Browsing: China

• Critical minerals are vital for the green energy transition.
• The DRC is the world’s largest miner of critical minerals.
• DRC appeals to US to mine critical minerals and help stop rebel insurgency.

Critical minerals are defining the green energy transition and the DRC is the world’s largest producer. Critical minerals copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt and others including rare earth elements, such as lanthanum and yttrium are vital for the green energy transition.

These minerals and metals are essential for emerging technologies powering electric vehicle motors, wind turbines, and mobile phones among other modern digital devices and machines.

“The country Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is currently the world’s largest supplier of cobalt which has defence and aerospace applications as well as being essential for batteries in electric vehicles,” states Cobalt Institute’s factsheet titled “Powering the Green Economy.”

The report points out that most of the critical minerals mined in …

• East Africa’s public transport sector, once synonymous with chaos and pollution, is now leading a quiet green revolution.
• From electric buses in Kenya to CNG-powered fleets in Tanzania, the region is ditching diesel for clean energy.
• Could this unexpected shift be the most defining leap to a sustainable future for urban mobility?

Across the populous cities and towns of East Africa, a quiet revolution is underway. The familiar roar of diesel engines is being replaced by the hum of electric buses, the whir of three-wheeled motorcycles, and the smooth glide of trains powered by clean energy.

Even Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is fueling fleets of buses and taxis, signaling a seismic shift as the region ditches oil for renewables. But here’s the twist: the unlikely hero of this green mobility transition isn’t high-tech startups, luxury carmakers or even woke government policymakers—it’s the public transport sector.

From Dar es Salaam to …

• Tanzania tourism surpasses 5 million visitor numbers target.
• Data shows the number of Chinese tourists to the East African nation is increasing annually.
• Film featuring top Chinese actor has big impact in Tanzania tourism.

Tourism in Tanzania is growing faster than anticipated with the country having hosted 5.36 million tourists in 2024, a figure higher than the targeted five million tourists by 2025. Tanzania’s Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Pindi Chana told a stakeholder’s meeting earlier in the week that the 5 million plus tourists racked in 4 billion U.S. dollars in revenue last year.

Notably, of the said tourists, 3.22 million were domestic while 2.14 million were drawn from international source markets, showing a significant increase in domestic tourism. “These efforts have effectively showcased Tanzania’s breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage, positioning the nation as a desirable travel destination,” said Chana in a statement highlighting the significance of …

• An INTERPOL cybersecurity operation that has arrested 1,006 suspects and the busting of 134,089 cybercrime networks in Africa underscores the urgent need for banks to fortify their cybersecurity defenses.
• The probe identified 35,000 victims, with cases linked to nearly $193 million in financial losses.
• This exposure invites the question: Are banks in Africa prepared to counter the threat of cybercrime?

The fintech revolution sweeping across Africa’s economy is reshaping banking systems, offering millions of people unprecedented convenience and access to financial services. However, as banks and other financial services institutions embrace innovation, they must contend with a new and evolving threat: cybercrime.

With malicious actors continually adapting their tactics, robust cybersecurity measures are no longer optional for banks; they are critical. Take, for instance, the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL’s) Operation Serengeti, which has exposed the grand scale and complexity of cybercrime threats plaguing the continent’s financial institutions.

Interpol Cybersecurity

• Global economic growth will emanate from powerhouse BRICS economies over the next five years as per the IMF predictions.
• The ten BRICS nations comprise more than a quarter of the world economy and almost half the global population.
• China will contribute most significantly to global growth over the next half-decade, with its 22 per cent share outpacing all G7 countries combined.

The countries comprising BRICS— Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, with five new members—are an informal grouping of emerging economies hoping to increase their sway in the world order.

The BRICS group has become a major political force in the last two decades, building on its desire to counter Western influence in global institutions.

BRICS’ 2024 expansion has come with a range of geopolitical implications. It forms a rising economic and demographic heft: the ten BRICS nations comprise more than a quarter of the world economy and almost …

• China-backed Jamestown Fishing Port is expected to inject new energy into Ghana’s fishing industry.
• It is equipped with facilities such as a fish market, ice-making plant, cold storage, and a ship repair station.
• The port has a huge potential to generate and sustain millions of jobs, thereby stimulating the local economy.

Ghana has made a landmark move in its journey towards economic revitalization and modernization with the inauguration of the $60 million Jamestown Fishing Port in Accra. This project, which further cements China-led investments in Africa is poised to transform the nation’s fishing industry, bringing jobs, growth, and national prosperity.

Developed by China’s CRCC Harbor and Channel Engineering Bureau Group Co., Ltd., the new port features a range of essential infrastructure to support artisanal fishing—a lifeblood of Ghana’s coastal economy.

With artisanal fishing contributing a big share of income among coastal communities, the Jamestown Fishing Port is expected to …

• China pledges closer economic and trade ties with Africa at 2024 FOCAC Summit.
• Mulit-million dollar deals signed between Africa and China at key summit.
• Annual trade volume between China and Africa to reach $300Bn by 2035

The just concluded Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit has opened new possibilities for Tanzania and Africa’s industry as a whole. Held in Beijing, China, this ninth summit was attended by all 53 African Heads of State or their representative hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The FOCAC summit has seen President Xi pledge over $50 billion in aid and loans to support what he described as “Africa’s modernization efforts.” He highlighted key funding areas to include infrastructure and agricultural development over the next three years. Notably, President Xi said this new commitment is in addition to China’s zero-tariff policy that was announced earlier to boost trade volume between Africa …

• China commits to refurbishing TAZARA railway system during the just concluded FOCAC Summit in Beijing.
• China Civil Engineering and Construction Corporation (CCECC) has been awarded the tender.
• TAZARA capacity is now set to increase to two million metric tonnes.

TAZARA, a decades-old China-Tanzania railway that is vital in the East African country’s industry is set for modernization as a new pact to turn it into a fast train transportation system comes into force. Last week, a historic milestone was reached when Chinese President Xi Jinping, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, and Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to revitalize the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) railway.

The deal, which was reached at the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit (FOCAC) in Beijing, will see China invest into developing the1,860-kilometer railway connecting landlocked Zambia to Tanzania’s port city of Dar es Salaam.

Work on this trans-Africa rail …

• In the first three months of this year, Asia remained the leading source of Kenya’s imports accounting for goods worth $3.4 billion, as the country’s import bill closed the quarter at $5.4 billion.
• Kenyan traders and government imported goods worth $990.2 million from China, data by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) shows, making it the biggest import source by country.
• Unlike his predecessors, President Ruto is seen to lean more towards the West as he seeks financing and trade cooperation.

Kenya’s imports from Asian countries including China

China and India remained the top exporters to Kenya in the first quarter of this year, leading other Far East nations in retaining a firm grip on the East African economic powerhouse’s trade and investment space, which they have dominated for over a decade.

This trend continues despite President William Ruto’s heightened charm offensive to economies from the West, which is …

• New investment in Tanzania’s railways sector is expected to directly benefit nearly 900,000 people and indirectly impact an estimated 3.5 million.
• Tanzania operates two railway systems, totaling 3,682 km in length.

Tanzania railway sector is poised for immense growth as the World Bank poured significant funding by approving $200 million in financing from the International Development Association (IDA) which is a part of the bank.

According to available information from the World Bank statement made on Friday, the bank said the financing for the second phase of the Tanzania Intermodal and Rail Development Project (TIRP-2) will improve safety, climate resilience, and operational efficiency along this railway segment.

Read also: AfDB approves $696.4M financing for Tanzania-Burundi-DRC railway project

Tanzania railway plan anchored on Dar- Morogoro SGR

The funding comes a few weeks after Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) began its inaugural trial journey of the electric Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) train …