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Intelligence for the New World Economy

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Intelligence for the New World Economy
Semafor World Economy

Semafor Africa

US backs Madagascar rare earths project

The announcement is part of Washington’s efforts to chip away at China’s dominance of the critical minerals sector across Africa.
A Malagasy worker walks along an access track at mining giant Rio Tinto’s project.
Ed Harris/Reuters

Belgium backs major germanium plant in DR Congo

The plant, at full capacity, could supply up to 15% of the world’s demand for the critical mineral.
An excavator fills a dumper truck with ore at a mine in DR Congo.
Hereward Holland/Reuters

South Africa appoints deputy minister to head state pension fund

Seiso Mohai’s appointment shifts political oversight of the fund into President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office.
Johannesburg.
Reuters

Energy retailers urge Nigeria to build fuel reserves amid fuel crisis

The move would undermine Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, who says his 650,000 barrels-a-day refinery can meet Nigeria’s energy needs.
Dangote Industries oil refinery and fertilizer plant site in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos.
Sodiq Adelakun/Reuters

US government’s Africa mapping mishap signals wider problem

An AI-generated map that mislabeled every country was presented by the US State Department at a conference in Brazil, generating widespread concern.
The US State Department map of Africa.
Reuters

Greenpeace threatens legal action over Dangote Lamu refinery

The group accuses Dangote Industries and the government of speeding ahead with the project without an environmental assessment.
Greenpeace activists protesting near an oil tanker.
Greenpeace activists protesting near an oil tanker. Bjoern Kils/Reuters.

State Department pressed to increase aid for women impacted by Ebola outbreak

Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Lisa Murkowski want the administration to approve support for a UN agency President Donald Trump withdrew from.

US State Dept. mislabels every country on Africa map

The department acknowledged the “confusion” its map caused during a presentation at a global AIDS conference in Brazil.

Ebola outbreak sparks global vaccine race

The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations is financing the first trials for an experimental jab, while Oxford University is also in the human trial phase for its own vaccine.

Zimbabwe gets its first lithium processing plant

The development of the plant is part of efforts by African governments to capture more of the added value in mining industries.

S&P Global to acquire Nigerian ratings agency

The move expands S&P’s ground presence in Africa amidst a growing clamor for better assessments of the continent’s realities.

Economic concerns in focus as Zambia heads to the polls

The southern African nation is seeking to rebuild after defaulting on its debt in 2020 and as it faces severe power shortages.

Sudan sanctions may catch ride on defense bill

Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, filed the PEACE in Sudan Act as an amendment to the annual defense policy bill moving through the chamber.

US-backed DRC miner strikes deal to cut debt

The Trump-backed firm still needs up to $260 million to complete projects in copper and cobalt mining as White House seeks to rival China in supply chains.

South Africa targets political allies to chair Africa’s biggest fund

Following a governance crisis, Pretoria is weighing whether policy-aligned leadership or market distance is best for Africa’s largest investor.

Trump’s $500M private investment push into Africa

The new US-Africa Strategic Investment Program invites businesses to compete for grants that “de-risk and catalyze” private investment on the continent.

African startup funding dips 6% year on year

The number of startups raising $100,000 or more fell to its lowest level since 2021.

Senegal’s president forms new party as political crisis continues

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye will lead the new Kiiraay party in local and legislative polls ahead of national elections in 2029.