Congo
Brazzaville hopes debt swap programme will resolve its financial woes

Congo
Deputy treasury director sacked, leaving presidential clan fuming

Armel Silvère Dongou, responsible in the government for raising bond funds on the regional markets, fled the country last month. He is the focus of an investigation by the Brazzaville public prosecutor's office into embezzlement.

Gabon
Algest Consulting discreetly advises government on debt

The consultancy's boss, Ivorian banker Ibrahim Magassa, has just finished reprofiling Gabon's debt. On 25 March, he also organised a meeting between the main regional bankers and President Oligui Nguema.

Gabon
Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema launches a vast reprofiling of public debt

The transitional president is preparing an exchange of debt securities to postpone this year's financial deadlines. The operation, worth more than FCFA 1,000bn, must be completed before the 12 April presidential election.

Congo
Rodrigue Malanda-Samba, linchpin for Sassou in Pool region

Head of the presidency's political department, Malanda-Samba is back in the National Assembly. As an elected representative from Pool, a region traditionally averse to the president's power, he is one of Denis Sassou-Nguesso's key supporters for 2026's presidential vote.

Ivory Coast
Ouattara seeks to raise €600m on sub-regional markets

The forthcoming bond issue is a crucial transaction for the Ivorian government, which is under pressure from its own treasury as well as its creditors.

Inner circles | Congo, Ivory Coast
Banker Ibrahim Magassa dispenses financial advice from Abidjan to Brazzaville

At the comparatively young age of 44, the French-Ivorian banker has established himself as a leading adviser to indebted states, initially to Ivory Coast and then to Congo and Ghana. He can rely on a solid network of contacts in Paris, not least at the investment bank Rothschild.

Central Africa
CEMAC leaders still hopeful operators will reach rehabilitation fund deal

The presidents of the sub-region have given oil and mining operators until April to find common ground with the bloc's central bank on the repatriation of their rehabilitation funds. Until then, negotiation talks will be held on a monthly basis.

Central Africa
CEMAC heads of state to discuss Gabon and Congo's debts

Libreville and Brazzaville have strayed from the convergence criteria of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa. The issue will be discussed at an extraordinary summit in Yaoundé next week.

Palace Intrigues
Faustin-Archange Touadéra, Denis Sassou-Nguesso, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi

Intrigues big and small – every Thursday, Africa Intelligence takes a peek into the corridors of power in Africa and beyond.

CARTouadéra's party raises funds for Independence Day parade

CongoSassou back in Paris for Notre-Dame re-opening

SomaliaMinisterial battle heats up for appointment of Geneva rep

Gabon
Libreville counts on Rothschild bank for help

With Gabon facing a number of debt repayment deadlines in 2025, the government has been using the services of the bank Rothschild. The financial services group handled the recent partial repurchase of Gabon's Eurobonds.

The New Guard
South Africa, Morocco, Guinea

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence spotlights a new generation of movers and shakers in business and politics.

South AfricaRyan Smith, the Democratic Alliance's rising star

MoroccoHajar Mousannif, artificial intelligence pioneer

GuineaMouctar Bah, promoting financial ties between Africa and Europe

Congo
Sassou to meet Pope Francis and Giorgia Meloni in Rome

The Congolese president will be in Rome from 24 November for a working visit due to last several days.

Palace Intrigues
Denis Sassou-Nguesso, Nadia Fettah, Rachida Dati

Intrigues big and small – every Thursday, Africa Intelligence takes a peek into the corridors of power in Africa and beyond.

Republic of CongoSassou hosts VIP bankers in Oyo stronghold

MoroccoReluctant Nadia Fettah reappointed finance minister

MadagascarRachida Dati clashes with collections curator over royal relics

Congo
Sassou poised to make official visit to Kazakhstan

The Congolese president is expected in Astana at the end of July.

Congo
Ministers clash over import control programme

The Minister for Industrial Development and the Minister for Trade have been at loggerheads for months over the implementation of the programme for verifying the conformity of imported goods.