Author: Ableditor

Two Nigerian startups have secured a combined $450,000 in investment as international backers increase their focus on businesses addressing financial inclusion and climate-related challenges. Trade Lenda and AirSmat received the funding through the Africa Ecosystem Catalysts Facility, a $4 million investment programme managed by Village Capital with support from the Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency. The investment represents the facility’s first deployment in Nigeria and brings its portfolio to seven companies across Nigeria and Ghana. Trade Lenda operates in the financial services sector, providing solutions aimed at small and medium-sized businesses. The company is targeting entrepreneurs…

There is a difference between flying across West Africa and travelling through it by road. From the moment a journey leaves the airport, the region becomes a succession of changing landscapes, languages, food and cultures. A road trip linking Senegal, The Gambia and neighbouring countries offers travellers a chance to experience this diversity at ground level. Senegal provides a natural starting point. Dakar introduces visitors to the region’s urban energy, while towns such as Saint-Louis offer a slower encounter with history, architecture and the Senegal River. Crossing into The Gambia brings another change. The country’s narrow geography follows the Gambia…

Along Ghana’s western coastline, the Atlantic is becoming more than a backdrop. In places such as Busua, waves have become part of a growing local surfing culture, attracting both visitors and young Ghanaians to the water. Busua has long been known among travellers for its relaxed atmosphere and sandy beach. But surfing has given the coastal community another identity. For local surfers, the ocean is not simply a playground for tourists. It is a place where skills are learned, friendships are built and opportunities are emerging. Surf schools and community initiatives have helped introduce more young people to the sport,…

Dakar does not reveal itself all at once. The Senegalese capital is a city of contrasts — busy roads beside the Atlantic, modern buildings alongside colonial-era architecture, and traditional markets existing alongside galleries, studios and contemporary restaurants. For visitors, one of the best ways to understand Dakar is through its creative community. The city’s artists, architects, designers, musicians and chefs have helped shape a cultural scene that extends well beyond conventional tourist attractions. Architecture tells part of the story. Dakar contains striking examples of modernist design alongside older buildings that reflect the city’s colonial history. Walking through different neighbourhoods can…

Cape Verde is often introduced through its beaches — and understandably so. Turquoise water, volcanic landscapes and long stretches of sand have made the Atlantic archipelago a favourite for travellers seeking sunshine. But to understand Cape Verde, visitors need to look beyond the shoreline. On islands such as Sal and Boa Vista, tourism has transformed parts of the coast into busy holiday destinations. Yet the beach remains deeply connected to everyday life. It is a place for football, conversation, music and socialising, not simply sunbathing. Football has become an especially powerful part of Cape Verdean identity. Young people gather on…

When travellers think of Côte d’Ivoire, Abidjan often comes first — a city of skyscrapers, nightlife and busy streets. But beyond the economic capital lies another side of the country, shaped by the Atlantic Ocean, lagoons and long stretches of sand. About 80 kilometres east of Abidjan, Assinie offers a slower version of Ivorian life. The coastal resort town sits between the Atlantic and a lagoon, creating an appealing setting for swimming, boating and lazy afternoons by the water. Its beaches are part of the attraction, but Assinie is more than a place to put down a beach towel. The…

West Africa’s economy is expected to expand by 4.6 per cent this year, with stronger private investment, domestic demand and activity in the oil, gas and mining sectors supporting growth. The African Development Bank says the region recorded 4.8 per cent growth in 2025, outperforming the continental average of 4.4 per cent. The bank’s latest regional economic outlook points to continued resilience despite geopolitical tensions, insecurity in parts of the region and tighter global financial conditions. Infrastructure investment is also expected to contribute to economic expansion as governments and businesses increase spending on projects designed to improve productive capacity. However,…

Ivory Coast’s cocoa industry is facing an operational challenge as traders and cooperatives adjust to a new digital system designed to improve the traceability of the country’s biggest agricultural export. The system was introduced ahead of new European Union rules requiring commodities such as cocoa to be traceable to their origin and verified as not having been produced on recently deforested land. The EU regulation is scheduled to take effect in January 2027. Ivory Coast, the world’s largest cocoa producer, sends about 70 per cent of its cocoa exports to Europe, making the new requirements particularly important for farmers, buyers…

Senegal is seeking to overhaul its external debt arrangements as the West African country grapples with a debt burden that has risen sharply following the discovery of previously undisclosed government borrowing. The country’s financial difficulties emerged after authorities revealed in 2024 that billions of dollars in debt had not been properly reported by the previous administration. The revelations pushed the country’s debt-to-GDP ratio sharply higher and prompted international lenders to reassess their support. Senegal has now agreed at staff level with the International Monetary Fund on a potential $2.2 billion financing programme covering three years. The proposed arrangement is intended…

Senegal is facing a $3.5 billion bill in unpaid obligations as the government works to restore confidence in public finances and address growing pressure from its debt burden. Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo said the outstanding arrears stood at 1.956 trillion CFA francs as of March 2025. The government says the unpaid bills could weigh on economic activity and employment if they are not addressed. Dakar plans to reprofile its debt rather than pursue what it describes as a conventional restructuring. The approach involves extending repayment periods and renegotiating interest rates. The move comes amid intense scrutiny of Senegal’s…