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Southern Africa and islands

Madagascar
First vanilla, now clove exports on hold

The news is already causing confusion among international buyers. In [...]

Subscribers only Commodity traders 25.10.2023

Angola
National airline TAAG restructures to go private

A TAAG Angola Airlines Boeing 777-300ER plane takes off from Lisbon airport in Portugal. © Rafael Marchante/Reuters

Subscribers only Business 24.10.2023

In Focus | Zambia
Behind the scenes of Vedanta's skirmish with Hichilema

(From L-R) The tycoon Anil Agarwal, head of the Vedanta Resources conglomerate, current Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema and ex-Zambian president Edgar Lungu. © Studio Pachamama//Bhagirath Basnet/The Times of India//AFP//Evgeny Biatov/Ria Novosti/AFP//Harish Tyagi/EFENewscom/MaxPPP//kcm.co.zm//Giorgio Morara/Shutterstock

Subscribers only Mining, Politics 23.10.2023

Namibia
ENI to gain clarity on Central Blocks by end of 2023

Italian major ENI is itching to get into the fruitful Namibian oil and gas scene, but will have to wait a bit longer for authorities to decide on permits 2312 et 2412A – also known as the Central Blocks.

Subscribers only Energy 23.10.2023

Madagascar
Unsold vanilla stocks pile up as presidential election approaches

Madagascar is sitting on around 4,500 tonnes of unsold vanilla pods, but there are few buyers despite falling prices. Importers are betting on this downward trend continuing and waiting for the result of the upcoming election.

Subscribers only Commodity traders 20.10.2023

Angola, Botswana
Luanda seeks to outmanoeuvre Botswana in race for 2025 AU presidency

President João Lourenço is nurturing hopes of beating Botswana to the African Union presidency in 2025 and is already lobbying behind the scenes.

Subscribers only Diplomacy Running story - Battle for African Union 20.10.2023

South Africa
Pandor's phone call to Hamas causes embarrassment to Ramaphosa

The South African leader was not informed in advance of the call made by his foreign minister to a Hamas representative on 17 October, causing a diplomatic storm that the president's office is trying to dispel.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 19.10.2023

South African foreign minister Naledi Pandor.

South Africa
Orbiflex and weapons maker Ordtech eye west African market

Maoto Mabogwane, the head of the South African company Orbiflex, has joined forces with European firm Ordtech Industries in a bid to conquer West African markets with Soviet-type weaponry.

Subscribers only Defence 19.10.2023

Madagascar
Rajoelina short-circuits Volobe dam public-private partnership

Six months after the signing of the concession and power purchase contracts for the Volobe dam, the project is still bogged down. The Malagasy president and his adviser want a lower price per kWh than that proposed by the CGHV, which is to build the infrastructure with the state.

Subscribers only Infrastructure 18.10.2023

Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina in Paris, 23 June 2023.

Spotlight | Mozambique
Mozambique LNG: army chief and defence minister's differing views on lifting of 'force majeure'

An announcement from French major TotalEnergies that it is ready to restart work in the Afungi Peninsula has been expected for months but does not have unanimous support among the Mozambican authorities, particularly those responsible for the country's security forces.

Subscribers only Energy 17.10.2023

Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi, wearing military fatigues, on 24 September 2021 in Pemba, Cabo Delgado province, Mozambique, during a visit with Rwandan President Paul Kagame.

Angola, Ivory Coast
Sonangol struggles to withdraw from Ivory Coast

The Angolan oil company wants to sell its 20% stake in Société Ivoirienne de Raffinage (SIR). The Ivorian state, SIR's majority shareholder, hopes to buy the shares but negotiations are complex. The matter is being handled directly by President Alassane Ouattara.

Subscribers only Energy, Southern Africa and islands 17.10.2023

Angola
China Sonangol International Holding to exit Block 3/05A

Chinese-Angolan oil company China Sonangol International Holding Limited (CSIHL), which is based in Hong Kong, will shortly leave oil block 3/05A, on Luanda's northern coast.

Subscribers only Energy 17.10.2023

Angola
Alrosa negotiates exit from Catoca diamond mine

The sanctions-hit Russian diamond giant Alrosa wants to pull out of Angola and is in talks with its Angolan homologue, Endiama.

Subscribers only Mining 16.10.2023

Office of Russian diamond producer Alrosa in Moscow, 27 April 2022.

Angola
Mitrelli-Suez duo tackle Luanda's water shortage

The Angolan government is poised to greenlight the PROAGUA project led by Suez and Mitrelli subsidiary Owini, now a year behind schedule.

Subscribers only Infrastructure 13.10.2023

Madagascar
Concerns over pro-Rajoelina bias of constitutional court

Madagascar's highest court is at the heart of a political crisis in the run-up to next month's first round of voting. Its nine judges are viewed as being too close to the head of state.

Subscribers only Politics 12.10.2023

Madagascar
Madagascar presidential elections warm up on football pitch

The Malagasy Football Federation will choose its next president on 14 October. It's a highly politicised affair, coming less than a month before the first round of the country's presidential elections.

Subscribers only Politics 11.10.2023

Niger, South Africa
Niger's new oil boss Mahaman Moustapha Barké to attend AEW in Cape Town

In a move aimed at reassuring potential investors unsettled by the July coup, Niger's new minister of petroleum Mahaman Moustapha Barké is preparing to visit next week's Africa Energy Week in South Africa.

Subscribers only Energy 10.10.2023

Madagascar
Ex-Rajoelina aide's associate pleads guilty in Gemfields case

In a sudden turn of events that could tarnish the Malagasy president, Romy Voos Andrianarisoa's French associate, Philippe Tabuteau, who was arrested with the Malagasy official in London in August, has pleaded guilty before the Southwark Crown Court for attempted corruption of the mining company Gemfields.

Subscribers only Mining 09.10.2023

Mozambique
Maputo lobbies EU for lethal arms to combat Cabo Delgado insurgents

The Mozambican armed forces are hoping to obtain lethal weaponry in addition to the military equipment that the Europeans are already supplying.

Free access Defence, Diplomacy 06.10.2023

Angola
Endiama boss in Macao to shore up Angola diamond industry

The Angolan state diamond mining company Endiama, which is struggling to find sufficient outlets for its diamonds, is hoping for help from the Chinese market.

Subscribers only Finance, Mining 05.10.2023

Madagascar
Ivorian businessman Koné Dossongui moves into Madagascan cement

A few months ago, Société de ciment de Madagascar, a subsidiary of banker Bernard Koné Dossongui's Atlantic Financial Group, moved into the cement business, creating competition for Cementis.

Subscribers only Business 05.10.2023

Spotlight | Zambia
China invests $1.3bn in the Copperbelt to safeguard its partnership with Lusaka

State-owned China Non-Ferrous Metals Mining Corp plans to invest heavily in its Zambian subsidiary, NFC Africa Mining, which operates the Chambishi Mine in northern Zambia. This investment is designed to preserve its special relationship with Lusaka.

Subscribers only Mining 04.10.2023

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping during a state visit to China, 15 September 2023.

Zimbabwe
Mnangagwa transfers opaque statal mining assets to the sovereign fund

The president's 19 September decision to transfer 17 major government assets, including shares in Kuvimba, Defold and Hwange Colliery, to the Mutapa sovereign wealth fund has sparked general outcry in Harare. Moreover, the fund can now make foreign transactions without prior approval.

Subscribers only Finance, Mining 03.10.2023

Zimbabwean president Emmerson Mnangagwa.

South Africa
South Africa 2024 election risks new delay to oil law

The future petroleum bill, almost a decade in the making, could be further delayed by 2024 general elections.

Subscribers only Energy 02.10.2023

Inner circle | Madagascar
Rajoelina's infighting advisers pursue their own business interests

Andry Rajoelina relies on a handful of loyal followers, some of whom have backed him since the coup that first brought him to power in Madagascar in 2009. But his inner circle, whose members use their positions to pursue their own business interests, is riven by internecine battles.

Subscribers only Politics, Business 29.09.2023

Madagascan president Andry Rajoelina in Antananarivo on 26 June 2023.

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Southern Africa and islands

Madagascar
First vanilla, now clove exports on hold

Angola
National airline TAAG restructures to go private

In Focus | Zambia
Behind the scenes of Vedanta's skirmish with Hichilema

Namibia
ENI to gain clarity on Central Blocks by end of 2023

Madagascar
Unsold vanilla stocks pile up as presidential election approaches

Angola, Botswana
Luanda seeks to outmanoeuvre Botswana in race for 2025 AU presidency

South Africa
Pandor's phone call to Hamas causes embarrassment to Ramaphosa

South Africa
Orbiflex and weapons maker Ordtech eye west African market

Madagascar
Rajoelina short-circuits Volobe dam public-private partnership

Spotlight | Mozambique
Mozambique LNG: army chief and defence minister's differing views on lifting of 'force majeure'

Angola, Ivory Coast
Sonangol struggles to withdraw from Ivory Coast

Angola
China Sonangol International Holding to exit Block 3/05A

Angola
Alrosa negotiates exit from Catoca diamond mine

Angola
Mitrelli-Suez duo tackle Luanda's water shortage

Madagascar
Concerns over pro-Rajoelina bias of constitutional court

Madagascar
Madagascar presidential elections warm up on football pitch

Niger, South Africa
Niger's new oil boss Mahaman Moustapha Barké to attend AEW in Cape Town

Madagascar
Ex-Rajoelina aide's associate pleads guilty in Gemfields case

Mozambique
Maputo lobbies EU for lethal arms to combat Cabo Delgado insurgents

Angola
Endiama boss in Macao to shore up Angola diamond industry

Madagascar
Ivorian businessman Koné Dossongui moves into Madagascan cement

Spotlight | Zambia
China invests $1.3bn in the Copperbelt to safeguard its partnership with Lusaka

Zimbabwe
Mnangagwa transfers opaque statal mining assets to the sovereign fund

South Africa
South Africa 2024 election risks new delay to oil law

Inner circle | Madagascar
Rajoelina's infighting advisers pursue their own business interests

The weekly summary

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Indigo Publications' websites

Ibrahim Traoré

Virtus Minerals

Paul Kagame

Savannah Energy

Denis Sassou-Nguesso

Southern Africa and islands

Madagascar First vanilla, now clove exports on hold

Angola National airline TAAG restructures to go private

In Focus | Zambia Behind the scenes of Vedanta's skirmish with Hichilema

Namibia ENI to gain clarity on Central Blocks by end of 2023

Madagascar Unsold vanilla stocks pile up as presidential election approaches

Angola, Botswana Luanda seeks to outmanoeuvre Botswana in race for 2025 AU presidency

South Africa Pandor's phone call to Hamas causes embarrassment to Ramaphosa

South Africa Orbiflex and weapons maker Ordtech eye west African market

Madagascar Rajoelina short-circuits Volobe dam public-private partnership

Spotlight | Mozambique Mozambique LNG: army chief and defence minister's differing views on lifting of 'force majeure'

Angola, Ivory Coast Sonangol struggles to withdraw from Ivory Coast

Angola China Sonangol International Holding to exit Block 3/05A

Angola Alrosa negotiates exit from Catoca diamond mine

Angola Mitrelli-Suez duo tackle Luanda's water shortage

Madagascar Concerns over pro-Rajoelina bias of constitutional court

Madagascar Madagascar presidential elections warm up on football pitch

Niger, South Africa Niger's new oil boss Mahaman Moustapha Barké to attend AEW in Cape Town

Madagascar Ex-Rajoelina aide's associate pleads guilty in Gemfields case

Mozambique Maputo lobbies EU for lethal arms to combat Cabo Delgado insurgents

Angola Endiama boss in Macao to shore up Angola diamond industry

Madagascar Ivorian businessman Koné Dossongui moves into Madagascan cement

Spotlight | Zambia China invests $1.3bn in the Copperbelt to safeguard its partnership with Lusaka

Zimbabwe Mnangagwa transfers opaque statal mining assets to the sovereign fund

South Africa South Africa 2024 election risks new delay to oil law

Inner circle | Madagascar Rajoelina's infighting advisers pursue their own business interests

The weekly summary

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

Madagascar
First vanilla, now clove exports on hold

Angola
National airline TAAG restructures to go private

In Focus | Zambia
Behind the scenes of Vedanta's skirmish with Hichilema

Namibia
ENI to gain clarity on Central Blocks by end of 2023

Madagascar
Unsold vanilla stocks pile up as presidential election approaches

Angola, Botswana
Luanda seeks to outmanoeuvre Botswana in race for 2025 AU presidency

South Africa
Pandor's phone call to Hamas causes embarrassment to Ramaphosa

South Africa
Orbiflex and weapons maker Ordtech eye west African market

Madagascar
Rajoelina short-circuits Volobe dam public-private partnership

Spotlight | Mozambique
Mozambique LNG: army chief and defence minister's differing views on lifting of 'force majeure'

Angola, Ivory Coast
Sonangol struggles to withdraw from Ivory Coast

Angola
China Sonangol International Holding to exit Block 3/05A

Angola
Alrosa negotiates exit from Catoca diamond mine

Angola
Mitrelli-Suez duo tackle Luanda's water shortage

Madagascar
Concerns over pro-Rajoelina bias of constitutional court

Madagascar
Madagascar presidential elections warm up on football pitch

Niger, South Africa
Niger's new oil boss Mahaman Moustapha Barké to attend AEW in Cape Town

Madagascar
Ex-Rajoelina aide's associate pleads guilty in Gemfields case

Mozambique
Maputo lobbies EU for lethal arms to combat Cabo Delgado insurgents

Angola
Endiama boss in Macao to shore up Angola diamond industry

Madagascar
Ivorian businessman Koné Dossongui moves into Madagascan cement

Spotlight | Zambia
China invests $1.3bn in the Copperbelt to safeguard its partnership with Lusaka

Zimbabwe
Mnangagwa transfers opaque statal mining assets to the sovereign fund

South Africa
South Africa 2024 election risks new delay to oil law

Inner circle | Madagascar
Rajoelina's infighting advisers pursue their own business interests