With 13% of the world’s population and 24% of its morbidity, but a mere 3% of pharmaceutical production and a majority of counterfeit drugs, Africa is having to contend with a major public health challenge, namely access to quality medicines. This problem is currently being made even more acute by the growth in chronic diseases, demographic transition and the emergence of middle classes who are...

Private investors will disburse $700 million to set up a hydroelectric plant in Northern Province this year, Zambian government announced. Felix Mulati (photo), finance minister, who disclosed the information said funders assured that the project will effectively commence by August this year. “Among the things we want to do here in Northern Province is in the power sector. One is...

Kibali gold mine in DRC is expected to reach full production this year, Randgold Resources, the mine owner announced on Monday. The company successfully commissioned the automated ore handling and hoisting system, part of the underground mine startup process. “What remains to be done is to ramp up underground production at Kibali gold mine and complete the construction of the mine’s third...

Egyptian government increased guaranteed price to sugarcane farmers to EGP720 ($40.6) per ton, from EGP700 previously, Reuters reported. This revalorization announced by the supply ministry is subsequent to famers’ reluctance to supply the government during this season which runs from January to May. The country expects to produce one million tons of sugarcane. Egypt is the Africa’s...

Togo aims to increase its cottonseed output to 200,000 tons, of which 95% will be first choice produce, by 2022. The information was disclosed last Saturday at the closing of open houses organized by the ministry of agriculture. In this regard, Lomé is envisaging an average yield of 1,600 kg per ha. An ambitious project, strongly supported by Nouvelle Société Cotonnière du...

In Ethiopia, mobile payment platform M-Birr has secured approval from DEG, the German Development Finance Bank, for €4 million ($4.8 million) grant to support its expansion. According to the lender’s executives, the goal is to reinforce financial inclusion in the country of 85 million inhabitants, of which significant part is excluded from the financial system. Indeed, more than three...

The power line linking Ghana and Burkina Faso will be operational by mid-2018. The Burkinabe minister of energy visited the facility’s construction site for this purpose.  The line (225 KV) will interconnect Bolgatanga (Ghana) and Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) localities. It will extend over 210 km of which 37 km will be in Ghana. World Bank, French Development Agency, European Investment...

Despite their crucial role in wealth creation, women have little or no access to land and production means. That is what the NGO Oxfam denounced in its “Reward work, not wealth” report published yesterday. The report, which involves a survey done in 35 countries, points out that in Senegal, only 5% of women have sole property of their land, compared to 22% of men. In Burundi, this rate...

Burkina Faso’s international Bank for trade and industry (BICIA-B), local subsidiary of French banking group BNP Paribas, granted up to CFA9 million ($16,807) to three of its collaborators. Alimata Ouédraogo, Faustine Sombié and Thérèse Sawadogo received each CFA3 million for implementing projects for the benefit of disadvantaged groups in the country.  The first project rewarded,...

Mining company Tiger Resources concluded a purchase agreement on Monday with Chinese company Sinomine HK to sell its copper-cobalt assets in DRC valued at about $260 million. The related assets include Kipoi and Lupoto projects and the “la patience” permit. According to terms stated, the sale amount include $250 million cash payments and the assumption of liabilities by Sinomine HK...