Nigeria's President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced a six-month suspension on raw shea exports to boost local processing, job creation, and protect the shea value chain, predominantly benefiting women. This move aims to increase Nigeria's share in the $6.5 billion global shea market, currently capturing less than 1% despite producing nearly 40% of the world's supply. The initiative is part of the Renewed Hope Agenda, focusing on creating value domestically and competing globally. Vice President Kashim Shettima will lead efforts to expand processing capacity and ensure the reform brings lasting prosperity to farmers, women, and the nation.
Israel has announced that it will be cutting off its electricity supply to Gaza, a move aimed at pressuring Hamas to accept an extension of the first phase of their ceasefire. This decision comes a week after Israel cut off all supplies of goods to the territory, which is home to over 2 million people.
The Israeli government is seeking to negotiate a lasting truce with Hamas, but the two sides remain at odds over the terms of the ceasefire. Hamas is believed to be holding 24 living hostages and the bodies of 35 others, and Israel is demanding their release as a condition for further negotiations.
The cutoff of electricity is expected to have significant humanitarian implications for the people of Gaza, who rely heavily on Israeli electricity to power essential infrastructure, including desalination plants and water pumps.⁴