Mali restores diplomatic ties and reopens airspace with Algeria
via Lefaso.net1 min read
Mali's Transitional Government announced on July 10, 2026, two measures to revitalize cooperation and friendship with Algeria. Malian authorities decided to return their Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary accredited to Algeria to Algiers. They also reopened national airspace to all civil and military aircraft flying to or from Algeria, signaling a new phase in the rapprochement between the two countries.
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In Burkina Faso, where women are central to the economy in sectors like trade, agriculture, processing, and services, their financial inclusion remains a significant challenge. Noellie Tiendrebeogo, Managing Director of Ecobank Burkina Faso, participated in a World Bank panel on June 30, discussing women's economic participation. The discussion highlighted that less than one in five women in Burkina Faso holds a financial account, and many female entrepreneurs, even in urban areas, face obstacles in accessing financing and developing their businesses. With real GDP growth estimated at 5.3% in 2025, up from 4.8% in 2024, the goal is to ensure this economic momentum benefits women, youth, and other under-integrated actors in formal circuits. Tiendrebeogo emphasized that financial inclusion for women extends beyond opening accounts or providing occasional credit. It requires understanding the realities of female entrepreneurs, many of whom have viable businesses but are hindered by a lack of traditional guarantees, insufficient formalization, or limited access to financial information. She stated that the main barrier is not solely access to financing, but also trust, business structuring, financial education, and the ability to offer solutions tailored to women entrepreneurs' needs. The panel concluded that access to the formal financial system depends on institutions offering solutions that align with women's actual experiences. For entrepreneurs, the challenge is not just obt
Burkina Faso's Minister of Economy and Finance, Dr. Aboubakar Nacanabo, presented the country's 3rd Voluntary National Report at the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in New York on Saturday, July 11, 2026. The minister reviewed ten years of implementing the Sustainable Development Goals SDGs. Despite challenges such as insecurity, climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, and reduced external funding, Burkina Faso achieved an average economic growth of 4.8% between 2016 and 2025. The report also noted cereal production covering 126% of national needs, increased domestic resource mobilization for development, the reopening of 1,473 schools, the integration of 1.84 million vulnerable people into the Unique Social Register, and advancements in access to drinking water, industrialization, and digital connectivity. At this international platform, the head of the Burkinabe delegation introduced the RELANCE 2026-2030 Plan as the new national framework for SDG implementation. He also advocated for reforming development financing mechanisms, improving access to technology, and fostering partnerships based on mutual respect, while reaffirming Burkina Faso's commitment to sustainable, inclusive, and sovereign development.
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