Angola is moving to raise $2.5 billion in Eurobonds as rising oil prices create a window to refinance debt and strengthen investor confidence. The move reflects how energy-rich African nations are leveraging global market shifts to stabilize finances and position themselves for growth.

In South Africa, Glencore is weighing a shutdown of its ferrochrome operations as soaring electricity costs threaten profitability, putting over 1,000 jobs at risk. At the same time, Nigeria is seeing rising demand for its gas exports as global buyers seek safer energy sources.

Across the continent, policy, power, and innovation remain tightly linked. From Egypt’s new oil discovery to Meta’s internal AI push shaping workforce skills, Africa stands at a turning point where energy security, technology, and global alliances will define its next phase.

Glencore is considering shutting down its ferrochrome operations in South Africa, which could lead to more than 1,000 job cuts. The company is currently in talks with the government and Eskom over an electricity price deal, but it may walk away if the terms are not acceptable.

The potential shutdown is happening because rising power costs have made these smelters unprofitable. Glencore says that without lower electricity rates, it cannot keep these plants running while facing competition from cheaper producers in China and other global markets.

The company has postponed its layoff plans until March 31 to allow more time for these negotiations to succeed. However, if no agreement is reached on the electricity tariff, up to 1,500 positions could be eliminated as the company closes its facilities.

🇦🇴 Africa’s third-largest oil producer to sell $2.5 billion of Eurobonds as oil surges

Angola, Africa’s third-largest oil producer, plans to sell $2.5 billion in Eurobonds to help manage its national debt. This move comes as global oil prices rise due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has made investors more interested in energy-rich nations.

The government aims to use this new funding to pay off older, more expensive debts and improve its financial standing. By taking advantage of the current market trends, Angola hopes to stabilize its economy and show global investors that it remains a strong and reliable partner.

🇿🇦 Global auto giant Ford builds first ever pickup truck with Nelson Mandela’s signature to support charity in South Africa

Global auto giant Ford has built a special Ranger pickup truck featuring the signature of Nelson Mandela. This unique vehicle was created at Ford’s South Africa plant to celebrate the legacy of the late leader and his impact on the nation’s history and industrial growth.

The special truck will be auctioned to raise funds for the Nelson Mandela Foundation. This project shows Ford's long-term commitment to South Africa, where it has operated for decades. By honoring Mandela, the company highlights its deep roots in the local community and economy.

🇪🇬 Egypt uncovers new energy resource in its desert

Egypt and the Apache Corporation recently discovered a new oil resource in the Western Desert during a successful drilling operation in the Kalabsha area. This find represents a major step in the country's broader plan to increase its local energy production and reserves.

By using existing infrastructure to lower costs, Egypt and its partners expect this new resource to produce thousands of barrels of oil every day. This discovery helps the nation reduce its need for expensive imports while strengthening its overall position in the energy market.

Meta is pushing employees to use AI, and this doc shows how much

Meta is now pushing its employees to use AI more frequently in their daily work, as revealed by a new internal document. This move is part of a larger strategy to establish the tech giant as a leader in the rapidly evolving world of smart software.

The document outlines specific steps for teams to test new AI features, allowing staff to identify bugs and suggest improvements before any public release. This internal "dogfooding" process is essential for building more reliable products for users around the world.

For Africa, this trend highlights how AI is becoming a basic skill within the modern workplace. As global firms increase their reliance on these tools, local professionals must also adapt to ensure they can effectively compete in the global market.

Top 10 happiest countries in Africa in 2026, according to latest ranking

A new report shows the African nations with the happiest citizens this year. Mauritius takes the top spot, followed by Libya and Algeria. The ratings are calculated based on good health, social support, and how much freedom people feel they have in their daily lives.

Source: World Happiness Report

🇿🇦 South Africa blames Washington as France bows to pressure, pulls G7 invite

South Africa will not attend the G7 summit after France withdrew its invitation, reportedly due to sustained pressure from the U.S. This tension stems from South Africa’s neutral stance on global conflicts and its increasingly strong ties with other power blocs.

This snub is a blow to diplomatic relations, especially since South Africa is often the primary voice for Africa at these forums. Without their presence, the summit may lack a critical perspective on global trade and the strategies needed to help African economies grow.

The South African government blames Washington for this decision, maintaining their right to an independent, "non-aligned" foreign policy. This cooling of relations could ultimately push South Africa to work even more closely with its partners in the BRICS group.

🇳🇬 Middle East war drives more buyers to seek Nigeria’s liquefied natural gas exports

The war in the Middle East is rapidly changing how the world buys energy, leading many countries in Europe and Asia to seek safer fuel sources. Nigeria is becoming a top choice because it is far from the conflict zones, offering a more stable alternative for global markets.

Shipping gas from Nigeria is now seen as a reliable option for international buyers, and the state oil company reports a significant surge in interest from global partners. This shift is helping Nigeria earn more foreign currency at a critical time when the global economy remains shaky and unpredictable.

However, Nigeria must still improve its internal pipelines to meet this high demand and ensure local infrastructure is upgraded quickly. If the country can successfully fix these issues, it has the potential to become a leading energy provider for the entire Atlantic region.

Africa holds approximately 9% to 12% of the world's proven oil reserves and produces about 10% of global crude. Leading producers are Nigeria, Libya, Angola, Algeria, and Egypt.