Ghana appoints Johnson Asiamah as central bank governor

Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, has nominated Johnson Asiamah as the next Governor of the Bank of Ghana, pending approval from the Council of State. Asiamah, a seasoned banking professional, brings over 23 years of experience to the role. He previously served as the second deputy governor from 2016 to 2017. In a statement, the president’s office praised Asiamah’s expertise in monetary policy and exchange rate management, highlighting his contributions to maintaining financial stability and promoting economic growth. The announcement comes as the current governor, Ernest Addison, is set to retire at the end of March. Addison will take a leave of absence starting February 3. President Mahama, sworn in earlier this month, is focused on revitalizing Ghana’s economy. He has committed to addressing the country’s economic challenges, which include instability in key sectors like cocoa and gold. Despite these difficulties, Mahama’s government has yet to release its formal economic policy. This delay was one of the reasons cited by the central bank for its decision to keep its key lending rate unchanged in January. The Bank of Ghana has set an inflation target of 8%, with a margin of 2 percentage points. However, inflation has remained stubbornly high, reaching over 23% in December. The central bank’s latest forecast suggests that it will take longer than anticipated for inflation to return to its desired range of 6%-10%.

Africa proposes minerals-backed currency for stability

According to the AfDB, the low level of investment is partly due to Africa’s volatile currency markets

Libya’s oil firm aims to enhance transparency and efficiency

New chairman Massoud Suleman plans to enhance Libya’s oil output and transparency at National Oil Corporation.

Suez Canal chief says signs of stability emerging in Red Sea

Despite recent Houthi claims that they would scale back attacks, Maersk announced last week it would continue diverting ships away from the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea

H&M ramps up regional sourcing to counter tariff risks

The move comes as the company braces for potential U.S. import tariffs, its finance chief told media on Thursday

Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger tighten grip on foreign mining operations

Military juntas in West Africa, including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, are increasing pressure on foreign mining companies, seeking greater control over natural resources and revenue.

$8 billion pledged to electrify 300 million Africans

Mission 300, an initiative to provide electricity to 300 million Africans by 2030, has secured over $8 billion in new funding commitments from global lenders.

TotalEnergies backs Mozambique’s $20b LNG project

President Daniel Chapo and TotalEnergies’ CEO Patrick Pouyanne discuss crucial energy projects in Mozambique, including the $20 billion LNG development and a $5 billion hydropower project facing significant obstacles.

Diageo sells Guinness Ghana stake to Castel Group

Diageo, the spirits giant, has agreed to sell its 80.4% stake in Guinness Ghana to Castel Group for $81 million.

Africa seeks energy solutions at Dar es Salaam summit

African leaders at the Tanzania summit aim to address energy deficits and secure investments to provide electricity for 300 million people by 2030.

Sudan’s oil production disrupted in clashes between rival forces

Fighting in Sudan’s civil war has set ablaze the country’s largest oil refinery, according to satellite imagery.

New gas power plant planned for northern Morocco

Morocco’s water and electricity utility, ONEE, plans to build a 990-megawatt gas-fired power plant in the north of the country at a cost of $420 million.

Ivory Coast faces dire cocoa mid-crop outlook

Ivory Coast expects its worst cocoa mid-crop in 15 years due to severe drought and heat, threatening the global chocolate industry with higher prices.

OPEC+ ignores Trump’s call for lower oil prices, sticks to output plan

Trump, who frequently pressured OPEC during his first term, suggested on Thursday that Saudi Arabia and OPEC should lower oil prices

Botswana aims to complete De Beers deal, diversify economy

Botswana’s new president, Duma Boko, seeks to finalize a deal with De Beers and diversify the country’s economy, which relies heavily on diamonds.

Nigeria hikes mobile tariffs as inflation hits record high

Nigeria has increased mobile tariffs by 50 percent, citing operational costs, as inflation hits a 30-year high.

TotalEnergies stresses security concerns for Mozambique LNG

TotalEnergies has reiterated that its giant gas project in Mozambique will only resume when “peace and security” return to the Cabo Delgado region, following reports of a further delay.

Key mines drive surge in Zambia’s copper output

Zambia’s copper output increased by 12% in 2024, reaching roughly 820,670 metric tons, driven by a recovery in production at key mines such as Lumwana and Konkola Copper Mines.

S Africa’s Thungela selects De Beers executive Madondo as CEO

Thungela Resources has appointed De Beers executive Moses Madondo as its new CEO, succeeding July Ndlovu, who retires in August due to the company’s retirement policy.

Tunisian face gas shortages as cold weather grips the country

Tunisians in remote areas are facing severe natural gas shortages amid a cold snap, with shipping delays and increased demand exacerbating the issue.

President affirms no changes to LNG project terms in Mozambique

Mozambican President Daniel Chapo has stated that his government will not review contract terms with energy companies like TotalEnergies and ExxonMobil for planned LNG projects.

Nigeria’s oil reserves grow and output climbs amid theft crackdown

Nigeria’s oil reserves rose 1.45% in 2024, while crude output surged 26% due to reduced theft, though a production gap remains to meet 2025 targets.

Nigeria’s inflation surges for fourth consecutive month in December

The rise in inflation was primarily driven by higher demand linked to the festive season, with food and non-alcoholic beverages contributing significantly to the price increases

UAE signs trade agreements with Malaysia, Kenya, and New Zealand

The UAE-Malaysia agreement includes plans to explore investments in data centers and artificial intelligence, alongside opportunities in logistics, ports, food security, and pharmaceuticals

Ghanaians reeling after fire destroys largest used clothes market

Devastated traders in the West African nation of Ghana are seeking aid to rebuild the country’s largest second-hand clothing market. The Kantamanto Market in the capital Accra was ravaged by a fire on the night of Jan. 1 that reduced huge swaths of it to ashes and destroyed millions of used clothing items. According to a statement Sunday by the Ghana-based Or Foundation, nearly 8,900 stalls were destroyed and 10,000 people were directly affected. “15 million secondhand garments arrive from the Global North in Kantamanto Market every week, and the community of more than 30,000 people working in Kantamanto Market is responsible for recirculating 25 million pieces of second-hand clothing every month through resale, reuse, repair and remanufacturing. It’s a vibrant hub of creativity and a necessary alternative to fast fashion,” the charity said, emphasizing the market’s vital role. A representative of the Or Foundation confirmed to Anadolu on Monday that they were seeking donations to help rebuild the businesses. “This funding will be dispersed according to the expressed priorities of market leadership. Resources are needed to rebuild…Resources will be needed to keep individuals afloat physically, financially and spiritually,” the foundation said in the statement. It said that while it was not able to confirm actual financial losses, nearly 60% of the market was burnt to ground. Most of the items sold in the market came from the US, Canada and England. Although the reason behind the fire is still under investigation, rebuilding has begun, according to a report by the Ghana News Agency. Ghanian President John Mahama’s special aide and spokesperson Joyce Mogtari Bawah said the administration will “soon begin enhancing the market.” Former Trade and Industry Minister Alan Kyerematen was among those leading with donations to help the devastated businesses. Given the enormity of the damage caused by the fire, the All Traders Association at Kantamanto sought support from everyone. “Our doors are open for support to rebuild our market,” it said. People also called on big fast fashion brands to contribute to the market’s reconstruction. “Tens of millions of dollars were lost in equipment, bales of secondhand clothing, infrastructure and other supplies,” it said.  “The Kantamanto community spends over $300 million on bales every year, over half of which is paid to the Global North exporters.”

Dry weather threatens Ivory Coast’s cocoa mid-crop

Cocoa farmers in Ivory Coast are concerned about the impact of a persistent lack of rain on the upcoming mid-crop, which could lead to lower yields and poorer bean quality.

Gold seizure at Barrick mine escalates Mali-miner dispute

The Malian government has begun enforcing a provisional order to seize gold stock at Barrick Gold’s Loulo-Gounkoto mine, escalating a dispute between the miner and the government over a new mining code.

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