BUSINESS
The AFRICA Business Show in Paris
After several successful editions, Business AFRICA returns for a 5th edition that promises to be exceptional at the Beffroi de Montrouge in Paris on 1 and 2 March 2025. This great event for African entrepreneurship brings together Africans and Afro-descendants from all over the world in Paris every year.
Brief history of Business AFRICA
Since its creation in 2021, the AFRICA Business Show has continuously attracted an ever-wider audience. For this fifth edition, it has established itself as a platform for strategic exchanges between investors, entrepreneurs, opinion leaders and project leaders. In 2023, the event took on a continental dimension by expanding to Dakar, marking a key stage in its expansion. With nearly 300 exhibitors, 100 speakers and more than 4,500 participants since its inception, Business AFRICA is now considered the largest gathering of African entrepreneurs and professionals in Europe.
Impact programs
During these two days in Paris, experts from around the world will share concrete keys to entrepreneurship and success in Africa and in the diaspora. Many themes reflecting the current challenges of the continent and its diaspora will be addressed. They will range from African innovation to the role of inspiring African women, including financial intelligence, Africa-France relations and religious entrepreneurship (Islam & Business, Christian Business).
A parterre of influential personalities
The AFRICA 2025 Business Show will bring together leading figures from the world of business, culture and politics. Among the personalities expected are Gwenola Monteiro, Carlos Martens Bilongo and Mokobe, as well as Jonathan Yanghat, Priscilla Wolmer, Stanislas Zeze, Chef Hacene, Claudy Siar and many others.
A focus on the conflict in the DRC
The conflict between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo will also be highlighted. Faced with the critical situation in the east of the DRC, Business AFRICA 2025 is committed by allowing two associative structures to exhibit at the fair in order to raise awareness and mobilize the public for the benefit of disadvantaged populations. This presentation will provide an opportunity for participants to deepen their understanding of the root causes of decades of war.
Business AFRICA, an event respectful of religions
In March 2025, the month of Ramadan will begin, an important period for Muslims. Aware of the religious diversity of its audience, Business AFRICA has taken steps to be more inclusive. In order to ensure a respectful environment for religious practices, especially for Muslims, two prayer spaces will be created: one for women and one for men. No excuse for not coming together to build the future of African business!
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
