Emmanuel Macron

Algeria
Cevital's plans to establish itself in Mauritania

The Algerian agri-food firm Cevital already has European outlets and now plans to expand in Africa. The Mauritanian government is pulling out all the stops to help it set up in the free zone of Nouadhibou.

India
Narendra Modi's team to look into African Union joining G20

The decision on whether to initiate the process to admit the African Union to the G20 will largely fall to the Indian PM Narendra Modi, who will be overseeing the next summit of the organisation in India in 2023.

Gabon, Ukraine
After Gabon dead-end, French armoured vehicles now bound for Kyiv

France plans to send Ukrainian forces 6-12 Caesar canons and 20 Bastion armoured personnel carriers. Of these, 15 were initially intended to equip the Gabonese troops deployed in MINUSCA. Negotiations are still stalling over the financing of the operation, which should be backed by a new €100m fund announced by President Emmanuel Macron.

Ghana
French firm Ocea inches ever closer to clinching patrol boats deal with Accra

The consultations launched by the Ghana Navy for the acquisition of several patrol boats could shortly reach a conclusion, with French shipyard Ocea a likely winner.

Spotlight | France, Rwanda
Paris and Kigali discreetly strengthen intelligence ties

The head of French military intelligence, Jacques Langlade de Montgros, is due in Kigali in the near future to further promote intelligence cooperation between the two countries. Underway since 2021, this rapprochement has encountered a certain degree of resistance on the French side.

France
Question mark over Macron's presence at OIF summit

Less than three weeks from the Organisation internationale de la francophonie (OIF) summit on the Tunisian island of Djerba, France's president Emmanuel Macron has still not definitely confirmed his attendance.

Chad, France
Release of French hostage exposes Franco-Chadian military cooperation despite diplomatic chill

It was thanks to a cooperation between the Chadian army and a French contingent from Operation Barkhane that a French-Australian hostage was released on 30 October, after being kidnapped two days earlier. The successful collaboration stands in stark contrast with the current tensions between Chad and France, triggered by N'Djamena's bloody clampdown on protests on 21 October.

Palace Intrigues
João Lourenço, Macky Sall, Jacques Ychalingonza Nduru, Laurent Gbagbo, Didier Drogba

Intrigues big and small... Every Tuesday, Africa Intelligence takes a peek into the corridors of power in Africa and beyond.

Angola/Senegal Lourenço cuts short Dakar trip after Sall leaves

DRC Military intelligence chief finds wire bug

Ivory Coast Gbagbo's bank account startlingly empty

Ivory Coast Super luxury La Résidence Hotel welcomes VIPs

Morocco
Paris and Rabat standoff opens window of opportunity for lobbyists

Tensions between Paris and Rabat are giving lobbyists and middlemen something to work with. However the impact of this work is minimal, while the kingdom's main intermediaries in Paris remain somewhat removed from the Elysée.

Africa, France
Former Macron minister to launch investment fund

Elisabeth Moreno, who served as minister for equality between women and men, diversity and equal opportunities under French PM Jean Castex, is preparing to set up an investment fund in the field of education and training.

Spotlight | Nigeria
Lebanese billionaire Chagoury banks on presidential candidate Bola Tinubu

Franco-Lebanese businessman Gilbert Chagoury, who lives in Paris, is banking on Bola Tinubu becoming Nigeria's new president after next year's elections. He is hoping to regain the influence he enjoyed under Sani Abacha, the country's military junta leader in the 1990s.

Africa, France
Parties squabble over Franco-African parliamentary friendship groups

In a rare occurrence, negotiations for the presidencies of parliamentary friendship groups in France's National Assembly are the subject of bitter negotiations between the majority and opposition groups. The France-Morocco group is particularly disputed.

Palace Intrigues
Mohammed VI, Emmanuel Macron, Brigitte Touadéra, Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah

Intrigues big and small. Every Tuesday, Africa Intelligence takes a peek into the corridors of power in Africa and beyond.

MoroccoMohammed VI's Parisian residence keeps its Alberto Pinto décor.

CARFirst lady Brigitte Touadéra pays Moscow a low-key visit.

LiberiaForeign Minister Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, persona non grata in Washington.