Sierra Leone was designated Ebola free at the end of 2015 and although a few new cases have emerged since then the authorities with the support of the international community appear to have finally got the outbreak under control. Attention is turning to the post-Ebola recovery plan that could see substantial domestic and external finance flow into agriculture, education, healthcare and social protection programmes, as well as essential...

Zambia is at the forefront of African countries that are suffering from the downturn in globally traded metal prices over the past few years. Government finances are under immense stress as revenue flows have contracted and international financing options have become much more limited and more costly. Severe drought conditions, chronic electricity shortages and the fast approaching August presidential and legislative elections are adding to the...

Accessing adequate and reliable power supplies in DR Congo is problematic and costly for firms operating in the country. The government and international development partners have dedicated large amounts of time, effort and finance on hydropower mega projects but these projects have been subject to repeated delays and setbacks, thwarting attempts to increase domestic electricity supplies. For instance, the Inga I and Inga II dams were completed...

Sierra Leone has suffered heavily in terms of loss of life and lost economic activity since the deadly Ebola virus took hold in early 2014. However, the country has not recorded any new cases of Ebola since mid-September this year and expectations are high the outbreak is finally coming under control. Sierra Leone could be declared Ebola free if no new cases emerge through to mid-November. Attention will soon shift to the post-Ebola environment...

The mining sectors in Zambia and DR Congo have taken a severe hit following the decision of the international mining company Glencore to suspend its mining operations at its Mopani Copper Mines venture in Zambia and Katanga Mining venture in DR Congo for 18 months starting September 2015. Miners in both countries face regulatory uncertainty, high production costs and prices which have fallen considerably over the past twelve months in response...

The Zambian economy has been expanding at a rapid pace in recent years, but is facing uncertain times in 2015. Global copper prices fell sharply in December and January, and in March were trading around 20% below the levels achieved a year earlier. Copper exports are by far the single largest contributor to export earnings in Zambia (typically accounting for around 70% of total merchandise exports) and the fall in copper prices is undermining...