The launch of the Agricultural Raw Materials Stock Exchange (BMPA) in Abidjan, on May 28, 2025, marks a significant stage in the structuring of the agricultural sector in Côte d’Ivoire, a country where agriculture plays a central role in the economy and the lives of the inhabitants. This initiative, which makes BMPA the first scholarship of this type in Côte d’Ivoire and UEMOA, aims to provide transparency and security to commercial transactions, while aimed at improving the remuneration of local producers. However, the challenges raised by this new platform raise questions about its accessibility for small producers and its ability to establish lasting confidence among market players. Indeed, although the objective is to offer an alternative to pricing mechanisms often influenced by international markets, the success of the BMPA will depend on a delicate balance between the expectations of producers and competitiveness on the world market. This context invites you to reflect on the transformation of the Ivorian agricultural sector and on the means of supporting this evolution from a lasting and inclusive perspective.
Category: Economy
On May 28, 2023, an American international commercial court blocked the reciprocal customs duties established by President Donald Trump, raising crucial issues on the executive authority in terms of commercial policy. This decision, anchored in a legal framework which favors the role of Congress, comes when the trade relations of the United States are already marked by considerable tensions, especially with China. It could point out a turning point in the commercial approach, encouraging a reflection on the balance between executive and legislative powers, and the need for diplomatic dialogue to resolve economic differences. The reaction of the Trump government, which disputes this judicial intervention, opens up a debate on the exercise of the presidential authority and its impact on international trade relations. While this subject is part of a complex dynamic, it sheds light on the deep issues that go beyond simple economic calculations, relating to the very structure of democratic institutions and their functioning.
The official visit of Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka in Kananga highlighted the concerns and expectations of a youth in Kasai-Central, faced with a socio-economic context marked by significant challenges. Under the leadership of Emmanuel Kabangu, president of the provincial youth council, a series of claims has been made, illustrating both the distress of young people and their quest for opportunities. Problems such as unemployment, the absence of adequate infrastructure, and the lack of financial support for entrepreneurs have been raised, pointing to structural issues that require in -depth reflection. This meeting appears to be a crucial opportunity to engage between young people and government bodies, but also raises questions on the effectiveness of the answers provided and on the need for real collaboration to build a better future in the region.
The initiative to set up specialized training centers in Kinshasa, recently announced by the Democratic Republic of Congo, raises relevant questions about the future of crafts and local trades in a country rich in resources, but confronted with significant socio-economic challenges. The project, controlled by the BTP CMA club, aims to certify and enhance the know-how of Congolese craftsmen, while enrolling in a dynamic of sustainable development and the need for a skilled workforce. While the region faces rapid urbanization and increasing industrialization, the potential role of craftsmen in the generation of jobs and the development of local skills deserves in -depth reflection. The success of this initiative will not only depend on the quality of training, but also on the way it will be designed to meet the requirements of the modern market and technological advances, while maintaining an anchoring in Congolese reality. This project thus encourages to question the ways to support these craftsmen towards concrete autonomy, capable of transforming economic challenges into lasting opportunities.
On May 28, 2025, a cooperation agreement was signed in Beijing between the Regulatory and Insurance Control Authority (ARCA) of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the National Financial Regulatory Authority (NFRA) of China, signaling a significant stage in their bilateral relations. This partnership, which aims to exchange good practices and strengthen the regulation of the insurance sector, is part of an economic context where the DRC seeks to diversify its economy and facilitate the attraction of foreign investments. While the Chinese insurance market is one of the largest in the world, the agreement raises questions about its concrete repercussions in the DRC, a country with significant socio-economic challenges. The implementation of a regulated and transparent framework could offer benefits, but will require a cautious adaptation of Chinese regulatory practices to Congolese reality, while ensuring that this cooperation effectively results in tangible results for insured. These challenges open the way to a reflection on the ability of the two nations to navigate together in a partnership with promises still to be defined.
The question of the regulation of the price of cement in TSHOPO, recently put forward by the provincial minister of the economy, Senold Tandia, raises significant economic issues in a context marked by political disorders and conflicts. This decision to set a price threshold between 13 and 16 USD per bag, after a flambé at USD 21.25, illustrates a desire to protect consumers in the face of controversial business practices. However, it is part of a complex dynamic where economic actors, government and the reality of the market must interact constructively. This regulation process questions both its effectiveness and its impact, in particular the transparency of transactions and economic freedom, while calling for a collective reflection on the dependence of the province vis-à-vis imports of cement. In this delicate framework, the outcome of this initiative could nevertheless offer an opportunity to improve regional economic stability.
In Kindu, chief town of the province of Maniema in the Democratic Republic of Congo, concerns around the employment of young people and security intersect, lifting complex issues for social and economic development. This call for reflection comes from the NGO “Haki Za Binadamu/Maniema”, including the executive secretary, Raphaël Opelele Lokenga, draws attention to the urgency of responding to the rise in unemployment and the security threats that weigh on youth. This context, where a wealth of natural resources and a social reality marked by poverty and insecurity coexist, rightly challenges provincial authorities on their responsibility. How to create a framework conducive to the development of young people while strengthening security? The tracks envisaged, such as job creation, improving vocational education and awareness of governance, testify to the need for a collaborative and sustainable approach to consider a better future in this region.
The Economic Community of West African States (CEDEAO), celebrating its fiftieth anniversary this year, represents a crucial issue for the economic and political integration of the region. Its assessment, expanded with notable success such as the free movement of people and goods, as well as major energy projects, is however darken by persistent challenges including limited intra -regional trade, lack of infrastructure, and the absence of a common currency. The question of the financial commitment of the Member States and the power relations within the organization also raises questions about the viability and the future of the Cédéao. This complex context therefore invites you to reflect on the way in which the organization can both rely on its achievements and overcome the obstacles that hinder its progress towards a real regional unit.
Approaching the outward tests of the state exam, the director of the educational province of Maniema 1, Jacques Mutoo, underlines the importance of adequate preparation for students. This initiative highlights an essential question for education: how to ensure that all students, regardless of their geographic or economic context, benefit from equitable access to the educational resources necessary for their success? In parallel with the logistics set up for the examination, such as the distribution of equipment, it seems crucial to question the educational support offered to teachers, often confronted with overloaded classes and marked inequalities. This panorama evokes a need to reassess not only evaluation methods, but also the skills that the education system seeks to transmit. Beyond the tests, it is therefore a question of considering a collective responsibility in the face of the challenges of today’s education, in order to allow each student to approach their future with confidence and capacity.
The Egyptian economy is currently at a crossroads, while the country strengthens its links with the United States through an economic forum chaired by President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi. In a context marked by internal challenges and prior economic reforms, this quest for cooperation raises questions about the potential profits for Egypt and its integration into the regional market. With initiatives such as the creation of an American industrial zone at the Suez Canal, this partnership laid the foundations for a dialogue on political stability, foreign investments and local development. However, he also questions the transparency of economic practices and the real impacts on the lives of Egyptians. This moment could thus represent an opportunity to draw sustainable developments while meeting the expectations of a population eager for social and economic progress.