Kamoa-Kakula’s on-site hybrid solar power facilities, integrated with battery energy storage, are now fully operational, supplying 60 MW of continuous baseload power to its mining operations

The combined capacity is set to double to 120 MW within 18 months under plans supported by two additional power purchase agreements (PPAs).

Construction and commissioning of the two solar photovoltaic (PV) facilities and their battery energy storage system (BESS) were completed during the third quarter of 2026. By the end of September, both facilities had reached their combined nameplate capacity. Construction of the two 30-MW facilities began in June 2025, with the first starting power deliveries in August 2026 and the second becoming operational in late September. CrossBoundary Energy and Green World Energie own, operate and fund the facilities.

The installation comprises a 433-MW-peak PV facility and an adjacent battery storage system with a capacity of 1,107 MWh. The stored solar energy enables the system to supply Kamoa-Kakula, its sole offtaker, with 60 MW of power continuously over 24 hours. The installation is the largest hybrid solar PV and battery storage facility at a mining operation in Africa.

Kamoa-Kakula plans to increase its on-site hybrid solar capacity to 120 MW within 18 months. In April 2026, it awarded a contract to Green World Energie and signed a PPA for an additional 30 MW. In August 2026, it awarded a further contract and signed another 30-MW PPA with Lualaba Solar Company. Both facilities are planned for construction within Kamoa-Kakula’s joint-venture licence area.

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and AFD Group / Expertise France, working with the Government of Rwanda through the Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA) and Rwanda Public Procurement Authority (RPPA), have completed a market readiness study examining the availability, affordability and supply of selected green building materials and equipment in Rwanda

The Market Study on Rwanda’s Green Building Materials and Equipment Market was validated on 24 September 2026 at an event attended by representatives from government, the construction and engineering sectors, academia and other stakeholders.

The study is expected to support the development of green technical specifications for selected products and contribute to the implementation of Rwanda’s Green Building Minimum Compliance Standards.

Assessing Rwanda’s green construction market

Following stakeholder consultations, three products widely used in Rwanda’s construction sector were selected for detailed market readiness analysis.

The assessment examined market demand, lifecycle costs and supply chains, providing evidence on existing market conditions as well as the opportunities and constraints affecting the availability and uptake of sustainable construction solutions.

Caroline Raes, GGGI Africa’s deputy regional director for quality of delivery and country representative for Rwanda, highlighted Rwanda’s efforts to promote green building and the partnership with AFD Group / Expertise France.

“The transition to greener construction requires more than standards and policies. It also requires markets that can provide accessible, affordable and reliable green solutions. This study helps connect Rwanda’s policy ambition with the market conditions needed for implementation, supporting a more sustainable built environment and contributing to the country’s broader transition to a green economy.” Said Caroline.

Green procurement and construction

The study was undertaken under the Green Public Financial Management (PFM) technical assistance programme, funded by Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and implemented by Expertise France.

The programme supports Rwanda’s efforts to incorporate environmental and climate considerations into public financial management and public spending.

As part of the programme, Expertise France commissioned GGGI Rwanda to conduct the market study. Its findings are intended to provide evidence-based insights for green procurement guidelines and support the development of Rwanda’s green construction ecosystem.

Anthea Manasseh, AFD Country Director for Rwanda, said:

“Sustainable public procurement can help turn public spending into a driver of market transformation. By strengthening the evidence base on green construction materials and equipment, this study provides practical information that can help public institutions make more informed procurement decisions while creating opportunities for more sustainable solutions and local market development.”

Rwanda’s green building standards

The market assessment builds on Rwanda’s existing efforts to improve sustainability in the built environment.

In 2019, the Government of Rwanda, through RHA, developed the Rwanda Green Building Minimum Compliance System (GBMCS), with technical support from GGGI and other partners.

The system establishes environmental performance indicators covering energy and water efficiency, environmental protection, indoor environmental quality and green innovation.

Jimmy Christian Byukusenge, director general of the Rwanda Public Procurement Authority, said, “Every public procurement decision is an opportunity to advance Rwanda’s sustainability agenda while maximizing value for public resources. By integrating national and international sustainability standards and adopting life-cycle cost analysis, we can move beyond the lowest upfront price to consider long-term economic, environmental, and social value. This strategic approach ensures that public procurement delivers greater efficiency, responsible resource utilization, and sustainable development outcomes for present and future generations.”

Building Rwanda’s sustainable construction market

Alphonse Rukaburandekwe, director general of the Rwanda Housing Authority, called for greater collaboration between the government and private sector to translate Rwanda’s sustainable construction policies into practical solutions at scale.

He said Rwanda has established an important policy direction for sustainable construction, but strengthening the market and institutional systems needed to implement these commitments is now a priority.

Rukaburandekwe also highlighted the potential for sustainable construction to support local industry development, employment, innovation and the Made in Rwanda agenda, while maintaining required quality and performance standards.

“For green building standards to translate into practice, the market must be able to provide the materials, equipment and technical solutions required to meet them,” stated Rukaburandekwe. 

The study also addresses practical barriers to scaling green construction in Rwanda, including limited awareness of green materials, concerns about upfront costs, local production capacity and market availability.

By connecting market evidence with sustainable procurement, the initiative is expected to strengthen the conditions required for wider adoption of green building materials, equipment and solutions in Rwanda.

Unpredictable rainfall and increasingly demanding water management requirements are putting additional pressure on mining operations across Central Africa

Integrated Pump Technology, distributor of Grindex submersible pumps and Godwin surface pumps, is addressing these challenges through application-specific pumping solutions, regional partnerships and technical support designed around the needs of local mines.

The company’s presence in Central Africa has grown alongside the expansion of the region’s mining industry, particularly in copper and gold production. Larger mining operations have increased the need for comprehensive pumping equipment, reliable aftersales services and technical expertise.

JD Nel, Godwin product manager, explained, “We have had a presence in the regions for a while now. Over the years, it expanded because of growing commodity demand, such as copper. Also, mines in Central Africa are often up to five times bigger than what we are used to in Africa. That is why we need to have a comprehensive equipment offering along with aftersales and technical support.”

Addressing changing dewatering demands

Managing water has become increasingly challenging as mining operations contend with changing rainfall patterns. According to Nel, heavier and less predictable storms can overwhelm mine water management systems, disrupting production and placing greater demands on dewatering equipment.

“The biggest challenge for the mining operations is rain and climate change. The rain is coming down on a more frequent basis, and it’s double the amount it previously was. Unforeseen rains have a huge impact on any mining operation, which can bring production to a halt.”

To address these requirements, Integrated Pump Technology provides different pumping solutions for underground and open-pit mining environments, taking into account the operating conditions and water volumes involved.

For underground applications, the company supplies Grindex electrical submersible pumps, which are used for routine dewatering in demanding mining environments. Introduced in the 1960s, the pumps have established a presence in heavy-duty applications worldwide. Their design supports operation in harsh, abrasive conditions, including continuous dewatering duties without constant operator supervision.

Open-pit mines often require a different approach, particularly when heavy rainfall results in large volumes of accumulated water. Integrated Pump Technology combines Grindex electrical pumps with Godwin self-priming diesel and electric units to address these requirements.

Pump selection depends on the conditions at each site, including the availability of power and the volume of water that needs to be removed. As Nel explained, “The selection of a suitable pump depends on a few factors that need to be kept in mind such as power availability and volumes of water.”

Local partnerships support operational continuity

Access to equipment, spare parts and technical assistance is particularly important for mines operating in remote locations. Integrated Pump Technology works with local distributors to provide support closer to customers and help maintain the availability of essential dewatering equipment.

In Zambia, Integrated Engineering Services maintains pump and spare-parts stocks and operates a fully equipped workshop. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the company is represented by Congo Pump Solutions. Both partners provide daily on-site assistance to mining operations.

Nel highlights the importance of this local expertise: “Our local partners understand a mining operation and our product offering. This ensures that we can change the pump out or select the correct pump for a specific application, which adds value towards the mining operations,”

Beyond equipment supply and replacement, the company also investigates pump failures to determine whether the equipment is appropriate for the conditions in which it operates. Examining the application helps identify potential causes of failure and supports more suitable equipment selection.

“There should be a reason why a pump fails. So, we’ll go and have a look at the application to ensure that the pump is the correct pump for that specific application.”

Expanding regional support

Integrated Pump Technology plans to increase its personnel and extend its presence across Central Africa as mining activity and dewatering requirements continue to evolve.

By combining Grindex and Godwin pumping equipment with local distributor networks and application-focused technical support, the company aims to help mining operators manage water more effectively. Its approach places emphasis not only on supplying pumps, but also on understanding site-specific conditions, responding to operational problems and selecting equipment suited to the demands of each application.

Global goods trade grew faster in the first half of 2026 than in any half-year over the past 15 years, apart from the exceptional rebound following the Covid pandemic

Demand for products used to build artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, including semiconductors and data-transmission equipment, was a major contributor to the increase. According to WTO and OECD analysis, AI-enabling goods accounted for 42% of goods trade growth in 2025, rising to 76% in the first quarter of 2026.

These findings appear in the latest edition of the DHL Globalization Tracker, released by DHL and New York University's Stern School of Business. Drawing on more than 30 million data points, the report examines international flows of trade, capital, information and people. Previously known as the DHL Global Connectedness Tracker, the publication has adopted its new name for this edition.

AI buildout boosts global trade

The expansion of AI infrastructure is increasing demand for specialised equipment and strengthening cross-border supply chains.

"The biggest story in global trade right now is AI, not tariffs," said John Pearson, CEO of DHL Express. "Every AI query ultimately depends on logistics. Chips, networking equipment and the many other goods behind this technology must be in the right place at the right time. DHL connects the businesses and markets behind these complex supply chains. Whenever innovation creates new trade flows, our global network helps keep them moving."

Global effects of Iran war and tariffs remain limited

The war involving Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupted important trade routes, although the effects remained concentrated in economies dependent on the waterway. In the first five months of 2026, trade value fell by 37% in Saudi Arabia and 7% in the United Arab Emirates compared with the same period in 2025.

US tariffs reached their highest levels in decades, but their global impact remained limited. The US accounted for 13% of world imports in recent years, with approximately half of those imports exempt from tariff increases as of August 2026. Most countries avoided broad retaliatory measures, with many pursuing new trade agreements to secure access to alternative markets.

Global trade outlook improves through 2029

Global goods trade is projected to grow by an average of 3.4% annually through 2029, compared with the 2.7% annual growth rate recorded over the previous decade.

"The surprise is not only that global trade kept growing through new tariffs and the Iran war," said Prof. Steven A. Altman, Director of the DHL Initiative on Globalization at NYU Stern's Center for the Future of Management. "The outlook is now stronger than it was before either shock. This reminds us to look beyond the most visible disruptions and recognize the deeper reasons why trade remains so resilient. The AI trade boom highlights the demand for goods and services that can only be provided efficiently when specialized producers work together across countries. It also shows how companies continually adapt to keep trade moving through disruptions and policy shifts."

US-China trade links weaken without a global split

Trade and investment ties between the US and China have weakened considerably, but the shift has not resulted in a broader division of the global economy into rival blocs. Trade between the two countries accounted for 3.5% of world goods trade at its peak in 2015, falling to 1.6% during the first five months of 2026. Their share of international business investment was even smaller, at less than 1%.

Meanwhile, close US allies have largely maintained their economic relationships with China, challenging the idea that the two countries' decoupling is dividing the global economy into competing blocs.

Direct trade figures also understate US reliance on China. Goods imported into the US from other countries increasingly contain Chinese materials and components. When these indirect imports are included, US reliance on China had declined only slightly through 2024, the latest year for which data were available.

Sub-saharan Africa records strong trade growth

Sub-Saharan Africa's trade value increased by 11% in the first five months of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, despite higher tariffs, geopolitical tensions and disruptions to major trade routes. This followed a period in which the region recorded the world's fastest trade value growth during the first six months of 2025.

"The narrative around Africa often focuses on challenges. What this data shows is that trade across the region continues to grow, even amid geopolitical uncertainty and market disruption. That's a strong signal of the resilience of African businesses and the growing connections between African markets and the rest of the world. The next step is making sure more SMEs can access those opportunities and grow beyond their home markets," said Hennie Heymans, CEO of DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa.

Globalisation reaches a new record

The report measures globalization through international flows of trade, capital, information and people, using a scale from 0%, representing no cross-border flows, to 100%, where borders and distance have no impact.

Globalisation reached a record level of 25.8% in 2025, supported partly by AI-related trade and investment. All four categories of international flows contributed to the record. Information flows remained the most globalized, followed by capital and trade, while people flows remained the least globalized.

About the DHL Globalization Tracker

The DHL Globalization Tracker is a report and interactive website providing regular updates on globalization and international trade. It complements the DHL Globalization Report, published regularly since 2011.

Drawing on more than 25 public, private and academic sources, the Tracker analyses over 30 million data points covering international flows of trade, capital, information and people. Its interactive charts allow users to explore trends by region, geopolitical alignment and individual country, with options to download data and charts for offline analysis.

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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African mobility group Spiro has signed a partnership with Yadea to scale accessible and sustainable electric transport across the continent

The partnership comes as Spiro accelerates its next phase of growth and expansion across Africa following its latest US$270mn funding round, which included investment from NewTrails Capital, a Chinese fund.

Yadea, founded in China, is the world's leading manufacturer of electric two-wheelers, with more than 100 million vehicles sold worldwide in over 100 countries and 10 exclusive production facilities globally.

Under the agreement, Yadea will supply electric two-wheelers and related EV products tailored to Spiro’s expanding regional markets, while Spiro will integrate the vehicles into its proprietary battery-swapping and energy infrastructure.

The companies will also co-develop customised two-wheeler platforms engineered specifically for local road conditions and commercial utility across Africa.

“Africa’s shift to electric mobility is accelerating and this partnership helps us meet that demand at scale,” said Anant Badjatya, CEO of Spiro.

“By bringing together Yadea’s manufacturing strength with Spiro’s electric mobility ecosystem and operating experience across Africa, we are compressing the timeline to clean transport — helping thousands more riders switch to affordable EVs faster and multiplying our climate impact across the continent.”

Spiro already boasts an operational network and battery-swapping ecosystem across seven countries.

Together, the companies aim to build a scalable, commercially sustainable EV framework serving millions of commercial fleet operators, delivery services, logistics providers, and daily commuters in Africa’s fastest-growing mobility markets.

“Our strategic partnership with Yadea…opens fantastic opportunities to jointly pioneer the next era of electric mobility in emerging markets”, said Gagan Gupta, Spiro’s founder.

Wang Jiazhong, senior vice president of Yadea Technology Group, said Africa represents a huge frontier for zero-emission transport.

“Our mission to reduce carbon emissions has reached a powerful milestone through this partnership with Spiro. Together, we are combining global innovation with local infrastructure to deliver scalable and sustainable mobility solutions that serve millions of riders and transform Africa’s urban transit.”

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