China’s near-monopoly on rare earth elements has quietly positioned it as a critical player in global trade, giving it strategic leverage over the world’s transition to green and high-tech futures.
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Russia and Iran have announced a significant expansion in their bilateral trade and energy cooperation, underpinned by a new free trade agreement and a 20-year strategic partnership treaty. This collaboration includes substantial gas supply deals, nuclear energy projects, and the development of oilfields, marking a pivotal shift in their economic and geopolitical relations.
Mauritius harbors ambitions to become a regional data hub linking Africa and Asia. Yet a sobering look at its infrastructure reveals gaps in power supply, connectivity, land, and policy that hinder big data centre projects. This article dissects the technical, regulatory, geographic, environmental, and economic challenges keeping Mauritius from matching small data centre powerhouses like Ireland and Singapore – and considers how the island nation can bridge the gap.
Shell has announced its withdrawal from three offshore natural gas projects in Colombia’s Caribbean region, citing a strategic realignment of its global portfolio. The decision affects the Col 5, Purple Angel, and Fuerte Sur blocks, jointly operated with Colombia’s state-owned oil company, Ecopetrol. Ecopetrol remains committed to these projects, emphasizing their technical and economic viability for the country’s medium-term energy supply.
As Mauritius seeks to regain momentum in its strategic partnerships with the Gulf, the role of its ambassadorial leadership has never been more critical. A new generation of diplomacy must be guided by sharp objectives and measurable KPIs — blending economic strategy, political agility, and private sector engagement to restore Mauritius’ credibility and competitiveness across the GCC.
While Mauritius has faltered in capitalizing on the CEPA with the UAE across several sectors, the technology domain still offers a critical window for rapid recovery. By targeting fintech, digital infrastructure, and tech-driven partnerships, Mauritius can reposition itself as a competitive player in the Gulf’s expanding innovation ecosystem.
Guinea-Bissau has plugged into a regional power grid shared with its neighbours. The new hydropower link is expected to end chronic blackouts in the capital and energise the fragile nation’s economy.
Namibia, the world’s third-largest uranium producer, is exploring the construction of its first nuclear power plant to achieve energy self-sufficiency and economic diversification. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has announced plans to initiate discussions on this transformative project within the current financial year. This move could position Namibia as a nuclear energy pioneer in Africa, leveraging its rich uranium reserves to reduce reliance on imported electricity and stimulate industrial growth.
In a historic milestone that reshapes the global energy narrative, China has officially announced that its wind and solar power capacity has surpassed that of its thermal power plants for the first time. While this signals a bold stride toward a cleaner energy future, the nation still faces critical challenges in grid integration and coal dependency that could temper the pace of its green transition.
