BUSINESS
CÔTE D’IVOIRE – Applications open for the 11th Edition of the Orange Social Entrepreneur Award in Côte d’Ivoire (POESCI)
Since 2011, the Orange Social Entrepreneur Award in Côte d’Ivoire (POESCI) rewards technological projects with a positive impact allowing the improvement of the living conditions of populations in Africa and the Middle East, in the fields of education, health, agriculture, mobile payment or even sustainable development and is the first step towards international recognition by the Orange Prize for Social Entrepreneurs in Africa and the Middle East (POESAM).
Through this national and international event, Orange Côte d’Ivoire underlines its commitment to the emancipation of young Ivorians, by offering them the opportunity to set up projects whose impact will have an impact on the very future of the continent. . Thus, this competition is aimed at entrepreneurs, students or employees over the age of 21, working in start-ups that have been in existence for less than 3 years and which have a positive impact on their communities.
Applications for this 11th edition are open from Tuesday March 9, 2021 to Friday June 4, 2021. The participation criteria are as follows:
• The strength of the social and / or environmental impact of the project;
• The degree of innovation brought to the use of digital means of communication;
• The possibility of extending the distribution of the product or service to several countries;
• The financial viability of the start-up;
• The realistic and operational nature of the project.
Three prizes will be awarded to the winners:
• the 1st winning prize is 3 million FCFA;
• the 2nd winning prize is 2 million FCFA;
• the 3rd winning prize is 1 million FCFA.
These national winners will then participate in the International Grand Prix: Orange Social Entrepreneur Award in Africa and the Middle East (POESAM, Competition organized by Orange MEA), and will have the opportunity to present themselves and if possible to win the Africa Middle East Regional Prize at the AfricaCom Festival, to be held in November 2021 in Capetown. The 2021 edition of what is shaping up to be one of the biggest tech events on the African continent will be chaired by Alioune Ndiaye, CEO of Orange Middle East & Africa.
Habib Bamba, Director of Transformation, Digital and Media for Orange Côte d’Ivoire, said: “Developing the digital entrepreneurship ecosystem and providing opportunities for local startuppers are for us a guarantee of economic and social performance. Each year the POESCI Prize jury sees several projects, each as innovative as the next. For Orange Côte d’Ivoire, this is an opportunity to identify the promising entrepreneurs and tech start-ups of tomorrow. As for the participants, this competition represents for them an unprecedented opportunity to expose their projects to actors capable of meeting their needs. Since 2011, 4 Ivorian laureates have won the international prize, including a 1st prize in 2012. It is therefore with pride that Orange Côte d’Ivoire is once again launching this program which highlights the talents and innovations of Ivorian entrepreneurs who will promote the development of the Africa of tomorrow. We invite via https://startup.orange.com/fr/poesam-2/poesam-deposez-votre-candidature/ ”.
Source : Koaci
The presidency of Togo has announced that the project to exploit the manganese mine of Nayega, located in the Savanes region in the north of the country, is entering its operational phase. According to a statement issued on June 10, 2025, production is scheduled to start at the end of June 2025, with an initial volume of 4,000 tons per month, which should gradually double to reach 8,000 tons per month.
Keras Resources is the technical partner retained by the Togolese government to carry out this project. A statement from Keras, relayed by the presidency, details that the company signed a cooperation agreement in 2023 with the Togolese state, owner of the mine through the Togolese Manganese Company (STM). Under the terms of this agreement, Keras will receive a remuneration of 1.5% of the mine’s gross revenue for three years for its advisory services, as well as 6% for brokering services.
The reserves of the Nayega mine are estimated at 8.5 million tonnes, which would allow exploitation over a period of 11 years. The authorities of Lomé welcome the expected contribution of the mine to the national budget, a benefit that should be strengthened by the rigorous management of the generated revenues, as indicated by our colleagues from Agence Afrique.
With a growing global demand for manganese, particularly in steel alloys and renewable energy technologies, Togo is seeking to assert itself as an essential supplier of this strategic ore. This positioning could play a catalytic role for the national economy, always according to information from the Africa Agency.
Source: senego / Photo credit: Republicoftogo.com
The Gabonese government decided on Friday to ban the import of broilers in order to promote national poultry production and ensure food security, according to the final communiqué of the council of ministers chaired by the head of state, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema.
The ban will be effective from 1 January 2027, thus leaving a period of 18 months (1 year and 6 months) for actors in the sector to structure themselves, invest and prepare to meet national demand.
“This measure aims to restore domestic poultry production, boost agricultural investment, reduce food dependency and strengthen the trade balance,” the government hopes. Gabon also hopes to foster “the emergence of a network of rural jobs, the rise in quality of products consumed locally and the creation of an economic ecosystem around this sector”.
The government has also planned a detailed operational plan to be presented within 45 days by the ministers responsible for economy and trade.
Libreville dreams of reducing its dependence on poultry imports and strengthening the country’s food security. In addition, the promotion of local poultry farming should have a positive impact on rural areas, generating jobs and contributing to the development of a vibrant poultry ecosystem.
Imported frozen chicken is the most consumed food in Gabon because of its low price and packaging ready to be thrown into a pot.
“The star of the freezer” is how Gabonese people refer to frozen chicken because it is often the only food, if not the default food, found in the freezers of Gabonese families.
Frozen chicken and meat are generally imported from Latin America and Europe. Their massive presence on the market has destroyed local production.
The Council of Ministers also announced a ban on exporting crude manganese from 1 January 2029. The objective is to promote local industrial development, create jobs and maximize the value of this resource, of which Gabon is the world’s second largest producer.
Sources: gabonactu.com
Mauritania is in the spotlight. On Thursday, May 29, 2025, Sidi Ould Tah was elected president of the African Development Bank (AfDB), at the annual meeting of the institution held in Abidjan. He succeeds Akinwumi Adesina of Nigeria, in office since 2015.
His election came after a hard-fought duel against Samuel Munzele Maimbo of Zambia, who finished in second place. The election, which was marked by major geopolitical and economic issues, took place against a background of high expectations regarding governance and development financing on the continent.
The Senegalese Amadou Hott, long perceived as one of the favorites, finishes in third place, followed by the South African Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala. Despite significant diplomatic support, notably for Hott, the momentum in favour of Sidi Ould Tah has prevailed in the last few rounds.
Former minister and general manager of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), Sidi Ould Tah is recognized for his experience and strategic vision. He will officially take office on 1 September 2025.
Photo credit: Forbes Africa
