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Laure Verneau

Africa Intelligence journalist Laure Verneau reports on Madagascar. She is also a mining specialist.

Spotlight | Madagascar
France takes step towards returning royal relics to Madagascar

France has finally taken a step towards returning three human skulls, including one believed to be of a king beheaded by French colonists in the 19th century, to Madagascar. Antananarivo requested their return twenty years ago.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 27.02.2024

French President Emmanuel Macron (right) and French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati.

Spotlight | Zambia
Vedanta and Zambia finally agree on Konkola Copper Mines takeover

Four years after having been ousted from the Zambian mining concern, Vedanta's boss is preparing to retake control of it. It now only requires the approval of Konkola's creditors.

Subscribers only Mining 31.01.2024

Vedanta Resources Chairman Anil Agarwal in Jaipur, India, 18 November 2015.

Spotlight | Madagascar, Mozambique
From Maputo to Antananarivo, new graphite sector in turmoil

Following the introduction of restrictions on graphite exports by China, buyers are turning to Madagascar and Mozambique, which have substantial reserves. Development is being hampered, however, by the security situation in Cabo Delgado and governance problems in Madagascar.

Subscribers only Mining 17.01.2024

An origami crane made of graphene at Zhejiang University, China, 14 June 2017.

Spotlight | Madagascar
General Richard Ravalomanana's army crackdown

Several high-ranking military officers and activists have been arrested on the orders of the Madagascar government, in a highly inflammatory political context.

Subscribers only Defence 28.11.2023

Malagasy police prevent opposition supporters from holding an election rally in Antananarivo, Madagascar on November 4, 2023.

Spotlight | Madagascar
National Assembly speaker and Christian churches bid to defuse electoral crisis

Africa Intelligence reveals the confidential composition of the "national mediation platform" set up by the parliamentary speaker and the churches of Madagascar in a bid to renew dialogue after a tense election.

Subscribers only Politics 22.11.2023

Opposition demonstrators hold a flag during a demonstration in Andravoahangy, Antananarivo, on 11 November 2023.

In Focus | Zambia
Behind the scenes of Vedanta's skirmish with Hichilema

After lengthy, tense talks with the government, the British-Indian billionaire Anil Agarwal is once again in charge of Konkola Copper Mines via his conglomerate Vedanta Resources. The metal king used every ounce of his political and financial sway to return to the helm of one of the most strategic copper mines in the world.

Subscribers only Mining, Politics 23.10.2023

(From L-R) The tycoon Anil Agarwal, head of the Vedanta Resources conglomerate, current Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema and ex-Zambian president Edgar Lungu.

Spotlight | Zambia
China invests $1.3bn in the Copperbelt to safeguard its partnership with Lusaka

State-owned China Non-Ferrous Metals Mining Corp plans to invest heavily in its Zambian subsidiary, NFC Africa Mining, which operates the Chambishi Mine in northern Zambia. This investment is designed to preserve its special relationship with Lusaka.

Subscribers only Mining 04.10.2023

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping during a state visit to China, 15 September 2023.

Inner circles | Madagascar
Rajoelina's infighting advisers pursue their own business interests

Andry Rajoelina relies on a handful of loyal followers, some of whom have backed him since the coup that first brought him to power in Madagascar in 2009. But his inner circle, whose members use their positions to pursue their own business interests, is riven by internecine battles.

Subscribers only Politics, Business 29.09.2023

Madagascan president Andry Rajoelina in Antananarivo on 26 June 2023.

Niger
Miners prep action stations in post-coup environment

Foreign mining operators in Niger are deeply concerned by the economic sanctions imposed by ECOWAS over the July coup, especially as several major projects are on the verge of being finalised.

Subscribers only Mining 07.08.2023

DRC
Old coltan dispute stirs up trouble for Traxys

The multinational commodities trader is embroiled in a legal fight with one of its former ore suppliers in the DRC over a delivery that was allegedly never made. The case has prompted the authorities to take a closer look at Traxys's activities in the country.

Subscribers only Mining, Commodity traders 25.05.2023

In Focus | Madagascar
How vanilla price crisis has rocked Madagascar government

The vanilla industry, which accounts for 5% of Madagascar's GDP, is at the centre of a power struggle between the government and major players in the sector, most of whom are foreign. Key to the battle is the minimum price set by Antananarivo.

Subscribers only Commodity traders, Politics, Business 03.04.2023

The vanilla industry is at the heart of a power struggle between the Malagasy government and the sector's economic operators, over which the shadow of Mamy Ravatomanga looms.

Spotlight | Madagascar
Rajoelina cold-shouldered by international lenders over election financing

After having had their fingers burned in 2018, the international financial institutions are reluctant to finance the presidential elections due in nine months. The electorial commission is asking for $33m, which is $18m more than five years ago.

Subscribers only Politics 24.01.2023

A polling station in Antananarivo during the second round of the presidential election, 18 December 2018.

Spotlight | Madagascar
Ex-presidents Rajaonarimampianina and Ravalomanana hatch anti-Rajoelina alliance

Hery Rajaonarimampianina and Marc Ravalomanana have been discreetly working on an electoral pact. They struck a deal in principle last month and may reach out to other opposition leaders in Madagascar to take on an electoral system that is very firmly in the hands of the current president.

Subscribers only Politics 13.12.2022

Former Malagasy presidents Hery Rajaonarimampianina and Marc Ravalomanana.

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Guinea
Behind the scenes of Mamadi Doumbouya's offensive on Russian miner Nordgold

DRC
Dan Gertler's billions of dollars in royalties at heart of huge legal battle

Laure Verneau

Spotlight | Madagascar
France takes step towards returning royal relics to Madagascar

Spotlight | Zambia
Vedanta and Zambia finally agree on Konkola Copper Mines takeover

Spotlight | Madagascar, Mozambique
From Maputo to Antananarivo, new graphite sector in turmoil

Spotlight | Madagascar
General Richard Ravalomanana's army crackdown

Spotlight | Madagascar
National Assembly speaker and Christian churches bid to defuse electoral crisis

In Focus | Zambia
Behind the scenes of Vedanta's skirmish with Hichilema

Spotlight | Zambia
China invests $1.3bn in the Copperbelt to safeguard its partnership with Lusaka

Inner circles | Madagascar
Rajoelina's infighting advisers pursue their own business interests

Niger
Miners prep action stations in post-coup environment

DRC
Old coltan dispute stirs up trouble for Traxys

In Focus | Madagascar
How vanilla price crisis has rocked Madagascar government

Spotlight | Madagascar
Rajoelina cold-shouldered by international lenders over election financing

Spotlight | Madagascar
Ex-presidents Rajaonarimampianina and Ravalomanana hatch anti-Rajoelina alliance

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About Africa Intelligence

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Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Indigo Publications' websites

Guinea Behind the scenes of Mamadi Doumbouya's offensive on Russian miner Nordgold

DRC Dan Gertler's billions of dollars in royalties at heart of huge legal battle

The generals waging war from Khartoum to Darfur

Kinshasa's pan-African plans for Grand Inga

William Ruto's new order

Laure Verneau

Spotlight | Madagascar France takes step towards returning royal relics to Madagascar

Spotlight | Zambia Vedanta and Zambia finally agree on Konkola Copper Mines takeover

Spotlight | Madagascar, Mozambique From Maputo to Antananarivo, new graphite sector in turmoil

Spotlight | Madagascar General Richard Ravalomanana's army crackdown

Spotlight | Madagascar National Assembly speaker and Christian churches bid to defuse electoral crisis

In Focus | Zambia Behind the scenes of Vedanta's skirmish with Hichilema

Spotlight | Zambia China invests $1.3bn in the Copperbelt to safeguard its partnership with Lusaka

Inner circles | Madagascar Rajoelina's infighting advisers pursue their own business interests

Niger Miners prep action stations in post-coup environment

DRC Old coltan dispute stirs up trouble for Traxys

In Focus | Madagascar How vanilla price crisis has rocked Madagascar government

Spotlight | Madagascar Rajoelina cold-shouldered by international lenders over election financing

Spotlight | Madagascar Ex-presidents Rajaonarimampianina and Ravalomanana hatch anti-Rajoelina alliance

Refine your search

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

Guinea
Behind the scenes of Mamadi Doumbouya's offensive on Russian miner Nordgold

DRC
Dan Gertler's billions of dollars in royalties at heart of huge legal battle

Spotlight | Madagascar
France takes step towards returning royal relics to Madagascar

Spotlight | Zambia
Vedanta and Zambia finally agree on Konkola Copper Mines takeover

Spotlight | Madagascar, Mozambique
From Maputo to Antananarivo, new graphite sector in turmoil

Spotlight | Madagascar
General Richard Ravalomanana's army crackdown

Spotlight | Madagascar
National Assembly speaker and Christian churches bid to defuse electoral crisis

In Focus | Zambia
Behind the scenes of Vedanta's skirmish with Hichilema

Spotlight | Zambia
China invests $1.3bn in the Copperbelt to safeguard its partnership with Lusaka

Inner circles | Madagascar
Rajoelina's infighting advisers pursue their own business interests

Niger
Miners prep action stations in post-coup environment

DRC
Old coltan dispute stirs up trouble for Traxys

In Focus | Madagascar
How vanilla price crisis has rocked Madagascar government

Spotlight | Madagascar
Rajoelina cold-shouldered by international lenders over election financing

Spotlight | Madagascar
Ex-presidents Rajaonarimampianina and Ravalomanana hatch anti-Rajoelina alliance