Africa / Features
Guns and gold: how two coups reshaped Burkina Faso’s mining sector
Burkina Faso sits atop some of West Africa’s richest mineral deposits, yet vast reserves remain untapped. As Africa’s fourth-largest gold producer, it has long relied on the precious metal to drive its economy.
Liberia’s mining resurgence: from conflict to opportunity
Liberia’s vast mineral wealth has been both a blessing and a curse. Rich in iron ore, gold and diamonds, the country was once a major exporter, but decades of civil war shattered the industry.
PANNIER: Prince Karim Aga Khan IV obituary
Spiritual leader who mingled with heads of state and royalty leaves behind tremendous amount of grassroots work that will benefit Ismaili Muslim communities for generations to come.
Can Eritrea’s mining sector flourish under autocratic rule?
Eritrea – known as Africa's North Korea – is attracting considerable Chinese interest in its vast mineral resources despite the regime's autocratic nature.
Gold and guns: how civil war keeps Sudan's mineral riches in the ground
Sudan is a treasure trove of untapped resources – vast reserves of gold, iron ore and other precious minerals. However, the country’s ongoing civil war and profound political instability suffocate its economic potential and keep out FDI.
Mixing with the running stars at Kenya’s Home of Champions high altitude training camp
After a 40-minute flight from Nairobi to Eldoret and a 30-minute taxi to Iten, I arrived at my home for the next week, the mecca of long-distance training facilities, the High Altitude Training Centre in Kenya where the world's best runners train.
From oil to minerals: Gabon’s ambitious mining transition
Gabon – home to 25% of the world’s manganese reserves and the possessor of vast mineral riches – is rapidly establishing its mining sector as a key force in economic diversification.
Russia, facing loss of Syrian base for Africa operations, seen turning to war-torn Sudan or divided Libya
If Putin wants to quickly develop Port Sudan as an alternative to Russia's naval base in Syria, he may need to finally pick a side and align with the SAF, who control the area. Meanwhile, Russia is already landing military aircraft in Libya.