private company Somoil is reinventing itself and opening up under its director general, a former ExxonMobil executive.

Inner circles | South Africa
Armscor leaders overwhelmed by demands of South Africa's decrepit military

South Africa's cash-starved arms procurement agency, whose largely civilian management is far removed from the realities of the military world, is struggling to deliver the overhaul the defence force desperately needs.

Djibouti
Djibouti PM Kamil Mohamed on official visit to Cuba

After a short personal trip to Paris, for which there is no official agenda, Djibouti's Prime Minister Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed will fly to Cuba on 27 October where he is expected to make an official visit.

Nigeria
Powerful state oil firm NNPC welcomes a new director

The presidency has appointed a new director at the national oil company, the country's main source of foreign currency. Gabriel Aduda replaces Nasir Sani-Gwarzo as secretary general at the oil ministry.

Kenya
Just a month into the job, Ruto backpedals on good governance

The new president's election manifesto included setting up a commission of enquiry into senior civil servants' "state capture". Now in power, he's had a change of heart.

Zimbabwe
Sichuan PD Times reaps coveted Kamativi lithium despite court battles

While two other unsuccessful contenders are still battling it out in the courts for the rights to exploit Kamativi's lithium's potential, ZMDC has already formed a partnership with a new Chinese player.

Tunisia
Hesitant Trudeau finally agrees to attend Francophonie summit in Djerba

Canada's prime minister Justin Trudeau, who has finally agreed to the Francophonie summit being held as planned in Tunisia, will travel to Djerba in November. Emmanuel Macron played a key role behind the scenes in persuading him.