Five African countries rank among the world’s top 10 borrowers from the World Bank’s concessional lending arm, collectively accounting for $67.8 billion in outstanding debt, according to new data on global exposure patterns. Five African countries are among the world’s top 10 borrowers from the World Bank’s concessional lending arm (IDA), together owing $67.8 billion.…
The African Development Bank opened its annual meeting in Brazzaville on Monday under the shadow of two crises that are rattling Africa at the same time: a worsening Ebola outbreak in central Africa and rising economic pressure linked to the Iran war. African leaders and financiers gathered in Brazzaville as Ebola fears and rising fuel…
As South Africa’s political succession debate intensifies ahead of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s expected exit in 2029, billionaire businessman Tokyo Sexwale is increasingly being linked to conversations about the country’s future leadership and political direction. Tokyo Sexwale, a billionaire and former anti-apartheid activist, has been linked to the ANC succession debate ahead of the party’s 2027…
The luxury goods group Richemont, led by South African billionaire Johann Rupert, has reported a strong increase in sales for the financial year. Richemont achieved strong sales growth, with revenue rising 11% to €22.4 billion despite global trade tensions and economic headwinds. The group’s core jewelry brands, Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, drove a…
South Africa’s commercial capital and Africa’s richest city, Johannesburg, is facing rising pressure over its worsening financial troubles after civil society group Public Interest SA threatened legal action against the city administration over what it described as a deepening governance and debt crisis. Public Interest SA has threatened legal action against the City of Johannesburg…
The Democratic Republic of Congo has imposed a sweeping three-month suspension of mining activities in parts of South Kivu province, targeting operations in two key territories as authorities move to tighten control over the country’s strategic mineral supply chain. The DRC has imposed a three-month suspension of mining activities in parts of South Kivu, targeting…
Iran has moved to formalise its control over the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints, by launching a new authority that now requires vessels to seek clearance and potentially pay millions of dollars before crossing the strategic waterway. Iran has established the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) to control and…
Tanzania could be edging closer to becoming a significant player in Africa’s growing critical minerals industry following the discovery of rare earth element deposits in the country’s southern highlands. Tanzania has discovered rare earth element deposits containing Neodymium and Praseodymium in its southern highlands. These minerals are critical for technologies like electric vehicles, wind turbines,…
Nigeria may soon hand majority control of two of its most strategic oil assets to Chinese investors as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited pushes a new plan to revive the country’s troubled refineries after years of failed rehabilitation efforts. NNPC is considering an NLNG-style partnership that could hand Chinese investors a 51% stake in…
