Author: Victor Olayiwola

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, February 11, 2026 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…

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, February 11, 2026 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…

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, February 10, 2026 The organisers of the DRC-Africa Battery Metals Forum have announced the launch of a new, co-located event to this flagship annual gathering in Kolwezi, namely, the DRC Critical Minerals & Industrialisation Forum. “The successful 2025 edition of DRC-Africa Battery Metals Forum reaffirmed that industrialisation is the key to transforming the DRC’s mineral wealth into sustainable prosperity,” says Samukelo Madlabane, Event Director, Mining Portfolio of the VUKA Group that organises several leading mining events on the continent. “We received incredible engagement and collaboration from private and public sectors alike, and this reinforced the forum’s mission to accelerate…

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, February 10, 2026 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…

LAGOS, Nigeria, February 10, 2026 Identy.io (www.Identy.io), a global biometric authentication technology company specializing in secure, mobile-first identity verification, announced today its expansion plans for Africa. This expansion will enhance Identy.io’s service offerings in key markets on the continent, including Kenya and Nigeria. To facilitate this growth, the company has appointed a regional leadership team to engage with key stakeholders across government, financial services, telecommunications, and other regulated sectors.  Additionally, Matus Kapusta has been appointed as the Product Director for Identy.io’s Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) product portfolios. As governments across Africa implement national digital identity systems to improve service…

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, February 10, 2026 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…

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, February 9, 2026 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…

ABERDEEN, Scotland, February 9, 2026 The Scottish Africa Business Association (SABA) (www.AfricaScot.com) has strengthened international links and opened new opportunities for Scottish companies following a highly successful presence at Subsea Expo in Aberdeen, organised by the Global Underwater Hub. As part of its programme at the event, SABA hosted an inward delegation from Egypt and was delighted to welcome Minister Plenipotentiary Wael Abdelraheem to Scotland for the first time. His visit, supported by the Scottish Government, formed part of ongoing efforts to deepen commercial ties between Scotland and one of North Africa’s most strategically important energy markets. During his time…

TRIPOLI, Libya, February 9, 2026 The Ministry of Finance, the Delegation of the European Union to Libya, the Embassy of France in Libya, and Expertise France (www.ExpertiseFrance.fr) officially inaugurated the Invest4Libya project today. An initiative designed to strengthen Libya’s financial governance, improve its investment climate, and boost the performance and inclusiveness of the country’s MSME and entrepreneurship ecosystem. The project adopts a holistic approach to support efficient and transparent public financial management, modernize financial markets, and stimulate private sector growth, particularly in green and digital entrepreneurship, laying the foundation for sustainable and inclusive economic recovery in Libya. “Invest4Libya represents an important step…

HARARE, Zimbabwe, February 9, 2026 Zimbabwe has officially announced the launch of Zimbabwe Mining Week, a new annual international conference and exhibition designed to position the country as a purposeful and competitive participant in the global critical minerals economy. Hosted by the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, Zimbabwe, and organised by VUKA Group, in partnership with founding partner Nzuri Communications, Zimbabwe Mining Week will take place from 17–19 November 2026 at Rainbow Towers Hotel & Conference Venue, Harare. The platform is established as the official national meeting place for government, mining companies, investors, financiers and solution providers committed to…