Economy

Nigeria’s gasoline import bill dropped by 96.15% in the first quarter of 2026, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics. Long dependent on refined fuels from abroad despite being a major oil producer, the country is seeing its energy balance transformed by the rise of local refining, particularly from the Dangote refinery. However, […]

The African Development Bank raised €1.25 billion through a seven-year social bond, its first euro issuance of 2026. Driven by strong demand from institutional investors, this operation will finance social projects in African member countries, particularly in infrastructure, health, education, and social inclusion. The African Development Bank (AfDB) raised €1.25 billion in international capital markets […]

The union of agents at the Autonomous Port of Lomé has filed a three-day strike notice, scheduled from June 25 to June 27, 2026, to protest against the non-fulfillment of its social demands. If this action proceeds, it could disrupt the operations of a strategic port for Togo and several landlocked countries in the sub-region. […]

The Beninese customs administration is embarking on a major strategic turning point. Appointed on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in a Council of Ministers by President Romuald Wadagni, Colonel Raouf Malèhossou Aboudou officially took up his duties on Monday, June 8, 2026. The handover ceremony took place at the headquarters of the General Directorate of Customs […]

Senegal has redeemed two sovereign bonds denominated in euros and dollars ahead of schedule, just days before a technical mission from the IMF is expected in Dakar in mid-June. This financial gesture occurs in a context of debt under scrutiny, following the revelation of undeclared commitments inherited from the previous administration and the suspension of […]

Appointed head of the customs administration, Raouf Malèhossou delivered his first official reaction regarding the trust placed in him by the head of state. In a post on his Facebook page, Raouf Malèhossou spoke about his appointment as Director General of Customs during the council of ministers meeting. For the new Director General, “a high-performing […]

Benin confirms its rise in power regarding public finance governance. According to the results of the Open Budget Survey (OBS), reported by several media outlets including Peace FM, the country ranks first in Africa and second globally in terms of citizen budget governance. This international ranking acknowledges the reforms undertaken over several years to strengthen […]

Niger and Algeria strengthen their cooperation in the oil sector. Three memorandums of understanding were signed in Algiers between Sonatrach and Sonidep, covering exploration, drilling, and distribution of petroleum products, at a time when Niamey seeks to diversify its energy partnerships and better capitalize on its hydrocarbon potential. Niger and Algeria signed three memorandums of […]

The restructuring of the governmental apparatus following the inauguration of the new President of the Republic, along with the consideration of his priority orientations, necessitates a profound adjustment of the state’s budgetary architecture. These substantial adjustments compared to the initial objectives led the government to submit a supplemental finance bill to Parliament for study and […]

At the cabinet meeting on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, President Romuald Wadagni and his government made several appointments. At the end of today’s cabinet meeting, Albert Montcho was appointed as the Director General of the Budget. He thus assumes responsibility for the state’s budget programming, monitoring the execution of public finances, and budget sustainability, in […]

Benin ranks 24th among African countries in the 2025 Industrialization Index published by the African Development Bank, with a score of 0.5519 out of 1. But beyond this ranking, the country stands out particularly for one of the most significant progressions recorded between 2010 and 2024 within the WAEMU. Driven by the Glo-Djigbé Special Economic […]

Ivory Coast confirms its rising industrial power on the African continent. According to the 2025 edition of the Industrialization Index in Africa published by the African Development Bank, the country ranks 10th in Africa for the period 2010-2024, with a score of 0.6173 out of 1. Abidjan thus outperforms Nigeria and Ghana, two economic heavyweights […]

With a nominal GDP expected to exceed 100 billion dollars by 2026, Côte d’Ivoire is confirming its status as the leading economic power in UEMOA. Driven by cocoa processing, the rise of hydrocarbons, port infrastructure, and steady growth, it is establishing itself as the industrial locomotive of French-speaking West Africa. However, behind this spectacular trajectory […]

A significant reform of monetary law was recently adopted by Beninese lawmakers, strengthening penalties against the refusal to accept banknotes and coins issued by the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO). This vote comes in a context where the practice of rejecting worn, crumpled, or smooth currency was disrupting daily exchanges and undermining confidence […]

General Abdourahamane Tiani met with Stephen G. Roman, CEO of Global Atomic, in Niamey to discuss the Dasa uranium project in the Agadez region. Presented as one of the most advanced high-grade deposits in the world, the site’s commissioning has been postponed to the end of 2027, mainly due to funding delays and logistical constraints […]

The Director-General of the National Agency for Market Management (ANaGeM), Eunice Kiniffo, announced a name change for two major market hubs in the country. According to her, the Mathieu Kérékou commercial hub will bear the name Tokpa Yoyo, while the Akassato agro-food hub is renamed Tokpa Daho. This decision is part of ANaGeM’s ongoing drive […]

Benin is stepping up the pace. By a ministerial decree signed on March 11, 2026, Romuald Wadagni, the Minister of State in charge of the Economy and Finance, has deeply restructured the mechanism responsible for monitoring the application of the rules for the awarding and execution of public contracts. The decree No. 542/MEF/DC/DNCMP/SP/031 SGG26 formalizes […]

From May 1, 2026, China will remove tariffs on African products from 53 partner countries. For Franck Adjagba, Benin’s ambassador to Beijing, this measure is not only commercial; it could become a driver to structurally transform Benin’s economy through industrialization. The Chinese decision to open its market to tariff-free African products revives enthusiasm for Sino-African […]