Alexis Akwagyiram | Semafor

Events Email Briefings

Privacy© 2025 Semafor Inc.

D.C.
BXL
Lagos
Riyadh
Beijing
SG

Events Email Briefings

D.C.
BXL
Lagos

Riyadh
Beijing
SG

IntelligentTransparentGlobal

Alexis Akwagyiram

Alexis Akwagyiram

Managing Editor, Semafor Africa

Alexis has covered African news and current affairs for more than a decade at the BBC, Reuters and Financial Times. He was a BBC Africa reporter and led a multimedia team as the Reuters bureau chief in Nigeria. Alexis shaped the FT’s pandemic coverage as its health and science editor.

US tariff deadline looms over African nations

Washington has announced a number of deals — including with the EU, Japan, and UK — but none with African nations.

Workers at the Nien Hsing textile factory on the outskirts of Maseru, the capital of Lesotho.

Ghana’s bank plans to license crypto trading

The bank is finalizing a regulatory framework to send to parliament by September.

Representations of cryptocurrencies are seen in this illustration.

Nigeria’s GDP grows after recalculation

Nigeria’s economy is 30% larger than previously estimated after the statistics agency factored in new sectors to recalculate the country’s GDP.

A view shows Nigeria’s Central Bank headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria.

KoBold Metals inks minerals exploration deal with DR Congo

The mining company is backed by US billionaires Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos.

Josh Goldman, the president of KoBold Metals.

Ghana’s central bank stokes uncertainty ahead of budget

It failed to announce its key lending rate after an emergency meeting last week.

Ghanaian cedi currency notes.

Mobile money drives up savings in sub-Saharan Africa, report says

Some 40% of people in sub-Saharan Africa had a mobile money account in 2024, up from 27% three years earlier.

A mobile money kiosk in Maputo, December 2024.

Nigeria seeks 25% hike in oil production quota

The head of Nigeria’s state oil company reportedly wants the country’s OPEC+ quota for 2027 to hit 2 million barrels a day.

IMF warns Ethiopia over debt restructuring challenges

The IMF praised the government for implementing a series of changes including tax reforms and subsidy cuts, but warned of mounting obstacles.

Cameroon’s President Biya seeks eighth term at 92

The leader’s long stints outside the country and infrequent public appearances have prompted speculation about his health.

Former Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari dies

Buhari came to power after a historic election win in 2015, but leaves behind a mixed legacy.

Investors bet on Zambian copper despite US tariffs

Canadian mining company Barrick is pushing ahead with a $2 billion expansion of its copper operations in Zambia.

First malaria treatment for babies is approved

At least eight African countries are expected to roll out the treatment produced by Novartis within weeks.

UN accuses Rwanda of using M23 to access DR Congo’s minerals

Details of the UN’s report emerged as Rwandan President Paul Kagame said he was unsure whether a US-brokered peace deal with Kinshasa would hold.

AfDB in value addition talks with Asian batteries giants

The development bank hopes to build partnerships that will increase the amount of critical minerals processed in African countries before being exported.

Israel-Iran fallout sparks concerns for Africa’s oil buyers

Oil prices have surged following Israel’s strikes on Iranian targets and retaliatory attacks by Tehran.

African ratings agency eyes Q3 launch

The initiative is meant to provide an alternative to the so-called Big Three ratings agencies, all of which are based in New York.

African governments eye potential in gold price surge

In Ghana, Africa’s top gold producer, production could increase by around 6.25% year-on-year to approximately 5.1 million ounces in 2025.

Trade uncertainty opens up “Nigeria First” manufacturing opportunity

Pan-African industrial park developer Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms is betting on “massive” local consumption in Nigeria amid global trade uncertainty.