Category: Economy

### Reinventing private equity in Africa: a chance for the future

The latest report by the Global Private Capital Association (GPCA) highlights a disturbing fall of 39 % of investments in Private Equity in African infrastructure, leveling the amount at 1.4 billion USD for 2024. This reversal marks the end of a growth dynamic started seven years ago. However, rather than sinking into discouragement, Africa could see this situation as an opportunity to reinvent its investment approach.

With an expanding population and an urgent need for infrastructure estimated between 97 and 105 billion USD per year until 2030, the continent is full of promises. Inspired by successful examples of other emerging regions and using local investors, Africa can create a more diverse and lasting investment ecosystem.

Renewable energies emerge as a sector of the future, attracting substantial funding and providing environmental development potential. Faced with these challenges and opportunities, it is imperative that key players, including governments and banks, collaborate to develop suitable investment models. The transformation of this test into a positive dynamic could reposition Africa on the global chessboard and establish its inclusive economic development.

** Egyptian gas strategy: an innovative response to energy challenges **

Faced with growing energy demand and declining production, Egypt turns to British Petroleum (BP) to revitalize its gas sector. With a goal of increasing gas production of 160 million cubic feet per day by 2025, BP could become a key player in the transformation of Egypt into a Mediterranean energy hub. Despite major challenges, such as gas imports, a strategy focused on technological innovation and regional cooperation could allow the country to regain its gas self -sufficiency. This ambitious project, if it is carried out, could open the way to an economic renaissance and a better quality of life for the Egyptians.

** Mambasa in distress: between violence and socio-economic devastation **

Since the beginning of 2025, the Mambasa region of Ituri has been plunged into humanitarian chaos caused by deadly incursions of Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). Ten villages, once prosperous, are now depopulated, making agriculture that maintained this community impossible. The atrocities of the ADFs, responsible for the death of at least twenty civilians and the fire of numerous dwellings, aggravates an already critical crisis, with more than 1.5 million displaced in the DRC.

The socio-economic routing threatens not only individual lives, but also the foundations of a traditional social fabric based on cooperation and mutual aid. Military inaction and lack of coordination between the security forces and civil society highlight the urgency of the situation. Local authorities call for international mobilization to provide immediate humanitarian aid and support lasting peace approaches. The tragedy that takes place in Mambasa is a cry of alarm in the face of global indifference, an urgent appeal for solidarity and collective action to break the cycle of violence in the DRC.

### Egyptian economy: between challenges and opportunities

Egypt is at a crucial turning point in its economic history, marked by a recent agreement with the IMF which unlocks $ 1.2 billion, while posing complex challenges. Faced with rampant inflation exceeding 35 %, the population experiences the effects of a devaluation of the book and an increase in the prices of essential goods. Although reforms, such as the rise in minimum wage, are implemented to respond to these crises, their effectiveness is challenged in a context where the cost of living continues to increase.

The agreement with the IMF, sometimes perceived as an opportunity for economic transformation, sometimes as a social constraint, raises concerns about its impact on the daily lives of Egyptians. The aspirations of a majority youth in the population must be taken into account to promote a lasting revival. While votes rise to claim more inclusiveness in decision -making, the government is called upon to balance economic reforms and social stability. The future of Egypt may well depend on this delicate alchemy.

** The Democratic Republic of the Congo realizes a historical record in copper extraction **

In 2024, the Democratic Republic of Congo (R.D.C) crossed a striking step by exporting 3.1 million tonnes of copper, an advance of 13 % compared to the previous year, according to the Ministry of Mines. This feat underlines the strategic role of the country, rich in resources, in the global energy transition, while copper becomes essential for renewable technologies. However, this mining prosperity raises questions about sustainability and equity of profits, faced with persistent poverty affecting more than 70 % of the population. Despite improvements in infrastructure and governance, socio -political challenges remain, making a stable regulatory framework crucial to support this growth. While electricity becomes a lever to transform raw resources into finished products, the R.D.C must balance its economic ambitions with the needs of its population to guarantee a prosperous future for everyone.

### Kinshasa: Between promises and realities of river taxis

In a context where Kinshasa, the Congolese megalopolis of more than 10 million inhabitants, fights against chronic traffic jams and a deficient road infrastructure, the river taxis project announced by Governor Daniel Bumba arouses a mixture of enthusiasm and skepticism. Despite the obvious potential of the Congo river as a transport solution, the history of unwarmed promises and aborted projects feeds the distrust of the Kinois towards their leaders. With inspiring examples such as Lagos, Kinshasa must rethink its governance and infrastructure strategy to make this initiative a real lever for economic development. The future of urban mobility is based on a collective commitment and a desire for change, because river taxis could transform not only the landscape of the city, but also give hope to its inhabitants.

### Simandou: Hope for a change for Guinea?

Guinea, the world leader in bauxite, is preparing to open a new chapter with the exploitation of the Simandou iron mega-wise. Although this project is perceived as a unique opportunity to transform the mining industry of the country and to improve the living conditions of local populations, the scars left by decades of unwitting promises throw a shadow on this optimism. The figures speak for themselves: with a poverty rate reaching 55%, the riches extracted mainly benefit multinationals, leaving the majority of Guineans on their hunger.

While iron production could start at the end of 2025, the authorities displayed ambitions for industrialization and local development. But beyond the speeches, the experts warn against the risks of repetition of past errors. The integration of sustainable practices and the local transformation of resources are crucial to ensure that Simandou is not a mirage, but a real springboard to an inclusive and prosperous future for Guinea. The challenge is high: transforming this project into a beneficial reality for all, and not a simple exploitation of resources.

** Maiduguri: an entrepreneurship and resilience lighthouse against Boko Haram **

Fifteen years after the start of the Boko Haram insurrection, Maiduguri is straightening up as a symbol of entrepreneurial resilience. At the heart of this transformation, young people like Saleh and Hajara show how fear can catalyze change. Their stories, marked by trauma but also by an unwavering determination, illustrate an booming economic dynamic. The climate of security found has enabled a new wave of entrepreneurs, and investments in the region are increasing, redefining the future of the city. In parallel, Hajara’s ambition to conquer international markets testifies to a desire to forge a strong local identity while registering in the world economy. In short, Maiduguri, through its actors, embodies a renaissance that goes beyond the past tests, offering a source of inspiration for all of Africa.

### Relaunching village life: the daring bet of bistros in rural areas

At a time when France faces the desertification of its villages, new legislation proposes to simplify the opening of bistros in the municipalities of less than 3,500 inhabitants. Initiated by Guillaume Kasbarian, this initiative aims to reconnect the territories through convivial spaces that can revitalize the local economy and fight social isolation. Currently, two thirds of the villages are lacking in shops, largely due to a complex regulation on licenses IV. By facilitating their obtaining, the idea is not only to create meeting places, but also to amplify local attractiveness while supporting regional producers.

However, this project also raises fears of speculation and possible denaturization of the local fabric. To prevent these drifts, the role of mayors in the allocation of licenses could be reinforced, thus guaranteeing the integrity of businesses. In the end, this legislation could become a crucial lever to revitalize the French villages, offering a chance to restart a community life where conviviality and public health are intertwined harmoniously. The success of this project will depend on the balance found between economic opportunities and preservation of local specificities.

### Reduction of American aid: a turning point for health in South Africa

The United States’s decision to reduce its financial aid to South Africa generates alarming consequences, including a significant loss of jobs in health centers, thus threatening the management of a vulnerable population. Historically dependent on foreign funding, the country could see this cut as a chance to rethink its health model. Inspired by examples like Colombia, South Africa could explore public-private partnerships and innovative solutions to build a more autonomous health system. Faced with this test, leadership and creativity will be essential to transform this crisis into an opportunity for strengthening and resilience for the future.