Focus on Central Africa

The Cameroonian with a business management tool for the informal sector

Published by Kate Douglas on 19 February 2016

Ted Boulou is the founder of Somtou, a management console designed specifically to cater for informal and small businesses in African markets.

Frontier country report: Gabon’s economy slowly diversifying

Published by Claire Schaffnit-Chatterjee on 15 February 2016

Despite headwinds from the oil sector, we expect real GDP growth to pick up in 2016 to around 5% of GDP on the back of growth in mining, agro-industry, construction and services.

Equatorial Guinea awards EPC contract for new petrochemicals complex

Published by Staff Writer on 10 February 2016

Riaba Fertilizers Limited has awarded the EPC contract for a new petrochemicals complex to a Chinese consortium led by East China Engineering Science and Technology Co. Ltd (ECEC).

Angolan VC fund discusses investment in Africa in 2016

Published by Staff Writer on 20 January 2016

‘The dramatic and sustained drop in oil and commodity prices has served to illustrate the urgency for diversification away from reliance on natural resources.’

Lagarde calls for diversification of Central Africa’s resources

Published by Moki Edwin Kindzeka on 11 January 2016

Lagarde says Central African member states need to diversify their economies, promote regional integration and the free movement of people and goods.

South African retailer sees wholesale opportunity at DRC-Zambia border

Published by Kate Douglas on 19 November 2015

Fruit & Veg City is planning on setting up a wholesale centre at Kasumbalesa, the border town between the DRC and Zambia.

Bee farming provides jobs in Cameroon

Published by Moki Edwin Kindzeka on 16 November 2015

Like many educated people in Cameroon, Timothee Awanga found that a college degree did not guarantee him a better life.

Oil price plunge: Equatorial Guinea wants to diversify economy

Published by Jaco Maritz on 1 November 2015

Equatorial Guinea is one of sub-Saharan Africa’s largest oil producers. However, with the price of crude down roughly 50% over the past year, the country is looking to diversify its economy.

A.T. Kearney ranks Gabon and Botswana as Africa’s top retail markets

Published by Jaco Maritz on 28 September 2015

In its recently published 2015 African Retail Development Index, consultancy A.T. Kearney ranks African countries according to their attractiveness for retail expansion.

Brazzaville hotel: Radisson Blu targeting Central Africa business travellers

Published by Kate Douglas on 11 September 2015

“Your demand and ramp-up factor in a market like this is far greater than it would be in say Sandton,” says the group’s Andrew McLachlan.

DRC tries mega-farms to reduce food imports

Published by Nick Long on 2 September 2015

The Democratic Republic of Congo is trying out a large-scale agricultural plan that is, to say the least, ambitious.

Cameroon’s anti-Boko Haram strategy hampers commerce

Published by Moki Edwin Kindzeka on 5 August 2015

Cameroon has sealed parts of its long river border with Nigeria and prohibited travel at night as part of its measures to stop Boko Haram terrorism.

Why is Angola’s capital the most expensive city in the world?

Published by Peter Vanham on 22 June 2015

According to Mercer’s annual “cost of living” ranking, Angola’s capital Luanda is the most expensive city in the world, ahead of more usual suspects like Hong Kong, Zurich, and Singapore.

Meet the Boss: Alex Kitio, country manager, Carmudi Cameroon and Congo

Published by Kate Douglas on 26 May 2015

“My message is very simple: be humble.”