Chery acquires Nissan’s South African factory
South Africa’s automotive landscape is set for a major shift as Chinese automaker Chery moves to acquire Nissan’s historic Rosslyn manufacturing plant. Under a deal expected to close by mid-2026, Chery will purchase the factory site, buildings, and a nearby stamping facility, marking a new era for one of the country’s most important auto hubs. […]
Mali’s Junta Cracks Down on Freedom of Expression
Ban on Jeune Afrique Reflects Broader Assault on Independent Media Last week, Mali’s military junta moved to limit the ability of everyday people to get information from one of the most influential news outlets covering African affairs. On January 16, the Ministry of Territorial Administration issued a decree banning the circulation and distribution of Jeune Afrique “in all […]
Ivanhoe Atlantic weighs US IPO
Ivanhoe Atlantic is weighing a US stock market listing in 2026 after clearing a major hurdle for its iron ore development plans in Guinea. The mining firm recently secured approval for rail access to its Kon Kweni iron ore deposit, a critical step that significantly improves the project’s commercial viability. With infrastructure uncertainty easing, executive […]
China rethinks its Africa financing strategy
China’s lending to Africa fell sharply to $2.1 billion in 2024, nearly half the previous year’s level and a fraction of its $28.8 billion peak in 2016, signaling a clear shift in Beijing’s strategy. New data from Boston University show China moving away from debt-heavy megaprojects toward smaller, commercially viable investments that carry lower risk. […]
Gulf States tighten grip on Africa’s green future
Gulf States, led by the United Arab Emirates, are rapidly cementing their dominance in Africa’s renewable energy sector, reshaping the continent’s green transition. Flush with capital and driven by limited domestic markets, Emirati and other Gulf Cooperation Council firms have poured tens of billions of dollars into African solar, wind, and storage projects over the […]
Nigeria approves tailored incentives for Shell’s oil project
In a targeted move to boost its energy sector, Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has approved specific incentives for Shell’s massive Bonga South-West deepwater oil project. This strategic decision aims to accelerate the project’s long-awaited Final Investment Decision, which is critical for unlocking billions in fresh capital. Tinubu emphasized that these are not broad concessions but […]
Ghana’s poverty rate falls again
Ghana is recording steady progress in the fight against poverty, with its multidimensional poverty rate falling for a third straight quarter, according to new data from the Ghana Statistical Service. The index, which tracks deprivation in health, education, employment, and basic living conditions, dropped from 23.9% in early 2025 to 21.9% by the third quarter. […]
Africa becomes China’s export safety valve
Chinese exports to Africa surged in 2025, pushing the continent’s trade deficit with Beijing to a record $102 billion as Chinese firms seek new markets amid rising US trade pressure. Data shows shipments from China to Africa jumped nearly 26% to $225 billion, far outpacing Africa’s exports to China, which grew modestly to $123 billion. […]
Afreximbank breaks with Fitch after rating dispute
The African Export-Import Bank (AfreximBank) has ended its relationship with Fitch Ratings, escalating a dispute over how the agency assesses the multilateral lender’s creditworthiness. The decision follows Fitch’s downgrade of the bank last year to just one notch above junk, a move Afreximbank argues fails to reflect the legal protections and governance framework outlined in […]
South Africa’s rand rallies to three-year high
South Africa’s currency has soared to its most robust position in over three years, fueled by a confluence of favorable global and domestic factors. The rand gained 1% against the dollar, outperforming most emerging-market peers, following a broad market rally triggered by receding geopolitical tensions. Simultaneously, record-high gold prices provided a significant tailwind. On the […]
