Diamonds

DRC
Behind MIBA board of directors' move to cut diamond mining CEO loose

The majority of the firm's board members have written to President Félix Tshisekedi calling for the dismissal of André Kabanda Kana, who is at the helm of the state-owned firm. In addition to differences of opinion regarding the company's recovery plan, the letter also highlights allegations of improper expenditure.

Botswana
Nova Africa maps gold mine restart after legal battle for Mupane

Nova Africa's acquisition of the gold mine near Francistown in the east of the country was confirmed in the courts in May. Operations had been on hold since 2024 due to serious financial difficulties.

Botswana
Duma Boko reshapes De Beers strategy and renews mining leadership

As his government replaces three members of the key body overseeing mining policy, the president has abandoned his initial ambition of making Botswana the majority shareholder in the global diamond giant.

Botswana
HB Antwerp mulls cutbacks in Gaborone after Duma Boko snub

In power since October 2024, the president hasn't given in to the enticements of the Belgian group, which had hoped to finalise the sales agreement for the state's diamonds announced in 2023. Its threat to drastically reduce its Botswana subsidiary's workforce wasn't enough to tip the scales in its favour.

Guinea, Sierra Leone
Game over for billionaire Beny Steinmetz's BSGR African venture

Beny Steinmetz Global Resources, named after the Franco-Israeli tycoon who founded it, was quietly wound up in late 2025. Whilst the group, which had faced a string of legal setbacks, had already withdrawn from Guinea, the fate of its operations in neighbouring Sierra Leone remains uncertain.

Central African Republic
Lifting of diamond embargo overshadowed by collapse in world prices

Despite the end of restrictions in 2024, exports of precious stones have fallen sharply in recent months. The market is overwhelmingly dominated by a single player.

Niger
Army counts heavy equipment losses after Niamey base attack

Half a dozen military aircraft were destroyed at the end of January during a terrorist assault targeting the airport in Niger's capital. The loss of these valuable reconnaissance and attack assets is set to hamper the air force's campaign against jihadist groups.

DRC
Sino-Congolese firm SACIM's Antwerp sale of Kasaï diamonds

Following a successful late February auction on the Belgian market, which had been under discussion since September 2025, the mining company could repeat the experience several times a year.

Central African Republic
Chimbolo mining licence weakened by partners' dispute

What with criminal charges against Franco-Turkish businessman Ali Sait Cinko, the creation of a new mining company, and an appeal to the head of state, the operating licence for the Chimbolo site has become the focus of internal tensions and power struggles.

Cameroon
Paul Biya favours Transatlantic D for Douala Port

The Cameroonian subsidiary of Swiss company SGS has lost its battle to keep control of goods inspection at the port of the country's economic capital. This shift is linked to struggles and rivalries at top levels of government.

The New Guard
Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa

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

NigeriaFinancier Farouk Gumel lends his services to Botswana

KenyaRosemary Nyawira Muchangi promotes youth in mining

South AfricaFaith Sebopela, regional leader of an ANC youth league under reconstruction