Nigeria’s real estate market is projected to record the fastest annual growth among several major African property markets between 2025 and 2029, with a new continental investment report forecasting average annual expansion of about 6.9%. The projection places Nigeria ahead of Kenya, Rwanda, Ghana and South Africa and reinforces the country's position as one of Africa's largest property markets. The report estimates Nigeria's real estate market at approximately $2.6tn, suppor

KINSHASA — The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has launched a $180 million geological mapping programme aimed at uncovering more of its mineral wealth and placing strategic geological information under greater state control. The initiative, which began in January, seeks to modernise geological surveys and establish a comprehensive national database of the country's mineral resources. The programme involves partnerships with organisations from the United States, France, Sou

HARARE — Zimbabwe has suspended the export of antimony and tungsten, including ores and concentrates, as the Government intensifies efforts to force greater mineral beneficiation and retain more value from the country’s vast mineral resources. According to Bloomberg,the directive, issued by the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development on July 21, orders the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) to suspend exports of the two minerals with immediate effect and until

Dangote Refinery’s IPO opens with $49bn share capital The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals (DPRP) has signed the registration documents for the biggest Initial Public Offering (IPO) in Africa, valued at approximately N2.2 trillion, about $1.6 billion. The IPO targets up to 10 million Nigerian investors, including low income earners, through a Bank Biometric Verification Number (BVN)-integrated subscription process. The President and Chief Executive of Dangote Pe

Rwanda and Oman have strengthened their bilateral relations after signing two agreements and six Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering trade, investment, travel, agriculture, logistics and other areas of cooperation. The agreements were signed today , at Al Hosn Palace in Salalah, during President Paul Kagame’s two-day working visit to Oman. Among the key agreements is a visa exemption arrangement for holders of diplomatic, special and service passports, alongside an agr

Zimbabwe’s hospitality and property sectors are set for a major boost after global hotel group Hilton signed an agreement to open its first hotel in the country, with South African property developer Brett Abrahamse behind the project. Hilton is expected to open a 140-room Hilton Garden Inn in Harare’s Highlands suburb in early 2029, marking the international hotel giant’s first branded property in Zimbabwe. The deal, announced at the ZimReal property investment forum on Augu

Zimbabwe’s plans to phase out the US dollar and move towards a single-currency economy by 2030 have come under scrutiny, with the World Bank warning that a premature shift could destabilise the economy. The World Bank has cautioned Zimbabwe against moving too quickly to eliminate the use of foreign currencies, saying the country must first build strong public confidence in its gold-backed Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency. According to the global lender, forcing an immediate trans

Officials of a major property development company behind iconic global landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, Emaar Properties, are expected in the country this month for site inspections and finalising details for planned projects, which include luxury hotels. This emerged after a meeting between President Mnangagwa and Emaar Properties founder Mr Mohamed Alabbar. In a post on his official X account recently, President Mnangagwa said he had a highly productive meetin

BEIRA, Mozambique — Mozambique and Zimbabwe have broken ground on a major expansion of the Beira-Feruka fuel pipeline, a project expected to increase fuel transportation capacity by 67 percent and strengthen energy security across Southern Africa. Mozambican President Daniel Chapo and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa presided over the groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, marking another major infrastructure project linking the two neighbouring countries. The expansion

NAIROBI, Kenya-Kenyan President William Ruto on Thursday said he had ordered India's Tata Chemicals to leave the East African country, escalating a dispute involving one of Kenya's largest mineral exporters and Africa's biggest soda ash producer. Speaking in Kajiado County, Ruto accused Tata Chemicals Magadi of failing to sufficiently invest in the area despite operating at Lake Magadi for more than a century. "Tata Chemicals Magadi has had a contract for 100 years, and they

KIKUUBE, Uganda — Uganda has officially begun commercial oil production, marking a major milestone in the country’s long-awaited efforts to turn its petroleum reserves into an engine of economic growth. President Yoweri Museveni said the country intends to capture more value from its oil resources by developing refining and petrochemical industries, while also using associated gas to generate electricity. “Through refining, petrochemical industries and the use of associated g

Businessman and Zanu PF Central Committee member Dr Kudakwashe Tagwirei says he will draw on his experience as an entrepreneur to contribute to Senate debates, particularly on policies aimed at creating a more conducive environment for businesses and driving Zimbabwe’s economic growth. Dr Tagwirei, who was recently sworn in as a senator following his appointment by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, said his background in the private sector would allow him to bring practical busin

DAKAR, Senegal — Senegal has reached a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on a new $2.2 billion, 36-month financing programme aimed at supporting economic and financial reforms through 2026 to 2029. The agreement comes after the IMF suspended a previous $1.8 billion programme in 2024 following the discovery of billions of dollars in previously undisclosed public debt. The new programme is designed to support Senegal’s reform agenda while addressi

KIGALI, Rwanda — Rwanda is stepping up efforts to increase the value of its coffee exports as the country seeks to position its specialty coffee among the most sought-after products on the international market. The push is being driven in part by the Best of Rwanda Coffee Competition, which brings together coffee farmers, processors and exporters from across the country to showcase high-quality beans. The competition begins with the submission of coffee samples, which are ass

The African Union Commission and China are exploring deeper continental cooperation in infrastructure, energy and digital transformation as both sides seek to align Chinese investment and expertise more closely with Africa’s development priorities. The discussions were held between African Union Infrastructure and Energy Directorate Director Dr Kamugisha Kazaura and a Chinese delegation led by Peng Huagang, President of the China Enterprise Reform and Development Society (CER

HARARE- Zimbabwean Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Professor Mthuli Ncube has welcomed the country's removal from the World Bank Group's list of fragile and conflict-affected economies. Under the World Bank's revised classification framework for the 2027 fiscal year, Zimbabwe is no longer classified as a fragile and conflict-affected economy, effective July 1, 2026. "The development signals international recognition of Zimbabwe's improving

HARARE — Land Tenure Implementation Committee (LTIC) chairperson Dr Kudakwashe Tagwirei has called for a coordinated, citizen-centred approach to land administration, saying Zimbabwe must move decisively towards making title deeds bankable so that farmers can unlock financing, investment and productivity from their land. Dr Tagwirei made the remarks at a high-level stakeholder breakfast meeting in Harare on Thursday, where senior Government officials, farmers, financiers, in

Ghana is tightening controls over its gold industry by requiring all gold ore to be refined locally before it can be exported, in a move aimed at keeping more value from the country’s lucrative gold sector within its borders. The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) issued the directive through its Compliance Directorate on August 24, 2026, with the new requirement taking effect on 1 September. The measure applies to Self-Financing Aggregators (SFAs) operating under arrangements with

VICTORIA FALLS — Zimbabwe is hosting a major regional meeting on renewable energy as African countries seek to accelerate the adoption of solar power and address growing energy challenges linked to climate change, limited electricity access and inadequate investment. President Emmerson Mnangagwa and First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa are expected to attend the official opening of the 8th International Solar Alliance (ISA) Regional Africa Committee Meeting in Victoria Falls today,

Rwanda is considering investing in a planned oil refinery in Kenya backed by Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote, as East African countries seek greater involvement in a project expected to significantly expand the region’s refining capacity. Kenya, Ethiopia and Rwanda have expressed interest in acquiring a combined 30% stake in the proposed refinery at Lamu, according to David Ndii, an economic adviser to Kenyan President William Ruto. The regional investment is estimated at