Agriculture

Morocco
Irrigation leader CMGP-CAS steps up activities in Africa

Morocco's CMGP-CAS has set up a subsidiary, CMGP-Africa, to expand its activities to other countries on the continent.

Asia, Kenya, Middle East
Top tea consortium finds new outlets in Middle East and Asia

The KTDA tea producers' consortium is trying to adapt to the woes of its dollar-starved customers by using other intermediaries. Kenyan trader Cup of Joe is emerging as a key partner in Dubai to reach Middle Eastern markets.

Southern Africa
US vanilla importers battle for lower minimum price

The new US ambassador to Antananarivo has made herself the spokesperson in Madagascar for her country's vanilla importers, who view the obligatory minimum price for the spice as much too high and have boycotted the sector in protest.

Ethiopia
Paris's €28m Ethiopian reconstruction plans

On a visit to Ethiopia today and tomorrow, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna is expected to sign off on two AFD financing projects for a total of €28m for the country's reconstruction.

Kenya
Kenya's defence and agriculture ministries tussle for control of lucrative meat business

Management of Kenya's meat commission was last year passed from the defence to the agriculture ministry, but the former is keen to retain control of the civilian institution. Major livestock farm owners, particularly in the north of the country, have come out in support of Defence Minister Aden Duale.

The New Guard
Ivory Coast, Egypt, Kenya, Madagascar

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence spotlights a new generation of movers and shakers in business and politics. This week: Pauline Zei (Ivory Coast), Ahmed Luxor (Egypt), Veronica Kariuki (Kenya) and Ranto Andriambololona (Madagascar).

Ivory Coast Pauline Zei, spokeswoman for cocoa growers

Egypt Ahmed Luxor, a PR veteran putting Egypt's richest in the frame

Kenya Veronica Kariuki, a bridge between Paris and Nairobi

Madagascar Ranto Andriambololona, AI left, right and centre

Uganda
World Bank stumps up funds to tackle rising poverty

The financial institution has approved significant funding to revive agriculture in Uganda. Productivity has stagnated in recent years and tangibly affected the general standard of living.

Kenya
Ruto's business chums prepare for new era of prosperity

Business men and women close to Kenyan president William Ruto are enjoying new-found freedom now that the tax authorities have dropped most of their charges against them. Several have even secured senior government roles in the process.

Zimbabwe
US sanctions hamper Obey Chimuka's mining ambitions

Washington has placed sanctions on the Fossil Group boss and close associate of local magnate Kuda Tagwirei. The projects of the companies he is involved in, including the platinum project of Great Dyke Investments, will now have a hard time finding investors.

Egypt
Import-export firms turn to black market for US dollars

A foreign exchange shortage in Egypt is badly affecting companies engaged in foreign trade. As the country braces for a new devaluation of the pound, the dollar has reached new heights on the black market.

The New Guard
Congo, Guinea, Burundi, Kenya

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence spotlights the next generation of movers and shakers in business and politics.

Congo Michel Djombo becomes the bosses' boss

Guinea Lionel Chobli picked to roll out fibre optic

Burundi Evrard Havyarimana boosts business links for Burundi diaspora in France

Kenya Carolyne Kamende Daudi at heart of the trial of the year

Ivory Coast
Conseil Café Cacao resumes contact with World Bank

The Ivorian government is back in talks with the World Bank with a view to obtaining $300m in funding for industry regulator Conseil Café Cacao.

Senegal
AU fertiliser summit backed by Bill Gates Foundation

To address the severe impact of rising food prices in several African countries, the AU is organising the African Union Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit from 23 to 30 June in Dakar.