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Friday, 13 February 2026: In the State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday 12 February 2026, President Cyril Ramaphosa directed that the establishment of a fully independent state-owned transmission (TSO) entity will have ownership and control of transmission assets and be responsible for operating the electricity market. Eskom will fully support the task team...
RS Group plc (LSE: RS1) (https://Africa.RSDelivers.com), a high-service global product and service solutions provider for industrial customers, today announces a new three-year partnership with international development charity SolarAid. Together, RS Group and SolarAid aim to raise £1 million to deliver clean, safe solar lights to 150,000 people living in rural communities across Africa without access to electricity.
The partnership forms a central part of RS Group's 2030 ESG action plan and champions the shared ambition to “make amazing happen for a brighter world.” By combining corporate donations, matched funding, RS PRO product contributions, employee fundraising, and gifts in kind, RS Group will help accelerate SolarAid's mission to create thriving solar businesses that tackle poverty and climate change.
Just one solar light benefits every member of the household leading to a 90% reduction in kerosene, candles or torches, with a 95% saving on their energy spend and enabling a child to study safely for the first time after sunset. It also reduces carbon emissions in the transition to renewable energy. A paraffin candle emits three times its weight in CO2 and a kerosene lamp emits over a tonne of carbon over 3 years.
Employee engagement at the heart of the partnership
RS and SolarAid are closely aligned as providers of products and solutions that support the low-carbon transition with a focus on renewables. As a leader in industrial MRO services, the RS team's expertise will directly support SolarAid's global and local repair programmes, helping build a circular solar economy in off-grid communities. RS employees worldwide will be encouraged to get involved through skills-based volunteering, fundraising challenges, and awareness-raising activities. Planned initiatives include:
RS employees are entitled to two annual volunteering days, and the company aims to inspire 50% of colleagues to use this time to support their communities and the SolarAid partnership.
Bridging ambition with proven impact
SolarAid's recent remarkable achievement in Kasakula, Malawi underscores the partnership's potential. On 26 August 2025, 100% of households, all local schools, and the health clinic in Kasakula gained solar access through the Light a Village initiative—highlighting what's possible when communities, charities, and partners align around a bold, shared goal.
A brighter future through collaboration
Andrea Barrett, Chief Sustainability Officer at RS Group, said “We are proud to partner with SolarAid on this important mission. Access to clean, safe solar light is a powerful catalyst for education, safety, and opportunity. By combining the passion of our people with the innovation of our customers and suppliers, we can make amazing happen for communities that need it most. The success in Kasakula is a living proof point: achieving 100% access in one of the world's poorest and most remote regions shows that universal energy access is not just achievable, but scalable.”
John Keane, CEO of SolarAid, said,“We are delighted to be working in partnership with RS Group. From the very start our shared purpose and alignment has been clear. Like RS Group, we strive to innovate the best solutions for our customers, so that we can deliver sustainable energy access. We are incredibly excited by the huge opportunity we have together, to progress our mission and bring clean, safe light and power to those living in the most remote, hardest to reach communities. Together, we really will make amazing happen for a brighter world”.
Driving long-term impact
The partnership builds on RS Group's track record of impactful collaborations, including raising nearly £1 million for The Washing Machine Project since 2020. By focusing on engagement opportunities for employees, customers, and suppliers, RS Group and SolarAid aim to create a movement of shared purpose and innovation. To amplify the collective impact, RS Group will match donations and funds raised by employees, further reinforcing its commitment to empowering communities.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of RS South Africa.
PR Agency Contact:
rssouthafrica@ngage.co.za
Social Media:
LinkedIn: RS South Africa (https://apo-opa.co/4kvT1N8)
SolarAid: @ SolarAid
About RS Group:
RS is a high-service global product and service solutions provider for industrial customers, enabling them to operate efficiently and sustainably.
We operate in 36 markets, stock over 800,000 industrial and specialist products and list an additional five million relevant for our industrial customers, sourced from over 2,500 suppliers. This extensive range supports our customers across the industrial lifecycle of designing, building and maintaining equipment and operations. We enhance their experience through a tailored service model, leveraging our efficient physical, digital and process infrastructure sustainably. We combine a technically led and digitally enabled approach with an exceptional team of experts; ultimately, it's our people that make the difference.
Our purpose, making amazing happen for a better world, reflects our focus on delivering results for people, planet and profit.
RS Group plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange with stock ticker RS1 and in the year ended 31 March 2025 reported revenue of £2,904 million.
For more information, please visit: www.RSGroup.com
Website: https://Africa.RSDelivers.com
About SolarAid:
Established in 2006, SolarAid is a UK based, international charity dedicated to bringing solar power to rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa. Together with their social enterprise, SunnyMoney, they are pioneering innovative enterprise programmes that tackles poverty and climate change by providing access to clean, safe solar light to homes, clinics and schools. To date, SolarAid have distributed 2.3 million lights across sub-Saharan Africa.
Ahead of the State of the Nation Address and the upcoming Africa's Green Economy Summit (AGES), the National Business Initiative (NBI) has issued a compelling call for a decisive shift in how South Africa addresses its most pressing challenges. NBI CEO Shameela Soobramoney asserts that the nation's parallel crises in water security, energy reliability and climate resilience constitute an interconnected "triple threat" to economic stability, urging for an immediate transition from planning to execution through a structured national "delivery compact."
Soobramoney argues that the country must dismantle the perceived trade-off between environment and economy. "Environmental sustainability and economic progress are not mutually exclusive; they are interdependent," she states. "The persistent narrative that green priorities hinder growth is an unnecessary diversion. Our immediate task is to create policy and strategic coherence which allows for the certainty needed to turn existing plans into bankable projects and attract investment. We need to entrench the understanding around the risks to economy and society and consider them as systemically integrated. The upcoming Africa's Green Economy Summit is a key moment to signal our readiness to lead, not just participate."
Water, energy and climate: The triple threat to economic foundations
The NBI positions the protection of nature, climate adaptation and mitigation as central elements of the national economic strategy. Framing these risks as merely environmental issues has pushed them to the margins of planning. "We are facing a systemic economic risk," Soobramoney explains. "Water scarcity paralyses supply chains. Energy instability devastates productivity. Climate disasters create massive fiscal shocks. Together, they form a triple threat that increases costs, stifles growth and entrenches inequality, directly undermining our economic foundation and social contract."
A call for a practical national "delivery compact"
The solution proposed is a focused, accountable partnership model. "We have enough forums for discussion; what we need now is a national delivery compact," Soobramoney asserts. This compact would target specific, measurable outcomes, such as achieving defined water security and energy reliability benchmarks. We have already seen some examples of how this can yield results in actions such as the business-government partnership which supported Operation Vulindlela.These should be built on three pillars: transparent, shared data and shared understanding of the challenge; clear lines of accountability; and genuine co-implementation between public and private sectors. "SONA must signal this critical shift from siloed plans to coordinated delivery. This is the single most powerful action to enhance confidence, both domestically and for the international investors gathering at AGES this month."
A credible transition: Balancing energy security and decarbonisation
The NBI emphasises that South Africa's transition must be credible, pragmatic and economically grounded. The rapid expansion of renewable energy is essential, and the same time the country mustensure energy reliability during the transition, including the continued role of existing generation capacity in the near term. “The transition is not about switching off the current system overnight. It is about building the new system fast enough while stabilising the one we have.”
A decisive transition pathway must acknowledge the realities of the current energy system. In the near term, responsibly managing existing generation capacity - including fossil-fuel assets - is essential to protect economic stability, while reforms accelerate the shift to a cleaner, more competitive, affordable and future-fit electricity market based on clear business cases and transparent cost understanding.
Tangible signals to unlock green investment and competitiveness
To secure South Africa's position in the future green economy, Soobramoney identifies non-negotiable actions. These include finalising the creation of an independent national transmission company and competitive electricity market, announcing clear renewable energy generation targets and actively leveraging the country's mineral and industrial base to build local manufacturing capacity for electric vehicles and components. "We have the strategic assets. What we require is the policy certainty, targeted incentives, and execution speed to transform them into jobs and decent earning opportunities, investment and export competitiveness. Clarity from SONA will directly shape the conversations and investment decisions at the Green Economy Summit."
Effective service delivery is the cornerstone of justice and stability
There is a link between effective governance and national well-being. " Failure to deliver basic services is an injustice that destroys trust and accelerates economic decline," says Soobramoney. "Building a resilient future is not a political choice; it is an operational imperative. Our collective focus must be on building enduring partnerships and state capability to deliver tangible results for all citizens.We are at a defining moment as a country and as a globe. Setting a solid foundation for growth and the realisation of the enormous potential and our natural assets positions us to be able to respond to and in many cases, lead, in sustainable growth and development."
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.
Additional Links:
https://apo-opa.co/4twNutT
https://apo-opa.co/4665EbT
About Africa's Green Economy Summit (AGES):
Africa's Green Economy Summit (AGES) is a premier pan-African platform dedicated to accelerating Africa's transition to a sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient economy. Hosted by VUKA Group, AGES brings together policymakers, investors, project developers, innovators, and business leaders to unlock green finance, scale bankable projects, and drive actionable solutions across energy, mobility, infrastructure, agriculture, water, waste, and the blue economy. Through high-level content, deal-making opportunities, and strategic networking, AGES turns ambition into action for Africa's green future.
About the National Business Initiative (NBI):
For 30 years, the National Business Initiative (NBI) has brought together leading South African and multinational companies to advance sustainable and inclusive economic growth. Working at the intersection of business, government and society, the NBI translates policy into implementation through strategic partnerships, thought leadership and catalytic projects that tackle systemic national challenges.
In a successful first, the Emirates Airline Foundation and Emirates Auction have raised AED 8.8 million (USD 2.4 million) to advance humanitarian programmes for underprivileged children worldwide, including ongoing initiatives in South Africa focused on early childhood education and HIV/AIDS support.
In South Africa, the Foundation collaborates with:
The auction ran from 17 December 2025 to 17 January 2026 and attracted over 900 bids from participants across 131 countries. Seven rare Emirates Skywards membership numbers with Platinum tier status benefits were offered to bidders globally, with the highest single bid reaching AED 1.6 million over the one-month bidding period. Two bidders secured 20-year Platinum memberships, while five others won 15-year memberships. Top bidders hailed from the UAE, UK, India, United States, Pakistan, France, Germany, Egypt and Thailand, among other countries.
Funds raised will enable the Foundation to launch new projects, while expanding support for the children and communities already benefiting from its existing programmes in collaboration with 14 NGOs across nine countries, including three on the African continent: South Africa, Kenya, and Zimbabwe.
Following the success of the initiative, the Emirates Airline Foundation and Emirates Auction will continue to hold annual auction events, creating an ongoing opportunity for supporters worldwide to contribute to the Foundation's mission.
Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline and Chairman of the Emirates Airline Foundation said: "When we brought this initiative to life in December, we were guided by a simple objective to look at new, innovative ways to grow the Foundation's humanitarian work and impact. What made this initiative so compelling wasn't just the exclusivity of the membership numbers, but the value and prestige that comes with Platinum status. Bidders recognised that, and they showed up. The response was extraordinary, and a testament to the generosity of our global community of Skywards members and bidders.
The proceeds will allow us to do more, partner with more organisations, reach new communities, and strengthen the programmes already changing the lives of hundreds of children across India, the Philippines, Brazil, Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and beyond. For the children at the heart of our work, this generosity will make a real and lasting difference.
We are proud to continue our partnership with Emirates Auction as an annual initiative, giving supporters around the world a meaningful way to contribute while receiving something of real value in return, proving that loyalty and generosity can work hand in hand.
To everyone who participated: thank you. Your contribution will reach further than you know."
Meanwhile, Abdullah Matar Al Mannai, Chairman and Managing Director of Emirates Auction, said: “We are pleased with the outstanding results achieved by this auction, which demonstrate what can be accomplished when purpose, innovation, and collaboration come together. At Emirates Auction, supporting charitable and humanitarian initiatives has always been a core part of our mission, particularly when it comes to national institutions with a global humanitarian outlook such as the Emirates Airline Foundation.”
Al Mannai added: “We are proud to have played a role in the success of this initiative and to have dedicated our expertise, platforms, and teams to ensuring the auction delivered the expected impact. The strong partnership between Emirates Airline and Emirates Auction demonstrates a shared commitment to giving back and to translating value into real, lasting change for communities in need. We look forward to building on this success and continuing our collaboration in the years ahead, as we work together to achieve greater impact and advance humanitarian causes that extend far beyond our borders.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Emirates Group.
About the Emirates Airline Foundation:
Operating under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the Emirates Airline Foundation is Emirates' official charity arm, providing vulnerable children with housing, healthcare, nutrition, education, and vocational support. Funded by Emirates customers and employees, the Foundation has completed 50+ projects, with nearly all donations going directly to programmes.
Current Projects (14 NGOs across 9 countries):
About Emirates Auction:
Emirates Auction LLC is the UAE's leading auction house and a pioneer in the region's asset auction industry. Established in 2004, the company has built a reputation for innovation, transparency, and operational excellence across a wide range of auction categories, including vehicles, real estate, distinctive number plates, exclusive watches, medical equipment, industrial assets, and charitable auctions.
Through its advanced digital platforms and extensive nationwide presence, Emirates Auction enables thousands of bidders to participate in real time from anywhere in the world. The company holds multiple Guinness World Records for record-breaking sales of high-value assets, real estate, and marine vessels, reinforcing its position as a global leader in premium and high-profile auctions.
Emirates Auction partners with leading government institutions, private sector organizations, and charitable foundations to advance initiatives that promote sustainability, innovation, and social development across the UAE.
With a shared commitment to excellence and social responsibility, Emirates Auction continues to collaborate with national institutions such as the Emirates Airline Foundation to create meaningful opportunities that benefit the wider community and reflect the UAE's enduring spirit of leadership and generosity.
Tata launched in South Africa in August last year with a four-model line-up and an extensive dealer network, which has now grown to a total of 45 dealers across South Africa. Tata will continue to expand through a specialised and strategic network growth, notably with the introduction of three more dealers in February. “The introduction …
Bargaining council alleges that pay is below minimum wage and workers endure appalling conditions
Gabon has taken a significant step toward strengthening its mining sector by signing a new collaboration agreement between the Ministry of Mines and Geological Resources of Gabon (www.Mines.Gouv.ga) and South Africa's Council for Geoscience. The partnership is designed to enhance geological research, build technical capacity, and accelerate the sustainable development of Gabon's mineral resources.
The agreement reflects Gabon's broader strategy to diversify its economy and unlock the full commercial potential of its mining industry. While the country is widely known for its oil production, it also possesses significant untapped deposits of iron ore, manganese, gold, and other strategic minerals. By collaborating with one of Africa's leading geoscience institutions, Gabon aims to modernize its geological knowledge base and strengthen the institutional foundations of its mining sector.
At the core of the agreement is a commitment to conduct comprehensive geological assessments across Gabon to identify new potential. The Council for Geoscience will work alongside Gabonese experts to review existing geological data, carry out new surveys where necessary, and develop updated resource maps. These efforts are expected to provide a clearer picture of Gabon's mineral endowment and help the government design more effective strategies for resource commercialization. The agreement was signed in Cape Town by Mr Alain Manzanza, Director General of Geology in the Ministry of Mines of Gabon and Mr Mosa Mabuza, CEO of the Council of geoscience South Africa under the watchful eyes of HE Sosthene Nguema Nguema, minister of Mines and Geological Resources of Gabon and HE Rod Rembendambya Gabon's ambassador to South Africa.
Another key pillar of the partnership is capacity building. The agreement includes provisions for training programs, technical exchanges, and joint research initiatives aimed at developing the skills of Gabonese mining professionals. Through workshops, internships, and collaborative projects, Gabonese geologists and engineers will gain exposure to advanced exploration techniques and international best practices in mineral resource management.
Minister Nguema Nguema emphasized that the partnership is not limited to technical cooperation. It is also intended to strengthen economic ties between Gabon and South Africa by encouraging South African mining companies to explore investment opportunities in Gabon. By improving geological transparency and regulatory capacity, the agreement is expected to make Gabon a more attractive destination for foreign investment in the mining sector.
Environmental and technological standards form another important dimension of the collaboration. Both parties have committed to sharing knowledge on modern mining technologies and evolving environmental regulations. This includes promoting responsible mining practices, improving environmental monitoring, and integrating sustainability considerations into project planning. Such measures are increasingly important as global investors place greater emphasis on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards.
The agreement also aligns with regional efforts to promote intra-African cooperation in the extractive industries. By leveraging South Africa's long-standing experience in mining and geoscience, Gabon is positioning itself to benefit from African expertise while contributing to the continent's collective development. The partnership demonstrates how African countries can collaborate to build stronger institutions and more competitive resource sectors.
According to Minister Nguema Nguema, “this is as a timely initiative in line with the directives of our head of State, President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema who has pledged to increase the contribution of the mining sector to the national economy. Ultimately, we will have to work in collaboration with advanced mining economies like south Africa to achieve this.”
Global demand for minerals is rising, driven in part by the energy transition and the growing need for materials used in renewable technologies and infrastructure. With improved geological data and stronger technical capacity, Gabon is better placed to participate in these emerging markets and capture greater value from its natural resources.
In the coming months, joint working groups from both institutions are expected to outline a detailed implementation roadmap. Early priorities will likely include data integration, training schedules, and the identification of priority regions for geological surveys. As the partnership moves from agreement to action, it has the potential to play a transformative role in shaping the future of Gabon's mining industry.
By combining expertise, technology, and institutional support, the Gabon - South Africa collaboration marks an important milestone in Gabon's efforts to build a modern, transparent, and sustainable mining sector.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Mines and Geological Resources of Gabon.
Global demand for rare earths is set to triple by 2035, reaching 150,000 tons from 91,000 tons in 2024. As producers and consumers seek new sources of supply to meet this surge, Africa is increasingly coming into focus. Projected to account for 9% of global output by 2029, the continent is accelerating exploration and drilling activity as governments and developers move to translate geological potential into commercial production. While large-scale output remains underdeveloped, Africa's high-grade deposits, improving project economics and faster development timelines are positioning it as a strategic supplier of critical minerals to global markets.
Expanding Africa's Exploration Portfolio
As the adoption of electric vehicles, renewable energy systems and advanced manufacturing accelerates global demand for rare earths, African countries are scaling up exploration efforts to delineate resources, support job creation and attract international mining investment.
London-listed Pensana commenced preparations for a 7,000-meter infill drilling program at Longonjo Mine in Angola - the country's first rare earth project. The program is designed to support an early 2027 mining and stockpiling schedule, with initial production of 20,000 tons per annum (tpa) and options to increase output to 40,000 tpa in a second phase. At full scale, the Longonjo project is projected to supply approximately 5% of the world's magnetic rare earths, positioning Angola as a key supplier on the global market.
Meanwhile, in Botswana, Canada's Tsodilo Resources is planning a 15,000-meter drilling campaign in 2026 at the Gcwihaba project for resource definition, while Kavango Resources intends to conduct additional drilling at its Ditau project as it seeks partners for expansion. In South Africa, Rainbow Rare Earths is advancing drilling at its Phalaborwa project, targeting completion of a feasibility study by the end of 2026. Namibia's ReExploration continues exploration activities at its Eureka and Lofdal projects, following several private placements raised in 2025. Meanwhile, in Mozambique's Tete province, Altona Rare Earths is drilling at the Monte Muambe high-grade gallium project, which has already defined a maiden mineral resource estimate of 13.6 million tons at 2.42% total rare earth oxides.
Rising Demand Bolsters Foreign Spending
While the majority of Africa's rare earth production assets remain in construction or pre-production phases, global investor appetite for the continent's resource potential continues to strengthen, with several projects securing financing to accelerate deployment.
In October 2025, South Africa's Steenkampskraal Monazite Mine secured its first tranche of funding from the Industrial Development Corporation, supporting the development of the project's metallurgical phase and underpinning its production expansion plans. Hosting one of the world's highest-grade rare earth deposits, with an average grade of 14.5% total rare earth oxides, the project reinforces South Africa's emerging role in the global rare earth supply chain.
Momentum is also building in Malawi, where the Songwe Hill rare earth project secured $4.6 million in financing from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation in September 2025 to advance front-end engineering and design studies. As Africa is forecast to attract up to $50 billion in investment for critical minerals development between 2024 and 2040, rare earth projects are increasingly central to converting rising investor interest into tangible capital flows and near-term production capacity.
Stepping into this picture, the upcoming African Mining Week (AMW) – scheduled for October 14-16, 2026 in Cape Town - will spotlight key project milestones and emerging investment opportunities across the continent's rare earth sector. The event will feature high-level panel discussions, exhibitions and exclusive networking sessions, bringing together global investors with African projects, regulators and stakeholders from across the rare earths value chain.
AMW serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2026 conference from October 12-16 in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.
Vantage Capital (www.VantageCapital.co.za), Africa's largest mezzanine debt fund manager, announced that it has fully exited its investment in Seaton Estates (“Seaton”), a residential coastal development located on the North Coast of Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa. The promoter of Seaton is Collins Residential, the residential arm of a diversified group with interests in the real estate, hospitality, and agricultural sectors, both in South Africa and internationally.
The Seaton development sits on prime property with direct access to a kilometre stretch of beach frontage. The development comprises 1,150 opportunities made up of 600 single residential stands and 22 planned urban developments, offering a further 550 sectional title opportunities. The development is designed to be an eco-conscious coastal estate characterized by wild grasslands, ocean views and rehabilitated indigenous forests. Facilities include a country club with multi-disciplinary sports, an equestrian centre with arena's and stabling, direct beach access and 26km of walking, running and bridle trails through rehabilitated natural forest and grasslands. Later stages of the development will include commercial mixed-use nodes offering retail, education, and office facilities. The development is near the popular leisure towns of Salt Rock and Ballito.
Vantage first invested in Seaton in January 2022 by arranging R360 million of mezzanine funding for development of initial phases of common use infrastructure and bulk services (primarily for single residential units). After a 4-year investment period, Vantage has been fully exited through a combination of sale proceeds and a senior debt refinance by FedGroup.
Werksmans acted as legal counsel for Vantage.
Roshal Ramdenee, Partner at Vantage Capital, said “This investment demonstrates how structured mezzanine capital can unlock large-scale infrastructure development in complex residential projects. Our funding enabled the timely delivery of critical bulk infrastructure, which in turn supported strong sales momentum and value creation across the estate. We are pleased to have partnered with Collins Residential on a high-quality coastal development and to have achieved an outcome that reflects both the strength of the underlying asset and disciplined execution over the investment period”
Luc Albinski, Executive Chairman at Vantage Capital, added “Seaton Estates marked the first investment of our Fund IV program and set the tone for what we aim to achieve. From the outset, we partnered with an exceptionally entrepreneurial KZN-based group known for executing large and complex developments. Despite the disruptions of the KZN riots, extreme weather events, and unavoidable approval delays, the partnership remained resilient. Collaborating with such a professional and committed team has been a genuine pleasure.”
Jon De Bufanos, Financial Director at Collins Residential added “Vantage Capital's mezzanine funding played an important role in supporting the delivery of key infrastructure during the early phases of the Seaton Estates development. The funding structure gave us flexibility during a challenging period, while allowing the project to continue progressing in a measured and disciplined way. We appreciated Vantage's practical, collaborative approach throughout the investment period and their contribution to the development of Seaton.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Vantage Capital Group.
For more information contact:
Luc Albinski
Executive Chairman – Vantage Capital
luc@vantagecapital.co.za
+ 27 (0) 83 390 7703
Roshal Ramdenee
Partner – Vantage Capital
roshal@vantagemezzanine.com
Abigail Brews
Senior Associate – Vantage Capital
abigail@vantagecapital.co.za
About Vantage Capital:
Vantage Capital Group was established in 2001 and is the largest independent pan-African mezzanine debt fund manager on the African continent. It has raised funds of US$ 1.6 billion in seven distinct mezzanine and renewable energy debt funds as well as in a technology fund and has to date made 66 investments across the African continent.
Vantage targets investment opportunities, with a focus on mezzanine debt, of US$ 10 - 50m across more than a dozen key African markets. Mezzanine debt is an intermediate form of risk capital, which is situated between senior debt, the lowest risk tranche of the capital structure, and equity, the highest risk. It combines elements of both debt and equity thereby providing companies with long-term funding on terms which are less dilutive to shareholders than pure equity.
Vantage recently launched an education investment platform which is targeting the education markets of Poland and Czechia.
Website: www.VantageCapital.co.za
South Africans are once again seeing relief at the pump, with the latest fuel price cuts delivering the cheapest petrol in roughly four years. The reductions – around 65 cents per liter for petrol and more than 50 cents for diesel – continue a downward trend that began earlier in 2026, when falling crude prices and currency strength combined to lower pump prices nationwide.
While the immediate benefits are tangible – cheaper transport, easing inflationary pressure and support for businesses – the underlying drivers reveal a more fragile reality. South Africa's fuel costs remain shaped primarily by global oil markets and exchange-rate movements rather than domestic energy resilience.
Currency dynamics are particularly influential. The rand strengthened sharply through 2025, gaining nearly 13% against the U.S. dollar – its best annual performance in more than a decade – supported by improved fiscal sentiment and rising commodity prices. This momentum has continued into 2026 with periodic surges in precious-metal prices and global risk appetite. These shifts can lower refined-fuel import costs, but they also highlight South Africa's continued dependence on external forces.
Structural weaknesses across the country's fuel supply chain reinforce this reliance. Refining capacity has declined significantly, leaving only a handful of operational crude refineries and forcing South Africa to import roughly three-quarters of its liquid fuel needs. Strategic reserves remain limited to less than a month of supply. In this context, price relief at the pump reflects favorable global conditions rather than meaningful progress toward energy self-sufficiency.
The longer-term risk becomes clearer when viewed alongside South Africa's evolving gas outlook. Without new domestic production or import capacity, South Africa is projected to face a ‘gas cliff' as early as 2026. Existing Mozambican pipeline gas is depleting, while interim extensions from Sasol serve only as a temporary bridge to future LNG imports. Without new domestic production, import terminals or pipeline expansion, the country could confront tightening supply just as demand for flexible, lower-carbon power grows.
“Natural gas – affordable, reliable and abundant across Africa – can transform economies by powering industry, creating jobs and delivering the energy security our people deserve,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. “But this transformation requires urgent investment in domestic production, LNG infrastructure and regional partnerships. South Africa has the resources and the market demand; what matters now is turning opportunity into action.”
Recognizing this urgency, the government is fast-tracking LNG import infrastructure, including a floating storage and regasification unit in Mozambique expected by mid-2026 and a planned LNG terminal at Richards Bay targeted for 2027, alongside efforts to unlock offshore gas in the Orange Basin. Today, roughly 90% of South Africa's natural gas is still imported via a single pipeline from Mozambique – an exposure that underscores the need for diversification and domestic development.
The regional context reinforces the opportunity. Major LNG projects such as Mozambique's $20 billion development – now moving forward again with production targeted before the end of the decade – signal growing momentum for African gas as a pillar of energy security and industrial growth. For South Africa, connecting to this wave through infrastructure, investment and regulatory clarity could reduce currency risk, stabilize fuel costs and support a more resilient transition pathway.
African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 in Cape Town is expected to spotlight precisely this: energy security, infrastructure investment and pragmatic transition pathways that balance hydrocarbons with emerging low-carbon systems. The event serves as a continental platform for LNG financing, infrastructure partnerships and upstream gas development capable of closing supply gaps and accelerating practical energy transitions.
Fuel price volatility now exposes South Africa's structural energy weaknesses, underscoring why short-term relief cannot substitute for long-term strategy. Cheaper petrol may ease pressure today, but without decisive progress on domestic gas production and LNG infrastructure, the country risks repeating the same cycle – relief when currencies strengthen, strain when they weaken and continued vulnerability in between.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
SolarAfrica (https://SolarAfrica.com) has secured financial close on R1.5 billion to build SunCentral 2, the next 114 MW plant of its flagship utility-scale solar development in the Northern Cape. The new funding, provided by RMB and Investec Bank Limited, is another significant step in boosting access to affordable and clean energy for South African businesses, with first power expected in 2026.
SunCentral 2 will follow SunCentral 1, which reached financial close at the end of 2024, also at 114 MW. Together with SunCentral 3, these projects form Phase 1 of the broader SunCentral vision, totalling 342 MW. At full scale, SunCentral is planned to reach 1 GW, positioning it as one of the country's largest solar initiatives designed specifically for one-to-many, bilateral wheeling.
David McDonald, CEO at SolarAfrica, says: “Businesses want power they can trust – clean, affordable and predictable – and SunCentral is being built exactly for that purpose. It's encouraging to see the confidence from our funding partners as we move into the next stage of delivery.
“More than a big solar project, SunCentral is a long-term infrastructure investment that gives companies the ability to manage their costs, cut emissions, and reduce their reliance on utility power that is often vulnerable to unpredictable tariff hikes. This next step gets us closer to bringing that value to even more South African businesses.”
As with the first plant, SunCentral 2 includes dedicated community-upliftment initiatives, ensuring local residents share in the social and economic benefits created by the project. Job creation, education, local procurement and skills development will continue to form a core part of the programme, supporting economic activity around the site in partnership with the project's principal contractors.
SunCentral is also a key pillar of SolarAfrica's overall wheeling pipeline – totalling 3 GW – which is currently under development across the country. By combining utility-scale renewable generation with a more flexible delivery via wheeling, SolarAfrica is helping companies access greener energy without the upfront capital outlay traditionally associated with on-site solar systems.
A portion of funding from each SunCentral plant is allocated directly to the development of the project's Main Transmission Substation (MTS). Engineered for up to 2 GW of green-power evacuation capacity, the MTS strengthens the national grid while enabling future renewable generation to connect more efficiently.
“With wheeling, we have a model that puts control back into the hands of commercial and industrial customers. Instead of just surviving tariff hikes, it allows companies to plan for growth with a cleaner, more dependable energy mix,” says McDonald.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of SolarAfrica.
About SolarAfrica:
Founded in 2011, SolarAfrica provides a suite of capex-free green energy solutions to the commercial and industrial sectors in Southern Africa. The holistic suite includes on-site solutions such as solar energy and battery storage together with virtual solutions like wheeling, trading and aggregation.
SolarAfrica partners with businesses in South Africa seeking an energy solution that provides power security, cost savings and carbon reduction – building towards long-term sustainability.
The company has evolved into an ambitious team who are passionate about what they do and the core values they uphold. SolarAfrica has been named the continent's leading solar energy firm twice, scooping the Africa Solar Industry Association's African Solar Company of the Year award in 2021 and 2023.
Africa hosts an estimated US$29.5 trillion in mine-site mineral value, representing about 20% of global mineral wealth, yet captures only a fraction of the economic value embedded in this endowment, according to a new study (http://apo-opa.co/4txjr5p) released today by Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) (www.AfricaFC.org).
Of this total, US$8.6 trillion remains undeveloped, reflecting an under-explored continent where fragmented geological data, uneven coverage, and limited transparency continue to elevate risk perception and constrain investment. The report argues that improving geological data availability and quality is a necessary first step to de-risk projects and unlock exploration capital.
The study also stresses that mine-site values significantly understate Africa's true potential by failing to capture the far larger value created when minerals are processed into steel, aluminium, fertilisers, batteries and alloys. Measured at the point of industrial use, Africa's mineral endowment expands by an order of magnitude—revealing substantial latent value.
Launched at Mining Indaba in Cape Town, the Compendium of Africa's Strategic Minerals reframes the sector through an African development lens, placing industrialisation, infrastructure, and long-term regional demand at the centre of mineral strategy.
“Today, AFC is proud to launch the Compendium of Africa's Strategic Minerals an initiative to reframe the sector through an African lens and convert endowment into execution pathways for our collective prosperity,” said Samaila Zubairu, President & CEO of AFC. “The Compendium maps full value chains and links reserves and production to processing capacity, power and transport infrastructure, and regional industrial corridors—improving data transparency to de-risk exploration, lower the cost of capital, and guide smarter investment into mining and the enabling infrastructure needed for beneficiation and integrated regional value chains.”
Mineral Development Anchored on African Demand
The Compendium finds that mineral production, enabling infrastructure, and demand rarely co-locate or align at scale, and calls for stronger regional planning anchored in Africa's long-term demand fundamentals.
The steel value chain illustrates this misalignment. Africa hosts world-class endowments of ferro-alloys such as manganese, chromium and nickel, and iron ore supply is entering a new growth cycle. Yet these supply chains remain commercially tethered to Asian steel cycles rather than Africa's own development trajectory.
This exposure is economically costly and can be seen playing out right now. The slowdown in Asian steel demand—linked to China's property downturn and weaker construction—has transmitted shocks into African mineral markets. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, production quotas have been imposed on cobalt to manage oversupply and collapsing prices. In South Africa, primary steelmaking capacity has shut down amid weak domestic demand, high costs, and fragmented offtake. In Gabon, major manganese operations have periodically suspended production in response to softer alloy demand from Asia.
These outcomes are occurring even as Africa continues to expand transport networks, power systems, housing, and industrial capacity that require these materials. The constraint is not a lack of demand, but a lack of demand anchoring: the failure to align mineral production, processing capacity, and infrastructure investment around Africa's long-term material needs.
Infrastructure Links Minerals, Processing and Demand
The Compendium places infrastructure at the centre of mineral strategy—not as a passive enabler, but as the system that links raw materials, processing capacity, and demand. Power cost and reliability, transport connectivity, and access to industrial land ultimately determine whether beneficiation is viable.
To this end, the report maps mineral deposits and producing assets alongside railways, ports, power generation hubs, and transmission networks to identify where regional value chains can realistically be developed. It calls for targeted interventions in shared rail corridors and cross-border power transmission, particularly in mineral-rich regions where coordinated infrastructure could unlock scale, reduce delivered costs, and support regional industrial platforms.
Infrastructure is also central to Africa's competitiveness in a world of green industrialisation. Clean power, efficient logistics, and integrated corridors such as Lobito can reduce carbon intensity and improve access to markets where low-carbon and traceable supply chains are increasingly required.
African Minerals in a Fragmenting Global Economy
The Compendium situates Africa's mineral strategy in a rapidly changing geo-economic landscape shaped by trade tensions, export controls, industrial policy, and efforts to reduce concentration risk. These shifts are elevating the strategic relevance of Africa's mineral endowment—but only where the continent can offer reliable, value-adding alternatives.
Rather than positioning Africa as a marginal supplier of raw materials, the report argues for selective integration into strategically exposed segments of global supply chains, where diversification would materially enhance resilience—particularly for minerals with highly concentrated processing markets. These include manganese, rare earths, graphite, uranium, and critical alloying inputs for defence, aerospace, and clean-energy technologies.
Encouragingly, momentum is emerging:
Download AFC's Compendium of Africa's Strategic Mineral Resources here: http://apo-opa.co/4txjr5p.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Finance Corporation (AFC).
Media Enquiries:
Yewande Thorpe
Communications
Africa Finance Corporation
Mobile : +234 1 279 9654
Email : yewande.thorpe@africafc.org
About AFC:
AFC was established in 2007 to be the catalyst for pragmatic infrastructure and industrial investments across Africa. AFC's approach combines specialist industry expertise with a focus on financial and technical advisory, project structuring, project development, and risk capital to address Africa's infrastructure development needs and drive sustainable economic growth.
Eighteen years on, AFC has developed a track record as the partner of choice in Africa for investing and delivering on instrumental, high-quality infrastructure assets that provide essential services in the core infrastructure sectors of energy, natural resources, heavy industry, transport, and telecommunications. AFC has 48 member countries and has invested over US$18.5 billion in 36 African countries since its inception. www.AfricaFC.org
Although January is traditionally a slower month for automotive sales compared to the high-volume period between October and December, Jetour has managed to buck the trend, thanks in part to the popularity of its initial Dashing and X70 Plus models and further boosted by the strong reception of its newly launched T-Series. The SUV brand …
The recent Constitutional Court ruling confirming that customary marriages in South Africa are automatically in community of property, has significant implications for estate planning. It calls for greater understanding of legal implications for those planning to take their relationships to the next level during Valentines Day. Legal and fiduciary experts from financial services, Standard Bank …
JOHANNESBURG – Brietta Trading the authorised distributors of Mitsubishi Motors in Southern Africa is entering a new phase focused on strengthening brand relevance, deepening customer engagement and driving sustainable growth in an increasingly competitive automotive market. Central to this next chapter is the appointment of Takalani Bruce Mukhola as Managing Director. Takalani Bruce is an …
Climate change, biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation are no longer just environmental challenges; they are now central to how investors assess resilience and long-term returns.
Nature underpins large parts of the global economy, from water security and food systems to infrastructure and climate resilience. Yet according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) the global biodiversity finance gap is estimated to reach USD 942 billion per year by 2030. Current finance flows into nature total around USD 200 billion annually, with just USD 35 billion coming from private capital.
At the same time, capital markets are shifting. Private finance for nature has increased more than tenfold in recent years, rising from USD 9.4 billion to over USD 100 billion, and could reach up to USD 1.45 trillion by 2030 if current the momentum continues.
Alongside this, carbon markets, nature-based solutions and resilience infrastructure are increasingly being treated as linked investment themes, with new asset classes emerging across carbon, biodiversity and climate adaptation. This convergence is reshaping how investors assess risk, returns and long-term resilience, particularly in emerging markets.
The economic stakes are already clear. In South Africa alone, healthy ecosystems contribute over R275 billion (around USD 14 billion) per year, equivalent to at least 7% of GDP.
Across Africa, natural capital accounts for an estimated 30%-50% of total wealth in many countries, underlining how closely economic growth, stability and development prospects are tied to climate and nature outcomes. In many African economies, natural capital makes up a far larger share of national wealth than factories or infrastructure, meaning that damage to nature can quickly translate into pressure on public finances and long- term economic stability.
Recent flooding in parts of Kruger National Park and ongoing water stress in the Western Cape have reinforced how climate and ecosystem risks translate directly into economic losses, infrastructure damage and pressure on public finances. These are no longer peripheral sustainability issues; they are core financial and investment risks.
Against this backdrop, Africa's Green Economy Summit (AGES) 2026 will open with the Climate, Carbon & Nature Financing Academy on Monday, 24 February 2026 in Cape Town, ahead of the main Summit from 25 - 27 February 2026. The Academy will focus on how climate, carbon and nature can be translated into bankable projects and investable asset classes, including through instruments such as carbon markets, green, blue and wildlife bonds, debt-for-nature swaps and performance-linked finance.
“The escalating impact of climate change in Africa calls for the global community and private sector to recognise that a climate-resilient Africa is essential for global stability, prosperity, and shared security. Investing in Africa's adaptation and mitigation projects is not an act of generosity; it is an investment in our common future,” said Harsen Nyambe, Director, Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy at the African Union Commission.
By foregrounding climate, carbon and nature finance at the start of 2026, AGES reflects a broader market reality: these are no longer side conversations in sustainable finance, they are becoming central pillars of Africa's investment future.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.
Additional link:
https://apo-opa.co/4tkvd2L
Media enquiries and interview requests:
Elize Engle
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Tshepang Mokoena
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About Africa's Green Economy Summit (AGES):
Africa's Green Economy Summit (AGES) (https://apo-opa.co/3Mq2N6U) is a premier pan-African platform dedicated to accelerating Africa's transition to a sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient economy. Hosted by VUKA Group, AGES brings together policymakers, investors, project developers, innovators, and business leaders to unlock green finance, scale bankable projects, and drive actionable solutions across energy, mobility, infrastructure, agriculture, water, waste, and the blue economy. Through high-level content, deal-making opportunities, and strategic networking, AGES turns ambition into action for Africa's green future.
For more information or registration: www.GreenEconomySummit.com
About VUKA Group:
VUKA Group (https://WeAreVUKA.com) brings people and organisations together to connect through platforms that drive growth and transformation across Africa's key industries. With over 20 years of experience on the continent, VUKA delivers sector-leading platforms across Energy, Mining, Mobility, Retail, Sustainability, and Women Empowerment—creating spaces where knowledge is shared, partnerships are formed, and real economic impact is achieved.
Africa holds 30% of the world's critical mineral reserves, positioning the continent at the center of the global energy transition and industrial supply chain realignment. With global mineral demand set to increase four-fold by 2050, this position becomes increasingly strategic - and it is within this context that African Mining Week (AMW) 2026 emerges as a critical platform to convert geological potential into investable projects, partnerships and value-chain development across the continent.
Taking place October 14-16 in Cape Town, AMW 2026 returns with a sharpened focus on partnerships and transactions that advance Africa's mineral value chain. This year's event takes place under the theme Mining the Future: Unearthing Africa's Full Mineral Value, reflecting a growing emphasis on project bankability, downstream beneficiation and cross-border collaboration as Africa seeks to strengthen its position in increasingly competitive global minerals markets.
Rising Mineral Output, Strengthened Global Trade Flows
Africa hosts some of the world's largest reserves of cobalt, platinum group metals, chrome, coltan and manganese, placing the continent at the forefront of global minerals essential to electrification, clean energy deployment and industrial expansion. As demand for these resources accelerates and commodity prices are expected to remain elevated through 2026, Africa's role as a strategic supply partner is becoming increasingly pronounced. Within this context, AMW 2026 will examine how African producers can move beyond volume-led growth to capture greater value across mining, processing and trade.
International Partnerships Drive Production
Across the continent, mineral producers are scaling-up production, leveraging international partnerships to secure capital and technical expertise. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – Africa's largest copper producer and the world's leading cobalt supplier – recently partnered with the U.S to leverage technical expertise and financing to unlock an estimated $24 trillion in untapped mineral potential. Speaking at AMW 2025, the country's Minister of Mines Louis Watum Kabamba, underscored the level of opportunity that remains in the country, explaining that “Opportunities across the mining sector in the DRC are huge, with 90% of our resources awaiting greenfield exploration.”
Similarly, Guinea - home to the world's largest bauxite reserves - is enhancing cooperation with global investors to maximize its mineral value chain under the Simandou 2040 - an international cooperation and national development strategy. Securing $20 billion in international investments for the Simandou iron ore project, Guinea is leveraging this global partnership model to expand bauxite production and processing, corelating to a 25% increase in bauxite exports in 2025.
Zambia, Africa's second-largest copper producer, is positioning its copper sector as a catalyst for economic expansion, GDP growth and employment creation. The country is actively engaging international investors to achieve its 2031 production target of 3.1 million tons per annum, reinforcing Africa's role in future copper supply chains.
Balancing Exports with Local Value Addition
As global mineral demand rises, African governments are increasingly prioritizing local beneficiation to retain value, deepen domestic supply chains and unlock broader economic growth. Ghana, Africa's largest gold producer, recently signed an agreement with South Africa's Rand Refinery to expand domestic gold processing capacity. Mali is developing a 200-ton-per-annum gold refinery in partnership with Russian investors. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe, Africa's largest lithium producer, is working with Chinese investors to expand lithium processing capacity ahead of its 2027 ban on lithium concentrate exports. These moves signal a broader shift form export-centered development models to strategies that prioritize domestic markets.
As global competition for critical minerals intensifies, Africa's ability to align production growth with beneficiation, investment readiness and policy coherence will define its long-term position in global supply chains. AMW 2026 will serve as a focal point for advancing the partnerships and transactions needed to translate mineral wealth into sustainable economic value across the continent.
“AMW 2026 is designed to bring project developers, governments and international investors into the same room to accelerate transactions that move Africa's mining sector from potential to production and value creation,” stated Rachelle Kasongo, Event Director, AMW.
AMW 2026 serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.
As water treatment is a critical aspect of industrial boiler management and potentially one of the greatest operational risk points, AES relies on close partnerships with third-party industrial water treatment specialists – which act as important safety nets. “We engage with companies that stand behind their treatment programmes, check these are continuously working and – …
South Africa’s mining sector has long been a cornerstone of the national economy, contributing meaningfully to gross domestic product, exports, employment, and industrial development. According to the Minerals Council South Africa, mining contributes approximately 6–7% to South Africa’s gross domestic product, accounts for more than 50% of merchandise export earnings and supports over 450,000 direct jobs, …
Friday, 06 February 2026: Eskom’s power system continues to demonstrate sustained stability, underpinned by consistent progress through the Generation Recovery Plan and improvements in the Energy Availability Factor to secure South Africa’s long-term energy future. The Energy Availability Factor (EAF) has further increased to 65.03% for the financial year to date (1 April 2025 to...
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Kariega – The new Volkswagen T-Roc will launch in South Africa in second half of 2026. Together with the Taigo, T-Cross, Tiguan, Tayron and Touareg, the T-Roc is a member of the Volkswagen T-SUV family. Positioned between the more compact Taigo and the larger Tiguan, the T-Roc has not only become one of the most successful …
The high‑profile exit of global energy major TotalEnergies from deepwater Blocks 11B/12B and 5/6/7 – home to the Brulpadda and Luiperd gas discoveries – was a significant setback for South Africa's plans to use domestic resources to boost energy security and economic growth. TotalEnergies, together with partners QatarEnergy and CNR International, gave up their stakes after determining that the discoveries could not be commercially developed under the existing market conditions and regulatory framework.
The exits underscored long‑standing industry frustrations with South Africa's legal and regulatory environment, widely seen as lacking the clarity and predictability that deepwater investors demand. That backdrop helps explain the government's passage of the Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Act (UPRD Act) – a standalone legislative framework designed to replace the petroleum provisions embedded in the old Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act and provide a bespoke upstream regime.
At its core, the UPRD Act aims to accelerate exploration and production of South Africa's petroleum resources by providing clear rules and stable rights for companies – key to attracting major investment. It combines exploration and production rights into a single petroleum right, sets out controlled licensing rounds, guarantees third-party access to infrastructure, and establishes the Petroleum Agency of South Africa as a clear regulatory authority. The law also promotes active participation by the State and previously disadvantaged South Africans, mandates local content, allows a share of output to be sold for strategic stock purposes, and separates oil and gas regulation from mining rules to reduce red tape and simplify operations.
Yet the big question remains: will this new legal certainty be enough to lure back the supermajors, or has the landscape shifted toward leaner, more aggressive independent companies seeking opportunities where majors have stepped away?
“Simply put, TotalEnergies' exit was a blow to South Africa's energy industry. These discoveries brought to light alternative energy solutions for a country plagued with a decade‑long energy crisis. However, without clear, predictable rules, even world‑class discoveries struggle to progress to commercial development. It shows how regulatory reform is essential to restoring investor confidence,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.
The UPRD Act now provides that framework, but timing is crucial. The regulations needed to put the Act into practice are still being finalized, and until these rules – covering licensing, environmental safeguards and rights administration – are published and tested in early rounds, investor confidence is likely to remain cautious.
For supermajors, investment decisions are increasingly guided by a global strategy that prioritizes projects with clearer returns and lower regulatory risk. With growing pressure to meet climate targets and streamline their portfolios amid the energy transition, deepwater frontier projects in emerging markets are less appealing unless they come with clear, predictable terms.
This creates an opening for independent and smaller players. Companies like Africa Energy Corp. – which increased its stake in Block 11B/12B after the majors' exit – could view South Africa's upstream sector as a promising opportunity. With leaner cost structures and a greater tolerance for frontier risk, these players can advance projects that supermajors may avoid, potentially driving local value creation and technology transfer through a different investment model.
Looking ahead to African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 – the continent's premier energy summit bringing together governments, investors and service companies – the UPRD Act is expected to be a central topic in discussions surrounding South Africa. AEW offers a high‑profile platform to showcase the country's evolving policy landscape and could set the stage for the first post‑Act licensing round. Industry leaders are likely to debate whether the framework delivers on its promise of stability and what conditions might be needed to attract supermajors back.
Ultimately, South Africa's upstream rebound will depend on execution: if the regulations foster transparency, competitive terms and confidence in governance, the UPRD Act could be a turning point. If not, the sector may settle into a new normal where ambitious independents, rather than supermajors, drive the next chapter of oil and gas development.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
As African economies assert greater agency in a rapidly evolving global order, Invest Africa (www.InvestAfrica.com) is delighted to announce The Africa Debate 2026, its flagship investment forum, taking place at the historic Guildhall in London on 3 June 2026.
Now in its 12th year, The Africa Debate has established itself as London's premier platform for African investment dialogue since launching in 2014, convening over 800 global decision-makers annually to shape the future of trade, finance, investment, and development across the continent.
Under the theme “Redefining Partnership: Navigating a World in Transition”, this year's forum will focus on Africa's response to global economic realignment with greater agency, ambition and economic sovereignty.
The Africa Debate puts Africa's priorities at the centre of the conversation, moving beyond traditional narratives to focus on ownership, resilience and long-term value creation.
"Volatility is not new to Africa. What is changing is the opportunity to respond with greater agency and ambition," says Invest Africa CEO Chantelé Carrington.
"This year's edition of The Africa Debate asks how we strengthen economic sovereignty — from access to capital and investment to financial and industrial policy — so African economies can take greater ownership of their growth. Success will be defined by how effectively we turn disruption into leverage and partnership into shared value."
The Africa Debate 2026 will provide a platform for this essential, era-defining discussion, convening leaders to explore how Africa and its partners can build more balanced, resilient and sustainable models of cooperation.
Key challenges driving the debate
Core focus areas for this year's edition of The Africa Debate include:
Global Realignment & New Partnerships
How shifting geopolitical and economic power structures are reshaping Africa's global partnerships, trade dynamics and investment landscape.
Financing Africa's Future
The growing need to reform the global financial architecture, new approaches to development finance, as well as the strengthening of market access and financial resilience of African economies in a changing global system.
Strategic Value Chains
Moving beyond primary exports to build local value chains in critical minerals for the green economy. Also addressing Africa's energy access gap and mobilising investment in renewable and transitional energy systems.
Digital Transformation & Technology
Unlocking growth in fintech, AI and digital infrastructure to drive productivity, inclusion, and the next phase of Africa's economic transformation.
The Africa Debate 2026 offers a unique platform for high-level dialogue, deal-making, and strategic engagement. Attendees will gain actionable insights from leading policymakers, investors and business leaders shaping Africa's economic future, while building strategic partnerships that define the continent's next growth phase.
Registration is now open (http://apo-opa.co/46b19gj).
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Invest Africa.
Media Contact:
Invest Africa
Email: george.meadows@investafrica.com
About The Africa Debate:
The Africa Debate is London's premier investment forum dedicated to shaping the future of African trade, investment and economic transformation. Now in its 12th year, the event serves as a critical platform for global businesses, investors, policymakers and thought leaders to engage in high-level discussions on Africa's evolving role in the global economy.
Website: https://TheAfricaDebate.com
About Invest Africa:
Invest Africa is a leading business and investment platform with over seventy years' experience in Africa, dedicated to connecting businesses with unique opportunities across the continent. Its global network comprises more than 400 member companies, including multinationals, private equity firms, institutional investors, development finance institutions, professional service providers, government bodies and entrepreneurs.
With presence in the UK, UAE, US, South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria, Invest Africa leverages its international reach, market intelligence and extensive network to support and connect businesses. As a trusted gateway into Africa, it promotes sustainable investment and socio-economic growth through membership, advisory services and a dynamic events programme.
For more information visit www.InvestAfrica.com