Your account has been succesfully created.

EN FR

The Morning Brief
Log in

Password

Keep me logged in

Forgot your password?
Subscribe

Sierra Leone

British CDC quietly breaks alliance with Moroccan BCP

The British developement agency has co-invested in West Africa along with the Moroccan Central People's Bank since 2017 but now wants to sell its stake in their joint holding company, which controls the West African financial group Banque Atlantique.

Subscribers only Finance, Business 22.02.2022

Former interior minister hopes to represent French expats in parliament

Christophe Castaner, president of the LREM party in France's National Assembly. © Stéphane Duclet/La Provence/PhotoPQR/MaxPPP

Subscribers only Politics 22.02.2022

France mulls how to get its second-hand military vehicles to West African allies

Subscribers only Defence, Diplomacy 09.02.2022

Diamond mine case pitting local residents against Beny Steinmetz's Octea back in high court

The fight is on to see whether local residents near the Koidu diamond mine in Sierra Leone will be able to sue the site operator, Beny Steinmetz's company Octea, on numerous accounts. They are due to plead their case before the high court of Sierra Leone on 9 February.

Subscribers only Mining 08.02.2022

In Focus
Brussels, Washington and London battle for maritime ascendancy with anti-piracy programmes

An armed Somali pirate along the coast, 7 January 2010. In the background, the Greek cargo ship MV Filitsa is anchored off the town of Hobyo in northeast Somalia, where it is being held by pirates. © Mohamed Dahir/AFP

Subscribers only Defence, Diplomacy 07.02.2022

Erdogan in business mode in Antalya

Turkey's Recep Tayip Erdogan has invited a dozen African heads of state to the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, which will take place from 11 to 13 March.

Subscribers only Diplomacy Running story - Erdogan's drive in Africa 07.02.2022

OECD prepares to enlist banks in fight against gold fraud

Recognising that high banking fees are among the factors contributing to illegal gold trafficking, particularly in the west of the continent, the OECD plans to shortly engage in discussions with financial institutions and governments in the region.

Subscribers only Finance, Mining 25.01.2022

Inner circles
Abu Dhabi Ports in chaotic dash to build Africa empire

With a war chest of a billion dollars, Abu Dhabi Ports is hunting for projects in Africa in a bid to match its arch-rival DP World. Backed by the emirate's highest authorities, the parastatal, which in less than two years has gone from sub-regional player to global giant, is nevertheless struggling to build a proper African empire.

Free access Infrastructure, Business 14.01.2022

A delivery of bauxite from Guinea by Abu Dhabi Ports in June 2018.

Security issues in Pendjari curtail Lionel Talon's tourism ambitions

A few months ago, the son of the Beninese president embarked on the renovation of Pendjari Safari Lodge, but business there is likely to a take a nosedive following a deadly attack perpetrated on 6 January in the national park.

Subscribers only Business 13.01.2022

Lionel Talon, son of Beninese president Patrice Talon.

After telecoms, Franco-Malagasy group Axian develops power stations in Senegal and Mali

Axian, led by Frenchman Hassanein Hiridjee, acquired the Senegalese assets of the Swedish telecom group Millicom three years ago. It is now working to strengthen its position in electricity production throughout Africa via its subsidiary Axian Energy.

Subscribers only Energy, Business 05.01.2022

In Focus
Trapped in Sahel logistics nightmare, French army seeks way out

In November, one of the French army's convoys that came to support the Barkhane force by road was attacked by locals. For the past two months, French military planners have been working on scenarios to keep its troops supplied in the Sahel without provoking any new unrest.

Subscribers only Defence, Diplomacy 03.01.2022

French multi-role armoured vehicles VBMR Griffon patrol the streets of Gao on 4 December 2021.

ENI, Mercuria, TotalEnergies and Shell aim to revive Gulf of Guinea next year

African E&P may have focused on the south of the continent lately, but the west is still very much in the game.

Free access Energy 14.12.2021

Fertiliser king Salif Ouédraogo targeted by Cotonou lawsuit

The fertiliser trader, a key figure in the Sahelian agricultural sector for the past twenty years who was close to Burkina Faso president Blaise Compaoré and Beninese president Thomas Boni Yahi, is the target of a lawsuit by a Malian client.

Subscribers only Business 10.12.2021

Leadership race at Ivorian chapter of global Lebanese union

The race for the presidency of the Ivorian chapter of the World Lebanese Cultural Union is stirring up the Lebanese-Ivorian community and has broader repercussions for the Ivorian state.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 03.12.2021

UAE's Royal Capital quietly expands in Africa

The Emirati wealth manager run by French executives is actively developing its network in Africa. Its latest operation was to help the acquisition of a Gulfstream V that had often jetted Alpha Condé around the globe.

Subscribers only Finance, Business 26.11.2021

Burkinabe banker Idrissa Nassa takes interest in Orabank

The reshuffle of bancassurance company Orabank's capital remains on standby after being stopped in its tracks by the hesitations of the BCEAO banking commission. This situation is encouraging local entrepreneurs to try to get their foot in the door.

Subscribers only Finance, Business 25.11.2021

Idrissa Nassa, founder of the west African bank, Coris Bank International.

Australian miners wary of Russian forays into West Africa

The Australian mining and petroleum community in West Africa is keeping a close eye on the growing Russian influence in the region.

Subscribers only Mining 11.11.2021

NSIA peddles prized assets

The Ivorian family bancassurance outfit, which has branches across Africa, is shedding some key assets. The hasty sales come as the group needs to reimburse in full a €32m loan.

Subscribers only Finance, Business 09.11.2021

Ivorian fund Cofina poised to buy into Caterpillar's Africa dealer JA Delmas

After breaking off its alliance with Moroccan royal holding Al Mada earlier this year, Caterpillar machinery distributor in Africa JA Delmas is in talks with ex-banker Jean-Luc Konan's Compagnie Financière Africaine (Cofina) over opening up its capital.

Subscribers only Finance, Business 02.11.2021

Banker Jean-Luc Konan, founder of the Ivorian financial holding Compagnie Financière Africaine (Cofina).

Dorsale Nord donors urged to stump up funds

The developers of the Dorsale Nord electricity grid project, which involves connecting up Nigeria, Niger, Benin, Togo and Burkina Faso via an 875 km network, are fearful of potential delays.

Subscribers only Energy, Business 28.10.2021

Spotlight
From ECOWAS to New York: Beny Steinmetz diamonds on trial in three jurisdictions

People living close to the Koidu diamond mine in Sierra Leone fear the dismissal of a domestic court case against Beny Steinmetz's company Octea, which they accuse of violence and pollution. A US court, however, has upheld their disclosure demands, while a separate case before an ECOWAS court is due out next year.

Subscribers only Mining 27.10.2021

Guinea coup: former Niger president Issoufou favourite to become ECOWAS mediator

After having been in the running to be an African Union mediator in Chad last year, ex-Nigerien president Mahamadou Issoufou is again on a list of such names, this time for the role of ECOWAS special envoy to Guinea following the fall of Alpha Condé.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 26.10.2021

Ex-Nigerian president Mahamadou Issoufou.

Drug investigation in Cotonou exposes law enforcement rivalry

Nearly 2.5 tons of cocaine were seized in Cotonou at the beginning of the month, but since last week judges at the Beninese CRIET have been focused on a different case, that of 10 defendants who were arrested in May, shortly after the seizure of 150kg of cocaine at the port.

Subscribers only Commodity traders, Politics 26.10.2021

Relyant, the rising star of US military aid to Sahel

To bolster the region's armies, Washington is increasing the number of its security programmes, from Burkina Faso to Chad. Relyant Global is among the top beneficiaries of this project, having been tasked to deliver OTT Technologies armoured vehicles and to build military facilities.

Subscribers only Defence, Business 19.10.2021

Erdogan tours Gulf of Guinea with his military procurement team

During his official tour of Angola, Nigeria and Togo from 17 to 20 October, the Turkish president will be aiming to strengthen political and economic ties with the countries of the Gulf of Guinea. Central to this strategy will be promoting the interests of Turkey's defence industry ahead of the Turkey-Africa summit scheduled for December in Istanbul.

Free access Defence, Diplomacy 15.10.2021

Create a notification

Sierra Leone Picto Synthese

Don't miss a single headline. Sign up to receive weekly summaries of our coverage of Sierra Leone.

Once registered, you will be notified by a short message on your computer or mobile phone as soon as a new edition of our publication or an alert is published. Stay informed anytime, anywhere!

Africa
Massad Boulos, a free agent of Donald Trump's African diplomacy under close watch

DRC
The Tshisekedi clan's dangerous ties with cobalt looting "cartels"

Sierra Leone

British CDC quietly breaks alliance with Moroccan BCP

Former interior minister hopes to represent French expats in parliament

France mulls how to get its second-hand military vehicles to West African allies

Diamond mine case pitting local residents against Beny Steinmetz's Octea back in high court

In Focus
Brussels, Washington and London battle for maritime ascendancy with anti-piracy programmes

Erdogan in business mode in Antalya

OECD prepares to enlist banks in fight against gold fraud

Inner circles
Abu Dhabi Ports in chaotic dash to build Africa empire

Security issues in Pendjari curtail Lionel Talon's tourism ambitions

After telecoms, Franco-Malagasy group Axian develops power stations in Senegal and Mali

In Focus
Trapped in Sahel logistics nightmare, French army seeks way out

ENI, Mercuria, TotalEnergies and Shell aim to revive Gulf of Guinea next year

Fertiliser king Salif Ouédraogo targeted by Cotonou lawsuit

Leadership race at Ivorian chapter of global Lebanese union

UAE's Royal Capital quietly expands in Africa

Burkinabe banker Idrissa Nassa takes interest in Orabank

Australian miners wary of Russian forays into West Africa

NSIA peddles prized assets

Ivorian fund Cofina poised to buy into Caterpillar's Africa dealer JA Delmas

Dorsale Nord donors urged to stump up funds

Spotlight
From ECOWAS to New York: Beny Steinmetz diamonds on trial in three jurisdictions

Guinea coup: former Niger president Issoufou favourite to become ECOWAS mediator

Drug investigation in Cotonou exposes law enforcement rivalry

Relyant, the rising star of US military aid to Sahel

Erdogan tours Gulf of Guinea with his military procurement team

Create a notification

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Indigo Publications' websites

Africa Massad Boulos, a free agent of Donald Trump's African diplomacy under close watch

DRC The Tshisekedi clan's dangerous ties with cobalt looting "cartels"

Simandou, Nimba and Zogota: the long and difficult road to the start of iron ore production

Cabo Delgado: a gas Eldorado and security nightmare

The Renaissance Dam – a national symbol but a regional quandary

Andry Rajoelina

African Development Bank

Paul Biya

Erik Prince

AFRICOM

Sierra Leone

British CDC quietly breaks alliance with Moroccan BCP

Former interior minister hopes to represent French expats in parliament

France mulls how to get its second-hand military vehicles to West African allies

Diamond mine case pitting local residents against Beny Steinmetz's Octea back in high court

In Focus Brussels, Washington and London battle for maritime ascendancy with anti-piracy programmes

Erdogan in business mode in Antalya

OECD prepares to enlist banks in fight against gold fraud

Inner circles Abu Dhabi Ports in chaotic dash to build Africa empire

Security issues in Pendjari curtail Lionel Talon's tourism ambitions

After telecoms, Franco-Malagasy group Axian develops power stations in Senegal and Mali

In Focus Trapped in Sahel logistics nightmare, French army seeks way out

ENI, Mercuria, TotalEnergies and Shell aim to revive Gulf of Guinea next year

Fertiliser king Salif Ouédraogo targeted by Cotonou lawsuit

Leadership race at Ivorian chapter of global Lebanese union

UAE's Royal Capital quietly expands in Africa

Burkinabe banker Idrissa Nassa takes interest in Orabank

Australian miners wary of Russian forays into West Africa

NSIA peddles prized assets

Ivorian fund Cofina poised to buy into Caterpillar's Africa dealer JA Delmas

Dorsale Nord donors urged to stump up funds

Spotlight From ECOWAS to New York: Beny Steinmetz diamonds on trial in three jurisdictions

Guinea coup: former Niger president Issoufou favourite to become ECOWAS mediator

Drug investigation in Cotonou exposes law enforcement rivalry

Relyant, the rising star of US military aid to Sahel

Erdogan tours Gulf of Guinea with his military procurement team

Create a notification

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

Africa
Massad Boulos, a free agent of Donald Trump's African diplomacy under close watch

DRC
The Tshisekedi clan's dangerous ties with cobalt looting "cartels"

In Focus
Brussels, Washington and London battle for maritime ascendancy with anti-piracy programmes

Inner circles
Abu Dhabi Ports in chaotic dash to build Africa empire

In Focus
Trapped in Sahel logistics nightmare, French army seeks way out

Spotlight
From ECOWAS to New York: Beny Steinmetz diamonds on trial in three jurisdictions