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ETHIOPIA: AfDB supports modernization of electronic payments

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As part of the modernization of electronic payment infrastructure in Ethiopia, the Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) supported a grant of 2.US$33 million from the African Digital Financial Inclusion Facility Special Fund (ADFI). A decision taken at a meeting in Abidjan on 17 December 2020. These financial resources are intended to finance the Ethiopia National Switch Enhancement Project.

According to the AfDB, this project will be a major support to low-income populations and will open up many financial opportunities for women. During its implementation, the switch will consistently support digital social payments, one of the priorities of the Ethiopian government especially in this context of global health crisis. The switch will facilitate bulk payments such as pensions, safety net program payments, e-commerce payments, bus tickets, utility bills (water, electricity and telephone) and traffic tickets. The project will not be limited to this, it will integrate the capacity development of the Ethiopian Treasury teams, the National Bank of Ethiopia and relevant entities such as the Ministry of Technology.

The national switch, the Ethiopian company EthSwitch S.C (abbreviation for “Ethiopian National Switch”), will be responsible for the execution of the project, which will be based in the first year on 17 banks and 2 micro-finance institutions (MFIs). In the second year, the number of banks will increase to 29 and the MFIs to 5. Finally, in the third year, two other banks and six other MFIs will be added to the project. 

All banks in Ethiopia are shareholders of EthSwitch S.C, legally established in 2011 by the National Bank of Ethiopia and operational since 2016. It is the owner and operator of Ethiopia’s national retail electronic payment switch. The company’s job is to provide simple, affordable, secure and efficient electronic payment infrastructure services to payment service providers in Ethiopia with state-of-the-art technology and skilled and dynamic staff.

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TOGO – The manganese mine of Nayega enters into operational phase

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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

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GABON – The end of frozen chicken imports in 2027

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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

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BAD: Mauritanian Sidi Ould Tah takes the reins of the institution

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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

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