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China expands space cooperation with African countries amid US aid cuts

China is intensifying its space cooperation with Africa, securing agreements with 23 African countries to fund satellite and ground station projects that collect valuable imagery and data. This effort is part of a broader strategy to boost China’s global influence in space and surpass the United States in technological advancements at a time when Washington […]

Energy Features Headlines

Int’l investors eye Nigeria’s lithium reserves amid global push for green energy transition

Nigeria is attracting increasing international attention for its vast lithium reserves, a critical mineral in the global push for clean energy technologies such as electric vehicles (EVs) and solar panels. As Africa is projected to supply 20% of the world’s lithium by 2030, Nigeria aims to position itself as a key player in this growing […]

Energy Europe Features Headlines International

EU seeks to protect its ties in Africa amid growing geopolitical rivalry with China and Russia

The European Union is confronting significant challenges in maintaining its long-standing ties with Africa, as it faces rising competition from China and Russia in the region, according to experts. While the EU has been Africa’s biggest export market for years, it has lost ground to these emerging powers, particularly in trade and security. In recent […]

Energy Features Headlines

UAE’s $1.4bn investment in Zimbabwe enhances ties as West and China retreat

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has solidified its position as Zimbabwe’s most important partner, surpassing China with a strategic $1.4 billion investment in real estate, gold trading, and other sectors. This partnership, which began gaining momentum in 2022, marks a shift in global economic alliances as Zimbabwe continues to struggle with Western sanctions and a […]

Asia Business Emerging Markets Features Headlines International

India to forge strategic partnership with Africa through support for AfCFTA — experts

As the volume of trade between Africa and India has multiplied in the past 20 to 30 years and India has become the continent’s third largest trading partner after China and the EU, analysts say that the African Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) offers significant opportunities for New Delhi to help the continent realize its vision […]

Africa Asia Business Emerging Markets Headlines International

China pushes its agenda, exploiting Western vacuum in Africa’s Sahel region — analysts

Amid the upheaval in Sahel in the last decade, characterized by a series of military takeovers, growing insecurity and surging anti-Western sentiment, China has seized on the opportunity to expand its military, geopolitical, and economic presence in this volatile region, analysts say. Despite the challenges facing the region, the scramble among major powers for the […]

Americas Asia Business Columns Emerging Markets Europe Headlines International Morocco

Economic void left by EU-Morocco trade ties, to be filled by US, Russia and China- Washington Institute paper

The Washington Institute for Near east Policy warned that the EU’s decision to annul fisheries and agriculture deals, will push Rabat to foster commercial ties with the US, Russia, and China. The EU issued a politically-motivated verdict annulling fisheries and agricultural trade deals with Morocco because they included products originating from the Sahara territory. The […]

Asia Features Headlines International

China’s FM on ‘charm offensive’ in Africa amid changing geopolitical realities

China’s top diplomat has embarked on his traditional New Year tour of Africa that will take him to Namibia, the Republic of Congo, Chad, and Nigeria, aiming to further advance Beijing’s already sizable influence across the resource-rich continent amid dwindling Western influence. The week-long tour by China’s foreign minister Wang Yi marks 35 consecutive years […]

Asia Emerging Markets Headlines International Morocco

China grants Moroccan scientist Rachid Yazami lithium batteries patent

Moroccan scientist Rachid Yazami has recently been granted a new patent in China for his method of rapidly charging lithium batteries, particularly for electric vehicles. “Proud to share that after Japan last February, it’s now China’s turn to grant us a patent for the fast battery charging method, particularly for future electric cars,” Yazami posted […]

Africa Americas Features Headlines International

Joe Biden touches down in Africa on last-ditch trip to counterbalance China, Russia

Outgoing US president Joe Biden arrived in Angola on Monday (2 December) for his long-awaited inaugural presidential visit to the continent and also the first-ever visit by a sitting US head of state to the oil-rich southern African country. On his way to the African continent, Biden stopped in the Atlantic Ocean island nation of […]