Exploring the Future of Africa’s Business and Investment Landscape

Welcome to your January edition of the Africa Bulletin.

This month, we explore the future of Africa's business and investment landscape and its impact on the continent's growing economy. Over the past decade, Africa has experienced a significant transformation driven by demographic growth, technological advancements, and increasing regional integration. During this period, the continent has evolved from a region with untapped potential to a hub of economic dynamism, innovation, and resilience.

On a celebratory note, N.Dowuona & Company, one of Ghana’s leading law firms, joins ALN, reaffirming our approach to how we see new opportunities, as we continue to help unlock value for our clients investing across Africa.

We also spotlight major African business headlines shaping the region and influencing global markets. These stories are complemented by in-depth reports on the global economic outlook, Africa’s key priorities, energy transition, and the evolving fintech landscape.

As always, we've curated news stories to navigate you through today's business environment, offering a global perspective on the legal issues relevant to your industry.

We are ALN. One region, One vision, One ALN.

Top Story

Over the past decade, Africa has experienced a significant transformation driven by demographic growth, technological advancements, and increasing regional integration. During this period, the continent has evolved from a region with untapped potential to a hub of economic dynamism, innovation, and resilience.

According to the Economist Intelligence Unit, Africa will be home to most of the world’s fastest-growing economies in 2025. Three-quarters of the world’s top 20 pace setters will be found in Africa - and all but ten African states will post faster growth compared with 2024. Foreign companies will continue to take advantage of Africa’s expanding oil and gas sector ventures and its abundant minerals and metals that are deemed crucial to the global energy transition and digital transition. The competition between the US and China for influence over African nations and access to their resources is expected to remain intense in 2025, alongside growing interest by Gulf Arab to establish key logistics hubs...Read more.

Stories that Matter

1. Africa | AI to Add USD 136 Billion to African Economies by 2030 - Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization, recently stated that Artificial Intelligence (AI) could contribute USD 136 billion in productivity gains, cost savings, and...Read more.
2. Egypt | Egypt to Secure EUR 5.8 Billion from EU for Macro-Financial Assistance Mechanism The Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation recently launched negotiations with the European Union for the second phase of the Macro...Read more
3. Ghana | Ghana’s Gold Trade Drives Record USD 5 Billion Trade Surplus - Ghana in 2024, hit a record-high trade surplus amounting to USD 5 billion, because of its gold trade. The Bank of Ghana revealed that the disparity between exports and imports jumped to USD 5...Read more
4. Kenya | Kenya-UAE Deal Could Be a Catalyst for Job Creation and an Economic Booster - The recent signing of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between Kenya and the United Arab marks a significant milestone in their bilateral relations, experts say...Read more
5. Morocco | Morocco’s USD 9.6 Billion Investment Plan to Connect 43 Cities by 2040 - Morocco’s Minister of Transport and Logistics, Abdessamad Kayouh, recently unveiled an ambitious MAD 96 billion (approx. USD 9.6 billion) investment plan to modernise...Read more
6. Nigeria | Nigeria Emerges as the Leading Destination for Oil & Gas Investments in Africa - Nigeria has emerged as the leading destination for oil and gas investments in Africa in 2024, according to a new report. The report by market intelligence firm Wood Mackenzie...Read more
7. Rwanda | Rwanda Set to Become Africa’s Newest Oil-Producing Nation after Fresh Discovery - The Rwandan government recently announced its first oil discovery, identifying 13 reservoirs within Lake Kivu, a natural border with the Democratic Republic of Congo...Read more
8. South Africa | SA Overtakes Morocco in Africa’s Race to Build Gigafactories, Power Storage - South Africa has sped ahead of Morocco and other countries by launching two gigafactories in quick succession recently. Growing investor confidence is crucial to energy...Read more

Reports

World Economic Situation and Prospects Report | United Nations

This report shows that the global economy is finally recovering following a sequence of shocks. Inflation is falling and economic growth—while slower than before the pandemic—has stabilised.

Click here to download and read the report.?

Foresight Africa: Top Priorities for the Continent 2025-2030 | Brookings

This special edition of Foresight Africa—the flagship annual report of the Africa Growth Initiative at Brookings—extends its focus from one year to five and offers cutting-edge insights and actionable strategies from heads of government, global institutions, continental and multilateral institutions, as well as leading Brookings scholars and other high-profile policymakers, business figures, and civil society leaders.

Click here to download and read the report.?

A Just Energy Transition for Communities: Large-Scale Wind and Solar Projects in Sub-Saharan Africa | IRENA

The report discusses benefits in several categories, including advantages relating to project siting, ownership structures, investments in community development, skill development and employment opportunities, local procurement, and community energy and gender.

Click here?to download and read the report.?

Redefining Success: A New Playbook for African Fintech Leaders | Mckinsey & Company

This report explores the evolving fintech landscape, unpacks the lessons learned to date, and explores emerging fintech trends and opportunities across the continent.

Click here to download and read the report.

Thank you for being a part of our community, and we hope you find this edition of the Africa Bulletin informative and inspiring.