More than half a billion people across Africa are now subscribed to mobile services as the continent continues to migrate rapidly to mobile broadband networks, reveals a new GSMA study. ‘The Mobile Economy: Africa 2016’ was published today at the GSMA Mobile 360 – Africa event being held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 26 – 28 July. The report also highlights the increasing contribution of Africa’s mobile industry to the regional economy, including employment and public funding, and mobile’s role as a platform for digital and financial inclusion.

On Tuesday, July 19, 2016, the African Development Bank (“AfDB”), rated Aaa (Moody’s) / AAA (S&P) / AAA (Fitch), launched and priced a new USD 1 billion 5-year Global benchmark transaction due 26 July 2021.

Orange announces today that, together with its Senegal-based partner Sonatel, it has completed the acquisition of 100% of the mobile operator Airtel in Sierra Leone. Since the signature of an agreement with Bharti Airtel International (Netherlands) BV ("Airtel") in January 2016, Orange has obtained all the official approbations necessary to complete this transaction.

The International Monetary Fund cut its forecasts for global economic growth this year and next as the unexpected U.K. vote to leave the European Union creates a wave of uncertainty amid already-fragile business and consumer confidence.