ADFMA partners with regional research center WAVE to improve cassava yields Post-harvest losses reach 40% of national output, driven by low yields and disease Cassava sector generated CFA514 bln ($850 mln) in value added in 2018, CIRAD says Côte d’Ivoire’s Cassava Development Agency (ADFMA) has entered into a partnership with the Regional Center of Excellence for Transboundary...

ARCEP begins national audit of telecom services, covering 23 provinces and highways Mobile users complain of call failures, slow connections, and frequent outages Law allows fines up to 5% of revenue, suspension, or license withdrawal for breaches The Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications and Postal Services (ARCEP) has launched its 15th national audit of telecom service quality,...

GSMA projects digital transformation could create $3.4 bln and 500,000 jobs Agriculture, industry, trade, transport, and public administration flagged as key sectors National digital strategies aim to boost tax revenue, efficiency, and competitiveness Ghana’s economy could gain more than 40 billion GHS ($3.4 billion) and nearly 500,000 jobs by 2029 through digital...

BP signs deal with EGAS to drill five offshore wells in Mediterranean $343 mln plan launched with Shell, Eni, Arcius Energy, and Zarubezhneft Gas exports slump from 7.7 mln tons in 2022 to 0.8 mln in 2024 amid falling output Egypt has turned to global oil and gas majors to address its steep decline in production. On September 8, British BP signed a memorandum of understanding with...

Walmart to launch its own-brand stores in South Africa before year-end Retail giant to source from local SMEs and compete with Shoprite, Woolworths, Pick n Pay South Africa’s retail market grew 5.6% in 2024 to $72.6 bln, Euromonitor says U.S. retail giant Walmart announced this week it will open its first stores under its own brand in South Africa before the end of...

Gabon launches a fresh CFA50 bln bond issue after June’s oversubscribed sale Offer structured in two tranches with 2- and 3-year maturities at 5.6% and 6% Proceeds to finance priority projects, economic recovery, and public finances Gabon is back on the Central Africa Stock Exchange (BVMAC) to raise CFA50 billion ($89.1 million). The bond, named “EOG 2025 à tranches multiples...

World Bank report highlights weak tax contribution from agriculture despite large exports Farm companies achieve only 2% of potential corporate tax revenue, versus 63% in industry Export duties on cocoa and cashew remain key revenue source, not profit taxation Agriculture in Côte d’Ivoire is among the sectors that remain lightly taxed, alongside mining, trade, construction, and...

Polish company Hynfra signed a framework agreement with Mauritania for a $1.5 billion green ammonia project, targeting 100,000 tonnes per year by 2030. The project will integrate solar and wind power, electrolyzers, a synthesis unit, desalination, and export logistics via the Port of Friendship. Despite numerous high-profile announcements, concrete progress on Mauritania's green...

• Ethiopia was Africa's largest fertilizer importer in 2024, acquiring nearly 1.97 million tonnes, primarily NP compounds and urea.• Sub-Saharan Africa's top five importers—Ethiopia, Kenya, Zambia, Nigeria, and Côte d'Ivoire—rely heavily on imports due to limited local primary fertilizer production.• Several countries, including Kenya, Zambia, and Côte d'Ivoire, re-export significant...

• Côte d'Ivoire aims to connect 30 new localities to high-speed internet by September 25, as part of the second phase of its National Rural Connectivity Program (PNCR).• The broader national plan targets connecting 575 rural localities to high-speed internet by the end of 2025.• The initiative seeks to reduce the digital divide, foster social and financial inclusion, and position Côte...