Sénélec, Senegal’s power utility, loses each year $27 billion (about $46 million) due to electricity theft. “Not only do the thieves risk their lives, but the lives of populations also. It is an issue that must be tackled. Electricity theft must be appropriately punished and punitive measures must be integrated in the penal code,” said Makhtar Cissé, Senelec’s director. In...

In Mauritania, local anti-slavery Ngo, Initiative pour la Résurgence du mouvement Abolitionniste (IRA), declared in a statement relayed by the press on June 1 that land rights of village communities should not be trampled upon under the pretext of developing agro-industry. The organisation, denouncing a land spoliation attempt explained that “the governor of Boghé, Abderahmane Ould Mahfoudh...

At May 26, Cote d’Ivoire sold by anticipation about 940,000 tonnes of cocoa of the 2017-18 harvest, Reuters was told by two anonymous sources close to the matter. Moreover, the Coffee and Cocoa Council (CCC) plans to sell 1.2 million tonnes of the beans by the end of September, the sources said. It should be recalled that in November 2016, Cote d’Ivoire had halted its electronic auction for...

The Edo Assembly has approved a N11 billion (about $35 million) loan request by the State governor, Godwin Obaseki, to boost agriculture, create wealth and jobs in the State, Vanguard reports. From the loans which will be provided by the Central Bank of Nigeria, N6 billion will fall under the anchor borrower’s loan facility while remaining N5 billion will help finance agro projects in the...

In Nigeria, the government of Bauchi has sealed with a Chinese consortium a $27.5 billion deal for the exploration of solid minerals and develop a pithead power project which is expected to generate 3,500MW of electricity. This was reported by local news website Leadership quoting a press statement issued by press secretary to Bauchi State governor, Malam Abubakar Al-Sadique (photo)....

In Nigeria, oil lifting from Forcados has resumed as two tankers have left the terminal over the past days, shipping data reveals. This comes after an announcement at the beginning of May according to which oil major Shell was conducting tests on the pipeline leading to the terminal. According to Platts, the Suezmax Densa Orca left Forcados on Sunday, May 28, while the Suezmax Astro Perseus...

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has reported the presence of highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza in the northeastern province of Ituri. This was revealed by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). According to the agency quoting a report from the Congolese Ministry of Agriculture, the zoonosis has killed more than 12,000 ducks and chickens in three villages bordering Uganda with...

In Cote d’Ivoire, the Peace Action and Research Center of Abidjan-Cocody (CERAP) has carried out in partnership with Animation rurale de Korhogo (ARK) a pilot project which aims at experimenting inclusive land governance in the country. The project was financially backed by France and International Ngo, CCFD-terre solidaire: “After more than a year, we reached agreements, partnerships,...

The International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) forecasts for cocoa surplus for the 2016/2017 season was scaled up 382,000 tonnes or 44.7% more than the previous estimate (264,000 tonnes) from last February, Reuters reports. According to the organization, this increase is due to a record global output of 4.69 million tonnes which is now expected, as compared to 4.55 million tonnes earlier. This...

The Nigerian government has inaugurated the Board of Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF), local news website This Day reports. As Executive Secretary of SMDF was appointed Hajia Fatima Shinkafi. According to the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Fayemi Kayode, who proceeded to the inauguration, the reconstitution of the Board is proof that Buhari’s administration is committed to...