Africa’s cocoa, energy, and innovation are turning heads globally

Dear readers,

Buckle up, Africa is rewriting the playbook, and you’ll want a front-row seat.

Ghana’s cocoa sector is under intense pressure, with output set to fall below 600,000 tonnes for 2024/2025, opening the door for competitors like Indonesia, Nigeria, and Ecuador to climb the ranks.

Cocoa isn’t just a crop; it supports 800,000 farming households and drives foreign exchange, meaning shifts here could ripple through the continent’s economies and global chocolate markets.

Meanwhile, other African markets are flexing their strength. South Africa’s tourism sector welcomed a record 10.5 million visitors in 2025, defying travel warnings and reinforcing the continent’s appeal as a hub for trade, travel, and leisure.

In Namibia, the Langer Heinrich uranium mine is nearing full capacity, positioning the country to supply up to 10% of global nuclear fuel demand.

Nigeria’s energy sector continues to hum, with NNPC posting $4.26 billion in profit and major pipeline and refinery projects moving steadily forward.

On the global stage, geopolitics is intersecting with business.

The U.S. has introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, a move that could reshape risk calculations for investors and companies operating in the region.

And in technology, Microsoft’s AI chief predicts that most white-collar tasks could be automated within 18 months, signaling a potential shift in labor markets worldwide, including Africa.

Ghana’s cocoa sector is under severe pressure, raising fears it could lose its position as the world’s second-largest producer. Output is projected to fall below 600,000 tonnes for the 2024/2025 season, down sharply from historical averages of 800,000 tonnes and the 1 million tonnes recorded in 2020/2021.

Meanwhile, rivals are gaining ground. Ecuador is set to surpass 650,000 tonnes and could reach 800,000 by decade’s end, while Indonesia and Nigeria are ramping up production through policy support and higher yields.

🇨🇳 Despite travel warnings from Canada, U.S. and China, South Africa records historic 10.5 million visitors in 2025

South Africa’s tourism sector hit a historic high in 2025, welcoming a record 10.5 million international visitors, surpassing pre-pandemic levels and marking a 17.6% increase from 2024.

The rebound came despite travel advisories from the U.S., Canada, China and Australia citing safety concerns. Tourism remains a critical pillar of the economy, contributing nearly 9% to GDP and supporting 1.8 million direct and indirect jobs, underscoring its role in foreign revenue generation and employment.

🇦🇺 Australia-backed uranium mine in Namibia is set to have a great year as nuclear demand surges

Namibia’s Langer Heinrich uranium mine, 75% owned by Australia’s Paladin, is nearing full production capacity as global nuclear demand lifts uranium prices. After hitting a two-year high of $101 per pound in early 2025 and stabilising between $85–$90, stronger pricing has accelerated investment and output, with the mine expected to reach peak production by July. 

Namibia, already Africa’s largest uranium producer and the world’s third-largest, recorded a 59% year-on-year output increase in April 2025, reinforcing its growing role in global nuclear fuel supply chains.

🇳🇬 Nigeria’s oil giant records $4.2 billion in profit as output nears 1.6 million barrels daily

Nigeria’s state-owned energy giant, Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), reported an after-tax profit of $4.26 billion for 2025, driven by $44.8 billion in revenue and $10.9 billion in statutory payments. Average crude and condensate production stood at 1.62 million barrels per day, despite a dip to 1.54 million bpd in December due to maintenance and outages.

Beyond profits, infrastructure performance showed steady progress. Daily gas supply averaged 6.91 billion standard cubic feet in December, while refinery petrol availability improved to 65%

With global oil markets shifting and domestic currencies increasingly influencing pricing results, low fuel costs are delivering much-needed respite to individuals, businesses, and governments alike. For many African countries, prolonged reductions in fuel costs provide numerous advantages.

🇺🇸 From airstrikes to investigations, the U.S. aims to escalate pressure on the Nigerian government

The United States has introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, a bill aimed at intensifying scrutiny of Nigeria’s response to religious violence. Championed by U.S. lawmakers including Riley Moore and Chris Smith, the legislation would require the U.S. Secretary of State to report to Congress on efforts to curb religious persecution and assess Nigeria’s compliance with the International Religious Freedom Act.

Beyond reporting requirements, the bill calls for evaluating Nigeria’s efforts to prevent violence, prosecute offenders, repeal blasphemy laws, and protect internally displaced persons. It also seeks to verify sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act and ensure U.S. security assistance does not enable abuses.

🤖 Microsoft AI CEO predicts 'most, if not all' white-collar tasks will be automated by AI within 18 months

Mustafa Suleyman, head of AI at Microsoft, has predicted that most white-collar tasks could be automated by artificial intelligence within the next 12 to 18 months.

In an interview with the Financial Times, he said AI is approaching human-level performance across professions such as law, accounting, marketing, and project management, noting that software engineers are already relying heavily on AI-assisted coding.

🇪🇬Egypt is the only African country located in two continents, it extends from the northwest corner of Africa to the southwest corner of Asia.