African markets and business updates

By Herbert Mensah, President of Rugby Africa ( www.RugbyAfrique.com ) and Chair of World Rugby’s Regions. As we celebrate Africa Day under the theme “63 Years of Unity, Integration and Development,” a question emerges: are unity and integration translating into clear outcomes across the world? When investment, capacity, and infrastructure remain uneven, shared systems cannot produce shared growth outcomes. As President of Rugby Africa, I see this reality up close.…

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has triggered a major spike in prices for LPG, a key clean cooking fuel in parts of Africa.

Independent oil and gas company Trident Energy is making a strong play for the Republic of Congo’s mature oilfields following its acquisition of strategic stakes in the Nkossa, Nsoko II, Lianzi and Moho-Bilondo oilfields in 2025. The transaction signaled an expansion of its Central African energy strategy, centered around reversing production decline at ageing assets, enhancing cost efficiency and advancing local content across oilfield operations in key markets such as Equatorial Guinea.…

Delays in mobilising resources and scaling up the response to the ongoing Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak could lead to wider regional transmission and greater loss of life, African leaders and global health partners warned on Tuesday. The warning comes amid indications that the outbreak affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda could become the second-largest Ebola outbreak after the 2014 West Africa epidemic that impacted several countries.…

The Office of the President has today announced the appointment of Ms Francoise Mein as the Chief Executive Officer of the Careers and Further Education Agency. Ms Mein holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Warwick, United Kingdom. She has also undertaken professional development in Strategic Policy Planning, Talent Acquisition and Leadership Development, and Human Resource Development through recognised international institutions. Ms Mein brings over 33 years of professional experience in education…

African Leadership Magazine ( www.AfricanLeadershipMagazine.co.uk ) today announced the winners of the 16th African Business Leadership Awards (ABLA) 2026. The announcement follows the successful completion of a rigorous four-stage, points-based selection and evaluation process involving public nominations, editorial screening, global public voting, and a final assessment based on verifiable institutional and leadership impact.…

The President of the Republic of Seychelles, Dr Patrick Herminie, today received the Letters of Credence of H.E. Mr. Lars Håkan Åkesson as Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden to the Republic of Seychelles during an accreditation ceremony held at the Salon de Gouverneur at State House this morning. Following the ceremony, the President and Ambassador Åkesson held discussions on the longstanding diplomatic relations and historical cooperation between the two countries since 1979.…

Continuing his official engagements on Praslin, President of the Republic of Seychelles, Dr Patrick Herminie, proceeded to the new Baie St Anne Jetty, where he was presented with detailed site plans outlining the proposed future development of the jetty and its surrounding infrastructure. During the visit, Chief Executive Officer of the Seychelles Ports Authority, Mr Pierre Prosper and officials, briefed the President on the planned redevelopment works and key considerations aimed at improving operations…

As global power dynamics shift and competition for resources intensifies, Africa is emerging as a strategic economic partner rather than a peripheral player. From critical minerals to infrastructure and energy, five key sectors are poised to benefit as the continent leverages its growing geopolitical importance to attract investment and reshape its role in the global economy.

In the Republic of Congo’s offshore energy sector, where debates around local content have often centered on compliance thresholds and regulatory minimums, Ammat Global Resources is presenting a different approach. The independent upstream operator has built a workforce model in which 80-85% of all roles – including executive leadership, engineering and asset management – are held by Congolese nationals.…