Indian electric motorbike maker Spiro is entering the Cameroonian market. The company wants to promote electric mobility and support local industrial development, according to a May 10 announcement by CEO Kaushik Burman.

Spiro’s plan aligns with Cameroon’s goal of developing a local automotive industry. Under the 2025 finance law, electric vehicles are now exempt from the 12.5% excise tax. In addition, new electric motorbikes, batteries, and charging stations will benefit from a 50% reduction on their taxable value for a 24-month period.

The project will begin in July 2025 with the deployment of 100 electric motorbikes in Douala. Spiro will also set up a network of battery swap stations, with one station every 3 kilometers. The goal is to ease concerns about battery range and reduce operating costs. According to Rahul Gaur, Spiro’s General Manager for West Africa and Cameroon, “users will spend only CFA1,500 to cover 100 kilometers, which is cheaper than fuel-powered bikes.”

In Phase 2, Spiro plans to build a motorbike assembly plant in Cameroon. This facility will help meet user demand and ensure a smooth rollout of services.

The project is expected to create hundreds of direct and indirect jobs. On average, each battery swap station will employ about 3.5 people. Additional jobs will be created at the assembly plant and at future maintenance centers, where local engineers and technicians will be hired to encourage technology transfer.

Spiro’s expansion into Cameroon is part of a broader strategy backed by a CFA29.1 billion loan from Afreximbank, based on an agreement signed on May 17, 2024. The funding will support the development of an automated battery swap network and the rollout of new electric bike models, aimed at making clean mobility more affordable and practical.

The company is already active in Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. With its entry into Cameroon, Spiro is expanding its presence in the CEMAC zone. Founded in 2019, the company reports more than 3 million electric bikes in operation across Africa, with a total of over 341 million kilometers covered.

Cameroon is also seeing local efforts in this space. The start-up Bee plans to invest CFA610 million to introduce Tembo electric motorbikes.

Cameroon officially launched the second container terminal at the Kribi deep-sea port on May 9. The new terminal was inaugurated during a ceremony led by Transport Minister Jean Ernest Ngallé Bibéhé Massena.

According to Patrice Melom, head of the Port Authority of Kribi (PAK), the expansion has allowed the port to triple its handling capacity in just seven years.

When the first terminal opened in March 2018, it could process about 300,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) per year. The second terminal now adds a 715-meter-long quay, twice the length of the first, as well as a 30-hectare operational yard, five quay cranes (each with a 65-ton lifting capacity), 15 yard cranes, 25 tractors, and 30 trailers. With this upgrade, the port can now handle more than 1 million TEUs per year.

The new terminal’s modern infrastructure also allows Cameroon to welcome ultra-large vessels. On May 8, the MSC Turkiye, the world’s largest container ship, docked at Kribi. “Kribi is now one of only five ports in sub-Saharan Africa able to host ships of this size,” said Philippe Labonne, president of Africa Global Logistics (AGL).

AGL is the main shareholder in Kribi Conteneurs Terminal (KCT), the Cameroonian company that operates both container terminals. AGL was created after Bolloré Group sold its African transport and logistics assets. KCT is a joint venture that includes French shipping firm CMA CGM and Chinese company China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), which also built the port itself.

The second phase of Kribi’s development not only added the second terminal and yard space, but also extended the port’s protective breakwater by 675 meters. The entire second phase, launched in 2019, cost 400 billion CFA francs. Eximbank of China financed 75% of that through a loan.

The port’s third phase is already in the works. It will include a mineral terminal and a hydrocarbons terminal, with construction scheduled to start in 2027 and 2028 respectively.

According to PAK’s director general, these new facilities will support the export of strategic mineral resources from Cameroon and the wider sub-region, as well as national energy ambitions.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) parliamentarians met in Lomé from May 6 to 9, 2025. They adopted recommendations to lower air ticket prices across West Africa. They urged governments to scrap several taxes starting January 1, 2026, to cut air travel costs.

At the session’s close in Lomé, lawmakers demanded the removal of four taxes: ticket tax, tourism tax, solidarity tax, and foreign travel tax. They also pushed for a 25% cut in passenger service and airport security charges.

Fanta Conté, co-president of the presidium, declared, “It is imperative to act to make air transport accessible and competitive.” 

The parliamentarians aim for a deep reform of air transport taxation. They proposed a regulatory framework to cap taxes and fees, create a regional fund to support airlines, and establish a single West African airspace. This airspace would pool infrastructure and lower operating costs.

The meeting’s data showed ECOWAS taxes and fees are 103% higher than other regions. Security costs exceed global averages by 70%, and government taxes by 47.4%. These surcharges push ticket prices up by 20% on domestic flights, 48.6% on regional routes, and 36.5% on international flights.

Mamadou Sako, co-chairman of ECOWAS Parliament’s joint infrastructure committee, called the issue political. “The facts are in, and the solutions have been identified. What is needed now is a firm and collective will to turn this corner and strengthen regional integration,” Sako said.

The parliamentarians also pleaded for the establishment of a monitoring committee to ensure these measures follow the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho

A marketing expert by trade, he leverages his skills to support businesses. With a passion for both music and technology, he also developed a platform designed to give artists international visibility.

Congolese marketing specialist and renowned trainer, Gracy Omokoso (photo) is the Chairman and CEO of Streameex, a streaming platform dedicated to live broadcasting of concerts and events in Africa.

Launched in 2021, Streameex aims to bring African artists closer to their audiences through a high-quality streaming experience. The platform also provides event organizers with powerful tools to achieve their goals, enhance their impact, and offer the public unforgettable moments.

Streameex is an initiative of Go Freelance, a communication and digital marketing consulting agency co-founded by Gracy Omokoso. This platform was born from the desire to allow artists to showcase their art on a global scale while offering music lovers an immersive and engaging experience.

Gracy Omokoso graduated from the National Pedagogical University of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where he earned a bachelor's degree in marketing in 2015. That same year, he began his professional career at AG Partners, a communication agency, as an advertising manager and digital officer. From 2021 to 2024, he worked as a digital marketing coach at Kadea Academy. Since 2024, he has been working as an independent consultant in this field.

By Melchior Koba,

Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji

In Kumasi, the historic capital of the Ashanti Kingdom in Ghana, traditional buildings stand as living testaments to the cultural legacy of one of West Africa’s most influential peoples. Descendants of a powerful empire founded in the 17th century, the Ashanti have preserved a distinctive architectural style—one that is both functional and symbolic, deeply rooted in the rhythms of the natural world.

Constructed primarily from earthen materials—a mix of clay, water, and plant fibers—Ashanti buildings are notable for their thick, insulating walls, perfectly suited to the tropical climate. Structural elements often incorporate locally sourced wood such as bamboo and palm, while roofs are typically thatched, allowing for natural ventilation and comfortable interior temperatures. This use of sustainable, local materials speaks to an environmental sensibility that predates modern ecological movements.

Homes are traditionally organized around a central courtyard, which serves as the heart of communal life. It is within these open-air spaces that families gather, ceremonies unfold, and daily life is shared—promoting both intimacy and social cohesion.

What truly sets Ashanti architecture apart, however, is its intricate wall decoration. Geometric patterns and, more significantly, adinkra symbols—visual expressions of Ashanti philosophy—adorn the surfaces. These motifs, either carved or painted, convey concepts such as wisdom, harmony, bravery, and spirituality. Each building becomes a visual narrative, a vessel of memory and meaning.

The functions of these structures vary: from homes for extended families to spiritual sanctuaries for traditional priests, royal mausoleums, and palaces.

Today, the Manhyia Palace—residence of the Asantehene, the king of the Ashanti—embodies a modern reinterpretation of this architectural heritage, blending ancient symbolism with contemporary design. It stands, like other historic sites in the region, as a powerful symbol of cultural continuity and pride.

Just over 50 kilometers from Johannesburg, South Africa, lies Maropeng—the visitor center for the Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the richest fossil-bearing regions on the planet.

This extraordinary area offers a journey through nearly four million years of human evolution, inviting visitors to reconnect with our shared origins.

The word Maropeng, meaning “returning to the place of origin” in Setswana, captures the spirit of the site. From the moment visitors step inside, they embark on an immersive experience that blends adventure, science, and reflection. The journey begins with a symbolic underground boat ride through the elements—water, fire, air, and earth—echoing the Earth’s formation. It then leads to a vibrant, multimedia exhibition that traces the major milestones in human development—from the earliest hominids to Homo sapiens. Fossils, lifelike reconstructions, interactive exhibits, and displays on DNA, language, tools, and climate change create a compelling, educational experience.

Maropeng is closely linked to some of the most significant discoveries in paleoanthropology. Nearby, in the Sterkfontein Caves, scientists uncovered the famed skull known as "Mrs Ples," an Australopithecus africanus estimated to be 2.5 million years old, as well as “Little Foot,” one of the most complete early hominid skeletons ever found, dating back over 3 million years. In 2015, the neighboring Rising Star caves revealed another groundbreaking find: Homo naledi, a previously unknown human ancestor that sparked worldwide interest and debate.

But Maropeng doesn’t just tell the story of the past. It also engages visitors in thinking about the future. Issues like climate change, biodiversity loss, and human responsibility are woven into the narrative, encouraging each guest to consider their place in the world—and the legacy we are leaving behind.

Today, Maropeng stands as a beacon of educational tourism in southern Africa. Beyond its museum, it offers on-site accommodation, a panoramic-view restaurant, and guided excursions to archaeological hotspots. It is a place where science meets conscience—a powerful reminder that humanity’s roots are African, and that understanding where we come from is essential to shaping where we’re going.

Each year, across various regions of Côte d’Ivoire—particularly among Akan communities such as the Baoulé, Agni, and Abron—the Yam Festival (Fête des Ignames) brings together tradition, spirituality, and celebration. Held at the end of the rainy season, the festival marks the start of a new agricultural cycle and serves as a time to honor ancestral spirits and protective deities. The yam, a revered staple crop rich in symbolism, takes center stage as an emblem of life, abundance, and fertility.

Before anyone can partake in the new harvest, sacred rituals are conducted. The village chief, accompanied by elders and traditional priests, receives the first yams. These are prepared in the simplest of ways—boiled or pounded—and eaten in solemn silence after prayers and libations. This ritual opening not only signals the start of the season but also reaffirms the spiritual bond between the living and the ancestral world.

Once the sacred rites are complete, the atmosphere transforms into one of collective joy and festivity. Communities—both rural and urban—come alive with music, food, and dance. Women prepare a variety of traditional yam dishes, children move to the beat of drums, and elders recount the origin stories and legends of their people. Ritual dances, parades in elaborate attire, and songs in local languages punctuate the celebrations, which can last for days.

Over time, the Yam Festival has grown beyond its spiritual roots to become a major cultural event. It now attracts visitors from across Côte d’Ivoire and abroad, eager to experience the country’s vibrant traditions. In some areas, the festival has been formalized and added to the national tourism calendar, receiving official support and recognition.

Beyond its ceremonial and touristic appeal, the festival also gives a boost to the local economy. It stimulates commerce through the sale of artisanal crafts, spices, yams, costume rentals, performances, and accommodations. Yet at its core, the Yam Festival remains a powerful vehicle of cultural transmission. It teaches respect for the land, celebrates communal values, and reaffirms a shared heritage. In honoring the yam, communities pay tribute to their ancestors and renew their cultural identity from one generation to the next.

On April 24, 2025, the SNEL, the DR Congo’s power utility, signed a contract with Chint, a Chinese firm, to rehabilitate the electricity distribution network in northern Kinshasa, covering five communes: Barumbu, Gombe, Kasa-Vubu, Kinshasa, and Lingwala.

Initially, the project aimed to build 60 new low- and medium-voltage cabins, modernize 35 existing cabins, and reinforce a substation and a high-voltage substation. However, the project scope has expanded: 204 cabins will now be renovated, 25,000 subscribers will switch to prepaid billing, and 1,175 street lamps will be installed to improve public lighting.

SNEL Managing Director Fabrice Lusinde said the project, a pilot, will be extended to other communes amid rapid urbanization and growing energy demand. The current network, largely inherited from colonial times, has not been rehabilitated for over 60 years, causing significant energy losses and outdated flat-rate billing.

Founded in 1984, Chint Electric is a subsidiary of the Chinese conglomerate CHINT Group, specializing in electrical equipment, renewable energy, and intelligent energy management solutions. Present in over 140 countries, the company has carried out several electrification projects in Africa, including Ethiopia, Ghana, and Nigeria.

This article was initially published in French by Boaz Kabeya (intern)

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho

Cameroon’s natural gas industry is expected to bounce back next year, after a difficult 2024. New projections from the Bank of Central African States (BEAC) show the country’s gas output could rise to 1.78 million tons in 2025, up 23% from the 1.44 million tons projected for this year.

This would mark a strong recovery after a 12.6% drop in 2024 compared to 2023, when production stood at 1.65 million tons. If BEAC’s estimates hold, 2025 would be Cameroon’s best year for gas production since 2023.

Across Central Africa, only Equatorial Guinea is expected to produce more natural gas, with an estimated 4.11 million tons next year. But even there, the trend is downward. The country has been scaling back since 2023, when it peaked at 4.9 million tons. It is expected to close 2024 at 4.82 million.

Together, Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea are projected to supply nearly 85% of the sub-region’s natural gas output in 2025. BEAC sees total gas production across the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) reaching 6.94 million tons.

For Cameroon, this rebound could help ease the impact of a predicted drop in oil production. Despite the global slump in energy prices, oil and gas remain the country’s biggest export earners. In 2023, hydrocarbons made up 50.6% of total exports, according to Fitch Solutions.

Even with a steep 33.3% drop in value, natural gas alone accounted for 14.1% of export revenues last year, based on figures from the National Institute of Statistics. The government is now counting on this recovery in gas output to keep export revenues afloat.

Cameroon has launched the construction of a new domestic gas filling center in Kumba, Southwest Region. The project, valued at CFA6 billion, marks the fifth such facility developed by the Hydrocarbons Price Stabilization Fund (CSPH). The groundbreaking ceremony was held on April 29, led by Trade Minister Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, who also chairs CSPH’s board.

This new site follows similar projects in Maroua, Bertoua, Bamenda, and most recently Ebolowa, where construction began just one week earlier, on April 22.

The Kumba facility will have a filling and storage capacity of 200 cubic meters, with room for future expansion, CSPH said. Once operational, it will make it easier for households in the Southwest Region to access domestic gas—also known as LPG—which has seen rising demand across Cameroon. According to the Trade Minister, household use of domestic gas is growing by about 13% every year.

Until now, consumers in the Southwest have had to rely on supply from Douala, the country’s economic capital, often paying more due to transportation costs.

Beyond making gas more accessible, the expansion of filling centers—whether by CSPH or private players like Bocom and Green Oil—is also helping tackle environmental issues. These facilities offer an alternative to firewood and charcoal, which many households still use for cooking.

Charcoal is a booming industry in Cameroon, generating CFA17 billion annually, according to the Ministry of Forests and Wildlife. But this comes at a heavy cost to the environment. Nonprofits and environmental groups have warned about the link between charcoal production and rising rates of deforestation and desertification.