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Southern Africa and islands

Madagascar
Ambassador to China asks to stay

Relieved of his duties at the end of November, Jean-Louis Robinson is seeking the assistance of Minister of Foreign Affairs Christine Razanamahasoa.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 13.01.2026

Southern Africa
US House of Representatives faces burning issue of AGOA renewal

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson in Washington on 12 November 2025. © Heather Diehl/Getty/AFP

Subscribers only Diplomacy 12.01.2026

In Focus | Madagascar
Donald Trump's secret plans in Antananarivo

Illustrated by Ezinne Osueke © J. Raedle/Getty/AFP; P. Royer/Only France/AFP; Rijasolo/AFP; M. Metzel/Pool/AFP

Subscribers only Defence, Diplomacy 09.01.2026

Madagascar
Businessman Daya Koufali rises from the shadows of the junta

Koufali, also known as "Paul Sylvestra", who is a relative of junta head Michaël Randrianirina, is the focus of much speculation due to his alleged influence and increasing exposure on the political scene.

Subscribers only Defence 09.01.2026

Zambia
The Finnish economic affairs minister's busy schedule to explore mining sector

Sakari Puisto, Finnish Minister of Economic Affairs, in Bremen, Germany, on 26 November 2025. © Focke Strangmann/AFP

Subscribers only Mining 09.01.2026

South Africa
France due to invite Cyril Ramaphosa to G7 in Evian

The South African president is expected to be on the guest list for the summit chaired by France, which will be held from 14 to 16 June 2026 in Haute-Savoie.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 08.01.2026

Namibia
Gas monetisation strategy to be drafted by Subsea7 subsidiary

Consulting firm Xodus, a subsidiary of Luxembourg-based multinational Subsea7, has been chosen by state-owned company Namcor to develop its gas strategy. Namibia has been held back in this area for years due to a lack of infrastructure and low domestic demand.

Subscribers only Energy 07.01.2026

Mozambique
Former minister Manuel Chang seeks early release from US prison

Handed an eight-year sentence for fraud and corruption, Mozambique's former finance minister, now 70, has asked for an early release.

Subscribers only Finance, Politics 06.01.2026

Angola
Maurel & Prom and BW Energy seek to outmanoeuvre Etu Energias

The Pertamina subsidiary and the Norway-registered junior hope to avoid any attempts by Azule's partners to pre-emptively acquire the mature Angolan offshore blocks 14 and 14K.

Subscribers only Energy 05.01.2026

DRC, Zambia
Stanford mining lab follows KoBold to Kitwe and Lubumbashi

The Mineral-X research programme provides expertise in the use of artificial intelligence for geological exploration in the Copperbelt and Haut-Katanga provinces.

Subscribers only Mining 05.01.2026

Spotlight | Mozambique
President Chapo puts pressure on TotalEnergies over Mozambique LNG

Bad news has recently been piling up for the French major in Mozambique, which remains unable to shake off negative media coverage or find common ground with the government.

Subscribers only Energy 24.12.2025

Mozambique President Daniel Chapo at the Portugal-Mozambique Summit in Porto, 9 December 2025.

Zambia
KoBold Metals calls on US State Department to speed up permit process

After four months of negotiations and a trip to Lusaka, the American mining company, which specialises in exploration, obtained the necessary authorisations to operate its future mine in Mingomba.

Subscribers only Mining 24.12.2025

Madagascar
Energy Fuels revamps Madagascar division

British agency Africa Practice will no longer be responsible for communications for the Base Toliara mining project, now rebranded Vara Mada.

Subscribers only Mining 23.12.2025

South Africa
Pretoria's vain attempts at Ukraine peace plan in Doha

For months, South Africa has been trying to support Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's "peace formula" with a view to ending the war with Russia. These efforts have been undermined by the United States, which announced its own 28-point plan on 20 November.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 22.12.2025

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa in Pretoria, in April 2025.

Spotlight | Madagascar
Inner workings of the rapprochement between Paris and the Malagasy junta

Head of diplomacy Christine Razanamahasoa is expected in the French capital at the Foreign Affairs Ministry next month. This visit will officially mark the resumption of dialogue with France, a few months after the overthrow of Andry Rajoelina.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 19.12.2025

The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Paris, in 2022.

Madagascar
Train transport company Madarail appoints new CEO

The Malagasy railway company has appointed a new interim CEO: Emeric Rakotovao quietly took up his post on 10 December.

Subscribers only Infrastructure 19.12.2025

Spotlight | Namibia
2026 promises to be key for TotalEnergies in Windhoek

The French oil major has just appointed a new head, Mariam Kane-Garcia, to lead its Namibian subsidiary. She will face the daunting task of negotiating a final investment decision on the Venus project, in the face of a particularly uncompromising administration.

Subscribers only Energy 18.12.2025

Mariam Kane-Garcia, TotalEnergies' director in Namibia, in September 2023.

Zambia
Austin Elements refines its critical minerals refinery project

The US firm plans to invest several hundred million dollars in a mineral and metal refinery project for electric batteries and dreams of having its own mine.

Subscribers only Mining 18.12.2025

Zimbabwe
Harare struggles to loosen Chinese grip on lithium industry

The government is stepping up its attempts to attract mining groups other than the Chinese, who dominate the country's lithium sector. So far, its efforts have been in vain.

Subscribers only Mining 17.12.2025

Madagascar, Senegal
Macky Sall makes intriguing visit to Antananarivo to talk UN, diplomacy and business

The former Senegalese president has embarked on a low-key trip to Madagascar, where he was received by the head of the junta. Campaigning to succeed António Guterres as head of the United Nations, the ex-leader is taking the opportunity to hold a series of political talks and business meetings.

Subscribers only Business, Diplomacy 16.12.2025

Former Senegalese President Macky Sall in February 2024 near Dakar.

Mozambique
Italian group Bonatti tries to save its relationship with ENH on Rovuma LNG

The Italian services company is struggling to calm the anger of executives at the state oil company, which has been sidelined on a huge contract with US major ExxonMobil.

Subscribers only Energy 16.12.2025

Illustration of the future liquefaction plants of the Rovuma LNG project in Mozambique.

South Africa
Gunvor loses pole position in bid to buy Shell service stations

The Anglo-Dutch giant no longer seems keen on selling its South African assets to the Swiss trader, despite the latter's continuining enthusiasm to move forward on the deal.

Subscribers only Energy 16.12.2025

Madagascar
What with regular breakdowns and flaws, ports are vulnerable to fraud

Container scanners supposed to secure Malagasy ports are operating at reduced capacity, allowing thousands of goods to pass through unchecked. This results in significant revenue losses for the state and weakens the foreign trade framework.

Subscribers only Infrastructure 15.12.2025

Madagascar
Jacob Zuma offers support to Colonel Michael Randrianirina

The head of the junta sets great store by the advice of the former South African head of state. Cyril Ramaphosa's predecessor travelled specially to Dubai to support Madagascar's new strongman on his secret visit there.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 12.12.2025

Former South African President Jacob Zuma, in Johannesburg, in October 2022.

Madagascar
Junta head Randrianirina makes secret trip to Dubai

Meetings held with Emirati, American and Israeli diplomats and with Erik Prince... The Madagascar strongman made a confidential trip to the city-state, where he took part in numerous sensitive talks.

Subscribers only Defence, Diplomacy 11.12.2025

President of Madagascar Michael Randrianirina in Antananarivo on 17 October 2025.

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Southern Africa and islands

Madagascar
Ambassador to China asks to stay

Southern Africa
US House of Representatives faces burning issue of AGOA renewal

In Focus | Madagascar
Donald Trump's secret plans in Antananarivo

Madagascar
Businessman Daya Koufali rises from the shadows of the junta

Zambia
The Finnish economic affairs minister's busy schedule to explore mining sector

South Africa
France due to invite Cyril Ramaphosa to G7 in Evian

Namibia
Gas monetisation strategy to be drafted by Subsea7 subsidiary

Mozambique
Former minister Manuel Chang seeks early release from US prison

Angola
Maurel & Prom and BW Energy seek to outmanoeuvre Etu Energias

DRC, Zambia
Stanford mining lab follows KoBold to Kitwe and Lubumbashi

Spotlight | Mozambique
President Chapo puts pressure on TotalEnergies over Mozambique LNG

Zambia
KoBold Metals calls on US State Department to speed up permit process

Madagascar
Energy Fuels revamps Madagascar division

South Africa
Pretoria's vain attempts at Ukraine peace plan in Doha

Spotlight | Madagascar
Inner workings of the rapprochement between Paris and the Malagasy junta

Madagascar
Train transport company Madarail appoints new CEO

Spotlight | Namibia
2026 promises to be key for TotalEnergies in Windhoek

Zambia
Austin Elements refines its critical minerals refinery project

Zimbabwe
Harare struggles to loosen Chinese grip on lithium industry

Madagascar, Senegal
Macky Sall makes intriguing visit to Antananarivo to talk UN, diplomacy and business

Mozambique
Italian group Bonatti tries to save its relationship with ENH on Rovuma LNG

South Africa
Gunvor loses pole position in bid to buy Shell service stations

Madagascar
What with regular breakdowns and flaws, ports are vulnerable to fraud

Madagascar
Jacob Zuma offers support to Colonel Michael Randrianirina

Madagascar
Junta head Randrianirina makes secret trip to Dubai

The weekly summary

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Indigo Publications' websites

Donald Trump

Musalia Mudavadi

ExxonMobil

Mamadi Doumbouya

Mahamadou Bonkoungou

Southern Africa and islands

Madagascar Ambassador to China asks to stay

Southern Africa US House of Representatives faces burning issue of AGOA renewal

In Focus | Madagascar Donald Trump's secret plans in Antananarivo

Madagascar Businessman Daya Koufali rises from the shadows of the junta

Zambia The Finnish economic affairs minister's busy schedule to explore mining sector

South Africa France due to invite Cyril Ramaphosa to G7 in Evian

Namibia Gas monetisation strategy to be drafted by Subsea7 subsidiary

Mozambique Former minister Manuel Chang seeks early release from US prison

Angola Maurel & Prom and BW Energy seek to outmanoeuvre Etu Energias

DRC, Zambia Stanford mining lab follows KoBold to Kitwe and Lubumbashi

Spotlight | Mozambique President Chapo puts pressure on TotalEnergies over Mozambique LNG

Zambia KoBold Metals calls on US State Department to speed up permit process

Madagascar Energy Fuels revamps Madagascar division

South Africa Pretoria's vain attempts at Ukraine peace plan in Doha

Spotlight | Madagascar Inner workings of the rapprochement between Paris and the Malagasy junta

Madagascar Train transport company Madarail appoints new CEO

Spotlight | Namibia 2026 promises to be key for TotalEnergies in Windhoek

Zambia Austin Elements refines its critical minerals refinery project

Zimbabwe Harare struggles to loosen Chinese grip on lithium industry

Madagascar, Senegal Macky Sall makes intriguing visit to Antananarivo to talk UN, diplomacy and business

Mozambique Italian group Bonatti tries to save its relationship with ENH on Rovuma LNG

South Africa Gunvor loses pole position in bid to buy Shell service stations

Madagascar What with regular breakdowns and flaws, ports are vulnerable to fraud

Madagascar Jacob Zuma offers support to Colonel Michael Randrianirina

Madagascar Junta head Randrianirina makes secret trip to Dubai

The weekly summary

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

Madagascar
Ambassador to China asks to stay

Southern Africa
US House of Representatives faces burning issue of AGOA renewal

In Focus | Madagascar
Donald Trump's secret plans in Antananarivo

Madagascar
Businessman Daya Koufali rises from the shadows of the junta

Zambia
The Finnish economic affairs minister's busy schedule to explore mining sector

South Africa
France due to invite Cyril Ramaphosa to G7 in Evian

Namibia
Gas monetisation strategy to be drafted by Subsea7 subsidiary

Mozambique
Former minister Manuel Chang seeks early release from US prison

Angola
Maurel & Prom and BW Energy seek to outmanoeuvre Etu Energias

DRC, Zambia
Stanford mining lab follows KoBold to Kitwe and Lubumbashi

Spotlight | Mozambique
President Chapo puts pressure on TotalEnergies over Mozambique LNG

Zambia
KoBold Metals calls on US State Department to speed up permit process

Madagascar
Energy Fuels revamps Madagascar division

South Africa
Pretoria's vain attempts at Ukraine peace plan in Doha

Spotlight | Madagascar
Inner workings of the rapprochement between Paris and the Malagasy junta

Madagascar
Train transport company Madarail appoints new CEO

Spotlight | Namibia
2026 promises to be key for TotalEnergies in Windhoek

Zambia
Austin Elements refines its critical minerals refinery project

Zimbabwe
Harare struggles to loosen Chinese grip on lithium industry

Madagascar, Senegal
Macky Sall makes intriguing visit to Antananarivo to talk UN, diplomacy and business

Mozambique
Italian group Bonatti tries to save its relationship with ENH on Rovuma LNG

South Africa
Gunvor loses pole position in bid to buy Shell service stations

Madagascar
What with regular breakdowns and flaws, ports are vulnerable to fraud

Madagascar
Jacob Zuma offers support to Colonel Michael Randrianirina

Madagascar
Junta head Randrianirina makes secret trip to Dubai