African Continental Brief: Business, Climate, Politics and Technology

Business & Macro

Ghana: Inflation and Interest Rates Continue to Ease

In September 2025 Ghana’s year‑on‑year consumer inflation rate dropped to 9.4%, down from 11.5% in August. This marks the ninth straight monthly slowdown and is the lowest level since August 2021. (Reuters)
The decline was attributed primarily to easing food prices. (Reuters)
In response to the improving inflation outlook, the Bank of Ghana made a record interest rate cut of 350 basis points in September, bringing the main policy rate to 21.5%. (Reuters)
The central bank projects inflation will fall into its medium‑term target range of 6% to 10% by Q4 2025. (Reuters)

South Africa: Manufacturing Optimism Gains Ground

The Absa Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for South Africa rose to 52.2 in September, up from 49.5 in August. A PMI above 50 suggests expansion; this is one of the rare times in 2025 that South Africa has seen manufacturing activity grow. (Reuters)
The improvement was driven by stronger domestic demand, though logistical challenges (such as delays in deliveries) and global external pressures remain a concern. (Reuters)

Green‑Energy Controversy in Namibia

A major green hydrogen project led by the German firm Enertrag, called the Hyphen Hydrogen Energy plant, has come under scrutiny. (Wall Street Journal)
Local indigenous groups (Nama people), descendants of communities affected during colonial era dispossession, argue that the project has ignored land rights and failed to adequately consult affected stakeholders. It’s also located within a national park home to endangered species, which raises environmental concerns. (Wall Street Journal)
German companies involved have been pressed on environmental impact assessments; some partners have already pulled back as concerns deepen. (Wall Street Journal)

Death of South Africa’s Ambassador to France

Emmanuel Nkosinathi “Nathi” Mthethwa, who served as South Africa’s ambassador to France since December 2023 and was previously Minister of Police and Arts & Culture, was found dead on September 30, 2025, at the base of a Paris hotel. (AP News)
French prosecutors have opened an investigation. Authorities note that Mthethwa’s hotel room window safety mechanism was tampered with, but there are no signs of forced entry or drug use. A message from Mthethwa to his wife expressing apology and possible suicidal intention was reportedly sent before his death. (AP News)
There are calls from experts in South Africa for a parallel investigation beyond those led by French authorities, citing the diplomatic status and public interest in clarity. (IOL)

Other Legal / Political Developments

(From your input) South African opposition politician Julius Malema was found guilty of breaking firearm laws in relation to a 2018 incident.
(From your input) In Mozambique, the energy deals (specifically Eni’s LNG platform) point to ongoing heavy investment in the fossil fuel / gas sector, even as many African nations are under pressure to decarbonize.

Investments in Agriculture, Energy & Poultry

Kenyan climate‑tech startup SunCulture raised US$5 million from WaterEquity (a U.S. asset manager) to supply smallholder farmers with solar‑powered irrigation solutions.
West Africa: Norway’s Norfund invested US$23 million in the Société Ivoirienne de Productions Animales, a poultry company operating also in Burkina Faso.

LNG / Energy Developments

Italian company Eni is expected to make a final investment decision soon on Mozambique’s second floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) platform, with projected output of 3.5 million metric tons per year.

Green Energy vs. Land Rights Tensions: The controversy in Namibia over the green‑hydrogen plant underscores a broader trend: clean energy projects are increasingly being held to account for social and environmental justice, not just climate impact. (Wall Street Journal)
Improved Sentiment & Macroeconomic Stability: Ghana’s trajectory suggests a gradual restoration of macroeconomic stability—via falling inflation, aggressive interest rate cuts, and perhaps more credible policymaking. (Reuters)
Diplomatic & Legal Transparency: The calls for parallel probes into Ambassador Mthethwa’s case reflect rising demands across Africa (and in global diplomacy) for transparency around deaths of public figures, especially in potentially ambiguous or contested circumstances.