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<p>In 72 hours, the Africa investment Forum’s 2023 Market days in Marrakech, Morocco generated $34.8 billion in investment interest for projects covering Infrastructure, health, agriculture, the creative industry and other key sectors. The theme this year focuses on unlocking Africa’s value chains. Catch the highlights of the 2023 Market days of the Africa Investment Forum on CNBC Africa.</p>


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2023 Africa Investment Forum Market Days: Highlights Special

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<p>Debt sustainability across the ECOWAS region has been a source of concern in recent years. Earlier in June, the President of the ECOWAS Commission cautioned member states of their rising debt profile, which he attributed to the Covid-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Economic Summit Group and the Open Society Initiative for West Africa have set up the Debt Management Roundtable to help countries in West Africa to keep debt under control. Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Debt Management Roundtable and Afolabi Olowookere, Divisional Head for Economic research and Policy at the Securities and Exchange Commission join CNBC Africa to put this in perspective.</p>


Addressing West Africa’s rising debt profile

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<p>As Nigeria&#8217;s searches for ways to improve non-oil revenues, a director from the Economic Community of West Africa States has urged Nigeria to explore the option of raising Value Added Taxes on luxury items. Nnamdi Nwizu, Co-Managing Partner at Comercio Partners joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


ECOWAS urges Nigeria to explore raising VAT on luxury goods

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<p>The proposed single currency for the Economic Community of West African States, the Eco, will be launched in 2027, replacing the CFA Franc, barring any other setbacks. According to the President of the regional bloc, Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, an agreement was reached by the 15-member regional group which will cover between 2022 to 2026. Joining CNBC Africa to discuss this development is Tilewa Adebajo, Chief Executive Officer of CFG Advisory.</p>


ECOWAS targets 2027 for Eco single currency

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<p>The African Union has suspended Mali’s membership and threatened to sanction the nation in response to last week’s military coup. The move comes just days after West African leaders suspended Mali from the ECOWAS bloc. Joining CNBC Africa to discuss the implications for investors is Kwadwo Sarkodie, Partner at Mayer Brown.</p>


AU suspends Mali

AU suspends Mali, threatens further sanctions

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<p>ECOWAS delegates paid a visit to Mali following the ousting of the interim President, Prime Minister and Defence Minister by the interim Vice President. But can the regional body use its influence to deliver normalcy? Dennis Amachree, CEO of Zoomlens Security Solutions joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


Mali unrest: Can ECOWAS influence deliver normalcy?

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<p>Special voting is currently underway in Ghana for members of the military, police, media and special service providers ahead of the December 7th polls. Meanwhile, a joint mission from the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States &#8211; ECOWAS, is in Ghana to monitor the proceedings for next week. John Gatsi, Dean of Business at the University of Cape Coast tells CNBC Africa’s Kenneth Igbomor what Ghana’s current political climate means for its economy.</p>


Ghana Elections: John Gatsi on the effect of elections on Ghana’s economy

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<p>In its 2020 Country Private Sector Diagnostics report for Nigeria, the International Finance Corporation argues that Nigeria must focus on a wider private sector-led growth strategy to create millions of quality jobs for its population.</p>


IFC: Nigeria must focus on a wider private sector-led strategy

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<p>West Africa&#8217;s aspirations for a single currency hit a setback after its leaders met in Niamey for a one-day summit earlier this week and passed a resolution to delay the proposed adoption until all critical issues are resolved.</p>


Is Nigeria ready to give up naira controls for regional currency?

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<p>It’s the final day of the performance review of Nigeria&#8217;s cabinet; one key priority area for this administration has been security.</p>


Cabinet Retreat: Evaluating Nigeria’s security scorecard

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<p>Leaders from some West African countries will travel to Mali in search of a resolution to the on-going crisis in the country.</p>


How should ECOWAS respond to the Mali crisis & trade disputes in West Africa?

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<p>The Economic Community of West African States has suspended Mali over the ousting of its President Boubacar Keita on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Soldiers who staged Keita’s removal and forced resignation have said they plan to form a civilian transitional government that will organise new elections. In neighbouring Cote d&#8217;Ivoire protesters have continued to march against President Alassane Ouattara’s third term bid. Nonyane Gaimin, Macro Adviser and Strategist at K-Frontiers Solutions joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


K-Frontiers Solutions on West Africa’s economic outlook

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<p>West African leaders have begun a virtual extraordinary summit to negotiate an end to the deepening political crisis in Mali. This comes after presidents from Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Ghana and Niger held talks on Thursday last week that ended in a stalemate. Onyekachi Adekoya, Managing Director of PR24 Nigeria joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


ECOWAS holds extraordinary summit on Mali’s political crisis

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<p>Nigeria’s President Mohammadu Buhari has expressed displeasure about Francophone West Africa’s adoption of the Eco in replacement for its CFA Franc ahead of other ECOWAS Member States. Buhari says it was a matter of concern that people with whom others wished to go into a union were taking major steps without trusting their counterparts for discussions. Tilewa Adebajo, CEO of CFG Advisory joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


Buhari criticises breach of agreements on ECO currency

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<p>With a 25 per cent to 40 per cent forecast decline in foreign direct investment to Africa, different countries in the region will be looking to reposition themselves to take full advantage of the low FDI flows as a source of revenue that has been hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, Ministers from the ECOWAS region are calling for a coordinated plan to re-open cross border trading. Sam Chidoka, Managing Director and CEO of Kairos Capital joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


Repositioning Nigeria for investment amid COVID-19

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Moody’s Investors Service says debt burdens have risen across ECOWAS member states raising concerns over debt sustainability in the region. Lucie Villa, Vice President and Sovereign Analyst at Moody’s joins CNBC Africa’s Kenneth Igbomor to discuss the debt concerns in West Africa.</p>


Moody’s: Rising debt burdens raising sustainability concerns in ECOWAS region

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Heads of State from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have agreed to set up a committee to study and make a full report on the impact of Nigeria’s land border closure with her neighbours. Nigeria had closed its borders in August 2019. The government says the decision seeks to curb smuggling among others. But was this move the right call? Joining CNBC Africa for more is Paul Alaje, Senior Economist at SPM Professionals.</p>


ECOWAS

2023 Africa Investment Forum Market Days: Highlights Special

Addressing West Africa’s rising debt profile

ECOWAS urges Nigeria to explore raising VAT on luxury goods

ECOWAS targets 2027 for Eco single currency

AU suspends Mali, threatens further sanctions

Mali unrest: Can ECOWAS influence deliver normalcy?

Ghana Elections: John Gatsi on the effect of elections on Ghana’s economy

IFC: Nigeria must focus on a wider private sector-led strategy

Is Nigeria ready to give up naira controls for regional currency?

Cabinet Retreat: Evaluating Nigeria’s security scorecard

How should ECOWAS respond to the Mali crisis & trade disputes in West Africa?

K-Frontiers Solutions on West Africa’s economic outlook

ECOWAS holds extraordinary summit on Mali’s political crisis

Buhari criticises breach of agreements on ECO currency

Repositioning Nigeria for investment amid COVID-19

Moody’s: Rising debt burdens raising sustainability concerns in ECOWAS region

ECOWAS to help probe the impact of Nigeria’s land border closures

News Tips

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ECOWAS

2023 Africa Investment Forum Market Days: Highlights Special

Addressing West Africa’s rising debt profile

ECOWAS urges Nigeria to explore raising VAT on luxury goods

ECOWAS targets 2027 for Eco single currency

AU suspends Mali, threatens further sanctions

Mali unrest: Can ECOWAS influence deliver normalcy?

Ghana Elections: John Gatsi on the effect of elections on Ghana’s economy

IFC: Nigeria must focus on a wider private sector-led strategy

Is Nigeria ready to give up naira controls for regional currency?

Cabinet Retreat: Evaluating Nigeria’s security scorecard

How should ECOWAS respond to the Mali crisis & trade disputes in West Africa?

K-Frontiers Solutions on West Africa’s economic outlook

ECOWAS holds extraordinary summit on Mali’s political crisis

Buhari criticises breach of agreements on ECO currency

Repositioning Nigeria for investment amid COVID-19

Moody’s: Rising debt burdens raising sustainability concerns in ECOWAS region

ECOWAS to help probe the impact of Nigeria’s land border closures

News Tips

Advertise With Us

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