In Niger, incumbent President Mahamadou Issoufou was reelected with 92.49% of votes during second round of presidential polls, which was boycotted by opposition whose candidate was imprisoned in the framework of a controversial case of baby trafficking. According to results released on March 22 by Independent Electoral Commission, Hama Amadou, the adversary of the incumbent president had 7.51%...

In Cote d’Ivoire, minimal price set for coca this season will not change. Bruno Koné, Government’s spokesperson announced that for the coming mid-season, starting next month, producers will still perceive FCFA1,000 per kg. Though government, in the past, decreased the price at mid-season to readjust earnings due to small bean size, this year, it seems not to be case. Due to a good...

AIM-listed Sierra Rutile completed prefeasibilty study (PFS) for its Sembehun dry mine in Sierra Leone, intended to extend the life and scope of operations at the mine. The study showed improved results in framing study conducted in 2015. The PFS was based on dry mining of a resource containing 3.6 million tons of rutile at a grade of 0.98% with a throughput of 1,000t/h from two 500t/h...

In Congo, Airtel Money users can now receive money from outside. To do so, the sender just has to use the WorldRemit app. This way, receivers no more have to go to agencies that provide international money transfer services. Money is directly sent to their mobile phones and can be retrieved at any Airtel Money transfer kiosk. In the country where less than 18% of population has a bank account,...

The Nigerian Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Emmanuel Kachikwu has said that the country’s oil industry unions, are demanding that the government should not allow oil majors affected by the fall in the prices of oil on the global market to dismiss staff. “They (unions) are worried about job loss in the sector arising from the position of majors who feel that the economy is giving...

In Egypt, BG has postponed activities at some development projects in the country; following its inability to come to an agreement over the price of gas with the government. The development areas include several deepwater wells in the West Nile Delta in Egypt. “BG has stopped work at 9A+ and 9B after failure to reach an agreement on the fixed price to be paid for extracted gas, and it...

In Zimbabwe, local firm Sakunda Holdings got approval to construct a 200 MW diesel plant in Dema. “The negotiations have now been finalized, and the necessary approvals granted. The project will commence soon,” said Fullard Gwasira, sposkeperson of state-owned electricity company, Zesca. The emergency power plant will help Zimbabwe better face the current power crisis it is experiencing....

Five days. That is how long the recently implemented directive regarding ban on cashew export in Ghana lasted. The government, according to local media, pressured by parliament revised its decision. The directive, emerging from Ministry of Trade, aimed to favor the processing sector. However, producers did not welcome it as they could no more access profitable cashew prices on the international...

Simba Energy together with its farm-in partner Essel Group ME, have decided that the 2D Seismic Data Acquisition and Processing program for Block 2A in Kenya will begin in early May 2016. According to Simba, preliminary field work and mobilization is expected to begin in mid to late April 2016 prior to the full survey which will cover about 500 line km and the work set is expected to last about...

Sonatrach is offering foreign firms direct negotiations to purchase interests in 20 oil and gas fields in an effort to attract investors and boost production, a source at the company revealed. Algeria is also currently discussing with EU officials as regards organizing a summit in Algiers in May, which will talk on energy investment opportunities in Algeria, as EU leaders are planning to...