BUSINESS
SENEGAL – TER Director-General warns people

The Regional Express Train is not like the buses of the company Dakar Dem Dikk, seems to say the general manager of the company operating the Regional Express Train (TER), Stéphane Volant, on Tuesday, December 28, 2021, one day after the start of the TER. The elderly man warned the Senegalese people, especially the young, who are used to attacking public goods on the occasion of demonstrations or strikes. Stéphane Volant, in collaboration with the national gendarmerie, promised severe sanctions against those who would attack trains.
The general management of the operating company of the TER wanted to warn the Senegalese population. Trains are no way to express anger or grievances. Stéphane Volant, the director general, recalled, the day after the trains are put into circulation, that the security measures will be strengthened so that the TER, which cost more than 700 billion in Senegal, is not curtailed in the event of popular demonstrations. “If the young people attack the Ter, we will get yelled at and very severely by the gendarmerie. It’s there to protect our customers, to protect that infrastructure,” he said.
Thus, those who dare to use the TER to put pressure on the government or try to be heard will be severely punished. Stéphane Volant seems to be saying that there will be no tolerance. “Anyone who comes to attack this Senegalese symbol will be severely punished,” he continued.
Remember that Le Train Express Régional, launched since 2017, was inaugurated on Monday, December 27, 2021 by Senegalese President Macky Sall. A total of 15 state-of-the-art trains will take passengers from Dakar to Diamniadio via Thiaroye and Rufisque every 10 minutes. The selected fares vary between 500, 1000 and 1500 FCFA. Passengers who want to occupy the first class will have to pay 2500 FCFA.
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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