The recent protests in Antananarivo, featuring placards declaring “France out” and “Rajoelina and Macron out” highlight more than just opposition to the current president and his perceived connections to Paris. These demonstrations reveal a deep-seated and enduring sense of hurt, suspicion, and resentment within Malagasy political culture, stemming back centuries.
A business engagement held on September 6th was central to Team South Africa’s program, explicitly linking local industrial policy with continental market integration. This session, titled “South Africa fostering local automotive production and accelerating investment in the African continent through the AfCFTA,” brought together various stakeholders. These included the dtic,
Across the continent, manufacturers are increasingly integrating automation, digitalisation, and data-driven intelligence into their operations. With robust digital infrastructure in place, they are well positioned to compete in a dynamic global environment. Vertiv’s experience in the field affirms this shift: as organisations across sectors modernise to remain competitive, manufacturing is
In the second quarter of 2025, the global manufacturing sector demonstrated notable resilience. According to UNIDO, manufacturing production rose by 1.1%, marking the fifth consecutive quarter of positive growth despite headwinds from trade tensions, supply chain disruptions, and geopolitical uncertainty. While advanced (industrial) economies sustained stronger momentum, industrializing economies posted
Artificial intelligence is moving from experimentation to structural transformation, as organisations worldwide rewire their operations to unlock measurable value from generative AI and advanced technologies. McKinsey’s State of AI 2025 report shows that over 75% of firms now use AI in at least one function, with the greatest impact seen
Ethiopia’s coffee exports saw a significant increase between July and September, with 113,542 tons shipped. This volume represents 75 percent of the target. However, according to Adugna Debela, Director General of the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority, the country exceeded its earnings projections by 23 percent. Revenue for this period
Brazil’s beef exports to China surged by 38.3% in September 2025, reaching 187,340 tonnes, according to industry group Abrafrigo. This jump comes as Beijing strategically pivots away from U.S. agricultural imports during a trade standoff with Washington. Total Brazilian beef exports hit a record 373,867 tonnes, valued at $1.92 billion,
In an era of intensifying geopolitical competition and economic uncertainty, BRICS has emerged as a resilient balancing force in global politics and trade. Across multiple regions, the bloc’s member states are leveraging diplomatic alignment, strategic partnerships, and sectoral cooperation to counter external pressures and assert greater agency in global affairs.
An AI race with global stakes is unfolding in the Middle East. The United States, still home to the world’s most advanced microchip design and manufacturing capabilities, risks losing its lead in one of the most strategic regions on the planet if it fails to finalise next-generation semiconductor agreements with
Across the Gulf, national oil companies are rewriting the playbook on how energy infrastructure is financed. Instead of simply operating pipelines and power plants as state-owned assets, they are unlocking billions of dollars in fresh capital by selling minority stakes, all while keeping control over the networks that underpin their