South Africa granted Transnet a new 94.8 billion rand ($5.3B) guarantee to aid its recovery. Rail freight dropped to 152M tons in 2023/24, down from 226M in 2017/18. Success hinges on improved oversight, transparency, and curbing vandalism. The South African government announced a new 94.8 billion rand, about $5.3 billion, guarantee for Transnet, the state owned transport and...

Garamba National Park, located in the northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, is one of Africa’s oldest and most iconic protected areas. Established in 1938, the park spans over 4,900 km² and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. Its strategic location near the border with South Sudan gives it immense ecological importance, hosting a remarkable diversity of landscapes that...

Nigeria has bid to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix, with plans for a new Abuja racetrack. The project includes a karting track, hotels, and a racing museum.  Nigeria joins South Africa, Rwanda, and Morocco in competing to host Africa’s first F1 race in decades. Nigeria has entered the bid to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix in Africa. Last week, the West African nation unveiled a...

Senegal and Vietnam discussed digital tech cooperation on July 23. Talks support Senegal’s goal to become a digital hub and expand rural internet. Viettel may enter Senegal’s market to aid connectivity and skills development. Senegal’s Minister of Communication, Telecommunications, and Digital Economy, Alioune Sall, received a Vietnamese delegation on Wednesday, July 23, in...

Mali approved a $238M World Bank loan to build key roads, including Sandaré-Diéma. Project boosts the Bamako-Dakar trade corridor and rural connectivity. Part of wider plan to modernize logistics and promote regional integration. In Mali, the Council of Ministers approved a loan agreement from the International Development Association (IDA), a World Bank institution, on...

As digital technologies reshape Africa's job market, digital skills are becoming crucial for youth inclusion. Developing these capabilities widely is essential for boosting employment and supporting economic growth. Africa must invest heavily in developing digital skills. This was the key message delivered on Thursday, July 17, by Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed at a high-level...

New industrial and trade dynamics are emerging in Africa, driven by renewable energy. The REN21 network analyzes how these value chains could strengthen economic cooperation across the continent. Africa’s trade and logistics systems, historically focused on exporting raw materials, could be entering a new era driven by renewable energy value chains. This is a key finding of the report, "Africa...

Nigeria set up expert group for an oil palm  traceability system to fight fraud and meet global standards Aims to attract $315.5M in foreign investment by proving ESG compliance. Plans to replant 1.5M hectares by 2030 to cut 20% import reliance. Nigeria aims to establish a national traceability system for its palm oil sector. To support this goal, Agriculture Minister...

South Sudan is being sued by BB Energy for failing to honor a prepaid oil delivery contract, marking the second major legal challenge after Vitol’s lawsuit earlier this year. The country's oil sector is under intense scrutiny due to a lack of transparency and controversial deals. South Sudan’s economy remains fragile and heavily dependent on Sudanese export routes. Amid a...

Resolute discovered two new gold deposits near Senegal’s Mako mine totaling 266,000 ounces (about 8 tonnes). These satellites—Bantaco West and South—could extend Mako’s mine life by 5 to 10 years beyond its expected 2027 closure. The company is working to upgrade these inferred resources and obtain mining permits while current production continues. In addition to its Syama gold mine in...