Roch Marc Christian Kabore

Africa
AfDB candidate Sidi Ould Tah turns to team of spin doctors

To support his candidacy for the presidency of the African Development Bank in the 9 May election, Mauritanian Sidi Ould Tah has surrounded himself with a team of the continent's leading PR specialists.

West Africa
Two Vista Bank mainstays exit group

The pan-African banking group has just lost two of its mainstays: Stéphane Ouédraogo and Thierry Hott. Ouédraogo and Hott are both well-connected in the sub-region, and had shared their contacts with Vista Bank.

Burkina Faso
Simon Tiemtoré sets up gold mining task force

The American-Burkinabe businessman, who acquired the Boungou and Wahgnion gold mines last June and who until then had mainly been active in finance and agribusiness, has put together a close-knit team to develop his mining interests.

Niger
Junta sets conditions for Mohamed Bazoum's release

The ex-president's son was released on 8 January on the orders of Niger's military leader, General Tchiani, but his own fate is still being negotiated.

Ivory Coast
Banker Simon Tiemtoré makes final push to take over Oragroup

The Vista boss travelled to Abidjan in late December to resume talks on the takeover of Togo-based bank Oragroup, owned by Emerging Capital Partners.

Guinea
Ex-PM Mohamed Beavogui turns over new leaf in Rome

From the Italian capital where he moved to last year, the former leader of the Guinea's transitional government has changed tack and is now organising election observation missions to West Africa.

Burkina Faso
Junta leader Ibrahim Traoré appeals to Doha

Burkinabe Foreign Minister Olivia Rouamba has requested a meeting with her Qatari counterpart, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.

Burkina Faso, West Africa
President Traore pampers miner Iamgold

Despite needing money to buy weapons to fight armed groups in the north of Burkina Faso, the junta has decided to turn a blind eye to the Canadian firm's infringement of customs regulations. IamGold is the last mining firm operating in this region beset by terrorist violence.

Burkina Faso
Paris and Ouagadougou appoint new ambassadors

Ouagadougou has made its choice of new ambassador in Paris. France is expected to agree, but is still waiting for the approval of the Burkinabe authorities for the future French representative in Burkina Faso.

West Africa
Yacoub Sidya, Russian group Nordgold's invisible partner

Companies linked to Mauritanian businessman Yacoub Sidya are omnipresent around the African operations of Russian miner Nordgold, which was hit by sanctions after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. The gold mining firm, however, takes great care to remain in the background.

Burkina Faso
Ouagadougou edges closer to gold refinery build

Ibrahim Traoré is determined to push through a gold refinery project to generate much-needed revenue, and the Ministry of Mines is drafting a bill that would make it mandatory for gold producers to refine part of their local production in the country.

The New Guard
Guinea, Senegal, Egypt, Namibia

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

GuineaOumar Diouhé Bah leads the fight against fake medical products

SenegalHapsatou Doro mixes PR with diplomacy

EgyptAalaa Gamal, taking on the North African online payment market

NamibiaJames Mnyupe, the president's hydrogen expert

France, Senegal
Senegal opposition party PASTEF's links with French far left

The far-left La France Insoumise party and Senegal's main opposition leader Ousmane Sonko and his group came together ahead of the vote on the extradition deal between the two countries in late January. MP Arnaud Le Gall, LFI leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon's Africa adviser, was key to the move.