Earlier this year, Barrick Gold, a Canadian firm, announced that the Malian government planned to seize its gold stock. The company warned it would stop production if this happened. Mali has started carrying out a temporary order to seize gold stored at Barrick's Loulo-Gounkoto complex on January 11. Various reports indicate that 3 to 4 tonnes of gold, worth between $245 million...

Mozambique hosts Africa’s biggest graphite mine. Since 2021, the mine’s output has gone to the U.S. to make batteries. Syrah Resources runs the mine. On January 13, 2025, Syrah Resources revealed it secured a $165 million tax credit from U.S. tax authorities to bolster its operations, including a facility in Louisiana that processes graphite concentrate. Syrah has been awarded a...

These funds are expected to support development projects in the CEMAC region. At the end of December 2024, the institution approved CFA125 billion in funding to boost development in the six member countries. The Development Bank of Central African States (BDEAC) plans to raise CFA200 billion (about $311 million) in negotiable debt securities between 2025 and 2027. The funds will be raised...

Africa’s GDP is projected to grow by 4.2% in 2025, according to the latest Foresight Africa report published by the Brookings Institution this week. This forecast suggests an improvement from the 3.1% growth recorded in 2023, as reported by the African Development Bank (AfDB). The projection reflects a notable recovery after a challenging period marked by inflation, limited access to financing,...

Khaled El-Enany, a renowned Egyptologist and former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, unveiled his campaign slogan for the position of Director-General of UNESCO: “UNESCO for the People.” The announcement was made during a grand gathering  held at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization on January 13, attended by ambassadors from over 100 countries, representatives of...

The rise of new technologies is shaking up the global job market. According to the World Economic Forum, this impact is expected to intensify by the end of the year, with millions of job creation opportunities, but also massive job losses. The global job market is expected to undergo a major transformation by 2030, with 170 million new jobs created and 92 million eliminated, resulting in a net...

Ivanhoe Mines is actively involved in the Kamoa-Kakula copper and Kipushi zinc mines, both located in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In 2024, the Canadian company invested $1.8 billion to restart the Kipushi mine and expand the Kamoa-Kakula mine. Ivanhoe Mines announced a bond issue aimed at raising $600 million on January 10, 2025. A portion of this funding will support its...

Australian junior miners Mako Gold and Aurum Resources signed a merger agreement in October 2024, with Aurum set to take over Mako and manage important gold projects in Côte d'Ivoire. Initiated a few months ago, the merger between Australian junior miners Aurum Resources and Mako Gold approaches its final stages. Both firms said so in a January 10 press release. Côte d’Ivoire’s mining...

Lower inflationary pressures and eased financial conditions are expected to gradually reduce financing costs in the region, but political and climate risks could weigh on its economic outlook. Sub-Saharan Africa's economy is expected to grow by 4.2% in 2025, up from an estimated 3.8% in 2024, according to a report published by Moody's Ratings on January 8, 2025. The report, titled "Sovereign...

This is good news considering the output was down in the first and second quarters. However, the government actively works to diversify the economy and reduce its reliance on these sectors, especially the oil industry. Gabon’s extractive industry fared well in Q3 2024, with output rising 3.5%. According to the Ministry of Economy, which disclosed the information, the increase was...