Dassault

Mauritania
Paris offers aerial surveillance support to Nouakchott

France's army in Senegal is due to leave the country by September, but the future of its air force's capabilities there is unclear. Paris is considering relocating them to another country, with Mauritania a strong possibility.

Egypt
Dassault, the Egyptian army's partner of choice at EDEX defence show

French group Dassault Aviation took advantage of the Egypt Defence Expo, held in Cairo in December, to consolidate its position in the country and build trade cooperation with Egyptian securocrats.

Palace Intrigues
Amadou Ba, Kais Saied, Paul Biya

Intrigues big and small... Every Thursday, Africa Intelligence takes a peek into the corridors of power in Africa and beyond.

SenegalPresidential candidate Amadou Ba in Paris

TunisiaKais Saied keeps French ambassador waiting

CameroonMinister without Biya's permission to fly misses Medef rendezvous

Congo
Sassou battles to hang on to his presidential jet

The Bordeaux court of appeal is to rule today on whether the Congolese president's plane, seized in 2020 by Commisimpex, can be auctioned off. It is one of Congo's last chances of recovering the aircraft.

Congo
Sassou's Falcon jet finally to be sold off in Commisimpex case

To the great displeasure of President Denis Sassou-Nguesso, the Republic of Congo's Falcon 7X jet will be sold at auction with a starting price of €15m.

Africa, France
Lyon's lesser-known business school pampers African decision-makers

From Samuel Eto'o to Guillaume Soro, many African celebrities have turned to the Ecole de Commerce de Lyon as an easy way to pick up a degree in management. Its director, Hervé Diaz, is generous with the school's honorary degrees.

Spotlight | Congo, France
French financial prosecution service to investigate corruption suspicions in Commisimpex affair

The French financial prosecution service has instructed an examining magistrate to investigate the 2013 arbitration ruling ordering the Republic of the Congo to pay €1.5bn to Commisimpex, a construction company owned by Lebanese businessman Mohsen Hojeij.

Spotlight | Egypt
US warnings ineffective on Egypt's Su-35 plans as pilots train in Russia

Despite US pressure to stop Egypt acquiring Russian Su-35 fighter jets, the programme seems to be continuing, with some Egyptian officers currently training in Russia.

Nigeria
Alpha Jet fleet overhaul still struggling to get off the ground

The programme to overhaul Nigeria's fleet of Alpha Jet attack aircraft, which was made a priority by President Buhari, is faltering, and plans to acquire M-346 planes are on hold. This hampers the fight against Boko Haram.

Central Africa
Touadera becomes a Bestfly client after Tshisekedi and Sassou Nguesso

The head of state of Central African Republic (CAR) recently began using jets operated by Angolan company Bestfly, which has seen its clientele of West African leaders grow fast in line with regional diplomatic activity.

Egypt
Leonardo close to selling its training jet to Egyptian Air Force

The Italian manufacturer, which late last month attended the Air Power Symposium organised by Cairo, is expected to win a contract to supply its M-346 jet for use by Egyptian pilots training to fly Rafales, a second batch of which Cairo has just ordered.