Burkina Faso Financial News

In modern times of rapid globalization and digitization, technological developments have now reached such proportions that the usage of cryptocurrencies is no new phenomenon. The technology behind blockchain opens the internet for financial services by replacing trust, a fundamental component of the financial system for centuries, with transparency integrated into a decentralized network. Thereby, blockchain bears the potential to help achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) by empowering the unbanked, predominantly women, reducing transaction fees as well as creating an alternative source of liquidity.

The three junta-led West African nations of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have formally withdrawn from the regional bloc known as ECOWAS

Interpol says a major operation targeting illegal gold mining in West Africa has resulted in 200 arrests and the seizure of harmful chemicals, explosives and drugs

Malaria vaccine: Ivory Coast has become the first country to deploy a malaria shot developed by Serum Institute of India Ltd., the world’s largest vaccine maker, and the University of Oxford.The first doses of the R21 immunization were administered on Monday to children in Abidjan, the commercial capital of the West African country, the developers and their partners said in a statement — the second malaria vaccine to go into use.“The new vaccine has been authorized by Ghana, Nigeria, Burkina Faso and the Central African Republic, and many others are preparing to receive shipments," they said in the statement. A total of 656,600 doses have been received, which will initially vaccinate 250,000 children from newborns to 23 months across 16 regions of Ivory Coast.The vaccine was recommended in 2023 by the World Health Organization for use in Africa for children under five years old, the age group there that bears the brunt of a disease that kills more than 600,000 people per year.

Russia’s foreign minister has pledged more support to Burkina Faso in fighting militant groups as he presses his whirlwind tour of West Africa in an attempt to fill a vacuum left by the region’s traditional Western partners

West Africa’s regional bloc known as ECOWAS has lifted travel, commercial and economic sanctions imposed on Niger which were aimed at reversing the coup staged in the country last year

By Felix Onuah

By Joe Bavier and Boureima Balima

container ships that typically transit the key maritime artery of the Red Sea and Suez Canal are rerouting after a multitude of attacks by Iran-backed Houthi militants. Combined with disruptions at a drought-stricken Panama Canal in the Western Hemisphere, the rise in merchant shipping rates poses headwinds for central bankers in their inflation fight. Meantime, the economy in Vietnam exceeded expectations this year and is poised for better results in 2024.

The forecourt of Paris City Hall sparkles with activity this holiday season, including a Christmas market and huge signs advertising the 2024 Olympics

The German government has pledged to invest 4 billion euros ($4.37 billion) in African green energy projects until 2030

KAOBAGOU, Benin—Gunmen pulled 18 villagers from their homes during a night raid this spring, shooting some and slitting the throats of the rest. They wedged hand grenades under the bodies, laying a trap for those who would discover the grisly scene. Two more villagers were later killed when they moved the corpses and triggered the explosives.

ICDS programme to improve the nutritional and health status of children in the age group 0-6 years, laying the foundation for proper psychological, physical and social development of the child. India is also leveraging technology under an ambitious Poshan Tracker for dynamic identification of underweight children, as also of stunting and wasting among them, and for last-mile tracking of nutrition service delivery. Even as India is making rapid progress on health, paradoxically the Global Hunger Index (GHI) has placed India among the bottom 15 ranks, at No.

Most of the population in conflict-affected countries like Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad and northern Nigeria depends on climate-vulnerable agriculture

Ali Bongo's third-term victory in a disputed election. The military intervention, marking the eighth such instance in West and Central Africa since 2020, has raised concerns about the erosion of democratic progress in the region. With echoes of recent military takeovers in nearby countries like Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso, the situation highlights the fragility of political stability and the complex challenges facing the African continent.

ALSO READ: Niger coup-backers protest at French base as regional force mulls intervention “There is only one option, accepting the regime or war," AP quoted Saidou as saying, who added, “It is finished for Bazoum, you must forget about him. It is finished, it is a waste of time trying to restore him. It is not possible," he said.

By Edward McAllister

General Abdourahamane Tiani, Niger’s presidential guard chief, who led the coup against President Mohamed Bazoum leaving him detained, has named himself as the new leader of the country. In an address, General Abdourahamane Tiani also sought the support of people in leading the country.

Niger defended the takeover on state television Friday and asked for support from the nation and international partners, as concerns grew that the political crisis could set back the country's fight against jihadists and increase Russia's influence in West Africa. Various factions of Niger's military have reportedly wrangled for control since members of the presidential guard detained President Mohamed Bazoum, who was elected two years ago in Niger's first peaceful, democratic transfer of power since independence from France.

More than 1,000 U.S. service personnel are in Niger to combat the growing threat from various groups of Islamic extremists

Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum inside the presidential palace in the capital, Niamey. The situation has caused alarm as military vehicles have blocked off access to the palace since Wednesday morning. The detention comes in the wake of an «anti-Republican demonstration» by disgruntled members of the Presidential Guard. Talks between the authorities and the disgruntled guard members broke down, leading to their refusal to release President Bazoum. As a response, the army issued an «ultimatum» to the guard, further escalating tensions within the nation. President Bazoum's official Twitter account confirmed the situation, stating that he and his family were safe. The post also mentioned that the army and national guard were prepared to take action if the situation did not de-escalate.

Leo Lithium, an ASX-listed lithium explorer backed by China’s biggest producer of the commodity, has signed a $US348 million ($520 million) contract for the construction of its major development in Mali.