Koné Daouda Soukpafolo, the Ivorian businessman widely known as the country’s “cotton king”, has expanded his influence beyond agriculture by taking a controlling stake in Versus Bank. The acquisition marks a decisive shift in his investment strategy, moving from raw commodities into financial services. Soukpafolo built his fortune in Côte d’Ivoire’s cotton sector, where his enterprises became dominant players […]
Arian Simone used the intensity of United Nations General Assembly week to do something that will matter to investors and policy makers for years. She launched the Fearless Global Initiative, a new platform she says will translate the work of her venture firm into a policy and organising agenda for global economic inclusion. The debut took place in New […]
Nigerian oil magnate and philanthropist, Prince Arthur Eze, has once again demonstrated his influence on the continent’s energy landscape by securing four strategic oil blocks in Liberia. The deal positions him as one of the most significant private African investors in West Africa’s petroleum industry, while also reinforcing Nigeria’s long-standing leadership role in regional energy development. Arthur Eze, founder […]
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie accepted the first Felix Jud Prize for Defiant Thinking at the opening of the 15th Harbourfront Literature Festival in Hamburg. The new prize honours writers and public intellectuals who defend free thought and public debate. The award was presented on 20 September 2025 in the Grand Hall of the Elbphilharmonie. Festival organisers described the prize as […]
Ipeleng Mkhari has been appointed chairperson of Attacq Limited, the Johannesburg-listed property group best known for its Waterfall City holdings and large-scale mixed-use developments. The board change, announced in a formal regulatory notice this week, marks a notable leadership transition for one of South Africa’s most prominent real estate companies. Mkhari arrives with a track record in corporate governance, […]
In Malawi’s conservative banking sector, Thom Mpinganjira has done what few thought possible. He built a financial institution from scratch, took it public, scaled it into the country’s largest bank, and in the process, became Malawi’s first billionaire. Mpinganjira’s path was not paved by inheritance or political favour. He came up through the system as a stockbroker, working on […]
C&I Leasing Plc, the vehicle leasing firm linked to Nigerian businessman Samuel Maduka Onyishi, has won approval to raise $20 million in fresh capital. The decision marks a pivotal step for the company as it looks to strengthen its funding base and position itself to meet rising demand for leased assets across West Africa. The approval follows board deliberations […]
FirstRand has posted a $2.6 billion profit for the year ended 30 June 2025, marking a 10 per cent rise on the previous year. The banking group’s performance was fuelled by stronger revenue streams across retail, commercial, and investment banking, alongside improved treasury earnings. The bank reported headline earnings of about R45.1 billion, supported by solid growth in deposits, […]
HarbourView Equity Partners and the Steward family have led a $30 million minority investment into Lion Forge Entertainment, the Newark-based studio founded by David Steward II. The investment is designed to deepen Lion Forge’s ownership of original intellectual property and to accelerate the company’s pipeline of family, youth and adult franchises. HarbourView described the move as a strategic bet […]
Tendai Madziwanyika’s RTG has announced a $1.6 million investment to upgrade several hotels in Harare, a move industry insiders say could sharpen the city’s hospitality offering and support short-term construction employment. The funds will target physical improvements and service enhancements across existing properties. RTG has framed the project as a focused upgrade rather than a major expansion. Work is […]
