In a Sahelian context marked by climatic variability and recurrent droughts, the Malian government is placing irrigation at the heart of its agricultural strategy. On May 21, 2025, the Council of Ministers announced the necessary mobilization of a budget of 573.4 million dollars (333.3 billion FCFA) to finance the second phase of the National Proximity Irrigation Program (PNIP), scheduled for the period 2025-2034.

This program aims to strengthen the country’s agricultural autonomy while securing food production through better management of water resources. Funding will come from the Malian government, the private agricultural sector, beneficiary communities and international technical and financial partners.

A continuous but unfinished program

Launched in 2012, the initial objective of the PNIP was to develop 126,000 irrigable hectares. To date, however, only 66,031 hectares have been developed, representing just 52.4% of the target. This second phase therefore aims to accelerate the pace and complete the outstanding achievements, with a renewed political will to strengthen the resilience of the agricultural sector.

Planned actions include :

• Development of lowlands and village market gardens,
• Controlled flooding along major rivers,
• The installation of small dams andwater retention structures in wadis, oases, lakes and ponds,
• The introduction of flood recession cropping systems, particularly in lake areas.

These actions are part of a local approach, closely linked to the needs of rural populations.

Under-exploited potential nationwide

Mali has 2.2 million hectares of irrigable land, 1.8 million of which are concentrated in the Niger River valley. However, according to FAO data, only 380,000 hectares were equipped for irrigation in 2022, revealing a major development backlog.

This program is also a direct response to the commitments made by Mali at the Dakar+10 Forum, which called on African countries to step up their efforts to guarantee food security and cope with increasing climatic hazards.

Conclusion

With the announcement of this new phase of the PNIP, Mali is reaffirming its determination to modernize its agriculture through irrigation, a crucial lever for strengthening food sovereignty, the self-sufficiency of small-scale producers and climate resilience. However, the success of this ambition depends on the effective mobilization of funding, rigorous governance and, above all, inclusive implementation that takes account of local realities. In a region where every drop of water counts, local irrigation could well become the key to sustainable agricultural development.

L’article Mali: $573.4 million needed for the second phase of the National Proximity Irrigation Program est apparu en premier sur Synerginfo.

The Madagascan government aims to modernize its agriculture in depth, in order to improve productivity and strengthen food sovereignty. With this in mind, a cooperation agreement was signed on May 25, 2025 in Tel Aviv between the State Secretariat to the Presidency, in charge of food sovereignty, and LR Group Ltd, an Israeli company specializing in agro-industrial, technological and energy projects.

A 10,000-hectare agropolis to kick-start change

The partnership involves the creation of a 10,000-hectare agropole, spread over four strategic regions: Analamanga, Alaotra-Mangoro, Bongolava and Vakinankaratra. With a budget of 90 million dollars, this project marks a decisive step in Madagascar’s drive to move towards more technological, resilient and sustainable agriculture.

Cutting-edge technology for small farmers

The project focuses onintelligent agriculture: solar pump irrigation, high-yield hybrid seeds, artificial intelligence, satellite imagery, modern storage, farm mechanization and an agronomic research laboratory. The target crops are rice, corn and soybeans, strategic commodities for the country.

The program will directly involve over 10,000 small-scale farmers, who will benefit from training, technical support and improved production conditions. The aim is clear: to increase the country’s food self-sufficiency while integrating farmers at the heart of the value chain.

A strategy focused on resilience and agricultural industrialization

Through this initiative, Madagascar is seeking to respond to several major challenges: food insecurity, import dependency, the effects of climate change, and low agricultural productivity. This model could also inspire other Malagasy regions and stimulate the structuring of local and regional agro-industrial sectors, while attracting new investment in agrifood and green energy.

Conclusion

The agreement signed between Madagascar and LR Group Ltd marks a turning point in the country’s agricultural policy. By drawing on Israeli expertise and cutting-edge technologies, the government is betting on a profound and sustainable transformation of its agriculture. While logistical and social challenges remain – notably the inclusion of farmers and the maintenance of infrastructure – this initiative could well serve as a regional model for a resilient, modern and competitive African agriculture.

L’article Madagascar bets on intelligent agriculture with an Israeli strategic partnership est apparu en premier sur Synerginfo.

On June 3, 2025, Greenpeace Africa and the Centre for Energy and Clean Air Research (Crea) published a damning report on air pollution in South Africa. The findings highlight dangerously high exposure to fine particles, mainly in industrial areas such as Johannesburg and Mpumalanga. These pollution levels, largely due to coal-fired power stations and petrochemical complexes, have dramatic consequences for public health.

Pollution that kills in silence

According to the report, the year 2023 saw some 42,000 premature deaths attributable to air pollution, including more than 1,200 children under the age of five. The economic cost of this health crisis is estimated at 960 billion rand, or 14% of South Africa’s GDP. These figures reflect a health disaster that is all too often relegated to the background.

Invisible managers and lax regulation

In the most polluted areas, residents live with the effects of pollution on a daily basis. Sharon Mbonani, a resident of one of Sasol’s largest plants, denounces the impunity of large industrial companies: “No one is held responsible…”. The report also criticizes national air quality standards, which are much more lax than WHO standards, and calls for an immediate overhaul of authorized thresholds.

Conclusion: an urgent environmental and human crisis

Exposure to fine particles in South Africa can no longer be ignored. It is a major issue of public health and environmental justice. Given the scale of the damage, the authors of the report call on the South African government to act quickly, by tightening regulations, better monitoring air quality, and holding polluters to account. Otherwise, the population will continue to pay a heavy price for avoidable pollution.

L’article Exposure to fine particles in South Africa: an ignored health emergency est apparu en premier sur Synerginfo.

On the night of April 4 to 5, 2025, Kinshasa was hit hard by heavy rains that caused devastating flooding. The toll was heavy: at least 33 dead and hundreds of families affected. In the face of this tragedy, President Félix Tshisekedi visited the Tata-Raphaël stadium, now an emergency shelter, to express his support for the victims.

The Tata-Raphaël stadium transformed into a refuge

Accompanied by First Lady Denise Nyakeru, the Head of State visited the stadium’s sports hall, temporarily transformed into a reception center by the Fondation Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi (FDNT). More than 1,050 people have taken refuge there after losing their homes. In front of the victims, the President gave a speech in Lingala full of compassion and hope, assuring them that the government would not let them down:
“Do not be distressed, for your government exists and will not abandon you,” he declared.

An alarming human and material toll

According to figures released by the Ministry of the Interior, the floods claimed 33 victims, including 23 deaths recorded on April 5 and 10 the following day. Over 200 households were affected, particularly in the communes of Limete, Matete, Masina, Mont-Ngafula, Ngaliema and Barumbu. Material damage was also considerable: 14 communes were deprived of drinking water due to damage to the Ndjili river catchment station, and the national road n°1 linking Kinshasa to Matadi suffered heavy damage.

Conclusion: The Congolese state faces a major humanitarian challenge

President Tshisekedi’s visit, beyond its symbolic value, is intended to reassure the affected populations and demonstrate the authorities’ commitment to managing this crisis. This disaster is yet another reminder of Kinshasa’s infrastructural vulnerability to bad weather. The coming weeks will be decisive in assessing the effectiveness of assistance and rehousing measures, and in strengthening the resilience of the Congolese capital to climatic disturbances.

L’article Flooding in Kinshasa: President Tshisekedi at the victims’ bedside est apparu en premier sur Synerginfo.

French agro-industrial group Soufflet Malt, world leader in the production of malt for the brewing industry, continues to expand beyond Europe. As part of its development strategy in Africa, Soufflet has announced the construction of a new malting plant in the Sedibeng district of South Africa, at a total cost of 100 million euros (around $108.4 million). The project was officially revealed in a press release issued on March 7, 2025.

A project in partnership with Heineken

This project is part of a commercial agreement signed between Soufflet Malt and Dutch brewer Heineken, with the main aim of supplying the malt needed to support Heineken’s activities in South Africa. Once operational, this malting plant should have an annual production capacity of 100,000 tonnes of malt, with commissioning scheduled for the first half of 2027.

Strengthening local barley supplies

One of the key aspects of this project is the supply of locally grown barley to the malting plant. Soufflet Malt is committed to working with a network of 200 local growers to ensure a continuous, high-quality supply. The company has already established long-term partnerships with farmers in the region and offers training and mentoring to improve agronomic practices, with a view to increasing the production of high-quality barley.

Growth potential for barley production in South Africa

This project represents a significant boost for barley cultivation in South Africa. Although barley production has been declining since 2020, with only 374,000 tonnes produced in 2024, this project could stimulate an increase in local production. Indeed, barley cultivation in the country, mainly used for malt production and animal feed, has declined considerably, from 588,000 tonnes in 2020 to levels below 400,000 tonnes in recent years. Soufflet Malt’s malting plant should help to revitalize this crop, by encouraging farmers to increase their investment in barley cultivation.

Conclusion: A new stage in Soufflet Malt’s expansion in Africa

Soufflet Mal t’s malting project in South Africa marks an important step in the company’s expansion outside Europe. Thanks to a strategic partnership with Heineken and the involvement of local producers, this project should not only strengthen the supply of malt for the brewing industry in South Africa, but also stimulate local barley production, a sector in the midst of a revival. This development also heralds new prospects for South African agriculture, and could play a key role in the region’s economic development.

L’article South Africa: Soufflet Malt invests 100 million euros in a new malt factory in Sedibeng est apparu en premier sur Synerginfo.

In 2024, Kenya welcomed 2.4 million international visitors, marking a 15% increase on the 2.08 million recorded in 2023. These figures were revealed by Rebecca Miano, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife. Adding in local tourists, the country’s total number of visitors is 7.5 million, confirming its status as East Africa’s leading tourist destination.

Growth Factors

This increase is the result of several strategic policies implemented by the Kenyan government, including :

• Intensive marketing campaigns to boost the country’s appeal.
• Diversification of the tourism offering with new products and experiences.
• Digitizing tourism management to improve efficiency and accessibility.
• Launch of new scheduled flights to strategic destinations.

Breakdown of Arrivals by Origin

• The United States remains the leading source market, with 306,501 visitors, or 12.8% of the total.
• The African continent dominates tourist flows, with 40.8% of arrivals, representing 975,883 visitors.
• Europe comes second with 28.1% of flows, followed by the Americas (15.7%) andAsia (12.1%).

Future prospects and strategies

To further strengthen its position, Kenya has adopted a “Zero Visa” policy for African countries, with the exception of Somalia and Libya. This initiative aims to boost arrivals from the continent.

The government’s ambition is to reach 5 million international visitors and 5 million local tourists by 2027, consolidating its position as leader in regional tourism.

Conclusion

The dynamism of Kenya’s tourism sector, supported by innovative policies and increased openness, augurs well for the years ahead. The country continues to invest in attractive strategies to maintain its competitiveness with neighbors such as Tanzania and Uganda…

L’article Kenya: Maasai Women Start Raising Crickets in the Face of Climate Change est apparu en premier sur Synerginfo.

On February 18, 2025, Zambia was struck by a major environmental disaster. The collapse of an acid tailings dam belonging to a Chinese mining company caused millions of liters of toxic waste to spill into the Mwambashi River, a tributary of the Kafue, one of the country’s largest rivers.

Experts from Zambia’s Institution of Engineering estimate that over 50 million liters of waste containing concentrated acid, heavy metals and dissolved solids were spilled. This pollutant spread rapidly, affecting the ecosystem, fauna, flora and local communities. Traces of contamination were observed up to 100 kilometers downstream, raising concerns about the long-term consequences for the environment and local populations.

Severe impact on local communities

The consequences for local residents are dramatic. Chilekwa Mumba, an environmental activist, warns of the seriousness of the situation: “This is an ecological disaster with catastrophic consequences. Sino Metals has contaminated a river on which millions of people depend for their livelihood.”

The consequences for local agriculture are equally devastating. Contaminated soils have destroyed crops, and farmers have lost their source of income just months before harvest. “The local people have lost everything. They’re farmers, and we’re only two months away from harvest. Their crops are ruined, their investments wiped out,” laments Mumba.

Fish farmers saw their business disappear in a matter of hours. Juliet Bulaya, a local farmer, explains: “All my fish were swept away. I just stood there, helpless, wondering how I was going to get back the money I had invested in this project.”

A river transformed into an aquatic cemetery

The ecological consequences are devastating. Images taken after the incident show thousands of dead fish floating on the surface or washed up on the river banks. Witnesses describe a desolate landscape. Sean Cornileus, a local resident, said: “Before February 18, this river was a living, dynamic ecosystem. Today, everything is dead. It’s as if the river has ceased to exist. It’s unimaginable.”

On February 23, the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock issued a warning against eating fish from the polluted Kafue River and its tributaries.

An attempt at repair, but an uncertain future

On February 19, the day after the disaster, the breach in the dike was closed, putting an end to the toxic waste spill. However, experts are questioning the true extent of the damage, both in human and environmental terms.

The future of the region is now uncertain. The economic impact could be considerable, having a lasting effect on farmers, fishermen and all the communities that depend on the Kafue River for their livelihoods.

Conclusion: The call for strict measures

This disaster underlines the need for greater control over mining practices in Zambia. The country, rich in natural resources, is also vulnerable to industrial abuse, particularly in the mining sector. Authorities and environmental associations are calling for a thorough investigation and strict measures to prevent such a tragedy from happening again.

Local populations expect urgent responses and sustainable solutions to preserve their environment and livelihoods.

L’article Zambia: An Ecological Catastrophe After an Acid Spill in the Kafue River est apparu en premier sur Synerginfo.

The Côte d’Ivoire government recently adopted a decree declaring a 549.5-hectare plot of land near the Sakassou interchange to be in the public interest. This area is earmarked for the development and construction of Bouaké’s future logistics and industrial zone, as part of an initiative to boost the region’s economic development.

A project to boost business competitiveness

The project aims to provide investors with a modern infrastructure, thus enhancing the competitiveness and performance of companies wishing to set up in this strategic region. It is in line with the government’s policy of developing logistics, industrial and commercial hubs, a key lever for boosting the national economy.

Encouraging the search for alternative financing

In this context, local authorities are encouraged to explore alternative financing mechanisms, outside state budgets, in order to meet the growing need for infrastructure and public services.

Bouaké, a booming economic hub

Bouaké, Côte d’Ivoire’s third-largest economic hub after Abidjan and San Pedro, stands out for its ambition to diversify its sources of financing. The “Bouaké Nouveau” program bears witness to this commitment. In 2024, the city organized the “Invest in Bouaké” economic forum, which led to the signing of 14 agreements, including a major partnership with Kenyan company United Aryan Unlimited, which has committed to investing $350 million to build a textile factory.

Conclusion: A promising project for Bouaké’s economic future

This logistics and industrial development project for Bouaké is a key step in strengthening its attractiveness as an economic center. With initiatives such as the “Bouaké Nouveau” program and growing foreign investment, the city is positioning itself as a major player in industrial and economic development in Côte d’Ivoire.

L’article The Ivorian government adopts a decree for a 549.5-hectare plot of land in Bouaké est apparu en premier sur Synerginfo.

Senegal recently presented its ambitious “Pacte National pour l’Énergie” (National Energy Pact), aimed at providing electricity to an additional 6.6 million people by 2030. The ultimate goal is to achieve an electrification rate of 100%, compared with the current 84%. This initiative is in line with the SEforALL Operational Plan and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular SDG No. 7 on access to clean, affordable energy.

The Pact’s main strategic thrusts

The Pacte National pour l’Énergie (National Energy Pact) is built around five major themes:

1. Energy infrastructure modernization

Senegal plans to reinforce its infrastructure to improve the reliability and capacity of its power grid.

2. Regional integration and cross-border trade

Enhanced cooperation with ECOWAS aims to facilitate cross-border electricity trade, thereby optimizing regional integration.

3. Promotion of Decentralized Renewable Energies (DRE)

The country wants to accelerate the deployment of DRE and clean cooking solutions, while digitizing project monitoring to ensure their effectiveness.

4. Encouraging private investment

Concessions for electrification projects and subsidy mechanisms for mini-grids will be set up to stimulate private sector involvement.

5. Strengthening SENELEC’s Financial Viability

The government plans to optimize costs and gradually reduce subsidies to ensure the financial stability of the national electricity operator.

Reducing Social and Energy Inequalities

Despite an urban electrification rate of 97.1%, rural areas lag behind with only 64.5% coverage. What’s more, the poorest households have an electricity access rate of 17.4%, compared with 94.5% for the richest. The Pact therefore aims to reduce these disparities and promote inclusive electrification.

Conclusion: Towards a Sustainable Energy Transition

The National Energy Pact represents a crucial step towards universal, sustainable electrification in Senegal. By stabilizing the grid, diversifying the energy mix and promoting rural inclusion, the country could become a model of successful energy transition in West Africa. However, the success of this initiative will depend on the ability to effectively mobilize investment, particularly private investment…

L’article Senegal unveils its National Energy Pact est apparu en premier sur Synerginfo.

The commune of Bargny, on the outskirts of Dakar in Senegal, is facing an alarming ecological crisis. Between coastal erosion, industrial pollution and the accumulation of plastic waste, this community of 70,000 inhabitants is facing an existential threat. Although apparently calm, the sea is advancing inexorably, destroying homes and disfiguring the coastal landscape.

People at a loss as the waters rise

The inhabitants of Bargny, mostly fishermen, watch helplessly as their homes are gradually destroyed. The waves are nibbling away at the land, causing one house after another to collapse. Ndèye Yacine Dieng, a coastal resident, explains: “Where we are, there were houses, but everything is in ruins. When one house falls down, we take refuge in another. We’re using tires, sandbags and the debris from collapsed houses to try and slow the advance of the sea. We’re exhausted.”

Precarious solutions for major challenges

Faced with the scale of the disaster, the inhabitants improvised solutions to protect what remained of their homes. But these makeshift methods are far from sufficient to counter the power of the sea. The lack of resources and effective intervention is increasing the distress of local communities, jeopardizing their living conditions and safety.

A call to action to preserve the coastline

The situation in Bargny illustrates the urgent need for concerted action between the authorities, environmental organizations and local populations. Sustainable measures and investment in coastal protection infrastructure are essential to preserve this territory and ensure the survival of the communities who live there.

Conclusion

The ecological tragedy in Bargny symbolizes the environmental challenges facing many African coastal communities. In the face of this emergency, national and international solidarity is essential to protect the coastline, guarantee the safety of populations and preserve the ecosystem of this threatened region.

L’article Bargny: Senegal’s coastline at risk from a major ecological crisis est apparu en premier sur Synerginfo.