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Here's a quick preview of today’s newsletter: BIIC launches on the BRVM, Trump’s tariffs disrupt African trade, startup funding remains weak in Q1, and Ivory Coast doubles down on cashew processing to drive industrial growth.

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ICYMI: BRVM Stocks Will Start Paying Dividends From Next Week

Over 10 companies on the BRVM are set to distribute dividends in 2025, starting with BOA Burkina Faso on April 22.

From telecom giants like SONATEL to major banks like Bank of Africa - Groupe Bank of Africa units, investors can expect impressive payouts this year.

With yields as high as 10%, this is your sign to start investing in the BRVM market.

📅 Want to know which stocks are paying and when? CLICK HERE to see the updated list with payment dates.

And download the Daba app now to never miss a payout again. 👇

Now, let’s dive in.

Markets Snapshot

Daba indexes track curated stock collections—all available to invest in directly on the app.

Data as of 04/14/2025 market close

Four Things You Need to Know

IPO milestone: BIIC debuts on BRVM, marking 2025’s first major listing. The Beninese bank sold over 19 million shares at 5,250 FCFA and begins trading under the symbol “BIICB.” This IPO supports Benin’s privatization drive and boosts regional market liquidity.

Tariff costs: Trump’s new trade tariffs rattle African exports. AGOA beneficiaries now face up to 50% U.S. duties, jeopardizing $8B in duty-free trade and threatening sectors like apparel, cocoa, and automotive manufacturing. The policy shift may drive Africa toward alternative trade blocs.

Funding freeze: African tech capital slump extends into 2025. Startups raised $284M in Q1, down 8.4% YoY, with only 55 deals closed per DisruptAfrica data. Despite standout rounds from LemFi and Gozem, investor caution persists as venture funding stays flat post-2024’s sharp downturn.

Cashew surge: Ivory Coast bets big on cashew processing. With output set to hit 1.2M tons in 2025, major global players like Valency and Al Sayegh are backing domestic processing. Incentives aim to raise local transformation to 50% and create thousands of jobs.

Headline Roundup

Markets & Finance

• BOA Burkina Faso to Pay Dividends on April 22 With Over 9% Yield

• BRVM Posts Strong Gains as Total Cote d'Ivoire Stock Rises 17%

• BOA CI Posts 22.9% Profit Jump on Stronger Interest Income

• Movis to Delist from BRVM Stock Exchange After Years of Losses

• Orange Côte d'Ivoire Posts 8.6% Revenue Growth in Q1 2025

Economy & Macro

• Ghana Inflation Slows to Five-Month Low After Steep Rate Hike

• Ivory Coast Lifts Cocoa Farmgate Price Amid Tight Mid-Crop Outlook

• Kenya Proposes First Regulatory Framework for Cryptocurrencies

Corporate & M&A

• Diageo Sells Seychelles Breweries Stake for $80M in Africa Retreat

• Egyptian Fintech ADVA Acquired By Abu Dhabi-Based Maseera

• Unilever Sells Ivorian Unit to SDTM-Led Group Amid Revenue Decline

• Peach Payments to Acquire Senegal’s PayDunya in West Africa Push

• Kenya Approves Access' National Bank Acquisition in $100M Deal

VC, Startups & Tech

• Digital Bank Umba Raises $5M to Expand Secured Lending in Kenya

• Moroccan Fintech PayTic Raises $4.4M to Expand Payment Infrastructure

• Egypt’s Rabbit Expands to Saudi in Play for $60B Grocery Market

• Purple Elephant Tops Up Seed Round to $5M With Family Office Backing

• Sabou Capital Launches Fund to Back Underserved SMEs in West Africa

• Swedfund Commits $28M to AfricInvest Fund for Financial Inclusion

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

Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for $1.1 trillion of the nearly $1.7 trillion in global mobile money transactions last year, according to GSMA. 

The region remains the industry's epicenter, fueled by strong adoption in East and West Africa. Growth was driven by a surge in registered accounts and increased monthly activity. 

However, the report highlights a persistent gender divide: eight of 12 surveyed countries showed lower mobile account ownership among women. Nigeria and Ethiopia were particularly stark cases. 

Despite impressive scale, inclusive growth remains a challenge as the region continues to dominate the mobile money landscape.

Get the full context now on Daba News.

That’s it for today.

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