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The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) has approved $75 million in financing to support South Africa-based Nyanza Light Metals Pty Ltd (Nyanza) to boost industrialization in Africa through local value addition to the continent's abundant titanium mineral resources.

Titanium dioxide is a crucial pigment used across numerous industries, including paints and coatings, food processing, cosmetics, and medical applications. Notwithstanding this demand, manufacturers in South Africa and across the region rely almost entirely on costly imports. Nyanza's project will change this by producing titanium dioxide locally, contributing to import substitution and positioning Africa within the global titanium dioxide value chain.

The African Development Bank's financing package includes $25 million from the Africa Growing Together Fund (AGTF) – a co-financing initiative between the African Development Bank and the People's Bank of China. The financing will support the development, construction, and operation of an 80,000-tonnes-per-year titanium dioxide pigment manufacturing plant and supporting infrastructure within the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone. This facility will process locally and regionally sourced titanium ores into high-value pigment for various industrial applications.

The Bank's contribution forms part of a syndicated funding package arranged by the Africa Finance Corporation and the African Export-Import Bank, serving as Initial Mandated Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners.

A key focus of the Bank's funding is job creation. The Nyanza project is expected to generate more than 2,400 domestic jobs during construction -30% of which will be reserved for women and 30% for youth- and up to 850 skilled direct jobs once operational, with targets of 45% women, 30% youth, and 20% low-income earners. This will help reduce unemployment in South Africa and promote inclusive participation in South Africa's industrial sector.

Commenting on the project, Solomon Quaynor, the Bank's Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialization, said: “This investment reflects the African Development Bank's commitment to driving Africa's industrial transformation and changing Africa's narrative from a continent that is heavily dependent on raw material exports to one that is globally recognized as a prominent player in domestic value-addition to its natural resources. By supporting Nyanza to invest in infrastructure and local natural resources beneficiation, we are contributing to changing Africa's old paradigm of exporting low-value raw materials while relying heavily on importing finished products; we are building an industrial economy that will create inclusive opportunities for millions of people across the continent.”

Nyanza President and CEO, Donovan Chimhandamba, said, “AfDB's approval marks a pivotal moment, not just for Nyanza, but for Africa's industrial future. AfDB brings more than funding; it brings credibility, strategic partnership, and a long-term commitment to Africa's transformation. This endorsement affirms our mission to lead mineral beneficiation and positions Nyanza as a driver of inclusive industrialization.”

Donovan added, “Africa has long exported raw minerals, only to import back high-value finished products made from those same resources, at a premium. This cycle has constrained industrial growth and limited the continent's ability to fully benefit from its natural wealth. With AfDB's support, we are changing that by building a world-class titanium beneficiation complex to process African minerals locally for global markets. It is about reclaiming value, creating jobs, and building an industrial base that empowers youth, women, and entrepreneurs.”

The Project supports the African Development Bank's strategic objective to Build Climate-Resilient Infrastructure and promote value addition to natural resources. It is also expected to catalyze private sector growth, stimulate the creation of related industries and local supply chains, and diversify South Africa's export base through increased participation in global value chains. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Media contact:
Emeka Anuforo
Communication and External Relations Department

About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group is Africa's premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org

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Unveiled today at its General Assembly, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) (https://FSC.org) reports a sharp decline of public concern for climate change in Kenya and South Africa, even after the hottest year on record. The 2025 Global Consumer Awareness Survey—conducted with IPSOS across 50 countries and 40,000+ respondents—finds war and conflict (52%) now dominate public worries while climate change trails at 31%. 

Insights from Kenya, South Africa and Egypt

In Africa, survey data from Kenya, South Africa and Egypt—with Egypt joining the study for the first time—highlights regional differences in environmental concern:

• Kenya has experienced a steep decline in climate concern since the 2022 survey (42%→30%), yet when asked about forestry issues specifically, particularly deforestation is prioritized. South Africa shows a more moderate but still significant decline in climate concern (32% → 25%).
• Droughts and floods are also a major concern in Kenya, with 40% of respondents identifying them as key issues, higher than South Africa and Egypt by 10 and 13 points respectively.
• Egypt reports that 32% of respondents identify wildfires as a top environmental challenge, highest among the three surveyed countries in the African region.

“When people see forests under pressure, they connect the dots between nature, water, and livelihoods. The message is clear: protecting forests isn't just about trees — it's about stability, resilience, and hope in a changing climate,” said Subhra Bhattacharjee, FSC Director General. 

Forests remain where climate risk is felt most directly

Across 29 markets in which the forestry module was asked, Kenya stands out for its public concern for particular forest-related issues. The survey shows that 47% of Kenyans cite deforestation as a top concern – the highest globally. Concern for the impact of droughts and floods linked to forest disruption also ranks high at 40%, above the global average (29%). Additionally, 43% of respondents in Kenya recognize the impact on climate change from forest loss, exceeding the global average of 35%.

South Africans (42%) showed the highest concern among the three surveyed countries for loss of plant and animal species, above the global average of 36%, while Egypt saw 32% of respondents identifying wildfires as a key concern.

Together, the findings show why protecting forests – and the people who depend on them – is both a climate necessity and a supply-chain imperative.

Consumers still act at the checkout

Across 29 markets, 72% of consumers say they prefer products that do not harm plants or animals—evidence that credible proof points still matter in purchasing decisions. 

In Africa, among the three surveyed countries, 79% of Kenyan respondents said that the information about sustainability on products should be certified by an independent organization. This demonstrates that, even as climate concern softens, Kenyans continue to see choices that support sustainable forestry as important.

“Even as global priorities shift, people here continue to care about forests and the livelihoods they sustain. They want transparency, fairness, and proof that the products they buy make a real difference,” said Annah Agasha, Deputy Director, FSC Africa. 

Why This Matters

As wars, pandemics and inflation dominate public debate, climate change risks sliding out of political and consumer consciousness. Yet at the same time, people clearly want sustainable products and see the loss of plant and animal species as the greatest forestry related concern, with a majority expecting companies to ensure that their products do not contribute to deforestation.

FSC calls for integrated strategies that address environmental action alongside social and economic security — ensuring climate solutions are not deprioritized in the face of crises.

These findings are being debated this week at the FSC General Assembly, where global stakeholders are gathered to shape the future of responsible forest management and its role in tackling climate emergencies.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Forest Stewardship Council.

Survey details: The FSC x IPSOS Global Consumer Awareness Survey 2025 interviewed more than 40,000 people in 50 markets. Historical comparisons are based on the 32 markets that were surveyed in both 2022 and 2025.

For interviews, please contact:
Faya Davranbekova 
f.davranbekova@fsc.org

About the Forest Stewardship Council™ (FSC®):
FSC is a non-profit organization that provides a proven responsible forest management solution. Currently, over 150 million hectares of forest worldwide are certified according to

FSC standards. It is widely regarded as the most rigorous forest certification system among NGOs, consumers, and businesses alike to tackle today's deforestation, climate, and biodiversity challenges. The FSC forest management standard is based on ten core principles designed to address a broad range of environmental, social, and economic factors. FSC's “check tree” label is found on millions of forest-based products and verifies that they are sustainably sourced, from forest to consumer. https://FSC.org