Rachida Dati

Morocco
OCP Group and Engie downsize partnership plans

The two companies have not abandoned hopes of setting up a joint venture in the coming months, but their shared ambitions have been dramatically scaled back from the €15bn to €18bn investment programme initially targeted.

The New Guard
DRC, Morocco, Kenya

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence spotlights a new generation of movers and shakers in business and politics.

DRCJunior Kakese Ekwaki, distinguished diplomat in the First Lady's office

MoroccoAli Benyahia, a well-connected engineer from Rabat to Paris

KenyaMercy Mukulu Mwende, key start-up mentor

Ivory Coast
Djidji Ayokwe drum to be handed back this Friday

Also known as the “talking drum” or “Ebrié drum,” the Djidji Ayokwe will be officially handed over by the French authorities to the Ivorian government on 20 February in Paris.

Morocco
Lobbyist Omar Alaoui leaves French firm Next Step Influence

Very active on the Paris-Rabat front, Salaheddine Mezouar's former right-hand man at the Moroccan employers' body, CGEM, internally announced his departure from Next Step Influence, a move to devote himself to new projects.

Palace Intrigues
Emmanuel Macron, Félix Tshisekedi, Catherine Samba-Panza

Intrigues big and small: every Thursday, Africa Intelligence takes a peek into the corridors of power in Africa and beyond.

NigeriaJean-Noël Barrot invites Nigerian billionaires to next Africa-France summit

DRCFélix Tshisekedi gets a phone call from Bifort

Central African RepublicEx-president Catherine Samba-Panza's team without visas for France?

Nigeria
Culture minister approaches Paris for national museum project

Nigerian Culture Minister Hannah Musawa has sought partnerships with her French counterpart Rachida Dati and the Paris-based Louvre Museum in hopes of speeding up her museum projects.

Madagascar
Royal relics restitution ceremony to take place in Paris

After being postponed in April, the ceremony for the restitution of Saklava King Toera's sacred remains will in the end take place in the French capital, at the Ministry of Culture, with Rachida Dati and Volamiranty Donna Mara in attendance.

Morocco
The rising stars of France and Morocco's improved relations

France and Morocco are seeking to build on their recent rapprochement by renewing the personalities who will shape relations between the two countries. The UM6P university in Rabat and France's grandes écoles are providing a breeding ground for this new generation.

Morocco
Engie readies right-hand man for OCP megaproject

Rik de Buyserie, Engie's former Australia manager, has arrived in Casablanca and, although negotiations are in the works that are likely to see him appointed as regional director, he has already taken up the reins of its collaboration with OCP Group.

Nigeria
Culture minister set to head to this year's Cannes Film Festival

Nigerian culture minister Hannatu Musawa is expected to attend the Cannes Film Festival next month, where she will inaugurate the new Nigerian pavilion.

Congo
Denis Sassou-Nguesso to meet with Macron in Paris on 24 May

The Congolese president will finally travel to Paris on 23-24 May, his trip having been postponed twice.