In an official statement published on September 5, 2017, the Bolloré group which operates various port terminals in Africa denied acquiring the stakes of French logistics firm Necotrans in Kribi’s deep-water port’s multipurpose terminal which is yet to start operations in the South of Cameroon. “Unlike what is being said around, Necotrans’ stakes in the Kribi terminal were not acquired...

In Senegal, telecommunication operator Sonatel has opened its first free coding school on September 5, in Dakar. This is in partnership with Simplon.co, a European specialist in digital professions training. Named Sonatel Academy, the school materializes Sonatel’s commitment to develop Senegal’s digital ecosystem.  Opened to young people from 18 to 30 years holding a Baccalaureate,...

Last Wednesday, Ivory Coast’s President, Alassane Ouattara, on the sidelines of launch of the 7th edition of the Africa Green Revolution Forum (AGRF), declared that land access and tenure remain quite challenging for most African nations. This was reported by the Agence ivoirienne de Presse (AIP). According to host of this event which regrouped heads of States and governments, of national and...

It’s done. Cote d’Ivoire’s cocoa output has passed two million tonnes, President Alassane Ouattara announced last Wednesday. By exceeding this volume which the country had been aiming at for years, it further strengthens its position as global number one cocoa producer. However, the feat is achieved at quite the inopportune time. Indeed, after various actors of the cocoa industry forecast...

In Nigeria, the National Council on Privatization (NCP) which is chaired by the country’s vice-president, Yemi Osinbajo, has approved the privatization of Afam’s first five power plants, according to Leadership. The privatization of the plants which have a total capacity of more than 1,100MW was proposed by the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE). According to Laolu Akande, Senior Special...

Cameroon’s Prime Minister, Philemon Yang, publicly announced a decree to launch and run the Bakassi Peninsula Development Program (BADEP) which will help populate the eponymous territory once claimed by Nigeria. Involving the development of infrastructure projects, the BADEP, which will be financed by public funds and development partners, aims at facilitating access, both by land and sea, to...

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has provided Sao Tome and Principe a $1.4 million loan to improve its tax management. The funds will actually finance a 3-year scheme of the government which aims to introduce starting from January 1, 2019, a value added tax (VAT) in the country. According to Macauhub which cites the director general of the tax office, Olinto Costa, the credit line will...

Legal procedures related to land expropriations in Mauritius could get much simpler very soon. This was announced by Robbin Appaya, legal consultant of the ministry of lands and housing, during a show aired on Radio Plus. The lawyer said a permanent court handling expropriation-related disputes could soon be established in the country.  “We have a Board of Assessment but it does not...

Trade between Egypt and the European Union (EU) is doing well, according to the Egyptian minister of trade and industry, Tarek Kabil (photo). The official indeed indicated that trade volume between the two parties represents more than 30% of the country’s total trade. During the first half of 2017, Egypt’s exports to the EU rose by 16.5% to US$3.73 billion while imports slumped by 29%...

The French justice has issued results of its major embezzlement investigation. It found in the process that Omar Bongo, former president of Gabon, during his 42 years of rule, gathered €68 million worth of real estate assets in France. This include three private mansions in Paris and seven villas in Nice. The investigation also exposed a network of “complacent” French professionals,...