Shipping insecurity in Tanzania

Ports and geopolitics are increasingly intertwined in Africa, with regional conflicts and security threats affecting economic stability. The ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict has had a ripple effect on African markets, while Houthi rebel attacks in the Red Sea and Suez Canal have heightened shipping insecurity. These disruptions are leading to increased freight costs and cargo delays in East African ports, ultimately undermining the local economy. Journalist: Goodhope Amani

Publications

Economy 28 June 2024

Cameroon’s coffee and cocoa industries making progress

Many African countries are now prioritising the processing of raw materials to promote industrialisation and local consumption. The authorities and players in various sectors, notably coffee and cocoa, are actively committed to this approach, as our correspondent in Yaoundé witnessed during the Coffee and Cocoa Festival.

Economy 13 June 2024

AIPO Symposium 2024, an opportunity for Africa

A crucial issue for the protection of heritage and an incomparable tool for economic development: the designation of origin is making headway in Africa. The African Intellectual Property Organisation (OAPI) is a regional office covering 17 countries in West and Central Africa.

Economy 12 June 2024

South Africa: the ANC short of a parliamentary majority

Millions of South Africans went to the polls at the end of the month. It was a big turnout and this general election in one of Africa’s largest economies was labelled historic for what was at stake: the possibility that the ANC, Nelson Mandela's Party, would lose the majority and be forced into a coalition government. To talk about the election results and their consequences, Professor Sam Koma, Director of school of Economics and Management, Limpopo University joined us from South Africa.

Economy 31 May 2024

Developing the rice sector in Cameroon

The impact of climate change on agricultural production is becoming increasingly apparent, affecting almost all commodities. Rice is no exception, facing export restrictions from India and drought fears linked to El Niño in East Asia, leading to record-high prices. Despite this inflation, countries like Cameroon are still compelled to import rice to satisfy growing demand. Recently, local producers have started to develop a domestic industry.

Economy 28 May 2024

Coumba Dieng Sow, Senegalese agro-economist, FAO Representative in Rwanda

To explore the connections between food shortages and socio-political unrest, as well as strategies for increasing production, our journalist Alexandra Vépierre interviewed Coumba Dieng Sow, a Senegalese agro-economist and the FAO Representative and Country Director in Rwanda, in Kigali. *FAO : Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations

Economy 17 May 2024

DRC: fighting customs fraud

Since 2019, several ECOWAS countries have adopted an interconnected system, SIGMAT, aiming to facilitate goods transportation while combating fraud. Last year, Ghana, Senegal, Guinea, and Mali joined, following Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Niger, and Togo. The main challenge now is to raise awareness in other African regions. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), authorities are actively fighting fraud. Daniel Michombero, our correspondent, visited North Kivu, a key contributor to the state budget, to interview economic stakeholders.

Economy 15 May 2024

Abderrahmane Berthé talks about the African airline industry

Abderrahmane Berthé, Secretary General of AFRAA (the Association of African Airlines), provided insights into the state of the African airline sector. He emphasized the ambitious goal of establishing a unified African air transport market (SAATM) and highlighted the significant challenges facing the industry. What advantages will this unified market offer to airlines and, crucially, to their passengers?

Economy 3 May 2024

A summit for the cocoa sector in crisis

The international cocoa conference in Brussels from April 21 to 24, 2024, occurred in a complex context marked by a significant production deficit caused by unfavourable weather conditions and the spread of cocoa tree brown rot. The strong demand from chocolate manufacturers has led to an increase in future prices. This situation presents challenges and opportunities for Africa, which accounts for 50% of the global market thanks to key producers such as Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana.

Economy 2 May 2024

Currency crisis and cryptos in Nigeria

Saibu Olufemi Muibi, Professor of Economics at the University of Lagos talks about the economy and how Nigeria persists in its reforms.