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Commodity traders

West Africa
Apix Energy, Lukoil's new vehicle in Africa

Several Litasco employees have joined forces to form a new Dubai-based trading company, Apix Energy, which has set its sights on the African continent. However, management denies any link between the two structures.

Subscribers only Energy, Commodity traders 24.03.2025

Ivory Coast
International traders still awaiting compensation from Conseil Café-Cacao

The industry watchdog owes compensation to several international giants of the cocoa industry.

Subscribers only Commodity traders 24.03.2025

Morocco
Sugar producer Cosumar and trader Wilmar struggle to finalise separation

Cosumar has been trying for nearly two years to sell its shares to Wilmar in what was their joint venture in Casablanca. The Singaporean trader has reservations, as well as an issue over some land.

Subscribers only Commodity traders 21.03.2025

Workers process purple tea leaves at a workshop in Muranga County, Kenya, on 7 May 2024. © Han Xu/Xinhua News Agency/MaxPPP

Kenya
After Sudan, tea traders fear losing new market in Iran

Diplomatic tensions between Kenya and its partners are having a cascading effect on the tea industry. Tehran is impatient to see the Kenyan authorities take action against the local intermediaries of the Iranian company Debsh Tea, which is implicated in a corruption case.

Subscribers only Commodity traders, Diplomacy 20.03.2025

Workers transport sacks of cocoa beans in Ntui, December 2017. © Ange Aboa/Reuters

Cameroon
Cocoa industry outsiders take centre stage at Okwelians Summit

Organised by lawyer Jacques Jonathan Nyemb, the forum taking place this month will focus on trade of the highly prized cocoa bean. As a major exporter of the raw product, Cameroon hopes to set up a local processing chain.

Subscribers only Infrastructure, Commodity traders 12.03.2025

Illustration: Julien Pacaud © M. Yalcin/Anadolu via AFP ; P. Fort/AFP ; J. Nicolas/Hemis via AFP ; F. Scheiber/H. Lucas via AFP

In Focus | Cameroon, Central African Republic
Between business and politics, the secrets of Antoine Ndzengue's rise

From Yaoundé to Bangui, the Cameroonian has built up a powerful network and skilfully uses it to develop his wide-ranging business interests. Yet his wheeling and dealing has strained relations between the Central African Republic and international finance bodies.

Subscribers only Commodity traders, Politics, Business 03.03.2025

Chad, Equatorial Guinea
The two sides to N'Djamena's transit agreement with Malabo

Frustrated by the delays and problems facing their domestic importers at the port of Douala, the Chadian authorities are turning to the port of Bata in Equatorial Guinea. The move may be intended to put pressure on Yaoundé, but Malabo still hopes to reap the benefits in the long term.

Subscribers only Commodity traders 19.03.2025

Ethiopia
Sesame stirs tensions in northern Ethiopia

A key export for the country, sesame has always been coveted. A clear reminder of this came this month when Amhara militiamen attacked a convoy of trucks transporting the precious seed with an army escort.

Subscribers only Commodity traders, Business 18.03.2025

DRC
Companies up in arms over pause in cobalt exports

In a memo to the authorities, the Congo's business federation has called into question the legality of the four-month suspension of cobalt exports.

Subscribers only Mining, Commodity traders 18.03.2025

Morocco
Capital handover from Wilmar to Sucden crystalises at sugar firm Cosumar

The Moroccan sugar company is consolidating its partnership with its new shareholder, Sucden, which handles exports to countries such as Israel. In contrast, Cosumar is cutting its ties with Singaporean trader Wilmar, due to the lack of a joint project.

Subscribers only Commodity traders 14.03.2025

Morocco
Concerns over sardine shortages go all the way to top of government

A mainstay of Moroccan exports, sardines are becoming seriously scarce in the country's waters. The Secretary of State for Fisheries will be meeting the fish canning industry soon to outline a plan to resolve the crisis.

Subscribers only Commodity traders 07.03.2025

Morocco
After Casablanca, Yariv Elbaz downsizes in Marrakech

Experiencing financial difficulties, Forafric Maroc has decided to sell several major assets in the kingdom. Initially limited to semolina and pasta production around Casablanca, this divestment plan has now been extended to flour production in Marrakech.

Subscribers only Commodity traders 06.03.2025

Cameroon
Following on from Geocoton, Baba Danpullo plans to pull out of Sodecoton

Cameroonian business magnate Baba Danpullo, a minority shareholder in cotton producer Sodecoton, has been trying to sell his shares since the beginning of the year. This follows on from the company's French strategic partner, Geocoton, announcing its own withdrawal.

Subscribers only Commodity traders 05.03.2025

Kenya
Tea company caught up in Ruto-Gachagua power struggle

With two years to go before the general elections, President William Ruto continues to dismantle his former deputy's powerful networks. However, Rigathi Gachagua remains popular in the centre of the country and has also forged alliances in the tea and coffee sectors.

Subscribers only Commodity traders, Politics 27.02.2025

Liberia
Boakai looks to Washington for agricultural assistance

Despite the dismantling of USAID, the Liberian president is hoping the Trump administration will help develop his country's rice industry.

Subscribers only Commodity traders, Diplomacy 27.02.2025

Spotlight | Madagascar
Antananarivo prepares to cut number of vanilla exporters

Madagascar's trade minister wants to radically reduce the number of vanilla exporters in a bid to rationalise the key sector. The potential move is troubling the industry, particularly US clients, who buy 70% of the country's vanilla.

Subscribers only Commodity traders 26.02.2025

Vanilla beans drying in Bemalamatra, north Madagascar, in 2016.

Egypt
Cairo launches competition between port inspection agencies

Egypt has reshuffled the deck when it comes to checking the quality of its imported wheat. The dozen agencies, including Bureau Veritas, that previously worked with GASC are now competing to be among the five partners selected by Mostakbal Misr.

Subscribers only Commodity traders 26.02.2025

Ivory Coast
Ivorian traders clash with cocoa giants Barry Callebaut and Olam

Several members of the Groupement des Négociants Ivoiriens are refusing to sell the volumes of beans contracted with the Belgian-Swiss and Singaporean groups unless the latter pay them more than the regulated price. This practice is prohibited by law.

Subscribers only Commodity traders 26.02.2025

Yves Brahima Koné, Conseil Café-Cacao's general manager, in Abidjan, 2 April 2024.

Inner circles | Morocco
Inside the empire of ultra-discreet Moroccan tycoon Yariv Elbaz

The mining magnate relies on family connections and trusted associates to run Forafric, and is now concentrating on overseeing a sprawling holding company. A key player in the signing of the Abraham agreements between Rabat and Tel Aviv, Elbaz makes sure his network benefits from them.

Subscribers only Commodity traders 21.02.2025

Yariv Elbaz, in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, August 2020.

South Africa
Gunvor in race to buy Shell's South African petrol stations

Rothschild & Co bank is about to announce the candidates shortlisted for the purchase of Shell's 600 petrol stations in South Africa. The commodity trading giant Gunvor has joined forces with Sipho Maseko's company to make a bid.

Subscribers only Energy, Commodity traders 20.02.2025

A petrol station in Soweto, South Africa, on 11 March 2009.

The weekly summary

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Cameroon, Central African Republic
Between business and politics, the secrets of Antoine Ndzengue's rise

Senegal
Paris and Dakar mull defence relations

Commodity traders

West Africa
Apix Energy, Lukoil's new vehicle in Africa

Ivory Coast
International traders still awaiting compensation from Conseil Café-Cacao

Morocco
Sugar producer Cosumar and trader Wilmar struggle to finalise separation

Kenya
After Sudan, tea traders fear losing new market in Iran

Cameroon
Cocoa industry outsiders take centre stage at Okwelians Summit

In Focus | Cameroon, Central African Republic
Between business and politics, the secrets of Antoine Ndzengue's rise

Chad, Equatorial Guinea
The two sides to N'Djamena's transit agreement with Malabo

Ethiopia
Sesame stirs tensions in northern Ethiopia

DRC
Companies up in arms over pause in cobalt exports

Morocco
Capital handover from Wilmar to Sucden crystalises at sugar firm Cosumar

Morocco
Concerns over sardine shortages go all the way to top of government

Morocco
After Casablanca, Yariv Elbaz downsizes in Marrakech

Cameroon
Following on from Geocoton, Baba Danpullo plans to pull out of Sodecoton

Kenya
Tea company caught up in Ruto-Gachagua power struggle

Liberia
Boakai looks to Washington for agricultural assistance

Spotlight | Madagascar
Antananarivo prepares to cut number of vanilla exporters

Egypt
Cairo launches competition between port inspection agencies

Ivory Coast
Ivorian traders clash with cocoa giants Barry Callebaut and Olam

Inner circles | Morocco
Inside the empire of ultra-discreet Moroccan tycoon Yariv Elbaz

South Africa
Gunvor in race to buy Shell's South African petrol stations

The weekly summary

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Indigo Publications' websites

Cameroon, Central African Republic Between business and politics, the secrets of Antoine Ndzengue's rise

Senegal Paris and Dakar mull defence relations

Cabo Delgado: a gas Eldorado and security nightmare

West African cocoa cartel battles with the traders

Makhzen Inc. or the ever more prosperous business empire of Mohammed VI's entourage

Commodity traders

West Africa Apix Energy, Lukoil's new vehicle in Africa

Ivory Coast International traders still awaiting compensation from Conseil Café-Cacao

Morocco Sugar producer Cosumar and trader Wilmar struggle to finalise separation

Kenya After Sudan, tea traders fear losing new market in Iran

Cameroon Cocoa industry outsiders take centre stage at Okwelians Summit

In Focus | Cameroon, Central African Republic Between business and politics, the secrets of Antoine Ndzengue's rise

Chad, Equatorial Guinea The two sides to N'Djamena's transit agreement with Malabo

Ethiopia Sesame stirs tensions in northern Ethiopia

DRC Companies up in arms over pause in cobalt exports

Morocco Capital handover from Wilmar to Sucden crystalises at sugar firm Cosumar

Morocco Concerns over sardine shortages go all the way to top of government

Morocco After Casablanca, Yariv Elbaz downsizes in Marrakech

Cameroon Following on from Geocoton, Baba Danpullo plans to pull out of Sodecoton

Kenya Tea company caught up in Ruto-Gachagua power struggle

Liberia Boakai looks to Washington for agricultural assistance

Spotlight | Madagascar Antananarivo prepares to cut number of vanilla exporters

Egypt Cairo launches competition between port inspection agencies

Ivory Coast Ivorian traders clash with cocoa giants Barry Callebaut and Olam

Inner circles | Morocco Inside the empire of ultra-discreet Moroccan tycoon Yariv Elbaz

South Africa Gunvor in race to buy Shell's South African petrol stations

The weekly summary

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

Cameroon, Central African Republic
Between business and politics, the secrets of Antoine Ndzengue's rise

Senegal
Paris and Dakar mull defence relations

West Africa
Apix Energy, Lukoil's new vehicle in Africa

Ivory Coast
International traders still awaiting compensation from Conseil Café-Cacao

Morocco
Sugar producer Cosumar and trader Wilmar struggle to finalise separation

Kenya
After Sudan, tea traders fear losing new market in Iran

Cameroon
Cocoa industry outsiders take centre stage at Okwelians Summit

In Focus | Cameroon, Central African Republic
Between business and politics, the secrets of Antoine Ndzengue's rise

Chad, Equatorial Guinea
The two sides to N'Djamena's transit agreement with Malabo

Ethiopia
Sesame stirs tensions in northern Ethiopia

DRC
Companies up in arms over pause in cobalt exports

Morocco
Capital handover from Wilmar to Sucden crystalises at sugar firm Cosumar

Morocco
Concerns over sardine shortages go all the way to top of government

Morocco
After Casablanca, Yariv Elbaz downsizes in Marrakech

Cameroon
Following on from Geocoton, Baba Danpullo plans to pull out of Sodecoton

Kenya
Tea company caught up in Ruto-Gachagua power struggle

Liberia
Boakai looks to Washington for agricultural assistance

Spotlight | Madagascar
Antananarivo prepares to cut number of vanilla exporters

Egypt
Cairo launches competition between port inspection agencies

Ivory Coast
Ivorian traders clash with cocoa giants Barry Callebaut and Olam

Inner circles | Morocco
Inside the empire of ultra-discreet Moroccan tycoon Yariv Elbaz

South Africa
Gunvor in race to buy Shell's South African petrol stations