In Morocco, the output of citrus in 2017-18, is forecasted to slightly increase by 3% compared to that of the previous season to stand at 2.3 million tons. The secretary-general of the Moroccan citrus producers association (ASPAM), Ahmed Derrab, revealed this and also said that this increase was due to the new farms launched. Though this meek performance confirms the sector’s dynamism...

ASX-listed AVZ Minerals announced today March 7 that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Chinese Guangzhou Tinci Materials Technology for a potential investment in its Manono lithium project in DR Congo. In return, Tinci, renowned as the world’s largest battery electrolyte manufacturer, could supply itself with the mine’s output. This MoU is subsequent to the...

Volcanic Gold concluded a binding MoU to acquire up to 100% of Jofema Mineral Resources, a private company registered in Côte d’Ivoire whose assets include Debo and Soubré gold licenses (over 600 km²). Volcanic would have to pay $8 million, half as cash and the remaining as shares in the company under the terms of the agreement. It will also finance exploration activities at the...

At the end of 2017, the exports of agricultural products generated a record figure of $10 billion. Compared to 2016’s figure ($8.6 billion), this represents an increase by about 16.3%. According to Wandile Sihlobo, an economist at the agricultural business chamber (Agbiz), this upward trade trend is attributable to the surge in exports of fruits, vegetables, cereals, liquors and...

Last March 5 in Rabat, the Moroccan minister of industry, investment, trade and digital economy Moulay Hafid Elalamy, the minister of economy and finances, Mohamed Boussaid and the representative of the country’s 12 professional chambers signed a series of conventions related to the development of the chambers of commerce, industry and services (CCIS) and their federation. These...

During a roundtable organized for its twenty-fifth anniversary, the Group of Experts and Scientists (GESC) warned of the danger faced by Malagasy lands in view of foreign investors’ appetite for land.  "The reason for this meeting is our observation that Malagasies would eventually end up stateless on their own land, if they continue to sell land deliberately to foreigners. This is...

France will disburse over €275 million ($339.4 million) to support Benin government action plan (PAG). This was revealed yesterday March 5, by France’s president Emmanuel Macron during a press briefing.  Following the visit of Benin’s President, Patrice Talon, to his French counterpart, five sectors have been selected to benefit from this funding. They are namely the health,...

The South African government accused Tiger Brands, the giant food supplier, of being responsible for the listeriosis outbreak that hit the country in January 2017. The symptoms of this Listeria-caused disease are notably fever, nausea and muscle pain. It mainly affects weak persons such as elderly people and pregnant women.     According to data from WHO, this pandemic...

 “Due to frauds in the electricity sector which creates a shortfall of about CFA40 billion ($74.8 million) every year in the country’s revenues, the Ivorian power utility service (CIE) has set 400, 000 smart meters, to date”. The statement was made by CIE’s secretary general, Emmanuel Kouadio.  He also announced that this operation to modernize the national grid’s...

World Bank has just approved a $375 million loan from the International Development Association (IDA) to support Ethiopia’s national electrification program.  “Through this program, we hope to facilitate the provision of electricity services to all Ethiopians nationwide by 2025.  This means that children will be able to study at night, health facilities will be able...