Friday, 25 September 2026

LIBERIA TARGETS ECONOMIC RECOVERY AS GOVERNMENT TACKLES DEBT, MINING AND DRUG TRAFFICKING

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BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR

LIBERIA TARGETS ECONOMIC RECOVERY AS GOVERNMENT TACKLES DEBT, MINING AND DRUG TRAFFICKING

Liberia — Liberia's government is intensifying efforts to strengthen economic management while addressing illicit mining, drug trafficking and financial-sector weaknesses.

President Joseph Boakai's administration has made economic recovery a central priority.

The government is seeking to improve public institutions while attracting investment into agriculture, mining and infrastructure.

Mining under scrutiny

Liberia possesses significant mineral resources, particularly iron ore and gold.

Mining can provide jobs and export revenue.

But illegal mining remains a major concern.

The government has announced plans to deploy a task force to illicit mining sites, according to current Liberian reporting.

The objective is to protect natural resources and ensure that the state receives revenue from mining activity.

The Credit Challenge

Liberia is also dealing with financial-sector weaknesses.

Local reporting has highlighted a roughly $100 million non-performing loan crisis affecting the financial system.

Bad loans can weaken banks and make it harder for businesses to access credit.

Small businesses are particularly vulnerable.

President Boakai's economic agenda

The administration has sought to strengthen financial governance and attract investment.

Improving the credibility of government institutions is essential.

International investors need confidence that contracts will be respected and regulations applied consistently.

Agriculture

Agriculture employs a large proportion of Liberians.

Rice remains particularly important because Liberia imports significant quantities of food.

Increasing domestic agricultural production could improve food security while reducing import dependence.

Rubber and other commodities

Liberia has traditionally exported rubber and other agricultural commodities.

Processing more products domestically could increase employment.

Instead of exporting raw materials, the country could develop factories that turn agricultural commodities into finished goods.

Infrastructure

Road infrastructure remains a major challenge.

Liberia's rainy season can make rural roads difficult to use.

Poor roads prevent farmers from reaching markets.

Infrastructure investment therefore has a direct impact on food prices and rural incomes.

Illicit Drugs

Drug trafficking has become an increasingly important public issue.

The government has pledged stronger action against illicit drugs.

Drug abuse particularly affects young people in urban areas.

Treatment and prevention need to accompany law enforcement.

Education and Youth

Liberia's young population requires expanded access to education and vocational training.

Digital skills could open new employment opportunities.

But technology development requires reliable electricity and internet connectivity.

Regional Importance

Liberia is part of the Mano River region, alongside Sierra Leone, Guinea and Côte d'Ivoire.

Cross-border trade and security cooperation are therefore essential.

Instability in one country can quickly affect its neighbours.

Liberia possesses substantial natural resources and a strategic Atlantic coastline.

The challenge is converting those advantages into sustainable development.

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LESOTHO SEEKS A NEW ECONOMIC FUTURE AS KINGDOM LOOKS BEYOND DEPENDENCE ON SOUTH AFRICA

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BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR

LESOTHO SEEKS A NEW ECONOMIC FUTURE AS KINGDOM LOOKS BEYOND DEPENDENCE ON SOUTH AFRICA

Lesotho — Lesotho is confronting a familiar but increasingly urgent economic question: how can a small, mountainous kingdom build sustainable growth while remaining deeply dependent on its much larger neighbour, South Africa?

The two economies are closely connected.

Thousands of Basotho work in South Africa.

Lesotho imports large quantities of goods from its neighbour.

South Africa also provides the country's most important access to international markets.

The Economic Relationship

The relationship with South Africa provides important advantages.

Lesotho's geographic position means South African infrastructure is essential to trade.

The country also benefits from regional institutions including the Southern African Customs Union.

However, dependence creates vulnerabilities.

Economic downturns in South Africa can quickly affect Lesotho.

Changes in South African labour markets can affect Basotho households.

Water as an Economic Asset

One of Lesotho's greatest natural assets is water.

The Lesotho Highlands Water Project transfers water to South Africa while generating electricity and revenue for Lesotho.

Water exports have therefore become an important component of the national economy.

The challenge is ensuring that local communities also benefit from the infrastructure.

HydroPower

Lesotho's mountainous terrain provides opportunities for hydropower.

Reliable electricity could support industrial development.

However, climate change and changing rainfall patterns can affect water availability.

The country therefore needs careful water management.

Textiles

The garment industry has traditionally been one of Lesotho's major formal employers.

Factories provide employment for thousands of workers.

But the sector is exposed to international competition.

Lesotho needs to improve productivity and diversify its manufacturing base.

Agriculture

Agriculture remains important in rural areas.

Small farmers face challenges from drought, soil degradation and changing weather.

Investment in irrigation and agricultural technology could improve food security.

Tourism

Lesotho has a distinctive tourism proposition.

The country's mountains, traditional culture and winter landscapes attract visitors.

Adventure tourism could become a larger source of employment.

The kingdom could develop hiking, mountain biking, skiing and cultural tourism.

Youth Employment

Young people remain central to the country's future.

Employment opportunities must expand beyond traditional sectors.

Digital services could provide opportunities for young Basotho to work for international companies without leaving the country.

This requires affordable broadband and reliable electricity.

Regional Integration

Lesotho's future is closely tied to Southern African integration.

Improved road and rail connections could reduce transport costs.

Greater regional trade could also help local producers reach larger markets.

The kingdom needs a diversified economy capable of generating employment inside Lesotho.

Water, tourism, manufacturing, agriculture and digital services can all contribute.

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KENYA APPROVES $2.3 BILLION ASAHI TAKEOVER OF EAST AFRICAN BREWERIES AS ECONOMY FACES FRESH PRESSURES

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BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR

KENYA APPROVES $2.3 BILLION ASAHI TAKEOVER OF EAST AFRICAN BREWERIES AS ECONOMY FACES FRESH PRESSURES

Kenya — Kenya has approved the acquisition of Diageo's 65% stake in East African Breweries Limited by Japan's Asahi Group Holdings in a transaction valued at approximately $2.3 billion.

The Competition Authority of Kenya approved the transaction subject to conditions designed to protect competition and local businesses.

The deal represents one of the biggest corporate transactions in Kenya's recent history and marks an important shift in ownership of one of East Africa's best-known beverage businesses.

A Major Corporate Transition

Diageo's decision to sell its controlling interest is part of the company's broader restructuring of its African operations.

Asahi, one of Japan's major beverage companies, will take control of the Kenyan business.

The transaction demonstrates that international investors continue to see Kenya as a major African consumer market.

Competition Conditions

Kenya's competition regulator did not approve the transaction without conditions.

The new ownership must reserve at least 20% of refrigeration space in retail outlets for products that are not produced by EABL or Asahi.

The regulator also required adequate funds to be set aside for outstanding liabilities and measures to protect continuity of supply and small-business activity.

The conditions demonstrate the importance of competition policy in large corporate transactions.

Small Businesses

The brewing industry supports a much wider ecosystem than the manufacturers themselves.

Retailers, distributors, transport companies, restaurants and entertainment businesses all depend on beverage sales.

Any major change in ownership can therefore affect thousands of smaller businesses.

The regulator's conditions are intended partly to ensure that the transaction does not eliminate opportunities for competitors.

Kenya's Economic Pressure

The corporate deal comes as Kenya faces significant economic challenges.

The country's public debt has continued to put pressure on government finances.

Kenya's Controller of Budget recently put public debt at approximately 13.01 trillion Kenyan shillings, according to local reporting.

The government is therefore looking for economic growth while trying to protect fiscal stability.

Healthcare Crisis

Kenya has also experienced serious pressure on its healthcare system.

A 43-day nurses' strike ended this week after the government and nurses' union reached a return-to-work agreement.

The agreement gives the parties 45 days to conclude negotiations on implementation of a collective bargaining agreement originally reached in 2017.

The strike had increased pressure on doctors and hospitals.

The dispute demonstrated how difficult it can be for governments to finance public-sector wage commitments while also maintaining essential services.

Emergency Financing

Kenya is also expected to receive approximately $400 million in emergency World Bank financing.

The funding is intended to help address several pressures, including health risks associated with the Ebola outbreak in neighbouring countries, El Niño-related risks and higher energy costs.

Foreign Traders

Another major issue is the government's crackdown on undocumented foreign small-scale traders.

President William Ruto has argued that small businesses such as hawking and retail should provide opportunities for Kenyan citizens, while foreign investment should be concentrated in larger capital-intensive activities.

The government subsequently offered a temporary amnesty to undocumented East African nationals.

The issue has generated concern among Burundian traders and other foreign nationals.

Infrastructure

Kenya is also pursuing major infrastructure projects.

The country is seeking financing from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank for projects including the proposed 243-kilometre Mau Summit–Malaba expressway.

Improved transport infrastructure could reduce logistics costs and strengthen Kenya's position as an East African trade hub.

Kenya enters the next phase of its development with enormous advantages: a sophisticated financial sector, a large consumer market, strong technology capabilities and regional influence.

But the government must manage debt, healthcare, employment, energy costs and social tensions simultaneously.

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CÔTE D’IVOIRE ACCELERATES ARTIFICIAL-INTELLIGENCE STRATEGY AS ABIDJAN PUSHES DIGITAL ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION

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BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR

CÔTE D’IVOIRE ACCELERATES ARTIFICIAL-INTELLIGENCE STRATEGY AS ABIDJAN PUSHES DIGITAL ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION

Côte d’Ivoire - Côte d’Ivoire is positioning artificial intelligence and digital technology at the centre of its next phase of economic development, with the government placing increasing emphasis on innovation, digital infrastructure and technology-driven public services.

The government announced this week that it intends to strengthen the use of artificial intelligence in support of economic and social transformation. The announcement came as officials prepared the country's second national conference on artificial intelligence, scheduled for 12 September in Abidjan.

The development is significant because Côte d’Ivoire is already one of West Africa's most important economies.

AI becomes a National Priority

The government has identified artificial intelligence as a tool that can transform sectors ranging from public administration to agriculture, healthcare, education and finance.

The objective is not simply to introduce new software.

The broader ambition is to develop an economy in which technology improves productivity and creates new industries.

For a country with a young and rapidly urbanising population, that could have major implications.

Abidjan has already emerged as a major regional business centre.

Technology could strengthen that position.

Seven pillars for technological acceleration

The government has also been developing a 2026–2028 technology acceleration plan.

Officials have identified seven pillars intended to support technological innovation and digital transformation.

Such a strategy is important because African economies increasingly compete for technology investment.

Countries that can provide reliable electricity, high-speed internet, skilled workers and predictable regulation are better positioned to attract technology companies.

The Education Challenge

Technology investment must be accompanied by investment in people.

Côte d’Ivoire needs programmers, engineers, data specialists, cybersecurity professionals and digital entrepreneurs.

Schools and universities therefore have an increasingly important role.

Technical and vocational training can help young people enter technology-related employment without requiring every student to follow a traditional university pathway.

Agriculture and AI

Agriculture remains an important part of the Ivorian economy.

Artificial intelligence could help farmers analyse weather patterns, monitor crops and improve irrigation.

Digital platforms could also connect farmers directly with markets.

This could reduce losses and improve income.

Government Services

AI could also improve public administration.

Government departments generate enormous quantities of information.

If properly managed, digital systems can reduce paperwork, improve service delivery and identify inefficiencies.

However, data protection and cybersecurity will become increasingly important.

Economic Diversification

Côte d’Ivoire has historically relied heavily on agricultural commodities, particularly cocoa.

The country is a global leader in cocoa production.

But processing more agricultural products locally could create additional value.

Technology can support that transformation by improving supply chains, processing and distribution.

Finance and Business

Abidjan is already a major financial centre in Francophone West Africa.

Digital banking and fintech can expand access to financial services.

Small businesses can use mobile payments, digital accounting and online marketplaces.

This could help bring informal businesses into the formal economy.

Governance and Transparency

Technology also creates challenges.

Artificial intelligence can improve government services, but citizens must have confidence that automated systems are fair.

Data privacy must be protected.

Algorithms should not reinforce discrimination.

Governments must therefore develop strong regulatory systems alongside technological innovation.

Regional Leadership

Côte d’Ivoire has an opportunity to become a regional technology hub.

Its large domestic market, strong economic position and access to the West African market provide advantages.

If the country develops enough skilled workers, it could attract companies seeking a base in Francophone Africa.

The government's current focus on AI represents a broader shift in African Economic Policy.

The question is no longer whether Africa should participate in the digital economy.

The question is how African countries can ensure that technology creates African jobs and African-owned businesses.

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Thursday, 24 September 2026

FOREIGN NATIONAL SENTENCED TO TEN YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR ATTEMPTED RAPE AND 2 YEARS FOR IMMIGRATION VIOLATIONS

FOREIGN NATIONAL SENTENCED TO TEN YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR ATTEMPTED RAPE AND 2 YEARS FOR IMMIGRATION VIOLATIONS

BLOEMSPRUIT - The Bloemfontein Regional Court has sentenced a 40-year-old foreign national, Baisil Steyn, to ten years imprisonment following a conviction for attempted rape and, and further 2 years for contravention of the Immigration Act.

The sentencing follows an incident on 28 April 2024, where the accused pursued a sixteen-year-old victim and threatened her with a knife.

Despite the victim’s attempts to escape and seek refuge in a nearby residence, the accused forcefully entered the home and damaged property in an attempt to reach her.

The victim was rescued by the homeowner and his son, leading to the immediate arrest of the accused.

Detective Sergeant Bokamoso Shanice Peter conducted a thorough investigation, which also revealed that the accused is a Lesotho citizen residing in South Africa illegally.

The investigating officer successfully opposed bail and presented compelling evidence to the court despite the accused denying all allegations.

The court sentenced the accused to ten years for attempted rape and an additional two years for being in the country illegally.

The South African Police Service commends the sterling work of Detective Sergeant Peter for his commitment to ensuring that perpetrators of violence against women and children are removed from society.

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Friday, 25 September 2026