Africa

El Nino could cause cocoa prices to rise by several thousand pounds per metric tonne, according to the chief executive of Barry Callebaut, one of 'the world's leading cocoa processors. El Nino, an 'climatic pattern that can increase temperatures and increase risk of extreme weather conditions, could reduce the yields of crops, including cocoa. This would limit supply and push up prices. Hein Schumacher, CEO of Hein Schumacher, said in a press conference that the prices shouldn't jump as much as they did over the past couple of years. London cocoa futures are trading at PS2,944 per ton ($3,964), down...

Early trading on Monday saw oil prices rise by more than 2 percent after Israel ordered troops to advance further into Lebanon, in the midst of a battle against Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militant group. This was despite a ceasefire that had been announced more than six weeks earlier. U.S. crude?futures?rose by $2.37, or 2.71%, to $89.73 per barrel as of 0028 GMT. Brent futures increased $2.16, or 2.37%, to $93.28 per barrel. This increased fighting came just days after the U.S. held Israeli-Lebanon talks in Washington, and dimmed expectations of a U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement extension. Brent and WTI had both...

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Nigerian president, said that his economic reforms had stabilised the nation and re-invigorated investor confidence despite a severe cost-of-living pinch on households three years after he assumed office. Tinubu is running for re-election in January and cited the near fivefold increase in stock prices to a record level of 250,000 points. He also cited an increased market capitalisation, as well as a rise in infrastructure spending. This included more than 2,700 km (1.678 miles), worth over $2 billion, on roads that are under construction or rehabilitation. Tinubu’s reforms – scrapping an expensive petrol subsidy, reducing electricity...

Data from trade sources shows that Indian refiners have turned to imports of?lubricants from Latin America and Africa, after Middle East supplies were disrupted by the Israeli-U.S. War on Iran. The world's third largest oil importer and user bought the majority of its crude oil from the Middle East before the war began at the end February. Kpler's preliminary data shows that Indian refiners increased their imports of Venezuelan oil in April and may to cover the shortfall. They also continued to purchase Russian oil. India stopped buying oil from Iraq last month as the exports had been halted. It...

According to court documents, Nigeria's state 'oil' firm NNPC accused Dangote 'Petroleum 'Refinery' of trying to limit competition and expose Nigeria's fuel markets to monopoly by challenging import licenses issued to competitors. In a defense filed before the Federal High Court of Lagos, NNPC stated that granting Dangote’s request?to void import permits or restrict them would expose Africa’s largest oil producer?to supply disruptions, price instabilities?and risk to national energy security. The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority has filed a request to?join in the case. This will increase the legal battle regarding import policy and the market position of...

Senegal could see its fuel subsidy bill exceed the budget for 2026 by as much as $115 per barrel if oil prices rise during the Iran War, said Finance Minister Cheikh Diba on Friday. Premier Ousmane sonko stated that this level would represent a fifth or less of the budget. Diba said that the prime minister turned down his request to increase fuel prices in order to share the financial burden with him when the Iran Crisis erupted and oil prices soared. Senegal’s $40 billion economy is in turmoil since the end of 2024 when the newly-elected government revealed debts...

Valdis Dombrovskis, EU Economy Commissioner, said that the extension of a waiver for Russian sanctions showed that 'G7 members are not always in agreement. Dombrovskis stated that the G7 was a forum to discuss and cooperate with like-minded allies. He said, "But, well... we're not always 100% in agreement on everything. This is unfortunately one of those topics." He praised, however, the joint statement after the G7 meeting. It was said to be a positive outcome of the meeting between the central bank governors and finance ministers. Dombrovskis stated that he was reassured by the United States, who said that...

S&P, the credit rating agency, upgraded Nigeria's long term sovereign rating from "B-" to "B" on Friday citing improved creditworthiness. The agency stated that higher oil prices and production, an increase in domestic refining capacity, and the decision to liberalize exchange rates by 2023 will boost Nigeria's economy and improve the balance of payments. It also revised Nigeria's outlook from "positive" to "stable". The World Bank said in April that it expected Nigeria's economic growth to be about 4.2% in 2026, despite the Iran War, and encouraged authorities to conserve windfalls from higher oil prices, to maintain a tight monetary...

Nigeria's pensions regulator has granted fund managers a "special waiver" to invest in the planned initial public offering of?Dangote Oil?Refinery. This is an unusual policy change aimed at supporting a key asset for the country. A circular dated May 13 stated that the National Pension Commission would suspend eligibility criteria, such as "profitability" and a track record of dividends which typically govern how pension funds allocate their assets. The move is part of an broader effort to channel domestic long-term?capital towards large industrial projects viewed as?vital for growth and energy security. PenCom stated that the decision was made after a...

Masoud Suleman, chairman of the National Oil Corporation in London, told reporters that Libya plans to restart its 220,000 barrels-per-day Ras Lanuf refinery within six to twelve months to supply the domestic market. Since 2013, the refinery, Libya’s largest, was idle due to an arbitration dispute between Trasta and NOC, its Emirati partner. NOC announced on Monday that it had signed an agreement to end the partnership with Trasta, and transfer full control of the Ras Lanuf refinery and complex to Libyans. Suleman said that the budget for the restart was already allocated. He added that NOC had the necessary...

Bola Tinubu, the President of Nigeria, said that Nigeria will spend $11.6 billion in 2026 servicing its debt, which is nearly half of the projected revenue for government. He called for a reform to a global financial structure he claimed penalized African borrowers. He said that debt-servicing costs were crowding out expenditures on infrastructure, health care and education despite the government's tax reform aimed at increasing revenues in Africa’s most populous nation. Data from the Debt Management Office shows that Nigeria will spend $5.15 billion servicing debt by?2025. Tinubu, speaking at the Africa Forward Summit, held in Nairobi on Tuesday,...

The U.S. Air Force has yet to answer Maryland's congressional delegation about the delay in notifying them of a fuel spill from Andrews Air Force Base. Maryland lawmakers say they have yet to receive a response from Defense Department following a letter they sent earlier this week asking for answers regarding a fuel spill into Piscataway Creek, Prince George's County. They were notified of the incident on March 23 - two months after it occurred. About 22,000 gallons were released into the environment contaminating soils, and Piscataway Creek. The delegation, with the exception of Republican Congressman Andy Harris said that...

A spokesperson said that Barrick Mining has increased Ebola preventions at its gold mine in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. This includes worker screenings and tracking after an outbreak occurred in a neighboring province. Ebola is a deadly virus that spreads through bodily fluids. It was first detected in Congo's Ituri Province in early May, but the outbreak can be traced back to late April. Officials confirm that 131 people have died, but say the death toll could be much higher. A Barrick spokesperson confirmed that preventive measures are being taken at the Kibali mine in Haut-Uele, a neighbouring...

Zambia's ZCCM IH, the state investment company, announced a joint venture on Monday with Mining Mineral Resources in order to explore and mine gold. The copper-producing African country is looking to diversify its mine sector. ZCCM Investments Holdings announced in a statement that Kyalo Goldfields Limited was formed on May 6, to explore, develop, and mine gold in the Kikonge Mining Area of?Zambia’s North Western Province. KGL said it would support the formalisation?of artisanal and small-scale mining in the region to ensure safe and regulated gold production. It will also enhance processing capabilities to increase value retention within Zambia. ZCCM...

The CEO of Valterra Platinum in South Africa said that despite the uncertainty caused by the U.S./Israeli war against 'Iran', they were able to maintain healthy stock levels for critical operational inputs such as diesel, lubricants and other 'critical' items. It is essential that mines have a stable supply of lubricants, explosives and diesel. These disruptions, especially during geopolitical tensions which can disrupt global fuel supplies, can lead to operational delays and higher costs. Craig Miller said on the sidelines London Platinum Week that he had engaged with his local suppliers extensively to ensure they were supplying enough diesel, lubricants...

Fuel marketers in Nigeria have protested against a suit filed by Dangote Petroleum Refinery to invalidate import licenses. They warned that the move could disrupt supply and competition in Africa's biggest oil market. Dangote filed a new suit last week against the Nigerian Government, reporting, challenging permits granted to marketers and to state oil firm NNPC for imports of refined products. He argued that these permits undermine Dangote’s $20 billion refinery?and risk entrenching efficiencies. The refinery had previously asked for limits on imports. It claimed that it could meet the domestic demand. The Depot and Petroleum Product Marketers Association (DAPPMAN),...

Rwanda's Trinity Metals plans to list on an international exchange in order to raise between $100 and $200 million as it expands its tin and tungsten mines, and moves forward with what could be one of the top lithium deposits in the world, according to its CEO. The soaring demand for metals known as 3T, which are used in electronic, defence, and energy supply chain, is driving a move toward traceable non-Chinese suppliers, bringing Rwanda's 3T mine belt near the Democratic Republic of Congo into sharper focus. Trinity has consolidated three undercapitalised properties in 2022, the Nyakabingo mine for tungsten,...

A joint report by the government and civil society revealed that Nigeria is losing vast amounts of mineral revenue to illegal trading networks, which are dominated by shell companies, foreign buyers, and armed criminals groups. This highlights the extent of illicit activity. The report was produced by Nigeria's extractive industry watchdog NEITI and Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice with UK government funding. It found that illicit financial flow in the mining sector occurs through commercial manipulation, corrupt officials, and cross-border smuggling. Nigeria's mining industry contributed only 0.72% of GDP in 2023, 0.28% of revenue, and 0.75% % of...

Kakenenwa muyangwa, the CEO of ZCCM Investments Holdings, said that ZCCM Investments Holdings was keen to increase its stakes in mining assets, but only on a commercial basis and not by forcing sales. African nations are making efforts to increase their share of the revenue generated by the region's natural resources, especially as new investments are being made due to global demand for vital minerals. ZCCM has stakes as low as 10%, in mines owned by China Nonferrous Metal Mining Group and Canada's First Quantum Minerals. Muyangwa said on Thursday that there was a clear intention to increase our stakes...

Court documents obtained by us show that Dangote Petroleum Refinery filed a new lawsuit in Nigeria against the attorney general to challenge fuel import 'licences' issued to NNPC and NNPC-owned marketers. This case marks a return of tensions nearly a year after Dangote withdrawn an earlier lawsuit that challenged similar licences. This case was filed to invalidate import permits issued to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) and to several traders. The 'new filing' asks the Federal High Court of Lagos to'set aside import permits that were issued or renewed by Nigerian Midstream & Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), arguing...

Three sources claim that the largest contractor of Barrick Mining’s Loulo-Gounkoto Gold Complex in Mali has closed operations and laid off more than 600 employees. This is a new sign the Canadian miner wants to reduce its exposure to high-risk assets. Sources familiar with the situation said that the move was prompted by a sluggish investment and production at the complex. Barrick had taken control of the complex from Malian administrators after a standoff over taxes and ownership. First and second sources said Barrick did not intend to renew its contract with Gounkoto Mining Services in 2026. They added that...

South Africa's?Gold?Fields?expects that its costs will increase, as the Iran War has pushed up prices for inputs like fuel and explosives. The forecast impact, assuming $100 oil per barrel on a portfolio basis, is between 40 and $50 per ounce, it said. Gold Fields has not changed its cost guidance for this year. However, it says that measures such as fuel-efficient and high-capacity transport systems? at its mines should contain costs. Diesel, the company's biggest cost, has increased by as much as 70%. Freight costs rose by 40%, and the price of liquefied gas, used to power Gold Fields' remote...

Thyssenkrupp announced on Saturday that it had 'paused' talks with India's Jindal Steel International about a potential'sale' of the 'German industrial group's' steel unit. This is a setback to CEO Miguel Lopez’s restructuring efforts. Reports in March indicated that discussions may be canceled due to disagreements over pension liabilities, investments, and energy costs. Four people who are familiar with the issue were cited. Jindal Steel International made a bid indicative?for Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe in the past year. This led to months of due diligence, and negotiations on a possible purchase of Europe's?second-largest steelmaker. Thyssenkrupp stated that "the?original assumptions, and prerequisites...

Official data released on Tuesday showed that Guinea's bauxite production grew by 25% in the first quarter of 2026. This was largely due to Chinese demand. The government is planning export restrictions to protect smaller producers and boost prices. Guinea is the largest exporter in the world of bauxite - a major feedstock for aluminum - and has experienced a strong growth rate. In 2025, Guinea's bauxite output reached 183 million tons. Mines Minister Bouna Sylla told ? In March, Mines Minister Bouna Sylla told? Guinea exports more than 70% of its bauxite to China. This makes the West African...