Egypt Approves New Oil and Gas Free Zone in New Alamein to Boost Petroleum Trading Egypt has approved the establishment of a new special free zone in New Alamein City dedicated to the storage and trading of crude oil and petroleum products. The zone will be operated by Fujairah Alamein Oil and Gas Company, an Egyptian Emirati joint-stock company, under Cabinet Resolution No. 65 of 2026. The facility will cover approximately 738,000 square metres in
Angola to Showcase Critical Minerals Investment Opportunities at Africa Down Under 2026 in Australia Angola is set to take centre stage at the 24th Africa Down Under Mining Sector Conference in Perth, Western Australia, with the country hosting a high-level panel focused on investment and development opportunities in the critical minerals sector. The panel will form part of the inaugural Australia-Angola Business Forum, scheduled for September 3 during “Angola Day” at Africa Down Under. The
Zambia Approves $971.5 Million in Energy Projects Amid Power Deficit Zambia’s Energy Regulation Board (ERB) has approved energy-sector investments worth approximately ZMW18.4 billion ($971.5 million), covering electricity, renewable energy and downstream petroleum activities. The approvals include 23 licences, 20 construction permits and additional licence inclusions, marking a significant expansion of investment activity across Zambia’s energy sector. The authorised projects cover renewable energy equipment manufacturing and supply, petroleum transportation and distribution, lubricant imports and blending, as
Botswana’s 2,488-Carat Motswedi Diamond Sold After 20 Years Without a Buyer Botswana’s 2,488-carat Motswedi diamond, one of the largest gem-quality diamonds ever discovered, has finally found a buyer nearly two decades after it was recovered. The exceptional stone was discovered in 2005 at the Jwaneng diamond mine, one of the world’s most significant diamond operations. Despite its extraordinary size, the diamond remained unsold for almost 20 years as potential buyers were reportedly unable to agree
AfDB Approves $265 Million for Zambia’s Lobito Corridor Railway Project The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved $265 million to support Zambia’s participation in the Lobito Integrated Economic Corridor, advancing plans to establish a direct railway connection between Zambia and Angola. The financing comprises a $255 million loan from the African Development Fund and a $10 million grant from the Rome Process/Mattei Plan Financing Facility. The funding will support the first phase of Zambia’s
Angola’s Diamond Industry Assesses Market Conditions as Global Demand and Prices Evolve Representatives from Angola’s mining companies, the Geological Institute of Angola, the Angolan Diamond Laboratory and other industry institutions have met in Dundo, Lunda Norte, to assess developments in the country’s diamond market. The discussions focused on current market conditions and the factors affecting the performance of Angola’s diamond industry. Industry stakeholders reviewed developments across the diamond value chain as producers and other market
Angola Seeks Logistics Transformation to Improve Food Security and Agricultural Distribution Angola’s Minister of Transport, Ricardo de Abreu, has called for a structural transformation of the country’s logistics system to strengthen food security and improve the distribution of agricultural products. Speaking in Luanda, the minister said Angola needs a more integrated and efficient logistics network capable of connecting agricultural production areas with major consumption centres and markets. He highlighted the importance of improving transport infrastructure
Angola Opens Sixth Diamond-Cutting Factory as Saurimo Strengthens Its Position as a Diamond Processing Hub Angola has strengthened its domestic diamond-processing industry with the inauguration of a new diamond-cutting factory in Saurimo, Lunda Sul Province, bringing the number of operational cutting facilities at the Saurimo Diamond Development Hub to six. The new facility, operated by Diarough Angola, was officially opened by Minister of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas Diamantino Azevedo on Saturday, marking another step
Niger Plans $1.9 Billion Refinery as Country Targets West African Energy Hub Status Niger is planning a $1.9 billion oil refinery and associated petrochemical complex as part of efforts to expand its domestic refining capacity, increase value from its crude resources and strengthen its position in West Africa’s energy market. The proposed development would significantly expand Niger’s ability to process crude oil locally, reducing reliance on imported refined petroleum products while creating opportunities to supply
Uganda Energises 24 MWp Ituka Solar Plant as West Nile Gains New Grid Power Uganda has taken a major step towards expanding renewable electricity supply in the West Nile region after the 24 MWp Ituka Solar PV project was energised and began feeding initial power into the national grid. Developed by AMEA Power through its subsidiary Ituka West Nile Uganda Limited, the project is located in Madi Okollo District and is expected to become the
