Manganese

The New Guard
Nigeria, Niger, Central African Republic

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

NigeriaAyo Sopitan, trader turned miner

NigerSalim Gado, Tchiani's ambitious right-hand man

Central African RepublicWilliam Ndjapou, the rising adviser

Tanzania
The crucial deal Dodoma hopes to strike with Trump to fund healthcare

Following Kenya in December, Tanzania is seeking to secure a bilateral agreement with the United States as part of the America First strategy promoted by the US President. Talks could also depend on progress in mining contracts.

Guinea
Mamadi Doumbouya's last-minute delegation to Mining Indaba

The formation of the new Guinean government has delayed putting together the team that will represent Conakry at the annual Mining Indaba conference.

Tanzania
BRICS competition and instability put Western backers on alert

The violence that marred the end of October general elections has led some countries to reconsider their support for the country. Faced with the difficulty of withdrawing donations and loans, the IMF, like other organisations, is stalling.

South Africa
EU and Pretoria set out next steps in critical minerals deal

A manganese refining project in the northeast has attracted the attention of the European Union. The underlying objective is to diversify its sources of critical minerals in order to build its own electric vehicle battery manufacturing industry.

Gabon
Libreville seeks refinancing following $1bn deal with Gunvor

In June, the Ministry of Finance obtained a loan of several billion dollars from Afreximbank. It is likely to be used for energy production and manganese processing projects, but could also fuel other ambitions.

Cameroon
SONAMINES gains upper hand in mining sector governance

Freeing itself from the constraits of a supervisory ministry, the Société Nationale des Mines has now taken up a central role in mining negotiations. This reorganisation came about in response to pressure from the presidency, which intends to take back control of the sector.

Gabon
Eramet working with Libreville to protect its interests

The new CEO of the French mining company, Paolo Castellari, has welcomed a delegation from the Gabonese Ministry of Mines to his factory in Dunkirk. He had previously been received by the Gabonese presidency on 17 July.

South Africa
Ramaphosa's US special envoy trip to Washington still pending

Mcebisi Jonas has still not been introduced to the American authorities. The special envoy to the United States is currently content to lobby from afar to push South Africa's proposals to limit the impact of tariff hikes.