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Southern Africa and islands

Mozambique
LAM's Embraer planes remain grounded amid financial troubles

The state-owned airline is piling up debt and is struggling to put the aircraft it buys into service.

Subscribers only Business 13.03.2026

Mozambique
Former Credit Suisse employees escape sanction in hidden debt affair

Sentenced in June 2025 to repay several million dollars each to the Russian bank VTBC, two former Credit Suisse colleagues will ultimately avoid this obligation. The two remaining co-defendants, including former finance minister Manuel Chang, will now shoulder the bill.

Subscribers only Finance, Business 12.03.2026

Spotlight | Mozambique
TotalEnergies and ExxonMobil in over their heads at Afungi

Office buildings belonging to the Mozambique LNG project in Afungi, Cabo Delgado province, Mozambique, in September 2022. © Camille Laffont/AFP

Subscribers only Infrastructure, Energy Running story - Cabo Delgado 11.03.2026

Madagascar
Ex-prime minister Christian Ntsay files for asylum in France

The former head of Andry Rajoelina's government has just filed an application with the French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons.

Subscribers only Politics, Diplomacy 11.03.2026

South Africa
Cyril Ramaphosa takes his time to appoint new ambassador to France

Since the sudden death of diplomat Nathi Mthethwa on 30 September 2025, the post of South African ambassador to France has been vacant. A new ambassador is not expected to arrive for another several months.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 10.03.2026

Namibia
Bureaucratic confusion exasperates TotalEnergies, Galp and Petrobras

An oil platform in Walvis Bay, Namibia in 2016. © Matthew Kyte / Alamy

Subscribers only Energy 09.03.2026

South Africa
Army's unreliable access to Island View fuel reserves poses security risks

A parliamentary report presented on 27 February warns of the South African army's difficulties in accessing fuel stored at the Island View terminal in the port of Durban. This situation raises "systemic risks" to national security.

Subscribers only Defence, Energy, Politics 05.03.2026

Botswana
Duma Boko moves closer to Paris

Botswana's head of state is expected to travel to Lyon on 7 April to participate in the One Health Summit. It will be Duma Boko's first visit to France since he was elected in 2024.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 04.03.2026

Madagascar
Pro-Russian networks thrive alongside rapprochement with Moscow

Associative and political networks favourable to Moscow are gaining visibility and structure on the island, serving as discreet channels of influence to consolidate diplomatic, cultural, and strategic ties with the Kremlin.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 03.03.2026

Michael Randrianirina lays a wreath on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow, 19 February 2026.

Spotlight | South Africa
Pretoria pushes to expand pro-Palestinian axis

The coalition of nations, co-chaired by South Africa, will meet this week in the Netherlands to defend Palestinian rights. An underlying goal is to explore the possibility of integrating countries from the Global North, despite their reluctance.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 03.03.2026

Zane Dangor, Rosa Villavicencio, Riyad Mansour, and Francesca Albanese during a meeting of The Hague Group in Bogota on 15 July 2025.

Namibia
President's new oil bill to push ministries aside

Currently being debated in Parliament, the Petroleum Amendment Bill will deprive the Namibian Ministry of Petroleum of most of its powers in favour of the presidency. The Ministry of Finance and the Public Service Commission will also see their influence reduced.

Subscribers only Energy 02.03.2026

Zambia
Lusaka stands up to Washington in health deal negotiations

The government has stated that it will not sign a health agreement if it is conditional on a second trade-off involving critical minerals.

Subscribers only Mining 02.03.2026

South Africa
Rand Refinery looking to return shine to their African gold plans

With gold production in South Africa on the decline for the last 25 years, the refining company is looking to attract industrial mining customers from elsewhere on the continent, while partnering with Ghana on a project targeting artisanal gold.

Subscribers only Mining 26.02.2026

Refined gold poured into moulds at Rand Refinery in Germiston, South Africa, May 2006.

Madagascar
A former politician resurfaces alongside Randrianirina

The discreet appointment of José Vianey as general coordinator of the Refoundation advisory council on 17 February marks the former diplomat’s return to Madagascar’s political arena.

Subscribers only Politics 25.02.2026

Madagascar
Macron-Randrianirina lunch meeting menu

Colonel Michaël Randrianirina is to visit with Emmanuel Macron on 24 February. The meeting aims to strengthen ties between the two countries and clarify broad lines of cooperation, as France seeks to consolidate its influence on the island.

Subscribers only Business 24.02.2026

Colonel Randrianirina during his visit to Moscow on 19 February 2026.

Mozambique
Washington dispatches envoy to Maputo

Responsible for economic and trade matters, US diplomat Sarah Troutman aims to press US economic interests ahead of important investment decisions by ExxonMobil.

Subscribers only Defence 24.02.2026

Spotlight | Mozambique
ExxonMobil rejects any interference from state-owned ENH on Rovuma LNG

The US oil major is urging its subcontractors to avoid working with politically exposed firms it believes could inflate costs and create gridlock further down the line.

Subscribers only Energy 23.02.2026

ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods in Doha, on 2 February 2026.

Mozambique
President Chapo to visit Paris later this year

On the occasion of the future meeting between the Mozambican head of state and his French counterpart, topics such as security and energy will be on the agenda.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 23.02.2026

Madagascar
Business delegation to travel to Paris in wake of Randrianirina's Paris visit

Three members of the GEM Malagasy employers' group will travel to Paris this month. Organised with French business group MEDEF International, the visit aims to produce a structured roadmap and promote numerous projects.

Subscribers only Business, Diplomacy 20.02.2026

Zambia
US delegation investigates accident at Chinese mine

Six experts, sent by the US House of Representatives Committee on Competition with China, were hard at work in Lusaka last month. Their primary objective was to shed light on the consequences of the collapse of the dam at the Sino-Metals copper mine in February 2025.

Subscribers only Mining 20.02.2026

Zambia
How Washington is backing the Kazozu copper and cobalt project

Launched by the Texas-based company Metalex and its Zambian partner Terra Metals, with the support of the US embassy in Lusaka, this venture has also received a grant from the US Trade and Development Agency.

Subscribers only Mining 19.02.2026

Madagascar
Junta and Rajoelina face off from afar at SADC and AU

Colonel Michaël Randrianirina must submit a detailed roadmap for the transition by the end of February, as demanded by the regional organisation of Southern African states, while the African Union is not currently considering lifting Madagascar's suspension.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 18.02.2026

Madagascar
Before heading to Paris, Colonel Randrianirina travels to Moscow to meet with Putin

The head of the Malagasy junta is pursuing his multilateral diplomacy and has reserved his first official visit for Russia. This trip, just before his visit to France to meet with Emmanuel Macron, heralds a strengthening of cooperation between Antananarivo and Moscow.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 17.02.2026

Colonel Michael Randrianirina in Antananarivo, 17 October 2025.

Spotlight | Madagascar
Colonel Michael Randrianirina expected in Paris

The head of Madagascar's military junta is preparing a visit to the French capital in late February, during which he will meet with President Emmanuel Macron. He will also take part in a series of economic meetings between French and Malagasy business leaders.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 17.02.2026

Michael Randrianirina at the High Constitutional Court in Antananarivo, 17 October 2025.

South Africa
PetroSA shaken by distributor Tholo Energy's legal defeat to tax authorities

A recent decision by the Constitutional Court of South Africa has undermined the legal arguments of the state oil and gas company in its dispute with the South African Revenue Service, in which more than a billion rand are at stake.

Subscribers only Finance, Energy 17.02.2026

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Southern Africa and islands

Mozambique
LAM's Embraer planes remain grounded amid financial troubles

Mozambique
Former Credit Suisse employees escape sanction in hidden debt affair

Spotlight | Mozambique
TotalEnergies and ExxonMobil in over their heads at Afungi

Madagascar
Ex-prime minister Christian Ntsay files for asylum in France

South Africa
Cyril Ramaphosa takes his time to appoint new ambassador to France

Namibia
Bureaucratic confusion exasperates TotalEnergies, Galp and Petrobras

South Africa
Army's unreliable access to Island View fuel reserves poses security risks

Botswana
Duma Boko moves closer to Paris

Madagascar
Pro-Russian networks thrive alongside rapprochement with Moscow

Spotlight | South Africa
Pretoria pushes to expand pro-Palestinian axis

Namibia
President's new oil bill to push ministries aside

Zambia
Lusaka stands up to Washington in health deal negotiations

South Africa
Rand Refinery looking to return shine to their African gold plans

Madagascar
A former politician resurfaces alongside Randrianirina

Madagascar
Macron-Randrianirina lunch meeting menu

Mozambique
Washington dispatches envoy to Maputo

Spotlight | Mozambique
ExxonMobil rejects any interference from state-owned ENH on Rovuma LNG

Mozambique
President Chapo to visit Paris later this year

Madagascar
Business delegation to travel to Paris in wake of Randrianirina's Paris visit

Zambia
US delegation investigates accident at Chinese mine

Zambia
How Washington is backing the Kazozu copper and cobalt project

Madagascar
Junta and Rajoelina face off from afar at SADC and AU

Madagascar
Before heading to Paris, Colonel Randrianirina travels to Moscow to meet with Putin

Spotlight | Madagascar
Colonel Michael Randrianirina expected in Paris

South Africa
PetroSA shaken by distributor Tholo Energy's legal defeat to tax authorities

The weekly summary

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Indigo Publications' websites

Faure Gnassingbe

Orano

Michaël Randrianirina

China National Petroleum Corp

Hassan Sheikh Mohamud

Southern Africa and islands

Mozambique LAM's Embraer planes remain grounded amid financial troubles

Mozambique Former Credit Suisse employees escape sanction in hidden debt affair

Spotlight | Mozambique TotalEnergies and ExxonMobil in over their heads at Afungi

Madagascar Ex-prime minister Christian Ntsay files for asylum in France

South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa takes his time to appoint new ambassador to France

Namibia Bureaucratic confusion exasperates TotalEnergies, Galp and Petrobras

South Africa Army's unreliable access to Island View fuel reserves poses security risks

Botswana Duma Boko moves closer to Paris

Madagascar Pro-Russian networks thrive alongside rapprochement with Moscow

Spotlight | South Africa Pretoria pushes to expand pro-Palestinian axis

Namibia President's new oil bill to push ministries aside

Zambia Lusaka stands up to Washington in health deal negotiations

South Africa Rand Refinery looking to return shine to their African gold plans

Madagascar A former politician resurfaces alongside Randrianirina

Madagascar Macron-Randrianirina lunch meeting menu

Mozambique Washington dispatches envoy to Maputo

Spotlight | Mozambique ExxonMobil rejects any interference from state-owned ENH on Rovuma LNG

Mozambique President Chapo to visit Paris later this year

Madagascar Business delegation to travel to Paris in wake of Randrianirina's Paris visit

Zambia US delegation investigates accident at Chinese mine

Zambia How Washington is backing the Kazozu copper and cobalt project

Madagascar Junta and Rajoelina face off from afar at SADC and AU

Madagascar Before heading to Paris, Colonel Randrianirina travels to Moscow to meet with Putin

Spotlight | Madagascar Colonel Michael Randrianirina expected in Paris

South Africa PetroSA shaken by distributor Tholo Energy's legal defeat to tax authorities

The weekly summary

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

Mozambique
LAM's Embraer planes remain grounded amid financial troubles

Mozambique
Former Credit Suisse employees escape sanction in hidden debt affair

Spotlight | Mozambique
TotalEnergies and ExxonMobil in over their heads at Afungi

Madagascar
Ex-prime minister Christian Ntsay files for asylum in France

South Africa
Cyril Ramaphosa takes his time to appoint new ambassador to France

Namibia
Bureaucratic confusion exasperates TotalEnergies, Galp and Petrobras

South Africa
Army's unreliable access to Island View fuel reserves poses security risks

Botswana
Duma Boko moves closer to Paris

Madagascar
Pro-Russian networks thrive alongside rapprochement with Moscow

Spotlight | South Africa
Pretoria pushes to expand pro-Palestinian axis

Namibia
President's new oil bill to push ministries aside

Zambia
Lusaka stands up to Washington in health deal negotiations

South Africa
Rand Refinery looking to return shine to their African gold plans

Madagascar
A former politician resurfaces alongside Randrianirina

Madagascar
Macron-Randrianirina lunch meeting menu

Mozambique
Washington dispatches envoy to Maputo

Spotlight | Mozambique
ExxonMobil rejects any interference from state-owned ENH on Rovuma LNG

Mozambique
President Chapo to visit Paris later this year

Madagascar
Business delegation to travel to Paris in wake of Randrianirina's Paris visit

Zambia
US delegation investigates accident at Chinese mine

Zambia
How Washington is backing the Kazozu copper and cobalt project

Madagascar
Junta and Rajoelina face off from afar at SADC and AU

Madagascar
Before heading to Paris, Colonel Randrianirina travels to Moscow to meet with Putin

Spotlight | Madagascar
Colonel Michael Randrianirina expected in Paris

South Africa
PetroSA shaken by distributor Tholo Energy's legal defeat to tax authorities