Africa should prioritise value creation over resource export

The most urgent priority facing Africa today is to move from being a supplier of raw materials to becoming a value creator. Hitherto, the continent has exported its resources, to be processed... 

South Africa can sustainably tap its hydrocarbon reserves

The South African National Petroleum Company (SANPC) believes that the country has to develop its hydrocarbon resources, while not destroying the environment. So averred SANPC CEO Godfrey Moagi,... 

Two CEOs rising high and jointly launching new equipment to provide safety to their clients

South African integrated security and safety solutions group Fidelity Services group (Fidelity) and its recently acquired subsidiary, local specialised integrated security, facilities management... 

In mining, sustainability and profitability go hand-in-hand

Increasing the sustainability of mining operations does not mean reducing their profitability. This was the key message from Hexagon Mining senior business development manager Reece Hanning, who... 

South African National Space Agency outlines ambitious five-year plan

This year is proving to be a red-letter year for the South African National Space Agency (SANSA), with the climax arguably being its hosting of the Sixth Space Economy Leaders Meeting (SELM6), at... 

Africa’s top priority should be to become a value creator, not just a resources provider

The most urgent priority facing Africa today is to move from being a supplier of raw materials to becoming a value creator. Hitherto, the continent has exported its resources, to be processed... 

Africa must take control of its resources and beneficiate, highlights DRC Minister

The days of feel-good international meetings are over, affirms Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Mines Minister Louis Watum Kabamba on Wednesday; “it’s time for results!” He was delivering a... 

Vodacom investing over R800m to accelerate network expansion in three provinces

Telecommunications group Vodacom is investing more than R800-million across three South African provinces to accelerate network infrastructure and coverage expansion, enhance capacity and... 

Africa's PGM production expected to fall this year, but resume growth thereafter

International data and analytics company GlobalData has reported that African production of platinum group metals (PGMs) is expected to fall by 6.4% this year, in year-on-year terms. This forecast... 

NRF and Mintek to jointly deliver Mintek-SCi 2025 next month

South Africa’s national research funding, facilities and human capital development agency, the National Research Foundation (NRF), and the country’s national minerals research institution, Mintek,... 

Unctad reports that trade policy uncertainty has 'become the new tariff'

The unpredictability of particularly US trade policy has become a major factor in global trade, UN Trade and Development (Unctad) has highlighted in its latest 'Global Trade Update'. This was on... 

Kenya eyes green hydrogen to aid farmers

Kenya has made “significant strides” since it launched the Green Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap for Kenya at the Africa Climate Summit in September 2023, Kenya Electricity Generating Company... 

Agency highlights rapid global progress in SMR development

The Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA), which is an agency of the intergovernmental Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, has published the third edition of its “NEA Small Modular Reactor... 

Next director-general for the international SKA radio telescope announced

The UK-based international Square Kilometre Array (SKA) Observatory (SKAO) has announced its selection as the organisation’s next director-general. She is Professor Jessica Dempsey, an Australian... 

Rolls-Royce Power Systems sees data centres as one of emerging new markets in Africa

Rolls-Royce Power Systems, the Germany-based business of renowned propulsion and power systems group Rolls-Royce, sees data centres as a significant emerging market in Africa, including South... 

Fit-for-purpose air cargo infrastructure seen as key growth driver

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the global representative body for the airline (including air cargo) sector, while air cargo accounted for less than 1% of the... 

CSIR to coordinate Phase 1 of the West Coast Green Hydrogen project

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has been selected to coordinate Phase 1 of the West Coast Green Hydrogen Master Plan. This plan aims at creating a green hydrogen hub at... 

Zambian company developing solar energy projects to address country’s energy shortfall

Zambia’s Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) expects to significantly expand the country’s renewable-energy capacity, by adding a projected 800-MW-plus of solar energy to the national grid, by the... 

Rolls-Royce Power Systems opens SA facility

Rolls-Royce Power Systems has announced that it has opened a new regional headquarters and training centre in Johannesburg. The new facility will support the growing numbers of the group’s... 

New domestic aviation draft BBBEE proposals workable, if government does its part

The recently released Draft Domestic Aviation Sector B-BBEE Scorecards and Amendments could be implemented, but only if government does its part. This point was made by Airlines Association of... 

CSIR awarded role of coordinator for Phase 1 of the West Coast Green Hydrogen project

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has been selected to coordinate Phase 1 of the West Coast Green Hydrogen Master Plan. This plan aims at creating a green hydrogen hub at... 

African development needs both electricity and decarbonisation – Ramokgopa

South African Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has affirmed that Africa does not face a choice between decarbonisation and industrialisation. On the contrary, it has to, and... 

New satellite communications service for airports

Global aviation industry specialist ICT company SITA has launched a new service – SITA Managed Satellites. Making use of low Earth orbit satellites, it provides airports with communications that... 

Necsa positioning itself to support South Africa’s future nuclear energy programme

The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) supports the country adopting small modular reactors (SMRs) and believes that it can play a key role in this process. So affirms Necsa Group... 

Platinum jewellery enjoying strong growth in its key markets

Global platinum jewellery marketing organisation Platinum Guild International (PGI) believes that the metal enjoyed strong growth opportunities in the jewellery sector. To turn opportunity into... 

South Africa will reactivate the PBMR small modular reactor project – Minister

South Africa is lifting its Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) out of care and maintenance, Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosienstsho Ramokgopa confirmed, almost in passing, on Tuesday. He was... 

CSIR now producing stainless steel powder for 3D printing

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) can now provide the local additive manufacturing (AM – popularly called 3D printing) sector with 316L stainless steel powder on a pilot... 

SA defence group moving into large UAV sector with new design

South African private-sector defence group Milkor, which works in the aerospace, cyber, ground, maritime and weapons sectors, has unveiled its latest aerospace project – the Milkor 780 uncrewed... 

AFC funding development of three new gold mines in West Africa

African infrastructure and investment group Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) has announced that it is providing Mota-Engil Africa (MEA), part of the global Mota-Engil construction group, with a... 

South Africa still committed to coal, and to upgrading the national grid

South African Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa on Tuesday reaffirmed the country’s commitment to coal-based energy. He was delivering the keynote address at the Enlit Africa... 

Africa, including South Africa, must be allowed to exploit its resources – Ramokgopa

Africa, including South Africa, had to be able to fulfil its developmental potential. So highlighted South African Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa in his keynote address on... 

Boeing opens new regional office for African continent

US aerospace giant Boeing has opened a new office, in Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia. This office is intended to be the group’s administrative hub for its activities and operations... 

Some real-world prospects emerging as globe marks year of quantum science and technology

This year is the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. Proclaimed by the UN, it celebrates the centenary of the development of the theory of quantum mechanics and is being marked by... 

Private education company to launch tertiary engineering courses

Accredited private tertiary education company STADIO, which is listed on the JSE, has announced that it will start introducing engineering courses, with effect from next year. To this end, it is... 

International space sector development enterprise launches Africa hub

UK-based space research and technology enterprise Space Network, which is focused on stimulating the international development of the commercial space sector, has announced the launch of its latest... 

Airbus reaffirms commitment to hydrogen aviation

At the 2025 edition of its annual, sustainable aerospace-focused, Airbus Summit, the Europe-based global major aerospace and defence group reaffirmed its commitment to develop and market a... 

South African zero-emissions UAV to be launched onto the market this year

South African zero-emissions aviation startup company FlyH2 Aerospace (FlyH2) has announced that its prototype uncrewed aerial vehicle, the Dragonfly V (five) is successfully continuing its flight... 

Africa could be a world leader in the green economy – if it makes the right decisions

Sustainability was not just an environmental need, it was an economic necessity. So asserted UN Development Programme resident representative in South Africa and director of the Africa Sustainable... 

New defence review needed to tackle widening SANDF funding and capacity gaps

In late January, in fighting in the city of Goma and surrounding districts, in North Kivu province, in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), 14 South African soldiers were killed. The... 

International investors showing interest in South African PGMs – Baxter

Southern Palladium executive chairperson Roger Baxter has reported that interest in investing in South African mining projects is re-emerging on North American bourses. He was talking to...