Niger: Business Environment, Risks, and Market Opportunities
Contributed by In On Africa (IOA) Country overview: IOA’s history of conducting research and providing consulting services on Niger informs the insights we offer on all aspects of the country’s economy, politics and society. Our economists have noted that while the country possesses one of the world’s largest uranium deposits and has other mineral reserves, […]
Inside Ghana’s wildest forest encounters
Ghana may lack Africa’s blockbuster safari icons, but its rainforests deliver wildlife encounters that are rarer, stranger, and deeply memorable. From watching bald picathartes nest on forest boulders to stumbling upon pangolins, flying squirrels, dwarf crocodiles, and nocturnal owls, Ghana’s biodiversity offers several thrills for those who are patient and curious. Guided by local experts, […]
Southern Africa’s mammals under rising threat
A startling new assessment has revealed that one in every five mammals across South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini faces extinction. The regional Red List, updated by the Endangered Wildlife Trust, evaluated 336 species and found escalating pressures from habitat loss, climate change, and human activity. While protected areas safeguard many species, a concerning 25% remain […]
Rare blue diamond unearthed in South Africa
A spectacular and exceptionally rare blue diamond, potentially worth up to $40 million, has been discovered at South Africa’s legendary Cullinan Mine. Remarkably, the 42-carat rough stone is naturally shaped like the African continent. Blue diamonds are among the world’s rarest gems, constituting fewer than 0.1% of all natural diamonds, and form under extreme geological […]
AES bloc seeks sovereignty with Russian satellite tech
The Alliance of Sahel States (AES)—Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—is pursuing an ambitious project to build the region’s first shared telecommunications satellite with Russian assistance. This initiative, discussed in high-level meetings with Russian officials and cosmonauts, aims to achieve technological independence and reduce reliance on Western infrastructure. The satellite will provide vital broadband internet, encrypted […]
New climate fund channels 40% of capital to Africa
A new $1 billion climate finance vehicle is putting Africa at the center of its strategy, with plans to channel roughly 40% of its capital into the continent. The Allianz Credit Emerging Markets fund will back projects in renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, and low-carbon transport, targeting fast-growing economies that face rising climate risks. Anchored by […]
How a desert beetle runs to chill
Scientists have unraveled the remarkable survival secret of a Namib Desert beetle that actively runs under the blazing sun. The black, flat-bodied “Onymacris plana” beetle sprints at impressive speeds despite its heat-absorbing color, a behavior that long puzzled researchers. In a groundbreaking discovery, studies revealed that this beetle actually cools down while exercising, the first […]
Guinea-Bissau junta sets December vote
Guinea-Bissau’s military rulers have set 6 December as the date for presidential and legislative elections, signaling a tentative path back to civilian rule after last November’s coup. Transitional President Horta N’Tam says conditions are now in place for credible polls, following consultations with electoral officials, the military, and political bodies. The announcement comes despite sustained […]
Goïta brings gold under direct presidential control
Mali’s military-led government is tightening its grip on the country’s vital gold industry by placing mining oversight directly under the presidency. Junta leader Assimi Goïta has created a new ministerial-level role with sweeping powers over mining policy, compliance, and licensing, and appointed Hilaire Bebian Diarra, a former Barrick Mining executive, to the post. The move […]
Nigeria eyes fertilizer hub status by 2028
Nigeria is positioning itself to become a major fertilizer and urea export hub by 2028, driven by large-scale expansions at Indorama and Dangote Fertilizer. According to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, these investments could end the country’s reliance on imported fertilizer and unlock new export revenues within the next two years. Officials […]
