BUSINESS
MADAGASCAR: Two projects totalling $54 million

Funding from technical and financial partners is effectively used in development projects. The government enjoys the trust of donors. The Minister of Economy and Finance Richard Randriamandrato reiterated this at the ICC Ivato during the signing of two financing agreements between the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Malagasy state. By Midi Madagasikara
Important Sectors
These two projects, totalling US$54 million, involve two important sectors of the economy: agriculture and industry. The Development Project of the Agro-Industrial Processing Area of South-West Madagascar (PTASO) is funded to the tune of USD 27 million. A project that will have its golden weight for the southern regions of the country, since it will promote agricultural value chains including rice, peas, maize, fish products and small ruminants. This is done through the development of infrastructure and the encouragement of the private sector to support industrial transformation. These include the creation of the Toliara agro-industrial platform and the Tandadave agro-business centre, the improvement of agricultural production infrastructures, the strengthening of the capacities of agro-industrial sectors, etc. These actions will result in the creation of wealth and jobs, improved food security, and the reduction of chronic malnutrition in southwest Madagascar. The SAWP will cover an agricultural area of 83,000 hectares and will have a concrete impact on the daily lives of 152,000 direct beneficiaries and 460,000 indirect beneficiaries, 54.7% of whom are women.
Direct Support
The Project to Support Industrialization and the Financial Sector (PAISF) is financed by a loan of USD 17 million from the AfDB. Coming in direct support to the Emergence Plan of Madagascar, The project is oriented towards the industrial sector, which is considered essential for strengthening Madagascar’s resilience and significantly reducing poverty through the creation of decent jobs and the promotion of investment. In addition, PAISF emphasizes the role of the financial sector, whose access must be facilitated for small and medium-sized enterprises to promote their integration into industrial value chains. In its implementation, the PAISF should promote the conditions for private investment in Madagascar’s manufacturing sector, particularly in sectors where the country has comparative advantages, such as textiles and agri-food. The project could help accelerate the development of Zones of Industrial Emergence (ZEI) that will capitalize on these comparative advantages and develop value chains in the perspective of the continental free trade area and attract international investors.
To good use
These two projects reflect in any case the excellence of the relations between Madagascar and the AfDB. “AfDB will continue to work for the development of Madagascar,” said its resident representative, Mohamed Abdallah Cherif. “ For his part, the Minister of Economy and Finance, Richard Randriamandranto reiterated that the government really works for the development of the country and uses the funds wisely. “The funds are actually used by the ministerial departments involved in the development projects financed,” he said.
Source : Midi Madagasikara / By R.Edmond.
BUSINESS
TOGO – The manganese mine of Nayega enters into operational phase

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
BUSINESS
GABON – The end of frozen chicken imports in 2027

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

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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