The report, Rise of Renewables in the Gulf Region, launched at the World Future Energy Summit, highlights that variable renewable energy capacity across the Middle East and North Africa is expected to increase by roughly ten times by 2040 and continue expanding through to 2060, even as the region maintains its role as a leading oil and gas producer

According to the analysis, renewables will play an increasingly central role in the region’s power system over the coming decades. By 2060, electricity is projected to account for around 35% of total energy demand in MENA, with the majority of this electricity generated from renewable sources. Solar and wind combined are expected to deliver about 85% of electricity generation by that point, with solar contributing approximately 45% and wind close to 40%.

“The rapid rise of renewables in the Gulf, and MENA more broadly, is not replacing hydrocarbons overnight, but it is reshaping the power system,” said Ditlev Engel, Energy Systems CEO at DNV.

“GCC countries are building some of the world’s largest solar and storage projects while still supplying global oil and gas markets. This development is driven mainly by economics. Renewables now provide low-cost electricity, and clean power is becoming necessary for competitive industry and future hydrogen production.”

DNV’s report explains that this growth is being propelled by a combination of expanding renewable supply and rising electricity demand. Utility-scale renewable projects are being rolled out across the region, including mega solar installations, hybrid solar-and-storage plants, and new wind farms. At the same time, electricity demand is increasing from data centres, electric transport, and green hydrogen production. Established industries are also shifting towards low-carbon electricity in response to policy measures such as the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.

A significant inflection point is expected around 2040, when annual increases in renewable electricity generation are forecast to outpace growth in overall electricity demand. This shift is projected to steadily lift the share of renewables within the regional power mix.

Solar energy remains the dominant renewable technology. Installed solar capacity is forecast to rise from 76GW in 2024 to 340GW by 2029, with solar expected to supply nearly 20% of total electricity by the end of the decade. An increasing proportion of these projects will incorporate battery storage to enable continuous power delivery and enhance grid flexibility.

Wind power, while currently less developed, is projected to triple in capacity each decade between 2020 and 2060. Its generation profile complements solar, producing more electricity at night and during specific seasonal periods, particularly when paired with storage solutions. Overall, DNV estimates that combined solar and wind generation in MENA will expand by around fourteen times by 2040, alongside a tenfold increase in installed capacity.

“The Gulf is moving from discussion to deployment,” remarked Jan Zschommler, market area manager for Middle East & Africa, Energy Systems at DNV.

“Utility-scale solar, wind, and storage projects are now being built at a pace that changes the regional power mix. Our modelling shows that renewables growth will exceed demand growth after 2040. That is when the transition in the region’s power mix starts to accelerate.”

Energy storage and system flexibility are identified as critical enablers of this transition. Storage capacity across the region is expected to surge from about 36GWh today to nearly 9,500GWh by 2060, with batteries increasingly taking over the role of thermal plants in providing short-term flexibility. Enhanced regional interconnections will further support grid stability and cross-border electricity trade.

These findings align with insights from DNV’s 2025 Energy Industry Insights survey, which shows that energy executives in the Middle East are the most optimistic globally about the sector’s outlook. Most respondents anticipate revenue and profit growth, citing the rapid expansion of renewables and associated infrastructure as key factors. The survey points to strong investment momentum, growing project pipelines, and confidence in the region’s long-term energy transition.

Bobcat has unveiled a suite of new technologies at the CES 2026 trade show designed to transform how construction gets done

The new solutions integrate artificial intelligence (AI), electrification, autonomy and connectivity into a scalable system of solutions designed to support operators, technicians and fleet owners alike and revolutionise compact equipment.

“For nearly 70 years, Bobcat has led the compact equipment industry by solving real problems for real people,” said Scott Park, CEO and vice chairman of Doosan Bobcat. “As workforce needs change and jobsites become more complex, we’re responding with intelligent systems that empower people to accomplish more, faster and smarter. These innovations aren’t concepts for the distant future; they’re advancements that are shaping how work gets done right now.”

At the centre of Bobcat’s CES 2026 announcement is Jobsite Companion, a first-of-its-kind, AI-enabled feature for compact construction equipment. This prototype technology will provide real-time support and automation for everyday machine tasks.

Operators simply ask a question or state a command, and the system responds through voice and display interactions — adjusting attachment settings based on environment, offering operational recommendations and automating more than 50 functions without taking hands off the controls. Powered by Bobcat’s proprietary AI large language model, it runs entirely onboard the machine, enabling real-time responsiveness without reliance on cloud connectivity.

“Jobsite Companion lowers the barrier to entry for new operators while helping experienced professionals work faster and more precisely,” said Joel Honeyman, vice president of global innovation at Doosan Bobcat. “It’s not just smarter technology; it’s a smarter experience that puts expert-level guidance directly in the cab.”

Bobcat also announced Service.AI, an AI-powered service and support platform designed to minimise equipment downtime by giving dealers and technicians instant access to the company’s full repair expertise. With Service.AI, Bobcat dealers and technicians can instantly retrieve repair manuals and warranty details, receive real-time diagnostic guidance, and leverage an extensive archive of historical cases for faster troubleshooting.

In addition, Bobcat unveiled its prototype Collision Warning and Avoidance System, which it called the first and only system in development for the compact equipment industry designed to actively slow or stop a machine before a collision occurs. The system uses advanced imaging radar to track the position, direction and speed of surrounding objects in real time — if a potential hazard is detected, the machine will automatically alert and even slow down or stop the machine.

The company’s Advanced Display Technology, a MicroLED, transparent, auto-tint, touch-enabled display concept seamlessly integrated into the cab door or machine window, was also showcased at the US trade event. This overlays critical operational data directly onto the operator’s field of view, allowing them to see both the jobsite and machine insights simultaneously.

“It’s not just a screen,” Honeyman said. “It’s a smarter window into the work, delivering clarity, control and confidence.”

Bobcat also flagged RogueX3, which it calls its most advanced fully electric and autonomous concept machine to date. The version showcased at CES featured an electric powertrain and can operate remotely or autonomously without a cab.

Powering Bobcat’s electric future is the Bobcat Standard Unit Pack (BSUP), a fast-charging, modular battery system engineered for rugged jobsite conditions. By enabling flexible, cleaner and quieter operations, BSUP will serve as a foundational building block for the next generation of electric construction equipment.

Together, these technologies and solutions form an integrated system of solutions set to redefine what’s possible on the modern jobsite, according to Park. “We’re not just imagining the future — we’re engineering it,” he said. “By combining AI, autonomy, electrification and connectivity, Bobcat is creating technology that empowers people, simplifies work and sets a new standard for the industry.”

Products and technologies featured at CES are showcased as prototypes or concept models, highlighting the innovation shaping the future. While not commercially available at present, several are advancing toward commercialisation.

Read more:

Bobcat unveils first 3-wheel forklift with lithium-ion battery

Bobcat attachments boost productivity

Bobcat unveils next-gen mini excavators

Canada’s Northern Graphite is looking to restart production at Namibia’s Okanjande graphite mine after signing a deal to supply a new battery anode material (BAM) plant in Saudi Arabia

The graphite mine has been on care and maintenance since 2018.

It follows the signing of a US$200mn agreement with Obeikan Investment Group to jointly develop and operate a large-scale BAM facility in Saudi’s Yanbu Industrial City through a joint venture company.

The joint venture company will be 51% owned by Obeikan and 49% by Northern with first phase BAM production capacity forecast at 25,000 tonnes per year (tpy), to be followed by potential expansion to meet growing global demand.

Construction of the industrial facility is expected to start in 2026, with first-phase production forecast to begin in 2028.

The two sides will also look to conclude a long-term offtake agreement for the purchase of up to 50,000 tpy of graphite concentrate from Northern’s Okanjande mine.

Hugues Jacquemin, Northern Graphite’s CEO, said the joint venture marks a defining step in Northern’s evolution from a mining company into a fully integrated, global battery anode material producer.

“By partnering with Obeikan in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we are partnering with a well-financed and experienced industrial player, gaining scale, financing strength, and access to one of the world’s most strategically important industrial hubs,” he said, “while accelerating the restart of our Okanjande mine in Namibia and advancing our broader mine-to-market strategy.”

The project is also aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and accelerating demand for secure, non-Chinese graphite anode supply chains.

Project debt financing is expected to to be sourced from Saudi government finance agencies, as well as local and global commercial banks.

According to SNE Research, lithium-ion battery cell manufacturing capacity is expected to reach 4,527 GWh by 2035 (9% CAGR), with graphite retaining over 91% anode share through 2040.

At the same time, evolving policies are splitting the global graphite market as tariffs and de-risking measures drive demand for non-Chinese anode materials.

“Saudi Arabia is an attractive location for our BAM plant due to its low energy and labour costs, close proximity to Namibia, strong government support, favourable financing conditions, and trade advantages that include low tariffs into the US and efficient access to European markets,” said Jacquemin.

Northern will receive a royalty on net sales of BAM in addition to its direct ownership interest in the joint venture company.

It also materially accelerates the restart and potential expansion of the Okanjande mine in Namibia, Northern commented in a statement, “and represents an opportunity to substantially increase the company’s graphite production at a lower cost and with a shorter time to market than most competing projects.”

A preliminary economic assessment for the Okanjande project contemplates 31,000 tpy of production over a 10-year mine life.

However, Northern believes the mine contains a “substantial measured and indicated resource” and intends to prepare a new technical report to evaluate the economics of producing at a higher rate.

Read more:

Kamoa-Kakula smelter produces first copper anodes

Giant mining trucks head for Guinea

FG Gold secures Baomahun project funds

Etihad Airways is celebrating a major milestone in Africa as it marks 20 years of nonstop flights between Abu Dhabi and Johannesburg

Johannesburg remains one of Etihad’s longest-standing gateways on the continent and a strategically significant market within the airline’s rapidly expanding global network.

Since the route launched in 2005, Etihad has transported nearly two million passengers between the UAE and South Africa, strengthening cultural, business, and tourism ties between the two nations. In 2025 alone, the airline carried more than 100,000 guests on the route, reflecting sustained demand and the ongoing importance of Johannesburg within Etihad’s network.

Today, Etihad’s services to Johannesburg provide nonstop access to Abu Dhabi, along with seamless onward connections to the Middle East, Europe, North America, the Indian Subcontinent, and Asia Pacific via Zayed International Airport. Beyond Abu Dhabi, passengers travelling from Johannesburg can continue to key destinations such as Jeddah, Istanbul, Mumbai, Bangkok, and Phuket, highlighting the route’s role as a gateway to Etihad’s global network. The route is further supported by Etihad’s growing partnerships across Southern Africa, enabling smoother connections within the region.

“Johannesburg has played an important role in our African network for two decades. The strong performance we continue to see both in passenger demand and corporate travel highlights the long-term relationship between the UAE and South Africa, and the value Etihad brings in enabling trade and tourism. Africa remains a key pillar of our global strategy, and we are proud to continue supporting this dynamic market as part of our wider Journey 2030 ambitions,” said Javier Alija, vice-president global sales & distribution at Etihad Airways.

Expanding Etihad’s footprint across Africa

The Johannesburg milestone coincides with Etihad’s broader growth across Africa. The continent continues to demonstrate strong travel demand, supported by a growing population of international travellers and deepening economic and cultural ties with the UAE.

Etihad’s network developments reflect this momentum, with new services launched in the past year to key African gateways including Tunis, Addis Ababa, and Nairobi. Established connections to destinations such as Casablanca and Cairo continue to perform strongly, benefiting from access to Etihad’s expanding global network.

The airline’s strategic partnership with Ethiopian Airlines further extends its reach across Africa, offering passengers improved connectivity to a broad range of destinations beyond Etihad’s own network.

Corporate travel momentum

The Johannesburg route continues to see strong performance from the corporate segment, with corporate revenue in 2025 rising more than 50 percent year-on-year. This growth is supported by robust UAE–South Africa economic ties and Abu Dhabi’s increasing position as a global business hub.

As it celebrates 20 years in Johannesburg, Etihad remains committed to deepening its presence across Africa through enhanced services, broader partnerships, and an expanded network to meet rising demand across the continent.

The countries of sub-Saharan Africa are set to become more important as the global economy realigns in the face of wider geopolitical shifts, a new report suggests

South Africa, as one of the so-called BRICS nations, also stands to prosper.

The report, by Boston Consulting Group, suggests that global trade will show some resilience, and could grow 2.5% annually through to 2034 despite rising fragmentation.

According to the report, nations in the so-called ‘Rest of the world’ category — which includes all of sub-Saharan Africa, with the exception of South Africa — look set to gain overall on the back of strategic neutrality.

“These free agents, however, will become increasingly important in the future, both as markets and suppliers of goods and services,” the report notes.

While there are a wide range of trade scenarios, reflecting current volatility, small non-aligned countries appear to be relatively isolated from any potential negative fallout.

The BRICS+ nations — including South Africa, and countries that joined later, such as Egypt and Ethiopia — will also seek to expand relationships within the Global South.

“BRICS+ countries have been taking steps to collaborate with each other on trade, which they see as a driver of growth,” the report notes. But their approach to trade differs, with some negotiating deals with other groupings and some not.”

BRICS+ nations (excluding China) could see 3% growth with the rest of the world over the period as well as trade growth among themselves, it adds.

“Global trade isn’t retreating, it’s reorganising,” said Marc Gilbert, managing director and senior partner, Global Leader of the Center for Geopolitics, and a co-author of the report.

“Leaders who embed geopolitics in capital and strategic decision-making will be best positioned to navigate the next decade of change to secure resilience as well as growth.”

Read more:

AFC, Eaglestone share the Lobito limelight

Afreximbank backs Heirs Energies expansion

Dangote secures landmark US$4bn refinancing deal

Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Toyota Tsusho Manufacturing Ghana Co. Limited (TTMG), a subsidiary of CFAO SAS (CFAO), has acquired the Toyota and Hino distributor business from Toyota Ghana Limited Company (TGLC) in Ghana, effective December 31, 2025

Strengthening mobility operations in Africa

Toyota Tsusho is developing four core business areas across Africa: mobility, green infrastructure, healthcare, and consumer solutions. Its mobility operations cover all 54 African countries, with the group directly operating Toyota automotive distributors in 35 of these nations, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa.

In Ghana, TGLC, which is independent of Toyota Tsusho, has previously served as the distributor for Toyota and Hino vehicles. Meanwhile, CFAO Mobility Ghana, a Toyota Tsusho group-operated distributor, has handled multiple other automotive brands in the country.

Purpose of the acquisition

This strategic acquisition brings the Toyota and Hino distributor business under the direct management of Toyota Tsusho in Ghana, allowing the company to expand its mobility value chain. Toyota Tsusho aims to offer a safe and reliable automotive experience in Ghana, consistent with its standards across Africa, including after-sales service and insurance offerings.

TTMG, which currently manages the assembly of Toyota and Suzuki vehicles in Ghana through semi knock down production, will now also take on sales functions, serving as the main customer contact while continuing its manufacturing role. Semi knock down production refers to a method where vehicle bodies are imported welded and painted, with major components assembled locally onto the chassis.

Future developments

With this acquisition, Ghana becomes the 36th African country where Toyota Tsusho directly operates a Toyota distributor, reinforcing the group’s development strategy in the region. The move is expected to improve vehicle inventory management, streamline logistics, and enhance sales to governments and international organisations.

Toyota Tsusho will also explore opportunities to optimise sales across Ghana in collaboration with CFAO Mobility Ghana, further strengthening its local presence.

Guided by the philosophy “with Africa for Africa,” the Toyota Tsusho group continues to invest in Africa’s sustainable development while providing world-class automotive products and services across the continent.