BUSINESS
MARROCO: 34 approved projects with a total cost of more than $1.2 billion
A total of 34 projects were reviewed and approved by the Investment Committee in Morocco, meeting on Wednesday under the chairmanship of the Head of Government, Saad Eddine El Otmani. Totalling $1.26 billion (DH 11.3 billion), these projects are expected to create 3,500 direct jobs and 5,819 indirect jobs, according to a press release from the Ministry of Industry, Trade, Green and Digital Economy. By APA
The breakdown of investments by sector highlights the tourism and leisure sector, with 3.29 billion DH (1 dollar = 8.95 DH), or more than 29% of planned investments, followed by the transport and infrastructure sector with 2,47 billion DH and the education and higher education sector with 2.27 billion DH, while the renewable energy and seawater desalination sector occupies the 4th position with 2 billion DH.
By sectoral distribution of jobs, the tourism and leisure sector is the main source of employment, points out the same source, noting that projects in this sector foresee the creation of 1,365 direct jobs or 39% of the jobs to be created.
In terms of the distribution of investments by region of location, the Casablanca-Settat region comes in first position with 3.84 billion, or 34% of planned investments, followed by the Rabat-Metz region.Salé-Kénitra with investment projects of the order of DH 3.39 billion.
With 7.45 billion Moroccan capital projects account for the majority of planned investments, or nearly 66%. These projects were initiated as part of the implementation of major projects in the sectors of industry, education and higher education and tourism and recreation.
Morocco-France joint ventures are ranked second with investments estimated at DH 2 billion, or more than 17% of the total investment amount approved by the commission, followed by investments from the United Arab Emirates with DH 1.44 billion.
Source : APA
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
