Unlock the Editor’s Digest for freeRoula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.Anglo American will get a $600mn dividend boost ahead of the spin-off of its platinum arm in the summer. The London-listed miner, which is undergoing a radical restructuring after defending itself from rival BHP’s £39bn failed takeover attempt last year, will benefit from an additional payout, said the platinum unit’s boss. Craig Miller, chief executive of Anglo American Platinum (Amplats), the world’s largest platinum company, said it was using the planned demerger to “relook at the balance sheet” as the company announced…
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Pan-African VC program Madica invests ~$800k in Four New Companies in Egypt, Morocco, Tanzania, and Tunisia Madica, a structured investment program designed for pre-seed stage startups in Africa, has announced its latest round of investments in four tech-enabled startups which include Medikea, Motherbeing, Pixii Motors and ToumAI. Each startup has received an investment of up to $200,000 and will participate in Madica’s comprehensive investment program. This includes 18 months of support through a highly personalised curriculum, hands-on mentorship, and two fully-funded week-long founder immersion trips to key local and global ecosystems, including Cape Town and London. The portfolio companies will also gain access to executive…
THE RESIDENTS of Goma are no strangers to war. The largest city in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has long been a refuge for those fleeing from violence elsewhere in one of the world’s most blood-soaked regions, where more than 100 armed groups compete for land, loot and political influence. On January 26th the most sophisticated of these militias, a group known as M23, brought war to the city itself. Its apparent seizure of Goma, the culmination of more than two years of resurgent violence by the previously dormant group, illustrates the enduring weakness of the…
Banking and tech experts gathered at the ENGAGE Dubai event to explore how banks can apply Artificial Intelligence (AI) to take banking to the next generation in terms of modernisation, customer experiences and inclusivity.Banks around the world are actively leveraging AI to enhance customer-facing chatbots, prevent fraud, and streamline processes like regulatory reporting and software development workflows.However, widespread adoption is yet to be achieved. According to McKinsey, up to 80% of IT budgets in banks are allocated to maintaining outdated systems, rather than investing in innovations to stay competitive amid growing AI adoption.Speaking at the event, Jouk Pleiter, Founder &…
Businesses in Nigeria identified high bank charges, poor infrastructure, and insecurity as major obstacles to their operations in December 2024. The revelations are in the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) latest Business Expectations Survey. The survey highlighted six critical constraints affecting business confidence: high bank charges, poor infrastructure, an unfavourable economic climate, insecurity, limited access to credit, and an unfavourable political climate. Despite these hurdles, respondent firms maintained optimism about the macroeconomic outlook, underpinned by expectations of a stronger exchange rate, increased business activity, and a favourable volume of total orders. “The overall capacity utilisation is positive for December 2024…
Summary Our number one ranked ‘African’ supporter of Donald Trump will surprise you.More than twice the number of Blacks that voted for Trump in 2016 voted for him in 2024.65 percent of Kenyans and 58 percent of Nigerians believed Trump was the best candidate for the presidency.Many Africans favour relations with the United States over China and Russia, hence the support.The November 5, 2024 presidential election in the United States of America was a significant piece of history, not just in the U.S., but globally. No matter where the pendulum swung, history would be made. It was either the 45th…
In SummaryAfrica’s dedication to sustainability and innovation is demonstrated by the continent’s renewable energy landscape in 2025.Countries like South Africa, Morocco, and Kenya lead the charge, with diverse projects that harness solar, wind, geothermal, and hydropower resources. Large-scale projects like Rwanda’s community-focused solar systems and Egypt’s Benban Solar Park demonstrate how Africa’s energy transition can combine ambition and pragmatism.With continued investments and collaborations, Africa is set to achieve energy security, reduce carbon emissions, and contribute to global climate goals.Deep Dive!!!Africa’s renewable energy capacity is expected to surpass 320 GW by 2030, positioning the continent as a global leader in clean…
Dr. Hubert Danso, Chairman, Africa investor (Ai) Group Every year of delayed green technology deployment costs the world an estimated $1.6 trillion in climate damages and lost opportunities—a stark reminder of the urgency to act. The challenge of achieving net-zero targets amidst systemic climate finance gaps is one of the defining crises of our time. Green technologies hold the key to unlocking sustainable solutions. Yet, unlike digital technologies, which have adhered to Moore’s Law—doubling in performance per dollar approximately every two years—green technologies remain constrained by systemic barriers, including entrenched fossil fuel interests, fragmented markets, and regulatory inertia. But what…
In South Africa, companies face increased energy expenses, making it critical to enhance energy efficiency. Implementing energy-saving methods can result in considerable financial savings while promoting environmental sustainability. With increased power demand and unpredictable commercial electricity rates, taking the proper steps to save on Business Electricity Bills is more important than ever. Consider systems that compare business electricity prices and help you get the best rates from reputable electricity providers. Why Does Energy Efficiency Matter? Energy efficiency refers to decreasing energy waste while maintaining peak performance. It is vital for South African firms looking to reduce operational costs, reduce carbon emissions, reduce…
Stay informed with free updatesSimply sign up to the Oil & Gas industry myFT Digest — delivered directly to your inbox.Shell made the approval of the sale of its controversial assets in the Niger Delta a condition of fresh investments off the coast of Nigeria, according to people familiar with the deals.The Anglo-Dutch company said on Monday it had made a final decision to invest a reported $5bn in the Bonga North project, a deepwater field 130 kilometres off the west African coast. The investment is a boost for President Bola Tinubu’s drive to attract much-needed capital into the Nigerian…