Mauritania launches e-health initiatives, including a national vaccination database and the E-CNAM platform for digital insurance and reimbursement. The government targets improved data management, planning, and healthcare delivery amid chronic staff shortages and high maternal and infant mortality rates. International partners, including the EU and ENABEL, support digitalization...

Murphy Oil has mobilized the Deepwater Skyros rig offshore Abidjan to drill the first of three planned exploration wells. The company holds 85–90% stakes across five Ivorian offshore blocks under production-sharing contracts with the state and PETROCI. Ivorian media reported in November that Murphy seeks to acquire a sixth offshore block as it expands its portfolio. Murphy Oil...

West Wits Mining inaugurated Qala Shallows, a mine expected to produce 70,000 ounces of gold per year for 12 years. The mine represents the first underground gold project in South Africa since 2010 and the initial phase of the Witwatersrand Basin Project targeting 200,000 ounces annually. Development costs for Qala Shallows total $44 million, with the first gold pour expected in...

President Mahama launches STEMBox to boost practical science education Program aims to modernize learning and support local tech-focused industries Reports show major gaps in ICT labs and equipment across primary and middle schools President John Dramani Mahama officially launched the STEMBox on December 4, introducing a kit designed to make science lessons interactive and...

The US, DRC and Rwanda sign a new framework tying mineral access, governance reforms and security cooperation into one strategic agreement. The deal formalises supply chains, strengthens Kinshasa’s control over eastern minerals, and creates a US-backed alternative to China’s dominance. Implementation depends on improved security in eastern DRC; continued instability could...

Zimbabwe plans to introduce a 10% top-tier gold royalty from 2026, replacing the current 5% ceiling and targeting high-price conditions above $2,501/oz. Caledonia Mining and the Zimbabwe Miners Federation warn that the reform may reduce profitability, stall investment and increase gold smuggling. Gold prices have surged to around $4,100/oz in 2025, up 60% year-to-date,...

Parliament approves a 2026 Finance Bill measure allowing farmers to import and use drones. Tunisia lifts a long-standing civilian drone ban specifically for agricultural activities. Authorities aim to boost productivity as the country faces a six-year drought and rising food-import dependence. Tunisia’s agricultural sector contributes 9% of GDP and employs about 13% of the...

Government publishes the joint Mines–Finance circular needed to restart exports Miners faced weeks of delays despite the embargo being lifted in mid-October First shipments are expected only at the end of the month due to lengthy procedures Cobalt exports from the Democratic Republic of Congo can now resume following the release of a joint circular from the Ministries of...

Government grants official recognition to the new sector-wide organization Interprofession aims to improve production, quality, traceability, and farmer support Coffee-cocoa exports brought in CFA4,354 billion for Côte d’Ivoire in 2024 The government of Côte d’Ivoire has formally recognized the new Agricultural Interprofessional Organization for the coffee-cocoa sector,...

Africa faces an average of 2,902 cyberattacks per organisation per week, with peaks in telecoms, finance and public services. Demand for cybersecurity analysts continues to surge globally, with starting salaries ranging from $44,300–52,500 in France and  $41,100–121,200 in South Africa. African governments, universities and private partners accelerate training...