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West Africa

Former President of Afreximbank Benedict Oramah in Abidjan on 13 May 2025. © Issouf Sanogo/AFP

West Africa
Afreximbank seeks to strengthen its mark on future Africa Energy Bank

The continental import-export financial institution wants to launch the future African energy lender as soon as possible. This could provide it with an opportunity to clean up its own finances.

Free access Finance, Energy 03.07.2025

Uranium ore is heap leached with sulphuric acid at Areva's SOMAIR mine in Arlit, 25 September 2013. © Joe Penney/Reuters

Spotlight | Niger
Nationalised SOMAIR uranium firm has back against the wall

With uranium extraction reduced to a bare minimum, the sale of yellowcake impossible and wage arrears mounting, Niger will struggle to revive the Société des Mines de l'Aïr on its own. But arbitration proceedings launched by former French shareholder Orano are likely to deter potential buyers.

Subscribers only Mining 03.07.2025

Africa
Trump organises his first African summit

US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office in Washington on 27 June 2025. © Joe Raedle/Getty Images via AFP

Subscribers only Diplomacy 02.07.2025

Burkina Faso
French-Burkinabè businessman Patrice Chevalier wins major contract

PPI has been awarded a contract to supply prefabricated electrical cabins as part of a solar energy project managed by SONABEL and partly financed by a World Bank loan.

Subscribers only Infrastructure 02.07.2025

Mali
Washington sends mission to Bamako

An American delegation is expected to arrive in the Malian capital in the coming days to renew ties with the Sahelian juntas.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 02.07.2025

Ghana
South Africa's Gold Fields digs deep in Ghana to secure its mining

The mining company will hand over the operation of its historic Damang gold mine to the authorities next April, with the aim of securing the renewal of its licence to operate the more profitable Tarkwa mine. Its main subcontractor is a company owned by Ibrahim Mahama, the president's brother.

Subscribers only Mining 01.07.2025

West Africa
ECOWAS presidents debate AU's next chairperson

The AU chair should go back to a West African state next year. The subject was briefly evoked during the ECOWAS summit in Abuja on 22 June, with several capitals dreaming of being ideal candidates.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 01.07.2025

Senegal
French army about to hand back Rufisque base

After a long period of uncertainty, the French armed forces are due to announce the return of the military post to their Senegalese counterparts. It has long been seen as having strategic importance.

Subscribers only Defence, Diplomacy 01.07.2025

Niger
Chinese major CNPC unable to calm tensions with the junta

The Chinese government is failing to find ways to ease tensions between the CNPC and the military in Niamey. The reason: a pressing demand for fresh funding from the transitional authorities.

Subscribers only Energy 30.06.2025

Niger's Foreign Minister Bakary Yaou Sangare with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Changsha, central China on 11 June 2025.

Spotlight | Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger
Inside the Trump administration's Sahelian diplomacy

The Trump administration's diplomats, keen to distance themselves from the stance adopted under Joe Biden, are attempting to rebuild ties with the Sahel juntas. The strategy they are developing includes a transactional dimension.

Subscribers only Defence, Diplomacy 30.06.2025

Two Nigerien soldiers hold the American and Nigerien flags at Air Base 101 in Niamey in June 2024.

West Africa
ECOWAS standby force and the issue of funding

Under pressure from Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, the sub-regional organisation is expected to present a funding project for a military standby force in the coming weeks. However, few are in favour of it seeing the light of day.

Subscribers only Defence, Diplomacy 30.06.2025

Senegal
From an ex-IMF boss to JP Morgan, Dakar looks to financiers to fill gap in cash resources

At a time when Senegal has urgent revenue issues, the government is working on raising funds at both a domestic and international level while also trying to obtain renewed support from the IMF.

Subscribers only Finance 27.06.2025

Spotlight | Senegal
Bassirou Diomaye Faye's diplomatic struggles continue

When the Senegalese president failed at the last minute to secure the ECOWAS chair, taken instead by Sierra Leone's Julius Maada Bio, he made his anger clear to his West African counterparts. His unanticipated defeat adds to a series of diplomatic setbacks.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 27.06.2025

Senegal President Bassirou Diomaye Faye in Libreville, Gabon, on 3 May 2025.

Guinea
How the Chambre des Mines protects its members

Under Ismaël Diakité's leadership, the organisation protected its members from the cancellations of mining permits introduced in mid-May by the junta's head.

Subscribers only Mining 27.06.2025

Benin, Ivory Coast
Transfer of West African Health Organization HQ to Abidjan irritates Talon

Based in Bobo-Dioulasso, the WAHO headquarters are expected to move to Abidjan, following the decision by ECOWAS member states.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 26.06.2025

Senegal
The International Air Transport Association cancels its African gathering

This backpedaling could be linked to the delicate relations that IATA currently has with the Senegalese authorities. The event was to be held in Senegal.

Subscribers only Infrastructure 26.06.2025

Nigeria
Vice President Kashim Shettima's uncertain political future

Whether or not the current VP will be on the APC ticket at the next elections is looking increasingly doubtful. Several potential candidates have already emerged to appear alongside Bola Tinubu on the campaign posters for the 2027 poll.

Subscribers only Politics 25.06.2025

APC's electoral campaign posters for the 2023 presidential election, in Lagos.

West Africa
Appointment of Julius Maada Bio raises concerns within ECOWAS

Involved in various peace and mediation processes in Sierra Leone, the regional organisation has given a cautious welcome to the appointment of the country's president as its chair.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 25.06.2025

Niger
Niamey requests extension of IMF programme

Faced with a tense financial situation, the junta led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani would like to extend an agreement between his country and the International Monetary Fund until the beginning of 2026.

Subscribers only Finance 24.06.2025

West Africa
Julius Maada Bio's coup to seize ECOWAS presidency

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye flew to Abuja on 21 June confident that he would take the helm of the West African organisation. However, it was ultimately the Sierra Leonean head of state who was appointed.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 23.06.2025

Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio in Nice, France, on 9 June 2025.

Ethiopia, Ivory Coast
The AfDB calls on Interpol to recover missing €4.8m

In cooperation with the AfDB's director of anti-corruption, Paula Santos Da Costa, Interpol investigators are trying to recover the annual fee owed by Ethiopia, which disappeared at the end of 2023.

Subscribers only Defence, Finance 23.06.2025

Ivory Coast
JP Morgan courts the state on commodity risk hedging

The US bank is in talks with the government to offer financial products to hedge against commodities trading risks.

Subscribers only Finance, Commodity traders 23.06.2025

West Africa
Senegal's Faye to take ECOWAS helm

Breaking news published on 21/06/25, at 13:00 GMT Heads of state from the West African regional bloc have agreed to appoint Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye as the next chair of the organisation, whose authority is being sorely tested by the departure of three member states run by military juntas.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 21.06.2025

Senegal
El Hadj Malick Sow, Bassirou Diomaye Faye's behind-the-scenes legal advisor

In order to tackle the many legislative challenges that lie ahead, the Senegalese president is relying on the advice of a former judge renowned for his expertise.

Subscribers only Politics 20.06.2025

Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye in Abidjan on 12 May 2025.

Ivory Coast
Alassane Ouattara delays announcing his candidacy for the presidential election

Although the RHDP congress is due to be held on 21 and 22 June, President Alassane Ouattara is not expected to announce his candidacy for a fourth term during the event.

Subscribers only Politics 20.06.2025

The weekly summary

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DRC
Washington deal: intricacies behind Tshisekedi's poker move

Namibia
Namibia oil utopia hangs on TotalEnergies' final investment decision

West Africa

West Africa
Afreximbank seeks to strengthen its mark on future Africa Energy Bank

Spotlight | Niger
Nationalised SOMAIR uranium firm has back against the wall

Africa
Trump organises his first African summit

Burkina Faso
French-Burkinabè businessman Patrice Chevalier wins major contract

Mali
Washington sends mission to Bamako

Ghana
South Africa's Gold Fields digs deep in Ghana to secure its mining

West Africa
ECOWAS presidents debate AU's next chairperson

Senegal
French army about to hand back Rufisque base

Niger
Chinese major CNPC unable to calm tensions with the junta

Spotlight | Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger
Inside the Trump administration's Sahelian diplomacy

West Africa
ECOWAS standby force and the issue of funding

Senegal
From an ex-IMF boss to JP Morgan, Dakar looks to financiers to fill gap in cash resources

Spotlight | Senegal
Bassirou Diomaye Faye's diplomatic struggles continue

Guinea
How the Chambre des Mines protects its members

Benin, Ivory Coast
Transfer of West African Health Organization HQ to Abidjan irritates Talon

Senegal
The International Air Transport Association cancels its African gathering

Nigeria
Vice President Kashim Shettima's uncertain political future

West Africa
Appointment of Julius Maada Bio raises concerns within ECOWAS

Niger
Niamey requests extension of IMF programme

West Africa
Julius Maada Bio's coup to seize ECOWAS presidency

Ethiopia, Ivory Coast
The AfDB calls on Interpol to recover missing €4.8m

Ivory Coast
JP Morgan courts the state on commodity risk hedging

West Africa
Senegal's Faye to take ECOWAS helm

Senegal
El Hadj Malick Sow, Bassirou Diomaye Faye's behind-the-scenes legal advisor

Ivory Coast
Alassane Ouattara delays announcing his candidacy for the presidential election

The weekly summary

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Indigo Publications' websites

DRC Washington deal: intricacies behind Tshisekedi's poker move

Namibia Namibia oil utopia hangs on TotalEnergies' final investment decision

The Sahel threatened by a jihadist tornado

Cabo Delgado: a gas Eldorado and security nightmare

West African cocoa cartel battles with the traders

West Africa

West Africa Afreximbank seeks to strengthen its mark on future Africa Energy Bank

Spotlight | Niger Nationalised SOMAIR uranium firm has back against the wall

Africa Trump organises his first African summit

Burkina Faso French-Burkinabè businessman Patrice Chevalier wins major contract

Mali Washington sends mission to Bamako

Ghana South Africa's Gold Fields digs deep in Ghana to secure its mining

West Africa ECOWAS presidents debate AU's next chairperson

Senegal French army about to hand back Rufisque base

Niger Chinese major CNPC unable to calm tensions with the junta

Spotlight | Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger Inside the Trump administration's Sahelian diplomacy

West Africa ECOWAS standby force and the issue of funding

Senegal From an ex-IMF boss to JP Morgan, Dakar looks to financiers to fill gap in cash resources

Spotlight | Senegal Bassirou Diomaye Faye's diplomatic struggles continue

Guinea How the Chambre des Mines protects its members

Benin, Ivory Coast Transfer of West African Health Organization HQ to Abidjan irritates Talon

Senegal The International Air Transport Association cancels its African gathering

Nigeria Vice President Kashim Shettima's uncertain political future

West Africa Appointment of Julius Maada Bio raises concerns within ECOWAS

Niger Niamey requests extension of IMF programme

West Africa Julius Maada Bio's coup to seize ECOWAS presidency

Ethiopia, Ivory Coast The AfDB calls on Interpol to recover missing €4.8m

Ivory Coast JP Morgan courts the state on commodity risk hedging

West Africa Senegal's Faye to take ECOWAS helm

Senegal El Hadj Malick Sow, Bassirou Diomaye Faye's behind-the-scenes legal advisor

Ivory Coast Alassane Ouattara delays announcing his candidacy for the presidential election

The weekly summary

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

DRC
Washington deal: intricacies behind Tshisekedi's poker move

Namibia
Namibia oil utopia hangs on TotalEnergies' final investment decision

West Africa
Afreximbank seeks to strengthen its mark on future Africa Energy Bank

Spotlight | Niger
Nationalised SOMAIR uranium firm has back against the wall

Africa
Trump organises his first African summit

Burkina Faso
French-Burkinabè businessman Patrice Chevalier wins major contract

Mali
Washington sends mission to Bamako

Ghana
South Africa's Gold Fields digs deep in Ghana to secure its mining

West Africa
ECOWAS presidents debate AU's next chairperson

Senegal
French army about to hand back Rufisque base

Niger
Chinese major CNPC unable to calm tensions with the junta

Spotlight | Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger
Inside the Trump administration's Sahelian diplomacy

West Africa
ECOWAS standby force and the issue of funding

Senegal
From an ex-IMF boss to JP Morgan, Dakar looks to financiers to fill gap in cash resources

Spotlight | Senegal
Bassirou Diomaye Faye's diplomatic struggles continue

Guinea
How the Chambre des Mines protects its members

Benin, Ivory Coast
Transfer of West African Health Organization HQ to Abidjan irritates Talon

Senegal
The International Air Transport Association cancels its African gathering

Nigeria
Vice President Kashim Shettima's uncertain political future

West Africa
Appointment of Julius Maada Bio raises concerns within ECOWAS

Niger
Niamey requests extension of IMF programme

West Africa
Julius Maada Bio's coup to seize ECOWAS presidency

Ethiopia, Ivory Coast
The AfDB calls on Interpol to recover missing €4.8m

Ivory Coast
JP Morgan courts the state on commodity risk hedging

West Africa
Senegal's Faye to take ECOWAS helm

Senegal
El Hadj Malick Sow, Bassirou Diomaye Faye's behind-the-scenes legal advisor

Ivory Coast
Alassane Ouattara delays announcing his candidacy for the presidential election