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Burkina Faso Bans Fresh Tomato Exports to Shield Domestic Processing Industry

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Burkina Faso’s military-led government has imposed an immediate, open-ended ban on all fresh tomato exports, a move aimed at securing supply for the country’s struggling domestic processing sector and signalling a sharper pivot toward homegrown agro-industrial development.

The directive, issued through a joint communiqué dated March 16, 2026, was signed by Minister of Industry, Commerce and Artisanat Serge Gnaniodem Poda and Minister of State for Agriculture Commandant Ismaël Sombie. It applies across the entire national territory and covers all economic operators engaged in fresh tomato exportation with no end date specified.

Alongside the export ban, the government suspended the issuance of Special Export Authorisations known by their French acronym, ASE with immediate effect. Operators already holding valid tomato export permits have been granted a two-week grace period to complete any outstanding procedures. After that window closes, all existing authorisations will be rendered null and void.

Authorities were unambiguous about consequences for non-compliance. Violators will face sanctions under existing trade regulations, and any seized goods will be transferred, free of charge, to industrial tomato processing facilities operating under the country’s popular shareholding framework.

The ban reflects a broader policy trajectory under the transitional government of Captain Ibrahim Traoré, which has made reducing dependence on raw commodity exports a cornerstone of its economic agenda. Developing the agro-processing sector has been a recurring theme as the administration seeks to capture more value domestically from agricultural production.

The ripple effects, however, are unlikely to stop at Burkina Faso’s borders. The country is an important source of cross-border produce for neighbouring states, and traders in northern Ghana  where agricultural supply chains are closely intertwined with those of the Sahel could soon feel the squeeze. A tightened tomato supply from the north risks driving up market prices in an area already sensitive to regional trade disruptions.

The government said it is counting on cooperation from all actors across the tomato value chain, as well as border control and security services, to enforce the directive.

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24-Hour Economy Authority Secures Over $8 Billion in Investment Agreements in 90 Days

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The Ghana 24-Hour Economy Authority has announced that it has secured bankable investment agreements worth more than $8 billion within the last 90 days, a development officials say demonstrates growing investor confidence in the government’s flagship 24-Hour Economy initiative.

The disclosure was made by the Chief Export Development Officer of the Ghana 24-Hour Economy Authority, Gabriel Opoku-Asare, during a roundtable discussion on the theme, “Unlocking Africa’s Single Market: How Can Ghanaian Businesses Win Under AfCFTA?” on Channel One TV as part of the Citi Business Festival held on Thursday, June 11, 2026.

According to Mr. Opoku-Asare, the agreements underscore the government’s commitment to attracting private sector investment to drive the implementation of the 24-Hour Economy agenda, rather than relying extensively on public funding.

He explained that the strategy is designed to reduce pressure on the country’s public finances while accelerating industrial growth and the development of strategic economic corridors across Ghana.

“We are enabling private capital in the development of all the projects we are talking about and the economic corridors we are building. Once private capital comes in, our work is coordination and enabling investment, so it is not sitting on sovereign debt. That is very important to ensure permanence in the long term,” he stated.

Mr. Opoku-Asare noted that the Authority is increasingly focusing on facilitating and coordinating private investments instead of directly financing projects with government resources, a move he believes will enhance the long-term sustainability of the programme.

He further emphasised that the signing of investment agreements exceeding $8 billion within a relatively short period highlights strong investor interest and confidence in the direction of the 24-Hour Economy programme.

“I’ve spoken about, in the last 90 days, all the bankable agreements that we’ve signed already, which is like over $8 billion,” he added.

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BoG Halts Proposed Charges on MoMo-to-Bank Transfers

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The Bank of Ghana has directed Mobile Money Fintech Limited to suspend its planned 0.75 per cent charge on direct mobile money wallet-to-bank account transfers.

The proposed fee, which was expected to take effect from June 1, 2026, has been put on hold to allow for further stakeholder consultations, the central bank announced on Tuesday, May 26.

The directive follows a notice issued by MTN Ghana on Monday, May 25, informing customers that transfers from MoMo wallets to bank accounts would attract a 0.75 per cent fee per transaction, capped at GH₵5.

Under the proposed arrangement, customers would have been charged even when transferring funds from their own registered MoMo wallet to their personal bank account — a service that has so far been offered free of charge.

In a statement, the Bank of Ghana explained that the suspension forms part of efforts to ensure that any adjustments to charges within the mobile financial services space are implemented in a fair and transparent manner, while safeguarding consumer interests and financial well-being.

For the time being, customers will continue to enjoy free transfers from MoMo wallets to bank accounts, as the proposed charges remain suspended.

The central bank further clarified that existing charges on MoMo wallet-to-wallet transfers, as well as cash-in and cash-out transactions at agent points, remain unchanged.

MTN Ghana is yet to officially respond to the Bank of Ghana’s directive.

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MTN Ghana Introduces Charges on MoMo-to-Bank Transfers from June 1

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MTN Ghana has announced that Mobile Money users will begin paying charges for transfers from their MoMo wallets to bank accounts effective June 1, 2026, ending years of free transfers for customers moving funds between their own accounts.

In a text message sent to subscribers on Monday evening, May 25, the telecommunications company disclosed that all MoMo-to-bank transfers will now attract a fee of 0.75 per cent per transaction, capped at GH₵5.

Under the new pricing structure, customers transferring GH₵100 from their MoMo wallet to a bank account will pay 75 pesewas, while transfers of GH₵667 and above will attract the maximum charge of GH₵5.

The fee will apply to all bank transfers, including transactions involving bank accounts belonging to the same individual who owns the MoMo wallet. Previously, MTN customers enjoyed free transfers when moving funds between their personally registered MoMo wallets and bank accounts.

According to the company, the move forms part of efforts to improve service delivery to its growing customer base.

“From 1 June 2026, transfers from your MoMo Wallet to bank accounts will attract a fee of 0.75% per transaction, capped at GH₵5. This will help us continue to serve you better. Thank you for choosing MoMo,” the message to customers stated.

The development marks a significant change in MTN Ghana’s mobile financial service charges, particularly for customers who frequently transfer money from MoMo wallets into bank accounts for business and personal transactions.

However, the company clarified that the new charge applies only to transfers from MoMo wallets to bank accounts. Existing charges for MoMo-to-MoMo transfers, as well as cash-in and cash-out transactions at agent points, remain unchanged.

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