NEWS

Around Africa in seven stories…

EDUCATION SCHOOLS REOPEN IN UGANDA AFTER LONG COVID-19 SHUTDOWN

UGANDA HAS finally reopened school gates to students, ending the world’s longest closure of learning institutions since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

According to figures from the UN cultural agency, schools in the East African country were either fully or partially shut for more than 80 weeks, affecting more than 10 million students.

Schools were first shut in March 2020, and for many parents, the reopening has been long overdue with the future prospects of young people at stake.

Uganda has received foreign support to assist with the reopening of schools, including from UNICEF, though it remains to be seen how long they will stay open for if COVID-19 cases rise.

MINING

BHP commits to Tanzanian nickel

THE WORLD’S biggest mining company, BHP, has invested $40 million in a nickel project in Tanzania.

With the global nickel market expected to rapidly grow due to the increasing popularity of electric vehicles, BHP’s investment comes as it seeks to access the metals and minerals required to electrify the global economy.

Having not been active in Africa since 2015, it marks a significant strategic shift for BHP, who traditionally focus on less risky, more developed mining jurisdictions such as Australia and Canada.

The investment is recognition of the fact that BHP will have to operate in more challenging parts of the world in order to access the best untapped mineral deposits.

OIL & GAS Sonatrach to invest $40 billion in oil and gas

BY 2026, Algeria’s state-owned oil and gas group Sonatrach plans to invest $40 billion in oil exploration, production and refining, as well as gas exploration and extraction.

The four-year investment plan includes the construction of a refinery in Hassi Messaoud, the largest oil field in the country, and an extension of the Skikda refinery in order to convert certain by-products into fuels.

Meanwhile, a fourth turbocompressor for the Medgaz submarine natural gas pipeline, which transports Algerian gas to Spain and Portugal, is set to be put into service in January this year.

Steps towards Sonatrach’s return to Libya, where the company has suspended most of its activities since 2014, have also been announced as part of the plan.

CONSTRUCTION

Deep-water port project launches in Senegal

LOGISTICS GIANT DP World has commenced construction of the $1.1 billion Ndayane deep-water port in Senegal, the largest port investment ever made by the Dubai-based firm in Africa.

Part of DP World’s African expansion strategy, the project is poised to bolster Senegal’s position as a major trade hub and gateway to the west and north-west of the continent.

Construction of the Port of Ndayane, which is to be located about 30 miles from the capital, Dakar, follows the signing of two 25-year term concession agreements between DP World and the Senegalese government.

Upon completion, the deepwater port will be able to handle the world’s largest container vessels and will increase its container handling capacity by 1.2 million TEUs yearly.

TECHNOLOGY

VAR changes the game at Africa Cup of Nations

FOR THE first time in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations, Video Assistant Referees (VAR) are being used at all 52 matches of the football tournament, which is being hosted in Cameroon.

The last edition, held in Egypt in 2019, only saw the technology introduced beyond the quarter final stage by the organisers, the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

CAF has moved to implement VAR technology across the entire competition, a step in the right direction as the confederation attempts to both improve the image of refereeing in Africa and produce world-class match officials from the continent. Global wellbeing company GMG has pledged to open more than 100 stores in Egypt within the next five years.

As part of a wider international expansion, GMG, who retail, distribute and manufacture a variety of sport, food and health brands, is implementing a new corporate strategy, promoting healthier and more active lifestyles through its offerings.

With an incredibly dynamic retail landscape and a large, youthful population that is increasingly embracing healthier ways of living, Egypt is viewed by GMG as a compelling gateway into North Africa.

RETAIL GMG TO OPEN OVER 100 STORES IN EGYPT

ENERGY & UTILITIES SEFA SUPPORTS ENERGY TRANSITION IN BOTSWANA

The Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA), managed by the African Development Bank, has approved a $1 million grant to facilitate Botswana’s transition to clean energy.

The project will contribute to the development of essential building blocks to support the country’s energy transition.

Outputs of the project, including a national grid code and licensing framework to regulate activities in the sector, will contribute to the implementation of Botswana’s first Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), facilitating investments in the likes of solar panels and wind generation capacity.

The project will also contribute to the Mega Solar initiative, Southern Africa’s largest solar power programme and the first of its kind on the continent.