PRINT | SUBSCRIBE | UNSUBSCRIBE | TEXT ONLY

issue 652 | 26 Jul 2026

Africa

Africa can grow faster with AI – if it moves now

Artificial intelligence (AI) can boost productivity, create better jobs, and improve public services in sub-Saharan Africa, but realising these gains will require reliable power, affordable internet, stronger skills, and rules people trust. A farmer in Kenya gets weather and planting advice on a basic phone. A teacher in Nigeria uses a chatbot to help students catch up in maths. South Africa’s revenue authority uses data analytics to better target tax audits. These are not futuristic examples from Silicon Valley. They are early signs of the broader transformation that AI could bring to sub-Saharan Africa. AI will reshape the global economy. The question for Africa is whether it rides the wave or gets left behind. The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) research shows AI’s promise, but it also points to significant risks and challenges. At current levels of preparedness, the IMF estimates that AI will add just 0.2% to the region’s GDP over the next decade – little more than a rounding error. However, if countries can put the right foundations in place to accelerate adoption and extend the impact of AI beyond today’s digitally connected firms, the gains could rise to about 4% over the decade – nearly half a percentage point of additional growth a year.

Source: IMF

Africa

Why African financial institutions should be exploring DORA

Technology contracts have traditionally been viewed as commercial documents. They set out the services to be provided, allocate risk between the parties and establish the commercial framework for the relationship. Increasingly, however, that view is becoming outdated. As organisations become more reliant on cloud computing, SaaS platforms, managed service providers and AI technologies, technology contracts are evolving into one of the most important operational resilience tools available to a business. This shift is perhaps best illustrated by the European Union’s (EU) Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA). When DORA became fully applicable in January 2025, many organisations outside Europe dismissed it as another piece of European regulation with little relevance beyond the EU. For African financial institutions, however, it would be a missed opportunity not to leverage the thinking, methodologies and precepts emanating from DORA. While DORA applies directly to EU financial entities, it signals a broader shift in how regulators, financial institutions and technology providers are approaching operational resilience. More importantly, it reflects where the global market is heading.

Source: ENS – click here to read the full ENSight

West Africa

Africa’s USD25-billion gas pipeline takes shape. Who’s paying for it?

West African leaders have signed a landmark agreement to advance the USD25-billion Nigeria-Morocco Africa-Atlantic Gas Pipeline project, which is expected to reshape the continent’s energy map and underscore a growing appetite for regional integration. The intergovernmental agreement, signed recently during the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) summit in Freetown, Sierra Leone, establishes the legal and institutional framework required to move the long-awaited project towards implementation. “We have signed the agreement on the West Africa-Morocco gas pipeline. Do not be surprised when the gas reaches you,” ECOWAS Chair and Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio said as he announced the development. Known as the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline, the project is expected to cost an estimated USD25-billion and will stretch approximately 6 000 km along Africa’s Atlantic coastline. It will transport Nigerian natural gas through 13 countries before reaching Morocco and eventually connecting with European markets. Nigeria is expected to be the source country, but Benin, Togo, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, The Gambia, Senegal, Mauritania and Morocco will participate. Project planners have also roped in Spain, signalling a connection between this pipeline and the Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline that will officially link the two continents.

Source: The EastAfrican

West Africa

ECOWAS reaffirms plans to launch single currency in 2027

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has reaffirmed plans to launch a single currency next year. But the bloc says it is leaning towards a phased rollout, with countries meeting convergence criteria such as inflation, debt, and monetary stability joining first. The news was announced in a communiqué following the recent ECOWAS heads of state meeting in Sierra Leone. The single currency, dubbed the ECO, is being presented as a way to deepen regional integration and support sustainable and inclusive growth. The legal registration of the ECO trademark is in progress, but important questions remain unresolved, including whether members of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), who use the CFA franc, will be included at the start. ECOWAS says several issues still need agreement, particularly around the future central bank, decision-making rules, and which countries will start first. The launch of the ECO will also have to grapple with West Africa's changing political landscape since Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger left the bloc but remain within the UEMOA. Consultations are continuing and a key Task Force meeting is expected before the December 2026 summit.

Source: Africanews

Botswana

Botswana says Anglo picks De Beers buyer, weighs options for “optimal structure”

Anglo American has chosen a preferred buyer for its stake in diamond producer De Beers, with Botswana ‌weighing whether to exercise its right of first refusal either on its own, with Anglo’s chosen bidder, or alongside a third party, a government official said recently. Anglo put De Beers, one of the world’s leading diamond companies with operations and exploration spanning Botswana, Namibia, Angola, South Africa and Canada, up for sale in May 2024 as part of a ⁠broader restructuring prompted by falling diamond prices and the growing popularity of synthetic diamonds. The business has attracted interest from the Governments of Botswana, which already owns a 15% stake, Namibia and Angola, as well as private buyers. “Anglo American ran a competitive process involving three shortlisted bidders, and has since identified a preferred bidder, the Global Diamond Consortium,” Botswana’s Minister for State President, Defence and Security Moeti Mohwasa told lawmakers. The consortium’s proposal to include Angola and Namibia was welcome, Mohwasa added. He did not disclose the consortium partners but said it was urgent to secure ‌an ⁠experienced operator backed by a stable, long-term ownership structure and a credible, well-funded turnaround plan.

Source: Reuters

Botswana

CIPA leads collaborative drive to unlock creative economy

Local creative economy took centre stage recently as policymakers, broadcasters, funders and industry leaders came together to explore how stronger collaboration can unlock the full potential of one of the country’s fastest-growing sectors. Convened by the Companies and Intellectual Property Authority (CIPA) through the Levy on Technical Devices Fund, the high-level stakeholder engagement brought together representatives from government, regulators, financial institutions and the private sector to tackle some of the industry’s most persistent challenges, from funding and skills development to intellectual property protection and market access. CIPA Strategy Manager, Lucky Matseka, said the country's greatest wealth extends far beyond its mineral resources. “Botswana possesses not only natural resources beneath the ground, but also an abundance of intellectual and creative capital within its people,” he added when welcoming delegates. Matseka described creativity as more than an artistic pursuit, calling it a strategic asset capable of driving economic growth, innovation and national development when properly supported.

Source: Mmegi

Cabo Verde

Cabo Verde Economic Update 2026: Connecting Islands, Unlocking Potential

Cabo Verde’s economy maintained strong momentum in 2025, and real GDP expanded by 6.3%, driven by record tourism arrivals, stronger private consumption, and improved fiscal performance, according to the latest country Economic Update 2026, released recently by the World Bank. Despite these gains, the report warns that key vulnerabilities remain, including continued dependence on tourism, fiscal risks linked to state-owned enterprises, and weak inter-island connectivity that constrains private sector growth and economic diversification. The report, titled Unpacking the Inter-Island Connectivity-Growth Nexus, examines Cabo Verde’s macroeconomic outlook, progress on poverty reduction, and the reforms needed to strengthen resilience and broaden the base of growth. It identifies inter-island connectivity as a critical constraint on productivity, market integration, and inclusive development across the archipelago. “Cabo Verde’s 2025 results show what is possible when macroeconomic discipline is matched by private sector dynamism. The next step is to turn today’s tourism-led rebound into broader, more resilient growth by fixing the fundamentals that connect the archipelago – reliable, affordable inter-island transport. Improving connectivity will lower costs, integrate markets, and ensure that more Cabo Verdeans across all islands can benefit from growth”, said Indira Campos, World Bank Group Resident Representative for Cabo Verde.

Source: World Bank

Cameroon

Cameroon launches tax recovery operation in the gold sector

Cameroon has launched a wide-scale operation aimed at recovering approximately USD680-billion in tax and customs revenues from the production of some 17 tonnes of gold. It is part of government plans to step up controls at mining sites and introduce minimum delivery thresholds. These new measures will also see improved monitoring of the various stages of ore recovery and strengthen production traceability. The crackdown comes amid discrepancies between the volumes of gold produced and the amounts declared by companies – potentially costing the state billions in lost tax revenue. It said the operation will target operators active in the East and Adamaoua regions, with the state saying it aims to regain control of its gold sector. The announcement comes as it seeks to enhance the contribution of mining to the country’s economic development. Cameroon’s mining sector has faced recurring criticism over the low revenues generated from the extraction of the precious metal.

Source: Africanews

Cameroon

CEMAC’s largest economy expects a USD1.75-billion mining windfall to overtake oil

Cameroon is preparing for a historic shift in how it makes money, with the government expecting mining to generate more annual revenue than oil for the first time. The country is targeting more than USD1.75-billion (F.CFA1-trillion) a year from newly launched mining projects and a sweeping campaign to bring undeclared gold into the formal economy. If achieved, the figure would turn mining, currently a small part of Cameroon’s economy, into a bigger source of state revenue than the oil industry that has supported government finances and foreign exchange earnings for decades. It would also strengthen Cameroon’s position in the global race for iron ore, bauxite, gold and critical minerals as countries seek more secure supplies for construction, manufacturing, renewable energy and electric vehicles. However, the projection remains a government target rather than money already secured. Its success will depend on mines reaching full commercial production, transport links functioning reliably and authorities closing the channels through which most of the country’s gold has reportedly disappeared from official records.

Source: Business Insider Africa

Côte d’Ivoire

AfDB Group supports launch of Côte d’Ivoire’s One-Stop Shop for Private Investment Reporting

The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group is supporting Côte d’Ivoire, the largest economy in Francophone West Africa, in establishing a One-Stop Shop for Private Investment Reporting (Guichet unique de déclaration de l’investissement privé)(GUDIP)), a new digital platform to strengthen the country’s economic governance. This flagship initiative is being implemented by the Investment Promotion Centre of Côte d’Ivoire (CEPICI) as part of the Programme to Support the Improvement of the Business Climate in Côte d’Ivoire. The programme is financed with USD14.2-million (F.CFA7.89-billion) from the African Development Fund, the concessional financing arm of the AfDB Group. On 10 July 2026, the Bank Group and the Ivorian authorities jointly held a national launch and stakeholder engagement workshop for the new platform. The event brought together representatives of the private sector, CEPICI, public administration officials, professional organisations, and technical and financial partners. Developed for the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Budget through the Directorate General of the Economy, GUDIP will enable Côte d’Ivoire to centralise private investment data and improve its reliability and analytical value.

Source: AfDB

Côte d’Ivoire

The AfDB grants EUR200-million in financing to strengthen production of low-sulphur fuels

The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group approved, on 13 July 2026, in Abidjan, a loan of EUR200-million to finance the “Clean Air” project carried out by the Société Ivoirienne de Raffinage (SIR). The project includes the design, construction, and commissioning of a diesel hydrodesulfurisation (HDS) complex within SIR. This strategic infrastructure will strengthen the refinery's capacity to process petroleum products and produce ultra-low-sulphur diesel. SIR will thus be able to produce fuels meeting international standards, while improving air quality and the transition towards more environmentally friendly petroleum products in the region. Founded in 1962, SIR handles the refining of crude oil, and the distribution of petroleum products in Côte d'Ivoire and other parts of the world, according to its website. With a total estimated cost of EUR833-million, the project will be financed by a consortium of development financial institutions and partners. As mandated lead arranger, the AfDB will play a central role in structuring the financing and mobilising additional resources for this strategic operation. The commissioning of this new HDS complex is planned for 2029.

Source: AfDB

Eswatini

Eswatini accelerates trade reforms

Eswatini has taken a significant step towards strengthening its position as a competitive trading nation after recording notable progress in implementing trade facilitation reforms. These reforms are aimed at reducing the cost and time of doing business while improving cross-border trade efficiency. The country’s commitment to improving its trading environment was highlighted during the first quarterly meeting of the National Trade Facilitation Committee, held at the Eswatini Revenue Service offices in Ezulwini recently, where representatives from government ministries, regulatory agencies and the private sector assessed progress made in implementing the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). The meeting reflected Eswatini’s continued efforts to modernise customs procedures, simplify border processes and create an enabling business environment that supports investment, exports and economic growth. One of the most notable achievements presented during the meeting was the country’s significant improvement in implementing commitments under the WTO TFA. Eswatini’s implementation rate rose from 57.72% to 65.12% within a single quarter, demonstrating accelerated progress in meeting international obligations designed to facilitate the movement, release and clearance of goods across borders.

Source: Eswatini Times

Ethiopia

AfDB Group approves USD110-million for Ethiopia’s first 300 MW independent wind power project

The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group has approved, on 15 July, a financing package of up to USD110-million to support the development of the 300 MW Aysha Wind Project, Ethiopia’s first wind-based independent power producer and, once completed, the country’s largest wind power plant. The project’s estimated cost is USD508-million. The Bank Group is providing a loan package that includes up to USD80-million from the AfDB window, USD20-million from the Clean Technology Fund and USD10-million from the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa. The Bank will also help mobilise an additional debt package of USD381.1-million from other development finance institutions. Developed, owned and operated by AMEA Power, the project entails the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of a 300 MW greenfield wind farm near Aysha in Ethiopia’s Somali Region. It will also support construction of a 5-km transmission line and upgrades to the existing Aysha II substation. Under a 25-year power purchase agreement, Ethiopian Electric Power will be the sole off-taker and will take ownership of the completed transmission line.

Source: AfDB

Gabon

Gabon, Eramet’s latest manganese deal to expand local metallurgy

Gabon has signed an agreement with French mining and metallurgy company Eramet to improve its manganese value chain, reinforcing the country’s strategy to expand the mining sector, industrialisation and local value addition. Under the agreement, Eramet will increase manganese processing capacity in Gabon to 700 000 tons per year by the end of 2031 through a three-phase industrial development programme. The first phase involves the construction of a 10 000-ton-per-year manganese oxide plant in the Libreville region, with capacity set to double to 20 000 tons by the end of 2028. The facility will produce battery-grade manganese oxide for the electric vehicle supply chain. The second phase focuses on modernising Eramet’s existing processing infrastructure, including the Moanda Metallurgical Complex, increasing production capacity to 70 000 tons of manganese alloys per year – equivalent to approximately 150 000 tons of processed ore. The upgraded facilities are expected to come online by the end of 2029. The final phase will see the construction of a new 265 000-ton-per-year manganese alloy plant, capable of processing approximately 530 000 tons of manganese ore annually, with commissioning targeted for 2031.

Source: Prospect

Mauritius

UNDP supports launch of Tax Inspectors Without Borders Criminal Investigation Programme in Mauritius

Mauritius has launched the Tax Inspectors Without Borders (TIWB) Criminal Investigation Programme Phase I Maturity Model Self-Assessment Workshop, a five-day initiative aimed at strengthening the country’s capacity to combat tax crime, money laundering and illicit financial flows. Hosted by the Mauritius Revenue Authority from 20 to 24 July at the Integrated Customs Clearance Centre, the workshop brings together representatives from government, law enforcement, regulatory and financial sector institutions to assess Mauritius' tax crime enforcement framework and identify priorities for future action. Illicit financial flows across Africa – including money laundering and other financial crimes – are estimated at nearly USD89-billion annually, depriving countries of resources that could otherwise be invested in health, education, climate resilience and sustainable development. For Small Island Developing States such as Mauritius, protecting domestic revenues and strengthening financial integrity systems are critical to achieving long-term development goals. The workshop launched recently aims to provide some solutions to this pressing issue. Part of the TIWB initiative, it is jointly delivered by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the World Bank Group and the African Tax Administration Forum.

Source: UNDP

Mauritius / Saudi Arabia

Mauritius and Saudi Arabia strengthen cooperation against corruption

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening cooperation in the prevention and combatting of corruption, money laundering, and related financial crimes was signed recently between the Financial Crimes Commission (FCC) and the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (NAZAHA) of Saudi Arabia. The signing ceremony was held at the FCC Headquarters in Réduit. The agreement was signed by the President of NAZAHA and Head of the Saudi Delegation, Mr Mazin bin Ibrahim Al-Kahmous, and the Director-General of the FCC, Mr Titrudeo Dawoodarry. The signing ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including the Ambassador of Mauritius to Saudi Arabia, Mr Riad Parvez Hullemuth, and the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Mauritius, Mr Fayez Meshel B. Altemyat. The MoU establishes a framework for the exchange of research, studies, information on criminal methodologies and preventive measures, as well as expertise and best practices. It also provides for the organisation of joint training programmes, seminars, conferences, and workshops aimed at enhancing investigative, enforcement, and prosecutorial capacities.

Source: Government of Mauritius

Mozambique

Mozambique eyes regional energy hub status to drive industrialisation: President

Mozambican President Daniel Chapo said recently that the country aims to become a regional energy hub by leveraging its abundant resources to drive industrialisation, economic diversification, and regional integration. Speaking at the Mozambique CEO Summit in the capital, Maputo, President Chapo said Mozambique should not simply export energy and raw materials but instead use them to increase production, processing, employment, and competitiveness. He said the government is combining investment in power generation, transport infrastructure, and development corridors to support industrial growth. Mozambique plans to develop hydropower projects in the Zambezi Valley, including Cahora Bassa, Mphanda Nkuwa, Lupata, and Boroma, while pursuing universal electricity access by 2030. President Chapo said liquefied natural gas projects in the Rovuma Basin, including Coral Sul and Coral Norte, represent a combined investment of about USD50-billion. “The abundance of energy in Mozambique creates the ideal foundation to transform the country into a regional energy hub and a regional digital hub,” he said, citing opportunities to develop data centres and artificial intelligence infrastructure.

Source: Xinhua

Mozambique / Algeria

Mozambique and Algeria project air connection starting in January 2027

The Algerian airline Air Algérie projects regular flights between Algiers and Maputo starting in January 2027 to facilitate the movement of people and stimulate trade, the Mozambican Government announced recently. In a statement, the Ministry of Transport and Logistics notes that the decision results from the agreement signed recently by Minister João Matlombe and the Minister of the Interior, Local Authorities, and Transport of Algeria, Saïd Sayoud, establishing air connections to facilitate the movement of people, stimulate trade, and bring the markets of the two countries closer together. “With this instrument, Mozambique and Algeria have given a new impetus to bilateral cooperation through the signing of the Air Services Agreement, an instrument that opens the way for strengthening connectivity between the two countries, developing transport infrastructure, and creating new cooperation opportunities in the aviation, logistics, and transport sectors,” the document reads. For the Mozambican Government, reinforcing air connectivity and transport infrastructure constitutes a strategic instrument to bring economies closer together, encourage private investment, facilitate trade, and contribute to achieving the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Source: Club of Mozambique

Namibia

Namibia aligns fisheries sector with African standards to improve market access

Namibia is moving to implement harmonised African standards in its fisheries and aquaculture sector to improve export competitiveness, reduce trade barriers and advance economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area, a senior government official said recently. Diina Nashidengo, Director of the Commerce Directorate at the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy, said that harmonised standards are critical to expanding market access and strengthening the country’s quality infrastructure. “Standards are not just a technical requirement; they are identified as an economic driver,” Nashidengo said at an awareness programme on the implementation of harmonised African standards and conformity assessment in fisheries and aquaculture, held in the coastal town of Walvis Bay. “By developing harmonised African standards, we move to dismantle trade barriers,” Nashidengo said, adding that greater alignment would facilitate the mutual recognition of conformity assessment results, reduce delays at border crossings and lower compliance costs for businesses. Namibia's largely export-oriented fisheries sector supplies international and regional markets and remains an important contributor to the country's economy.

Source: Xinhua

Nigeria

Africa’s largest refinery emerges as Nigeria’s biggest defence against rising global fuel prices

Africa’s largest refinery is becoming the dominant force behind petrol pricing in Nigeria, with new market intelligence suggesting it is insulating the country’s fuel market from rising global import costs even as international gasoline prices continue to climb. According to S&P Global Commodity Insights, higher global gasoline prices, rising freight rates and tighter fuel supplies have significantly increased the cost of importing petroleum products into West Africa. Yet domestic petrol prices in Nigeria have remained within what the market intelligence firm described as a commercially sustainable range because of pricing by Africa’s largest refinery. The assessment comes days after the refinery switched domestic petroleum product sales from naira to United States dollars, citing the need to better align its sales with crude oil purchases, many of which are now made in foreign currency following challenges with domestic crude supply. While the move raised concerns that higher international costs could quickly feed into local fuel prices, S&P’s latest assessment suggests the refinery continues to cushion the Nigerian market from those external pressures.

Source: Business Insider Africa

Senegal

World Bank approves USD140-million to improve road connectivity in Senegal’s northern and central agricultural areas

The World Bank has approved a second additional financing of EUR119.6-million, equivalent to USD140-million, for Senegal under the Enhancing Connectivity in the Northern and Central Agricultural Production Areas of Senegal Project. Mobilised through the International Development Association and complemented by a USD2-million contribution from the Government of Senegal, this support brings the project’s total investment to USD470.8-million, directly benefiting about 570 000 people. This financing consolidates the project’s achievements to date, including the construction and upgrading of 414 km of roads with enhanced resilience features and improved access to socioeconomic services for 350 000 people. It will extend these results to two key economic corridors linking Koussanar to Koumpentoum and Tambacounda to Dianké Makha, where agriculture and livestock are the main sources of activity. By facilitating access to production areas, markets, and community infrastructure, the project is expected to foster new job and income opportunities, particularly for youth, women entrepreneurs, and actors in agricultural value chains. Aligned with Senegal Vision 2050 and the National Development Strategy 2025-2029, it supports more inclusive, resilient, and job-creating territorial growth.

Source: World Bank

Senegal / Luxembourg

Senegal’s Senelec lists landmark USD187-million sustainability bond in Luxembourg

Senegal’s state-owned power utility Senelec has listed USD187-million in sustainability-linked bonds on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, marking its debut on an international exchange. The bonds, arranged by securitisation management company BOAD Titrisation and listed simultaneously on the West African regional bourse, Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières, in May, are backed by overdue electricity receivables from public entities, embassies and large corporations transferred to a special purpose vehicle, FCTC Senelec 2025-2030, domiciled in Togo. The transaction carries a dual label combining green bond and sustainability-linked principles, a first for Africa. Global investment manager M&G served as anchor investor, with market access platform Symbiotics subscribing to the guaranteed tranche. Credit guarantee firm GuarantCo provided a guarantee over part of the senior tranche and its mother company, Private Infrastructure Development Group, extended a payment default guarantee of up to USD50-million. Approximately 52.5% of proceeds – around USD98-million – will fund 585 MW of solar power generation and a 329 MW battery energy storage system, supporting reliable electricity access for 1.8 million end users and avoiding an estimated 853 000 tons of CO₂ annually. The remaining portion is linked to measurable targets including reducing transmission network losses and expanding electricity access.

Source: Prospect

Somalia / China

Somalia, China sign duty-free fishery trade deal

Somalia has secured duty-free access for its fishery products to the Chinese market after signing a new trade agreement with China, a move expected to increase exports, support the country’s blue economy and create new jobs across the fisheries sector. The agreement was signed in Mogadishu by Somalia’s Minister of Fisheries and Blue Economy, Ahmed Hassan Aden, and Chinese Ambassador to Somalia Wang Yu. The signing marks a new step in trade relations between the two countries as Somalia seeks to expand access to international markets for its seafood products. According to Somalia’s Ministry of Fisheries, the agreement is expected to increase fish exports while supporting the development of the blue economy and creating employment opportunities across the fisheries value chain. The ministry said the deal will also help strengthen economic cooperation between Somalia and China. Speaking after the signing, Ahmed said the agreement marks an important moment for Somalia’s fisheries sector because local seafood products will now enter the Chinese market without being subjected to import duties. “This is the first time that Somali fishery products have officially gained access to the Chinese market by benefiting from duty-free access, which is expected to increase competitiveness and export opportunities for Somali fishermen and traders,” the minister said.

Source: Radio Dalsan

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe adds freight rail option to lithium export gateway

Zimbabwe’s state-owned railway company said recently its collaboration with private operators now provides capacity to haul lithium concentrate to Maputo port in Mozambique by rail, expanding logistics options for the battery mineral. Africa’s top ‌lithium producer, Zimbabwe, mostly trucks the bulk mineral to port, a more expensive option fraught with logistical bottlenecks. The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) said in a statement it had partnered with Beitbridge Bulawayo Railway (BBR), a unit of South Africa's Grindrod, and Zimbabwean logistics firm Silvergill to send the first 1 000 metric ⁠tons of lithium concentrate from Tsingshan Holding Group's Gwanda Lithium Mine to Maputo. The first 180 km (112 miles) stretch of the consignment would be on BBR’s track between Gwanda and Beitbridge, the NRZ said. The NRZ’s 300 km line then connects Beitbridge and the Chicualacuala border post with Mozambique, the railway said. The Limpopo line, which connects Chicualacuala and Maputo, is about 522 km, making the rail leg from Gwanda to port about 1 000 km long. The NRZ has struggled for years due to ‌under-investment ⁠by the government and has stepped up collaborations with private logistics firms to boost freight volumes which collapsed from a peak of 12 million tons in the 1990s, to 2 million tons in 2025.

Source: Reuters