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The countdown has begun for Cameroon’s economy as the Hilli Episeyo, the floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility anchored off Kribi since 2018, prepares to depart national waters in July 2026 when its contract with the national hydrocarbon company (SNH) expires. The National Economic and Financial Committee (CNEF) has flagged this withdrawal as a pivotal factor in the anticipated economic slowdown, alongside geopolitical tensions and declining performance in key export sectors. Projections from the CNEF indicate that Cameroon’s GDP growth will ease to around 3.2% in 2026, down from 3.5% the previous year, with a further dip to 3.1% in 2027. An alternative scenario in the same report suggests a slightly more optimistic trajectory of 3.3% in 2026 and 3.2% in 2027. In both cases, the e...

Les 28 et 29 juillet 2026, Niamey deviendra le point de convergence des Nigériens de l’extérieur à l’occasion de la deuxième édition du Forum de la Diaspora Nigérienne. Organisée par le ministère des Affaires étrangères, de la Coopération et des Nigériens à l’Extérieur, cette rencontre ambitionne de faire de la diaspora un acteur majeur du développement économique et social du pays. Placé sous le haut patronage du Président de la République, le Général d’Armée Abdourahamane Tiani, ce rendez-vous s’inscrit dans la dynamique de la Refondation engagée par les autorités nigériennes. Une diaspora au cœur de la stratégie de développement Cette édition 2026 se déroulera au Centre International de Conférences Mahatma Gandhi de Niamey autour du thème : « Contribution de la diaspora ni...

Mali jihadist surge forces mass displacement near MoptiField ReportThe strategic village of Kouakourou in central Mali has been completely emptied following a devastating jihadist assault on government forces. On July 18, 2026, militants from the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) overran the local military base, seizing control within hours. The next day, the group shot down an army helicopter attempting to reinforce the position.Civilian casualties were avoided by the militants' preemptive evacuation orders, but soldiers caught attempting to blend into local communities were detained. Survivors report that residents were given a stark choice: leave immediately or face consequences.Failed military response leaves villages vulnerableIn the aftermath, the Malian army launched airst...

Le président de la Fifa, Gianni Infantino, a envoyé une lettre de félicitations à l'Argentine après le parcours de sa sélection aux États-Unis.« Je tiens à réitérer mes plus sincères félicitations après cet important succès pour le football argentin », écrit Infantino dans le courrier rendu public par la Fédération argentine de football.La Coupe du monde (2026) restera gravée dans nos mémoires comme une célébration inoubliable du football, a salué le président de la Fifa. La magnifique performance de l'Albiceleste a également contribué de manière décisive à faire de cette édition un événement exceptionnel qui a captivé des millions de fans de football à travers le monde. By Harouna Ousmane — Reporter

The helm of Côte d'Ivoire Énergies (CI-ENERGIES) has been officially passed to Traoré Amidou in a handover ceremony held this past Friday, July 24, 2026. The event was led by Yves Konan, Chair of the Board of Directors (PCA), marking the transition of leadership within the state-run electricity sector.Traoré Amidou steps into the role of Director General, succeeding Noumory Sidibé, who steered CI-ENERGIES for nearly five years. The outgoing leader's contributions were formally acknowledged during the ceremony, with the board expressing deep appreciation for his dedication and achievements in advancing Côte d'Ivoire's energy infrastructure.As the public entity entrusted with overseeing and expanding the national electricity framework, CI-ENERGIES plays a pivotal role in the country's econom...

The International Monetary Fund has delivered a damning assessment: Niger's border closures have drained over 117 billion West African CFA francs from the nation's public purse. This staggering financial hemorrhage exposes the stark reality behind the region's political standoffs. While military regimes tout security narratives, their economic mismanagement is leaving citizens to foot the bill through soaring food prices and shattered trade networks. Financial meltdown: how border closures crippled Niger's economy The IMF's findings reveal a crushing blow to Niger's fiscal health. The paralysis of cross-border trade has not only halted customs revenues but also throttled the economic lifeblood of Sahelian nations. By severing the historic trade arteries connecting coastal ports to landloc...

While Russia's military engagements in the Alliance of Sahel States countries face mounting and bloody setbacks, Moscow is strategically reorienting a portion of its efforts towards the Gulf of Guinea. By welcoming vessels from Russia's 'ghost fleet' and fostering the proliferation of the Kremlin's cultural and religious influence, the autocratic regime of Faure Gnassingbé is transforming Togo into a pivotal logistical and political platform for West Africa.Lomé emerges as a new harbor for sanctioned vesselsThe Autonomous Port of Lomé, the sole deep-water port in the sub-region, is evolving beyond a mere commercial crossroads. It is rapidly becoming an essential link in Moscow's strategy for war logistics and evasion of international sanctions. Recent port calls, such as that of the cargo ...

Mali’s gamble on a Russian security partnership has collapsed under the weight of a worsening jihadist insurgency. Three years after the deployment of Africa Corps—formerly Wagner’s paramilitary force—the Kremlin’s strategy has proven hollow, leaving Bamako’s transitional government at a critical crossroads. the limits of the african corps’ approach The Africa Corps was supposed to be Mali’s game-changer, but its performance has been anything but. Instead of crushing armed groups, its forces have suffered repeated tactical setbacks, including devastating ambushes in the North near Anéfis and persistent attacks on joint military airbases. The results are clear: the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), an Al-Qaeda affiliate, has not only survived but expanded, pushing deeper i...

The Bénin government has taken a significant step forward in regional economic integration, with officials announcing a 73% implementation rate of reforms mandated by the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA). The milestone was revealed during the 2026 Annual Policy Review of Community Reforms, held in Cotonou under the patronage of the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Cotonou’s commitment to regional economic alignment This annual assessment serves as a critical barometer for measuring how effectively member states adopt and enforce UEMOA’s regulatory framework. With 145 legal texts scrutinized, the review process evaluated Benin’s progress in transposing community directives into national law. The 73% compliance rate surpasses the 70% threshold deemed satisfactory, underscori...

The economic capital of Bénin, Cotonou, witnessed a landmark diplomatic event on July 21, 2026, as the seventh session of the Bénin-Morocco Joint Cooperation Commission unfolded. This high-level gathering not only solidified decades of historical ties but also signaled a bold leap toward enhanced economic, academic, and cultural exchanges between the two nations. During the summit, Nasser Bourita, Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Residing Abroad, revealed a groundbreaking proposal: Rabat is considering lifting visa requirements for ordinary Béninese passport holders. While the exemption has not yet been formally implemented, the announcement itself underscores the deepening political alignment and mutual trust between Cotonou and Rabat. Diplomatic...