BUSINESS
RWANDA – Kwita Izina 2022: 20 baby gorillas baptized
Sauti Sol! Gilberto Silva! Naomi Schiff! Youssou Ndour! Didier Drogba!… Here are some names of the personalities who took part this Friday, September 2, 2022 at the 18th Edition of Kwita Izina. After two years of Covid-induced halving, the Kwita Izina ceremony is back in full swing. Celebrities from the world of sport, music and the arts have gathered in Rwanda for a major baptism ceremony. In the space of a few days, 20 baby gorillas received names from the mouths of our stars. This gorilla baptism ceremony is an opportunity for the country to show its commitment to sustainable and responsible tourism.
Rwanda has an impressive biodiversity. It is full of extraordinary wildlife. Its National Park, famous for the diversity of mountain gorillas and golden monkeys (1064) that live there, is very popular with tourists. Rwanda is home to a third of the world’s mountain gorillas. It is an opportunity for the country to invite international celebrities every year to Kinigi, in the district of Musanze. This year, all the personalities present (20) gave a name to a baby gorilla. Youssou N’dour, the mbalax king, gave the name Ihuriro – which means music hub. Drogba Didier, the Ivorian football star, gave the name ‘Ishami’ which means offspring. The former football international was very moved: “This action to protect animals is an example to follow,” said Ivorian Drogba.
In the last 17 years, 354 mountain gorillas have been baptized. Rwandan authorities have issued complaints. According to them, mountain gorillas need more space and “Investors are welcome”. This is a call to the protectors of nature. Kwita Izina was born in 2005. It is a ceremony that has its roots in a centuries-old Rwandan tradition of giving that takes place after the birth of a new one. At first, it was just an opportunity for the government to thank the communities living near the Volcanoes National Park, the rangers, the people who are killing themselves for the survival of their animals. The country is beginning to give names to mountain gorillas. This national ceremony will gain notoriety to become a global celebration of nature. Why give names to animals? Perhaps this is a way to make people aware that these animals are an integral part of our common history: that we are brothers and that as such they deserve greater consideration.
This ceremony represents a true idea of genius of the Rwandan people. By initiating such a ceremony and involving sports and cultural celebrities, the country is drawing the international community’s attention to Rwandan culture and the importance of protecting animals and their habitats. This Sunday, September 4, 2022, the Senegalese star Youssou N’Dour will give a memorable evening with a beautiful live performance.
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
