Government, ESCWA, and experts meet to shape national framework Plan aims to fight corruption, cut costs, and train blockchain talent Mauritania is advancing a national blockchain policy to modernize its digital infrastructure, aiming to create more transparent and efficient public services through secure data systems. The initiative moved forward on Thursday as the Ministry of Digital...

Senegal launches startup initiative to boost innovation and financing access Plan targets 500+ certified startups, 150,000 jobs by 2034 Certified firms gain tax breaks, training, and procurement advantages Senegal's government on Thursday launched its "Startup Ecosystem" initiative, formally implementing a startup law originally passed in January 2020. The program aims to support...

Attack risks internet disruptions; investigation launched near Massakory EU-funded project aims to link Chad to regional and global networks Chad's Ministry of Telecommunications reported a vandalism attack on a section of the Chad component of the Trans-Saharan Fiber Optic Backbone (DTS) on Wednesday. It is the second such incident on the critical digital infrastructure in less than two...

DRC extends mining ban on 38 sites in rebel-held Kivu regions Move aims to curb M23 funding from illegal mineral exploitation UN reports $70M in illicit gold sales, 686 tons smuggled since January The Democratic Republic of Congo's government has extended a "red status" designation on 38 mining sites in the conflict-affected North and South Kivu provinces for six months. Mines...

SolarX secures €15M loan from Afrigreen Fund to expand in West Africa Funds to refinance assets, support solar projects in four countries Investment targets growing demand for reliable, clean energy in key sectors The Afrigreen Debt Impact Fund has provided a 15-million-euro senior secured loan to solar energy company SolarX. The fund is managed by RGREEN INVEST and advised by...

Ecofin Agency spoke with Emily Kobayashi, Head of the HPV vaccine program at Gavi, about progress in HPV vaccination across Africa, the results achieved so far, and the remaining challenges. According to Gavi, the alliance  estimates that it has  already protected 86 million girls in lower-income countries, reaching this milestone ahead of schedule, with Africa at the center of the...

Japan lends $346.7M to Morocco for Gharb plain irrigation project Plan extends irrigation to 30,000 hectares using Al Wahda dam resources Project supports national goals to boost crop yields and water efficiency Morocco has secured a 64.6 billion yen ($346.7 million) loan from Japan. The funds will finance an agricultural water management project in the southeast of the Gharb plain,...

Malaysian Palm Oil Council forecasts prices rising to 4,500 ringgit by year-end Demand from China, Ramadan, and monsoon disruptions seen tightening supply Indonesia’s B50 biodiesel plan may reduce exports, adding upward price pressure The Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) expects benchmark palm oil prices to rise to 4,500 ringgit ($1,082) per ton by the end of the year. In a statement...

COP30 draft removes fossil fuel transition roadmap amid major opposition 29 nations warn they won’t back deal lacking roadmap from COP28 Brazil seeks compromise as talks near end, divisions remain unresolved The latest draft agreement at the COP30 climate talks, published on Friday, has removed all mention of a roadmap for transitioning away from fossil fuels. The move deletes a key...

Zimbabwe opens $100M tobacco plant to boost local processing capacity Facility can produce 600M cigarettes monthly, aims to reduce raw exports Sector targets $7B revenue by 2030 amid rising tobacco production Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa inaugurated a tobacco processing plant in Harare on November 19. The $100 million facility was developed by agribusiness firm...