The World Bank's board of directors has approved a 350 million US dollar grant to support the Mpatamanga Hydropower Storage Project in Malawi, a landmark development expected to significantly boost the country's electricity generation capacity. The project, which will create thousands of jobs and provide power to over 1 million households, is the largest foreign direct investment in Malawi's history, with a total cost exceeding 1-point- 5 billion dollars.  Meanwhile, the Malawian government says it has decided to suspend debt restructuring until after the September elections. Thabiso Lehoko spoke to Dr. Bertha Bangara Chakadza Bangara, the President of the Economics Association of Malawi.

The World Bank's board of directors has approved a 350 million US dollar grant to support the Mpatamanga Hydropower Storage Project in Malawi, a landmark development expected to significantly boost the country's electricity generation capacity. The project, which will create thousands of jobs and provide power to over 1 million households, is the largest foreign direct investment in Malawi's history, with a total cost exceeding 1-point- 5 billion dollars. &nbsp;Meanwhile, the Malawian government says it has decided to suspend debt restructuring until after the September elections. Thabiso Lehoko spoke to Dr. Bertha Bangara Chakadza Bangara, the President of the Economics Association of Malawi.

In-depth financial issues, profiling of African businesses doing well internationally, stocks & market updates.

In-depth financial issues, profiling of African businesses doing well internationally, stocks &amp; market updates.

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Africa in Business

World Bank approves $350 million grant to support the Mpatamanga Hydropower Storage Project in Malawi

Koketso Mano, Senior Economist at FNB, unpacks South Africa’s inflation trends, the Reserve Bank’s latest interest‑rate announcement, and the country’s trade balance, among other key economic developments.

Koketso Mano, Senior Economist at FNB, unpacks South Africa&rsquo;s inflation trends, the Reserve Bank&rsquo;s latest interest‑rate announcement, and the country&rsquo;s trade balance, among other key economic developments.

The latest business and financial developments with Koketso Mano, FNB Senior Economist

Afreximbank’s decision to terminate its relationship with the ratings agency Fitch has reignited debate over how multilateral development banks with sovereign shareholders and treaty‑based protections should be assessed within the global credit ratings system.


The move follows a months‑long dispute after Fitch downgraded the bank’s long‑term issuer rating from BBB to BBB‑ with a negative outlook in June 2025, citing concerns over loan quality and exposure to sovereign borrowers such as Ghana, South Sudan and Zambia.


Speaking to Thami Ngubeni, Dr Misheck Mutize, Lead Technical Expert for the AU African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Credit Ratings Programme, discussed the broader implications of the standoff and what it means for Africa’s push toward establishing its own credit rating agency.

Afreximbank&rsquo;s decision to terminate its relationship with the ratings agency Fitch has reignited debate over how multilateral development banks with sovereign shareholders and treaty‑based protections should be assessed within the global credit ratings system.
 The move follows a months‑long dispute after Fitch downgraded the bank&rsquo;s long‑term issuer rating from BBB to BBB‑ with a negative outlook in June 2025, citing concerns over loan quality and exposure to sovereign borrowers such as Ghana, South Sudan and Zambia.
 Speaking to Thami Ngubeni, Dr Misheck Mutize, Lead Technical Expert for the AU African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Credit Ratings Programme, discussed the broader implications of the standoff and what it means for Africa&rsquo;s push toward establishing its own credit rating agency.

Impasse between Afreximbank and Fitch strengthens case for an African‑owned credit rating agency

Ghana's President, John Dramani Mahama, has ignited fresh debate at the World Economic Forum by sharply criticising Africa’s continued dependence on exporting raw materials while retaining little of their value. Mahama described the situation as a “triple dependency”, arguing that many African countries remain reliant on external powers not only for security, but also for their health and education systems. At the same time, he noted, the continent continues to supply the world with critical minerals, yet benefits minimally due to limited local processing.


Kenya‑based Economist Patrick Muinde says that while President Mahama may be expressing an uncomfortable truth, several challenges stand in the way of realising the continent’s ambitions. Muinde was speaking to Channel Africa’s Economics Reporter, Innocent Semosa.

Ghana's President, John Dramani Mahama, has ignited fresh debate at the World Economic Forum by sharply criticising Africa&rsquo;s continued dependence on exporting raw materials while retaining little of their value. Mahama described the situation as a &ldquo;triple dependency&rdquo;, arguing that many African countries remain reliant on external powers not only for security, but also for their health and education systems. At the same time, he noted, the continent continues to supply the world with critical minerals, yet benefits minimally due to limited local processing.
 Kenya‑based Economist Patrick Muinde says that while President Mahama may be expressing an uncomfortable truth, several challenges stand in the way of realising the continent&rsquo;s ambitions. Muinde was speaking to Channel Africa&rsquo;s Economics Reporter, Innocent Semosa.

World Bank approves $350 million grant to support the Mpatamanga Hydropower Storage Project in Malawi

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