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South Africa
Prosecutor's office struggles to pursue Gupta case

Although the extradition request for Atul and Rajesh Gupta has been sent to the UAE, concerns are growing about the NPA's ability to bring this sensitive case to trial.

Zimbabwe
Black granite export ban causes rare frictions between Beijing and Harare

Although relations between China and Zimbabwe have reached new heights since China handed over the new Zimbabwean parliament building it has built and paid for in early July, a new law banning the exportation of black granite, which is in great demand on the Chinese market, has created some friction between the two countries.

DRC
Semlex angles for biometric passport contract

The Belgian company Semlex has activated its contacts, particularly at the foreign ministry, in the hope of winning the tender call ahead of nine other firms.

South Africa
Ajay Gupta cooperated over brothers' arrest in South Africa corruption scandal

Ajay Gupta has avoided arrest with Pretoria's blessing, while his two younger brothers are being held in Dubai over a major state graft scandal in South Africa. Sources say the eldest brother's cooperation aided his siblings' arrest.

The New Guard
Ivory Coast, Chad, South Africa and Somaliland

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence reveals the next generation of movers and shakers in business and politics.

Ivory CoastKen Kakena, Congolese fintech expert of Abidjan.

ChadMamadou Djimtebaye, N'Djamena's go-to spin doctor.

South AfricaNobuhle Pamela Nkabane, the energy ministry's bright young spark.

SomalilandMohamed Ahmed's charm offensive in Addis Ababa.

DRC
France, UK and US seek to block Russian ambitions in DRC

Put on alert by the turn of events in the Central African Republic and Mali, Western powers are worried about a potential rapprochement between the DRC and Russia and are hoping the UN will at least continue to enforce its arms embargo in the country.

Egypt, France, India
French wheat traders descend on Egypt

Through an exceptional call for tenders involving 825,000 tonnes of wheat, Cairo has secured its supplies until mid-October. Of the 14 ships ordered by GASC, the authority in charge of purchasing cereals, six are French.

Kenya
Tata Chemicals next in line to free itself from Kenya Power

Indian Tata Chemicals wants to build a power plant strong enough to meet its needs in Kajiado county. It is not the first large company to stop depending on the state utility for power.

Algeria
Timetable not only snag facing 1000 MW solar power hopefuls

Since postponing the submission of applications for what will be Algeria's first major solar power sites, the country's authorities have yet to set a new date. On top of this, there are a number of regulatory and financial pitfalls facing potential developers.

DRC
DR Congo arms embargo resolution splits Security Council

The UN Security Council is considering a French-led resolution that would overhaul the arms embargo regime imposed on the Democratic Republic of Congo. But Paris has had to revise its initial plan in the face of reluctance from London and Washington.

Morocco
Himma launches part two of national broadcasting's big shake-up

SNRT will soon complete its takeover of the cash-strapped 2M and Medi 1 TV channels in a move that gives Mohammed VI's adviser, Fouad Ali El Himma, a means to distance his rival, the king's private secretary Mounir El Majidi, from the sector.

Cameroon
Vitol's reduced delivery spooks energy minister

Benefiting from a very tight market, oil traders feel free to call the shots in Cameroon, where they are never sanctioned. Only part of the oil ordered by the ministry of petroleum's last call for tenders has been delivered.

Chad
Kaka names another southerner to key oil position

After the eviction of the president's personal secretary, Idriss Youssouf Boy, oil minister Djerassem Le Bemadjiel now has free rein to appoint his own people.

Libya
Libya Holdings faces major Turkish competition over operation Misrata port

Libya Holdings, founded by Ahmed Mostafa Ben Halim, is in negotiations with the Misrata Free Zone to operate part of its port, yet its offers have so far been rejected.

Gabon
Libreville pushes for new chairman of AfCFTA

Four months after his appointment as Minister of Commerce for Small and Medium-sized businesses, Yves Fernand Manfoumbi is running for chairman of the council of ministers for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).