Palm

Indonesia’s recent announcement to raise its export tax on crude palm oil (CPO) from 7.5% to 10% is stirring ripples across global markets. While this change is significant for many countries worldwide, the ramifications are particularly acute for Africa, which heavily relies on palm oil imports from Southeast Asia. For many African nations, the news of this new levy, set to take effect on May 17, 2025, poses a troubling scenario: heightened import costs. It’s a reality that can significantly affect local economies and…

The expansive world of Africa's palm oil industry is swiftly evolving, with sustainability sitting squarely at the core of its transformative potential. Enter Eur Ing Hong Wai Onn, the innovative mind behind the Research Institute for Sustainable Excellence and Leadership (RISEL). As a chartered chemical engineer and environmentalist, Hong offers a radically inspiring perspective on how the process of biomass valorization might just hold the key to revolutionizing the sector continent-wide. Do we dare to dream big…

In the sun-whipped regions of Somalia, where the ground rarely sees rain, date palm trees have become indispensable allies for rural folks. They’re not just green life in the dry, they’re a lifeline, putting food on tables and coins in pockets. It’s been nearly ten years since the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) rolled out its initiative to boost these trusty trees here, and guess what? They’re still standing strong against climate’s curveballs, offering a smidgen of stability where it's needed most. CREDIT/…