China's non-manufacturing sector continues to expand in February: official data

China's non-manufacturing sector continued to expand in February, reflecting a steady recovery momentum in economic output, according to official data released on Saturday.

In February, China's non-manufacturing business activity index reached 50.4 percent, up 0.2 percentage point from January, according to the data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

A reading above 50 indicates expansion, while a reading below 50 reflects contraction.

"In terms of industries, the business activity index of air transport, postal services, telecommunications, radio and television and satellite transmission services, capital market services and monetary and financial services was in a high expansion range of more than 55.0 percent, and the total business volume in these industries went up relatively rapidly," said Huo Lihui, head of the Business Climate Survey Division at the Service Survey Center under the NBS.

The business activity index for the construction industry has risen to the expansion range since the end of the Spring Festival holiday season in early February, as the weather warms up, investment projects commences, and companies gradually resume operations.

The industry's business activity index in February was 52.7 percent, up 3.4 percentage points from the previous month.

"Since the end of the Spring Festival holiday season, China's investment demand has been unleashed, construction companies have accelerated work resumption, and construction activities have shown an accelerated progress. The uptick in sub-sectors shows that activities related to infrastructure investment have been particularly remarkable," said He Hui, deputy head of China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing.

The official Spring Festival holiday season ran from from January 28 to February 4 this year. The Spring Festival marking the start of the Chinese New Year is the most important holiday on the Chinese calendar and an occasion for family reunions.

China's non-manufacturing sector continues to expand in February: official data

China's non-manufacturing sector continues to expand in February: official data

China's non-manufacturing sector continues to expand in February: official data

African officials on Wednesday pledged to scale up investment to accelerate development across the member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) at a meeting in Accra, Ghana's capital.

They made the commitment during the 24th Annual General Meeting of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), where leaders highlighted the need to expand the bank's capital base to finance transformative projects.

Ghanaian Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson stressed that timely capital payments would strengthen EBID's leverage and sustain its growth, enabling the institution to stimulate inclusive economic expansion across the region.

"Timely capital payments are critical. It strengthens EBID leverage and sustains its growth and impact across our region. Expanding our capital base is essential to strengthen our ability to finance transformative development projects and stimulate inclusive economic growth among our member states," said Forson.

EBID recorded strong achievements in 2025, with total disbursements of about 722 million U.S. dollars, up 47.7 percent from 2024. Building on that momentum, President George Agyekum Donkor said the bank remains committed to helping member states tackle poverty and close infrastructure gaps across the region.

"We aim to direct at least 63 percent of new commitments towards the private enterprises to catalyze job creation and innovation. Simultaneously, the bank would embed environmental, social and governance principles across its operations, dedicating over 41 percent of resources to climate mitigation and social inclusion projects," said Donkor.

With disbursements surging nearly 48 percent last year, EBID officials said the bank is positioned to channel more resources into private-sector growth and climate-focused projects, reinforcing its role as a driver of inclusive development across West Africa.

African officials vow stronger investment push at ECOWAS bank meeting in Accra