Early IMF repayment boosts Mozambique, while Ghana goes visa-free for African travelers

Stephen Grootes interviews Dr. Rutendo Hwindingwi, the founding director of Tribe Africa advisory and author of Rumble in the Jungle Reloaded about the top business news around the continent.

Listen to the interview in the audio player below the article.

Mozambique has fully repaid its debt to the International Monetary Fund ahead of schedule, settling more than $630 million.

This comes as several African economies make notable moves across debt management, trade policy, and economic reform, pointing to gradual shifts in the continent’s growth outlook.

Mozambique’s early debt repayment signals stronger financial management, with the repayment coming years earlier than expected, as the country was originally due to continue servicing the debt until 2029.

The move could strengthen Mozambique’s position as it seeks new financial support.

In the north of the continent, Tunisia is developing an overland trade corridor aimed at connecting North Africa with the Sahel region.

The proposed route will link the Ras Jedir border crossing with Libya to trade routes extending into Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, and the Central African Republic.

The project is being developed in coordination with Libya and aims to reduce transport costs, improve logistics, and increase trade volumes.

Infrastructure development like this is seen as key to boosting regional trade and economic integration.

On the west coast of the continent, Ivory Coast is seeing a shift in its rubber sector, as more women gain ownership of farmland.

Traditionally dominated by men, the industry is now opening up, with women increasingly controlling production and income.

This change is helping to boost household earnings and is also influencing inheritance patterns, allowing land ownership to pass more evenly across generations.

From an economic standpoint, this supports financial inclusion and diversification, both of which are important for long-term growth.

Also on Africa's west coast, Ghana will introduce free visas for all African nationals from May 25, 2026, in a move aimed at boosting regional integration.

The policy was announced by Ghana's president, John Dramani Mahama during a state visit by his Zimbabwean counterpart, Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Ghana joins countries like Benin, The Gambia, Rwanda, and Seychelles in offering visa-free access to African travellers.

The move is seen as a step towards improving the free movement of people and supporting intra-African trade under broader continental integration efforts.

Lastly, in central Africa, an endangered mountain gorilla has given birth to twins in Virunga National Park, located in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

This is seen as a rare conservation success as scientists estimate that fewer than 1% of mountain gorilla births result in twins.

This is only the second such case recorded in the park in recent years, with a previous twin birth reported in 2020.

The births highlight the resilience of wildlife populations in a region often affected by conflict and environmental pressure.

"This is quite key for Mozambique, because obviously it relies a lot on agri-natural resources and foreign direct investment. It's always trying to set itself up as an attractive centre."

- Rutendo Hwindingwi, founding director - Tribe Africa advisory

"They want to make it easier for people coming in and out of the country...it does make it slightly easier going in and out of Ghana, whether you're coming on holiday or going on business."

- Rutendo Hwindingwi, founding director - Tribe Africa advisory

"There are probably 1,000 gorillas in Virunga National Park, in that region. It's an M23 infested area, so in terms of the civil war it's had a huge impact on gorillas and the wildlife there."

- Rutendo Hwindingwi, founding director - Tribe Africa advisory