BUSINESS
SENEGAL – ZIRCON: 90% for France and 10% for Senegal

Lompoul, is a small desert area located in the northwest of Senegal, halfway between Dakar and Saint-Louis. It will be the next zircon mining area. The second phase, called Grande Côte Opérations (GCO), is expected to begin in 2023 with the French subsidiary Eramet. The latter takes the largest share of the contract with 90% of the revenues from the exploitation of this ore used for the manufacture of building materials, in the jewelry industry or in the nuclear industry. Senegal will have only 10% of its zircon. A significant gain gap that the populations of this locality struggle to understand, populations that are also worried for their work related to the tourist activity of the area.
Seven years after the launch of the first phase in 2014 of the Diogo mine in northern Senegal, the subsidiary of the French mining company Eramet now wants to launch the second phase of zircon mining in Lompoul in 2023. The first phase of exploitation began in Senegal in March 2014. The mine is located 150 kilometres north of Dakar and spans more than 100 kilometres along the coast. It also produces ilmenite, another ore used in the pigment industry.
Although the people of this locality remain sceptical and worried, the Senegalese state has not yet decided on a possible compensation or names of these families who will be directly affected by the impacts of this mining. Tourism will be the first sector to suffer the negative effects of this project, a key factor in economic activity in this part of Senegal. Some deplore the lack of communication and consultation between the State and the populations. Their questioning focuses on the disproportionate percentage between the 90% recovered by France and the only 10% coming back to Senegal.
Another file is slowing down in Niafrang in the south of the country precisely in the region of Casamance, and for good reason: the populations but also the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC), a separatist movement active in this part of Senegal since 1980, do not fold. They do not want the land affected. This refusal prevents Astron, the Australian company that has to exploit zircon in this area, from starting the exploitation process.
In 2020, the site produced 85,000 tonnes of minerals, according to the Senegalese Ministry of Mines. All production is exported to the European market. The Senegalese authorities have set a target of 90,000 tonnes per year. This is part of the national economic development project “Plan Sénégal Émergent”. However, according to Eramet, it creates 735 direct jobs and 1,000 indirect jobs related to zircon mining, 94% of which benefit Senegalese. The deposit extends about 100 kilometres along the coast. It is the fourth largest zircon deposit in the world.
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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