Month: July 2026

The Côte d’Ivoire stands out in West Africa for its robust economic performance, and the government is leaving no stone unturned to highlight its achievements. In a comprehensive address from Abidjan, Souleymane Diarrassouba, Minister of Trade, Industry, and SME Promotion, outlined the strides made in economic policy over recent years. The presentation served a dual purpose: educating stakeholders while reinforcing the narrative of a resilient Ivorian economy driven by industrialization, public investment, and economic diversification. Industrial transformation drives economic gains At the heart of the minister’s address was the push…

Gabon’s mining sector is poised for a major transformation as French miner Eramet commits to a landmark agreement that will significantly increase local processing of its manganese output. In a high-profile signing ceremony held in Paris, Eramet and its Gabonese subsidiary Comilog formalized plans to elevate the country’s manganese processing capacity to 700,000 tonnes annually by 2031. The event, attended by Gabon’s transitional president Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema and top Eramet executives, underscores the urgency of boosting domestic resource value addition. Breaking decades of raw material exports The protocol, signed…

Six prominent local leaders from Côte d’Ivoire’s main opposition party, the Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI), walked free on Monday after spending nine months in detention. Their release follows a judicial hearing at the country’s anti-terrorism court and was confirmed by their legal representative. Political detentions during a tense election year The freed PDCI officials were among dozens of opposition members arrested in 2025, a year marked by a highly contentious presidential election in Côte d’Ivoire. Their lawyer confirmed their release on social media, stating: “Following today’s hearing at…

Morocco’s economy grows 4.9% in 2025 despite global challenges The annual report from Bank Al-Maghrib highlights Morocco’s resilient economic performance in 2025, with 4.9% GDP growth and controlled inflation despite global uncertainties. King Mohammed VI of Morocco received Governor Abdellatif Jouahri of Bank Al-Maghrib at the Royal Palace in Tetouan to review the central bank’s annual report on the national economy. During the meeting, Governor Jouahri presented the 2025 annual economic, monetary, and financial report, highlighting Morocco’s robust economic performance despite global challenges. Robust GDP growth and controlled inflation Morocco’s…

Senegal shifts position to endorse former president Macky Sall’s UN candidacy Senegal has officially endorsed the candidacy of former president Macky Sall for the position of United Nations Secretary-General. The announcement, made on July 20, marks a surprising reversal of Dakar’s earlier position, which had withheld support just days prior. The shift follows a closed-door meeting between Macky Sall and current president Bassirou Diomaye Faye in Dakar. While outgoing leaders often receive their country’s backing for top international roles, Macky Sall’s bid was instead submitted by Burundi—which currently holds the…

Cameroon-FIDA partnership boosts rural farm output The Cameroun–FIDA collaboration has achieved remarkable progress in agricultural productivity, as highlighted during a joint review held in Yaoundé on July 16, 2026. The event marked the conclusion of the 2019-2026 Country Strategic Opportunities Programme (COSOP) and set the stage for the next phase (2027-2032). Under the 2019-2026 COSOP, the FIDA focused on empowering rural communities—particularly women and youth—through targeted investments in small-scale farming and agribusiness. The programme’s primary aim was to enhance food security and improve livelihoods across Cameroun’s rural landscapes. Key achievements…