I’ve always been fascinated by how "crisis" is just another word for "opportunity" if your checkbook is big enough. Adebayo Ogunlesi’s move to grow a $30 billion asset footprint in South Africa proves exactly that.

While most people see aging power plants and clogged ports as a sign of failure, BlackRock sees a massive opening for private capital to step in where the state has failed. This shift suggests that the future of African infrastructure may be moving out of parliament and into the boardroom.

The real question is whether this private-led model can fix the continent's bottlenecks or if red tape will eventually scare the big money away.

US-based Nigerian billionaire, Ogunlesi targets growth of $30 billion asset exposure in Africa’s largest economy

Nigerian billionaire Adebayo Ogunlesi is positioning South Africa as a top destination for large-scale infrastructure capital. As CEO of Global Infrastructure Partners, now part of BlackRock, he aims to significantly expand a $30 billion asset footprint over the next five years.

Ogunlesi highlighted critical opportunities in energy, transport, and logistics, noting that reliable electricity is essential for growth.

While BlackRock has already committed $500 million to an African infrastructure fund, Ogunlesi emphasized that attracting more global capital depends on policy consistency, regulatory clarity, and the efficient delivery of infrastructure projects.

🇫🇷 Africa’s first aviation fuel refinery planned under new $82 million France-backed deal

Kenya Airways and Rubis Energy Kenya are building Africa's first dedicated sustainable aviation fuel refinery near Nairobi. The project costs up to $82.2 million and aims to produce 32,000 metric tons of fuel annually.

This deal, signed during President Macron's visit, moves the continent from relying on imports to domestic production using renewable feedstocks like agricultural waste.

🇲🇦 Moroccan billionaire Anas Sefrioui sells French cement plant to focus on African expansion

Moroccan billionaire Anas Sefrioui sold his only French cement plant to focus on high-growth African markets. Rising energy costs and strict emissions rules have made European operations less profitable.

Through his CIMAF network, launched in 2011, Sefrioui is expanding across West and Central Africa to capitalize on increasing infrastructure needs and local construction demand.

🇨🇲 Nearly 200 illegal gold companies uncovered in Cameroon amid anti-foreign mining push

Cameroon has ordered nearly 200 illegal gold mining companies to stop operations and dismantle their facilities immediately. Over 95% of these firms are foreign-owned.

The crackdown follows massive data gaps revealing that while Cameroon officially recorded 22.3kg of gold exports in 2023, the UAE reported importing over 15 tonnes from the country during the same period.

Top 10 African countries with the lowest fuel prices in May 2026

Global fuel prices rose to $1.52 per liter this month. While prices in Tunisia, Niger, Nigeria, Gabon, and Ethiopia increased, other countries on the list remained stable. Conflicts like the Iranian war continue to hike costs, impacting inflation and transport across the continent.

Source: Global PetrolPrices

🇨🇳 China tightens grip on Mali, Zimbabwe and Ghana’s lithium as U.S.-linked miner exits Africa’s critical minerals race

Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt is expanding its lithium control in Mali, Zimbabwe, and Ghana. The Chinese giant is pursuing a $210 million takeover of Atlantic Lithium and has taken over development funding for Ghana’s Ewoyaa project from U.S.-linked Elevra Lithium.

This builds on Huayou's $422 million Zimbabwe project and other Chinese stakes in Mali, securing 87% control of the Ewoyaa asset.

🇿🇦 South Africa’s xenophobia crisis deepens as Ghana rushes to evacuate over 300 citizens

Ghana is evacuating 300 citizens from South Africa following protests targeting foreign nationals. Nigeria has also confirmed airlifting its nationals, while countries like Kenya and Zimbabwe have issued safety advisories.

Although South African authorities dismissed viral videos as misinformation, Ghana has urged the African Union to intervene. The unrest is fueled by an unemployment rate of 43.7% and frustrations over migration.

Africa is the heartbeat of the world's chocolate industry, producing over 70% of the global cocoa supply, most of which comes from the West African countries.