Energy & Resources

Given the fact that around half of all iron ore exports go to China, and that the nation produces a similar proportion of the world’s steel, it is no wonder that events there are the focus of the industry’s attention. World steel output is forecast to grow by around 3% this year with that growth [&h…

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is one of the most commonly heard phrases in the international business world today. But is it a new way of doing business, or yet another box that has to be ticked by executives keen to get on with the business of making money? Many international firms operatin…

This month’s African Business Investigative Report dives into the murky world of one of the world’s biggest national frauds – the billions that are being siphoned out by unscrupulous traders and officials abusing the fuel subsidy system. The full, shocking scale of the fraud has only just emerged in…

International construction companies may be suffering from the economic downturn in Europe and North America but investment has never been greater in Africa. In common with any time over the past three years, the port sector continues to attract massive investment. Rising trade volumes and grow…

One of the world’s most magnificent animals, the rhino is in serious danger of extinction largely due to the value placed on its horn – which is presently twice as expensive as gold. Traditional methods to stem the tide have largely failed. Now conservationists and game park owners in South Africa w…

The discovery of oil in commercial quantities in Ghana has come not only with enormous economic benefits but also with challenges. One of these,  maritime pollution, has been a huge concern to environmentalists and governments all over the world. Francis L. Sackitey reports on how Ghana is putt…

Lake Turkana, also known as the Jade Sea, in Kenya’s arid northwestern border with Ethiopia has turned into a battleground between conservationists and energy providers. It has the potential to become an energy hub for the continent through hydro, oil and wind generation but the environmental cost, …

Few issues generate more controversy than water. Most people feel that everyone should have access to sufficient water supplies as of right; yet reservoirs, wells, pipelines and treatment plants must somehow be financed. Population growth, urbanisation and industrialisation are all acting together t…

A deal with one of China’s largest engineering firms will allow work to begin to expand the modernise Ghana’s oldest and second largest port at Takoradi. The port can no longer cope with the large spike in business volume it has seen over the last three years. The strain on the port will increase as…

Energy is probably the single most important component in Africa’s drive for accelerated economic growth. Financing this sector is equally crucial. Ecobank, Africa’s giant multilateral, is taking a closer interest in various aspects of the energy market, including renewables. Rolake Akinkugbe, Ecoba…