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Here's a quick preview of today’s newsletter: Namibia rolls out visas on arrival to attract investors, IFC backs Côte d'Ivoire’s gender bond for women entrepreneurs, Equator raises $55M for climate tech, and gold crossed a record $3,000-per-ounce level as seek safe havens.

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Markets Snapshot

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Data as of 03/14/2025 market close

Four Things You Need to Know

Open visa: Namibia will introduce visas-on-arrival for investors and tourists starting April 1, aiming to attract foreign capital and boost economic growth. The move aligns with its push into renewable energy and oil, following South Africa’s recent investor-friendly immigration reforms.

Gender finance: IFC and ALCB Fund backed Côte d'Ivoire’s first gender bond, a $16 million issuance by Ecobank to finance women entrepreneurs. The bond will support 1,200 loans for women-led SMEs, addressing Africa’s $42 billion gender credit gap.

Climate capital: VC firm Equator raised $55 million to fund Africa’s early-stage climate tech startups, providing $750,000 to $2 million per company. Backed by DFIs and private foundations, it aims to fill Africa’s climate funding gap with commercially viable solutions.

Safe haven: Gold prices rose past $3,000 per ounce for the first time amid US-EU trade tensions and central bank buying. The rally follows Poland’s record gold purchases and concerns that US tariffs on gold could further drive price volatility.

Headline Roundup

Markets & Finance

• BRVM to Host Investment Days in London to Attract Investors

• Ivorian Lender SIB Sees 15% Jump in Full-Year Net Profit

• Benin Raises $166M from BIIC Stake Sale Ahead of BRVM Listing

Economy & Macro

• Libya Opens First Energy Exploration Tender in 17 Years

• Gabon’s Military Leader to Run for President in April Vote

• Egypt’s Inflation Drops to Two-Year Low as Currency Crisis Eases

Corporate & M&A

• Silver Box Acquires Struggling Kenya Automaker Mobius Motors

• Starlink Becomes Nigeria’s Second-Largest ISP on Fast-Internet Demand

VC, Startups & Tech

• Early-Stage Venture Capital Firm Antler Expands to Nigeria

• ORA Tech Raises $1.9M to Expand Super-App in Morocco

• American Fintech Eyes Cameroon for Digital Lending Expansion

What Else We’re Reading

• Top Themes Africa Investors Should Watch in 2025

• Debt, Elections, Growth: WAEMU High-Stakes Year Ahead

• Benin’s IPO Market Heats Up Amid Economic Reforms

• Big Reset: Uranium-Rich Niger Set for Rapid Growth

Chart of the Week

Africa’s Markets Need Women Leaders: Women hold just 21% of board seats and 9% of CEO roles in Africa’s private sector, despite research proving that diverse leadership boosts profitability. Some markets, like Rwanda and South Africa, are leading change—but progress remains slow. How can Africa move beyond tokenism to real inclusion? Read the full analysis on Pulse54 and subscribe for more insights.

That’s it for today.

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