https://www.engineeringnews.co.za

Receive our free daily newsletter:

Africa

Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most-populous continent, covering about 30.3-million square kilometres and home to more than 1.4-billion people as of 2023. The continent comprises 54 recognised sovereign states and is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Indian Ocean to the east and the Red Sea to the north-east. Africa straddles the equator and encompasses diverse climatic zones, from tropical rainforests in the Congo Basin to the Sahara Desert in the north and the Kalahari Desert in the south. The continent is extraordinarily rich in natural resources, including significant deposits of gold, diamonds, platinum, copper, cobalt, oil and natural gas, which underpin much of its mining and energy sectors. Africa's economy is characterised by a mix of agriculture, mining, manufacturing and services, with infrastructure development, energy access and water provision remaining critical challenges across many regions. The continent has experienced rapid urbanisation and population growth, driving demand for electricity, transport networks and sanitation systems. Major regional economic communities include the African Union, the Southern African Development Community, the East African Community and the Economic Community of West African States. Africa's business landscape is shaped by both established markets such as South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt and Kenya, and emerging economies seeking to attract foreign investment and diversify their industrial bases. Climate change, political stability and governance remain key factors influencing economic development and infrastructure investment across the continent.

Latest Articles in 60 Seconds

US visa restrictions undermine World Cup access for Africans

The Trump administration's exclusionary immigration policies have blocked many African players, officials and fans from entering the United States for the FIFA World Cup, despite ten African nations competing. Cases include Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan being denied entry after 11 hours of interrogation, and most Moroccan fan association applicants being rejected, prompting criticism that FIFA has failed to defend its own human rights commitments.

African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights marks twenty years

The African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights, whose first judges were appointed on July 2, 2006, marks its twentieth anniversary having delivered about 150 judgments on merits, according to an Amnesty International report. The Court continues to face challenges around limited access for individuals and non-governmental organisations and low implementation of its rulings.

South Africa's private equity secondary market gains traction

South Africa's private equity industry is developing a more active secondary market, allowing investors to trade fund interests or restructure portfolios through continuation vehicles, according to law firm Werksmans. Global secondary transaction volumes reached $162-billion in 2024 and exceeded $200-billion in 2025, and maturing South African funds from 2013 to 2018 are creating conditions for similar growth locally.

Africa Updates


Africa’s infrastructure opportunity depends on closing the execution gap
Africa’s infrastructure opportunity depends on closing the execution gap
22nd July 2026

George Asamani, MD, Project Management Institute, Sub-Saharan Africa & Lavagnon Ika, Professor of Project Management, Telfer School of Management The paradox of African infrastructure today is... 


A map indicating the global distribution and regional exposure profile of baseline water stress for mining and metals facilities
Competition for water resources a risk to the global energy transition, warns ICMM
22nd July 2026 By: Chanel de Bruyn

Mining and metals advocacy group the ICMM warns that water availability could, in many regions, act as a constraint on the development of new mines and related facilities, particularly for the... 


An Embraer E2 aircraft
Embraer forecasts demand for 8 500 smaller jetliners by 2045, 370 for Africa
20th July 2026 By: Rebecca Campbell

Brazil-based major global aerospace group Embraer has released its market forecast for jet airliners with fewer than 150 seats, covering the next 20 years. Globally, the company expects 8 500... 


Diagram on an AI-powered simulation of gearbox operation
AI and advanced diagnostics improve predictive maintenance in mining
17th July 2026

The increasing shift from reactive repairs to intelligent predictive maintenance in African mining, where high costs, harsh environments and tight margins are prevalent, is being furthered through... 


Photo of Martin Creamer
Let’s pick up our tools and build a better South Africa
17th July 2026 By: Martin Creamer

When we seek unity, we must not be looking for uniformity but divergent good. Collectively, we can give ourselves far more than anyone can take away. Let’s pick up our tools and build big and small... 


An image of Shuton-Ipiranga XL Xtrem Load ball screws
Tailored ball screws deliver precision in demanding applications
17th July 2026

Precision ball screw manufacturer Shuton-Ipiranga’s range is designed to meet specific performance demands in different operating environments and applications that require “distinctly engineered... 


Darren Naicker, GM of Brasco Filtration
The hidden cost of poor dust collection
17th July 2026

By Darren Naicker, GM of Brasco Filtration, a leading African OEM dust control company specialising in industrial filtration, aftermarket services and maintenance, system optimisation, and air... 


Electric taxis are undergoing trials in South Africa
All African countries can play a role in the automotive value chain, AAAM CEO says
16th July 2026 By: Schalk Burger

There are significant opportunities to develop component manufacturing in Africa to supply vehicle manufacturers, and each country can play a role in the automotive value chain, industry... 


Meet the Pirtek Africa Head Office Team
16th July 2026

For more than 25 years, Pirtek Africa has built its reputation on a simple commitment to keep its customers across Africa operating. That promise does not necessarily start and end on-site or at... 


Manufacturing Indaba 2026 Concludes Successfully, Reinforcing Africa's Industrial Growth Agenda
16th July 2026

The 13th Manufacturing Indaba has successfully concluded following two impactful days of dialogue, collaboration and business engagement at the Sandton Convention Centre, bringing together... 


Stellenbosch University lab playing a key role in unprecedented Africa2Moon space mission
14th July 2026 By: Rebecca Campbell

Stellenbosch University (SU) has highlighted the role of its Electronics Systems Laboratory (ESL) in the groundbreaking Africa2Moon space mission, which will form part of China’s Chang’e-8 robotic... 


Deputy President Paul Mashatile
Regional integration, standardised technology and ecosystems to lead to manufacturing growth
14th July 2026 By: Schalk Burger

Manufacturing is the backbone of any successful industrial economy, but domestic demand is typically insufficient to develop sustainable industrial sectors. To achieve the industrial development... 


Tusker’s Cameroon project shows significant rutile reserves
Tusker’s Cameroon project shows significant rutile reserves
14th July 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

ASX-listed Tusker Minerals has announced a Joint Ore Reserve Committee (Jorc) exploration target of 2.1-billion to 2.6-billion tonnes at 2.1% to 2.3% total heavy minerals (THMs) for the Diwong... 


Weir believes that understanding the full mining process with the customer is where real value begins
Weir To Showcase African Manufacturing Strength And Flowsheet Expertise At Electra Mining Africa
14th July 2026

Understanding mining customers is about far more than supplying equipment. For Weir, it is about understanding the entire mining process and identifying where real value can be added across the... 


Three major agencies commit to jointly support African prosperity and resilience
13th July 2026 By: Rebecca Campbell

The African Development Bank (AfDB), UN Development Programme (UNDP) and Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) have jointly committed themselves to helping build a resilient... 


Illegally mined gold
EU announces restrictions on trading Sudanese gold
13th July 2026 By: Reuters

The EU announced on Monday new sanctions against Sudan by targeting the country's gold trade, which it said was being used to finance the military conflict in the country. "The decision introduces... 


An image of UN Economic Commission for Africa deputy executive secretary and chief economist Hanan Morsy
Transforming Africa to capitalise on critical minerals requires dramatic strategy shift
13th July 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

The world is entering a new industrial era, built for critical minerals, and this presents an opportunity for Africa to transform its economies, if that transformation is undertaken strategically.... 


Bridging Generations: Shaping a Multi‑Generational, Future‑Ready Workforce to Drive Growth in Africa
Bridging Generations: Shaping a Multi‑Generational, Future‑Ready Workforce to Drive Growth in Africa
10th July 2026

By: Yewande Ayowole‑Oso - Regional HR West Africa & MEA Senior Talent Programme Lead, and Aurélie Memeliwando, Regional HR Central Region, SSA Talent Leader and MEA Electrifier Project Lead at... 


Image of two people looking at images on a computer monitor
Engineered-to-order crushing solutions help improve mine productivity
10th July 2026

An engineered-to-order (ETO) approach to integrating complex equipment into crushing and screening stages of comminution is strongly recommended by Sandvik Rock Processing. According to Sandvik... 


Keynote speaker UJ lecturer and professor Siphamandla Zondi
Unified approach crucial to meeting AfCFTA targets
10th July 2026 By: Halima Frost

A unified approach needs to be adopted by all 55 of the countries that form part of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in order to reach its initial 2035 target of increasing GDP... 


1
2 3

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







301

pqt: 0.174s - ct: 0.24s - 303pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now