Africa in Business: crypto and mass weddings

STORY: Here are five stories that made business headlines in sub-Saharan Africa this week.

1. Businesses reopened and traffic was back in urban centers of Ethiopia's Amhara region after six days of violent protests over a planned shake-up of local forces.

That's according to residents.

At least five people have died in the demonstrations.

They are a fresh security challenge to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government following a two-year war in neighboring Tigray region.

It ended with a truce last November.

2. World Bank President David Malpass said he hoped Zambia's creditors, including China, would sign a memorandum of understanding on its debt restructuring this week or next.

He said it was incumbent on China and other creditors to come forward with actual commitments to allow Zambia to return to sustainable debt levels.

3. Staying in Zambia, Science and Technology Minister Felix Mutati told Reuters, the country is planning to finish tests that simulate real-world cryptocurrency usage by the end of June.

He says it will help create regulations that balance citizens' safety with innovation.

Mutati added that the country also needs digital infrastructure, including digital identities, before cryptocurrencies can be introduced.

The Central African Republic surprised investors last year by making bitcoin legal tender and launching its own cryptocurrency token.

Other African countries have been warier, with Nigeria banning banks from handling crypto assets.

4. South Africa is among three countries that are at the forefront of a push to transform piles of mine waste and by-products into rare earths vital for the green energy revolution.

They are hoping to substantially cut dependence on Chinese supply.

Rainbow Rare Earths is planning to process stacks of waste in the country left from years of phosphate mining.

5. And on Easter Sunday, more than 800 couples got married in a mass wedding in South Africa.

It was the first mass wedding ceremony in the country since the global health crisis.

The International Pentecost Holiness Church blesses polygamous unions, which are common in many African communities.