The Philippines plans to extend its rice import ban until April to support local farmers. A limited one-month import window in January will allow only 300,000 tons. The move could weigh further on global rice prices, already at an eight-year low. The Philippines is considering extending its rice import ban until April next year, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr...

The new EAT-Lancet report urges a major shift toward plant-based diets worldwide. It recommends limiting red meat to 15 grams per day to improve health and curb emissions. The proposal has reignited debate, especially in developing regions where meat intake is already low. More than six years after introducing the “Planetary Health Diet” (PHD), the EAT-Lancet Commission—a...

Senegal has adopted a 10-year national plan to strengthen local seed production. The strategy aims to improve quality, traceability, and private investment in the sector. It seeks to reduce heavy reliance on imported horticultural seeds, which cost up to CFA30 billion yearly. Senegal has adopted a national seed sovereignty strategy, a 10-year plan developed by key stakeholders...

President Peter Mutharika has reappointed Joseph Mwanamvekha as Malawi’s finance minister. The country faces high inflation, a currency shortage, and heavy debt. Mwanamvekha’s return aims to restore fiscal discipline and rebuild confidence. President Peter Mutharika has appointed Joseph Mwanamvekha as Malawi’s new finance minister through a decree signed on Sunday, October 5....

Algeria holds an estimated 700 trillion cubic feet of risk-free shale gas reserves, among the largest globally. ALNAFT plans to relaunch exploration licensing in early 2026 amid a strategic pivot toward non-conventional resources. Sonatrach views shale development as essential to offset the decline of mature gas fields such as Hassi R’mel and In Salah. Algeria is turning to shale gas as...

Barrick Gold agreed to sell its Tongon gold mine in northern Côte d’Ivoire to Atlantic Group for $305 million. The deal includes $192 million upfront and up to $113 million in contingent payments over five years. The acquisition marks Atlantic Group’s entry into the mining sector, making Tongon a 100% Ivorian-owned mine. Barrick Gold Corp. agreed on Monday, October 6,...

Botswana, TikTok discuss fair content monetization to include local creators in global earning programs. Talks highlight need for whitelist inclusion to stop high-fee intermediaries and protect creator income. Move positions Botswana to lead Africa’s push for fair digital revenue access and creative economy growth. The Government of Botswana disclosed it has opened direct talks with...

(CHOISEUL AFRICA) - The sixth edition of the Choiseul Africa Business Forum will take place on 4 and 5 November 2025 at the Rabat Marriott Hotel. Organised by Choiseul Africa, chaired by Pascal Lorot, this annual forum will bring together some 800 of the most influential economic and institutional decision-makers from Africa, Europe and the Gulf. Over two days, strategic panels and working...

Senegal to build second refinery to boost fuel capacity Project cost estimated at $2–5 billion, start expected 2026 Aims to process local crude, cut costly fuel imports Senegal plans to build a second oil refinery to boost its capacity to process locally produced crude, according to several media reports quoting Mamadou Abib Diop, Director General of state-owned refining company...

Government plan aims to ease chronic congestion in capital Projects include metro, tram, rail, and 67 km of monorails Goal: expand capacity, improve connectivity for 3 million residents Algeria’s Ministry of Public Works and Infrastructure, working with the Algiers Municipality, is drafting a strategic plan to improve mobility and ease chronic traffic congestion in the capital. The plan...