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Senegal
Guns and oil drive Russia's Dakar courtship

Russia has been trying to strike a military agreement with Senegal since President Bassirou Diomaye Faye came to power this year. Vladimir Putin's African strategists are also seeking to forge closer economic ties with the country, under the watchful eye of France.

LogoSubscribers only Defence, Diplomacy 04.11.2024

Senegal
Guns and oil drive Russia's Dakar courtship

Russia has been trying to strike a military agreement with Senegal since President Bassirou Diomaye Faye came to power this year. Vladimir Putin's African strategists are also seeking to forge closer economic ties with the country, under the watchful eye of France.

LogoSubscribers only Defence, Diplomacy 04.11.2024

Botswana, South Africa
From Gaborone to Antwerp, is De Beers's empire on the rocks?

Botswana, the source of most of De Beers's diamonds, is challenging the diamond giant by favouring an Antwerp start-up to cut and market its stones. Meanwhile, its parent company Anglo American has put the group up for sale, to little interest.

LogoSubscribers only Mining 30.09.2024

Botswana, South Africa
From Gaborone to Antwerp, is De Beers's empire on the rocks?

Botswana, the source of most of De Beers's diamonds, is challenging the diamond giant by favouring an Antwerp start-up to cut and market its stones. Meanwhile, its parent company Anglo American has put the group up for sale, to little interest.

LogoSubscribers only Mining 30.09.2024

Mali, Senegal, Togo
The secrets of Demex, the trader selling Russian oil in West Africa

From Dubai, a discreet Russian trading firm is making its mark in the distribution of petroleum products in West Africa. It is doing so in close collaboration with the Kremlin, which wants to circumvent sanctions and extend its influence in Africa.

LogoSubscribers only Energy 02.09.2024

Mali, Senegal, Togo
The secrets of Demex, the trader selling Russian oil in West Africa

From Dubai, a discreet Russian trading firm is making its mark in the distribution of petroleum products in West Africa. It is doing so in close collaboration with the Kremlin, which wants to circumvent sanctions and extend its influence in Africa.

LogoSubscribers only Energy 02.09.2024

Africa
The sensational rise and spectacular fall of Pefaco casino and hotels

Luxury hotels, slot machines, French-African political alliances... This was the magical mix that brought success to the Pefaco group, now in receivership. Its bosses are doing all they can to avoid the inevitable, while several courts and creditors are trying to track down their assets.

LogoSubscribers only Business 01.07.2024

Africa
The sensational rise and spectacular fall of Pefaco casino and hotels

Luxury hotels, slot machines, French-African political alliances... This was the magical mix that brought success to the Pefaco group, now in receivership. Its bosses are doing all they can to avoid the inevitable, while several courts and creditors are trying to track down their assets.

LogoSubscribers only Business 01.07.2024

Nigeria
Fertiliser giants Indorama and Dangote in murky waters over urea shortage

Two of the region's main urea producers are suspected of having organised a shortage in order to favour exports and payments in dollars. This may be in breach of a 2022 agreement with the Nigerian security services.

LogoSubscribers only Commodity traders 03.06.2024

Nigeria
Fertiliser giants Indorama and Dangote in murky waters over urea shortage

Two of the region's main urea producers are suspected of having organised a shortage in order to favour exports and payments in dollars. This may be in breach of a 2022 agreement with the Nigerian security services.

LogoSubscribers only Commodity traders 03.06.2024

Niger
Washington watches as Tehran negotiates with Niamey for 300 tonnes of uranium

Africa Intelligence can reveal the details of talks between the Niger junta and Iran for the delivery of uranium. The dizzying saga is being followed closely by Joe Biden's administration and puts the French nuclear fuel firm Orano in a delicate position.

LogoSubscribers only Mining, Diplomacy 30.04.2024
Illustrated by Julien Pacaud

Niger
Washington watches as Tehran negotiates with Niamey for 300 tonnes of uranium

Illustrated by Julien Pacaud
Illustrated by Julien Pacaud © O. de Maismont/A. Blin/B. Boureima/Khamenei.ir/AFP/Iranian Presidency/Malian Presidency/Screenshot Office Radio-TV NIger

Africa Intelligence can reveal the details of talks between the Niger junta and Iran for the delivery of uranium. The dizzying saga is being followed closely by Joe Biden's administration and puts the French nuclear fuel firm Orano in a delicate position.

LogoSubscribers only Mining, Diplomacy 30.04.2024

Guinea
Behind the scenes of Mamadi Doumbouya's offensive on Russian miner Nordgold

The Guinean junta is keeping up pressure on the gold group owned by Russian oligarch Alexey Mordashov to get payment of a $200m debt. But the billionaire still has strong connections within the local mining sector, enabling Nordgold to continue to export gold to Dubai in breach of Western sanctions.

LogoSubscribers only Mining 08.04.2024
Illustrated by Julien Pacaud.

Guinea
Behind the scenes of Mamadi Doumbouya's offensive on Russian miner Nordgold

Illustrated by Julien Pacaud.
Illustrated by Julien Pacaud. © Pictures : G. Cacace/M-A Kurtar/AFP ; S. Karpukhin/Reuters

The Guinean junta is keeping up pressure on the gold group owned by Russian oligarch Alexey Mordashov to get payment of a $200m debt. But the billionaire still has strong connections within the local mining sector, enabling Nordgold to continue to export gold to Dubai in breach of Western sanctions.

LogoSubscribers only Mining 08.04.2024

DRC
Dan Gertler's billions of dollars in royalties at heart of huge legal battle

Africa Intelligence has seen a series of confidential documents revealing a dispute between Dan Gertler and his former Congolese lawyer. This complex file reveals the financial arrangements put in place by the Israeli billionaire to deal with US sanctions.

LogoSubscribers only Finance, Mining 20.03.2024
Dan Gertler addresses the Congolese people on 16 November 2020.

DRC
Dan Gertler's billions of dollars in royalties at heart of huge legal battle

Dan Gertler addresses the Congolese people on 16 November 2020.
Dan Gertler addresses the Congolese people on 16 November 2020. © All Rights Reserved

Africa Intelligence has seen a series of confidential documents revealing a dispute between Dan Gertler and his former Congolese lawyer. This complex file reveals the financial arrangements put in place by the Israeli billionaire to deal with US sanctions.

LogoSubscribers only Finance, Mining 20.03.2024

DRC
Tshisekedi clan involved in former Katanga province's mining wild west

The names of several members of President Félix Tshisekedi's family keep quietly cropping up in connection with artisanal mining in Lualaba. Some of the sites invaded by artisanal miners last year are owned by Kazakhstan's Eurasian Resources Group.

LogoSubscribers only Mining 05.02.2024

DRC
Tshisekedi clan involved in former Katanga province's mining wild west

The names of several members of President Félix Tshisekedi's family keep quietly cropping up in connection with artisanal mining in Lualaba. Some of the sites invaded by artisanal miners last year are owned by Kazakhstan's Eurasian Resources Group.

LogoSubscribers only Mining 05.02.2024

Central African Republic
Between Wagner and Bancroft, Touadéra's tricky security situation

In the hope of reducing Moscow's influence, Faustin-Archange Touadéra is seeking to renew ties with Western partners. This delicate diplomatic shift has resulted in an agreement with the US private military company Bancroft, the details of which Africa Intelligence can now reveal.

LogoSubscribers only Defence, Mining, Diplomacy 08.01.2024
Illustrated by Julien Pacaud, with AFP and Reuters

Central African Republic
Between Wagner and Bancroft, Touadéra's tricky security situation

Illustrated by Julien Pacaud, with AFP and Reuters
Illustrated by Julien Pacaud, with AFP and Reuters

In the hope of reducing Moscow's influence, Faustin-Archange Touadéra is seeking to renew ties with Western partners. This delicate diplomatic shift has resulted in an agreement with the US private military company Bancroft, the details of which Africa Intelligence can now reveal.

LogoSubscribers only Defence, Mining, Diplomacy 08.01.2024

Algeria
The fall of Algeria's powerful Sonatrach boss, Toufik Hakkar

Toufik Hakkar's tenure at the head of Algeria's Sonatrach, the largest state-owned oil company in Africa, ended abruptly on 2 October and the former CEO is now facing judicial scrutiny over a number of deals with foreign firms, despite his friends in high places.

LogoSubscribers only Energy 04.12.2023
Flags of Algeria and Sonatrach at the inauguration of the HGA Sud-Hassi Messaoud separation and compression centre on 23 February 2023.

Algeria
The fall of Algeria's powerful Sonatrach boss, Toufik Hakkar

Flags of Algeria and Sonatrach at the inauguration of the HGA Sud-Hassi Messaoud separation and compression centre on 23 February 2023.
Flags of Algeria and Sonatrach at the inauguration of the HGA Sud-Hassi Messaoud separation and compression centre on 23 February 2023. © Billel Bensalem/APP/NurPhoto via AFP

Toufik Hakkar's tenure at the head of Algeria's Sonatrach, the largest state-owned oil company in Africa, ended abruptly on 2 October and the former CEO is now facing judicial scrutiny over a number of deals with foreign firms, despite his friends in high places.

LogoSubscribers only Energy 04.12.2023

DRC, Kenya
Ruto's great expectations frustrated by Kinshasa

Since Félix Tshisekedi came to power in 2019 in the DRC, the Kenyan political class and private sector have been trying to make inroads there. These efforts have been slow to bear fruit, as relations between the two countries remain strained.

LogoSubscribers only Business, Diplomacy 27.11.2023
Kenyan president William Ruto, Equity Bank CEO James Mwangi and Congolese Head of State Félix Tshisekedi.

DRC, Kenya
Ruto's great expectations frustrated by Kinshasa

Kenyan president William Ruto, Equity Bank CEO James Mwangi and Congolese Head of State Félix Tshisekedi.
Kenyan president William Ruto, Equity Bank CEO James Mwangi and Congolese Head of State Félix Tshisekedi. © Studio Pachamama//Thomas Peter/Frederick Florin/AFP//Jeff Schear///Getty Images via AFP//Caroline Thirion/Belga via AFP//Siripak Pason/istock//Images of Africa Photobank/Gordzam/Alamy

Since Félix Tshisekedi came to power in 2019 in the DRC, the Kenyan political class and private sector have been trying to make inroads there. These efforts have been slow to bear fruit, as relations between the two countries remain strained.

LogoSubscribers only Business, Diplomacy 27.11.2023

Africa
From Dubai to Cape Town, upstart trader Coral Energy rolls out African offensive

Dubai-based Coral Energy has recently made an aggressive entrance on the oil trading market in several sub-Saharan African countries where competitors suspect it of reselling Russian products. Africa Intelligence lifts the veil on this little-known trader.

LogoSubscribers only Energy 20.11.2023
From left to right: Coral's founder, Azerbaijani Tahir Garayev, his compatriot Ahmed Karimov and the head of the Rosneft group, Igor Setchine.

Africa
From Dubai to Cape Town, upstart trader Coral Energy rolls out African offensive

From left to right: Coral's founder, Azerbaijani Tahir Garayev, his compatriot Ahmed Karimov and the head of the Rosneft group, Igor Setchine.
From left to right: Coral's founder, Azerbaijani Tahir Garayev, his compatriot Ahmed Karimov and the head of the Rosneft group, Igor Setchine. © Studio Pachamama//LinkedIn//Benz190/Istock//X//Dmitry Astakhov/Sputnik/AFP//Maksim Safaniuk/Boule/Shutterstock

Dubai-based Coral Energy has recently made an aggressive entrance on the oil trading market in several sub-Saharan African countries where competitors suspect it of reselling Russian products. Africa Intelligence lifts the veil on this little-known trader.

LogoSubscribers only Energy 20.11.2023

Nigeria
CMA CGM, Maersk, MSC: Shipping giants battle for supremacy in the ports of Lagos

The economic crisis that has hit the continent's top economy has increased competition between port operators in Lagos. As a result, European maritime trading giants are trying to strengthen their position at Nigeria's main gateway.

LogoSubscribers only Business 13.11.2023
A.P. Moller - Maersk boss Vincent Clerc, CMA CGM CEO Rodolphe Saadé and MSC group owner Gianluigi Aponte.

Nigeria
CMA CGM, Maersk, MSC: Shipping giants battle for supremacy in the ports of Lagos

A.P. Moller - Maersk boss Vincent Clerc, CMA CGM CEO Rodolphe Saadé and MSC group owner Gianluigi Aponte.
A.P. Moller - Maersk boss Vincent Clerc, CMA CGM CEO Rodolphe Saadé and MSC group owner Gianluigi Aponte. © Ludovic Marin/Sébastien Salom-Gomis/AFP//Liselotte Sabroe Via AFP/Vesselfinder.com/Wirestock/Alamy/bjdlzx/benz190/istock/Studio Pachamama

The economic crisis that has hit the continent's top economy has increased competition between port operators in Lagos. As a result, European maritime trading giants are trying to strengthen their position at Nigeria's main gateway.

LogoSubscribers only Business 13.11.2023

Ivory Coast
Tidjane Thiam secret phone tap agitates Ouattara's inner circle

As the Franco-Ivorian banker sets his sights on the leadership of the PDCI opposition party, a recording made by Ivorian intelligence in 2020 has resurfaced in Alassane Ouattara's inner circle. It's a delicate matter which Emmanuel Macron is mixed up in.

LogoSubscribers only Politics 10.11.2023
From left to right: former president Henri Konan Bédié, Ivorian banker Tidjane Thiam, French president Emmanuel Macron, and current head of state Alassane Ouattara.

Ivory Coast
Tidjane Thiam secret phone tap agitates Ouattara's inner circle

From left to right: former president Henri Konan Bédié, Ivorian banker Tidjane Thiam, French president Emmanuel Macron, and current head of state Alassane Ouattara.
From left to right: former president Henri Konan Bédié, Ivorian banker Tidjane Thiam, French president Emmanuel Macron, and current head of state Alassane Ouattara. © Studio Pachamama//Legnan Koula/Ennio Leanza/EPA/Newscom/MaxPPP//Sia Kambou/AFP//PhotoPQR/Sud Oouest/MaxPPP//Vkulieva/Istock

As the Franco-Ivorian banker sets his sights on the leadership of the PDCI opposition party, a recording made by Ivorian intelligence in 2020 has resurfaced in Alassane Ouattara's inner circle. It's a delicate matter which Emmanuel Macron is mixed up in.

LogoSubscribers only Politics 10.11.2023

Chad
The 1001 lives of Abakar Manany

An intriguing fixture of the Chadian political landscape for over two decades, businessman Abakar Manany was one of Idriss Déby's closest advisers, and then one of his fiercest opponents. Living between Dubai, Paris and Washington, he made a comeback with Mahamat Idriss Déby, before being abruptly dismissed in July.

LogoSubscribers only Politics, Business 06.11.2023
Abakar Manany, the millionaire aviator at the heart of Chadian power.

Chad
The 1001 lives of Abakar Manany

Abakar Manany, the millionaire aviator at the heart of Chadian power.
Abakar Manany, the millionaire aviator at the heart of Chadian power. © Le Pictorium/MaxPPP//Abir Sultan/EPA/Newscom/MaxPPP//Kirk Fisher/istock//amjetexecutive.com//benz190/istock

An intriguing fixture of the Chadian political landscape for over two decades, businessman Abakar Manany was one of Idriss Déby's closest advisers, and then one of his fiercest opponents. Living between Dubai, Paris and Washington, he made a comeback with Mahamat Idriss Déby, before being abruptly dismissed in July.

LogoSubscribers only Politics, Business 06.11.2023

Morocco
Rabat's secret plan to supply Morocco's future gigafactories with strategic minerals

Battery industry giants, including South Korea's LG and China's Gotion, have announced three major electric vehicle battery plants in Morocco in recent months. But the sourcing of their critical metals remains a major unknown factor.

LogoSubscribers only Mining 30.10.2023
Investment Minister Mohcine Jazouli and Hassan Ouriaghli, head of Al Mada.

Morocco
Rabat's secret plan to supply Morocco's future gigafactories with strategic minerals

Investment Minister Mohcine Jazouli and Hassan Ouriaghli, head of Al Mada.
Investment Minister Mohcine Jazouli and Hassan Ouriaghli, head of Al Mada. © Studio Pachamama/STR/Samir Tounsi/AFP/Fedor Selivanov/Shutterstock/Mohamed Elbendary/EPA/Newscom/MaxPPP/SNI

Battery industry giants, including South Korea's LG and China's Gotion, have announced three major electric vehicle battery plants in Morocco in recent months. But the sourcing of their critical metals remains a major unknown factor.

LogoSubscribers only Mining 30.10.2023

Zambia
Behind the scenes of Vedanta's skirmish with Hichilema

After lengthy, tense talks with the government, the British-Indian billionaire Anil Agarwal is once again in charge of Konkola Copper Mines via his conglomerate Vedanta Resources. The metal king used every ounce of his political and financial sway to return to the helm of one of the most strategic copper mines in the world.

LogoSubscribers only Mining, Politics 23.10.2023
(From L-R) The tycoon Anil Agarwal, head of the Vedanta Resources conglomerate, current Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema and ex-Zambian president Edgar Lungu.

Zambia
Behind the scenes of Vedanta's skirmish with Hichilema

(From L-R) The tycoon Anil Agarwal, head of the Vedanta Resources conglomerate, current Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema and ex-Zambian president Edgar Lungu.
(From L-R) The tycoon Anil Agarwal, head of the Vedanta Resources conglomerate, current Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema and ex-Zambian president Edgar Lungu. © Studio Pachamama//Bhagirath Basnet/The Times of India//AFP//Evgeny Biatov/Ria Novosti/AFP//Harish Tyagi/EFENewscom/MaxPPP//kcm.co.zm//Giorgio Morara/Shutterstock

After lengthy, tense talks with the government, the British-Indian billionaire Anil Agarwal is once again in charge of Konkola Copper Mines via his conglomerate Vedanta Resources. The metal king used every ounce of his political and financial sway to return to the helm of one of the most strategic copper mines in the world.

LogoSubscribers only Mining, Politics 23.10.2023

Chad
Idriss Youssouf Boy and the sinuous arms routes of Chad's junta

Documents consulted by Africa Intelligence reveal a secret company used by the inner circle of Chad leader Mahamat Idriss Déby to order defence equipment. His chief of staff, Idriss Youssouf Boy, is at the heart of complex and lucrative military equipment financing circuits that stretch from Abu Dhabi to Tel Aviv, via Astana, Istanbul and Sofia.

LogoSubscribers only Defence 16.10.2023
Idriss Yousssouf Boy, conductor of the Chadian regime's orders for military equipment.

Chad
Idriss Youssouf Boy and the sinuous arms routes of Chad's junta

Idriss Yousssouf Boy, conductor of the Chadian regime's orders for military equipment.
Idriss Yousssouf Boy, conductor of the Chadian regime's orders for military equipment. © Montage Studio Pachamama // Compte de la présidence de la République du Tchad/YouTube // Présidence du Tchad // Denis Sassou Gueipeur/AFP // Militarist/Shutterstock // Nurolmakina.com

Documents consulted by Africa Intelligence reveal a secret company used by the inner circle of Chad leader Mahamat Idriss Déby to order defence equipment. His chief of staff, Idriss Youssouf Boy, is at the heart of complex and lucrative military equipment financing circuits that stretch from Abu Dhabi to Tel Aviv, via Astana, Istanbul and Sofia.

LogoSubscribers only Defence 16.10.2023

Africa
Israel's 'Shin Bet' diplomacy in West Africa

Drawing on his experience at the Israeli domestic intelligence agency, the new DG of the Foreign Ministry, Ronen Levi, has left his mark on the country's African diplomacy in under a year. His strategy focuses on countries in the Sahel, where he sees opportunity in the region's recent regime changes.

LogoSubscribers only Diplomacy 09.10.2023
Ronen Levi, Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Africa
Israel's 'Shin Bet' diplomacy in West Africa

Ronen Levi, Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Ronen Levi, Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. © Studio Pachamama/X@RonenLeviMaoz/Leonardo Munoz/AFP/Anadolu Agency/Egyptian Presidency/DPA Picture Alliance/Alamy/Filadendron/PeopleImages/Mtcurado/Istock/Rawpixel Ltd

Drawing on his experience at the Israeli domestic intelligence agency, the new DG of the Foreign Ministry, Ronen Levi, has left his mark on the country's African diplomacy in under a year. His strategy focuses on countries in the Sahel, where he sees opportunity in the region's recent regime changes.

LogoSubscribers only Diplomacy 09.10.2023

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