Author: Editor

By Kako Nubukpo, former Togolese Minister of Forecasting and Evaluation of Public Policies. Italy has obviously never fully recovered from its defeat at the Battle of Adoua against Ethiopia, which partly sold the end of its colonial adventure in Africa and certainly marked its decline on the international scene. It has nonetheless retained a strong grudge and a longing for France and Great Britain, which in this case have had more prosperous destinies. The proof was given to us these last days, marked by the heavy fire of statements of Luigi di Maio and Matteo Salvani, both vice-presidents of the…

Finnfund, a Finnish development finance company, provides a EUR 2.5 million secured loan to Africado, a Tanzanian avocado producer. Sustainable avocado farming is a viable alternative for Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro region farmers whose livelihoods have been shaken by the plunging price of coffee. The price of coffee has fallen sharply in recent years primarily due to expanded production in Brazil and Vietnam. The impact is felt also in Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro region where coffee farming has long been an important source of livelihood. Now local farmers are urgently seeking alternative crops Africado was established in 2007 as Tanzania’s first commercial and international…

By Christine HOLZBAUER, Paris. Since January 8th, it is the guéguerre between France and Italy with little murderous phrases largely relayed by the media on both sides of the Alps. What fly so stung Matteo Salvini and Luigi Di Maio, the two vice-presidents of the Italian Council of Ministers, so that they decided to open a front of unprecedented attack against the French government? Seen from Africa, we first looked, dumbfounded, French President Emmanuel Macron to be pounded by his Italian populist opponents accusing Paris of “impoverish Africa” ​​and aggravate the migration crisis. Then it is the invocation of the…

By Achille Mbog Pibasso. The Equatorial Guinean State, through the auction, raised 15 billion FCFA of assimilable treasury bills (BTA) on the market of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC). According to the chronogram of activities on the securities market published by the Bank of Central African States (BEAC), this is the second operation of its kind for Equatorial Guinea at the beginning of the year, ie 30 billion FCFA raised within one month by this country. An operation in which ten CEMAC banking institutions acting as Securities Value Specialists (SVT) took part. With a maturity of…

By Rodrigue Fenelon, great reporter. Emmanuel Macron is conducting a strategic visit to Egypt on January 27, 2019, where he will meet with President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi. Four ministers accompany the head of the French state on this trip: Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Florence Parly, Minister of the Armed Forces, Franck Riester, Minister of Culture and Gérald Darmanin, Minister of Public Accounts. The reasons for this lightning visit are the subject of speculation from Kinshasa to Bangui. Paris would seek to preserve its influence in Africa where Beijing, Moscow and Washington are gaining ground. Hence the recourse…

Challenges: meeting of Francophone and Anglophone Ministers from 18 OPPA member countries and companies and organizations that play a key role in the oil and gas sector. The Organization of African Petroleum Producers (OPPA) and its member countries call for unity, cooperation and reform among oil producers in the run-up to the CAPE VII Congress and Exhibition, which will take place from 1 to 5 April in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. OPPA invites all interested companies and organizations to participate in this important meeting of government and private decision-makers in the oil and gas sector in Africa in 2019, which will…

By Achille Mbog Pibasso. Activities are gaining momentum at the port of Kribi with the entry into operation of the multipurpose terminal. The multipurpose terminal platform of the Kribi port is now operational. Managed by the Cameroon consortium Kribi polyvalent multiple operators (KPMO), it officially entered into business with the arrival of the first commercial vessel on January 18, 2019. According to the General Directorate of Kribi Autonomous Port (PAK), a Chinese-flagged vessel docked there and unloaded at the multi-purpose wharf more than 3,000 pipelines for the city’s drinking water project. city ​​of Yaoundé and its surroundings from the Sanaga…

The operationalization of the newly-created Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA) moved into high gear today with the holding of the pre-incorporation meeting of the Board of Directors in Cairo. FEDA, a wholly-owned development-oriented subsidiary of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), has been set up to implement the Bank’s Equity Investment Programme by providing seed capital to companies in Afreximbank’s key focus sectors, including agri-business; manufacturing; consumer and retail; financial services; technology; travel and tourism; transport and logistics; and industrial parks. It will invest across all market segments but will have its greatest focus on small and medium-sized enterprises. The long-term…

Congo Business Network, Legal Tech Africa, and Tribune Justice are organizing an online event on February 16, 2019 on Cisco WebEx from 18:00 to 20:00 Paris time. The theme of this event is: “Legal Tech: Its Advantages for Success in Business in Africa.” The objective of this session is to bring together professionals and entrepreneurs who have experience in business in the diaspora and in Africa, and who can share knowledge and experience in the legal tech sector.  Speakers will give important information to participants so that investors, institutions, SMEs and startups can be better informed about the best way…

By Brice Kouao. WHAT IS THE MOST OFFENSIVE BANK FOR CREDITS IN COTE D’IVOIRE? Between 2013 and 2017, loans granted by the Ivorian banking sector increased by 105%, from CFAF 3,065 billion to CFAF 6274 billion. 80% of its credits came from the country’s top eight banks out of a total of 28 players. However, by looking closely at this growth, there is a noticeable difference in the credit policy of top 8 members. The SGBCI, the country’s leading bank and UEMOA is distinguished by an increase of more than 150% of its credits, from 447 billion to 1153 billion…

By Rasheed Hashi In recent weeks, many Somalis have raised an important question: after nearly 60 years of independence, why need a “white” man – a muzungu or saan-cadde as they say – to play the baby? – Serve and lead the central bank, a sovereign Somali entity? If the information is correct, a Briton should be appointed head of the country’s Central Bank. This creates a dangerous precedent. Why not let Europeans lead our ministries, our armed forces or even why not have a European head of state? Somalis would not have the level The insulting justification for such…

Mr. Director of Publication, It was with great surprise that I read the article entitled “Haussmann Group Africa from success story to disillusionment”. I founded Haussmann since its inception and would like to draw your attention to the fact that the information relayed is completely false and without foundation: in the space of a year since our fundraising, we have opened offices in 9 countries, doubled the number of employees and almost tripled our revenues without resorting to any bank credit of any kind whatsoever . The numbers speak for themselves and I am sure you will agree with me…

The President of the Union of the Comoros, Azali Assoumani, the first Head of State to visit the new Secretary General of La Francophonie, took the opportunity of this meeting to renew his congratulations to Louise Mushikiwabo for her election which had seen Africa speak with one voice. In his declared determination to see the next Comorian elections take place in total transparency, the President of the Republic has shown his willingness to see the OIF accompany the electoral process underway, including by sending observers. “It is essential that the President who will come out of the polls is unquestionable…

In an audience with the President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz held yesterday in Nouakchott, ECA’sExecutive Secretary Vera Songwe congratulated Mauritania for having ratified theAfrican Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), as a major project for the region’s economic development. Mauritania is one of the first countries to sign the AfCFTA documents, this shows that its President and government are convinced of the importance of regional integration, said Songwe. Discussions with President Ould Abdel Aziz included strategic choices for ECA’s work in Mauritania and its cooperation with the country as part of its role in support…

More than 1,000 delegates from various African markets will attend the African Federation of Insurance Companies (FANAF) meetings scheduled for Tunis from February 17 to 21 under the banner of promoting insurance. After the 2018 edition in Kigali (Rwanda), which invited delegates to rethink “African Insurance in the face of disruptions”, the 2019 General Assembly, to remain in the continuity of reflection, is placed under the central theme: “What market structure to promote the development of African insurance? Says Adama Ndiaye, president of FANAF. The main theme will be the subject of four major panels that will involve eminent specialists…

The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) is at the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) what the IFC (International Finance Corporation) is at the World Bank. It is the reference instrument of the Islamic Bank Group dedicated to financing and supporting the private sector. In this exclusive interview, ICD CEO Ayman Sejini, who has been in office since October 2018, strives to establish the institution instead of Africa.

The French Jacqueline Casalegno, founder of the company Chanas Assurances died on January 23, 2019 in Douala at the age of 93 years. By Achille Mbog Pibasso, Douala. Exit definitely Jacqueline Casalegno of Chanas assurances. Although removed from the company’s day-to-day management for the last six years, the former all-powerful President and CEO (CEO) has not survived an illness that was gnawing at her despite a retirement in the peaceful highlands. of the West, particularly in the department of Noun where it has a vast land area. His first fight, he lost in 2013 when it was necessary to comply…

Block R has been returned to the State; The Ministry of Mines and Hydrocarbons reiterates its openness to more investment in the hydrocarbons sector and recognizes Ophir’s commitment to Equatorial Guinea. The Ministry of Mines and Hydrocarbons of Equatorial Guinea has confirmed that the production sharing agreement for Ophir Energy’s Block R has not been extended. The ministry issued a notice informing the London-based company of its decision in December after Ophir’s exploration license expired. As a result, Ophir is no longer the operator of the block, which is now returned to the state. “The ministry highly appreciates and appreciates…

It is one thing to be told, by mainstream thinking, that economic intelligence (IE) is the research and dissemination of information useful to economic actors. Another is to practice it in hostile territory or in a tropical environment in the face of actors without faith or law. In this case, the EI is to defend, attack and influence, under penalty of disappearing from the market. Field control is vital. By Guy Gweth * The African terrain is marked by its 15 glorious (2000-2015) during which the continent has gone from being a desperate continent to a hoped-for market. 15 years…

By Achille Mog Pibasso, Douala. The Central African Banking Commission (COBAC) declared that the approval of the Bank of Africa group (BOA) to open a subsidiary in Cameroon has lapsed. The decision of the banking regulator in Central Africa, disrupts the banking system in Cameroon where Moroccan groups are present. In addition to Attijariwafa Bank which took over the Commercial Bank Corporation (SCB), the banking presence of the Sherifian kingdom is reflected by the acquisition in late 2018 of the International Bank of Cameroon for savings and credit (BICEC) by the Central People’s Bank (BCP), the same Moroccan financial holding…

By Florent Gbongué, PhD * WAEMU countries have drawn up ambitious national development programs with a view to achieving emergence within a given horizon [1]. Note that the implementation of these programs requires the mobilization of significant resources, which are internal (tax revenues) or external (debts). In this article, we are interested in the optimal mobilization of external resources through the determination of the optimal cost of borrowing on the WAEMU regional financial market. Introduction The analysis of coupon rates on government securities of the countries of the union reveals the existence of implicit rate spreads (STIs) or implicit risk…

The Islamic Research and Training Institute (IRTI) has participated in an international conference for waqf in Guinea, organized by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) from 16-17 January 2019. President of the IsDB, Dr. Bandar Hajjar, along with several heads of state, inaugurated the conference, which addressed challenges facing the waqf institution, and discussed potential innovative solutions for the development of the sector. Speakers from the West African region and beyond participated in the conference. The first day of the conference had four sessions that discussed unlocking the potential of waqf to achieve sustainable development, success stories of waqf projects in…

Founded in 2013 in Lomé, Togo, AGR, a key player of the green economy and waste recycling sector in sub-Saharan Africa, places waste at the centre of a new model of economic and social innovation on the continent. AGR sorts and sells waste so that it can be transformed. Acquiring this equity holding illustrates Groupe Duval’s desire to strengthen its position as a key waste recycling actor on the African continent. Éric Duval, President and Founder of Groupe Duval stated “We are proud to support an actor as committed and pioneering as AGR. We are particularly excited about…

The UK-based global software firm unveiled its unaudited interim results today for six months ended 31st October 2018 Highlights include; 22% rise in revenues to £21m (£17.2m in 2017) Recurring revenues increased by 30% to £14m Software as a Service (SaaS) bookings increased by 80% to £6.6m Acquisition strategy doubles the size of key quality and audit business areas Ideagen today (Tuesday, January 22nd) announced that it expects to record its tenth successive year of growth following the publication of its unaudited interim results this morning. The UK-based, global software firm delivered a strong market update with half-year performance in…

Responding to Baidy Agne, president of the National Council of Patronage of Senegal (CNP), who asked the state “to love” the national private sector with its flaws and its qualities, Macky Sall has, once again, given his vision private sector. WE HAVE TO FIGHT … “It is necessary that our private sector, certainly, be accompanied, but it is also necessary that it rolls up the sleeves to fight; we are in globalization, “explains Macky Sall. For the Senegalese president, the national question is “very relative” today. “Capital is no longer national, it is international; we live in economic communities, we…

“In spite of all the contingencies, I am firmly convinced that the time of Africa has come.” These solemn words are the Senegalese President, Macky Sall, on January 17, 2019, at the opening of the third edition of the International Conference on African Emergence (ICAE). Speaking on behalf of the entire continent, the Senegalese head of state believes that “nothing should hinder our resolute march towards emergence”. Applauded by an audience of development experts, African officials in charge of economy, finance and social inclusion, all at the Abdou Diouf International Conference Center, on the edge of the new city from…

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) today in Cairo signed a facility agreement lending $170 million to Egypt-based conglomerate Orascom Investment Holding (OIH) to assist the company expand its pan-African activities in pursuit of its short and medium-term expansion strategy. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Afreximbank President Prof. Benedict Oramah said that the facility agreement was part of the Bank’s effort to promote intra-African investments and export manufacturing using the framework of its Intra-African Investment Finance Facility. Prof. Oramah said that the transaction was a significant opportunity for OIH’s targeted investments in companies across Africa to support their transformation, increase their production…

By Valérie K. Energy Development Corporation Limited (EDCL) has announced that the Rwandan government is preparing to build a national butane gas reserve to meet growing demand and protect against a shortage or rising prices. “The new gas reserve, proposed by the government, will help meet the growing demand for cooking gas, but also protect against a possible shortage or increase in prices,” Oreste Niyonsaba, director general, said on 8 January. 2019. To this end, Kigali is investigating the path of a public-private partnership for the management of facilities, before an operation by private. The goal is to meet the…

The Republic of Benin has signed a financing agreement for a total amount of 127M € (83 billion CFA Francs) with a leading international bank. This loan has a partial guarantee from the World Bank and its funds will be entirely dedicated to the financing of the project for Insurance for the Strengthening of Human Capital (‘ARCH’). This commercial bank therefore joins the many international partners who have already contributed to the ARCH project: the World Bank, presents through its guarantee in this operation, but also by a direct financial participation; the Islamic Development Bank, the French Development Agency and…

By Cédric T. The Bank of Ghana (BoG) rejected accusations that it played a direct role in the selection of the five banks for recapitalization under the Ghana Amalgamated Trust Limited (GAT) program. It is indeed a “special-purpose vehicle” announced by Ken Ofori-Atta, the Minister of Finance, to support solvent and well-run local banks, which had difficulties meeting the new requirements. by the central bank. The initiative allows pension funds to inject some GHG 2 billion into selected institutions. “We did not play a direct role, but we supported the initiative,” said Dr. Ernest Addison, Governor of the Central Bank.…