Finance

Palace Intrigues
Andry Rajoelina, Denis Sassou-Nguesso, Faustin-Archange Touadéra, Emmanuel Macron

Intrigues big and small... Every Thursday, Africa Intelligence takes a peek into the corridors of power in Africa and beyond.

MadagascarRajoelina puts on fine spread for Macron

CongoDenis Sassou Nguesso to skip his son's wedding in Dubai

Central African RepublicWelcome gardening leave for Minister of Energy Arthur Bertrand Piri

Morocco
Credit-free neobank Charifintech soon on the market

After raising $100m in 2022, start-up Chari plans to officially launch its payment subsidiary by the end of the year.

The New Guard
South Africa, Morocco, Sudan

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

South AfricaJaco-Louis du Plessis, soldier turned business diplomacy consultant

MoroccoAsmaa Chakir Alaoui, queen of the pros on two wheels

SudanHozaifa Elsiddig, art against arms

Central African Republic
Bangui brings backers together around development plan

The Central African government will organise a roundtable in Washington DC on 24 April to secure funding for its 2024–2028 National Development Plan.

Central Africa
CEMAC ministries to meet in Paris to discuss stability challenges

At the invitation of French Minister of Economy Éric Lombard, the ministries of finance and economy of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa will meet on 17 April in France to assess stability in the region.

Ethiopia
Central bank sounds out foreign investors before opening up sector

The National Bank of Ethiopia has sent out a first draft of its directive on the criteria for access to the Ethiopian banking market. But this long-awaited reform is now being met with some reservations.

Gabon
Algest Consulting discreetly advises government on debt

The consultancy's boss, Ivorian banker Ibrahim Magassa, has just finished reprofiling Gabon's debt. On 25 March, he also organised a meeting between the main regional bankers and President Oligui Nguema.

Tanzania
State-owned Tanzania Commercial Bank targets major Chinese projects

The former postal bank, owned by the government, made a strategic U-turn two years ago. TCB aims to meet the profitability targets set by President Suluhu, whose ambition is to turn Tanzania into a middle-income country.

Nigeria
JP Morgan aims to expand into merchant banking

The US bank wants to transform its representative office in Lagos into a fully-fledged business branch, marking a further step in its CEO's strategy to strengthen its presence on the African continent.

Kenya, Nigeria
Nigerian reinsurer Continental Re gears up for its return to the stock market

The reinsurance company, headed since 2021 by Lawrence Mutsunge Nazare, is seeking to raise new capital to strengthen its activities on the continent. Its ambitions extend beyond its home country, where it left the Nigerian Stock Exchange five years ago.

South Africa
Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala's AfDB presidency campaign under the radar

South Africa's Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala is still hoping to chair the African Development Bank, despite her country's official support for her Zambian rival, economist Samuel Munzele Maimbo.