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Murphy Oil Bets on Third Well to Advance Offshore Côte d’Ivoire Prospects
Murphy Oil has continued its offshore exploration campaign in Côte d’Ivoire with the drilling of the Bubale-1X well in block CI-709. Industry publication Upstream Online reported that the company is relying on the results of this well to determine whether it will proceed with development plans around the Paon prospect. Murphy had previously considered submitting
THE MINING WRAP
The global mining industry is seeing strong activity in technology development, acquisitions and strategic investment. Recent announcements highlight growing momentum in digital mining, critical minerals supply chains and energy-transition infrastructure. Companies are repositioning portfolios to meet rising demand for copper, lithium and rare earth elements. Rio Tinto approves Zulti South investment Rio Tinto approved a
Canal+ Shuts Showmax Service in Africa
Canal+ (via its recent full acquisition of MultiChoice, completed in late 2025) announced today (5 March 2026) the discontinuation of the Showmax streaming platform as part of a broader restructure and cost-cutting drive. The company described the losses as “substantial” and “unsustainable” in an increasingly competitive streaming market. No retrenchments are planned — staff will
Microwave Pre-Treatment in African Mining: Too Advanced or Ignored?
Mining companies spend a large portion of their energy breaking rock. Before valuable minerals can be extracted, ore must be crushed and ground into smaller particles. This process, known as comminution, is one of the most expensive and energy-intensive stages of mining. As deposits become more complex and minerals occur in finer grains, mines often
Policy Uncertainty and Political Risks in African Trade Governance
Trade policy in Africa often moves faster than the businesses it governs. Companies invest in supply chains, logistics networks, and export relationships that take years to build. Regulations, however, can shift overnight. A new tariff appears, a licensing rule changes, or a temporary export restriction is introduced to calm domestic political pressure. For firms operating
Fuel Price Surge Alert For South Africa
How the Iran Conflict and April Levies Threatens to Derail South Africa’s Fragile Recovery South Africa’s brief respite from declining fuel prices has ended abruptly. Just weeks after motorists enjoyed some of the lowest pump prices in years, the escalation of conflict in the Middle East which was triggered by US and Israeli strikes on
Safaricom Partners with Ericsson to Expand 5G Network in Kenya
Kenyan telecommunications operator Safaricom has entered into a new partnership with Swedish technology company Ericsson to support the continued rollout of its 5G network. Announced on March 2, the agreement focuses on deploying additional microwave links aimed at strengthening network capacity and improving reliability as Safaricom expands 5G coverage across the country. Expanding Network Capacity
Dimension Data Nigeria Secures N20 Billion Bond Funding to Accelerate Digital Infrastructure Expansion
Lagos, Nigeria – March 5, 2026 – Dimension Data Nigeria, part of the global NTT Group, has successfully executed its N20 billion (approximately $15 million) bond programme through a special purpose vehicle, Dimension Data SPV Funding Plc. The formal signing ceremony this morning, which finalised all programme documentation and confirmed full regulatory approval from the
Breaking News Today – Thursday 5 March 2026
Business News Today Lithium Mines in Zimbabwe Stock-Pile Ore on Export Ban Zimbabwe last Wednesday, announced an immediate ban on exports of all raw minerals and lithium concentrates until further notice. The export ban had originally been scheduled to start in January 2027, a deadline the government hoped would push mining companies to begin processing
No Free Lunch – Reflections on the 2026 South African Budget
South Africa Budget 2026: What It Means for the Economy, Business, and Your Wallet Are you wondering whether the latest South African budget is a step forward or just another routine update? This episode provides a really an important perspective and gives a view on the possible scenarios that could play out in the South
Credit Guarantee Schemes: Are They Really Working for SMEs?
Small businesses are constantly told that financing exists for them. Governments announce support programs. Development banks promote funding initiatives, and policy reports often highlight entrepreneurship as a driver of economic growth and job creation. The experience on the ground still looks different. When SMEs approach banks, the conversation quickly turns to collateral, balance sheets, and
Rio Tinto Restarts Zulti South to Extend Life of Richards Bay Minerals
Anglo-Australian mining group Rio Tinto has announced it will restart the Zulti South project to extend the operational life of the Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) mineral sands complex in South Africa. The operation produces zircon, rutile, and ilmenite. After suspending the $463 million project in January 2020, the company now plans to resume development in
Libya Restarts Mabruk Oil Field as Production Recovery Gains Momentum.
Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) announced on March 1 the restart of the Mabruk oil field in central Libya, reporting initial production of between 25,000 and 30,000 barrels per day (bpd). Output is being delivered through an early production unit designed to accelerate the field’s ramp-up while longer-term operations are restored. The latest restart follows
Jameson Cells and Next-Gen Flotation: Is Over-Aeration Hurting Mineral Recovery in Africa?
Mineral recovery in African processing plants is usually decided inside the flotation cells rather than at the face of the mine. When recovery slips or grade fluctuates, one of the fastest levers available in the control room is air flow. Increase the air, build a thicker froth, and stabilise performance. It is a practical adjustment,
Breaking News Today – Wednesday 4 March 2026
Business News Today VC Funding Hits Record High in February Global venture capital (VC) investment hit a total of $189 billion in February making it the largest startup funding month on record. Despite the large amount invested, 83% of capital raised was directed at just three companies according the latest Crunchbase Data. OpenAI led the pack
Harmonising Standards and Technical Regulations Across Africa
Unlocking Scale, Safety, and Sovereignty through Common Standards Africa’s manufacturing renaissance hinges on a deceptively simple idea: one standard, one test, one certificate recognised from Cape Town to Cairo. Today, a South African-made electric socket may be rejected in Nigeria, a Kenyan pharmaceutical batch re-tested in Ghana, and mining equipment from Zambia modified at extra
Why Critical Minerals Status Does Not Guarantee Access to Funding
In policy circles and industry forums, the phrase “critical minerals” has increasingly become shorthand for opportunity. Governments invoke it in national development strategies, investors reference it in energy transition narratives, and mining executives use it to frame future growth. The underlying assumption is straightforward: if a mineral is deemed essential to global supply chains, capital
Has AfCFTA Reduced SPS Barriers in Agricultural Trade?
Tariff reductions were never the most complicated part of African trade integration. The real challenge lies in sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) controls that determine whether agricultural goods can cross borders at all. Several years into AfCFTA’s implementation, the practical test is straightforward: are food shipments moving more smoothly between African countries, or are exporters still
Opportunity For African Entrepreneurs to Shine in 2026
Africa’s Business Heroes Launches 8th Edition with USD 1.5 Million in Grant Funding Available for African Entrepreneurs Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) (www.AfricaBusinessHeroes.org), the flagship philanthropic initiative of Alibaba Philanthropy and the Jack Ma Foundation, has opened applications for its 8th edition, calling on African entrepreneurs who are building businesses defining the continent’s future. Launched under
Palo Alto Networks Expands Focus on Africa as Cyber Threats Accelerate
Global cybersecurity company Palo Alto Networks is increasing its focus on Africa as digital transformation accelerates, and cyber risks intensify across the continent. With more than 70,000 organisations relying on its AI-powered security platforms worldwide, the company says protecting critical infrastructure and digital systems has become directly tied to economic stability. The Shrinking Window for