Norwegian renewables group Scatec ASA has signed a new power purchase agreement (PPA) in Egypt

The deal is with the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC) for a total capacity of 1.95 GW solar and 3.9 GWh battery energy storage systems (BESS) in Egypt.

The combined capacity will be the largest solar and BESS installation in Africa and the largest investment in Scatec’s history.

Under the agreement, Scatec will deliver one integrated solar and BESS hybrid system designed to deliver continuous, around-the-clock renewable baseload power.

In addition, Scatec will develop two standalone BESS projects aimed at providing essential grid stability and support services.

Scatec will be compensated under a 25-year, USD-denominated pay-as-produced PPA, linked to the electricity generated by the hybrid system.

It did not disclose further details on capital expenditure, EPC scope and financing structure but added that this information is expected to be released in the latter half of 2026.

The plant is expected to deliver approximately 6,000 GWh of renewable energy annually.

Scatec is the lead developer of the projects and said it will also invite additional equity partners.

It will also provide engineering, procurement and construction (EPC), asset management (AM) and operations and maintenance (O&M) services for the projects. 

“Signing this groundbreaking PPA further cements Scatec’s leading position and commitment to delivering reliable, renewable energy at a large scale in Africa,” said Scatec CEO Terje Pilskog.

“By integrating advanced solar and battery technologies, we are providing Egypt with sustainable, around-the-clock power and grid stabilising services, supporting both the country’s energy transition and the region’s long-term economic development."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Caterpillar Inc. has launched Cat AI Assistant, an AI-powered solution that transforms how customers interact with Caterpillar equipment and digital applications

The tool makes it easier to buy, maintain, manage, and operate machinery anywhere.

This launch marks a major advance in Industrial AI, combining data, AI, and heavy equipment to improve productivity, efficiency, and safety.

Built on over a century of Caterpillar innovation, Cat AI Assistant brings together the company’s digital applications and vast high-quality data into one simple conversational experience. Acting as a proactive partner, it leverages the full Caterpillar knowledge base to provide personalised insights and enable faster, smarter decisions.

“Caterpillar’s strong digital foundation, including our Helios data platform that manages over 16 petabytes of data, is helping us move fast and deploy new AI capabilities to help our customers succeed,” said Ogi Redzic, Caterpillar chief digital officer.

“Cat AI Assistant is a major leap forward in how Caterpillar supports customer success through best-in-class digital solutions, whether they’re working from corporate headquarters or at a remote jobsite.”

For fleet managers and business owners

Cat AI Assistant acts as an extra set of eyes on equipment, evolving alongside operations. It continually refines insights and recommendations to help turn unplanned incidents into planned maintenance and keep pace with growing businesses.

For technicians

Technicians can rely on Cat AI Assistant to quickly access the right section from thousands of instruction manuals using simple voice commands without interrupting their work. It offers step-by-step guidance, highlights common issues, and suggests any additional parts needed, saving both time and resources.

For machine operators

Operators benefit from a seamless connection throughout their workday from machine startup to shift handoff. Acting as an in-cab coach, Cat AI Assistant provides actionable insights to help operators work smarter and safer without switching screens or returning to the yard. Powered by the NVIDIA Jetson Thor platform, it performs speech recognition and advanced AI tasks at the edge and can even assist with directing the machine.

With industries facing talent shortages and increasingly complex jobsites, Cat AI Assistant supports less experienced operators in improving productivity while enabling Cat dealers to provide more tailored insights. The goal is to keep Caterpillar customers one step ahead.

Caterpillar plans to launch the off-board Cat AI Assistant in the first quarter of this year while in-cab applications are in final validation. These in-cab tools will help operators work more safely and efficiently. The full capabilities of Cat AI Assistant will be showcased on the main stage at CES 2026.

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

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

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

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

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

Expanding Etihad’s footprint across Africa

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

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

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

Corporate travel momentum

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Strengthening mobility operations in Africa

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

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

Purpose of the acquisition

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

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

Future developments

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

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

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