After seven years of preparation, Côte d’Ivoire officially launched the Bourse des
Matières Premières Agricoles (BMPA) on May 28, with its first trading session
held on May 30. The exchange initially trades raw cashew nuts, kola nuts, and
maize, aiming to stabilize prices based on national supply and demand through
certified brokers and warehouses.
General News
Mauritania’s Sidi Ould Tah Elected President of African Development Bank
On May 29, Sidi Ould Tah of Mauritania was elected president of the African
Development Bank (AfDB), succeeding Nigerian Akinwumi Adesina. The
decision was made by the AfDB Board of Governors, mainly composed of finance
ministers and central bank governors.
Renowned Kenyan Writer Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o Dies at 87
Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, a globally acclaimed Kenyan writer often considered a Nobel
Prize contender, passed away on May 28 at 87. Imprisoned in the 1970s for his
outspoken views, he chose to write in Kikuyu, his native language, rejecting
English. His legacy endures as a monumental figure in modern African literature.
Flash Floods in Nigeria’s Mokwa Kill Over 150 and Displace Thousands
Severe flash floods caused by torrential rains devastated Mokwa town in central
Nigeria, killing at least 151 people, displacing over 3,000, and destroying hundreds
of homes and bridges. President Bola Tinubu confirmed ongoing rescue efforts and
deployment of emergency aid, highlighting the growing threat of climate change-
induced flooding.