ESG Frontiers

CHINA CALLING: Ramaphosa’s China Visit Could Spur Battery and EV Momentum

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s state visit to China is expected to open and strengthen economic ties and attract investment to the country. During his visit, Ramaphosa will on Tuesday travel to Shenzhen, a major economic and technology hub in Guangdong Province, where he will engage with industry leaders and tour the headquarters of leading…

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PLUGGING THE GAP: South Africa’s 75% EV Market Share by 2030 Ambition Falls Flat

Navigating sluggish demand In the first half of 2023, South African auto manufacturers reported modest sales of battery electric vehicles (BEVs), with only 800 units sold nationwide. Volvo and BMW/Mini led the sales charts, with 374 and 283 units sold, respectively. Despite having over 12 million vehicles on the road, South Africa’s electric vehicle fleet…

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BOTSWANA STRIKES GOLD: $50m Windfall from Diamonds and Beneficiation

Botswana is set to reap a significant economic reward from its latest diamond discovery, driven by visionary beneficiation initiatives and cutting-edge investment frameworks that prioritise national benefit, localisation, and community prosperity. The second-largest diamond ever found – a rough 2,492-carat stone – has been unearthed in Botswana at a mine operated by the Canadian company…

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Seizing the Moment: Gwede’s Second Wind

At the inaugural African Critical Minerals Summit held in Sandton exactly  a year ago on September 8th,  South Africa’s Minerals Minister Gwede Mantashe candidly acknowledged that the country lacks a coherent policy approach for Critical Minerals (CRMs). As delegates listened intently, it became clear that this absence of a defined CRM strategy is more than…

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Fitch downgrade on Dangote: Alarm bells for Africa’s Industrial Quests

There is no question that the establishment of the Dangote Refinery, a $19 billion project, represents a significant stride towards Africa’s self-sufficiency in refined petroleum products and its ability to export to other African nations. This transformative initiative has the potential to reduce the continent’s reliance on imports, create jobs, and drive industrialization, ultimately contributing…

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UN Report: Africa Emerges as a Prime Destination for Manufacturing Investment

A  report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has highlighted Africa’s vast potential as a hub for manufacturing investment. The continent’s rich reserves of critical minerals and metals, such as aluminium, cobalt, copper, lithium, and manganese, make it an attractive location for technology-intensive industries. Africa’s abundant resources and expanding consumer markets…

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