• Kenya nears a deal with China to remove tariffs on agricultural exports like tea, coffee, and avocados.• Kenya aims to quadruple tea exports to China by 2030 amid losing U.S. market benefits.• China’s 1.4 billion population offers huge trade potential to boost Kenyan farmers’ incomes. Kenya, a nation heavily reliant on agricultural exports, seeks to expand its commercial...

• Madagascar to launch eForm for online travel forms, in partnership with tourism bodies and tech firm Mada Ozi.• Platform to speed entry, boost security, and cut costs; expansion to all borders planned.• Tourism drew 308,275 visitors in 2024, creating over 2,700 jobs. Madagascar is set to launch eForm, a new platform that will digitize travel forms. The initiative is a public-private...

• Senegal’s Diamba Sud gold project now holds 1 million ounces, Fortuna Mining says.• Indicated resources up 53% to 724,000 ounces; inferred at 285,000 ounces.• Based on new drilling; economic assessment due Q4 2025. Senegal’s Diamba Sud gold project now contains 1 million ounces, or 28.6 tons, of gold in its indicated and inferred mineral resources. The announcement was made on...

In Senegal, like in much of Africa, most fruit production is for local consumption. However, the country's banana industry is growing in importance, with ambitions of achieving self-sufficiency. Senegal's banana production reached 105,000 tons in 2025, according to data from the Market Regulation Agency. Despite being 7% short of the  112,500 tons that authorities had forecast, it marks a...

• Aurum adds 820,000 ounces (25 tons) of gold to Boundiali project resources.• Total identified gold now reaches 2.41 million ounces, a 50% increase since Dec. 2024.• A diamond drilling program and updated studies are underway ahead of a 2025 PFS. Aurum Resources announced on Tuesday, August 5, that it has discovered an additional 820,000 ounces of gold—about 25 tons—at its Boundiali...

• Kasada obtains €15 million (around $17.4 million) loan from Africa Go Green fund.• Funds will support construction of a sustainable hotel in Abidjan, operated by Accor.• The project aligns with Kasada’s expansion across West Africa and focus on green buildings. Kasada, an investment platform focused on hotel assets in sub-Saharan Africa, announced on August 5 that it has...

• Starting August 20, 2025, travelers from Malawi and Zambia must pay up to $15,000 for U.S. visas.• The bond is refundable if visitors comply with the authorized stay duration.• The policy is part of a broader shift in U.S. immigration and African foreign policy under Trump. Starting August 20, 2025, citizens of Malawi and Zambia will be required to pay a refundable bond of up...

• Ghana officially launched the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) to reform artisanal and small-scale mining and promote responsible practices.• The new program merges previous initiatives, focuses on mercury-free technologies, and supports mining cooperatives with training, equipment, and environmental rehabilitation.• Around one million people work...

• Senegal launched “Source Sénégal PPP” on Aug. 5 to digitalize PPP contract procedures.• The platform aims to boost investment with support from Germany and the Sustainable Infrastructure Foundation.• It aligns with Senegal’s “2050” strategy, targeting CFAF 4,370 billion in PPPs by 2029. Senegal launched a new digital platform called “Source Sénégal PPP” on Tuesday,...

• Synthetic fibers like polyester now account for nearly 75% of global fiber production, sharply reducing cotton’s market share to about 20%.• African countries reliant on raw cotton exports face strong competition from cheaper synthetic fibers and should develop local spinning and garment industries to add value.• UNCTAD recommends targeted investments, infrastructure upgrades, and skill...