Browse every article
10,648 articles
U.S. Listed Firm Acquires Butembo Copper Project in Eastern DRC
African Discovery Group (AFDG) has acquired the Butembo copper project in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a region affected by insecurity. The U.S.-traded company confirmed it signed a definitive share purchase agreement with Grabin Mining SAS, which holds the exploration permit. The transaction was structured as a reverse takeover. Through the issuance of shares to
Government of Gabon Suspends Import Duties to Ease Living Costs
The government of Gabon has suspended import duties, value-added tax and scanning fees on selected food products and construction materials for six months to ease rising living costs. The Ministry of Economy, Finance, Debt and State Holdings announced the measure. The tax relief covers widely consumed food items including meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, canned
Rethinking Supply Chains for SMEs After a Volatile 2025
Volatility in 2025 did not affect every business equally. SMEs felt the pressure quickly and directly. Shipping delays, tightening payment terms and rising input costs strained businesses operating with limited buffers. For many startups and small firms, a delayed shipment translated into missed revenue, while sudden supplier price increases erased already thin margins. Exchange-rate movements
Extraction to Excellence – Africa's Pathway to Growth and Development
The paradox of Potential and Reality: No other continent exemplifies this more than Africa, a continent rich in raw potential, but its value chain is more like a conveyor belt that starts underground and ends up enriching balance sheets elsewhere in the global supply-chain. While Africa's Fintech industry is booming (hello, M-Pesa and thousands of
How Far Has Gearless Mill Drive Technology Advanced in African Mining?
Gearless Mill drive (GMD) technology has been part of global large-scale mining for decades, particularly in high-tonnage copper and gold operations in South America and Australia. In Africa, however, its trajectory has been more measured. The technology is neither new to the continent nor widespread across all operations. Instead, its adoption has been selective, concentrated
Breaking News Today – Monday 16 February 2026
Business News Today AI Wars – Byte Dance Encroaching on Disney Designs Disney has sent a cease-and-desist letter to ByteDance accusing the AI image and video generating company of using Disney characters to train and power its Seedance 2.0 AI video generator without permission, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters. The letter alleges
Harith Agrees to Acquire FlySafair in Major Aviation Deal
South African private equity firm Harith General Partners has agreed to acquire budget airline FlySafair. The deal expands Harith’s transport portfolio across the continent. The firm manages approximately $3 billion in assets. It said the transaction is at an advanced stage but remains subject to regulatory approvals, including clearance from competition authorities and two aviation
Africa’s Mining Tech Supply Chain: Is There Still Room for SMEs?
Mining in Africa has changed in ways that go beyond equipment upgrades or software installations. What was once a sector driven primarily by output targets and commodity cycles now operates under a broader set of performance metrics. Boardroom discussions increasingly centre on automation, emissions reporting, safety performance and operational risk. As predictive maintenance systems, environmental
Founder Friday: Icons of Africa Awards
In many parts of Africa, recognition often arrives after international endorsement. Local impact is frequently overlooked until it is validated elsewhere. For Natasha Mncube, this was not just an industry observation. It was a structural gap she experienced firsthand while working across media, events and leadership platforms. Rather than accept a reactive system, she chose
Ramaphosa's Record: Promises vs. Progress in South Africa – A Response to SONA 2026
Cyril Ramaphosa assumed the presidency of South Africa in 2018 amid high hopes for renewal, promising to tackle corruption, revive the economy, and deliver on infrastructure dreams. His annual State of the Nation Addresses (SONAs) from 2021 to 2025 outlined ambitious visions, including job creation, anti-corruption reforms, smart cities, high-speed trains, and support for struggling
Breaking News Today – Friday 13 February 2026
Business News Today SONA 2026 Misfires But Gives Hope for Automotive and Ferro-chrome Sectors South African President Cyril Ramaphosa gave his State of the Nation Address (SONA) last night in Cape Town. He laid out a pretty frank take on South Africa's challenges and bleak outlook with growing crime, gangsterism, illegal mining, and especially the
The AI Tipping Point: Breakthroughs, Concerns, and the Quest for Balance in 2026
There is little debate left regarding the impact of artificial intelligence in the world today where there is a whirlwind of rapid advancements, mounting ethical concerns, and tangible economic disruptions. A viral X post by Matt Shumer, CEO of HyperWrite AI, has ignited widespread discussion, framing recent AI developments as a "bigger than COVID" moment
THE MINING WRAP
Sandvik has acquired ThoroughTec Simulation, a Durban-based provider of OEM-agnostic mining simulators used for training operators across surface and underground fleets. The acquisition adds simulation software and performance analytics to Sandvik’s existing equipment portfolio. Mines are using these systems to measure operator efficiency, reduce equipment misuse and lower incident rates. The integration allows real-time performance
Uber Exits Tanzania Over Regulatory Differences
Uber has exited Tanzania after extended disagreements with regulators over how ride-hailing platforms should operate, closing a chapter in a prolonged standoff over pricing, commissions and market structure in East Africa’s digital transport sector. The company informed users through its app that services in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Dodoma, Mwanza and Zanzibar would no longer
BMW Alpina – New Brand New Journey
Alpina, now officially "BMW Alpina," represents a unique chapter in automotive history, blending German engineering precision with a focus on luxurious, high-performance vehicles. Founded in 1965 by Burkard Bovensiepen in Buchloe, Bavaria, the company originated from humble beginnings in an outbuilding of a former typewriter factory. Its roots trace back to 1962, when Bovensiepen developed
Can Bootstrapping Sustain Africa’s Fintech and Agritech SMEs?
After several years of aggressive venture capital deployment across African tech, the funding environment has tightened. Investors have become more selective, deal sizes have moderated, and early-stage founders are facing longer fundraising cycles. In response, many fintech and Agritech entrepreneurs are reverting to bootstrapping building companies through personal capital, retained earnings and disciplined cost control.
Difficulty Accessing Export Markets for African Small Businesses In 2026
While small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) form the backbone of most African economies, driving innovation, job creation, and sustainable development, many, find the path to scaling beyond local borders littered with hurdles preventing access to markets. Access to export markets is often cited as a key obstacle, stifling growth and preventing groundbreaking products from reaching
Mali launches state mining firm to tighten sector control
The government of Mali has established a new state-owned mining company aimed at increasing public control over the country’s extractive assets. The entity, Société de patrimoine minier (Sopamim SA), will be fully owned by the state and tasked with acquiring and managing government equity stakes in mining projects. Through Sopamim, authorities in Bamako plan to
Congo LNG Ships First Phase 2 Cargo, Lifts Capacity to 3 million Tons
Congo LNG has shipped its first liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo from Phase 2, lifting the project’s export capacity to 3 million tons per year and reinforcing the monetisation of Congo’s offshore gas reserves. Italian major Eni, which operates the project, confirmed that the inaugural cargo departed on Saturday, February 7, from the Nguya FLNG
Breaking News Today – Thursday 12 February 2026
Business News Today Vehicle Sales in South Africa Accelerate Total local vehicle sales in South Africa grew in January 2026 according to the latest NAAMSA data report. Passenger vehicle sales grew by 7.1% to 37 190 year-on-year compared to January 2025, while light commercial vehicles (bakkies /pick-up trucks) and minibus vehicles grew by double digit