In The Spotlight
The presidents touring the Lobito Port Terminal in Angola. (Image source: US Embassy & Consulates in China)
On a historic visit to Angola, US President Joe Biden announced a direct loan to upgrade and operate the 1,300 km rail line from Lobito port to the town of Luau on the DRC border
Marking the first time an active US President has visited the African nation, President Biden celebrated the relationship between the two countries which “has been transformed from distance to genuine warmth” and that, today, “is the strongest it’s ever been.” Continuing, he remarked how a core goal of his presidency has been to build a strong partnership with peoples and nations across Africa aimed at “achieving shared goals, bringing to bear the dynamism of America’s private sector and the expertise of our government to support aspirations of African entrepreneurs, experts, leaders both inside and outside of government.”
In the two years since the President pledged to deliver US$55bn in new investments in Africa, Biden said that government agencies and members of his cabinet have delivered US$40bn so far, along with nearly 1,200 new business deals being established between African and American companies.
The USA has reportedly invested US$3bn in Angola during President Biden’s tenancy, who noted, “We see the bonds between our countries across sectors, from clean energy to healthcare to sports.”
He added that he and his Angolan counterpart are, “engaged in a major joint project to close the infrastructure gap for the benefit of Angolans, Africans across the continent, Americans and the world. We’ll all benefit… It’s called the Lobito Corridor. We’re building railroad lines from Angola to the Port of Lobito, in Zambia and the DRC, and, ultimately, all the way to the Atlantic — from the Atlantic Ocean to the Indian Ocean. It’ll be the first trans-continental railroad in Africa and the biggest American rail investment outside of America.”
As such, the US International Development Finance Corporation has announced a direct loan of US$553mn that will support the anchor rail investment of the first phase of the project. This will help the project to expand and protect critical mineral supply chains while increasing rail transport capacity and reducing freight transit times and costs.
This was also joined by further commitments to the country and continent including:
• A commitment to provide up to US$150mn in political risk insurance for new water treatment plants;
• US$40mn loan to help support Africa GreenCo Group’s energy aggregation and trading business;
• US$13mn equity investment to support small and medium-sized businesses in frontier markets;
• US$6mn USAID-supported loan portfolio guaranty for Angolan microcredit company Kixicrédito S.A.;
• US$5mn loan to Community Markets for Conservation Limited in Zambia to expand its food processing business;
• US$3.4mn technical assistance grant to Pensana to help develop a rare earth mine and refining facility in Angola;
• and a US$3.2mn technical assistance grant to Chillerton in support of a green copper mining project in Zambia.
The compact and modular design of the NEWgenerator makes it easy to transport, install and commission on site. (Image source: WEC Water)
WEC Water, a leading mechanical and electrical EPC contractor, has supplied and installed 15 NEWgenerator off-grid sanitation systems in a number of Eastern Cape schools
The contractor undertook this work in light of the undignified and unsafe sanitation that posed a major problem to some schools in Eastern Cape. According to Ntwanano Mandlazi, project engineer at WEC Water, many had previously relied on unsafe and unhygienic pit latrines while being located in areas where water is scarce and electricity is unreliable.
Safe and efficient water treatment
In order to meet such challenges, WEC Water proposed the NEWgenerator that treats blackwater from toilets and basin water through biological, physical and chemical processes to a quality suitable for reuse as flushing water in a virtually closed loop system.
According to the company, each NEWgenerator is built into a 6 m refurbished shipping container and consists of an anaerobic baffled reactor (ABR), membrane filtration, a nutrient capture system (NCS) and disinfection. The systems also allow for remote monitoring by the WEC Water team and each unit is powered by 10 solar panels.
Each NEWgenerator is reportedly capable of treating 1,250 l of wastewater per day and nutrients can be recovered from the NCS for conversion into fertiliser. Further, the biogas which can be produced from the treatment process can be captured for cooking.
An impact in South Africa
The systems have now been deployed to 15 schools in the region.
“Once the WEC team has built, installed and commissioned the units, we also have a five-year operations and maintenance contract,” Mandlazi surmised. “This highlights our dedication to supporting these schools with the ongoing operation and upkeep of these units. We are particularly proud of our association with the NEWgenerator technology as it enables Africa to overcome the major challenges of access to safe flushing water and sanitation, ultimately restoring a greater sense of dignity to its people. The technology not only benefits schools but also informal settlements, and small businesses.”
In addition to support from AfDB, the project is expected to receive further financing from a consortium of development finance institutions (DFIs), banks and financial institutions. (Image source: AfDB)
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a loan of up to US$170mn to support the 1.1GW Suez Wind Project in Egypt
The initiative is the largest of its kind in the North African country and represents a total cost of around US$1.1bn. Awarded the Golden License by the Cabinet of Egypt, the project has been recognised as a strategic initiative for the country and has been provided a set of incentives to accelerate its implementation.
“As the largest wind energy project in Egypt, this initiative exemplifies the scale of renewable energy potential across Africa,” said Wale Shonibare, the bank’s director of energy financial solutions, policy, and regulations. “It demonstrates how strong partnerships and innovative solutions can advance the energy transition and foster sustainable economic development.”
As per the proposed plans, a greenfield wind farm will be designed, constructed, operated and maintained along the Gulf of Suez. This will be across two sites, each with a 550MW capacity that will, together, generate around 4,111GWh annually to more than one million households. This is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 1.71mn tons, contributing significantly to Egypt’s climate commitments under the Paris Agreement.
"The Suez Wind Project is a landmark development that underscores Egypt’s leadership in renewable energy and the bank’s steadfast commitment to supporting transformative, clean energy projects across the continent,” commented Kevin Kariuki, vice president for power, energy, climate, and green growth at AfDB. “This project not only facilitates the Government of Egypt’s efforts to achieve 42% of renewable energy in its energy mix by 2030 but also drives local economic growth and strengthens regional energy security.”
Bboxx is championing the economic empowerment of Africa. (Image source: Bboxx)
Bboxx, a data-driven platform that aims to unlock access to clean energy and digital products across Africa, has signed an agreement with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to transform customer experiences and increase operational efficiency by integrating generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) into its Bboxx Pulse platform
AI will be utilised within the platform to analyse and summarise customer data, transaction history and product interactions to accelerate customer service processes, ultimately enabling Bboxx staff to respond to customer queries faster and contributing to improved satisfaction across the board. This will reportedly save approximately 5,000 customer service hours each month.
"Bboxx has always been at the forefront of deploying cutting-edge technology to improve the lives of our customers and to streamline our internal operations,” remarked Anthony Osijo, CEO of Bboxx. “Through this collaboration with AWS’s Generative AI Innovation Centre, we’re enabling our teams to serve our customers better, faster, and more efficiently, ultimately benefitting both our employees and our business as a whole.”
Sri Elaprolu, director of AWS Generative AI Innovation Center, added, “We are excited to see AWS's Generative AI Services being deployed across Bboxx's Pulse platform in 10 new geographies. The integration demonstrates how GenAI solutions can enhance operational efficiency and elevate customer experiences. By collaborating with Bboxx, we're proud to support their mission of transforming lives through clean energy and digital products. Enabling AI-driven innovations drive business growth, and create a positive social impact across Africa.”
According to Bboxx, this will be one of many planned innovations to further optimise customer service and operational efficiency and forms part of its broader strategy to leverage advanced data analytics in pursuit of long-term growth.
Africa in 2024 exemplified resilience and ambition, with strides in renewables, infrastructure development, and global energy partnerships. (Image source: Synergy Consulting)
According to Synergy Consulting, 2024 was the year that Africa showcased its potential as a critical player in the global energy market and highlighted its evolving energy landscape in light of the dual pressures of rising energy demand and climate goals
Renewable energy gains momentum
Renewable energy investments across Africa surged in 2024, driven by growing international interest and local commitments to clean energy. The solar sector saw notable consolidation as companies merged to scale operations and foster innovation. Countries like South Africa and Morocco led the way with major solar and wind projects, emphasising energy security and sustainability. Despite this progress, clean energy investments remained a fraction of what is required to meet the continent’s development goals.
Advancements in battery energy storage systems (BESS)
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are redefining their role within solar energy infrastructure, particularly in behind-the-meter installations. Previously regarded as supplementary backups, batteries are now central to efficient energy management. By leveraging advanced algorithms to forecast energy usage, batteries are used strategically to align energy supply with demand, optimising consumption patterns.
This evolution improves solar system performance and supports grid stability by mitigating peak load stresses. Additionally, standalone BESS is emerging as a cornerstone in utility-scale renewable energy developments. These systems are increasingly deployed to address electricity supply challenges, enhancing the integration of renewable sources while fostering partnerships between public and private entities. This shift highlights the growing importance of BESS in creating resilient, flexible energy systems.
Expansion of gas infrastructure
Natural gas emerged as a focal point for African energy strategies. Africa's gas-to-power market made significant strides in 2024, with increased investments in infrastructure and regional collaborations. Major liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects in Nigeria, Mozambique, and Senegal drove the sector’s growth, supplying both domestic grids and exports to Europe amid global energy shifts. Improved pipelines and storage facilities enhanced distribution, while public-private partnerships boosted the reliability of power supply in underserved regions.
This evolution emphasised gas as a transitional energy source, bridging the gap between fossil fuels and renewables while supporting industrial growth and energy security across the continent.
Innovations and regional cooperation
In 2024, Africa’s power pools – Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP), West African Power Pool (WAPP), and Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) – have advanced significantly in promoting regional electricity integration and market development:
1. Eastern Africa Power Pool: The EAPP has expanded its cross-border energy trade and refined its operational framework to facilitate real-time electricity exchanges. Leveraging renewable energy potential, it integrated markets across its member states, allowing surplus energy from renewable sources like wind and geothermal to be traded efficiently. This helped mitigate shortages in neighboring countries and reduced dependency on high-cost fossil fuels during peak demand periods;
2. West African Power Pool: The WAPP focused on bolstering regional grid infrastructure and implementing a day-ahead power market. This market structure encouraged competition among utilities and independent power producers (IPPs), driving down consumer energy costs. Significant investments were made in interconnections, enhancing the reliability of electricity supply across member countries while expanding access to cleaner energy sources;
3. Southern African Power Pool: SAPP witnessed increased participation from private sector IPPs, particularly in renewable energy. New interconnection projects improved cross-border electricity flows, ensuring better utilisation of surplus power in countries with higher generation capacity. SAPP also introduced new market platforms that allowed for shorter-term contracts, fostering flexibility and resilience in addressing power imbalances.
Overall, these developments have strengthened regional cooperation, improved energy access, and encouraged investments in sustainable energy solutions, laying the groundwork for a more unified and resilient power sector across Africa.
The road ahead
While progress in 2024 was encouraging, Africa's energy future requires accelerated investment and policy reforms. Strengthening public-private partnerships, fostering innovation, and ensuring equitable energy access will be critical to building a sustainable and inclusive energy landscape for the continent.
In conclusion, Africa in 2024 exemplified resilience and ambition, with strides in renewables, infrastructure development, and global energy partnerships. However, addressing financing gaps and improving energy equity remain urgent priorities.
This article is authored by Synergy Consulting IFA.
The World Future Energy Summit 2025 will continue to build the blueprint for a sustainable future. (Image source: WFES)
The Middle East’s role as a new global fuels hub, the potential impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in energy industry transformation, and potential pathways to a sustainable and resilient future are a trio of critical issues to be explored when the World Future Energy Summit returns to Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from 14-16 January as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2025 (ADSW)
Hosted by Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s World Future Energy Summit – now globally recognised as the world’s premier business event focused on future energy and sustainability – will bring together pioneering energy sector minds, policy and decision-makers, and industry innovators to demonstrate, discuss and debate cutting-edge solutions and trends shaping a sustainable and resilient energy future.
The summit will explore broader regional trends, bringing together the global players who can help the UAE achieve its goal of increasing the proportion of clean energy in the country’s overall mix from its current level of 27.83% to 32% by 2030.
“Masdar’s pioneering and innovative track record as the UAE’s clean energy powerhouse provides demonstrable evidence of the UAE’s ambitious clean energy goals and the region’s growing prominence as a sustainability leader,” remarked Masdar CEO, Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi. “As a founding host and longstanding supporter of the World Future Energy Summit, we look forward to working with global partners, leaders and innovators to enable solutions to some of the world’s most pressing climate challenges.”
“The World Future Energy Summit is not just another industry event—it’s the heart of innovation and collaboration for building a sustainable energy future at a critical juncture,” added Leen AlSebai, general manager of RX Middle East and head of the World Future Energy Summit. “Energy demands and landscapes are constantly evolving, and our 2025 edition will draw on key trends and learnings from 2024 to continue propelling the industry forward. As we chart a sustainable future, we’ll place special focus on the Middle East’s role in the future of fuels and a carbon-neutral approach to economic growth.”
Summit host, Masdar will emphasise the need for cross-sector collaboration to achieve global energy transition goals in support of the tripling of global renewable capacity set out in the UAE Consensus. The 2025 edition will spotlight how countries across the region and internationally are capitalising on emerging clean energy opportunities. It will feature exclusive sessions exploring the evolving strategies of regional and international energy companies as they lead the charge towards decarbonisation, spurred by commitments made at COP28 in the UAE.
Bridging global and regional clean energy agendas
The summit’s agenda will reflect the UAE’s ambitious clean energy goals and the region’s growing prominence as a sustainability leader. Dedicated conference streams will discuss landmark UAE projects and their contributions toward the UAE Energy Strategy 2050. The event will also highlight the Emirates’ rising stature in the global green hydrogen market, with recent reports ranking it first in hydrogen market readiness in the Middle East.
Faisal Rashid, senior director, Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, will take part in a panel discussion on ‘Energy Efficiency: Balancing cost, incentives, and sustainability’, and sees the summit as a key enabler in promoting the UAE’s clean energy strategies. "My main objective is to leverage this international platform to promote energy efficiency and sustainability practices, share our expertise in energy strategy activation, and exchange knowledge with other professionals in the field,” said Rashid. “Participating in this event highlights our commitment to advancing the UAE's clean energy strategy and Net Zero targets. By collaborating with industry leaders and sharing best practices, we can strengthen our position as a key global hub for sustainable energy solutions, driving economic growth while promoting a healthier environment and a better quality of life for future generations."
The conference will also focus on AI and its role in transforming energy ecosystems, given the technology’s potential to optimise energy use, forecast demand, and enhance production efficiency as global consumption levels grow. In-depth discussions will probe how AI can be integrated into energy infrastructure without compromising sustainability efforts.
Elsewhere, participants will have access to six exhibition tracks covering solar energy, EcoWASTE, water, clean energy, smart cities, and climate & environment, while spotlighting regional leaders like Masdar.
Seven conference streams will support the exhibition, providing in-depth discussions on topics such as Pathways to 1.5°C, Water and Food Security, Sustainable Cities, Waste Management, and Green Finance. A dedicated focus on women in energy through initiatives like CLIX will also be under in the spotlight, as well as a deep dive into innovation and the role of entrepreneurs in tackling some of the most critical challenges of our time. The 2025 edition of the World Future Energy Summit will also explore the role of the Middle East in creating a new trade network for clean energy, with key initiatives across the region, featuring UAE-based companies such as ACWA Power, leading the way.
With more than 400 global companies and 350 industry speakers expected to take part, the World Future Energy Summit 2025 will serve as a nexus for investment, innovation and knowledge exchange across industries and is not one to be missed.
Visit the website to learn more by clicking here and register for the conference by clicking here
Discussions at the launch event focused on sourcing gold from artisanal and small-scale gold miners. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
At the Dubai Precious Metals Conference 2024, the Africa Responsible Mineral Sourcing Initiative (ARMSI) was launched by the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG) and partners
ARMSI aims to promote transparency, compliance, traceability, accountability, social responsibility, and sustainability within Africa’s minerals and mining sector. Ultimately, it will unite countries, industry, and civil society to help ensure that the continent’s mineral wealth positively contributes to its economic development.
The reveal was attended by a number of stakeholders including a range of African Ministers and officials responsible from Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Malawi, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Uganda; as well as representatives from central banks financial institutions, mining companies, refineries, traders, investors, civil society, and leaders from the global precious metals industry.
“The Africa Responsible Mineral Sourcing Initiative (ARMSI) is about redefining Africa's role in the global precious metals and critical minerals industry by ensuring that artisanal and small-scale miners-often the backbone of mineral production-become central players in responsible, ethical and sustainable mining practices,” remarked Moses Micheal Engadu, secretary-general of AMSG.
“The goal of ARMSI, an initiative of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group is to create a central gateway for responsibly sourced and ethically mined minerals from Africa to the global markets. ARMSI will build Africa's responsible mineral sourcing ecosystem shifting away from raw material exportation towards sustainable value-added industry development to foster local employment, stimulate economic growth and secure a competitive position for African minerals in the global market.”
African mining to support African development
At the launch event, the ARMSI roadmap was unveiled, emphasising the developing of Africa Responsible Mineral Sourcing Guidelines and a comprehensive Manual led by the AMSG. Sub-regional stakeholder engagement forums will be held across the continent as part of the roadmap in order to promote responsible sourcing practices and gather insights.
Ultimately, these initiatives will lay the groundwork for the launch of the Guidelines and Manual in May 2025. Countries, industry players and civil society organisations have been encouraged to contribute to this effort to ensure their voices are heard.
The first secured physical delivery of responsibly sourced gold and silver under the ARMSI will reportedly be completed by February 2025 and will be executed by the Africa Minerals and Metals Exchange (AMME), an initiative of the AMSG that aims to facilitate secure transactions, enhance market transparency, ensure traceability, certify compliance with regulatory standards and facilitate responsible sourcing of precious metals. The delivery will be completed with selected members of ARMSI and AMME.
The launch of the initiative was met with widespread support from attending ministers who reiterated their commitment to fostering responsible and sustainable mining. Fahnseth Buggie Mulbah, Deputy Minister of Mines and Energy of the Republic of Liberia, commented, “Through the Africa Responsible Mineral Sourcing Initiative (ARMSI), we aim to strengthen compliance and transparency across the gold supply chain. I call upon all stakeholders-both locally and internationally-to ensure that gold sourced from artisanal and small-scale miners adheres to the required licenses, permits, and chain of custody systems. Let us work together under ARMSI to champion accountability, sustainability, and ethical practices in the precious metals sector.”
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In the final webinar of its African Review-hosted 2023 campaign, Convergent Group explored its modern, eco-friendly concrete solutions for African projects
Such solutions – delivered to cut maintenance costs by eliminating hazardous silicate products – were showcased by company experts in the form of Jean-Claude Biard, SEO of Convergent Group SA; Mputu Schmidt, former CEO of Convergent Group SA and founder of Bondeko MB (exclusive distributor of Convergent Group in Africa); Carlos Garcia, technical and sales for ADI Group (Spanish distributor for Convergent Group); and Amritpal Singh Sura, external consultant for flooring treatments, former distributor of Convergent products in the Middle East.
“A number of projects we were doing in the Middle East required protection,” remarked Sura. “Longevity of protection requires a system which basically impregnates and becomes a densified surface as opposed to something which is topical and lifts off due to moisture migration. I found that being exposed to Convergent, it was important to stay focused on those systems in the Middle East. Jean-Claude, Mputu and I met several times in Dubai and there was emphasis on providing systems which were affordable and still ending up having a robust, lasting longevity of product. So you are not spending money all the time in order to maintain the finishes which you have already paid for.”
Over the course of the session, the participants guided the audience through the potential of cutting-edge lithium silicate technology for enhancing the protection of concrete surfaces, maximising cost-effectiveness and meeting sustainability targets.
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In a comprehensive webinar hosted by African Review, a panel of professionals associated with Convergent Group explored new generation lithium silicate technology and why it is emerging as the optimum solution for concrete floor protection.
Robert Daniels, editor of African Review, was joined by Jean-Claude Biard, CEO of Convergent Group; Mputu Schmidt, former CEO of Convergent and founder of Bondeko MB, an exclusive distributor of Convergent; Hicham Sofyani, president of Texol; Carlos Garcia, technical and sales for ADI Group; and Marc Puig, commercial manager of Comace Import.
Each providing a unique angle, the panellists combined to provide a masterclass around concrete treatments and the increasing challenges around them, explaining to attendees how to choose the right formula for their requirements and touching on issues such as why lithium densifiers are better than sodium and potassium densifiers.
Throughout the session, those watching were treated to informative case studies showcasing how Convergent eco-friendly products are increasing abrasion resistance, raising ease of maintenance, and ensuring the highest quality gloss retention.
By the end of the webinar, a majority of attendees (many of which had not had much experience with Convergent) expressed their interest in using the company’s new generation lithium silicate technology with the rest indicating their desire to learn more about Convergent and its products. Watch the webinar, in full, to discover why viewers were convinced and learn more about advanced floor care solutions for your operations.
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Presenting on an African Review-hosted webinar, Martin Provencher, global industry principal for mining, metals and materials at AVEVA, explored the digital transformation of mining operations and its impact on sustainability.
“Sustainability is becoming a key aspect for mining operations,” remarked Provencher. “If we look at the latest EY research on the top ten business risks and opportunities for mining and metals globally in 2023, ESG remains at the top. Of course, most companies have environmental goals or are expected to reach a net zero emission by 2050, which is a pretty aggressive target. Many of them are targeting 30% reduction by 2030; seven years from now. So there is a lot of action that needs to take place quickly to get there. It is possible to get there, but we need to make sure we are doing this correctly.”
Fast becoming a huge part of ESG initiatives is fleet electrification where particular progress is being made in underground mines. While some countries are certainly more advanced than others here, Provencher noted that 40% of total emissions from the mining industry come from diesel trucks, making EVs a very attractive low-hanging fruit for companies to pursue.
There are, however, a number of challenges associated with bringing in electric vehicles which remains a barrier for introduction. One of the predominant reasons, is the limited range of EVs against diesel counterparts. To mitigate this, Provencher continued, data management is key and ensuring a strong grasp of real-time information coming in will show operators when machinery needs to be charged, allowing them to plan effectively for maximum efficiency on site.
Indeed, this is but a small advantage that digitalisation can bring to the mining industry as it grapples to meet ESG goals while achieving production targets. By getting a better grip of their data and using it to empower tools such as artificial intelligence, advanced analytics and machine learning, companies can achieve tangible benefits such as reduce downtime, enhance worker safety, cut operating costs and, of course, ensure compliance with environmental regulations and targets.
Through the course of the webinar, Provencher outlined this in more detail and explored AVEVA’s suite of cutting-edge software solutions, specifically designed to help mining companies make progress on their digitalisation journey and empower their operations.
Watch the full webinar, completed with detailed case studies and an insightful Q&A session.
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Convergent, in association with African Review, has held a detailed webinar exploring the usage and effectiveness of lithium silicates and densifiers over traditional methods of concrete surface management which often struggle to meet the increasing challenges posed by concrete surface management.
Convergent experts including Mputu Schmidt, CEO of Convergent; Carlos Garcia, product manager end-user solutions, construction chemicals, Spain and Portugal for the RD Group; Matteo Mozzarelli, CEO of concrete Solutions Italia; and Jean-Claude Biard, global senior executive for the Convergent Group, presented across the session.
Together, they delved into the latest cost-effective application methods for long lasting finishing of concrete that can help reduce maintenance costs and avoid unexpected repair action. In addition, they examined the advancements in technologies that can sustain increased abrasion resistant stains and ensure gloss retention to the highest quality.
As part of the webinar, the representatives explored case studies including a case in DRC where a medical centre had been constructed with a low-quality concrete floor. The customer was considering completely replacing the floor but instead, Convergent put forward a special treatment with its 244+ Pentra-Sil lithium hardener, densifier and sealer. With this solution, Convergent can increase the hardness of a surface by up to 40% and therefore saved the customer significant recuperation costs over a complete replacement. Convergent were happy to report that the solution was perfect for the facility and the customer was pleased to avoid the extra construction work that would have been required for a complete replacement.
Watch the full webinar, including more information about Convergent’s innovative solutions.
The new collaboration will provide a wider offering to customers across the MEA region. (Image source: Jubaili Bros)
Jubaili Bros, a leading supplier of power generation solutions and services, has collaborated with MWM, a provider of sustainable gas gensets, to provide large, gas-fuelled electrical power solutions across the Middle East and Africa
“We are excited to partner with Jubaili Bros, a trusted and respected leader in the power generation market,” said Rene Ludvik, commercial director of MWM. “This new cooperation will provide customers even better access to MWM’s highly efficient gensets and services throughout the life of our products.”
The partnership will be built around MWM’s expertise in gas engine and gas genset technology as well as the extensive engineering and aftersales network. As a result of the collaboration, Jubaili Bros will offer MWM gas generators with 42% and above efficiencies ranging from 400 to 4,500kW electrical that are suitable for a range of applications.
“We are delighted to join forces with MWM, a world-renowned leader in gas engine and genset technology, to offer our customers in the region best-in-class gas generators allied to our leading aftersales experience,” added Marcus Schumacher, group CEO of Jubaili Bros. “We have a long history of providing reliable and customised power solutions to our customers, and we are confident that this collaboration will enable us to meet the growing demand for gas powered generators in the region.”
In addition to support from AfDB, the project is expected to receive further financing from a consortium of development finance institutions (DFIs), banks and financial institutions. (Image source: AfDB)
Bboxx is championing the economic empowerment of Africa. (Image source: Bboxx)
Huaxin Cement has expressed optimism and excitement opportunity to work with Lafarge Africa and Nigeria. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
Lafarge Africa has reiterated its commitment to Nigeria’s economic and infrastructure development following the recent acquisition by Huaxin Cement
The company made the announcement after Holcim agreed to sell 83.81% of its shareholding in Lafarge Africa to Huaxin Cement. This move has been labelled a “significant milestone” by Lafarge Africa, and one that heralds in a new chapter for the company to deepen its impact and reinforce its position in the West African country.
‘’This development will further solidify Lafarge Africa's position as a leading contributor to Nigeria’s infrastructure and economic growth,” remarked Gbenga Oyebode, chairman, Lafarge Africa Plc. “Nigeria’s market holds vast potential with its positive growth indices, increasing urbanisation, and infrastructure demand. We remain committed to leveraging these opportunities while maintaining our focus on sustainability and innovation.”
Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, CEO of Lafarge Africa, added, "Our journey in Nigeria for the past 65 years has been one of resilience, collaboration, and consistent growth. Our market position and long-term market potential are promising. This transition provides an opportunity for Lafarge Africa to continue growing and evolving, supported by the investment and global expertise of Huaxin Cement Ltd. We will remain steadfast, delivering value to our customers, sustaining our upward momentum, and ensuring a smooth transition for everyone.”
For its part, Huaxin Cement has expressed optimism and excitement opportunity to work with Lafarge Africa and Nigeria. Gang Xu, vice president of Huaxin Cement, commented, “Leveraging the knowledge and experience of the management and staff of the company, combined with our experience gained from the operation of more than 60 cement plants, and other businesses, in 12 countries – including 7 in Africa – we will devise plans for the further growth of Lafarge Africa. Together, we will build on the proud and long history of Lafarge Africa and will honour its legacy by bringing it to the next level of development.”
Lafarge Africa is a leading producer of building materials and construction solutions. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
The new marketplace was unveiled at bauma China (Image source: MYCRANE)
The presidents touring the Lobito Port Terminal in Angola. (Image source: US Embassy & Consulates in China)
On a historic visit to Angola, US President Joe Biden announced a direct loan to upgrade and operate the 1,300 km rail line from Lobito port to the town of Luau on the DRC border
Marking the first time an active US President has visited the African nation, President Biden celebrated the relationship between the two countries which “has been transformed from distance to genuine warmth” and that, today, “is the strongest it’s ever been.” Continuing, he remarked how a core goal of his presidency has been to build a strong partnership with peoples and nations across Africa aimed at “achieving shared goals, bringing to bear the dynamism of America’s private sector and the expertise of our government to support aspirations of African entrepreneurs, experts, leaders both inside and outside of government.”
In the two years since the President pledged to deliver US$55bn in new investments in Africa, Biden said that government agencies and members of his cabinet have delivered US$40bn so far, along with nearly 1,200 new business deals being established between African and American companies.
The USA has reportedly invested US$3bn in Angola during President Biden’s tenancy, who noted, “We see the bonds between our countries across sectors, from clean energy to healthcare to sports.”
He added that he and his Angolan counterpart are, “engaged in a major joint project to close the infrastructure gap for the benefit of Angolans, Africans across the continent, Americans and the world. We’ll all benefit… It’s called the Lobito Corridor. We’re building railroad lines from Angola to the Port of Lobito, in Zambia and the DRC, and, ultimately, all the way to the Atlantic — from the Atlantic Ocean to the Indian Ocean. It’ll be the first trans-continental railroad in Africa and the biggest American rail investment outside of America.”
As such, the US International Development Finance Corporation has announced a direct loan of US$553mn that will support the anchor rail investment of the first phase of the project. This will help the project to expand and protect critical mineral supply chains while increasing rail transport capacity and reducing freight transit times and costs.
This was also joined by further commitments to the country and continent including:
• A commitment to provide up to US$150mn in political risk insurance for new water treatment plants;
• US$40mn loan to help support Africa GreenCo Group’s energy aggregation and trading business;
• US$13mn equity investment to support small and medium-sized businesses in frontier markets;
• US$6mn USAID-supported loan portfolio guaranty for Angolan microcredit company Kixicrédito S.A.;
• US$5mn loan to Community Markets for Conservation Limited in Zambia to expand its food processing business;
• US$3.4mn technical assistance grant to Pensana to help develop a rare earth mine and refining facility in Angola;
• and a US$3.2mn technical assistance grant to Chillerton in support of a green copper mining project in Zambia.
The expansion is also expected to create additional employment opportunities for the local community. (Image source: Multotec)
Discussions at the launch event focused on sourcing gold from artisanal and small-scale gold miners. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
Goldwind is planning to build a new green methanol factory. (Image source: Hapag-Lloyd)
Hapag-Lloyd, a liner shipping company with a fleet of 292 modern container vessels, has reached an agreement with Goldwind, a global strategic partner in clean energy, for the delivery of green methanol
Consisting of a blend of bio- and e-methanol, 250,000 tonnes of the fuel will be supplied to Hapag-Lloyd every year which will be used to power specialist ships in its fleet including five 10,100 TEU charter ships that the company and Seaspan are converting to a suitable methanol dual-fuel propulsion system in 2026. The logistics company has also made a decision to invest in 24 new container ships with low-emission dual-fuel liquefied natural gas engines.
“As part of our Strategy 2030, we are fully committed to the 1.5-degree target of the Paris Agreement and therefore also to sustainable investments,” remarked Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd AG. “With the agreement, we are securing a significant proportion of our requirements for green fuels. This will bring us an important step closer to our goal of achieving net-zero fleet operations by 2045. It is and remains our ambition to play a leading role in the transformation of the liner shipping industry.”
The green methanol supplied by Golwind will reportedly ensure a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction of at least 70% and will help Hapa-Lloyd to reduce the absolute emissions of its fleet by around one third compared to 2022. This will translate to a total save of up to 400,000 tonnes of CO2e emissions in fleet operations per year.
On the path to carbon neutrality
“We are honored to have reached this agreement with Hapag-Lloyd,” remarked Wu Gang, chairman of Goldwind. “This collaboration proves once again that Goldwind can win the trust of one of the most important shipping companies. We are grateful for the opportunity to become a strong decarbonization partner of Hapag-Lloyd, which aims to achieve carbon neutrality ahead of the shipping-industry targets and aligns closely with Goldwind’s corporate vision. Goldwind highly values this endorsement and looks forward to deepening the collaboration.”
To help support the order, Goldwind is planning to build a new green methanol factory adjacent to its existing project in Hinggan League, China. Liu Rixin, head of Goldwind Green Methanol, explained, “The planned new factory will share technology, utilities, facilities and infrastructures with its neighbouring sister plant, boosting production efficiency. It is still subject to the financial investment decision of the Goldwind Board. We anticipate the completion of a megaton green methanol base in Hinggan League in late 2027.”
Jan Christensen, senior director global fuel purchasing, concluded, “Green methanol represents a key pathway within Hapag-Lloyd’s multi-fuel strategy, underscoring our commitment to advancing more sustainable shipping solutions. This initiative is made possible through strong partnerships, and we greatly value our collaboration with Goldwind, whose expertise and shared vision are helping us make important progress toward decarbonisation.”
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Schneider Electric East Africa, a specialist in energy management and automation, has launched an eCommerce platform
Designed to cater to a diverse market, it includes tier 2 channels and represents a step towards modernising its procurement process and reinforces the company’s market presence. This is the assessment of Geraldine Sande, channel sales leader for Schneider Electric East Africa, who commented, “With the eCommerce platform, customers can access the required products locally, conveniently, faster and at their desired location without intermediary intervention.”
The portal lists a range of products and primarily targets end users in the residential space who would often have to travel far to a distributor, and commercial customers.
Sande explained that the platform also targets ‘specifiers’ – the individuals involved in projects and those who create bills of quantities (BOQs) or requests for quotations (RFQs) and need to know the available product options, as well as companies that require reliable supply chains for maintenance and operations.
“We noticed a gap in the market in terms of brand visibility in Kenya,” Sande continued. “Many people would ask if Schneider Electric was present in Kenya because we did not have a website (the website will go live in 2025) or any formal digital footprint. Instead, customers would find our partners on other Schneider Electric subsidiary platforms. The customer would also need to have a list of partners online and thus have insight about which solution is found from which channel partner.
“Given this, we felt there was a need to utilise another vehicle to be in front of the customer whenever someone is searching for a product and ensure the product is easily accessible, aside from going through our existing distribution channels.”
Sande stressed that the new platform is not designed to erode the market share of resellers and distributors but can instead bring potential benefits to their businesses.
“From the distributor's perspective, the platform will benefit them by increasing their sell-out. Distributors often hold a lot of stock, and the e-commerce platform provides them with another avenue to reach customers they were not previously tapping into. This represents an incremental business opportunity for our distributors,” concludes Sande.
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Cape Town-based BB Cranes has received a notable order from boatbuilders Robertson and Caine, the largest manufacturer of catamarans in the southern hemisphere and the third largest globally
Amongst the six cranes that have been ordered are two single-girder and two double-girder BB machines with 5-ton capacity, spanning 20 metres (two cranes) and 19 metres; a 10-ton double-girder machine with a span of 20 metres; and a 30-metre span, 5-ton capacity crane for the factor in Montague Gardens in Cape Town.
The latter is the crowning jewel of the order. It represents a record for the Cape Town-based company and is a direct result of a company effort to improve its capabilities. BB has steadily upgraded its capabilities and procedures at Rivergate Industrial Park since 2022, when it became a member of the Condra group. In June 2024, the company increased its factory floor area by 400 square metres.
Justifying expansion
BB will assemble all six from standard components, and fit them with twinned short-headroom Condra hoists – two per crane. There will be variable-speed drives on the long- and cross-travels for precise boat positioning.
A BB Cranes spokesman explained that three of the six cranes would be manufactured simultaneously with two other wide-span machines ordered by Rovic, an independent agricultural machinery manufacturer that commissioned three double-girder overhead cranes in the first half of 2024, two of them designed with 28-metre spans just two metres shy of BB’s new 30-metre record.
“Our crane spans are usually anything between 18 and 25 metres, so we see the 28-metre-span machines for Rovic – and especially the 30-metre span crane for Robertson and Caine – as justifying our decision to expand BB’s capabilities and increase our factory floor space,” the spokesman added.
“All of these cranes represent turnkey deliveries from design through to installation. For us, they are affirmation of BB’s decision to grow.”
Automation on the rise
Robertson and Caine has been BB Cranes’ customer for twenty years. Current work for the boatbuilders includes partial on-site automation of a 16-ton crane used in repetitive applications, control of which will be reduced to the single push of one button to accelerate production and improve productivity.
The BB Cranes spokesman explained that the number of enquiries for automated cranes was increasing. “We offer automation across our product range, working in collaboration with Condra’s design office,” he surmised. “Condra is accumulating automation experience, and is currently automating a crane for use in wrap-and-protect operations in Gauteng. We hope to see more automated cranes among our customers here in Cape Town.”
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