BUSINESS & MACRO
Ghana Secures $20m UK‑Backed Loan to Boost MSMEs
Ghana’s First National Bank (FNBG) has secured a US$20 million loan from British International Investment to expand credit access for micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises. The facility is expected to support long‑term lending and working‑capital financing, offering a lifeline to businesses seeking to recover or scale in a challenging economic climate MyJoyOnline.
MSMEs contribute an estimated 60% of Ghana’s GDP and account for roughly 80% of national employment, making the injection a strategically significant intervention for growth and job creation MyJoyOnline.
Bank executives say the programme will combine financing with advisory support to strengthen business resilience and improve operational capacity MyJoyOnline.
Globally, MSMEs face a US$5.7 trillion financing gap, according to the World Bank — underscoring the importance of targeted credit schemes in emerging markets World Bank.
CLIMATE & ENERGY
Niger Accuses French Nuclear Giant Orano of Radioactive Pollution
Niger’s military government has accused French‑linked nuclear fuel company Orano of leaving behind 400 barrels of radioactive material at the former Madaouela uranium site, with reported radiation levels far above normal background readings Reuters.
Authorities described the findings as potential “mass crimes”, citing risks to public health and the environment, and signalled plans for legal action Ecofin Agency. Orano denies recent activity at the site and says it has not been formally notified of proceedings SABC News.
The dispute follows Niger’s 2025 nationalisation of the Somair uranium venture — previously majority‑owned by Orano — as part of a broader push to reclaim control over strategic mineral resources Al Jazeera.
Analysts say the confrontation reflects a wider trend of resource nationalism across West Africa, particularly among military‑led governments reassessing foreign mining contracts Reuters.
Mozambique & South Africa Launch Landmark LPG Production Facility
Sasol has inaugurated a new gas‑processing facility in southern Mozambique, marking the country’s first domestic production of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The plant, developed under a US$1 billion Production Sharing Agreement, is expected to produce up to 30,000 tonnes of LPG annually, meeting around 70% of national demand Club of Mozambique.
The project also supports natural‑gas supply for the upcoming 450 MW Temane Thermal Power Plant, a key component of Mozambique’s energy‑security strategy Aman Alliance.
The first experimental LPG batch was transported in early November, signalling a major step toward reducing import dependence and strengthening regional energy cooperation Central News.
TECH & DEALS
Kenya Signs $1bn Debt‑for‑Food‑Security Swap with U.S. DFC
Kenya and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation have agreed to a US$1 billion debt‑for‑food‑security swap, restructuring high‑cost commercial debt into lower‑interest financing while directing savings toward agricultural resilience and nutrition programmes Reuters.
The deal aims to ease Kenya’s debt burden while boosting investment in climate‑resilient farming and hunger‑mitigation efforts. The DFC also signalled plans to expand its presence in Kenya next year Reuters.
The agreement reflects a growing global trend of “debt‑for‑social‑outcome” mechanisms, similar to debt‑for‑nature swaps, linking fiscal relief to public‑policy goals.
GEOPOLITICS & POLICY
Niger’s Uranium Dispute Signals Shifting Power Dynamics in the Sahel
The escalating confrontation between Niger and Orano highlights a decisive shift in post‑colonial resource governance. Since the 2023 coup, Niger’s military rulers have pursued aggressive nationalisation of mining assets previously dominated by foreign — particularly French — companies Al Jazeera.
With Orano expelled from key uranium operations and now facing environmental‑crime allegations, Niger is asserting sovereign control over one of the world’s most strategically important nuclear‑fuel sources Reuters.
The dispute has implications for global uranium markets and could draw interest from non‑Western powers seeking alternative supply routes Vanguard News.
SECURITY & HUMAN RIGHTS
Environmental and Public‑Health Risks Emerge in Niger Uranium Case
While primarily an environmental dispute, Niger’s accusations against Orano raise significant human‑rights concerns. The alleged radioactive contamination at Madaouela could pose long‑term health risks, potential displacement, and unresolved questions of corporate accountability Ecofin Agency.
The case may set a precedent for environmental justice and state responsibility in Africa’s extractive industries, particularly as more governments seek to renegotiate or nationalise foreign‑held mining assets.
WHAT TO WATCH
- Ghana’s MSME credit expansion — whether the FNBG–BII facility translates into measurable job creation and business resilience.
- Mozambique’s LPG rollout — its impact on household energy costs and regional gas markets.
- Niger–Orano legal escalation — potential international arbitration and geopolitical realignment.
- Kenya’s debt‑for‑food‑security model — whether it becomes a template for other African economies facing debt stress.
