China’s DoGo Power has expanded into Mali, launching grid-forming energy storage solutions for commercial & industrial (C&I) and utility-scale power stations

Guided by a long-term localisation strategy, the company said in a statement that it will partner with local industry players to expand green energy access and accelerate Mali's power system upgrade and low-carbon transition.

“This move marks a key milestone in DoGo Power's Africa market strategy,” the statement read.

“The company will build local service and technical support teams covering full-cycle solution customisation, delivery and O&M, aligning its proven grid-forming technology with local power development needs.”

It added: “With its first batch of products arriving at port, DoGo Power will continue to deepen its presence in Mali and the wider African market.”

In April, DoGo Power held a partnership recruitment event in Mali, to bring together representatives from local government departments, key enterprises, investment institutions, industry consulting agencies and local media, to discuss development opportunities in North Africa’s energy storage market.

Mali faces severe energy supply constraints: national electrification coverage stands below 50% (less than 30% in rural areas), with over 80% of generation coming from costly diesel fuel.

Frequent outages caused by weak grid stability have become a major bottleneck for local development and industrial users.Meanwhile, the country's annual average of over 3,000 hours of sunshine lays a solid foundation for solar-plus-storage growth.

“Adapted to Mali's grid conditions, DoGo Power’s intelligent grid-forming energy storage solutions ensure uninterrupted power for critical loads during grid fluctuations or outages, and support PV-storage-diesel hybrid configurations to cut diesel reliance and increase green energy consumption, flexibly catering to off-grid and weak-grid demands,” the company’s statement noted.

“Leveraging full industrial chain strengths and localised capabilities, it will iteratively optimise tailored storage solutions to help build a more stable, cleaner and inclusive modern power system in Mali, serving as a trusted long-term technology partner for the region's energy transition.”

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As construction and infrastructure projects become larger, more complex and increasingly demanding in terms of quality, technical field service has become an integral part of successful concrete production and placement

The role now extends well beyond supplying construction chemicals, with experienced specialists working alongside contractors, concrete producers and project teams to help maintain consistent concrete performance throughout the project lifecycle.

Concrete quality and performance can be affected by numerous factors, including variations in raw materials, environmental conditions, transportation times, placement techniques and curing methods. Even when high-performance construction chemicals are specified, achieving the required results depends on their correct application, monitoring and continuous optimisation as project conditions change.

Chryso’s technical field service teams play a proactive role in addressing these requirements. Rather than becoming involved only when technical issues occur, Chryso specialists engage with customers from the early stages of projects, supporting concrete mix optimisation, product selection, site trials and performance monitoring. Their regular presence at construction sites and batching plants enables potential issues to be identified and addressed before they lead to production interruptions, quality problems or additional costs.

According to Cornelius Julyan, Field Services team leader at Chryso Southern Africa, technical field support has become a key differentiator in modern concrete construction.

"Construction projects operate under immense pressure to meet demanding quality standards while maintaining programme schedules and controlling costs. Having experienced technical specialists available on site allows challenges to be addressed quickly, ensuring concrete performs as intended under actual operating conditions rather than simply under laboratory conditions." 

Chryso’s technical specialists recognise that concrete performance varies from one project to another. Aggregate properties, cement chemistry, water quality, ambient temperatures and logistics can all affect concrete behaviour. Through continuous monitoring and assessment, teams can adjust admixture dosages and mix designs when required, helping maintain consistent workability, strength development, durability and surface finish throughout construction.

This level of technical support is particularly important for major infrastructure projects, high-rise developments, industrial facilities and specialised civil engineering applications. Such projects often involve highly engineered concrete specifications and strict performance requirements, leaving little room for variability.

Rapid technical response

Fast technical support can also help minimise the impact of unexpected challenges. When issues occur, Chryso technicians can investigate potential root causes on site and recommend practical corrective measures. This approach can reduce production disruption, minimise the risk of rejected concrete and help contractors avoid delays that could affect wider project schedules.

Information collected by Chryso’s field service teams also provides valuable insights for customers. Site observations, testing results and practical experience can be used to optimise subsequent concrete pours, improve batching consistency and support continuous performance improvements across projects.

"Successful concrete construction is built on partnership. Our field service teams work alongside customers throughout the project lifecycle, sharing technical knowledge, optimising concrete performance and helping ensure that every load delivered consistently meets the project's requirements. This collaborative approach gives customers greater confidence, reduces operational risk and ultimately contributes to better project outcomes," added Julyan.

Regular engagement with customers also provides opportunities for knowledge transfer and skills development. Chryso specialists work with batching plant personnel, quality control laboratories, contractors and concrete placing teams to strengthen their understanding of best practices in concrete production and application. This knowledge can help improve consistency beyond the completion of individual projects.

Supporting sustainable concrete construction

As construction methods evolve and sustainability requirements become more prominent, technical field service is increasingly helping customers improve material efficiency while maintaining concrete performance. Specialists can support efforts to optimise cement content, reduce material waste and improve resource efficiency without compromising the required properties of the finished concrete.

“For Chryso, technical support in the field is not simply an after-sales function but a strategic extension of our commitment to helping customers deliver safer, more efficient and higher-quality construction projects,” Julyan concluded. “By combining advanced admixture technology with practical on-site expertise, we help ensure that engineered concrete solutions perform reliably under real-world conditions, giving contractors and concrete producers the confidence to deliver projects successfully.”

Epiroc AB has secured a large underground mining equipment order from MMG Limited for the expansion of the Khoemacau Copper Mine in Botswana’s Kalahari Copper Belt

The order, valued at approximately SEK 610 million (US$64mn), includes a fleet of underground drilling rigs, cable bolting rigs, loaders and mine trucks. It was booked by Epiroc in the third quarter of 2026.

MMG, a global mining company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, placed the order together with mining contractors China Huaye and 23MCC, both subsidiaries of MMG’s major shareholder, China Minmetals Corp.

The equipment will support the expansion of the Khoemacau Copper Mine, a major underground mining operation located in northwest Botswana.

Epiroc equipment to support underground copper mining

The equipment fleet ordered by MMG includes:

• Boomer M20 S face drilling rig
• Simba E70 S ITH production drilling rig
• Cabletec M10 S cable bolting rig
• Scooptram ST18 S loader
• Minetruck MT65 S

The “S” designation indicates that the machines are part of Epiroc’s Smart series, making them ready for automation and remote-control applications.

Epiroc will also provide a remote-control solution for the loaders, alongside spare parts, tools and on-site technical services. Customised training programmes and simulators will further support operators and mine personnel, while an on-site parts inventory is intended to help maintain equipment performance throughout the mining operation.

“Epiroc has a long-standing cooperation with MMG, China Huaye and 23MCC,” stated Helena Hedblom, Epiroc’s president and CEO.

“We are proud to be a trusted partner to Chinese mining companies as they expand and operate internationally. This commitment is part of our broader mission to support customers across the globe with leading technology and expertise. With this supply of advanced underground equipment for the Khoemacau expansion in Botswana, we look forward to helping MMG enhance productivity, efficiency and safety.”

The order strengthens Epiroc’s presence in Botswana, where the company is continuing to expand its aftermarket facilities to support mining customers operating in the region.

Epiroc is also supporting MMG’s collaboration with Botswana’s Ministry of Higher Education to develop the country’s future mining workforce through the Centre of Mining Excellence at Maun Technical College.

Xia Weiquan, president of Africa Operations at MMG, commented, “I believe this fleet from Epiroc, including important on-site technical support, will significantly enhance our underground mining productivity and safety in Botswana. With partners like Epiroc, MMG will also continue to build a lo cal talent pipeline with skilled mining professionals and a sustainable future for Botswana.”

Smart mining technology targets productivity and safety

The combination of Smart series equipment, remote-control technology, technical support and workforce training is designed to support the operational requirements of the Khoemacau mine expansion.

The deployment of automation-ready underground equipment can provide mining operators with greater flexibility in managing drilling, loading and haulage activities, while remote-control capabilities can support safer and more efficient equipment operation in appropriate mining environments.

Epiroc’s aftermarket support will complement the equipment supply through on-site services, spare parts and technical expertise, helping MMG and its contractors maintain equipment availability and performance.

Delivery of the equipment is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026, with the full order expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2028.

The Khoemacau expansion will therefore see Epiroc’s underground mining equipment deployed alongside ongoing technical support, training and automation capabilities as MMG continues to develop its copper mining operations in Botswana.

The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), part of the World Bank Group Guarantee Platform, has issued guarantees backing the modernisation of Angola's Lobito railway corridor, a move set to generate employment while strengthening the country's trade and logistics capacity for critical minerals vital to the energy transition

MIGA has provided US$62.6mn in guarantees to Portuguese construction firm Mota-Engil, covering its equity investments in Lobito Atlantic Railway, which manages the Lobito Corridor under a 30-year concession granted by the Angolan government. The company oversees the operation, upkeep, and long-term upgrading of roughly 1,300 kilometres of railway running from the Port of Lobito on Angola's Atlantic coast to Luau at the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, along with a mineral terminal at the port.

The corridor provides one of the shortest and most cost-effective paths connecting the DRC's copper- and cobalt-rich Copperbelt to global export markets, cutting transit times well below those of existing road routes. Both copper and cobalt are critical to clean energy technologies such as EV batteries and energy storage systems, and demand for these minerals is projected to rise sharply in the decades ahead.

At full capacity, the project is expected to create more than 1,600 direct jobs, with Angolan nationals making up 97% of the workforce. The corridor currently employs around 945 workers, including 529 who transferred from state-owned rail and port operators — a shift that is helping build local skills across the route.

"The Lobito Corridor will play an essential role in creating jobs, strengthening trade, and supporting the global energy transition," said Tsutomu Yamamoto, managing director at MIGA.

"We are proud to support Mota-Engil and Lobito Atlantic Railway in this landmark project, which will bolster the country's trade and logistics infrastructure and boost Angola's economic competitiveness, while creating jobs for Angolans."

"The partnership with MIGA strengthens the conditions required to deliver an investment of this scale and reflects international confidence in the project and in the execution capabilities of its partners," said Manuel Mota, Vice-CEO of the Mota-Engil Group.

"For Mota-Engil, its participation in the Lobito Corridor represents the continuation of an 80-year commitment to Angola and the conviction that strategic projects must be built on strong partnerships, a long-term vision and the creation of sustainable value for the country and the wider region."

Through its political risk insurance, MIGA will shield Mota-Engil's equity stake in Lobito Atlantic Railway from risks including expropriation, war and civil unrest, and breach of contract.

Africa has an opportunity to convert geopolitical tensions and shifting global trade patterns into a catalyst for industrialisation and long-term economic resilience, according to a new Afreximbank report

Leveraging Geopolitics for Trade and Industrialisation in Global Africa examines trade and economic developments across the continent and globally, and outlines strategies for African nations to benefit from supply chain realignments and changing geopolitical dynamics.

“Africa stands at a critical juncture,” said Dr Yemi Kale, group chief economist and managing director of research and trade intelligence at Afreximbank.

“Geopolitical tensions and economic fragmentation are reshaping global trade patterns, but they also present a historic opportunity for the continent. By strategically leveraging these shifts, Africa can build a more resilient, competitive and inclusive economic future.”

Despite a challenging global backdrop, the report highlights Africa’s strong recent economic performance.

While global economic growth slowed to 3.4% in 2025 and is projected to ease further to 3.1% in 2026, Africa’s real GDP growth accelerated from 3.4% in 2024 to 4.5% in 2025, outperforming the global average.

Africa’s merchandise trade also expanded by 6.1% to approximately US$1.5 trillion, while aggregate inflation fell significantly from 21.6% in 2024 to 13.1% in 2025.

According to Afreximbank, these gains reflect improved macroeconomic management, ongoing policy reforms and the role of development finance institutions in supporting economic stability.

However, the report warns that significant structural challenges remain.

Africa’s trade finance gap is estimated at approximately US$74bn in 2025, limiting the continent’s ability to fully capitalise on trade and industrial opportunities.

The situation is compounded by foreign exchange constraints and a continued decline in correspondent banking relationships.

The report also notes that evolving shipping routes and persistent disruptions in global logistics networks are increasing freight costs and extending delivery times, particularly for economies dependent on imported inputs and external markets.

To strengthen resilience, Afreximbank identifies accelerated implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), expansion of the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) and reforms to the global financial architecture as key priorities.

The report notes that stronger industrial ecosystems, increased intra-African trade and sustained financial support will be critical if the continent is to transform geopolitical disruption into sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

“It is imperative for the continent to act decisively to strengthen regional value chains, deepen industrial capacity, expand access to trade finance, and accelerate continental integration,” said Kale, adding that Africa “cannot afford to delay.”

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Arridex has officially commissioned its Omnifactory in Lagos, marking the launch of West Africa’s first multi-technology industrial additive manufacturing facility

The commissioning ceremony was led by Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos state, and brought together senior government representatives, industry stakeholders, members of the diplomatic community and investment delegates participating in the Invest Lagos 3.0 forum.

The Invest Lagos delegation featured participants from the forum’s panel discussion on The Future of Technology and Innovation, where Kayode Adeleke, group CEO of Arridex, highlighted the importance of technology and innovation in advancing Africa’s industrialisation. His insights were shaped by Arridex’s operational experience across sectors including oil and gas, maritime, aerospace, defence, construction and manufacturing.

The Arridex Omnifactory brings together several additive manufacturing technologies within one facility, including Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF), Cold Spray, Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) and Selective Laser Sintering (SLS). The facility enables the production of industrial components, spare parts and enhanced part designs for critical industries, while its large-format manufacturing capabilities support the creation of full-scale marine components and other large industrial structures.

The commissioning of the Omnifactory represents the transformation of two decades of accumulated expertise into a dedicated industrial manufacturing platform. Arridex commenced operations in 2005 as an asset integrity company serving Nigeria’s oil and gas industry before expanding its capabilities into maritime, defence, construction, technology and aerospace sectors. The company has achieved zero lost-time incidents across more than seven million operational man hours.

The next chapter of global manufacturing can be written from Lagos

For Nigeria and West Africa, the Arridex Omnifactory addresses long-standing challenges associated with dependence on imported industrial components. Companies operating ageing infrastructure have often faced extended procurement timelines, complex international supply chains and the growing challenge of sourcing legacy parts from manufacturers that may no longer exist. Through the Omnifactory, Arridex will enable these components to be manufactured on demand within Lagos.

Arridex has received Pioneer Status in additive manufacturing from the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC). The company is also the first organisation qualified by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for additive manufacturing deployment in the oil and gas sector. In addition, its joint venture partnership with the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) supports the local production of military-grade additive manufactured components.

Further strengthening its position in the global additive manufacturing ecosystem, Arridex is the first African member of the Additive Manufacturer Green Trade Association (AMGTA). The company is also a Designated Strategic Partner of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), with Kayode Adeleke serving on the CWEIC Global Advisory Council.

"Today, I opened West Africa's first multi-technology industrial additive manufacturing facility in Lagos. By producing industrial components and spare parts here in Lagos, Arridex is helping to reduce our dependence on imports, strengthening critical industries and supporting economic growth," commented Sanwo-Olu.

"I commend the Arridex team for their vision and commitment to building solutions that serve not only Nigeria but the wider African continent. Lagos will continue to support investments that create opportunities, grow local capacity and position our state as a hub for innovation and industry."

“We did not set out to build the biggest company, but a resilient one. For over two decades, we have chosen the harder path, and that is to make in Africa what others import, to meet global standards without exception, and to put purpose before profit. The Arridex Omnifactory is where that conviction becomes infrastructure. The name on the door is new, but the work behind it is not. We are not stopping here. By the first quarter of 2027, we will commission the Arridex Mega Omnifactory, which will stand among the largest single-site industrial additive manufacturing facilities in the world. The next chapter of global manufacturing can be written from Lagos. We are building it.” concluded Adeleke.