So far, the negotiations with companies owning gold mines in the country have yielded $783 million (CFA500 billion) for Mali. Hummingbird is among the latest to have reached an agreement with Bamako. The British firm is about to be acquired by Burkinabe businessman and owner of Coris Bank, Idrissa Nassa.  On January 15, Hummingbird announced it would pay the Malian State...

Canadian company Asante Gold runs two gold mines in Ghana and aims for an annual production of 500,000 ounces by 2028. Asante plans to develop an underground operation at Bibiani, one of the two mines–a move which the firm expects to yield 250,000 ounces annually starting in 2026. Over the next two years, Asante Gold will spend $116 million to boost the output of its Bibiani project in...

Robex Resources has acquired its second gold mine in West Africa, the Kiniero mine in Guinea. The Canadian firm aims to start production at Kiniero by late 2025. Its first mine is the Nampala mine in Mali. Guinea’s Kiniero gold mine should deliver 1.21 million ounces (34 tonnes) over the next nine years. The forecast comes from a 14 January feasibility study issued by the project’s new...

Fintech remains the top choice for investors in Africa's startup ecosystem, with 2024 continuing the strong momentum seen in recent years. In 2024, African financial technology startups raised $1.034 billion, representing 47% of the total funding secured by startups across the continent. This marked an increase from 42% in 2023, according to data published by Africa: The Big Deal on January...

With the youngest population in the world, Africa could provide a skilled workforce to the global market in the next 10 to 15 years, according to Brookings forecasts. However, this will only be possible with significant investments in education and training. A new report from the Brookings Institution, titled Foresight Africa 2025-2030, highlights the significant demand for digital skills in...

Africa's external debt has reached $1.15 trillion, and the report highlights that interest payments account for more than 25% of public revenues in six African countries, including Egypt, Nigeria, and Angola. Africa's average public debt-to-GDP ratio is expected to continue its downward trend, reaching 64.3% in 2025, compared to 67.5% in 2024 and 68.9% in 2023. This improvement is the...

In just one year, Canadian company Koulou Gold has doubled the area of its projects in Côte d'Ivoire, reflecting growing interest from mining investors in the country's gold potential, estimated at 600 tonnes of reserves. Koulou Gold announced on January 13 that it acquired the Assuéfry permit, enhancing its presence in Côte d'Ivoire. The company has expanded its exploration portfolio from...

Earlier this year, Barrick Gold, a Canadian firm, announced that the Malian government planned to seize its gold stock. The company warned it would stop production if this happened. Mali has started carrying out a temporary order to seize gold stored at Barrick's Loulo-Gounkoto complex on January 11. Various reports indicate that 3 to 4 tonnes of gold, worth between $245 million...

Mozambique hosts Africa’s biggest graphite mine. Since 2021, the mine’s output has gone to the U.S. to make batteries. Syrah Resources runs the mine. On January 13, 2025, Syrah Resources revealed it secured a $165 million tax credit from U.S. tax authorities to bolster its operations, including a facility in Louisiana that processes graphite concentrate. Syrah has been awarded a...

These funds are expected to support development projects in the CEMAC region. At the end of December 2024, the institution approved CFA125 billion in funding to boost development in the six member countries. The Development Bank of Central African States (BDEAC) plans to raise CFA200 billion (about $311 million) in negotiable debt securities between 2025 and 2027. The funds will be raised...