• “Dao” ranks among the three films in official competition at the 76th Berlinale and marks Alain Gomis’ second bid for the Golden Bear.

• The film premiered on February 14 at the festival and will release in French cinemas on April 29.

• Alain Gomis shot the 3-hour-5-minute feature over 20 days in 2023 between Guinea-Bissau and France.

The world premiere of “Dao” took place on Saturday, February 14, during the 76th Berlinale. The distributors scheduled a conventional theatrical release in France for April 29. Alain Gomis returned to major international cinema events with this new work after he won the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize in 2017 with Félicité.

“I do not know whether people will read it the way you want to show it: powerful, extraordinary, strange,” Cineuropa commented, quoting one of the characters in the feature film.

Dao or the Singular Story of a Return to Roots

The film sets its action between two universes. Gloria, portrayed by Katy Correa, celebrates her daughter’s wedding in the suburbs of Paris. A few weeks earlier, in Guinea-Bissau, she had taken part in a ritual that elevated her late father to the rank of ancestor. Between these two ceremonies, one turned toward life and the other toward memory, she crosses the boundaries between reality and fiction, and between past and present. This journey allows her to reconnect with her history, find her place and reach a form of serenity.

Behind the Scenes

The lead actress devotes her full presence to the film, which runs for an unusual 3 hours and 5 minutes, through her deep and haunting voice. The casting brings together several established actors alongside non-professional participants, and the director uses this approach to blend fiction and reality. The other principal performers include Samir Guesmi, D’Johé Kouadio, Mike Etienne, Fara Baco, Nicolas Gomis and Béatrice Mendy.

The Franco-Senegalese filmmaker shot his sixth feature film in 2023 over 20 days, including 10 days in Guinea-Bissau and 10 days in the Yvelines region near Paris.

Alain Gomis conceived the idea for the film in 2018 after attending his father’s funeral in Guinea-Bissau, an experience that deeply marked him. “It is a film made of small details placed side by side, which intertwine to form a mosaic. It gained momentum thanks to these tiny details,” the director of this French-Senegalese-Guinean co-production explained as the film competes to place another African work on the Berlinale’s prize list after Dahomey by Matip Diop in 2024.

Ubrick F. Quenum

• Egypt launched trial operations at Damietta Port’s second container terminal with the arrival of Hapag-Lloyd’s “ESSEN EXPRESS.”

• The terminal offers 3.5 million TEUs in capacity and aims to triple the port’s overall capacity.

• IFC, EBRD and AIIB financed the project, while Damietta Alliance Container Terminals operates the facility.

Egypt launched the trial phase for the new container terminal at the Port of Damietta this weekend. Officials aim to strengthen the country’s position as a regional hub for trade and maritime logistics through this second terminal.

Operators initiated the test phase by receiving the container vessel “ESSEN EXPRESS,” owned by Hapag-Lloyd. The vessel measures 366.5 meters in length and carries a capacity of 143,262 tonnes. This milestone follows the delivery in October 2025 of 10 rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs), which supplemented a previous batch of 30 RTGs already received.

International financial institutions, including the International Finance Corporation, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, financed the project. Damietta Alliance Container Terminals, a consortium comprising Eurogate, Contship Italia, MELC Group, Ship & C.R.E.W and Hapag-Lloyd, operates the facility.

The terminal features a quay length of 1,970 meters and a water depth of 18 meters. The platform provides a handling capacity of 3.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs).

Authorities state that the terminal aims to triple the port’s capacity and reduce logistics costs and transit times. The project forms part of Egypt’s broader port sector master plan, which rests on three pillars.

The first pillar focuses on developing seaports through breakwater construction and the building of quays with depths of up to 25 meters. Authorities plan to extend the country’s total quay length to more than 100 kilometers, expand operational areas and strengthen the maritime tugboat fleet.

The second pillar aims to expand the national maritime fleet to 40 vessels by 2030. The third pillar relies on strategic partnerships with major international companies to better integrate Egyptian ports into global trade networks and supply chains.

Damietta ranks among Egypt’s leading ports. The platform placed 11th in Africa in 2024 on the Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) published by the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence.

This article was initially published in French by Henoc Dossa

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum

• West Wits Mining launched a scoping study to lift WBP output to 200,000 ounces per year after starting initial production.

• South Africa’s gold output fell from about 1,000 tonnes in 1970 to 84 tonnes in 2022.

• Gold prices rose more than 60% in 2025 and trade just below $5,000 per ounce, while JPMorgan and UBS expect prices above $6,000 by end-2026.

Australia’s West Wits Mining announced on February 16, that it launched a scoping study to assess whether its Witwatersrand Basin Project (WBP) can reach annual production of 200,000 ounces. The company initiated this study after it started the first phase of operations at the asset, and it seeks to inject momentum into a sector that has struggled for years.

South Africa once led global gold production. The country produced about 1,000 tonnes at its peak in 1970. However, output steadily declined to 84 tonnes in 2022 as operators closed numerous mines and as deposits matured.

Developers are now advancing projects such as WBP to revive the industry. West Wits launched the first phase of WBP in December 2025, and it began exploiting the Qala Shallows deposit, which the company describes as the first new underground gold mine announced in the country in more than 15 years. The initial phase targets annual production of 70,000 ounces. The company aims to raise that level to 200,000 ounces per year through the development of a broader mining complex at WBP.

At the same time, Theta Gold Mines plans to commission its TGME mine by early 2027, and it expects output to reach up to 160,000 ounces per year during the first five years. South African group Sibanye-Stillwater also intends to make a final investment decision by mid-2026 on its Burnstone project, which it suspended in 2021 due to unfavorable market conditions. Current plans project annual production of about 140,000 ounces over an estimated 25-year mine life.

“Our most advanced gold project, Burnstone, located in Mpumalanga province, is undergoing a reassessment ahead of an investment decision, given the group’s improved financial position and favorable gold price outlook,” the company states on its website.

These initiatives unfold in a particularly favorable price environment. Gold prices increased by more than 60% in 2025. Bullion trades just below $5,000 per ounce on Tuesday, February 17. Analysts at JPMorgan and UBS forecast prices above $6,000 per ounce by the end of 2026, and these expectations could influence the pace of project development.

However, the sector must still assess the real impact that these projects will have once they reach full capacity. West Wits expects to complete its scoping study by June. Meanwhile, the company plans to accelerate the ramp-up of Qala Shallows. According to company projections, operations at this mine within the WBP complex could generate nearly $1.15 billion for the South African economy over an estimated 12-year life.

This article was initially published in French by Aurel Sèdjro Houenou

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum

• Niger’s Tiani begins two-day visit to Algeria

• Trip follows ambassador recall and diplomatic normalization

• Countries advance gas pipeline and energy cooperation projects

Niger’s President Abdourahamane Tiani arrived in Algiers on Saturday for a two-day working visit aimed at strengthening ties between the neighboring countries, Algeria’s state news agency reported.

The visit, at the invitation of Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, is intended to strengthen bilateral cooperation and good-neighborly relations and to maximize the two countries’ potential for the benefit of their peoples, Algérie Presse Service said.

Tiani is accompanied by a delegation that includes the ministers of national defense, health, and infrastructure.

The visit follows President Tebboune’s decision on Feb. 12 to recall Algeria’s ambassador to Niamey. On the same day, Niger’s ambassador to Algeria resumed duties in Algiers, signaling a normalization of diplomatic relations.

The trip also comes as Algiers appears to be seeking a stronger role in the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), after signing a cooperation agreement with Burkina Faso last Friday covering hydrocarbons, energy, mining and training.

In recent months, Niger and Algeria have stepped up exchanges and renewed cooperation, marking a shift in bilateral relations. In January, a delegation from Algerian oil company Sonatrach visited Niger to discuss plans to build a refinery and petrochemical complex in the country.

On Feb. 11, Algeria, Niger and Nigeria signed three agreements to accelerate the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline (TSGP) project, which aims to transport Nigerian gas to Europe via Niger and Algeria.

Relations between Algiers and Niamey had deteriorated after the July 26, 2023 coup. Algeria subsequently proposed a six-month mediation initiative, open to all Nigerien political forces, to facilitate a return to constitutional order. Trade between the two countries was estimated at $55 million in 2024, according to the International Trade Center.

Lydie Mobio

• Burkina Faso, Algeria sign energy and mining cooperation minutes

• Deal covers fuel supply, LPG trade, technical expertise

• Agreement builds on broader 2024–2025 bilateral partnerships

Burkina Faso and Algeria signed minutes of a meeting on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, covering hydrocarbons, energy, mining and training, Algeria’s Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Mines said in a statement.

The document outlines priority areas including the supply of petroleum products to Burkina Faso, development of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) trade, expansion of storage and distribution capacity, and the sharing of technical expertise.

“Today, we have laid the foundations for major cooperation projects that will be implemented between our two countries. These projects will strengthen the strong ties between Burkina Faso and Algeria and [...] create added value for both countries,” Algerian Minister of State for Hydrocarbons and Mines Mohamed Arkab said.

The signing followed a working session between a Burkinabe delegation led by Energy, Mines and Quarries Minister Yacouba Zabré Gouba and an Algerian delegation headed by Arkab.

Burkina Faso’s economy relies heavily on mining. In 2023, the sector accounted for 14.8% of GDP, 75% of exports and more than 20% of public revenue, according to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. The country aims to expand local processing and strengthen skills in the sector.

In March 2025, the two countries began preparing a memorandum of understanding to deepen energy cooperation. In 2024, they agreed to strengthen military and academic partnerships, support socio-economic development and coordinate humanitarian efforts.

They also decided to establish joint monitoring mechanisms, including sector-specific working groups, to ensure the effective implementation of the measures outlined in the minutes.

Lydie Mobio

• Senegal raises 560 billion CFA francs in final 2025 bond sale

• Issuance exceeds target, reflecting strong demand despite fiscal pressures

• Proceeds fund 2025 budget needs and Vision 2050 priority projects

Senegal has completed its fourth and final bond issuance of 2025, raising 560 billion CFA francs ($1 billion), or 140% of its initial 400 billion CFA franc target, the finance ministry said.

The sale, which ran from Dec. 2 to Dec. 22, exceeded the target by 160 billion CFA francs, underscoring investor demand for Senegalese sovereign debt despite tight economic and financial conditions.

The proceeds will be used mainly to meet treasury requirements for the 2025 budget and to finance priority projects under the Senegal Vision 2050 programme, including in health, education, agriculture and infrastructure.

The ministry said the issuance would help support macroeconomic stability and improve the debt structure, with interest rates capped at 6.95% and maturities extending up to 10 years.

The final sale comes as Senegal faces mounting financing pressures in 2025. The disclosure of previously unreported debt, combined with the country’s loss of access to international capital markets, has pushed the government to rely heavily on the regional market to meet large funding needs.

Over the year, Senegal raised 2.225 trillion CFA francs through auctions on UMOA-Titres, the debt issuance agency of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), and a further 1.779 trillion CFA francs through syndicated bond offerings. Securities from these issues are due to be listed on the Regional Securities Exchange, with some already trading.

With the fourth issue, the government concludes its annual syndication programme after raising 405 billion CFA francs in April, 364 billion in July and 450 billion in October.

On Wednesday, Dec. 24, the Treasury also raised nearly 60 billion CFA francs from regional investors through a separate bond auction on UMOA-Titres.

Despite the heavy issuance, Senegal remains behind Ivory Coast, the region’s largest sovereign borrower, which raised more than 5.111 trillion CFA francs in 2025 on the UMOA-Titres market.

Fiacre E. Kakpo

• Benin creates National Distance Learning Agency, ministers approve statutes

• Pilot focuses on higher education, launching 2026-2027 academic year

• Agency aims to expand quality education via digital learning systems

Benin announced on Wednesday the creation of the National Distance Learning Agency, following approval of its statutes by the Council of Ministers.

The first phase of the project will focus on higher education, with an operational launch scheduled for the 2026-2027 academic year. This pilot stage will allow authorities to test and fine-tune the system before a gradual expansion to other levels of education.

To ensure proper coordination across all levels of education, the Council of Ministers said an agency was needed. Its mandate will be to expand access to high-quality education through distance learning by strengthening existing digital infrastructure or developing new systems, while providing dedicated support to teachers and learners.

The decision forms part of a broader strategy aimed at harnessing digital technologies to improve access to quality education and reinforce academic excellence. Through this system, the government seeks to modernize teaching methods, enrich pedagogical content and enhance academic support for learners, while reducing inequalities in access to education nationwide.

The new agency will be responsible for coordinating and implementing distance learning programmes. It will rely on strategic partnerships with national and international institutions, reinforce existing digital infrastructure or develop new ones as needed, and support teachers and learners in adopting digital tools.

Adoni Conrad Quenum

• $9 million joint-venture becomes effective after permit approval

• AngloGold can earn up to 70% stake over five years

• Project located near historic Golden Pride mine

In Tanzania, a $9 million joint venture agreement between AngloGold Ashanti and Ecograf Limited around the Golden Eagle gold exploration project has officially taken effect. The announcement was made on Wednesday, December 17, by the Australian company, which said it has now obtained prospecting permits from the Tanzanian government for the asset it previously controlled at 100%.

In May 2024, the two companies signed an agreement allowing AngloGold Ashanti to acquire up to 70% of the Golden Eagle project by investing $9 million over five years. The commitment paves the way for the creation of a joint venture, with Ecograf retaining the remaining 30%. Long subject to the approval of exploration permits by authorities in Dodoma, the agreement has now entered into force following the issuance of these authorizations.

Ecograf Limited said prospecting permits for the Golden Eagle project have been granted by the Tanzanian Ministry of Minerals, a condition precedent to the implementation of the participation agreement with AngloGold Ashanti Holdings, allowing the agreement to enter into force.

The partnership aligns with the growth plans of both groups. Already the operator of Geita, the country’s largest gold mine, AngloGold Ashanti is strengthening its presence in Tanzania’s gold sector, with the aim of identifying new promising deposits. For Ecograf, support from a strategic partner at Golden Eagle allows it to focus resources on developing its future Epanko graphite mine, while maintaining exposure to the gold sector.

A “strong potential for a Tier 1 discovery” is seen at Golden Eagle, which lies in the same corridor as Golden Pride, a historic mine that produced 3.4 million ounces. At this stage, however, no exploration program has been announced to support these prospects. Further developments are expected in the coming months, as the gold market remains strong, with prices up 67% since the start of the year, according to Trading Economics.

Aurel Sèdjro Houenou

• Algeria to connect new undersea fibre-optic cable, minister says

• Project aims to boost internet speeds amid rising data demand

• Move supports digital transformation, expanding broadband capacity

Algeria plans to connect to a new undersea fibre-optic cable to boost internet speeds, Post and Telecommunications Minister Sid Ali Zerrouki said on Monday in an interview with Algerian Radio.

Construction of the cable project will begin within the next two days, according to the state news agency Algeria Press Service (APS). No further details were provided on the name of the infrastructure, its capacity, cost, technical partners or commissioning schedule.

Data from Submarine Cable Map, a platform that tracks global subsea infrastructure, show that two cables are expected to enter service in Algeria in 2026. These include Africa-1, with a nominal capacity of between 200 and 300 gigabits per second (Gbps), and the Medusa cable, which is currently under installation. The first phase of Medusa is scheduled for completion in 2026 and will include segments with up to 24 fibre pairs, each capable of carrying up to 20 terabits per second.

Algeria is currently connected to five submarine cables: TE North/TGN-Eurasia/SEACOM/Alexandros/Medex, SeaMeWe-4, Oran-Valencia (ORVAL), Med Cable Network and Alpal-2. Total installed capacity stands at 10.2 terabits per second. This level of capacity places Algeria in a strong position in terms of internet speeds, the minister said.

The capacity expansion comes as part of a broader digital transformation driven by the rapid uptake of information and communication technologies (ICT), particularly internet services. This trend is reflected in sustained growth in data demand and consumption. GSMA forecasts that average monthly data usage per subscription in Africa will rise from 4 gigabytes in 2024 to 9 gigabytes by 2030.

In Algeria, the number of internet subscriptions increased from about 18.6 million in December 2015 to around 59.1 million by the end of June 2025. Over the same period, data consumption rose from approximately 379.7 million gigabytes in the second quarter of 2020 to about 3.3 billion gigabytes in the second quarter of 2025. Used bandwidth also increased, from 1,600 Gbps to 5,390 Gbps, out of the country’s total installed capacity of 10.2 terabits per second. Algeria has also recently launched commercial 5G services, which are more powerful and significantly more capacity-intensive than previous generations.

Sector studies and analyses show that expanding submarine cable capacity can significantly reduce mobile broadband prices and support wider adoption of digital services. However, they also stress the importance of extending fibre-optic networks across the country to carry connectivity inland beyond coastal landing points.

Isaac K. Kassouwi

• South Africa selects four new solar projects under REIPPPP bid window seven

• Red Rocket, Engie win 890-MW capacity worth about $955 million

• Awards support renewable expansion, reducing coal reliance

South Africa’s Minister of Electricity and Energy, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, said on Monday, Dec. 15, that four new preferred bidders had been selected for solar photovoltaic projects under the seventh bid window of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP). The decision followed value-for-money negotiations with eligible bidders.

Three of the projects were awarded to Red Rocket South Africa: the Rondebosch Solar Park, Springhaas Solar Facility 1 and Springhaas Solar Facility 6, all located in the Free State province. The fourth project, Corona Solar PV, is located in the North West province and is led by Engie. Total investment in the four projects is estimated at about $955 million.

The four selected projects have a combined capacity of 890 megawatts. They add to earlier awards made under the seventh bid window, which was initially designed to contract up to 5,000 MW of renewable generation capacity.

Launched in 2010, the REIPPPP is South Africa’s main mechanism for bringing private investment into renewable power generation. The first projects under the programme entered operation in 2012, marking the start of a gradual rollout of grid-connected solar and wind capacity.

According to official data available as of October 2025, a total of 6,559 MW is currently in commercial operation under the programme. The seventh bid window forms part of this trajectory, characterised by a steady increase in awarded capacity aimed at accelerating the decarbonisation of South Africa’s power mix, which remains heavily dependent on coal.

Abdoullah Diop