South Africa’s Vaal University launches hydrogen research hub with bank support. Morocco’s UM6P partners with global firms to build green hydrogen capacity. Both nations aim to reduce tech dependence and capture more industrial value. South Africa’s Vaal University of Technology has opened a new Center of Excellence for Hydrogen Energy, backed by Standard Bank. The launch,...

Atlantic Lithium signs £28 mln deal with Long State to fund Ewoyaa project. Piedmont Lithium dispute over $70 mln mine investment remains unresolved. Project aims to produce 3.6 mln tons of spodumene over 12 years at $185 mln cost. Atlantic Lithium announced on Wednesday, September 3, that it has signed binding agreements with Long State Investments to raise up to £28...

Shea producers ask government for 90-day delay on export ban. Existing contracts worth billions of nairas at risk from sudden halt. Sector warns of illegal trade if Nigeria lags behind regional policies. The National Shea Products Association of Nigeria (NASPAN) is urging the government to grant a 90-day grace period before enforcing the planned ban on shea nut exports. The request,...

• DRC to resume Kinshasa–Matadi rail service after five-year halt• New rail link aims to ease congestion, boost trade via Matadi port• Urban rail upgrades, Banana corridor study, Arise IIP project stalled Rail service between Kinshasa and the port city of Matadi in the Democratic Republic of Congo will resume next week after a five-year hiatus, Minister of Transport Jean-Pierre Bemba...

• Ghana plans digital skills training for 350,000 youth with Code Raccoon• Program to teach coding, AI, and cybersecurity over three months• Builds on Ghana’s broader “One Million Coders” initiative launched in April Ghana is exploring a partnership with private firm Code Raccoon to train 350,000 young people in digital skills, according to a recent government statement. Digital...

• Chad seeks digital partners to overcome landlocked connectivity barriers• Plans include fiber links with Egypt, Nigeria, and Congo-Ocean line• Progress slow; TSB project only 32% complete as of March 2025 Chadian authorities are increasing their efforts to improve the country's digital connectivity, holding a meeting with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and seeking...

• Burkina Faso secures €187.8M IsDB loan for road projects• 187.8 km of roads to be rehabilitated, key trade routes improved• Projects aim to cut transport costs, boost security, aid exports Burkina Faso's government has approved a loan of 187.83 million euros ($220 million) from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) for a series of road projects, according to a cabinet meeting...

• Cameroon shifts from tax exemptions to tiered investment tax credits• Syndustricam says reform risks sidelining SMEs, lacks clarity• Ordinance bypassed parliament, raising concerns over democratic process In the latest issue of "Chroniques de l’industrie,” Syndustricam, the Cameroon Union of Industrialists, offers a critical reading of the ordinance signed on July 18, 2025, by...

• Norway channels 70% of Norfund energy funds to Africa• Scatec leads large-scale solar projects in Egypt, Tunisia, Botswana• Empower targets decentralized solar for Africa’s commercial sector Norway is quietly building a significant footprint in Africa’s renewable energy sector through a coordinated strategy involving its state investment fund and two private companies. In 2024, 70%...

• Burkina Faso reassures investors amid new mining code concerns• Guinea promotes Simandou project as economic transformation driver• Mixed signals on West Africa’s mining climate at Perth conference Messages about the business climate in West Africa were mixed at the Africa Down Under 2025 conference, an annual event in Perth that connects Australian mining companies with leaders from...