Archives

Egypt
Tokyo uses Cairo as springboard into East Africa

The growing ties between Egypt and Japan are gathering pace, with new joint industrial projects and closer financial cooperation. The Asian country considers this a way of asserting its influence in the sub-region, counterbalancing Chinese influence.

Guinea
Conakry struggles to structure artisanal gold sector

In the absence of an operational gold refinery, the reallocation of the licences that were revoked in May 2025, and effective control of the border with Mali, legal small-scale mining has virtually ground to a halt.

Morocco
Rabat's low-key car industry lobbying in Brussels

Alarmed by a proposed EU regulation that could harm Morocco's auto sector, industry minister Ryad Mezzour has quietly hired a firm with access to the bloc's institutions.

Gabon
Oligui Nguema faces risk of rebellion within PDG

Meeting for a seminar in Libreville, the Parti Démocratique Gabonais came close to openly opposing the head of state's government, but ultimately backed down. Divisions within the former ruling party point to a possible resurgence in the influence of ousted president Ali Bongo.

South Sudan
New obstacles arise on road to first post-independence elections

Only a scaled-down poll may be possible on 22 December. In addition to security concerns and population displacement, the detention of former vice-president Riek Machar and mounting rivalries among President Salva Kiir's children add to an already bleak picture.

South Africa
Entrepreneur Heine van Niekerk increases defence sector influence

Active in the mining, energy and infrastructure sectors, the South African investor has just bought two companies specialising in armoured vehicles in order to expand his business in the sale of military equipment.

Equatorial Guinea
Malabo's new legal strategy in ill-gotten gains case

While the French courts still plan to sell Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mangue's former Paris property this month, the appeals lodged by Malabo are due to be heard in court in January and April.

Egypt
Government rules out extending European Erasmus+ student programme

Despite pressure from Western embassies, the authorities are refusing to ease restrictions on academic mobility, whilst seeking to benefit from EU funding for research and educational development.

The New Guard
Rwanda, Senegal, Cameroon

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence spotlights a new generation of movers and shakers in business and politics.

RwandaZhan Beleniuk, key figure of Kyiv's parliamentary diplomacy in Africa

SenegalFatou Kiné Diakhaté, Bassirou Diomaye Faye's trusted right-hand woman

CameroonDalami Mahaman, bringing North French politics to Moungo Nord