World Bank

Kenya
Ruto stands firm over finance bill

Keen to stay on good terms with international lenders who have recently released new funds, the Kenyan president is reluctant to tinker with his proposed budget, which calls for numerous new taxes and tax hikes.

Comoros islands
The World Bank provides Moroni with extra funds for port renovations

The World Bank is providing an additional $15m to overhaul the three main ports in the Comoros Islands.

Morocco
Tensions emerge during international economic mission

A visit in early June by some fifteen MPs affiliated to the parliamentary network of the World Bank and the IMF laid bare certain rivalries between Morocco's elected representatives.

Nigeria
Engie and Arnergy Solar to hike prices after World Bank ends subsidies

The World Bank has decided not to continue subsidising the installation of solar home systems, despite having touted this as one of the solutions for bringing electricity to the country's rural zones.

The New Guard
Burkina Faso, Morocco, Angola, Ethiopia

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence spotlights a new generation of movers and shakers in business and politics.

Burkina FasoJoseph Zagré, housing the middle class

MoroccoAhmed "Spins", the other Akhannouch junior

AngolaVera Daves de Sousa, Lourenço's financial ace

EthiopiaBethleem Tilahun Alemu, the entrepreneur keen to rival Nike

Chad
Déby asks Switzerland to help trigger rebel disarmament programme

Chad junta leader Mahamat Idriss Déby is banking on Bern to help convince donors to finance his country's disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration programme aimed at bringing former rebels back into the fold.

West Africa
Gide, Mazars and Titane compete for fibre optics feasibility study

French firms Gide Loyrette Nouel, Mazars and Titane are currently bidding for a feasibility study contract for an extension of Mauritania's backbone, a major project aiming to equip the country with fibre optics.

East Africa
World Bank's plan to boost connectivity in the Horn

This month, the World Bank approved a $172m grant aimed at improving internet access in South Sudan and Somalia.

The New Guard
Madagascar, Rwanda, Togo

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence spotlights a new generation of movers and shakers in business and politics.

MadagascarHasnaine Yavarhoussen, energy transition and arts advocate

RwandaZephanie Niyonkuru, sports ambassador

TogoGuy-Victoire Sanbena, Togolese president's communicator

Chad
Mahamat Idriss Déby calls on Lebanon's Georges Tehini to bolster his electricity production

The deputy secretary general of the president's office, Mahamat Borgou Hassan, has thus invited Cetri's CEO, the Lebanese Georges Tehini to N'Djamena on 17 May to discuss a turnkey photovoltaic power plant project.

Tanzania
World Bank releases $300m to support Samia's agriculture project

Earlier this month the World Bank's board of directors approved a five-year, $300m financing package to boost Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan's agricultural transformation programme

Madagascar
Rajoelina pulls Eiffage off Sahofika dam project

After years of negotiations between the Madagascan president and the French construction company, the Sahofika hydroelectric power station project is being put out to a new call for tenders.

Central Africa
Washington sides with ExxonMobil and Chevron over BEAC foreign currency rules

Washington has stepped up its efforts to prevent US oil companies from being obliged to repatriate their rehabilitation funds to the CEMAC zone.

DRC
World Bank puts pressure on Kinshasa

Three projects funded by the World Bank to the tune of a billion dollars face possible interruption. The international institution is unhappy with DR Congo President Félix Tshisekedi's decision to dissolve the country's social fund and replace it with a new entity.

Niger
Niamey in talks with French events agency Viparis for its international conferences

Niger is holding talks with French events operator Viparis over a partnership deal for the organisation of conferences and forums in France and internationally, which Niamey counts on to attract investors.

Mauritania, Tunisia
Jordan enters race for top Union for the Mediterranean seat

Jordan is entering the race for the Union for the Mediterranean secretary general seat in 2024, for which Tunisia and Mauritania have already submitted candidates.

Madagascar
State coffers almost empty in run-up to presidential election

During a confidential meeting with business leaders, Andry Rajoelina admitted that he would be unable to finance a number of public subsidies or to settle state arrears before June. An announcement that has gone down badly with the business community.