Kevin Lovell, Chief Executive of the South African Poultry Association (SAPA) says his sector is currently battling for survival. Indeed, torn between a stiff competition from imported chicken and the century’s worst drought which impairs feed supply to poultry farms, the South African poultry industry is clearly struggling. According to Reuters, South Africa has imported about 288,000 tons...

Anglo-Australian group Rio Tinto has successfully sold its 74% stake in the Zuzulan Anthracite Colliery (ZAC) Mine in South Africa to Menar Holding for an undisclosed amount. Rio Tinto said its remaining stake (26%) in the mine will remain in the hands of its partner Maweni Mining Consortium, which is owned by the black community as part of the Black Economic Empowerment initiative. Situated...

Zanzibar is expected to soon pass a law that will allow the country to begin negotiations with investors in the oil and gas sector. According to Island’s President, Ali Mohammed Shein (photo), the Bill will be passed into law at the next meeting of the House of Representatives. He noted that once the House completes works on the Bill, it will be sent to him and he will sign it into...

The Kenyan government has withdrawn licences of companies dealing in illegal sales of impure petroleum products in the country.According to Energy cabinet secretary, Charles Keter (photo), this took place after police discovered the five stations involved in the act. Over 450,000 litres of impure petroleum products were seized. “We have decided to cancel all the licences for the firms...

Following the discovery of the Al-Jahra SE-1X well on July 27, 2016, Kuwait Energy on Monday announced the commencement of production from the exploration well in the Abu Sennan concession in Egypt’s Western Desert. Egyptian Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) granted the company the development lease for the well on August 24 and began production on the 25th of that same month at a rate of 460...

For the first time, Chad’s President, Idriss Deby, is taking part to the G20 – group of world’s 20 most influent countries – summit of world leaders which is taking place in Hangzou, China, on September 4 and 5, 2016. Recently re-elected, President Deby came to the meeting as acting president of the African Union which was invited by China. On the sidelines of the meeting, Deby met with...

As oil drowned Nigeria into recession, the country now looks back to Agriculture to get back to the surface. “If we get it well in agriculture, we will get it well in the economy,” said Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, last month while launching an agricultural programme. Though booming in the past, the agricultural sector was abandoned after large deposits of oil were found offshore the Gulf...

On September 1, 2016, the global furniture leader Ikea presented its new catalogue for next year. On this occasion, the Swedish brand revealed that prices of its product in Morocco could be reduced by up to 30% compared to 2016. The price reduction concerns only products which are sold the most. “This is one of Ikea’s global policies,” Marcos Agudo, Managing Director Ikea Morocco, told...

British firm Actis bought from Africinvest and Boujbel a significant share in pharmaceutical group Medis Group, which is present in Tunisia and Algeria. While Boujbel founded the group, Africinvest is for its part an investment firm with multiple assets in Africa. Actis should inject additional capital in the group to acquire and develop other production units as it aims to make Medis one of...

Algerian Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals, Tayeb Louh, during an inspection visit to the El Harrach court commended the Public Prosecutions to rapidly process all complaint related to the misappropriation of 65 hectares of land portion at the Dounia Park site. While demanding public ministry’s magistrates to “immediately” initiate procedures once they have received such a...